Museum Late: When in Rome
Fri 20 Nov, 19:30 - 22:30
National Museum of Scotland
Tickets £26, Members and concessions available
Join us for a night of Roman-inspired revelry in the spectacular setting of the National Museum of Scotland after hours.
When in Rome, do as the ancient Romans do! Get ready for a night like no other with music, bars and Roman-themed performances and activities throughout our galleries.
The event will include access to a selection of our galleries at night and the opportunity to visit the exhibition, 'Roman Scotland: Life on the Edge of Empire', for free.
Costumes encouraged
Get in character and come wearing your finest Roman outfit. Grab a toga, put your best sandal forward and carpe diem. But please leave any weapons at home – this a party, not a battle!
Event activities
Live music, dancing and performances
Location: Grand Gallery main stage
- 19:30 - DJ set
- 20:00 - Trimontium Museum present a Roman dance performance by choreographer and Art Historian, Thania M. Flores
- 20:05 - Live music from Edinburgh party band, Harmonia
- 21:15 - Battle performance from reenactment group, The Antonine Guard
- 21:30 - Live music from Edinburgh party band, Harmonia.
Visit the exhibition
Location: Exhibition Gallery 1, Level 3
For one night only, attendees to the Museum Late event can also visit our exhibition, Roman Scotland: Life on the Edge of Empire, for free. Plus, pop in to the exhibition shop (open until 21:30).
(Please note, the exhibition has a limited capacity and may get busy on the night. A code will be issued to all Museum Late bookers after the event offering a 50% discount on exhibition tickets for a future date).
Meet the Makers
Location: Grand Gallery until 22:15
Meet ancient Roman specialists and explore the tools of their trade including:
- Hamish Darrah - Woodworking
- Thomas Timbrell - Blacksmithing
- Caroline Nicolay - Ancient paints, mineral pigments and fresco painting.
Marcus the Medicus
Location: Grand Gallery until 21:30
Explore votives, superstition and surgical instruments with Dr Andrew Newton – aka Marcus the Medicus.
Roman Magic
Location: Grand Gallery until 22:15
Experience Roman inspired illusion and close-up magic. Check out our tricks table with magician, Bill MacDonald. Look out for our roaming magician, Simon Spectre and juggler, James McDiarmid as they move through the galleries.
The Antonine Guard
Location: Grand Gallery until 22:15
Meet Roman soldiers and hired Celtic mercenaries courtesy of reenactment group, The Antonine Guard.
Lego® Fort
Location: Grand Gallery until 22:15
View intricate Lego® displays of a Roman fort, Pictish ambush, trireme vessel and ballista weapon, built by Sion Carpenter.
Games Café
Location: Collecting Stories gallery until 22:00
Try your hand at a selection of Roman-inspired games, from tabletop games to Roman Twister!
Roman Coin Quest
Time: Until 22:15
21 large replica coins are hidden around the event areas. Find one and take it to the desk in the Collecting Stories gallery to receive a small prize!
(All coins will be easily accessible and not on/in objects that you are not allowed to touch. Please see the coin desk for more details. Share the fun – one coin per group.)
Choose Your Roman Name
Location: Collecting Stories gallery until 22:15
Blend in with the ancient Romans, choose your own Latin name and make a name badge.
Dressing Up
Location: Collecting Stories gallery until 22:00
Try on a helmet, fashion yourself an outfit from our costume rail and strike your best selfie pose!
Temporary Tattoos
Location: Explore gallery until 22:00
Choose a Latin saying or iconic Roman design.
Silent Disco
Location: Hawthornden Court until 22:15
Dance like it’s AD200 in our legendary Silent Disco courtesy of Silent Knights.
- Blue channel: Contemporary hits – all the best of this millennium so far
- Green channel: Silent disco classics – going back, 90s, 80s and beyond
- Red channel: Scottish belters – from Same Jeans to Sweet Dreams.
Meet the expert sessions
Location: Auditorium
Roman Medicine (20:15 - 20:35)
Join retired emergency medicine consultant and archaeologist Dr Andrew Newton - aka Marcus the Medicus - and learn about Roman healthcare.
The Magic of Rome (20:50 - 21:10)
See impossible tricks and clever illusions that would have been all the rage in ancient Rome with Prof Novak. Presented by Paul Temple.
What Have the Romans Ever Done For Us? (21:30 - 21:50)
Principle Curator of Prehistory & Roman Archaeology, Fraser Hunter, breaks down the facts behind the funnies in this Monty Python-inspired summary.
Food and drink
Pop up bars
Location: Grand Gallery until 22:15, last orders 22:00
Serving a selection of alcoholic and soft drinks.
Street food and drinks
Location: Museum Kitchen, Level 0, last orders 21:30
Serving light bites and a selection of beers and wines.
On the night
Doors open at 18:30 to our Entrance Hall and Museum Kitchen. The event begins at 19:30.
Cloakroom
A cloakroom is available on the night charging £2 per item, however space is limited and queues are likely. Please only bring with you what you need at the event and do not leave coats and bags on the floor or on museum objects.
Pricing information
Ticket prices
| Ticket type | Price |
|---|---|
| Adults | £26 |
| Members | £24 |
| Concession (Over 65, Disabled, Unemployed, Young Scot 18-21, Student 18+) | £24 |
Group discount of 10% for bookings of 6 or more tickets. Discount will be applied once tickets have been added to your basket.
Ticketing terms and conditions
National Museums Scotland have a non-refundable and non-transferable ticketing policy.
Accessibility and facilities
We want everyone who comes to our museums to enjoy their time with us and make the most of their visit.
- Entry to the event is via the main entrance on Chambers Street which is wheelchair accessible
- Access to the Grand Gallery is via lifts or a short flight of steps
- An area of accessible seating will be available on the night
- Entry to the exhibition gallery is via an escalator and exit is via two flights of steps, or on request via a lift (please ask a member of museum staff)
- The event will be very busy, with some of the Grand Gallery space used for dancing. There will be loud music and areas of bright lighting as part of the event.
Visit our accessibility page for general access information for the National Museum of Scotland.
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