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Bronze Age shields. Image © National Museums Scotland (2)

Bronze Age shield returns to Scotland for first time in over 200 years

Six Bronze Age shields have been brought together for the first time ahead of a new exhibition opening at the National Museum of Scotland this summer. Dating from 3300 to 3500 years ago, the shields include the only intact examples to survive from Scotland. 

Curator Zena Timmons prepares Morag for display. Photo © National Museums Scotland (4)

Cloned sheep that paved the way for Dolly the sheep goes on show at the National Museum of Rural Life

Morag the sheep – an important cloned predecessor to the world-famous Dolly the sheep - has gone on permanent display at the National Museum of Rural Life in East Kilbride as part of a new section exploring the role of science in agriculture, Scotland’s Farming Future.

Curator Dr Fraser Hunter examines the Roman altars.Photo © Duncan McGlynn (4)

Rare Roman altars acquired for the nation will go on display in the autumn

Two spectacular stone altars from a Roman fort near Edinburgh have been acquired for the National Collection ahead of a major exhibition at the National Museum of Scotland. The rare carvings are among the finest examples of sculpture from Roman Britain and will go on display for the first time in Roman Scotland: Life on the Edge of Empire (14 November 2026 – 28 April 2027). 

The makers selected for the new exhibition project. Photo © Neil Hanna

Makers selected for contemporary craft exhibition at the National Museum of Scotland and Ulster Museum

New, contemporary craft works inspired by the collections of National Museums Scotland and National Museums NI will be displayed in a collaborative exhibition, opening at the National Museum of Scotland in summer 2027, then at the Ulster Museum, National Museums NI in early 2028.  

Curator Craig Angus from National Museums Scotland puts finishing touches to the installation of the Rock Crystal Jar from the Galloway Hoard at Kirkcudbright Galleries, image credit Andy Jardine

Prized treasure from the Galloway Hoard on show for the first time in Kirkcudbright

A unique rock crystal jar found as part of the Galloway Hoard has gone on public display for the first time. The Galloway Hoard: Rock Crystal Jar exhibition at Kirkcudbright Galleries, near where the Hoard was first discovered, will run until 14 June 2026.  

The rock crystal jar. Photo © Duncan McLean

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.  

The Galloway Hoard. Image (c) National Museums Scotland

Galloway Hoard to begin international tour

An exhibition of The Galloway Hoard, the richest find of rare and unique Viking-age objects ever made in Britain or Ireland, will open early next year in Adelaide, as the first leg of an international tour. Treasures of the Viking Age: The Galloway Hoard will be on show at the South Australian Museum from 8 February to 27 July 2025.

Dr Alice Blackwell with some of the Lewis chess pieces. Copyright Stewart Attwood (11)

Redisplay of the Lewis chess pieces allows them to be seen in full for the first time

Press images can be downloaded here

The iconic Lewis chess pieces can now be viewed from a very different angle thanks to a new display at the National Museum of Scotland. Among the best-known objects in Scotland’s most popular visitor attraction, ten of the medieval gaming pieces have been redisplayed in a new case which allows visitors to view their backs for the first time. 

Dr Fraser Hunter installs the Roman arm guard in the Early People gallery at the National Museum of Scoltand. Image copyright Duncan McGlynn (11)

Rare Roman armour goes on permanent display at the National Museum of Scotland

An exceptionally rare piece of Roman armour which was recently reconstructed from dozens of fragments has gone on display in its entirety for the first time in Scotland.

Curator Dr Rebekah Higgitt and the Ilay Glynne dial at the National Museum of Scotland. Photo © Stewart Attwood (1)

Spectacular Enlightenment sundial acquired by National Museums Scotland

National Museums Scotland has announced the acquisition of an ornate early 18th-century sundial of exceptional precision and design. The Ilay Glynne dial, which is now on display at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh, is a masterpiece of both art and science.  

2. Curator Dr Meredith Greiling puts the finishing touches to Cold War Scotland, a new exhibition opening at the National Museum of (1) cropped

Scotland’s nuclear secrets revealed in new exhibition

Cold War Scotland 

13 July 2024 to 4 January 2026 
 

National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, Edinburgh 

Admission: Free 

nms.ac.uk/ColdWarScotland 
 

Highland Song, screenshots © Inkle (2)

Scottish video games celebrated as tickets go on sale for blockbuster exhibition

Tickets for the National Museum of Scotland’s major summer exhibition Game On go on sale today, Tuesday 30 April 2024.