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 with a pram is talking to a museum worker, in the grand gallery at the national museum of scotland. The museum worker is at a small stand, with a sign saying 'Engagement team' behind them.
    Event

    Find Out Fridays

    5 Sep 25 - 26 Jun 2026, every Friday afternoon during term time 13:30 – 16:00
    Drop-in Friday fun for families of all ages.
    Free

    National Museum of Scotland

    Find out more
  3. Two people sitting at a table listening to a member of museum staff talk about a sword from the collections.
    Event

    Museum Socials

    Third Friday of the month, 10:30 – 12:00
    Our Museum Socials are designed for people living with dementia, their relatives, friends, carers, and supporters.
    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. A rounded jug with a monkey's face at the top
    Discover

    The cultural symbolism of monkeys and apes in 6 objects

    Apes and monkeys are the closest relatives to humans. Our primate cousins have always held special significance for the cultures mostly directly in contact with them. This selection of objects from our collections exemplifies the powerful…
    Keep reading
  3. Close up of hiapo with naturalist and geometric designs.
    Discover

    Ancestral Connections in Contemporary Niue Textiles

    These two hiapo (barkcloth) artworks by artist Cora-Allan Twiss reference the natural landscape and textile traditions of Niue and Scotland.
    Keep reading
  4. An abstract printed scene, showing the figure of a person sat down, holding a mask with horns up to their face. The person is printed in black ink, and is set against a background of bright green circular shapes.
    Discover

    Exploring European and West African identity in Nkem Okwechime's Okolo

    Informed by his research of National Museums Scotland's African collections, 'Okolo' by Scottish-Nigerian artist and printmaker Nkem Okwechime looks at the intersection of European and West African identity.
    Keep reading
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