The Galloway Hoard: Viking-age Treasure
29 May - 12 Sep 2021
Exhibition Gallery 1, Level 3
Free with pre-booked museum entry
Priority access for Members
The Galloway Hoard brings together the richest collection of rare and unique Viking-age objects ever found in Britain or Ireland. It is of international significance and will transform our understanding of this period of Scottish history.
Bringing together the richest collection of rare and unique Viking-age objects ever found in Britain or Ireland, the internationally significant Galloway Hoard is transforming our understanding of Scotland’s connections with the wider world during this period.
The Hoard was buried around AD 900 and contains over 100 diverse objects, from silver, gold and jewelled treasures to rarely surviving textiles, including wool, linen and Scotland’s earliest examples of silk.
Discovered by a metal detectorist in Dumfries and Galloway in 2014, the Hoard was allocated to National Museums Scotland in 2017, when a selection of items went on display as part of successful fundraising campaign supported by the National Heritage Memorial Fund and Art Fund to save it for the nation. With generous public support, an intensive programme of conservation and research is now underway, uncovering the secrets of the Hoard for the very first time.
In this free exhibition, see recently cleaned and conserved objects from the Hoard, revealing intricate decoration not seen since the objects' burial more than 1,000 years ago. Then delve deeper and examine hidden details found in X-rays, CT scans and 3D models. Discover what innovative research and analysis have already revealed about the Hoard, and explore what future work might yet uncover about this unparalleled Viking-age find.
After the exhibition ends at the National Museum of Scotland, it will tour on to Kirkcudbright Galleries in October and on to Aberdeen Museum and Art Gallery next summer thanks to support from the Scottish Government.
“Nothing like this has ever been found in Scotland...- Dr Martin Goldberg, Principal Curator of Medieval Archaeology and History
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Join nowFinds from the Galloway Hoard
A gold bird pin thought to be unique.
A new type of Anglo-Saxon quatrefoil brooch.
An Anglo-Saxon disc brooch.
A hinged mount with Anglo-Saxon Trewhiddle-style decoration.
Share your exhibition thoughts and highlights on social media using #GallowayHoard.
The Galloway Hoard exhibition at the National Museum of Scotland is supported by Baillie Gifford.
Exhibition entry
Entry to The Galloway Hoard is free with pre-booked museum entry. Please note that physical distancing measures mean that numbers inside the exhibition gallery are limited, and museum entry does not guarantee entry to the exhibition.
There is a queuing system in place at the exhibition entrance, and our Visitor Experience team will ensure that as many people as possible are able to safely visit each day. National Museums Scotland Members receive priority access to the exhibition, but entry is subject to overall capacity. Thank you for your understanding as we work to ensure the safety of our visitors and staff.
Getting here
Access
We want everyone who comes to our museums to enjoy their time with us and make the most of their visit.
- There is level access to the Museum via the main doors to the Entrance Hall on Chambers Street and the Tower entrance at the corner of Chambers Street and George IV Bridge.
- Lifts are available to all floors and accessible toilets are available on most floors, as well as a Changing Places (U) toilet in the Entrance Hall on Level 0.
- There is an induction loop in the Auditorium.
- Guide dogs, hearing dogs and other recognised assistance dogs are admitted.
Find out more about our access information.
Header image: A gold bird pin thought to be unique.
