Discover
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.
Featured stories
The Autumn harvest in 8 rural snapshots
What tools, machinery, craft objects, paintings, models tell us about historic harvests on the farm.
What is the Peebles Hoard?
Explore the hoard of exciting and complex Bronze Age objects, many of them never found before in Scotland.
An unsolved mystery: the coffins found on Arthur's Seat
Satanic spell, superstitious charm or echo of Edinburgh’s grisly underworld history?
Who was Mary, Queen of Scots?
- Discover
The life, death, and legacy of Mary, Queen of Scots
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. - Discover
Mary, Queen of Scots
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… - Discover
The controversial letters associated with the Mary, Queen of Scots Casket
The Mary, Queen of Scots Casket is one of Scotland’s most cherished treasures, thanks to its long-standing association with the controversial queen. - Discover
Mary, Queen of Scots and the silver casket
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… - Discover
A brief history of James VI and I
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… - Discover
True or False: Objects associated with Mary, Queen of Scots
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…
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.
Nuclear Scotland during the Cold War
Discover the history and impact of nuclear power in Scotland during this period.
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.
Ever wonder how minerals are named?
Latest stories
- Discover
Early Modern Scottish belief in 10 objects
These 9 key objects help paint a picture of belief and devotional practice in Scotland. By showing how people used and interacted with these objects, we get a glimpse into the everyday experience of faith in early modern Scotland. In late… - Discover
10 stories of disability history in the collections
Disability History Month begins in November each year. But all year round we care for and interpret objects connected to the lives and experiences of D/deaf, disabled and neurodivergent people, past and present. This list highlights… - Discover
An unsolved mystery: the coffins found on Arthur's Seat
Satanic spell, superstitious charm or echo of Edinburgh’s grisly underworld history? We examine the strange tale of these tiny coffins, discovered on Arthur’s Seat almost 200 years ago. - Discover
The Autumn harvest in 8 rural snapshots
Seasons of the year have always shaped how communities and people live. Farming and rural life was driven by the changing of the seasons. While the technology employed to do the work has changed, the tasks done in each season have largely… - Discover
What is the Peebles Hoard?
The Peebles Hoard is a spectacular collection of bronze, leather and wooden material. Dating to the Late Bronze Age (c.1000-800 BCE), it contains several hundred elements from a complex set of objects. A complete sword in a wooden scabbard… - Discover
Developing new mannequins for our fashion displays
Our displays are evolving to reflect different bodies and to tell new stories. Find out more about our process and where we plan to go from here.
Header image: Lewis chess pieces © Stewart Attwood. Read The Story of the Lewis Chess pieces to discover more about these iconic objects, and see them on display at the National Museum of Scotland.