National Museum of Scotland
Edinburgh, Scotland


First opening in 1866, the National Museum of Scotland is one of the finest Victorian museums in the United Kingdom. Its collection represents the diversity of thought and activity that emerged from the Scottish Enlightenment.


For its redevelopment, RAA completed a comprehensive master plan with the Museum, to reposition it as an internationally recognized learning attraction. The project refurbished fourteen galleries and the grand gallery.


The galleries in the newer building present Scottish history in an essentially chronological arrangement, beginning at the lowest level with prehistory to the early medieval era, with later periods on the higher levels. The Victorian building contains four zones (each with numerous galleries), covering natural history, world cultures (including galleries on the South Pacific, East Asia, and Ancient Egypt), European art and design, and science and technology.


The Grand Gallery contains a variety of large objects from the collections, with a display called the “Window on the World” rising through four storeys, containing over 800 objects reflecting the breadth of the collections. Beyond the Grand Gallery at ground level is the “Discoveries” gallery, with objects connected to remarkable Scots in the fields of invention, exploration and adventure.


According to Dr. Gordon Rintoul, former Director of the National Museums of Scotland, “the museum has quickly become both a well-loved favorite and a fantastic showcase for everyone who visits Scotland.” The Association of Leading Visitor Attractions has named it the most visited attraction outside of London in the United Kingdom.
Size 6,800 square metres
Year 2011
Architect Hoskins Architects
AwardsArt Fund Prize: Nominated, Museum of the YearCivic Trust Award: Winner, Special AwardCreativity International Award: Honorable Mention, Environmental GraphicsGraphis Design Annual: SilverIndustrial Designers Society of America (IDSA), International Design Excellence Award (IDEA): Finalist, EnvironmentsMuseums + Heritage Awards: Winner, Best Permanent Exhibit

“A museum where the building is as interesting as it’s exhibits “
@keeboyt
“Perfect Edinburgh rainy day hot spot “
@laurenaimers1
My favourite museum in the world…I used to live next to it and went in whenever I had a moment.
@mumma.edwards