National Museum of Scotland

What's on

Exhibitions

  1. 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.
    Exhibitions

    Scotland's First Warriors

    –
    'Scotland's First Warriors' reveals the origins and impact of conflict in prehistoric Scotland.
    Free

    National Museum of Scotland

  2. A roman mask
    Exhibitions

    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

  3. Portrait of Mary, Queen of Scots dressed in a pink doublet lined with gold and pearls, looking stoically ahead against a blue background.
    Exhibitions

    Mary, Queen of Scots: Renaissance and Resistance

    12 June - 14 November 2027
    Few figures in Scottish history have captured the imagination like Mary, Queen of Scots. We are familiar with the story of her life, its dramatic events, and its sad ending on the executioner’s block. More than 440 years after her death,…
    Just announced

    National Museum of Scotland

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

    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.

    National Museum of Scotland

Events

  1. A child sits looking at a picture book.
    Events

    Family Storytelling Day

    Sat 24 Oct, 10:30 - 16:30
    Join us for a full day of free fun for families, including storytelling, crafts and object encounters.
    Free

    National Museum of Scotland

  2. A flock of geese flying in the sky.
    Events

    Words of the Wild: Changing Seasons

    Sat 24 Oct, 15:00 - 16:00
    Discover the interconnectedness of ecology and storytelling with the Scottish Wildlife Trust and storyteller David Hughes.
    Free

    National Museum of Scotland

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

    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

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

    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

  5. A person with a pram is talking to a museum worker, in the grand gallery at the national museum of scotland. The museum worker is at a small stand, with a sign saying 'Engagement team' behind them.
    Events

    Find Out Fridays

    14 Aug 2026 – 19 Mar 2027, Friday afternoon during term time 13:30 – 16:00
    Drop-in Friday fun for families of all ages.
    Free

    National Museum of Scotland

  6. Child looks towards the right through a brass telescope.
    Events

    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

  7. A child and adult looking at a geological specimen.
    Events

    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

  8. 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.
    Events

    Relaxed Morning: National Museum of Scotland

    1 Feb - 6 Dec 2026, 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

  9. A child paints at a table
    Events

    Sensory Sunday

    Sun 1 Feb – Sun 6 Dec 2026, 11:00 – 12:00 and 14:00 – 15:00
    Exciting, hands-on sensory play sessions for children with additional support needs.
    Sold out

    National Museum of Scotland