The Board of Trustees is National Museums Scotland’s governing body. It is responsible for setting the organisation’s strategic direction and for monitoring progress to achieve this.

National Museums Scotland is a public body, and the Board is accountable to Scottish Ministers and the Scottish Parliament.

Trustees bring to National Museums Scotland a wide range of skills, backgrounds and experience in academic life, business, media, technology, education and community involvement. Individually they bring not only this experience, but also many different perspectives on how National Museums Scotland can best serve the public.

Trustees also have a vital role to act as ambassadors for National Museums Scotland, both in gathering support for large projects and, equally importantly, in ensuring the widest possible understanding of National Museums Scotland’s collections and its services (locally, nationally and internationally).

National Museums Scotland can have up to 15 Trustees, who are all appointed by the Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture. They are normally appointed for a term of four years, and may serve for a second term. Trustees are appointed through an open process where posts are advertised and candidates are interviewed.