A multi-level open museum space with balconies and an arched ceiling. There are lots of visitors looking at objects on display.

National Museum of Scotland

With thousands of amazing objects across multiple galleries, the Museum offers you a world of discovery all under one roof

Visitor information for National Museum of Scotland

Admission details:

Free entry

Contact:

Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF

Tel: 0300 123 6789

Opening hours:

Open daily, 10:00 - 17:00

Closed 25 Dec. Open 26 Dec, 12:00 – 17:00. Open 1 Jan, 12:00 – 17:00.

What's on

  1. A black and white photo of a group of people standing in a city square holding balloons. There is a child's pram covered in protest signs and buttons.
    Exhibition

    Cold War Scotland

    –
    Exploring Scotland’s critical position on the frontline of the Cold War, this exhibition tells the stories of the Scots at the centre of this global conflict.
    Free

    National Museum of Scotland

    More info
  2. Illustrated repeating colour print of the bust of Queen Victoria surrounded by flags, leaves and flowers, and various animals including a tiger and a kangaroo.
    Event

    Centre for Open Learning: Victorian Scotland

    1 Oct – 10 Dec 2025, Wednesdays 11:00 – 13:00
    This course uses selected items from the museum’s collections as the basis for studying Victorian Scotland.
    Sold out

    National Museum of Scotland

    Find out more
  3. A series of three sketches depicting dress designs on three female figures
    Event

    Member Event: Jean Muir Archives

    Thursday 2 October, 18:30 - 19:30
    Discover the unique vision, and innovative design approach of British fashion designer, Jean Muir.

    National Museum of Scotland

    Find out more
See what else is on

Stories from the collections

  1. Twelve bronze objects, including some rounded fittings with concentric circle designs and a rattle pendant.
    Discover

    What is the Peebles Hoard?

    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…
    Keep reading
  2. 4 circular playing pieces against a black background. 2 are made from pottery, whilst 2 are from bone - and on them has been etched a circular pattern.
    Discover

    Excavating medieval Eilean Donan / A’ cladhach Eilean Donnain Meadhan-aoiseil

    Excavations have revealed fascinating insights into the people who lived and worked at medieval Eilean Donan.
    Keep reading
  3. A close up of a large pearl resting inside an open mussel shell held by two overlapping hands.
    Discover

    Abernethy Pearl: Scotland's largest freshwater pearl

    In 1967, Bill Abernethy was pearl fishing near the River Tay when he came across his rarest and greatest discovery. At a weight of 43.6 grains, the Abernethy Pearl is the largest freshwater pearl found in Scotland in modern history.
    Keep reading
  4. A gold brooch featuring a large oval cairngorm stone, surrounded by four pearls.
    Discover

    Geology to Jewellery: The history and science of Cairngorm quartz

    There is a whole fascinating world of Scottish minerals, reflecting the large variation in the country’s geology and physical landscape.The sheer variety is expressed beautifully by John Ruskin. In 1884 he described Scotland as ‘a country…
    Keep reading
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Awards