Visitor boost: National Museum of Scotland.
The National Museum of Scotland has welcomed two million visitors in just over ten months since its refurbishment.
Visitor numbers soared 300% compared with the same period last year, according to the latest figures. The Edinburgh venue reopened on July 29 last year following a £47m transformation which took around three years to complete.
It was the most-visited attraction outside London last year, according to a recent report by the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions. The museum said the refit was a spectacular success because it beat its target of drawing in one million visitors in its first year.
Dr Gordon Rintoul, director of National Museums Scotland which runs the museum, said: "It is amazing that a number equivalent to four times the population of Edinburgh has visited us in just over 10 months.
"The popularity of the museum underlines not just the quality of the experience we have created but also its appeal to a wide audience from both Scotland and internationally.
"We find that people are coming from far and wide and returning again and again to revisit favourite galleries or take part in our innovative programme of events.
"The museum has quickly become both a well-loved favourite and a fantastic showcase for everyone who visits Scotland, and I am delighted with our success."
The original building, designed by Francis Fowke, opened in 1866 and was inspired by London's Crystal Palace. Last year museum chiefs said the makeover restored it to its original glory and created "one of the world's great museums".
Its collections span everything from technology and art and design to the natural world and different cultures. Around 8,000 treasures are on show, 80% of them for the first time.
Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: "With fascinating collections showcased in magnificent, award-winning surroundings, the National Museum of Scotland is undoubtedly one of the jewels in Scotland's cultural crown.
"It has become firmly established as a world-class, must-see destination since its spectacular transformation just over 10 months ago. To reach two million visitors in that time is a truly exceptional achievement to celebrate in this, our Year of Creative Scotland."
Since reopening, the museum won the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland Best Building in Scotland award, two Civic Trust awards, and the Museums & Heritage Award for Excellence for the quality of the displays.
