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.
    Exhibitions

    Giants

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

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  2. An array of bronze age weapons including a brown shield with a hole in the centre, a dark grey spearhead and a stack of green and grey short swords against a black background.
    Exhibitions

    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.
    Exhibitions

    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. 

    National Museum of Scotland

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  4. Yellow patterned jacket, with black and white accents, on a manequin.
    Exhibitions

    A Fashion Odyssey: Jean Muir, Bill Gibb, Zandra Rhodes

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    A Fashion Odyssey explores the work of three trailblazing British fashion designers - Jean Muir, Bill Gibb, and Zandra Rhodes.
    Just announced

    National Museum of Scotland

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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.
    Events

    Find Out Fridays

    14 Aug 2026 – 19 Mar 2027, 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 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.
    Events

    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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  3. A child paints at a table
    Events

    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.
    Sold out

    National Museum of Scotland

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  4. Woman and baby in arms sitting on the floor on a checked carpet.
    Events

    Magic Carpet

    Mon Sep 7 2026 - Mon 15 Mar 2027
    Explore the collection with our Magic Carpet sessions for under 5s. Inspire curious little minds through song, rhymes, movement and sensory play.

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  5. Two fossils lying on a large map next to some coloured pencils and a sketchbook. The sketchbook contains illustrations of the fossils.
    Events

    Creative Workshop: Drawing the Earth

    Sat 12 Sep, 12:30 - 16:30
    Inspired by the Tercentenary of James Hutton's birth, join us for this geology drawing workshop.

    National Museum of Scotland

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  6. A parent and child look at a large set of teeth of a prehistoric sperm whale held in an origami-style glass case.
    Events

    Member Event: Movie Matinee

    Monday 14 Sept, 15:00 - 16:35
    Join us for a whole afternoon of family fun. Visit our current exhibition, Giants then enjoy a film screening of The Good Dinosaur (2015).

    National Museum of Scotland

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  7. A man in a shirt, glasses and white gloves examines a corroded bronze age spear head in front of a black background.
    Events

    Morning Curator Tour: Scotland's First Warriors

    Wed 26 Aug and Fri 18 Sept, 09:45 - 10:30
    Join our exhibition curator for an exclusive early morning tour of 'Scotland’s First Warriors'.
    Sold out

    National Museum of Scotland

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

    Museum Socials

    17 Jul - 18 Dec, 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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  9. Young woman sketching on clipboard in front of wildlife exhibition
    Events

    The Sunday Sketch

    Sun 20 Sep 2026 – Sun 21 Mar 2027, 14:00 - 16:00.
    Join us to learn how to sketch, taking inspiration from the incredible collections on display in our museum galleries.

    National Museum of Scotland

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