Visitor information

Admission details:

Free entry, charges for some special exhibitions.

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.

Getting here

The exterior of a museum building with a mix of modern and Victorian architecture.

Facilities

Information

Our information desks are situated in the Entrance Hall and at the Tower Entrance. 

Toilets

There are toilets on all levels of the museum. Baby changing facilities are available on most floors.

Cloakroom

Self-service lockers are located in the Entrance Hall and can store luggage up to 58 x 44 x 66cm in size.

Buggy park

The buggy park is located on Level 1 of the Scotland galleries, behind the Kingdom of the Scots gallery.

Lifts and ramps

Our exhibitions and galleries are accessible to all via lifts and ramps. 

Visual impairment

Large print labels are available in our exhibitions for visually impaired visitors.

Hearing loop

Induction loops are in place at the information desks and in the Auditorium.

Assistance dogs

Assistance dogs are welcome in the museum.

Café

The Balcony Café (Level 3), Hawthornden Café (Level 1), and Museum Kitchen (Level 0) are open daily from 10:00-17:00. 

Lunch space

The Lunch Space in the Entrance Hall for eating your own food is available. 

Shop

You'll find the shops on Level 0 (Entrance Hall), Level 1 (Tower Entrance) and Level 3 (Exhibition Gallery foyer).

Contactless payment

We accept cash and card payments.

Free WiFi

Free WiFi is available throughout the museum.

  • A family of four walk through a museum entrance hall with a low arched roof.

    Museum map

    Plan your visit to the National Museum of Scotland with our maps to view online or print at home.
  • People sitting in a restaurant eating food.

    Eating and drinking

    Enjoy a range of freshly prepared food and drink in our cafés at the museum.
  • A group of four visitors walk along a balcony in a museum, pointing out different objects on display. There is a set of winding stairs in the background.

    Group visits

    This page contains information for groups of 10 or more wishing to visit our special exhibitions or undertake self-guided tours of the museum.