The Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh has opened a £250,000 new gallery exploring the role of sport in Scotland’s cultural heritage.

Sporting Scotland, which opened on 22 June, consists of four separate sections, Supporting Scotland, Playing for Scotland, Scottish Sport and the Scottish Sports Hall of Fame.

Dr Gordon Rintoul, director of the National Museums of Scotland, of which the Museum of Scotland is a part, said: “Our new Sporting Scotland gallery recognises the outstanding contributions Scots have made in the sporting arena and provides a fascinating exploration of the history of sport in Scotland, from professional competitors to their impassioned supporters.

“We hope that the Sporting Scotland gallery will provide an engaging and inspiring experience for Museum of Scotland visitors in general and sports fans in particular.”

Patricia Ferguson, minister for tourism, culture and sport, added: “This exhibition provides a fascinating insight into sport in Scotland, past and present, and also pays tribute to Scotland’s sporting heroes through the years.

“The people of Scotland are as passionate about sport as any nation in the world, whether cheering on our athletes as they go for gold at the top level of competition, or taking part for fun and fitness.”

Exhibits on display include a Ducati motorbike ridden by Steve Hislop, twice the British Superbike Champion; and a tennis racket used by Andy Murray to win the 2004 US Junior Championships.

The 150sq m (1,600sq ft) gallery, designed by Edinburgh-based Studio SP, is a partnership project between the National Museums of Scotland and sportscotland and will be part of a larger Modern Scotland gallery which is currently being developed by National Museums of Scotland.

A spokesperson said that Modern Scotland, due to open in spring 2008, will explore the modern Scottish identity, focusing on Scots, their self-perceptions and the environments which have shaped them during the 20-21st centuries.

The Sporting Scotland gallery replaces the 20th Century Gallery. Details: www.nms.ac.uk

Photo: Andy Murray, US Junior Championships 2004, Scotsman Publications