Posts Tagged ‘national museum of scotland’
Historic Lewis chessmen redisplayed to allow visitors to see their backs for the first time
The historic Lewis chessmen have been redisplayed in a case which allows visitors to see their backs for the first time. Made from walrus ivory and sperm whale teeth, the pieces range from the wide-eyed ‘Berserker’ who gnaws frantically on his shield, to a Queen who rests her chin in her hand, a rather fed-up…
Read More‘Remarkable’ 1,000-year-old Pictish ring discovered at Scottish fort by amateur archaeologist
A ‘remarkable’ Pictish ring has been uncovered at a Moray fort previously thought to have been ‘archaeologically vandalised’ by the construction of a new town. The kite-shaped ring with a garnet or red glass centre had lain undiscovered for more than 1,000 years at the Burghead fort before it was uncovered. Although known as a…
Read MoreFleece from Dolly the sheep donated to National Museums Scotland
A fleece from Dolly the sheep has been donated to National Museums Scotland. The fleece, which recently appeared on the Antiques Roadshow, has been donated by Dr William A. Ritchie, the embryologist on the Roslin Institute team that created Dolly, the world’s first cloned mammal. Equipment, including sharpened glass pipettes and an electrical fusion machine…
Read MoreRare renaissance era gilded silverware on display in Edinburgh
An extremely rare silver-gilded ewer and basin from the 16th Century are to go on display in Edinburgh. The Panmure ewer and basin, which are about 437 years old, will go on permanent display at the National Museum of Scotland. During the 16th century, ewers and basins such as these were used by elite members…
Read MoreScientist who cloned Dolly the sheep dies
The scientist who cloned Dolly the sheep has died aged 79. Sir Ian Wilmut was part of the team who carried out the scientific feat in 1996. The scientist led the Roslin Institute team as they created the first mammal to be cloned from an adult stem cell. His death was announced by the University…
Read MoreDeclaration of Arbroath to go on display for first time in 18 years
The Declaration of Arbroath will be displayed at the National Museum of Scotland in June for the first time in 18 years. The display has been organised in partnership between National Museums Scotland and National Records of Scotland, who are custodians of the document. The iconic and fragile 700-year-old document has not been on public…
Read MorePhotographer Soo Burnell returns to Edinburgh with new exhibition
Scottish photographer Soo Burnell is returning to Edinburgh with a stunning new exhibition which pays homage to the city she grew up in. Burnell has been capturing the beauty of Edinburgh for more than 20 years and will be back this June with her exhibition I am home at the Saorsa Gallery in Stockbridge. The…
Read MoreClan Grant portraits go on display
TWO portraits of members of Clan Grant have gone on display at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh. The oil paintings by Richard Waitt were commissioned in 1713 by Alexander, the Laird of Grant, as part of a larger series depicting members of his clan. They were created for Castle Grant, the chief’s seat…
Read MoreAn immersive history on the creation of Scotland
‘The story of a “crucible of nations” is not of any single people, much less a modern nation-state. It’s about shared heritage and interaction, without ignoring these different voices.’ On one of Edinburgh’s many, many dreich days, there is nowhere better to be than rambling through the extensive collections on display at the National Museum…
Read MoreScots outdoor tourist attractions fared better than the rest
Outdoor visitor attractions fared much better than museums and indoor sites last year, as COVID-19 continued to devastate Scotland’s visitor attractions sector. New figures, published today by ASVA, the Association of Scottish Visitor Attractions, in conjunction with Glasgow Caledonian University’s Moffat Centre for Travel and Tourism Development, reveal overall visitor numbers were more than 47%…
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