A multi-level open museum space with balconies and an arched ceiling. There are lots of visitors looking at objects on display.

National Museum of Scotland

With thousands of amazing objects across multiple galleries, the Museum offers you a world of discovery all under one roof

Visitor information for National Museum of Scotland

Admission details:

Free entry

Contact:

Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF

Tel: 0300 123 6789

Opening hours:

Open daily, 10:00 - 17:00

Closed 25 Dec. Open 26 Dec, 12:00 – 17:00. Open 1 Jan, 12:00 – 17:00.

What's on

  1. A black and white photo of a group of people standing in a city square holding balloons. There is a child's pram covered in protest signs and buttons.
    Exhibition

    Cold War Scotland

    –
    Exploring Scotland’s critical position on the frontline of the Cold War, this exhibition tells the stories of the Scots at the centre of this global conflict.
    Free

    National Museum of Scotland

    More info
  2. A person dressed as a bee sips through a straw from brightly coloured flowers. The flowers are also people in costume.
    Event

    Six Long Legs

    Wed 15 – Fri 17 Oct, see times below
    Join us for three days of insect-themed family fun. Enjoy a colourful show featuring puppetry and mischievous anarchy. Then build your own bug in a playful workshop.

    National Museum of Scotland

    Find out more
  3. Colourful paper cut outs of swallows on a green cutting mat.
    Event

    Wild Wings of Hope

    Wednesday 15 –⁠ Friday 17 October, 10:30 –⁠ 16:00
    Explore the extraordinary journeys of migratory birds and insects with storytelling and craft, celebrating the shared biodiversity and cultural heritage of Scotland and Africa.
    Free

    National Museum of Scotland

    Find out more
See what else is on

Stories from the collections

  1. Twelve bronze objects, including some rounded fittings with concentric circle designs and a rattle pendant.
    Discover

    What is the Peebles Hoard?

    The Peebles Hoard is a spectacular collection of bronze, leather and wooden material. Dating to the Late Bronze Age (c.1000-800 BCE), it contains several hundred elements from a complex set of objects. A complete sword in a wooden scabbard…
    Keep reading
  2. 4 circular playing pieces against a black background. 2 are made from pottery, whilst 2 are from bone - and on them has been etched a circular pattern.
    Discover

    Excavating medieval Eilean Donan / A’ cladhach Eilean Donnain Meadhan-aoiseil

    Written by Dr Alice Blackwell
    Excavations have revealed fascinating insights into the people who lived and worked at medieval Eilean Donan.
    Keep reading
  3. A close up of a large pearl resting inside an open mussel shell held by two overlapping hands.
    Discover

    Abernethy Pearl: Scotland's largest freshwater pearl

    Written by Dr Rachel Walcott
    In 1967, Bill Abernethy was pearl fishing near the River Tay when he came across his rarest and greatest discovery. At a weight of 43.6 grains, the Abernethy Pearl is the largest freshwater pearl found in Scotland in modern history.
    Keep reading
  4. A gold brooch featuring a large oval cairngorm stone, surrounded by four pearls.
    Discover

    Geology to Jewellery: The history and science of Cairngorm quartz

    Written by Emily Brown & Dr Sarah Laurenson
    There is a whole fascinating world of Scottish minerals, reflecting the large variation in the country’s geology and physical landscape.The sheer variety is expressed beautifully by John Ruskin. In 1884 he described Scotland as ‘a country…
    Keep reading
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Awards