Explore our collection of wonderful miniature Japanese sculptures that served functional and aesthetic purposes.

Cotton cloths are a popular everyday item of clothing in Malawi and are produced in a wide variety of patterns and designs. They are also designed to mark social and political events.

This is the oldest surviving colour television in the world. It uses a colour system invented in 1937 by Scottish engineer John Logie Baird.

Salvaged from a shipwreck, this pocket watch has lain under water for over 300 years. But now a high-tech process has uncovered the hidden secrets of this rusty artefact.

What did you want for Christmas in the 1960s? Meccano? Lego? A toy nuclear power station?

Mary, Queen of Scots is one of the most famous yet enigmatic figures in Scottish history. Explore her dramatic story through objects in our collection.

Discover the way of the Japanese warrior.

This woven bamboo flower basket titled ‘Crane Dance’ was created by Japanese artist Buseki Suikō in 2009.

Your journey from Scotland to the world begins in the Grand Gallery, one of Scotland's most beautiful spaces.

Find out more about our range of initiatives to support and welcome autistic visitors.

Meet the Buddhist guardian who's watched over the museum for almost 80 years.

Celebrate Maths Tales at the museum with maths-inspired family activities.

Is it possible to infer the agility or manoeuvrability of a fossil animal from the shape of its labyrinth?

This picture shows a turning point during the Battle of Waterloo in 1815.

These silver spoons were bought by Assistant Surgeon Stewart Chisholm using prize money awarded to him for his service at Waterloo.

Carved by virtuoso ivory sculptor David Le Marchand, this set of five portraits was commissioned by George Mackenzie, 1st Earl of Cromartie, in 1696.

This sofa once graced one of London’s most splendid mansions, part of an opulent 18th-century interior scheme which was the height of Georgian fashion.

Created by designer Drummond Masterton, this milled aluminium bowl is inspired by the 60th anniversary of Italian cyclist Fausto Coppi winning the Giro d'Italia-Tour de France double in 1949.

The Thin Red Line is one of the best known of all Scottish historical paintings and is the classic representation of Highland military heroism as an icon of Scotland.

This major exhibition unravelled the complex story of the different groups who have used or been given the name ‘Celts’ through the extraordinary art objects they made and used.

Comprising multiple specialist teams, Collections Services provides conservation, collections care, collections management, digitisation, analytical science, and library services expertise across the museum.

Ornate and intricately detailed, this collection of jewellery and personal possessions once belonged to the last ruler of the Sikh Empire, Maharaja Duleep Singh.

Amelia Robertson Hill was one of the few female sculptors in 19th-century Edinburgh. Her work can be found in many prominent locations in Scotland.

Tools to help aid teaching and learning about the Romans in Scotland

On his journey from the West to East Coast of Africa, the explorer David Livingstone collected a variety of geological specimens, which he presented to the National Museum of Scotland.

Find out about Freddy the robot developed in the 1970s at the University of Edinburgh and explore how robot technology has changed from early automota to assisting surgery and exploring Mars.

With its slick design and sensational selection of records, this jukebox for the future may look like an all-American classic but it was designed in France and manufactured in the UK. Let’s rock this joint!

Discover how this stunning, detailed wall hanging was brought back to life by our Textile Conservation team.

The Tibetan Prayer Wheel House offers visitors a tangible experience of a common feature of Tibetan culture.

Discover a fascinating clock that kept time in a whole new way and find out how our assistant conservator of technology has strived to keep it accurate.

This famous Formula One car belongs to three times Formula One World Champion and Scottish sporting legend, Sir Jackie Stewart OBE.

In 1997, ferryman Robert Graham unearthed a sandstone sculpture from the mud of the River Almond, Cramond, Edinburgh. It turned out to be one of the most important Roman finds in decades.

Discover the story of Scotland's failed venture to colonise part of Panama in the 17th century.

This tent was a home-made 'mini' vigil travelling stall used by members of the Democracy for Scotland campaign.

Uncover the history of this iconic Celtic trumpet, and find out how it has been reconstructed to bring the music of the past to life.

This massive feast bowl, known as an umete, comes from Atiu, one of the Cook Islands in the South Pacific.

Discover more about our amazing objects through stories, films and resources.

Bring your little ones for a fun session on the Magic Carpet exploring maths tales.

Throughout 2022, we want to work with local museums across Scotland to integrate more maths into their museum programming and provide support to take part in Maths Week Scotland.

Join us as we host two weeks of science-fuelled exploration at the National Museum of Scotland, from free interactive exhibits to family workshops and adult talks and events.

This elaborate travelling set was made by the Edinburgh goldsmith Ebenezer Oliphant in 1740-41 for Prince Charles Edward Stuart.

In 1907 the builder William Willett wrote a pamphlet called The Waste of Daylight, campaigning for Daylight Saving in the UK. 9 years later, in 1916, this came into effect in UK law and effectively changed how we experience the passing seasons. Read on to find out more about Daylight Saving is and why Willett wanted it implemented...

As the first cloned mammal ever to be created from an adult cell, Dolly the sheep's birth was of huge excitement both to the scientific world and to the public.

Discover our Ancient Egypt, East Asia and Ceramics galleries.

This tumbler was given by Napoleon to Captain Francis Maitland of HMS Bellerophon, which took the deposed Emperor away.

Developed here in Scotland in 2010, this sustainable technology is helping to bring clean drinking water to the developing world

Enjoy a 30 minute wander around the museum and discover mindful moments throughout our galleries.