Scottish Museum Embraces Eons

You can’t accuse the new Museum of Scotland of being shortsighted. Within the walls of its Edinburgh building--modern but inspired by Scottish castles and other ancient structures--lies everything from 3-billion-year-old rocks to 20th century objects. Together, they are designed to tell Scotland’s story from geologic beginnings to modern times.

The five galleries, opened last week, display more than 10,000 objects drawn from private collections and the National Museums of Scotland. They also include sections on prehistoric peoples, the Scottish kingdom and 18th and 19th century history. Among the highlights: jewels once owned by Mary, Queen of Scots, and the 8th century Monymusk Reliquary (portable shrine), which was carried into the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314, when Scottish forces defeated the English.

There also is a restaurant and a rooftop garden with panoramic views of the city. The museum, on Chambers Street next to the Royal Museum, is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is about $5.35 adults, free for children under 16. For information, call the museum at 011-44-131-225-7534, or the British Tourist Authority, (800) 462-2748.