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. 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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List of Events

  1. 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

    5 Oct - 7 Dec 2025, 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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  2. A person tracing a child's hand on a piece of paper.
    Event

    Sensory Sunday

    Sun 5 October 2025 - Sun 1 Feb 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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  3. An abstract printed scene, showing the figure of a person sat down, holding a mask with horns up to their face. The person is printed in black ink, and is set against a background of bright green circular shapes.
    Event

    Printmaking workshop with Nkem Okwechime

    Sun 5 Oct, 14:00-16:00
    Enjoy a practical printmaking workshop with Scottish-Nigerian artist Nkem Okwechime. Explore how the museum’s collections have inspired his work,and try out screen printing for yourself.

    National Museum of Scotland

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  4. A man is looking face to face at a taxidermy specimen of a proboscis monkey
    Event

    Spotlight On: Monkeys: Our Primate Family

    Tuesday 7 October, 14:00 - 15:00
    Join exhibition curator, Dr Andrew Kitchener, to learn how research into our primate collections is shaping our understanding of the biology and conservation of monkey species around the world today.

    National Museum of Scotland

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  5. A person dressed as a bee sips through a straw from brightly coloured flowers. The flowers are also people in costume.
    Event

    Six Long Legs

    Wed 15 – Fri 17 Oct, see times below
    Join us for three days of insect-themed family fun. Enjoy a colourful show featuring puppetry and mischievous anarchy. Then build your own bug in a playful workshop.

    National Museum of Scotland

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  6. Colourful paper cut outs of swallows on a green cutting mat.
    Event

    Wild Wings of Hope

    Wednesday 15 –⁠ Friday 17 October, 10:30 –⁠ 16:00
    Explore the extraordinary journeys of migratory birds and insects with storytelling and craft, celebrating the shared biodiversity and cultural heritage of Scotland and Africa.
    Free

    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

    Third Friday of the month, 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. A family of four walk through a museum entrance hall with a low arched roof.
    Event

    Member Event: Museum Movie Matinee

    Fri 17 Oct, 15:00 - 17:00
    Join us for a whole afternoon of family fun. Watch The Jungle Book (2016) in the Auditorium at the National Museum of Scotland.
    Just announced

    National Museum of Scotland

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

    Curiosity Club

    Sat 29 Mar - Sat 29 Nov, 10:30 - 12:00
    Don’t miss our exciting, hands-on sessions for curious kids ages 7-11.

    National Museum of Scotland

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