National Museum of Scotland

The National Museum of Scotland occupies a large complex on Chambers Street in Edinburgh's Old Town, Scotland. It combines the original Victorian building, designed by Captain Francis Fowke and opened in 1866 with a glass-and-iron Main Hall modelled on the Crystal Palace, and a modern wing opened in 1998. The collections range from geology and natural history to world cultures, science and technology, and Scottish history from prehistory to the present. The Kingdom of the Scots, Early People and Scotland Galleries trace the country's story chronologically, with objects such as Pictish stones, medieval carvings, Jacobite relics and industrial-era artefacts. The Lewis Chessmen, 12th-century walrus-ivory pieces found on the Isle of Lewis, are among the most visited items. Dolly the Sheep, the first cloned mammal, is displayed in the Science and Technology galleries. The Grand Gallery, the Window on the World and the Animal World galleries add large natural-history and engineering displays. The curatorial approach mixes chronological and thematic layouts, with interactive exhibits that appeal to families. The Victorian Main Hall has been restored, and a rooftop terrace gives views toward the castle. National Museums Scotland manages the museum, which has undergone a major redevelopment of the galleries over the 2010s. Entry to the permanent collections is free, with charges for special exhibitions. The museum is large, and visitors often plan a route in advance because a full visit could take a day. It is consistently among the most visited attractions in Scotland.