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. Event

    Gilded Balloon at the Museum

    –
    We are ready to play host to Fringe legends Gilded Balloon once again.
    Tickets available

    National Museum of Scotland

    Find out more
  3. A woman sits holding her legs crossed on a large piece of cloth which extends up behind her. It is covered in hand printed or painted illustrations of leaved and plants.
    Event

    Barkcloth Making from Niue - An ancient practice from the South Pacific

    Sat 16 – Sun 17 Aug, 10:00 and 14:00
    Join artist Cora-Allan from Niue to draw your own hiapo (barkcloth) pattern and try some traditional tools.
    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. 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
  3. 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
  4. A large black locomotive from the 19th century on display against a brown background.
    Discover

    Wylam Dilly: One of the world's oldest locomotives

    Wylam Dilly is one of the world’s two oldest surviving locomotives. Built in 1813, it used to pull coal along the Wylam Wagonway to the river, near Newcastle upon Tyne.The Wylam Dilly steam locomotive is named after the Wylam Colliery,…
    Keep reading
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Awards