Discover

Explore the stories, objects and ideas that connect Scotland to the world – from the ancient history to cutting edge science.

About Discover

The story of Dolly the Sheep

Affectionately named after country music legend Dolly Parton, read the fascinating and controversial story of the first cloned mammal ever to be created from an adult cell.
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About Discover

A group of carved Lewis chess pieces

The Lewis chess pieces

Scottish History and Archaeology
Part of a large hoard buried on the Isle of Lewis, Scotland, these eleven medieval chess pieces were amongst 93 gaming pieces. They provide insight into the growing popularity of chess and other games in medieval Europe.
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Mary, Queen of Scots

  1. Detail of a marble tomb, showing a female head with ruffle collar.

    The life, death, and legacy of Mary, Queen of Scots

    History and cultures, Scotland

    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.
    Short read
  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.

    Mary, Queen of Scots

    History and cultures, Scotland

    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…
    Article
  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.

    The controversial letters associated with the Mary, Queen of Scots Casket

    History and cultures, Scotland

    The Mary, Queen of Scots Casket is one of Scotland’s most cherished treasures, thanks to its long-standing association with the controversial queen.
    Short read
  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.

    Mary, Queen of Scots and the silver casket

    History and cultures, Scotland

    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…
    Film
  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.

    A brief history of James VI and I

    History and cultures, Scotland

    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…
    Long read
  6. Oval locket of gold and a gold and pearl pendant which was probably formerly attached to the locket

    True or False: Objects associated with Mary, Queen of Scots

    History and cultures, Scotland

    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…
    Long read
A painting of four large woolly mammoths in a grassy landscape

Wooly mammoths in Scotland and beyond

Natural world
Find out how our collection of Ice Age woolly mammoth tusks were originally discovered and confirmed that some mammoths made their home in Scotland.
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Romans in Scotland

  1. Small red gemstone that looks almost like a wax seal. Egg-shaped, with a male figure sporting right curls and large nose in profile facing left.

    10 Roman objects found in the Scottish Borders

    Archaeology, History and cultures, Scotland

    These objects found in the Scottish Borders, mainly from the Roman fort of Trimontium (modern Newstead), help paint a picture of the Romans in Scotland. Over 200 items, including these highlights, are on loan to the Trimontium Trust. Their…
    Listicle
  2. Rusted bronze coin depicting a man in profile with a thin chin-strap beard and curly hair.

    A brief history of Roman Scotland

    Archaeology, History and cultures, Scotland

    Many people think that Hadrian’s Wall marks the limit of the Roman Empire, but the Roman world stretched much further north than that. For almost 400 years, much of what is now Scotland was either inside the empire or an uncomfortably…
    Short read
  3. Reddish-brown leather helmet shaped like a horse's head. Its eyes are guarded with metal spheres resembling a fly's eyes.

    The Romans in Scotland in five objects

    Archaeology, History and cultures, Scotland

    The Roman invasions of Scotland left behind a variety of extraordinary archaeological finds - many of which are now on display in the National Museum of Scotland. These objects give us a better understanding of the lives, customs, skill,…
    Listicle
  4. On left, a large, empty dark brown pot missing its lid with a pile of silver coins in front of it. On right, the basin of another container filled with silver coins.

    Romans in Scotland: Life on the frontier

    Archaeology, History and cultures, Scotland

    The Roman occupation of Scotland was dominated by the military. There were no civilian towns or country villas. But the forts were not just military bases. They became the heart of communities.
    Long read

Conservation stories

  1. Twelve bronze objects, including some rounded fittings with concentric circle designs and a rattle pendant. They are all silvery, with some green corrosion on the surface.

    What is the Peebles Hoard?

    Archaeology, Scotland

    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…
    Short read
  2. A Bronze Age sun headed pin, sword and spearhead. The remnants of a wooden scabbard are laid on the sword.

    The Carnoustie Hoard: A rare glimpse into Bronze Age customs

    Archaeology, Scotland

    In 2016 a Bronze Age hoard was discovered in Carnoustie, Angus. The site also showed evidence of a Neolithic feat hall. These objects give us clues about who lived in this area thousands of years ago.
    Long read
  3. A pair of hands placing a fragment of an ancient Egpytian scroll

    Reed all about it: Conservation of ancient Egyptian papyri

    History and cultures

    Written by Vicki Hanley
    There are several important ancient Egyptian papyri in the collections of National Museums Scotland. Discover how we conserved these beautiful and ancient objects, and our bespoke framing and glazing choices, including the first use of…
    Long read
Detail of a pink and green dress with a black spiral toggle at the chest.

The signature style of the designer Jean Muir

Fashion and textiles
Discover 12 signature styles from the Jean Muir archive and uncover what made her designs so innovative and enduring.
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Latest articles

  1. Bronze clock-looking model with ornate dials and decoration to represent the motions of the Sun and stars.

    A 1000-year-old star catcher

    Science and technology

    Written by Dr Rebekah Higgitt
    This astrolabe was made by Muhammad ibn al-Ṣaffār in Córdoba in Al-Andalus (now Spain) during the period of Umayyad rule. It dates to the year 417 in the Islamic lunar calendar, which equates to 22 February 1026 to 10 February 1027 CE.This…
    Long read
  2. An open book, with the left hand page showing an illustration of a peacock, and the right showing scrolled text.

    6 highlights from our library

    Art and design, History and cultures

    Written by Morven Donald
    Founded by the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, the library at National Museum Scotland received its first book in 1781 – which is still on our shelves. Over the past 234 years, the library has gathered a wide-ranging and often…
    Listicle

  3. 'I am yours': 11 Scottish posy rings

    History and cultures, Scotland

    Written by Dr Georgia Vullinghs
    Posy rings are some of the most evocative objects of love in National Museums Scotland's collections. These finger rings are named for the short inscriptions engraved on the inside of their band. 
    Listicle