The Galloway Hoard: Viking-Age Treasure
29 May - 12 Sep 2021
10:00—16:30 (last entry at 16:00)
Exhibition Gallery 1, Level 3
Free entry
Priority access for Members
Booking information
The Galloway Hoard has now finished at the National Museum of Scotland but it will be on display at the Kirkcudbright Galleries from 9 October 2021 to 10 July 2022 and on to Aberdeen Museum and Art Gallery from 30 July to 23 October 2022.
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 from 9 October 2021 to 10 July 2022 and on to Aberdeen Art Gallery from 30 July to 23 October 2022 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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Finds 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.
Above: Anglo-Saxon disc brooches.
Above: Hinged mounts with Anglo-Saxon Trewhiddle-style decoration.
Above: A new type of Anglo-Saxon quatrefoil brooch.
Above: This gold bird pin is unique.
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.
The Galloway Hoard exhibition is in our main exhibition space at the National Museum of Scotland, located on Level 3.
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.
Discover the Galloway Hoard
Find out what makes the Galloway Hoard the richest collection of rare and unique Viking-age objects ever found in Britain or Ireland.
Explore the Hoard
