To preserve Scotland's unique antiquities and natural specimens, a Scottish earl founded the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland in 1780. Now numbering twelve million objects, these collections formed the foundation for what eventually became the National Museum of Scotland. Alima Bucciantini traces how these collections have helped tell the changing stories of this country for centuries.

To preserve Scotland's unique antiquities and natural specimens, a Scottish earl founded the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland in 1780. Now numbering twelve million objects, these collections formed the foundation for what eventually became the National Museum of Scotland. Alima Bucciantini traces how these collections have helped tell the changing stories of this country for centuries.