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.

    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. A furniture maker is in their workshop, looking at a small Ash chair on the table.
    Event

    Ash Rise Afternoon

    Sun 7 Dec, 14:00 - 16:30
    Join us for a film screening and panel discussion to hear about the Ash Rise project. Learn more about Scotland's native ash tree, the challenges of ash die-back and how the material is celebrated in contemporary furniture making.

    National Museum of Scotland

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  4. Aerial view of large square of brown dirt in a green field dug out to reveal archaeological burial site, with people excavating.
    Event

    Member Event: A Day in the Life of an Archaeologist

    Weds 10 Dec, 18:30-20:00
    Dive into the past with our fascinating lecture, A Day in the Life of an Archaeologist, and toast the season with a special performance from Voice of The Town choir.

    National Museum of Scotland

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  5. Red background and line illustrations of dinosaur, kilt and Lewis chess piece surrounded by illustrated pencils.
    Event

    Drawn Together at the Museum

    Saturday 27 December to Tuesday 30 December, 10:30-16:00
    Festive favourite Drawn Together returns this December. Join us between Christmas and Hogmanay for some mindful sketching around the museum.
    Free

    National Museum of Scotland

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  6. Performers dressed as superheroes singing on a stage to an audience of families and young children.
    Event

    Sprogmanay

    Thu 1 Jan 2026, 12:00 - 17:00
    Join us to celebrate the start of the New Year in party style with an afternoon of free family fun with live music and performances.
    Free

    National Museum of Scotland

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  7. A woman standing at the entance of a snow tunnel on a mountain, looking out towards a river and mountains,
    Event

    Conservation in action: Film showcase and panel

    Sat 17 Jan, 13:30-15:00
    Join us for an afternoon exploring inspirational conservation stories with a screening of environmental short films and an interactive panel discussion. In partnership with the Edinburgh Conservation Film Festival (ECFF) and Edinburgh…

    National Museum of Scotland

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

    Centre for Open Learning: Victorian Edinburgh

    21 Jan – 1 Apr 2026, Wednesdays 11:00 – 13:00
    This course considers the complex challenges and changes in Scotland's capital from 1837–1901.
    Sold out

    National Museum of Scotland

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  9. Event

    Museum Late: Big Burns Ceilidh

    Fri 23 Jan 2026, 19:30 - 22:30
    Our sell out Big Burns Ceilidh returns! Join us to celebrate Burns Night with a traditional Scottish ceilidh in the Grand Gallery, plus activities throughout the National Museum of Scotland.
    Just announced

    National Museum of Scotland

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