Museum on the Mound

About the museum

Museum on the Mound is housed in the purpose-built head office of Bank of Scotland, which stands at the top of the Mound at the junction of Bank Street and North Bank Street, about 500 metres from Edinburgh Castle and Princes Street. Today the building is also the Scottish headquarters of Lloyds Banking Group, to which Bank of Scotland has belonged since 2009. The museum looks at money from a broad perspective, bringing together art and design, technology, crime, trade and security in the story of finance.

The displays begin with the origins of the two banks that make up the group, which were founded in different nations and under contrasting circumstances, and follow three centuries of banking history. They also tell the story of the landmark building, with interactive maps showing how Edinburgh and the Mound have changed since the 1600s, and a chance to build the bank yourself. Further sections look at the development of money over 4,000 years, with a display of one million pounds and a safe to crack, at the rise of building societies and life assurance in Victorian Britain, and at how mechanisation and early computers changed the workplace.

The museum also runs learning and outreach programmes for schools and community groups, and from September 2026 it keeps its mornings free for these activities. Admission is free.

Highlights

• One million pounds on display
• Scotland's oldest banknote
• Interactive maps of the changing face of Edinburgh
• A safe to crack and a model home to build
• Tevau feather money from the Solomon Islands
• The historic Bank of Scotland head office building

Permanent exhibitions

• A Tale of Two Banks – The origins of Bank of Scotland and Lloyds Bank are traced over three centuries of banking history.
• Money Matters – The story of money over 4,000 years, with a million pounds on show and a safe to crack.
• The Bank on the Mound – Interactive maps show how Edinburgh has changed since the 1600s, alongside the history of the bank building.

Founded

2006

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission is free, as are school visits, digital workshops and other community activities.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum is accessible to most wheelchair users. Induction loops are installed at reception and in the lecture room and temporary exhibition space, and large print guides are available. The accessible toilet has a baby changing table; the nearest Changing Places toilets are at the National Museum of Scotland and at the Booking Office on Waverley Bridge. Free parking for Blue Badge holders is on Market Street and St Giles Street, though access to these streets may be restricted. Ear defenders, hand-held magnifiers, communication cards and sensory bags can be borrowed from the Welcome Desk, and a quiet space is available. A visual story, a sensory map, an access statement and an AccessAble access guide help visitors plan. Only guide dogs and identifiable assistance dogs are allowed.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Baby changing facilities

The museum offers a number of activities for families to do while exploring the displays. The accessible toilet has a baby changing table.

Getting there & parking

For satnav, use the city centre and city centre attractions route (EH1 2LP).

Amenities & dining

• Café: not available

There is no cafe on site, but several are within a few minutes' walk.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit