Discover | National Museums Scotland
Source: https://www.nms.ac.uk/discover
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:09
Discover | National Museums Scotland
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Fascinating stories behind our collection, from the prehistoric to the present.
With over 12 million objects and specimens in our museums and stores, we have a lot of stories to tell. Uncover hidden histories, discover breakthrough research, and dip in to different perspectives with our collection of articles and films.
Get to know Robert Burns through 10 objects
Learn about Burns' life, legacy, and depictions in objects and popular culture.
Learn more
Featured stories
The story of Dolly the sheep
The fascinating story of the first cloned mammal ever to be created from an adult cell.
Read
Discovering dinosaur bones on a Scottish island
How Dr Elsa Panciroli stumbled upon a dinosaur bone on the Isle of Skye.
Read
Fashion and folklore of the Arnish Moor man
On the Isle of Lewis in the 1700s, a young man was mortally injured. His clothed remains were recovered 300 years later.
Read
What is the Peebles Hoard?
Explore the hoard of exciting and complex Bronze Age objects, many of them never found before in Scotland.
Read
An unsolved mystery: the coffins found on Arthur's Seat
Satanic spell, superstitious charm or echo of Edinburgh’s grisly underworld history?
Read
Browse all stories
Who was Mary, Queen of Scots?
The life, death, and legacy of Mary, Queen of Scots
History and cultures, Scotland
Arguably the most famous and controversial figure in Scottish history, Mary Stewart has become something of an enigma. Intrigue and romance have often obscured the hard facts of her life and reign.
Short read
Mary, Queen of Scots
History and cultures, Scotland
Mary, Queen of Scots is one of the most famous yet enigmatic figures in Scottish history. Our collection contains a rich selection of objects associated with Mary. Explore her dramatic story and separate out the facts from the myths that…
Article
The controversial letters associated with the Mary, Queen of Scots Casket
History and cultures, Scotland
The Mary, Queen of Scots Casket is one of Scotland’s most cherished treasures, thanks to its long-standing association with the controversial queen.
Short read
Mary, Queen of Scots and the silver casket
History and cultures, Scotland
The Mary, Queen of Scots Casket is one of Scotland’s most cherished treasures, thanks to its long-standing association with the controversial queen. Take a closer look at this extremely rare work of early French silver and its associations…
Film
A brief history of James VI and I
History and cultures, Scotland
James VI and I was a hugely significant Stewart king. But he has been overshadowed by his notorious relations. His predecessor in Scotland was his mother, Mary, Queen of Scots. In England, his cousin, Elizabeth I, and finally his successor…
Long read
True or False: Objects associated with Mary, Queen of Scots
History and cultures, Scotland
The life and death of Mary, Queen of Scots has given rise to countless legends over the years. Many places and objects acquire a new glamour through their association with her - genuine or otherwise. In our collection we have many items…
Long read
Exhibition deep dive: Cold War Scotland
How Scotland became a Cold War battleground
Drawing on never-before-seen archives, object collections, footage, and interviews with experts, this film explores Scotland's critical position on the frontline of the Cold War.
Watch
Nuclear Scotland during the Cold War
Discover the history and impact of nuclear power in Scotland during this period.
Watch
The Cold War and Scottish society
Scotland was the site for cultural and political exchange from both sides of the Cold War across the 20th century. This film delves into the stories of the Cold War and Scottish society.
Watch
Exhibition information
Latest stories
A 1000-year-old star catcher
Science and technology
Written by Dr Rebekah Higgitt
This astrolabe was made by Muhammad ibn al-Ṣaffār in Córdoba in Al-Andalus (now Spain) during the period of Umayyad rule. It dates to the year 417 in the Islamic lunar calendar, which equates to 22 February 1026 to 10 February 1027 CE.This…
Long read
6 highlights from our library
Art and design, History and cultures
Written by Morven Donald
Founded by the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, the library at National Museum Scotland received its first book in 1781 – which is still on our shelves. Over the past 234 years, the library has gathered a wide-ranging and often…
Listicle
'I am yours': 11 Scottish posy rings
History and cultures, Scotland
Written by Dr Georgia Vullinghs
Posy rings are some of the most evocative objects of love in National Museums Scotland's collections. These finger rings are named for the short inscriptions engraved on the inside of their band.
Listicle
Inspiring women: Helen Monro Turner
Art and design
Written by Sarah Rothwell
Helen Monro Turner (1901 – 1977) was a distinguished Scottish glass engraver, designer, educator, and illustrator. An important figure in the development of glass art, Monro Turner was an early role model for women working in glass, and…
Long read
Footwear lost and found
Fashion and textiles
Written by Dr Emily Taylor
In the National Museums Scotland European footwear collections, there is a small but vital group of items that have been found in different places across Scotland and London. To understand why they are important aspects of British culture,…
Long read
The Roaring Game: Scotland's curling stone island
Natural world
Written by Dr Bob Gooday
Did you know that all curling stones are quarried on a small, uninhabited island in the Firth of Clyde called Ailsa Craig?
Short read
Browse all stories
Subscribe to our YouTube channel
Subscribe
Header image: An Egyptian sock on display at the National Museum of Scotland, after conservation. Museum reference
A.1911.315
. Read
The lost sock: An ancient Egyptian textile
to learn more about this sock's story.
Skip to main content
Fascinating stories behind our collection, from the prehistoric to the present.
With over 12 million objects and specimens in our museums and stores, we have a lot of stories to tell. Uncover hidden histories, discover breakthrough research, and dip in to different perspectives with our collection of articles and films.
Get to know Robert Burns through 10 objects
Learn about Burns' life, legacy, and depictions in objects and popular culture.
Learn more
Featured stories
The story of Dolly the sheep
The fascinating story of the first cloned mammal ever to be created from an adult cell.
Read
Discovering dinosaur bones on a Scottish island
How Dr Elsa Panciroli stumbled upon a dinosaur bone on the Isle of Skye.
Read
Fashion and folklore of the Arnish Moor man
On the Isle of Lewis in the 1700s, a young man was mortally injured. His clothed remains were recovered 300 years later.
Read
What is the Peebles Hoard?
Explore the hoard of exciting and complex Bronze Age objects, many of them never found before in Scotland.
Read
An unsolved mystery: the coffins found on Arthur's Seat
Satanic spell, superstitious charm or echo of Edinburgh’s grisly underworld history?
Read
Browse all stories
Who was Mary, Queen of Scots?
The life, death, and legacy of Mary, Queen of Scots
History and cultures, Scotland
Arguably the most famous and controversial figure in Scottish history, Mary Stewart has become something of an enigma. Intrigue and romance have often obscured the hard facts of her life and reign.
Short read
Mary, Queen of Scots
History and cultures, Scotland
Mary, Queen of Scots is one of the most famous yet enigmatic figures in Scottish history. Our collection contains a rich selection of objects associated with Mary. Explore her dramatic story and separate out the facts from the myths that…
Article
The controversial letters associated with the Mary, Queen of Scots Casket
History and cultures, Scotland
The Mary, Queen of Scots Casket is one of Scotland’s most cherished treasures, thanks to its long-standing association with the controversial queen.
Short read
Mary, Queen of Scots and the silver casket
History and cultures, Scotland
The Mary, Queen of Scots Casket is one of Scotland’s most cherished treasures, thanks to its long-standing association with the controversial queen. Take a closer look at this extremely rare work of early French silver and its associations…
Film
A brief history of James VI and I
History and cultures, Scotland
James VI and I was a hugely significant Stewart king. But he has been overshadowed by his notorious relations. His predecessor in Scotland was his mother, Mary, Queen of Scots. In England, his cousin, Elizabeth I, and finally his successor…
Long read
True or False: Objects associated with Mary, Queen of Scots
History and cultures, Scotland
The life and death of Mary, Queen of Scots has given rise to countless legends over the years. Many places and objects acquire a new glamour through their association with her - genuine or otherwise. In our collection we have many items…
Long read
Exhibition deep dive: Cold War Scotland
How Scotland became a Cold War battleground
Drawing on never-before-seen archives, object collections, footage, and interviews with experts, this film explores Scotland's critical position on the frontline of the Cold War.
Watch
Nuclear Scotland during the Cold War
Discover the history and impact of nuclear power in Scotland during this period.
Watch
The Cold War and Scottish society
Scotland was the site for cultural and political exchange from both sides of the Cold War across the 20th century. This film delves into the stories of the Cold War and Scottish society.
Watch
Exhibition information
Latest stories
A 1000-year-old star catcher
Science and technology
Written by Dr Rebekah Higgitt
This astrolabe was made by Muhammad ibn al-Ṣaffār in Córdoba in Al-Andalus (now Spain) during the period of Umayyad rule. It dates to the year 417 in the Islamic lunar calendar, which equates to 22 February 1026 to 10 February 1027 CE.This…
Long read
6 highlights from our library
Art and design, History and cultures
Written by Morven Donald
Founded by the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, the library at National Museum Scotland received its first book in 1781 – which is still on our shelves. Over the past 234 years, the library has gathered a wide-ranging and often…
Listicle
'I am yours': 11 Scottish posy rings
History and cultures, Scotland
Written by Dr Georgia Vullinghs
Posy rings are some of the most evocative objects of love in National Museums Scotland's collections. These finger rings are named for the short inscriptions engraved on the inside of their band.
Listicle
Inspiring women: Helen Monro Turner
Art and design
Written by Sarah Rothwell
Helen Monro Turner (1901 – 1977) was a distinguished Scottish glass engraver, designer, educator, and illustrator. An important figure in the development of glass art, Monro Turner was an early role model for women working in glass, and…
Long read
Footwear lost and found
Fashion and textiles
Written by Dr Emily Taylor
In the National Museums Scotland European footwear collections, there is a small but vital group of items that have been found in different places across Scotland and London. To understand why they are important aspects of British culture,…
Long read
The Roaring Game: Scotland's curling stone island
Natural world
Written by Dr Bob Gooday
Did you know that all curling stones are quarried on a small, uninhabited island in the Firth of Clyde called Ailsa Craig?
Short read
Browse all stories
Subscribe to our YouTube channel
Subscribe
Header image: An Egyptian sock on display at the National Museum of Scotland, after conservation. Museum reference
A.1911.315
. Read
The lost sock: An ancient Egyptian textile
to learn more about this sock's story.