Plan your visit

In line with Scottish Government guidelines, face coverings must be worn in our indoor spaces and shops.

As we begin to welcome visitors back to the museum, the reopening of the site will be phased, with some parts of the museum building and farm opening first.

We have developed a new museum map to show which parts of the site are open and what can be enjoyed during your visit, as well as a new family trail.

Some interactive displays and high-touch areas are temporarily closed for your safety, including the Garden Detectives gallery in the museum building, and the farmhouse at our working farm. We are asking visitors not to pet the animals at the farm, including our farm cats.

The Farm Explorer tractor-trailer isn’t running, so don’t forget to bring your wellies for the walk to the farm!

Shielings Café is open, serving a full sit-in menu and takeaway options.

National Museums Scotland Members receive a 20% discount in the café.

You are welcome to bring your own picnic to eat in our outdoor play and picnic area. Please dispose of your rubbish responsibly in the bins provided. Barbecues and gas stoves are not permitted.

The museum shop is open, accepting card payments only. In line with Scottish Government guidelines, face coverings must be worn in our shops.

National Museums Scotland Members receive a 10% discount on all shop purchases.

Our picnic area is open with hand sanitiser nearby. Please note that the play area is temporarily closed due to damage from recent adverse weather.

Families and children of all ages are welcome at the National Museum of Rural Life.

• Trained first aiders are always on duty and a policy is in place if children become separated from their party.
• Baby changing facilities and a breastfeeding room are available.
• Children are welcome in Shielings Café, where you’ll find a children's menu, high chairs and a facility for warming baby bottles.
• There is an outdoor picnic and play area.
• Please note we are currently unable to store buggies and pushchairs, and the lockers are temporarily unavailable.
• Please note the Farm Explorer tractor-trailer ride to the farm is not currently available, and the play area is temporarily closed.

We are unfortunately unable to accommodate school and large group visits. Small groups of up to six people are able to visit the museum by booking timed entry tickets in advance and arriving for entry at the same time.

For the safety of our visitors and staff, no birthday parties will be offered during this period.

Assistance dogs are welcome in the museum buildings and on the outdoor site.

Non-assistance dogs are welcome outdoors, but must be on a lead. They are not allowed in the museum buildings.

Read the outdoor access code for dog walking.

We are happy for you to take photographs, including flash photography, in the galleries and the outdoor site.

No prior permission is needed for photography intended for personal use. However, anyone wishing to use additional photography equipment (eg a tripod) should contact the information desk to obtain a photo pass.

All photographers wishing to take photographs for commercial use are asked to contact Maggie Wilson at the Picture Library on 0131 247 4026 or at m.wilson@nms.ac.uk.

We want all our visitors and staff to be safe at the National Museum of Rural Life. If you have any questions or concerns, please speak to a member of our Visitor Experience team. You can also help us keep the museum safe by reporting anything that looks out of place or suspicious to our Visitor Experience Assistants.