There are now 27 'Recognised Collections' of national significance in Scotland. They are held by local authorities, universities and independent trusts, funded by the Scottish Executive and managed by the Museums Galleries Scotland. The Recognition Scheme will help to make sure that these important collections are identified, cared for, protected and promoted to a wider audience.

The collections are not only significant to the communities in which they are located but to Scotland as a whole. They cover a range of themes on what makes Scotland great, from medicine and art and science to industrial heritage and our literary heroes, from the collection cared for by Burns Monument Trust, Alloway, to the entire collection of Glasgow Museums.

Search for a Recognised Collection (click on the links below to find out more):

• Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery, Glasgow
• Scottish Fisheries Museum, Anstruther
• Museum of Scottish Lighthouses, Fraserburgh
• Pier Arts Centre, Stromness
• Surgeons' Hall Museum, Edinburgh
• Historic musical instruments, University of Edinburgh
• Archaeology collection, Dumfries and Galloway Museum Service
• Scottish Maritime Museum, Irvine
• Scottish Railway Preservation Society, Bo’ness 
• Aberdeenshire Council's Aberdeenshire Farming Museum collection
• Museum of Childhood, Edinburgh
• Scottish Mining Museum
• Perth and Kinross Council Museums and Art Galleries
• University of Aberdeen collection
• Miners' Library, Museum of Lead Mining, Wanlockhead
• Aberdeen Art Gallery and Museums
• Fine and Decorative Art Collection of Dundee City Museums
• RRS Discovery and associated polar collection of Dundee Heritage Trust
• Glasgow Museums
• Paisley shawl collection of Renfrewshire Arts and Museums Service
• University of St. Andrews collections