The Museum on the Mound focuses on the history of the Bank of Scotland as well as the history of numismatics, which is the study of physical money. The focus is less on high-level financial dealings and more on interesting facts about money that the general public would be able to relate to. For example, you'll find displays inside that let you see what a million pounds looks like, witness what it takes to crack a safe and test your ability to spot forgeries.
When you visit the museum, you can easily spend several hours exploring all of its displays and activities. All sorts of people enjoy its displays, considering how relevant money is to everyone's life. Even children can delight in learning why banks exist and how the city has changed since the 17th century when the bank here was founded.
Museum on the Mound in Edinburgh - one of the highlights of 12 Best Museums in Edinburgh (Read all about Edinburgh here)
Museum on the Mound highlights
You'll find numerous displays throughout the museum, but some tend to stand out over others. One of the most popular is the display focusing on money and the numerous forms it can come in. You'll see not only familiar notes on display but also shells, tea and feathers among other seemingly random items. What unites them together is that they were once used as a form of currency. You can even try your hand at cracking a safe at this display. Temper your expectations, as it turns out safe cracking is pretty difficult.
For a more human perspective on the history of banking in Scotland, be sure to check out the Making it Work display. Here, you'll find artefacts detailing what life was like for bank workers in the 19th century, including what they taught apprentices and how women entering the workforce improved banking.
Museum on the Mound history
The Museum on the Mound opened in 2006 in its present form. Before that, the Museum consisted of a single room in the basement of the Bank of Scotland's head office since 1986. Since then, the museum has grown significantly. In 2017, it was announced that the museum would be closing. In response to significant public outcry, the museum remained open so you can visit it today.
The building the museum is housed in is much older than the museum itself. The museum is part of the Bank of Scotland's head office that dates back to the early 19th century. There were significant alterations done in 1863 and later again in 1878. What's most notable is that the building rests on a significant slope, which is why there's such an expansive basement area.
Good to know when visiting the Museum on the Mound
When you're planning your visit to the Museum on the Mound, you won’t have to consult your budget. Admission is free, so you can enjoy all of its offerings if you have the time. Keep in mind that there are certain events and talks held here that you may not want to miss, especially if you've brought along kids who are interested in learning.
Considering that the Museum on the Mound is located along the Royal Mile, you'll find yourself close to several other exciting attractions you won't want to miss out on. Edinburgh Castle is just a short walk away, along with the Scotch Whisky Experience if you're looking for something a bit more adult-oriented. Reaching the museum is easy because it's just a short walk from Waverley station.
photo by Pjt56 (CC BY-SA 4.0) modified
Museum on the Mound in Edinburgh
Location: The Mound, Edinburgh EH1 1YZ, UK
Phone: +44 (0)1312 435464
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Holiday Inn Edinburgh, an IHG Hotel
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Village Hotel Edinburgh
YOTEL Edinburgh
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Britannia Hotel Edinburgh
Point A Hotel Edinburgh Haymarket
Apex Waterloo Place Hotel
ibis Edinburgh Centre South Bridge - Royal Mile
