Edinburgh: Museum on the Mound

While I decided on visiting National Museum of Scotland, this was the museum, that handpicked by my daughter- Museum on the Mound.

The Museum on the Mound is housed in the marvellous, purpose-built head office of the Bank of Scotland. Today the building also serves as the Scottish headquarters for Lloyds Banking Group. Paid a visit to the bank sure got to learn more about the fascinating history of this beautiful building, as well as learning some knowledge of currency and monetary of Scotland. Unlike most countries where it is only the governments, through their central banks, who are permitted to issue currency, in Scotland, there are 3 banks are allowed to issue banknotes, namely Bank of Scotland, Clydesdale Bank and The Royal Bank of Scotland. 

This Museum was not big, we completed visiting the galleries an hour or so and very impressed. We learnt that the Bank of Scotland was Scotland's very first bank. It was set up in 1695 (more than 300 years old!). To kids, it was fascinating to see how money evolved over the past 4,000 years, witness money came in all forms and shapes, such as shells and even feathers. To me, got to see £1 million pounds (right bottom picture in the collage above) was astonishing! Moving on, the museum included what housing conditions were like during the industrial revolution and how working people clubbed together to build themselves better homes. The last part of the museum, we built (mini) house. 

Upon entering the museum, kids were given an activities booklet to crack his/her brain in some puzzles or queries about the banking system of Scotland. It was the most fun thing to do in Edinburgh, according to my eldest daughter.

@ Waverley Bridge

This was one great little surprise of ours! Not too big & too complicated to keep the kids entertained. Tremendous friendly staff, which helped tons! My elder daughter bravely asked for help from one of the staff when trying her hands on opening the safe, without sought help from me. She roamed in and out of the galleries as if she was in her own bank!

Address: The Mound, Edinburgh, Midlothian EH1 1YZ (You just need to type "The Mound" in Google Map to learning its location)

Admission: Free.

Opening Hours: 10:00-17:00 (Tue-Fri) | 13:00-17:00 (Sat-Sun & PH) | Closed on Monday.

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