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. A furniture maker is in their workshop, looking at a small Ash chair on the table.
    Event

    Ash Rise Afternoon

    Sun 7 Dec, 14:00 – 16:30
    Join us for a film screening and panel discussion to hear about the Ash Rise project. Learn more about Scotland's native ash tree, the challenges of ash die-back and how the material is celebrated in contemporary furniture making.

    National Museum of Scotland

    Find out more
  3. 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

    5 Oct - 7 Dec 2025, 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

    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. They are all silvery, with some green corrosion on the surface.
    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. Colourful printed cotton with blue geometric print and a blue red and green selection of fruits and flowers in the centre.
    Discover

    The material lives of ordinary people: rare 19th century Chinese cotton

    Written by Dr Rachel Silberstein
    When you think of historical Chinese dress, what material comes to mind? Most people would probably assume silk. But the majority of the population in Qing dynasty China (1644-1911) actually wore cotton.However, this reality is not…
    Keep reading
  3. Skull of adult Siberut Macaque facing forward with a black background.
    Discover

    6 world-class type specimens in our stores

    Written by Dr Andrew Kitchener, Dr Rachel Walcott & Dr Andrew Ross
    Type specimens are among the most important objects in natural science collections. They are the specimens on which the scientific names of species of animals, plants or minerals are based.  Animals and plants are named using the Linnaean…
    Keep reading
  4. Small sewing kit with buttons, thread, needles and thimble.
    Discover

    Souvenirs of service: Mementoes from the First and Second World Wars

    Written by Dr Julie Holder
    We all collect souvenirs throughout our lives connected to different people, places and events. These objects were collected as souvenirs of service in both the First and Second World Wars. 
    Keep reading
View more stories

Awards