Edinburgh Accommodation

Uist women in Domestic Service. In 1861 most female servants in Glasgow were migrants from the Highlands or Ireland, Museum of Scotland

Celebrating Scottish Sport, Allan Wells, Athletics at the Museum of Scotland

Dolly the Sheep in the Connect Interactive space at the Museum of Scotland

The Manufacture of Jute, Juteopolis Dundee, Scottish Industry at the Museum of Scotland

Edinburgh Museums, Museum of Scotland Edinburgh

Edinburgh's huge choice of museums are all tightly packed in the central Old Town and New Town areas, with a large chunk positioned along Edinburgh's Royal Mile.

There's a museum for everyone in Edinburgh, from the acclaimed Museum of Scotland, to the Museum of Childhood and the fascinating Surgeons' Hall (the Dental History Museum section in here is particularly fascinating). Other Edinburgh Museum highlights include the People's Story on the Royal Mile which takes a close look at the social history of Scotland and has a superb selection of banners on display. The National War Museum within Edinburgh Castle homes in on the individual experience of war, whilst the Edinburgh Museum (also around the Royal Mile) takes a quirky look at Edinburgh's local history. See too the Writers' Museum for memorbilia and archives on Robert Burns, Robert Louis Stevenson and Sir Walter Scott.

Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh

Not to be confused with the Museum of Edinburgh, The Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh is situated on Chambers Street near Edinburgh University Old College, the Surgeons Hall and its sister museum building the Royal Museum. The Museum of Scotland opened in 1998, and the focus of exhibitions here is on design, manufacturing, science, techology, how Scotland was formed/geology and the Kingdom of Scots exhibit takes a close look at the formation of Scotland as a nation, the emergence of Monarchy, Gaelic history, life in Scottish towns over the centuries and Scotland's position within the wider world. All things Renaissance and Reformation are also considered. The Museum of Scotland is a modern and comprehensive exploration into Scotland's history from various angles including technological, geological and cultural. It's a good place to start if you're planning a wider tour of Scotland.

There's some pretty innovative exhibitions on technology here in the Museum of Scotland too, including insights into space travel. Scotland's innovations are revealed indepth, through exhibits on shipbuilding, railways, and whisky for example. Journey too through periods of change and Scottish theoretical and artistic progress via exhibits on the Englightenment. Scottish Sports such as Rugby, Football and Golf are also given due attention. The rules of Golf were first laid out in Scotland. Other important sports with strong links with Scotland include of course the historic Highland Games, Bowling and Curling and have you heard of Shinty. Find out more on Scotland's ancient game of Shinty here at the National Museum of Scotland. A little like hockey, Shinty remains a popular game in both Scotland and Ireland.

You'll need a good couple of hours in here at least. On-site is a pleasant roof top garden, the Tower Restaurant, and next door visit the Royal Museum where there are 30 plus more galleries. The Royal Museum has had considerable funding pumped into it recently, offering a series of Discovery Zones focusing on the natural world and art and design. Other additions include eating and shopping spaces, a learning zone and a balcony cafe. It's all happening in Edinburgh - check the National Museum of Scotland's weblink right for the latest.

National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street Edinburgh, EH1 1JF. Tel: 0131 247 4422. Open from 1st April 2006, Daily from 10.00am to 5pm. Admission is Free! (see weblink right for more details).

National War Museum, Edinburgh

The National War Museum in Edinburgh, situated within Edinburgh Castle, opened in 1930 to commemorate the sacrifices of Scottish soliders in the First World War. You've free entrance to this museum exhibit with your Edinburgh Castle entrance, and it's well worth detouring in as it digs deep this Scottish war museum into the individual experience of war and hints at tensions with the history of Scottish soldiers fighting to defend the British empire.

Alongside military memorabilia including uniforms, weapons, medals and insignia there are specifically focused exhibitions such as 'Highland Soldier' and 'Active Service - six aspects of battle'. The latter explores the personal experience of battle through the eyes of Scottish servicemen who have stared death in the face. Their stories are hard-hitting. Special exhibitions have included recently the 'Commando Country' exhibition which looks closely at the training ground and the trainers who taught soldiers in the Highlands during the Second World War how to survive and tactics such as sabotage and close combat. A highly informative museum, the National War Museum in Edinburgh is much more than a military regalia display.

The National War Museum, Edinburgh Castle Edinburgh, EH1 2NG. Tel. 0131 247 4413. (weblink right)

National Library of Scotland

If you fancy digging deeper on some research into Scottish History, Scottish authors such as Sir Walter Scott, numerous rare books, archive collections and more pertaining to Scotland then a visit to the National Library of Scotland is recommended.

It's Scotland's largest library, with a huge archive of books, printed items, videos and documentaries, important historic manuscripts, Scottish music and more. Checkout their website right and explore their digital library which reflects on Scottish notables such as Robert Lewis Stevenson, Robert Burns and Muriel Spark.

The Links section is well worth a look too, with numerous Scottish history links helping you to home in on your particular Scotland visit areas.

National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge, Edinburgh, EH1 1EW, Scotland, UK. Tel. 44 (0)131 6233700. (weblink right for details).

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