THE National Museum of Scotland, which reopened in 2011 after a £47 million refurbishment, is now the most popular free attraction outside London.

The news that it has received a £4.85m lottery grant to help in the next stage of the ongoing project to restore this treasured building to its former glory will further consolidate this success.

The grant will help in the creation of 10 new galleries for science and technology and art and design. It means more than £10m has been secured for the £14.1m project, including £900,000 from the Scottish Government to renew the roof the west wing.

This next stage will explore the impact of scientific discovery and invention and showcase the creativity of applied arts, fashion and design - all fields in which Scots have played a prominent part.

The new galleries will further enhance what is already a world-class facility. They will showcase excellence and innovation - qualities which have been the hallmarks of the rebirth of our National Museum.

We, along with its custodians, can now celebrate the past and toast the future.