Skip Navigation or Skip to Content
Search
You searched for… Showing 101-150 of 228 results
Romans in Scotland: the Roman army

The Roman army was drawn from many corners of the vast Roman Empire

View
Romans in Scotland: life on the frontier

Forts were not just military bases, they became the heart of communities

View
Romans in Scotland: highlight objects

See five highlight objects that summarise the legacy of Rome's invasions of Scotland

View
About us

Our mission is to preserve, interpret and make accessible for all, the past and present of Scotland, other nations and cultures, and the natural world.

View
Contemporary collecting

Contemporary collecting has been core to the development of the National Collections over the last two centuries.

View
Training and guidance for museums

We provide expert advice on collections, their identification, care and management. We also offer wider skills training to museums in Scotland.

View
Decorative Arts, Craft and Design

The collections of decorative arts, craft, jewellery, glass, ceramics, metalwork, furniture and product design comprise over 11,000 objects.

View
Global Arts, Cultures and Design department

Our Global Arts, Cultures and Design collections include internationally important material from across the world.

View
Elements: Earth

Investigate different aspects of life on Earth, through fascinating fossils, tools for turning the soil and pieces of art reflecting the devastating effects of pollution on our planet.

View
For Teachers: Ten Minute Activities

Use one of our ten-minute activities with your class today, with suggestions for how you can extend.

View
Staff Picks Trail

Be inspired by our staff favourites from our collections on display on Level 1, or try and find them all on your next visit.

View
Africa, Americas and Oceania

Our African, Americas and Oceanic collections of over 25,000 objects represent historic and contemporary textiles, musical instruments, pottery, weapons, jewellery, basketry and contemporary art.

View
Tapestry entitled ‘Tapestry Parcel’ depicting a three dimensional parcel, hand woven tapestry cotton warp, wool weft, and mixed media: Scotland, Edinburgh, designed and woven by Archie Brennan, 1974.
Fashion and Textiles

Combined with the historic dress and textiles collections pre-dating 1850, our collection of European and North American fashion and textiles consists of c. 50,000 items.

View
Oracle Bones

Oracle bones are parts of animal bone, used in divination ceremonies in ancient China. National Museums Scotland’s collection of oracle bones dates from the late Shang dynasty (c.1200–1050 BC) and was found at Yinxu site near Anyang city, in central China.

View
The Galloway Hoard pectoral cross

The discovery of a well-preserved pectoral cross placed near the top of the Galloway Hoard was the first sign this was an extraordinary assemblage.

View
Things to see and do

Discover the story of Scotland at war within the walls of Edinburgh Castle.

View
Our services

We aim to share our collections and our expertise as widely as possible. Our research is shared through exhibitions, publications, national and international loans of our objects, and our learning programme.

View
East and Central Asia

The Museum’s East and Central Asian collections, comprised of over 36,000 objects, are of national and international importance. The collection includes ceramics, lacquer, prints and paintings, clothing and textiles, ivory, metalwork, jade, furniture, contemporary art, and coins.

View
Detail of a flowering tree, silk rug, by Hajji Molla Mohammad Hasan Mohtasham, Kashan, Iran, c. 1850-60 (A.1899.280)
West, South and Southeast Asia

Our West, South and Southeast Asian collections contain more than 17,000 objects, giving insight into the lives of past and present people across a vast geographical area.

View
Doctor Who Gallery Trail

Our very own in-house Whovians have chosen 10 objects from our collections that have links to some of the scientific themes and stories from the iconic television series.

View
Romans in Scotland: major archaeological sites

Archaeological finds from Rome's invasions of Scotland can be found throughout the country, from the Solway Firth to Moray. Three of the most prominent sites are Trimontium, Traprain Law, and the Antonine Wall.

View
Amethyst geode

This huge amethyst geode formed over 130 million years ago in lava during a period of volcanic activity.

View
African dolls

These multi-coloured plastic dolls, western in their appearance, are very popular in Africa today.

View
Second World War: Technology

Changing technology played a vital role in the Second World War. Major advances in communications, weaponry and medicine came about as a direct result of the conflict.

View
Working model of a tower clock in the Grand Gallery at the National Museum of Scotland (T.1921.20).
The Waste of Daylight

In 1907 the builder William Willett wrote a pamphlet called The Waste of Daylight, campaigning for Daylight Saving in the UK. 9 years later, in 1916, this came into effect in UK law and effectively changed how we experience the passing seasons. Read on to find out more about Daylight Saving is and why Willett wanted it implemented...

View
Collecting the Present

National Museums Scotland is collecting history as it happens. Our new film series, Collecting the Present, explores objects we have collected recently that document cultural, political and social change in Scotland.

View
Detail from a jet engine on display at the National Museum of Flight.
Behind the Scenes Tours

Find out about our collection of aero-engines and propellers on a curator-led tour of our Object Store.

View
CryoArks: Animal biobanking for research and conservation 

Learn how museums and zoos are helping to conserve endangered species through CryoArks – the UK’s national bank of frozen animal material.

View
Meissen lion

The Meissen lion is part of the animal menagerie commissioned by Augustus II the Strong in the early 18th century.

View
Cloud cabinet

This magnificent maple cabinet was designed by Edward William Godwin and painted by the renowned artist, James Abbott McNeill Whistler.

View
Alexander Dalrymple's portrait

Scottish-born Alexander Dalrymple was a significant figure in Britain’s maritime history.

View
Highland Style: tartan trends in Georgian Britain

Discover how Highland dress was adapted in the Georgian period into the iconic and fashionable symbol of Scotland we know today.

View
Natural Sciences department

Our Natural Sciences collections cover both life sciences and earth sciences.

View
History

Discover the story of National Museums Scotland, from our 18th century beginnings to the present day.

View
Build a story at the museum with Scottish Book Trust

Museums are great places to uncover stories. Build your own story, inspired by our amazing objects.

View
Robert Burns on film

Celebrate the life and legacy of Robert Burns in a series of films focussing on key objects associated with the bard.

View
Biobanks: storing animal samples for research and conservation

Explore how CryoArks biobanks store samples from animals so that researchers can look at their genetic code.

View
Victorian photographic techniques

Discover how Victorian inventors and entrepreneurs succeeded in capturing the very first images.

View
Moby the whale

Discover how the skull of a 40ft whale, which captured the heart of the nation, has become a permanent feature at the National Museum of Scotland.

View
Back to top