National Museums Scotland is counting down to the opening of ten new galleries at the National Museum of Scotland on Friday, 8 July 2016.

The announcement of the opening date heralds a five month countdown during which time museum staff will install over 3,000 objects into four galleries of decorative art, fashion and design and six galleries of science and technology.

The ten new galleries represent the next phase of the ambitious £80 million Masterplan to transform the National Museum of Scotland. They will be completed in the 150th anniversary year of the Victorian building, which first opened in 1866. Display space will increase by over 40%, with 75% of the objects on display not having been seen for at least a generation. The new displays will champion excellence and innovation, offering an inspirational experience for the scientists, engineers, artists and designers of tomorrow.

This £14.1 million project is supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Wellcome Trust and the Scottish Government, with £7 million of the costs being raised from Trusts, Foundations and many generous individual donors.

Alongside the announcement of the opening date, National Museums Scotland launched the crucial last phase of its fundraising appeal for the new galleries. This gives the public the opportunity to be part of the final push to secure the money needed to complete the galleries. Donations large and small will help to continue the restoration of the much loved museum building, reveal remarkable hidden treasures from the National Collections, and create inspiring experiences for visitors of all ages.

The fundraising appeal is supported by Patron and long-term supporter of National Museums Scotland, renowned author Alexander McCall Smith, who said:

“I love to write about Edinburgh. It is one of the great cities in the world – rich in history, architecture and culture. And the National Museum of Scotland, situated in the heart of Edinburgh, is a place which connects Scotland to the world and the world to Scotland through stories captured in thousands of remarkable objects. It’s a place which has inspired me and, with the help and generosity of the public, can inspire many more people in years to come.

“This fundraising appeal is the last vital step towards the realisation of a vision which will see ten new galleries brought to life. “

Gordon Rintoul, Director of National Museums Scotland said,

“We are now in the final phase of work as we progress towards opening our new galleries on 8 July. From Dunlop’s first pneumatic tyre to cutting edge scientific discoveries from CERN, the fashion of Vivienne Westwood and Alexander McQueen, Dolly the Sheep and Picasso ceramics – we have something to appeal to everyone.”

Further information and images from Susan Gray, Press Office, National Museums Scotland on 0131 247 4088 or email s.gray@nms.ac.uk

Or contact Sutton PR: Holly Blaxill on 020 7183 3577 or email holly@suttonpr.com