Hello Dolly and other museum faves
The National Museum of Scotland is open again, with new arrangements for booking a timed ticket, physical distancing and wearing of masks.
There are enhanced cleaning procedures and sneeze screens as well as specific one-way routes.
Dr Chris Breward, Director of National Museums Scotland said: “We are really pleased to be able to welcome visitors back to the National Museum of Scotland.
It’s such a treasured public space, and I know that many people will be just like me – excited to become reacquainted with objects almost as though they were old friends, including the Lewis chess pieces, T.rex, Dolly the Sheep or the amazing Paco Rabanne metal tunic.
“The safety of our staff and visitors is paramount, which is why we are taking a phased approach to reopening among a host of other measures designed to make sure everyone can feel confident that their visit will be both safe and enjoyable.”
The Museum has reopened with two new displays for visitors to enjoy.
Marking the Year of Coasts and Waters, Scotland’s Precious Sea is a small exhibition which highlights the unique beauty and significance of Scotland’s marine life, reflected in the diversity of NMS’s research collections.
Find out about the scientific research measuring the impact of human activity on the marine environment and how global climate change is affecting the wildlife in our waters.
Scotland's coast runs for 18.762 km and the sea covers more than six times its land area.
There are more than 46,500 species in the sea which can be up to two kilometres deep.
It is there in the deepest darkest parts of the ocean that seamounts dwarf our country's highest mountains, and there is a wide range of life. More are discovered all the time.
The NMS collection has over four million marine invertebrates and 120,000 vertebrates which lived in the sea. Specimens include basket star, deep sea barnacle, bamboo coral and rabbit ratfish.