The Abernethy Pearl, one of the largest ever found in Scotland, is donated to the National Collection
The largest freshwater pearl to be found in Scotland in centuries has been donated to the National Collection. Perfectly round, 11mm in diameter and weighing 43.6 grains, the Abernethy Pearl went on permanent display in the Restless Earth gallery at the National Museum of Scotland today (Thursday 18 September).
Rare Bronze Age hoard saved for the nation, and will go on show next summer
A Bronze Age hoard discovered in Carnoustie has been acquired by National Museums Scotland and will go on display for the first time in a new exhibition opening next summer.
The hoard includes a rare spearhead decorated with gold and a bronze sword in a wooden scabbard, dating from around 1120-920 BC. Scotland’s First Warriors (27 Jun 2026 – 17 May 2027) will bring together over 250 objects spanning thousands of years, to explore the origins and impact of conflict and warfare in prehistoric Scotland.
Gaelic stories behind National Museum collection objects revealed
Scotland’s oldest known bagpipe chanter, a horn spoon collected by an Austrian aristocrat and an exquisite medieval rock crystal charmstone are among the Gaelic stories behind 15 objects in the collections of National Museums Scotland which have been published in a new bilingual online resource.
Major exhibition opens in Edinburgh this weekend, Monkeys: Our Primate Family
National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, Edinburgh
28 June–30 November 2025
nms.ac.uk/monkeys
Prized treasure from the Galloway Hoard to go on show for the first time in Kirkcudbright
A unique rock crystal jar found as part of the Galloway Hoard will go on public display for the first time later this year. The Galloway Hoard: Rock Crystal Jar will open on 8 November 2025, at Kirkcudbright Galleries, near where the Hoard was first discovered.
Latest news

Scotland set to go wild for Maths Week 2025
The use of maths in solving wildlife crime, tracking bird migration and understanding the symmetry and patterns of the natural world are just some of the topics being explored as part of this year’s Maths Week Scotland (22 – 28 September 2025), which has a theme of Wild Maths.

The Abernethy Pearl, one of the largest ever found in Scotland, is donated to the National Collection
The largest freshwater pearl to be found in Scotland in centuries has been donated to the National Collection. Perfectly round, 11mm in diameter and weighing 43.6 grains, the Abernethy Pearl went on permanent display in the Restless Earth gallery at the National Museum of Scotland today (Thursday 18 September).

National Museum of Rural Life hopes visitors go quackers for Dog and Duck Day
Wagging tails, waddling ducks and family fun are set take centre stage at the National Museum of Rural Life on Saturday 13 September as the East Kilbride attraction hosts its first Dog and Duck Day.

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