In 2011 a major facelift was unveiled to great applause. The £46m project restored the museum's glorious glass-roofed atrium, giving its Victorian section a "wow" factor to match that of the contemporary extension added in 1998. The Grand Gallery is now a light, bright four-story-high galleried space, with halls—loosely named Living Lands, Imagine..., and Patterns of Life—branching away from it. With a subject matter as broad as "Scotland" (although before any accusations of insularity are made, keep in mind that the Window on the World installation showcases items from around the globe) the resulting collection was always going to be a bit of a mish-mash. There are dinosaurs, meteorites, the jaws of a sperm whale, and frocks. It's worth dipping into however, for the Grand Gallery alone, plus there's a café, brasserie, shop, regular events, and, up on the roof, The Tower Restaurant, a fine dining spot from restaurateur royalty James Thomson, with stunning views of the Castle.
Edinburgh
Travel Guide
Edinburgh› Attraction
National Museum of Scotland
Chambers Street
Our Rating
Neighborhood
Old Town
Hours
Daily 10am–5pm, closed Dec 25, Dec 26 noon–5pm, Jan 1 noon–5:30pm
Phone
0300/123–6789
Prices
![2 star(s) 2 star rating](/assets/rating/fromm-rating-2star.png)
Free admission
Web site National Museum of ScotlandMap
Chambers Street EdinburghNote: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.