News

The remarkable and largely untold story of the air defence network in Scotland during the Second World War is revealed in a new book by the National Museum of Flight’s aviation curator, Ian Brown.

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). 

UNDER EMBARGO UNTIL 7pm GMT, Wednesday 21st January 

A 410 million year-old fossil from Aberdeenshire in Scotland which scientists have identified as being a ‘new’ form of life, distinct from plants or fungi, has been added to the collections of National Museums Scotland. 

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.  

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.

Tha am feadan pìoba-mhòir as sine ann an Alba, spàin adharcach a chruinnich bean-uasal às an Ostair agus clach-sheuna criostail-creige àlainn às na meadhan-aoisean am measg nan sgeulachdan Gàidhlig air cùl 15 nithean ann an cruinneachaidhean Taighean-tasgaidh Nàiseanta na h-Alba a chaidh fhoillseachadh ann an goireas ùr dà-chànanach air-loidhne.

A new study led by researchers at National Museums Scotland describes the first comprehensive osteobiography of a zoo animal, a cutting-edge scientific method that involves the analysis of bones and tissue. These techniques have been applied to reveal the in-depth story of the life of Choppers, star of the 1970s PG Tips advertising campaign, illustrating the changing role of zoos over the past 50 years. 

A fossil first spotted in Skye over 50 years ago has finally been extracted from the base of the cliff where it was found and, following analysis, formally identified as a Jurassic dinosaur.

Powder horns from the 17th to 19th century, a road sign from Skye and a handmade crogan, or earthenware pot, are among 100 objects to be reappraised in a new project which aims to reveal the Gaelic stories and connections behind material held in the National Collection.

On the eve of its unveiling in Adelaide on the first leg of an international tour, the first translation of a runic inscription on an arm ring from the Viking-age Galloway Hoard has cast fascinating new light on who might have owned the famous treasure. 

One of the most significant hoards ever found in Scotland has been saved for the nation, having been acquired by National Museums Scotland. The Bronze Age Peebles Hoard was discovered in the Scottish Borders by a metal detectorist in 2020. It has since been painstakingly excavated, analysed and catalogued, revealing dozens of rare objects for the first time. Efforts are now underway to secure funding for the continued research and conservation of the hoard and to uncover the secrets of this one-of-a-kind discovery. 

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.