National Museum of Scotland

If you’re planning to visit the National Museum of Scotland as part of an overseas school group, please let us know you’re coming. There are three options for your visit:

• Self-led visit - free of charge, donations welcome. We have a range of self-led resources which you can use with your group to explore our galleries. You can also use our ESOL Selfie-Bingo sheet.
• Guided tours (see options below).
• Visit our special exhibition – costs vary. Our special exhibition changes throughout the year. Details of upcoming exhibitions can be found in the What’s on pages of our website. Groups of 10 or more receive discounted exhibition entry. To book your discounted tickets, email groups@nms.ac.uk.

How do I book a self-guided visit?

To book a self-guided overseas school group visit to the museum please complete our booking request form.

How do I book a guided tour?

Overseas school groups can book a guided tour with our partners Mercat Tours. 

Alternatively, National Museums Scotland offers tours led by volunteer guides. These tours are limited to groups of 15 people and under. Three weeks’ notice is requested. You can find out more about our tours here.

How do I book special exhibition tickets?

To book tickets for one of our special exhibitions, please contact groups@nms.ac.uk. We require the following information:

• Preferred date and time of visit
• Name and address of school
• Contact name and telephone number
• Number of pupils and accompanying adults.

How much does a visit cost?

Self-guided visits

Self-guided visits to the National Museum of Scotland are free of charge. Donations are welcome (suggested donation £3.00 per person).

Special exhibition visits

Tickets to paid exhibitions are specially discounted for groups of 10 or more and a further discount will apply if you chose to pre-book and pay in advance at the time of booking. Please note there are no group discounts for charged events.

Prices will be confirmed by email to all enquirers.

Payments options available are cash or debit/credit card. Please note we do not invoice groups unless a historical agreement is in place.

What you book is what you pay for, and group numbers cannot be decreased after booking, unless a historical agreement is in place.

National Museums Scotland reviews its approach to pricing on an annual basis.

Processing fees and postage

A booking fee is applicable of £2.00 per booking transaction. Postage costs are £1.25.

Refund policy

National Museums Scotland have a non-refundable and non-transferable ticketing policy. You will only be provided with a refund if your booking has been cancelled by the museum or museum closure has taken place due to circumstances out with our control. However with respect to group bookings, and subject to availability, National Museums Scotland will allow tickets to be transferred to a different day.

Where should we go?

Overseas school groups should enter the museum via the Tower Entrance. This is located at the east end of Chambers Street. This entrance is suitable for wheelchair access. Our Visitor Experience Team is located at the Ticket and Information Desk and will be pleased to help with any additional information or assistance you may require.

Where can we eat?

Eating and drinking is prohibited within all of our galleries. You can however enjoy a meal or snack at our Balcony Café or Brasserie.

Where can we leave our jackets and bags?

Cloakroom facilities are available in our main entrance hall at a cost of £1.50 per item. Please note that we will only accept bags, cases or rucksacks if they weigh less than 15kg.

Where can we be dropped off or park?

• There is a coach drop off point outside main entrance to the museum on Chambers Street (postcode: EH1 1JF).
• Pay and display parking is available on Chambers Street and off-street parking nearby at NCP Quartermile. Further information on parking can be found at www.edinburgh.gov.uk/parking.

Is there a museum shop?

Your group may wish to visit the museum shops, which are located in the Entrance Hall, the Tower Entrance and outside Exhibition Gallery 1. The shops stock ‘pocket money’ items as well as more expensive items. To reduce crowding please bring your group into the shop in groups of no more than 10. We suggest you stagger group visits throughout your trip.

Are wheelchairs available?

The National Museum of Scotland has a limited number of wheelchairs available for visitors.

How much do your maps cost?

All maps and 'What’s on' guides are free of charge and can be picked up from our Ticket and Information Desk in the main Entrance Hall. You can also download maps and trails in various languages here and see what's on here.

Any further questions?

If you have questions about any of the above please email at schools@nms.ac.uk (for self-guided visits) or groups@nms.ac.uk (for special exhibition visits).