National Museum of Scotland

The National Museum of Scotland occupies two joined buildings on Chambers Street in Edinburgh's Old Town, a few minutes' walk south of the Royal Mile. The Victorian building, with its glass-roofed Grand Gallery supported by slender cast-iron columns, is a bright and airy hall that is itself a major sight. Around it, galleries cover natural history, world cultures, science and technology, and Scottish history from prehistory to the present. Dolly the Sheep, the first cloned mammal, is among the best-known objects, and the Lewis Chessmen, medieval walrus-ivory pieces found on the Isle of Lewis, draw many visitors. Large displays include a T. rex cast, working machines and a Formula One car, which suit younger visitors. On the roof, a free terrace gives wide views across the Old Town skyline to Edinburgh Castle and Arthur's Seat. General admission is free, with donations welcome, while some special exhibitions require tickets. Visits typically last two to four hours, and the museum is large enough that most people choose a few galleries rather than attempting everything. It is busiest at weekends, school holidays and on wet days, when it becomes a popular refuge, and the Grand Gallery can be crowded around midday. Weekday mornings shortly after the 10:00 opening are quietest. The museum has a cafe and a restaurant, and shops stock Scottish gifts. Free daily tours and family activities are often scheduled; the museum's website lists current events and special exhibitions.