The new National Museum of Scotland set to open its doors

The new National Museum of Scotland set to open its doors

After a £47m makeover, the new National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh will reopen on Friday 29th July 2011, looking distinctly different from the way generations of Scottish schoolchildren remember it.

Gordon Rintoul, director of National Museums Scotland, admitted the transformation was long overdue, especially given some of the displays had remained the same for more than 70 years.

"Most of them were from the 40s and 50s and maybe earlier than that," he said. "At least 70 years, we're not sure. The exhibitions were all terribly tired."

Much of the money for the refurbishment came from the Heritage Lottery Fund – £17.8m – and Scottish government, which gave £16m.

But such was the acknowledged need for improvement that the fundraisers managed to bring in almost £1m more in private donations than they asked for, even during the worst of the financial crisis.

"I don't think the financial support has come, large and small, by accident. People have appreciated what we wanted to achieve here," said Rintoul.

The new museum boasts more than 8,000 objects, with around 80% going on display for the first time in many years.

The idea at the centre of the museum is that visitors feel as though they are walking through an encyclopaedia.

The museum celebrates Scottish invention and achievement, not least that of John Logie Baird – the world's oldest surviving colour television is there – and Alexander Fleming. In a case containing his numerous medals and gongs is the moulded penicillin he rather bashfully gave back to those who had given him awards.