National Museums Scotland

Two children in yellow jackets waving at a green tractor.

National Museum of Rural Life turns 25

Sat 4 Jul, 10:00 - 17:00

Join us to celebrate the 25th anniversary of our museum and working farm with a day of special activities.

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Our museums

What's on

  1. A man and a boy sit on a bench in the grand gallery looking at a large dinosaur picture book. The boy is wearing ear protectors.
    Event

    Relaxed Morning

    1 Feb - 6 Dec 2026, 10:00 - 12:00 (Quiet space open until 12:30)
    Join us for our monthly Relaxed Morning for anyone who would appreciate a calmer visit to the museum.
    Free

    National Museum of Scotland

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  2. A child paints at a table
    Event

    Sensory Sunday

    Sun 1 Feb – Sun 6 Dec 2026, 11:00 – 12:00 and 14:00 – 15:00
    Exciting, hands-on sensory play sessions for children with additional support needs.
    Sold out

    National Museum of Scotland

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  3. Two children examine museum objects on a trolley. One is holding a small bone while the other looks intently.
    Event

    Summer Family Fun

    Every Mon and Fri, 29 Jun - 7 Aug, 10:00 - 16:00
    Get crafty, get curious, get up-close with our free summer holiday activities.
    Free

    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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