The National Museum of Scotland on Chambers Street in Edinburgh is two connected buildings. Captain Francis Fowke and Robert Matheson designed the Victorian building, whose foundation stone was laid on October 23, 1861. Its first phase opened on May 19, 1866, and its exterior is described as Venetian Renaissance.
A cast-iron Grand Gallery rises the full height of the Victorian building and was inspired by the Crystal Palace. Benson and Forsyth designed the Museum of Scotland building, which opened in 1998. Golden Moray sandstone clads it, and its geometric forms refer to brochs and castles.
The Victorian building closed in 2008 for a three-year, £47 million redevelopment by Gareth Hoskins Architects. It reopened on July 29, 2011, with a new entrance hall of 15,000 square feet (1,400 m²) and 16 galleries. Admission is free.
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