This is an archive of the NMS website
National Museums Collection Centre
Where else could we keep our collection of 1.2 million
insects?
The National Museums Collection Centre at Granton, Edinburgh,
provides a home for many of the objects and specimens that are not
currently on display in our museums. In fact, our collections are
so extensive, only a small proportion can ever be shown at
once.
From Moby the whale to dinosaur bones, from motorbikes to
traction engines – the material gathered here is as diverse as it
is vast.
The stored material enables us to refresh exhibitions and study
subjects in depth.
In conjunction with the Royal Museum Project we have built two new
buildings at Granton, providing state-of-the-art conservation
laboratories and enhanced storage for the national collections.
Find out about all the recent news at the
museum by following our blog www.feastbowl.wordpress.com.
The slideshow below shows some of the hard work that goes on
behind the scenes at the Collection Centre.
Opening times
At present, visits are only possible by appointment.
Arrangements for individual academic research can be made with
the relevant Collections department.
In the future, visitors will be able to go behind the
scenes at National Museums Collection Centre on a guided tour to
experience our rich treasure house and watch our conservators at
work.
Sign up for
our e-newsletter and we'll let you know when visits to the
centre resume.
National Galleries of Scotland storage
The National Galleries of Scotland also has a purpose-built
storage building on site holding some of their reserve painting and
sculpture collections. For information on access to that part of
the site, please contact the National Galleries of
Scotland directly.