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. Young woman sketching on clipboard in front of wildlife exhibition
    Events

    The Sunday Sketch

    Sun 20 Sep 2026 – Sun 21 Mar 2027, 14:00 - 16:00.
    Join us to learn how to sketch, taking inspiration from the incredible collections on display in our museum galleries.

    National Museum of Scotland

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  2. A parent and child play with soft vegetable toys in a playroom. Another child is in the background pushing a wheelbarrow.
    Events

    Tractor Tots

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    Tractor Tots is a bookable series of playful sensory singalong sessions for under-fives and their adults at the National Museum of Rural Life.

    National Museum of Rural Life

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  3. Woman and baby in arms sitting on the floor on a checked carpet.
    Events

    Magic Carpet

    Mon Sep 7 2026 - Mon 15 Mar 2027
    Explore the collection with our Magic Carpet sessions for under 5s. Inspire curious little minds through song, rhymes, movement and sensory play.

    National Museum of Scotland

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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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