The newly redeveloped National Museum of Scotland has broken all records and has attracted more than half a million visitors since it opened to the public less than six weeks ago.
Gordon Rintoul, Director, National Museums Scotland, said:
“We are delighted with the number of visitors we have had so far, to reach this landmark so soon after reopening is nothing short of staggering. We have also been extremely pleased with the way people have responded to the transformed Museum, the feedback really has been overwhelmingly positive. The redeveloped National Museum of Scotland has already taken its place as a major national new cultural landmark, and a hugely popular attraction for the city of Edinburgh.”
Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop commenting
"With more than half a million visitors in little over five weeks, the newly-transformed National Museum of Scotland has already established itself as a must-see attraction for local, national and international visitors. Its spectacular public spaces and extraordinary collections offer a world-class experience, showcasing Scotland's rich cultural heritage and our remarkable contributions to the world."
The Museum reopened to the public on Friday 29 July, after a major three-year, £47 million redevelopment. A spectacular opening ceremony on Chambers Street was followed by nearly 6,000 people passing through the doors in the first hour of opening. In all, 22,000 visitors packed the Museum on opening day, and the 100,000 mark was reached in just six days.
The redeveloped Museum features a host of treasures and attractions for visitors of all ages, including a life-sized cast of a T.rex, the world’s oldest surviving colour television designed by John Logie Baird and artefacts from Scotland and all over the world covering discoveries, natural history, world cultures and science and technology.
The £47.4 million redevelopment, jointly funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund (£17.8 million), and the Scottish Government (£16 million), with a further £13.6 million from private sources, incorporates:
· Over 8,000 objects, 80% of which are on display for the first time
· A new entrance hall at street level
· 16 new galleries
· A spacious gallery for international touring exhibitions
Two new discovery galleries for children and families
· A new 3-storey learning centre
· The reinstated Grand Gallery, and a new addition: the Window on the World
· 50% more public space