National Museum of Scotland map -

Information Desk
Roof Terrace
Tickets/Membership
Natural World
Cloakroom
Roof Terrace
Lifts
From outer space to endangered species,
our geology and zoology collections
demonstrate the diversity and evolution of
planet Earth and the animal kingdom in
dynamic displays.
Galleries
Earth in Space Level 1
Animal World Level 1
Restless Earth Level 3
Animal Senses Level 3
Adventure Planet Level 5
Survival Level 5
Level 7
Escalator
Shop
Restaurant/Café
Female Toilets
1
Astrolabe
2
Amethyst geodes
Male Toilets
Male/Female Toilets
The best views in Edinburgh, Level 7
Accessible Toilet
13
Level 6
Baby Changing
3
Ching Ching
Spiral Stairs
Scotland: A Changing Nation
Stairs
Take the lift all the way to the top floor for
an unforgettable view of the Edinburgh
skyline and surrounding countryside; explore
examples of Scottish flora and sculptures by
Andy Goldsworthy.
Meeting Point
Treasures (see over for details)
Discoveries
World Cultures
Remarkable objects, many collected by
Scottish explorers and entrepreneurs, reveal
how indigenous peoples around the globe
live their lives and express themselves
through art, music and performance.
Galleries
Living Lands Level 1
Patterns of Life Level 1
Imagine Level 1
Performance and Lives Level 3
Facing the Sea Level 3
Inspired by Nature Level 5
Artistic Legacies Level 5
Looking East Level 5
Looking
East
Inspired
by Nature
Level 5
Artistic
Legacies
European
Styles
6
5
Survival
Industry and Empire
Level 5
33
Traditions in Sculpture
4
Waka
5
Benin king
Adventure
Planet
Studio
1
Level 4
The Millennium Clock towers over the entrance
to Discoveries, Level 1
Shaping Our
World
Seminar
Room
Studio
2
Industry and Empire
Level 4
Art & Design
Grand Gallery
From ancient times to the industrial age,
discover how artists, designers and inventors
have been inspired by history, religion,
mythology, materials and methods to
create an astonishing array of unusual and
everyday objects.
Galleries
Art and Industry Level 1
Ancient Egypt Level 3
European Styles Level 5
Innovators and inventors, diplomats and
military leaders, adventurers and the
celebrities of their time – intriguing objects
reveal the legacy of Scots whose ideas and
leadership had impact across the world. See
the magnificent Millennium Clock and hear
its unusual chime, every hour on the hour.
Research
Library
Exhibition Gallery 1
4
7
6
Coffin of an Egyptian queen
Meissen lion
Performance Facing the
Sea
and Lives
7
Level 3
Ancient
Egypt
7
12
Scotland Transformed
Level 3
Animal
Senses
Restless
Earth
2
Communicate
Info Zone
This magnificent public space at the heart
of the Victorian building, with its elegant
cast-iron construction and natural overhead
lighting, once again displays dramatic
objects as was originally intended.
ition
Exhibery 2
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Science & Technology
Galleries
9
Connect Level 1 Dolly
the sheep
Communicate Level 3
Shaping Our World Level 5
8
Level 2
Scotland
Inchkeith lighthouse optic
Event
Space
Auditorium
Kingdom of the Scots
Level 2
Hawthornden Court
Foyer
Auditorium
South Hall
A journey through these galleries uncovers
Scotland from its geological beginnings right
up to the present day. Archaeological finds,
social history and applied arts: real things
found, made and used in Scotland.
Imagine
Galleries
Beginnings Level -1
10 Hunterston brooch
Early People Level -1 Kingdom of
11 Lewis chesspieces
the Scots Level 0, 1 & 2
Scotland Transformed Level 3 12 Bonnie Prince Charlie’s canteen
Industry and Empire Level 4 & 5
Scotland:
13 Victoria Cross
A Changing Nation Level 6
Working engines
Newcomen engine and Douglas and Grant engine
10:40–16:10 daily Level 3
Level 1
Living
Lands
Patterns
of Life
Discoveries
Communications, transport, scientific
instruments, industry and engineering: our
collections reveal how we have investigated
the world around us and sought to make our
lives easier and better through the ages.
Awe-inspiring architecture
Art and
Industry
9
Animal
World
Grand Gallery
1 Earth
in Space
11
8
Kingdom of the Scots
Level 1
Connect
Hawthornden
Court
Exhibition Gallery 4
Exhibition Gallery 3
Fire exit
F1 car belonging to Sir Jackie Stewart OBE,
Hawthornden Court Level 1
Set out from here on your journey of
discovery through the Scottish collections,
displayed over five floors and framed by
dramatic contemporary architecture.
You can also take the lift to The Tower
Restaurant from here.
Tower Entrance
Kingdom of the Scots
Level 0
Entrance Hall
Learning & Information
The three-storey Learning Centre is the hub
of inspiring educational activities for all
ages, seven days a week. Back in the Grand
Gallery, drop into the Info Zone and discover
more of the stories behind our collections, or
visit the Research Library for in-depth study.
Auditorium Level 1 & 2
Info Zone Level 3
Research Library Level 3
Seminar Room and Studios 1 & 2 Level 4
Group
space
Level 0
Beginnings
Learning Centre Foyer Level 1
Terrace Lift
Entrance Hall
Main Entrance
Main Entrance
Access all areas: the new Entrance Hall, Level 0
Early People
10
Level -1
The original Victorian basement is now
an atmospheric street-level entrance, with
fascinating objects on open display and first
class visitor facilities, including information
desk, shop and Museum Brasserie.
A selection of treasures
ns
Donatio
welcome
1Astrolabe
Earth in Space Level 1
The oldest surviving signed and
dated astrolabe was used to find
the time or directions from the
stars. It was made over 1,000
years ago in Cordoba, Spain. The
decoration reflects the Islamic
culture of Spain at that time.
Explore the world under one roof
2 Amethyst geode
Restless Earth Level 3
This large geode formed in Brazil about 130 million
years ago, when erupting gases in lava merged,
forming giant bubbles. The mineral-rich solutions
inside the bubbles sometimes deposited crystals
around the cavity as it cooled.
The National Museum of Scotland is
unique: 20,000 objects, displayed in
36 galleries grouped in five collection
themes. Explore the natural world, art
and design, science and technology,
world cultures and the history of
Scotland from its very beginnings right
up to the present day.
3 Ching Ching
Survival Level 5
Giant pandas are one of the
world’s most endangered
species. Ching Ching, with her
partner, Chia Chia, was a gift
to Britain from the Chinese
Government in 1974, a Cold
War gesture known as ‘panda
diplomacy’. A much-loved
resident of London Zoo until
her death in 1985, sadly Ching
Ching did not produce any
cubs.
Map
5 Benin king
Artistic Legacies Level 5
The Kingdom of Benin flourished
from the 13th to 19th centuries
in southwest Nigeria. The
kings (obas) of Benin were
believed to rule with divine
power. Bronze heads were cast
to commemorate these divine
ancestors and placed on royal
palace altars.
7 Coffin of an Egyptian queen
Ancient Egypt Level 3
National Museum of Scotland
In 1908 an undisturbed burial dating
from around 1550BC was discovered
in Qurna, Thebes. The young woman
inside the coffin was of exceptional
status, probably a queen. It is the
most spectacular discovery from
Ancient Egypt to come to Scotland,
and the only intact royal burial shown
anywhere outside Egypt.
Keep in touch
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6 Meissen lion
European Styles Level 5
One of five lions and eight lionesses produced between
1731 and 1735 for Augustus the Strong, Elector of
Saxony, King of Poland and founder of the
Meissen porcelain factory. Augustus planned
to create a ceramics museum in a Dresden
palace with hundreds of figures of animals
and birds.
8 Inchkeith lighthouse optic
Grand Gallery Level 1
Join us
Become a Member today and receive free or reduced
admission to five museums and special exhibitions. Enjoy
special offers, events, Explorer magazine and discounts in
our shops. Join at the Information Desk or visit
www.nms.ac.uk/membership
Take in the spectacle
of our life-size T. Rex,
Animal World, Level 1
Not much time?
The remarkable Stevenson dynasty
produced eight lighthouse engineers
over five generations. This optic was
designed by David A Stevenson in
1889 for the lighthouse on Inchkeith
island in the Firth of Forth.
1 hour
• Tour the whole museum using this selection of treasures
(numbered and marked with a staron the map) as a brief
guide – you can always come back another day!
3 hours
This stunning brooch was found at Hunterston, Ayrshire,
during the 1830s. Made around AD700, it is one of
the iconic objects of the Early Historic and
Viking periods. It was probably made at a
royal site such as Dunadd in Argyll and
shows both local and Anglo-Saxon
decorative influences.
www.feastbowl.wordpress.com
• Use the map to explore the galleries, which are arranged
in five collection themes. Each gallery is an experience
in its own right. Dip into them all using this selection of
treasures or choose to spend more time in a few areas.
Discoveries on Level 1 is a great place to begin.
• Take a free guided tour for a more in-depth encounter
with the collections.
• Enjoy a visit to a special exhibition – and relax and refuel
in one of our cafés or restaurants.
9 Dolly the sheep
Connect Level 1
Support the National Museum of Scotland
As the first cloned mammal ever
to be created from an adult cell,
Dolly’s birth at the pioneering Roslin
Institute near Edinburgh in 1996
was a huge scientific achievement
and generated great public interest.
Have you enjoyed your visit today? Please make a donation
in the boxes provided. Thank you.
Recycle
Help us reduce waste: if you have finished with this map
and do not wish to keep it, please return it to the
Information Desk.
13 Victoria Cross
Scotland: A Changing Nation Level 6
Window on the World
Rising up through the Grand Gallery, from Entrance Hall to
roof level, this display showcases 800 items from across the
collections. Enjoy a great view from the Balcony Café and
Info Zone.
For all the family
• Our varied exhibition programme includes the very best
large-scale international exhibitions (entrance charge
applies).
• Be inspired, informed and entertained by our packed
programme of activities and events.
• Pick up a leaflet, check our information screens, or ask our
Visitors Services staff what’s on.
Unmissable exhibitions and events
Getting the most out of your visit
Piper Daniel Laidlaw’s bravery at the
battle of the Loos in 1915 won him the
highest military award. As the King’s Own
Scottish Borderers faced bombardment and
poison gas, Laidlaw encouraged the men
forward, playing his pipes even after he
was wounded. He survived the battle, dying
peacefully in 1950.
Level access, lifts to all floors and adapted toilets are
available. We also offer wheelchair loan, ‘Hearing Helper’
radio aids, induction loops and audio guides.
Access
Drop into the Info Zone or visit the Research Library and
discover more of the stories behind the remarkable collections
in our care.
Info Zone & Research Library
Tours leave from the Grand Gallery meeting point. Check the
information screens for times.
Free tours
Prince Charles Edward Stewart’s
attempts to reclaim the throne for his
father ended bitterly for the Jacobites
at the Battle of Culloden in 1746.
This lavish silver travelling canteen
may have been given to the Prince as
a 21st birthday present.
Touch or signed (BSL) tours
12 Bonnie Prince Charlie’s travelling canteen
Scotland Transformed Level 3
Found on the island of Lewis in 1831, the Chessmen
are Scotland’s most significant and enigmatic
archaeological discovery. They were probably made in
Trondheim in Norway during the late 12th and early
13th centuries.
Arrange special tours and handling sessions for visuallyimpaired visitors or book a BSL interpreter in advance on
0131 247 4041 or email [email protected]
July 2011 National Museums Scotland Scottish Charity, No. SC011130
11 Lewis chesspieces
The Kingdom of the Scots Level 1
• Discover hands-on learning fun with hundreds of
interactive exhibits throughout the museum.
• Many of the new galleries and displays have been
designed with families in mind: Imagine (Level 1),
Adventure Planet (Level 5), Animal World (Level 1) and
Connect (Level 1).
• Our Programme Team offers regular activities in the
galleries and in the Learning Centre.
www.nms.ac.uk/scotland
This Maori canoe arrived from New Zealand in the
1820s. Restored by our conservation team, the
original carvings were lashed together with a new
acrylic stern post made by artist, George Nuku.
10 Hunterston brooch
Early People Level -1
www.flickr.com/photos/NationalMuseumsScotland
0300 123 6789
[email protected]
4Waka
Facing the Sea Level 3
National Museum of Scotland: the Highlights is your
guidebook to the redeveloped museum, providing a history
and illustrated tour of the galleries.
Take home a reminder of your visit: choose from our extensive
selection of imaginative gifts, souvenirs, toys and books. You
can also shop online at www.nms.ac.uk/shop
Shopping
Grab a coffee or a bite to eat as part of your visit. The
Museum Brasserie in the Entrance Hall features locally
sourced produce, freshly prepared throughout the day. The
first floor Balcony Café is a perfect spot to enjoy a coffee and
a snack against the awe-inspiring backdrop of our remarkable
new Window on the World display. The Tower Restaurant,
with its classic Scottish cuisine and rooftop views, is open all
day for lunch, afternoon tea and dinner
(last reservations 23:00). For The Tower Restaurant call
0131 225 3003 or visit www.tower-restaurant.com
Eating and drinking