National Museums Scotland has confirmed it has received a grant of £4.85m from the Heritage Lottery Fund. The money will be used to help carry out the next stage of the museum's ambitious masterplan.

This latest grant will go towards a £14.1m project that will create 10 new galleries on the site and will display National Museum Scotland's collections of Science and Technology, and Art and Design. The new galleries are expected to open in 2016.

More than £10m is now in place for the project, including £900,000 from the Scottish Government, which enabled the renewing of the roof of the building's west wing. A fundraising campaign is underway to secure the remaining from private sources.


The development is the third stage of an £80m masterplan to restore the Victorian building to its former glory. The second phase has been completed as was opened to the public in 2011, and housed 16 new galleries.

Commenting on the funding news, Dr Gordon Rintoul, Director of National Museums Scotland, said: "It is terrific news that the Heritage Lottery Fund has awarded funding for the next stage in our masterplan for the National Museum of Scotland. It will allow us to continue the transformation of this much-loved building, significantly enhancing what is already a world class museum for the benefit of visitors from the UK and internationally."

Colin McLean, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund in Scotland, added: "The recent transformation of the National Museum of Scotland has been an unprecedented success. Modern galleries with engaging interpretation have encouraged millions through the doors to explore the cornucopia of artefacts that lie within.

"It has thrilled visitors and benefitted Edinburgh and Scotland's tourism economy. Thanks to the National Lottery playing public, we are delighted to be able to support the next stage in the transformation of this much-loved museum."

(JP/MH)