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Grand Gallery

Event types

Whatever the occasion, you can celebrate in style with National Museums Scotland.

Award ceremonies

The elegant Hawthornden Court, the traditional Grand Gallery and the unique Concorde Experience are ideal venues for spectacular award ceremonies. Previous ceremonies have included The Scottish Politician of the Year Award, The Business Inside Awards, The Inaugural Man Booker International Prize and the Green Energy Awards.

Drinks receptions

An evening reception provides a unique and prestigious opportunity to enjoy the National Museum of Scotland and its treasures after opening hours. The galleries can accommodate up to 1,200 guests for a drinks reception, product launch or celebration party combined with private views of special exhibitions, if desired. Each event is planned to the last detail by the Museums' events staff.

Fashion shows

The elegant Hawthornden Court of the National Museum of Scotland is a fabulous venue for a grand fashion show. Whether your fashion show requires a catwalk from one end of Hawthornden Court to the other or whether you prefer salon style, the space is flexible. The Grand Gallery also provides a spacious area for a fashion show, with space for guests to sit, stand or dine while they watch the show.

Formal dinners

The spectacular newly refurbished Grand Gallery creates and elegant venue for gala dinners. Up to 950 guests can dine in the stunning splendour of this iconic building with the surrounding elegant pillars, staircases and fine Victorian architecture.

Hawthornden Court, the Early People Gallery and the Board and Bute Rooms are all located in the architecturally stunning modern part of the National Museum of Scotland and are suitable for smaller dinners for between 20 to 120 guests.  Alternatively, the Concorde Experience provides a dramatic and prestigious backdrop accommodating up to 650 people under the wings of Concorde.

Graduation ceremonies

The National Museum of Scotland is perfect for graduation ceremonies with larger facilities such as Hawthornden Court and the Grand Gallery being available, or for a smaller event, galleries such as the Early People Gallery. All of these areas offer an unusual and impressive setting for ceremonies and offer graduates and parents terrific photo opportunities in the gallery spaces and out on the front steps in good weather. The Auditorium also offers a space for any type of graduation or award ceremony.

Graduates, proud parents and teachers can enjoy receptions in neighbouring galleries after the ceremony closes.

Meetings and conferences

The National Museum of Scotland offers spaces of all sizes for meetings. Whether you are looking for a large lecture theatre for 200 people or a small intimate board room style meeting, we have a room to suit. The newly refurbished Auditorium, the Board and Bute Rooms and the Dunfermline Room are all available throughout the day for conferences, meetings, team away days and AGMs.

Weddings

Imagine your wedding taking place in one of Scotland's most iconic buildings, in spaces flooded with light and serenity.

The Museums can offer spaces for civil or religious services, blessings and renewals of vows. We can accomodate small intimate weddings, large lively gatherings and anything in between. Choose from the contemporary and traditional National Museum of Scotland or the 20th century's most famous plane - Concorde!

All of the venues offer unique and inspirational spaces for the joyful celebration of your wedding.

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What are these links?

Drinks reception at the National Museum of FlightFashion show in Hawthornden CourtDinner at Hawthornden CourtReception in the Grand GalleryVenue Hire Hawthornden CourtWedding photos on the roof terrace of the National Museum of ScotlandAuditorium

Who to contact

For further information follow the link to our hospitality and events contact page.

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National Museums Scotland, Scottish Charity, No. SC 011130