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Imagine gallery

School visits at the National Museum of Scotland

The outstanding collections in our care can help you deliver active, creative, skills-based learning across many different curriculum areas. Be it in science and technology, history, the natural world or cultures and peoples from around the globe - it’s all here under one roof.

  • Experience the amazing £47 million transformation of the museum, including 16 new galleries and interactive exhibits to explore.
  • See the world come to Scotland in our fascinating new World Cultures galleries.
  • Come face to face with birds and beasts from around the world in our new Natural World galleries.
  • Explore decorative art treasures and cutting edge design in our new Art and Industry and Art and Design galleries.
  • See treasures from the edges of history and trace Scotland's story from Pictish stones to the Industrial Revolution.
  • Explore Scotland: A Changing Nation and examine how Scotland has been shaped into the nation it is today.
  • Visit Connect - our interactive science gallery. From robots to Dolly the Sheep, locomotion to space travel, let your class discover the inventions that have changed our lives!

What do we offer schools at the National Museum of Scotland?

  • Free admission for all pre-booked school groups.
  • Free teacher-led object handling sessions - explore the past using real and replica objects.
  • Workshops and live interpretation sessions led by experienced facilitators - full details can be found in the schools programmes.
  • Living history sessions, where primary school pupils can meet Romans, Vikings, Jacobites and Mary, Queen of Scots.
  • Events for teachers.
  • Seminars, workshops and debates led by experts for older students.
  • Research library and Info Zone offering older students opportunities for further independent study in Scottish history, archaeology, world cultures, decorative arts, science, technology and natural history. 
  • Free teachers' packs and online resources.
  • New learning centre, cloakroom and lunch area.

Download our programmes for full details.

“I was very impressed with the workshop. The leaders were very in tune with the children and kept them interested for two hours. Many thanks.” St Ninian's Primary School

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How to find us

Chambers Street Edinburgh EH1 1JF Tel: 0300 123 6789

Map and directions

Opening times

Daily: 10:00-17:00

Admission

Free, donations welcome

To make a booking

Tel: 0131 247 4041
Email: schools@nms.ac.uk

Related pages

  • National Museum of Scotland

School programmes

Schools programmes

  • Primary & Pre-school Programme 2011-12
  • Secondary School Programme 2011-12

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National Museums Scotland, Scottish Charity, No. SC 011130