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. 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.
    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. 

    National Museum of Scotland

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

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

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

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

    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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  3. Young woman sketching on clipboard in front of wildlife exhibition
    Event

    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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  4. A hand holding a needle that has been threaded through brown wool fabric
    Event

    Creative Workshop: Drop Spinning

    Sat 26 Sep, 10:30 - 12:30
    Join us for this workshop on traditional spinning techniques, inspired by our 'Scotland's First Warriors' exhibition.

    National Museum of Scotland

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  5. An expressive painting of a large figure with two smaller figures
    Event

    In Conversation: Understanding Prehistoric Lives Beyond Conflict

    Sat 26 Sep, 14:30-16:00
    Tristan Hughes and Nicole DeRushie join exhibition curator Dr Matthew Knight to discuss the evidence of life beyond conflict in prehistoric Scotland.
    Just announced

    National Museum of Scotland

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  6. Black and white image of a cobblestone Victorian high street. There are various shop fronts, a horse and cart, and people walking around.
    Event

    Short Courses with the University of Edinburgh

    –
    Explore our collections with expert tutors on a University of Edinburgh Short Course hosted at the National Museum of Scotland. 
    Coming soon

    National Museum of Scotland

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  7. A close up image of a person in dark clothes against a grey background playing a set of wooden small pipes
    Event

    Music at the Museum

    Tues 27 Oct – Tues 2 Mar, 11:30 – 12:15 and 13:30 – 14:15.
    Join us for free live music performances, featuring folk, classical, traditional Scottish, and modern fusion styles.
    Free

    National Museum of Scotland

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  8. Child looks towards the right through a brass telescope.
    Event

    Curiosity Club

    Sat 23 May 2026 – Sat 27 Mar 2027, 10:30 - 12:00
    Our popular Curiosity Club sessions are back for the new year, for inquisitive kids ages 7–11.

    National Museum of Scotland

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  9. A child and adult looking at a geological specimen.
    Event

    Relaxed Curiosity Club

    Sat 23 May 2026 - Sat 27 Mar 2027, 14:30 - 15:30
    Join us for our exciting series of hands-on sessions for curious ASN families. 

    National Museum of Scotland

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