Located within Edinburgh Castle, the National War Museum (previously known as the Scottish United Services Museum) became part of the National Museums of Scotland in 1985. It has been subject to a major refurbishment reopening in April, 2000.
The collections embrace all of the armed services, and include uniforms, weapons, medals, documents and photographs. There are three flags carried at the Battle of Culloden (1746). The medals include several Victoria Crosses, and groups of decorations belonging to, for example, General Sir David Baird (1757 - 1829). Somewhat incongruously, the museum also houses honours belonging to scientist Sir Alexander Fleming, including his Nobel Prize for Medicine, won in 1945.
Amongst the collection are works by Scottish artists such as Robert Gibb (1845 - 1932), Robert Gemmell Hutchison (1855 - 1936) and Francis Cadell (1883 - 1937).
The Museum is Scotland's principal military history research resource.