Visitor numbers at the National Museum have hiked by a third after the opening of ten new galleries.

There have been nearly 500,000 visits to the attraction on Chambers Street in Edinburgh since the new sections of art, design, fashion, science and technology opened on July 8.

The gallery launch in the museum's 150th anniversary year is part of a wider £80m project to upgrade the museum and showcase its world-class collections.

A new public piazza in front of the museum, featuring a newly commissioned statue of William Henry Playfair, was also unveiled in July.

The launch was followed by a range of events and activities throughout the Edinburgh festivals in August.

Gordon Rintoul, director of National Museums Scotland, said: "We have had a terrific summer at the National Museum of Scotland, since opening our ten new galleries.

"They allow visitors to explore our internationally significant collections like never before, and the response to them has been overwhelmingly positive.

"I am delighted that just two months after unveiling the galleries we have welcomed nearly half a million visitors."