Museum of Scotland

The Museum of Scotland stands in Edinburgh’s Chambers Street, a modern building opened in 1998 that now houses Scotland’s national collections of history and culture. It was designed by architects Benson & Forsyth and joined to the older Royal Museum next door, forming the National Museum of Scotland. The museum’s sandstone façade and geometric shapes make it a striking landmark in the city centre. Inside, the permanent displays trace Scotland’s past from prehistoric times to the present day. Visitors find Lewis chessmen, the Monymusk Reliquary and works by artists such as Eduardo Paolozzi, Margaret MacDonald Mackintosh and Andy Goldsworthy. Flags raised at Culloden are also on show, alongside sculptures and paintings that bring each era to life. Above ground the building rises in layers, each floor covering a different period. The lowest level covers early history, while the topmost floor shows Scotland’s recent decades. The tower and castle-like features add local character, and the Moray sandstone gives the exterior a warm golden tone.