National Museums Scotland

Dramatic bronze face mask of a Roman on a black background

Roman Scotland: Life on the Edge of Empire

Saturday 14 November 2026 – Sunday 18 April 2027

Explore stories that reshape how we understand Scotland's relationship with the Roman world.

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Our museums

What's on

  1. A close-up of leaves on a stem printed in hues of purple, pink and grey on fabric.
    Events

    Adult Workshop: Botanical Printing on Paper

    Sat 17 Oct, 10:15 - 16:00
    Learn the principles of botanical printing on paper in this full-day workshop with Elisabeth Viguie-Culshaw at the National Museum of Rural Life.
    Sold out

    National Museum of Rural Life

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  2. A small circular window, like those you would see in the hull of a ship, gives a glimpse into a museum storage area filled with racks containing boxes and folders.
    Events

    Collection Centre Tours

    Tue 24 Mar 2026 – Tue 23 Feb 2027, 10:30 - 12:00 or 13:00 - 14:30
    Go behind the scenes on a tour of our state-of-the-art collections and research centre in Granton, Edinburgh.

    National Museums Collection Centre

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  3. A woman holds an 11th century astronomical instrument known as an astrolabe.
    Online Event

    Online Member Event: 2026, A Year of Science & Medicine Anniversaries

    Wed 21 Oct, 19:00
    Join us for an exclusive online Member event to learn about 2026’s remarkable science and medicine anniversaries.
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See what else is on

Discover our collections

  1. Twelve bronze objects, including some rounded fittings with concentric circle designs and a rattle pendant. They are all silvery, with some green corrosion on the surface.

    What is the Peebles Hoard?

    Archaeology, Scotland

    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…
    Short read
  2. A bust portrait of a man slightly turned to the left, wearing a dark coat with a white shirt against picturesque landscape in the background.

    Get to know Robert Burns through 10 objects

    History and cultures, Scotland

    A variety of objects relating to the life of Scotland's bard can be found in National Museums Scotland's collection. Read on to learn more about Burns' life, legacy, and his depictions in objects and popular culture.
    Listicle
  3. A white sheep looking to camera, shown from the shoulders up against a grey background

    The story of Dolly the sheep

    Natural world, Science and technology, Scotland

    Dolly the sheep was the first cloned mammal ever to be created from an adult cell. Affectionately named after country music legend Dolly Parton, Dolly caused excitement and controversy among both scientists and the public.Why is Dolly…
    Short read

  4. Discovering dinosaur bones on a Scottish island

    Natural world

    Dr Elsa Panciroli was walking along the shore of the island of Eigg when something caught her eye. She had stepped on a boulder, but there was something unusual buried in it.Dr Panciroli, a Research Associate at National Museums Scotland,…
    Short read
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