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. 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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  2. The teeth of a megalodon shark, set in a glass display case in the lifesize shape of the megalodon's jaw.
    Event

    Member Preview Day and Evening: Giants

    Fri 30 Jan 2026, 10:00 - 20:00
    Join us for an exclusive Preview of Giants and see National Museum of Scotland's newest exhibition before it opens to the public. Now featuring special extended opening hours.
    Just announced

    National Museum of Scotland

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  3. A portrait of two young men turned to one another sideways. The man on the left is wearing a white ruffle wig an a blue jacked with buttons. The man on the right is wearing a white ruffled wig and a red jacket with buttons, a blue ribbon draped over left shoulder and a six point star medal pinned to the coat.
    Event

    Centre for Open Learning: Georgian Scotland

    15 Apr – 17 Jun 2026, Wednesdays 11:00 – 13:00
    This course explores Scotland’s great changes and developments between 1714 – 1815.

    National Museum of Scotland

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  4. A portrait of a Scottish piper in traditional dress made up of red tartan.
    Event

    Centre for Open Learning: Scotland: Romance and Reality

    Fri 22 May 2026, 10:30 – 16:30
    Explore the romance and reality of 18th and 19th century Scotland in this one-day course.

    National Museum of Scotland

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