National Museum of Scotland

What's on

List of Exhibitions

  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

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  2. Close up of a taxidermy specimen of a grey legged douroucouli, looking directly at the camera. The douroucouli has grey fur, and a round face with a flat nose. It's main features are its eyes, which are red, striking, and looking directly at the camera.
    Exhibition

    Monkeys: Our Primate Family

    –
    Monkeys: Our Primate Family is one of the most comprehensive exhibitions on primates ever staged, featuring over 50 rare primate specimens.

    National Museum of Scotland

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  3. 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.
    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 young person and their carer are standing in a room, at a table covered in crafting materials. They are both looking at something in the older person's hands.
    Event

    Celebrating Carnival: Collective Costume Making

    Tue 8 Jul - Thurs 10 Jul, 13:30 - 16:00
    Get crafty and help us make a spectacular carnival costume inspired by Pierrot Grenade.
    Free

    National Museum of Scotland

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  2. Young person points at a model of the museum made from Lego.
    Event

    Summer Family Fun

    Mondays and Fridays from 14 Jul - 1 Aug, 10:30 - 15:30
    Get crafty, get curious, get up-close with our fun summer holiday activities.
    Free

    National Museum of Scotland

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  3. Event

    Gilded Balloon at the Museum

    –
    We are ready to play host to Fringe legends Gilded Balloon once again.
    Tickets available

    National Museum of Scotland

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  4. Event

    Museum Late: Festival Ceilidh

    Fri 1 and Fri 8 Aug 2025, 19:30 - 22:30
    Come ‘gie it laldy’ with a traditional Scottish ceilidh in the Grand Gallery, plus activities throughout our galleries.  

    National Museum of Scotland

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  5. A tacidermied family of emperor tamarins are sat on a log. One of them looks like it is whispering in the other's ear.
    Event

    BSL Tour of Monkeys: Our Primate Family

    Thu 14 Aug, 15:00 - 16:00
    Join BSL guide Babs Brown for a guided tour of the exhibition. This event is aimed at D/deaf community BSL visitors. It will be delivered in BSL with no interpretation provided.

    National Museum of Scotland

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