Objects from the National Museums Scotland collection can be found at museums throughout the UK and internationally. 

Recent international loans include loans to Venice, Madrid and Paris, and there are over 2000 objects on long term loan across Scotland and the rest of the UK.

The Whithorn Trust, Dumfries & Galloway

1 April 2024 – 31 October 2024

For the 2024 visitor season National Museums Scotland lent the Whithorn Crozier, a deluxe late 12th century gilt bronze crozier excavated from the Whithorn Priory Bishops’ graves. The crozier was used a symbol of bishops and abbots and buried alongside those who held important clerical offices.

Kinloch Historical Society, Isle of Lewis

Archaeology Homecoming

22 April 2024 – March 2025

14 pieces of excavated archaeological material have been lent to the newly accredited Kinloch Museum, which is marking the Kinloch Historical Society’s 40th anniversary with an exhibition. All the archaeological artefacts were found locally on the Isle of Lewis, including a horn scoop, a carved stone ball and axe heads dating from 3800-2500 BCE.

Comunn Eachdraidh Nis, Isle of Lewis

Na Dorsan

22 April 2024 – March 2025

National Museums Scotland have lent 40 archaeological artefacts from the Isle of Lewis, from the area near Galson village, which was resettled in 1924 when rescue excavations uncovered an Iron Age cemetery and long-lived settlement.

Abbotsford House, Scottish Borders

25 April 2024 – 21 April 2027

For new displays at the Abbotsford House Visitor Centre, National Museums Scotland have lent 5 items relating to Sir Walter Scott including a calf’s heart pierced with pins as a charm to ward off witches and a helmet worn by Sir Walter Scott for the Midlothian Volunteer Yeomanry.

Wardlaw Museum, University of St. Andrews

Envisioning Other Worlds

2 June 2024 – 22 September 2024

National Museums Scotland have lent 5 meteor fragments to this exhibition which looks at the explosion of interest in the discovery of exoplanets (planets outwith our solar system) since their first evidencing in 1995 and how they have been imagined by humans across cultures and throughout literature.

National Museum of Iceland, Reyjavik

The Lögrétta Valances

17 June 2024 to 22 June 2025

For the 80th anniversary of the Republic of Iceland, National Museums Scotland have lent an embroidered linen canvas hanging which allegedly hung in the Icelandic Court of Legislature at Pingvellir in the late 18th century.