Page 70 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Scotland

68  SC O TLAND REGION B Y REGION EDINBURGH  69

National Museum of Scotland VISITORS’ CHECKLIST

The National Museum of Scotland comprises two radically Practical Information
different buildings, which stand side by side on Chambers Chambers St.
Street. Both buildings maintain separate identities. The older, Tel (0300) 123 6789.
Open 10am–5pm daily.
designed by Captain Francis Fowke of the Royal Engineers, was Closed 25 Dec. 7 8 -
completed in 1888 and concentrates on international artifacts. ∑ nms.ac.uk
The modern sandstone wing has been heralded as one of the The Penicuik Jewels
most important constructions in postwar Scotland, and its Dating from the late 16th century,
exhibits are dedicated to the story of the country and its people. these jewels are said to have
Currently in the final stages of a £80 million redevelopment, the belonged to Mary, Queen of Scots.
The locket’s painted miniatures
museum added ten new galleries in 2016, and a further two are thought to show Mary and
are scheduled to be completed in 2019. Level 5 her son James.

Shop

The Lewis Chessmen
These elaborately carved walrus-ivory figures were
made in the 12th century by Viking invaders and
discovered on the island of Lewis in 1831. Of the 93
gaming pieces found, 11 of the chessmen are owned by
The Monymusk Reliquary the NMS, while the rest reside at the British Museum.
One of the museum’s most prized possessions, this
ornamental receptacle is linked to St Columba and Level 3
Robert the Bruce, hero of Bannockburn (see p124).
Gallery Guide
The older wing of the National Museum is spread
over three floors, centred on the vast foyer. Some
exhibits move, so pick up a floorplan when you
enter. Within the sandstone wing – directly
accessed by the Tower entrance – exhibits are
displayed chronologically, from levels 1 to 6.

St Fillan’s Crozier Head
A badge of office, this
curved handle was once
mounted on the staff of
Shop St Fillan, a medieval
Moby the Whale bishop in Perthshire.
This skull is from a 12-m (40-ft) sperm whale that swam up Level 1
the River Forth in 1997. Efforts to send him back out to sea
failed, and he died after beaching on the foreshore at Airth.

Key to Floorplan
Natural World Exhibition Galleries
World Cultures Learning Centre Dolly the Sheep
Art, Design and Fashion Research Library The first cloned mammal to be created
from an adult cell, Dolly was born in 1996
Science and Technology Discoveries at the Rosslyn Institute near Edinburgh.
Scotland She died in 2003.
For hotels and restaurants in this area see pp172–3 and pp181–3
For keys to symbols see back flap

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