Scotland’s coast stretches for 18,672 km and Scotland’s seas cover 462,263 km2, more than six times its land area. 

From its shores the seabed plunges from shallow seas less than 20 metres deep to more than two kilometres deep, where seamounts dwarf Scotland’s highest mountains. Scotland’s coasts and seas brim with life. More than 46,500 species are known, and more are discovered all the time. 

National Museums Scotland collection contains over 4 million marine invertebrates and 120,000 marine vertebrates. The objects on display demonstrate how these vast collections help us monitor the changing life in our waters and the impacts of human activity. 

Continuing studies help monitor the health of the sea’s ecosystems. Every two years Marine Scotland Science surveys the deep waters overlying the continental slope to the west of the Outer Hebrides. Animal specimens from the 2019 survey, including examples of basket star, deep sea barnacle, bamboo coral and rabbit ratfish, are exhibited giving a rare glimpse of the diversity of life 500–2000 metres below the waves. Monitoring the fauna can give insights into how activities in the area – such as fishing – are impacting on marine life.