Mechanical Marvels at the National Museum of Scotland

The Mister and I stumbled upon this amazing museum totally by mistake. We had just escaped the crowd on the Royal Mile after picking up our tickets for Fringe and were looking for a quieter place to look at the map. We soon found ourselves on the stone steps outside the National Museum of Scotland with a few hours to kill before our first show. A few hours wasn’t nearly enough!

The first visit was spent mostly in the ancient history section, but we went back a second day to check out the rest of the historical and industrial arts exhibits. If you are a fan of steam engines, elaborate clockwork, intricate model ships and all manner of shiny things, don’t miss this stop if you find yourself in Edinburgh. The museum recently underwent a massive renovation, but the largest gallery dates to the Victorian era and calls to mind the pictures I have seen of the Crystal Palace.

I hope you enjoy the gallery of photos below. (Click on any picture to see a them in a different view).

The Grand Gallery, National Museum of Scotland

This huge lighthouse lamp towers over visitors in the Grand Gallery.

This printing press was designed in 1813 ( though this model was built in 1860). There are many different kinds of printing presses in the museum.

Millennium Clock Tower, National Museum of Scotland

Millennium Clock Tower, National Museum of Scotland

I don’t know what this is, but it sure looks steampunk!

The Grand Gallery houses this amazing wrought iron drinking fountain. The thing in the background that looks like came from a science fiction movie set is the Cockcroft-Walton generator.

This is one of the oldest original steam engines in the world. It was built in 1813 and was used to move coal.

Many of the engines on display are so big they need to be housed in multi-story galleries. The best vantage point is often from the third floor.

This sea chest with the elaborate security system caught my eye immediately.

Ooh, shiny! This is a model of a steam engine used in 1900 on a torpedo destroyer.

There is one room with incredible looms from the 18th and 19th centuries.

Have you ever visited this museum? Did you have a favorite part?

Leave a comment below!

August 13, 2014 | Categories: History, Steam Technology, Steam Tour, Travel | Tags: Cast Iron, Edinburgh, Loom, Machines, Museum, National Museum of Scotland, Scotland, Steam Engine, steam punk, Steampunk, Travel | 2 Comments