National Museum of Scotland draws half a million visitors
September 8 2011
Members of the public have been drawn by exhibits including a life size T-Rex cast and the world’s first colour television set.
Describing the stats as “staggering” museum director Gordon Rintoul commented: “Gordon Rintoul, director of National Museums Scotland, said: “We have also been extremely pleased with the way people have responded to the transformed museum, the feedback really has been overwhelmingly positive.
"The redeveloped National Museum of Scotland has already taken its place as a major national new cultural landmark and a hugely popular attraction for the city of Edinburgh."
Designed by Gareth Hoskins Architects with David Narro structural engineers the museum opened its doors on July 29.
It took Glasgow’s Transport Museum just over seven weeks to reach the equivalent number of visitors.
13 Comments
#2 Posted by Ageing Student on 8 Sep 2011 at 13:53 PM
I think it was Michael Laird and Partners;-)
#3 Posted by Barry on 8 Sep 2011 at 13:57 PM
Great museum. A real asset to Edinburgh and Scotland.
One thing lets it down however -- the 'stained' sandstone on the outside. I really wish Edinburgh would clean up its buildings like they do in Germany, France etc. All the beautiful golden sandstone is hid beneath pollution and it spoils the architecture.
One thing lets it down however -- the 'stained' sandstone on the outside. I really wish Edinburgh would clean up its buildings like they do in Germany, France etc. All the beautiful golden sandstone is hid beneath pollution and it spoils the architecture.
#4 Posted by urbanrealm on 8 Sep 2011 at 14:05 PM
Gareth Hoskins did the honours
#5 Posted by Matt on 8 Sep 2011 at 16:41 PM
@Barry - I think there was a point a few years ago when they tried to do exactly that with the Scott Monument, which is looking particularly black at present. Unfortunately due to the poor state of the sandstone the whole thing began crumbling so they had to stop. Perhaps the Museum is made of the same craigleith 'granite'???
#6 Posted by Matt on 8 Sep 2011 at 16:42 PM
and by granite I obviously mean sandstone. Aberdeen on the brain....
#7 Posted by Matt on 8 Sep 2011 at 16:42 PM
and by granite I obviously mean sandstone. Aberdeen on the brain....
#8 Posted by Barry on 8 Sep 2011 at 16:48 PM
@Matt
The Scott monument is really black with pollution -- although it's still a remarkable structure and in silhouette adds to the stunning Edinburgh skyline.Most people think it is naturally black.
It's always been a pet peeve of mine however -- all the polluted stone. I know there are instances whereby leaving the buildings covered in soot might be preferable but I'm also sure that some of the buildings could be cleaned. It would improve the cityscape so much in my opinion.To me, this lets Edinburgh down more than anything in terms of aesthetic appeal.
I believe Glasgow has done it fairly extensively and I think its streetscapes benefit from it.
Aw well, I'm glad this museum is a success. I will miss the fish pond however -- do any of you remember it in the main atrium?
The Scott monument is really black with pollution -- although it's still a remarkable structure and in silhouette adds to the stunning Edinburgh skyline.Most people think it is naturally black.
It's always been a pet peeve of mine however -- all the polluted stone. I know there are instances whereby leaving the buildings covered in soot might be preferable but I'm also sure that some of the buildings could be cleaned. It would improve the cityscape so much in my opinion.To me, this lets Edinburgh down more than anything in terms of aesthetic appeal.
I believe Glasgow has done it fairly extensively and I think its streetscapes benefit from it.
Aw well, I'm glad this museum is a success. I will miss the fish pond however -- do any of you remember it in the main atrium?
#9 Posted by Barry on 8 Sep 2011 at 16:50 PM
@Matt
I understood you. Speaking of Aberdeen, its cleaning of Marischal college is a complete triumph. That's what I'm getting at.
I understood you. Speaking of Aberdeen, its cleaning of Marischal college is a complete triumph. That's what I'm getting at.
#10 Posted by Brian on 9 Sep 2011 at 07:43 AM
Glasgows Merchant City area looks great in parts really well done.and the Gothic black of the cathedral looks brilliant.
#11 Posted by a gal on 10 Sep 2011 at 12:54 PM
Agree with Barry. Shame about the fish. Nice job tho. Well done gareth.
#12 Posted by a gal on 10 Sep 2011 at 13:01 PM
Wow same number of visitors in 6 weeks as riverside in 7 weeks. Incredible statistic! Maybe there was some sort of festival going on.....
#13 Posted by boab on 11 Sep 2011 at 19:56 PM
Visited the new museum at the weekend
Utterly brilliant, light airy feel to it
100 times better than the new transport museum in Glasgow
As a Glaswegian i am sorry to say that Edinburgh has got it spot on
and could show Glasgow City Council a thing or two about Museums
(just don’t mention the trams)
Utterly brilliant, light airy feel to it
100 times better than the new transport museum in Glasgow
As a Glaswegian i am sorry to say that Edinburgh has got it spot on
and could show Glasgow City Council a thing or two about Museums
(just don’t mention the trams)
Post your comments
Read next: Charlie Hussey defends China work
Read previous: Aberdeen Energy Development Centre progresses
Back to September 2011
Like us on Facebook
Become a fan and share
News Archive
Search News
Features & Reports
For more information from the industry visit our Features & Reports section.
Or does Urban Realm expect us to think that the sharks and hippos and mummies and doors and stairs and lifts and lighting and stuff just sorted themselves out through brownian motion?