Inside the historic Bank of Scotland building on The Mound, this free Edinburgh museum traces money and banking from early currency to modern finance. Its displays cover Scottish banking, the design and security of money, and the stories behind coins and banknotes. See Scotland’s oldest banknote and a display of £1 million in £20 notes, then try the combination safe and other hands-on activities. The museum is compact, so it fits easily into a central Edinburgh day; allow about an hour to explore at a comfortable pace.
Money and banking on The Mound
The Museum on the Mound is housed in the former Bank of Scotland head office, a building that still has a connection to banking: it is now the Scottish headquarters of Lloyds Banking Group. The museum opened in 2006, making displays about money and finance accessible to the public.
Its subject reaches beyond Scottish banknotes. Across seven rooms, the displays follow the development of money over roughly 4,000 years. They explore how currency is made and designed, and how technology, trade, crime and security have shaped the way people use it. The history of the Bank of Scotland, founded in 1695, is part of that story.
What to look for in the displays
Historic notes and coins bring the subject into focus. Among the objects to look out for are Scotland’s oldest banknote, an 18th-century iron money chest and the Bank of Scotland’s original founding act from 1695. A display of £1 million in £20 notes gives you a tangible sense of the scale of the sum.
The exhibits also follow the changing role of banks and the companies they have worked with, including Scottish Widows. Together, the objects and explanations connect the everyday use of money with the institutions and systems behind it.
Try the safe puzzle
The museum includes interactive activities for adults and children. One asks you to work out a combination by answering questions about banking history. The information needed to solve the puzzle is in the museum; enter the code on a safe-style lock to open the box. A successful solve can earn a small gift, collected at reception.
Other activities and games make the visit more hands-on than a display-only tour. Photography is permitted inside, so you can take pictures of the exhibits.
Planning a visit
The museum is on The Mound, in central Edinburgh. It is a compact stop, and an hour gives you time to read the displays and try the activities; allow longer if you like to work through the interactive games at your own pace. Admission is free.
The museum is closed on Mondays and Sundays and opens Tuesday to Saturday from 1 to 5 pm. Weekdays are suggested as a quieter time to visit. The museum has restrooms and a wheelchair-accessible entrance and restroom.
Perguntas frequentes
Is Museum on the Mound free?
Yes. Admission is free.
How long do you need at Museum on the Mound?
Allow at least an hour to see the displays and try the activities. A visit can take up to about an hour and a half if you spend longer with the games.
What can you see at Museum on the Mound?
The displays cover money and banking, including Scotland’s oldest banknote, an 18th-century iron money chest and £1 million in £20 notes.
Can you try to open a safe at Museum on the Mound?
Yes. Solve a combination puzzle using clues from the museum, then enter the code on a safe-style lock. A successful solve can earn a small gift.
Is Museum on the Mound wheelchair accessible?
The museum has a wheelchair-accessible entrance and restroom.
