Fascinating stories behind our collection, from the prehistoric to the present.

With over 12 million objects and specimens in our museums and stores, we have a lot of stories to tell. Uncover hidden histories, discover breakthrough research, and dip in to different perspectives with our collection of articles and films.

Who was Mary, Queen of Scots?

  1. Detail of a marble tomb, showing a female head with ruffle collar.
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    The life, death, and legacy of Mary, Queen of Scots

    Arguably the most famous and controversial figure in Scottish history, Mary Stewart has become something of an enigma. Intrigue and romance have often obscured the hard facts of her life and reign.
  2. Portrait of Mary, Queen of Scots dressed in a vivid pink doublet lined with gold and pearls, looking stoically ahead against a bright blue background.
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    Mary, Queen of Scots

    Mary, Queen of Scots is one of the most famous yet enigmatic figures in Scottish history. Our collection contains a rich selection of objects associated with Mary. Explore her dramatic story and separate out the facts from the myths that…
  3. Portrait of Mary, Queen of Scots dressed in a vivid pink doublet lined with gold and pearls, looking stoically ahead against a black background.
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    The controversial letters associated with the Mary, Queen of Scots Casket

    The Mary, Queen of Scots Casket is one of Scotland’s most cherished treasures, thanks to its long-standing association with the controversial queen.
  4. Ornate silver chest pointed at diagonally to view two sides at once. A heavy lock guards it and a coat of arms is inscribed on one side.
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    Mary, Queen of Scots and the silver casket

    The Mary, Queen of Scots Casket is one of Scotland’s most cherished treasures, thanks to its long-standing association with the controversial queen. Take a closer look at this extremely rare work of early French silver and its associations…
  5. A painting of a man from the waist up  with brown wavy hair and a mustache and goatee. He wears a black hat with a jewelled brooch and a white jacket with a lace collar under a black cloak.
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    A brief history of James VI and I

    James VI and I was a hugely significant Stewart king. But he has been overshadowed by his notorious relations. His predecessor in Scotland was his mother, Mary, Queen of Scots. In England, his cousin, Elizabeth I, and finally his successor…
  6. Oval locket of gold and a gold and pearl pendant which was probably formerly attached to the locket
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    True or False: Objects associated with Mary, Queen of Scots

    The life and death of Mary, Queen of Scots has given rise to countless legends over the years. Many places and objects acquire a new glamour through their association with her - genuine or otherwise. In our collection we have many items…

Latest stories

  1. Colourful painted ceiling panel depicting King David playing his harp
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    Early Modern Scottish belief in 9 objects

    These 9 key objects help paint a picture of belief and devotional practice in Scotland. By showing how people used and interacted with these objects, we get a glimpse into the everyday experience of faith in early modern Scotland.  In late…
  2. A cream telephone, with a receiver on one side and a keyboard on the other. A small screen sits above the keyboard.
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    10 stories of disability history in the collections

    Disability History Month begins in November each year. But all year round we care for and interpret objects connected to the lives and experiences of D/deaf, disabled and neurodivergent people, past and present. This list highlights…
  3. Set of miniature wooden coffins with wooden dolls inside.
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    An unsolved mystery: the coffins found on Arthur's Seat

    Satanic spell, superstitious charm or echo of Edinburgh’s grisly underworld history? We examine the strange tale of these tiny coffins, discovered on Arthur’s Seat almost 200 years ago.
  4. A watercolour painting of a rural scene, where a group of people are sat enjoying refreshments in a field, with harvested bales tied up with string all around them.
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    The Autumn harvest in 8 rural snapshots

    Seasons of the year have always shaped how communities and people live. Farming and rural life was driven by the changing of the seasons. While the technology employed to do the work has changed, the tasks done in each season have largely…
  5. Twelve bronze objects, including some rounded fittings with concentric circle designs and a rattle pendant.
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    What is the Peebles Hoard?

    The Peebles Hoard is a spectacular collection of bronze, leather and wooden material. Dating to the Late Bronze Age (c.1000-800 BCE), it contains several hundred elements from a complex set of objects. A complete sword in a wooden scabbard…
  6. Mannequins wearing colourful clothes on display in a museum
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    Developing new mannequins for our fashion displays

    Our displays are evolving to reflect different bodies and to tell new stories. Find out more about our process and where we plan to go from here.

Header image: Lewis chess pieces © Stewart Attwood. Read The Story of the Lewis Chess pieces to discover more about these iconic objects, and see them on display at the National Museum of Scotland.