National Museum of Scotland

What's on

List of Exhibitions

  1. Large 3D origami like sculptures of giant animals, in the giants exhibition space. In the foreground is a woolly mammoth, with glass panels on the legs that show real fossilised bones inside.
    Exhibition

    Giants

    –
    'Giants' showcases the colossal prehistoric creatures that lived 66 million years ago, through life-sized sculptures, skeletons, and fossils.

    National Museum of Scotland

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  2. A Bronze Age spearhead. The base of the spearhead has a delicate gold hatched design.
    Exhibition

    Scotland's First Warriors

    –
    'Scotland's First Warriors' reveals the origins and impact of conflict in prehistoric Scotland.
    Free

    National Museum of Scotland

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  3. A Roman stone altar with the face of the Roman god Sol carved into it. Rays of light pass through slits around the head of Sol.
    Exhibition

    Roman Scotland: Life on the Edge of Empire

    –
    'Roman Scotland' will tell new stories of Roman occupation and reshape our understanding of Scotland’s relationship with the Roman world. 
    Just announced

    National Museum of Scotland

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  4. Two women looking at geological samples in a museum display case.
    Membership

    Become a Member

    Enjoy a range of benefits, including free entry, unlimited access to our special exhibitions, and event discounts. 

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List of Events

  1. A person with a pram is talking to a museum worker, in the grand gallery at the national museum of scotland. The museum worker is at a small stand, with a sign saying 'Engagement team' behind them.
    Event

    Find Out Fridays

    5 Sep 25 - 26 Jun 2026, every Friday afternoon during term time 13:30 – 16:00
    Drop-in Friday fun for families of all ages.
    Free

    National Museum of Scotland

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  2. A visitor looks at a bust sculpture of a Roman figure.
    Event

    Centre for Open Learning: Discovering Decorative Arts

    15 Apr-17 Jun 2026, Wednesdays 14:00-16:00
    Discover how technology, trade, belief systems, and industry have shaped decorative art in this ten week course from the University of Edinburgh.
    Sold out

    National Museum of Scotland

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  3. Curator Tacye Phillipson looking at mineral specimens in the Earth Systems gallery
    Event

    Centre for Open Learning: Colour in Science and Nature

    16 Apr - 14 May 2026, Thursdays 14:00-15:30
    Explore colour throughout science and nature in this five week course from the University of Edinburgh.
    Sold out

    National Museum of Scotland

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  4. 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

    1 Feb - 6 Dec 2026, 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

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  5. A child paints at a table
    Event

    Sensory Sunday

    Sun 1 Feb – Sun 6 Dec 2026, 11:00 – 12:00 and 14:00 – 15:00
    Exciting, hands-on sensory play sessions for children with additional support needs.

    National Museum of Scotland

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  6. Woman and baby in arms sitting on the floor on a checked carpet.
    Event

    Magic Carpet

    Mon 11 May - Mon 22 Jun
    Explore the collection with our Magic Carpet sessions for under 5s. Inspire curious little minds through song, rhymes, movement and sensory play.

    National Museum of Scotland

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  7. Two people sitting at a table listening to a member of museum staff talk about a sword from the collections.
    Event

    Museum Socials

    17 Apr - 24 Jul, 10:30 – 12:00
    Our Museum Socials are designed for people living with dementia, their relatives, friends, carers, and supporters.
    Free

    National Museum of Scotland

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  8. Event

    Gordon Buchanan: Giants of the Land

    Join award-winning wildlife filmmaker and presenter Gordon Buchanan as he shares his experiences of filming the world’s great land animals.

    National Museum of Scotland

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  9. Artwork showing a person jumping in front of a coloured sphere
    Event

    Centre for Open Learning: the History and Culture of Colour

    21 May - 18 Jun 2026, Thursdays 14:00-15:30
    Uncover how colours affect culture and society in this 5 week course from the University of Edinburgh.
    Just announced

    National Museum of Scotland

    Find out more