National Museums Scotland

Giants

Saturday 31 January - Monday 14 September 2026

Discover life-sized 3D sculptures of colossal prehistoric creatures, in this immersive, family-friendly exhibition.

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Our museums

What's on

  1. 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.
    Event

    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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  2. A visitor looks at a bust sculpture of a Roman figure.
    Event

    Centre for Open Learning: Discovering Decorative Arts

    15 Apr-17 Jun 2026, Wednesdays 14:00-16:00
    Discover how technology, trade, belief systems, and industry have shaped decorative art in this ten week course from the University of Edinburgh.
    Sold out

    National Museum of Scotland

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  3. Curator Tacye Phillipson looking at mineral specimens in the Earth Systems gallery
    Event

    Centre for Open Learning: Colour in Science and Nature

    16 Apr - 14 May 2026, Thursdays 14:00-15:30
    Explore colour throughout science and nature in this five week course from the University of Edinburgh.
    Sold out

    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

    Archaeology, 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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