National Museums Scotland facts for kids
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| Non Departmental Public Body overview | |
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| Formed | 1 October 1985 |
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| Jurisdiction | Scotland |
| Headquarters | Chambers Street Edinburgh EH1 1JF |
| Employees | 401 |
| Minister responsible |
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| Non Departmental Public Body executives |
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| Child agencies | |
| Footnotes | |
| Charity registered in Scotland (No.SC01113) | |
National Museums Scotland (NMS) is a group that looks after Scotland's national museums. It is part of the Scottish Government. NMS manages many important collections. These collections include items from nature, art, different cultures, science, technology, and Scottish history. They also have items from archaeology.
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Scotland's National Museums
National Museums Scotland runs several amazing museums across the country. Each museum focuses on different parts of history and culture.
National Museum of Scotland
This museum is in Edinburgh. It has two main parts:
- The Museum of Scotland: This part tells the story of Scotland's history and its people. You can learn about how people lived long ago.
- The Royal Museum: This section covers many topics from around the world. It includes geology (the study of rocks and earth), archaeology (studying old things), natural history (animals and plants), science, technology, and art.
National Museum of Flight
Located at East Fortune in East Lothian, this museum is all about airplanes and flying. You can see many different types of aircraft here.
National Museum of Rural Life
This museum is at Wester Kittochside farm in South Lanarkshire. It shows what life was like on a farm in Scotland. You can learn about farming history and see old farm equipment.
National War Museum
You can find this museum inside Edinburgh Castle. It tells stories about Scotland's military history and wars.
Other Important Collections
National Museums Scotland also has special buildings to store and care for its collections.
National Museums Collection Centre
The main storage building is in Granton, Edinburgh. It opened in 1996. You can take guided tours to see some of the items stored there. A new building was built to hold textile and costume collections. This includes the Jean Muir Collection of 20th-century clothes and accessories.
Former National Museum of Costume
The National Museum of Costume used to be at Shambellie House in New Abbey, Dumfries and Galloway. However, National Museums Scotland announced in January 2013 that this museum would close. It did not reopen after that year.
Who Manages National Museums Scotland?
National Museums Scotland is managed by a group of people called trustees. They make sure the museums are run well. The Scottish Government provides money to help fund the museums. This funding comes from the Education and Lifelong Learning Directorate.
Amazing Items in the Collections
The museums hold many famous and important items. Here are some of the highlights you can see:
- Assyrian relief: A stone carving of King Ashurnasirpal II from an ancient palace.
- Boulton & Watt engine: An early steam engine, showing how technology developed.
- Bute mazer: A beautiful old drinking bowl.
- Calcite crystal: A large, unique crystal found in Scotland.
- Concorde G-BOAA: A famous supersonic passenger jet.
- Dolly the sheep: The world's first cloned mammal.
- Galloway Hoard: A huge collection of Viking-age treasures.
- Hunterston Brooch: A very old and detailed Celtic brooch.
- Lewis chessmen: Famous medieval chess pieces made from walrus ivory.
- Mauritius blue pigeon skin: One of only three skins left of this rare bird.
- Monymusk reliquary: An ancient Scottish container for holy relics.
- Prince Charlie's Targe and backsword: Weapons belonging to Charles Edward Stuart.
- Queen Mary harp: A very old and beautiful Scottish harp.
- Qurneh burial collection: A complete ancient Egyptian burial collection. It is the only one outside Egypt.
- Seringapatam sword: A sword given to David Baird after a battle in 1799.
- Silver travelling canteen of Prince Charles Edward Stuart: A set of dishes and cutlery used for travel.
- Talnotrie Hoard: Another important collection of ancient treasures.
- Tea Service of the Emperor Napoleon: A tea set that belonged to Napoleon Bonaparte.
More to Explore
- Museums in Scotland
- National Museums of the United Kingdom
- National Museums Northern Ireland
Find Out More Online
See also
In Spanish: Museos Nacionales de Escocia para niños
