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

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  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

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

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  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

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Events

  1. Focus on a section of the Declaration of Arbroath
    Events

    October Half Term: The Stories We Tell

    Mon 12 - Fri 16 Oct, 10:00 - 16:00
    Free, family activities exploring stories and storytelling from Scotland and around the world.
    Free

    National Museum of Scotland

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  2. A child sits at a table doing a craft activity
    Events

    Shadows on the Wall: Storytelling through Shadow Puppetry

    Wed 14 Oct, 9:30 - 12:30 and 13:30 - 16:30
    Get hands-on in a creative workshop exploring storytelling, Scotland, and shadow puppetry for kids ages 7-11.

    National Museum of Scotland

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  3. A child drawing at a table with other children doing crafts.
    Events

    Creative Workshops for Kids: Imagine That!

    Wed 14 Oct, 9:30 - 12:30, 13:30 - 16:30
    Exciting, hands-on Creative Workshops for Kids ages 7-11. 

    National Museum of Scotland

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  4. Two people sitting at a table listening to a member of museum staff talk about a sword from the collections.
    Events

    Museum Socials

    Fri 17 Jul - Fri 19 Mar 2027, 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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  5. Colourful pink and yellow fabric with Trinidadian design.
    Events

    Perspectives: Black History Month Tour

    Fri 16 Oct, 16:00 - 17:00 and 17:30 - 18:30
    Join Lisa Williams for a specially commissioned free tour exploring objects from our African and Caribbean collections.
    Sold out

    National Museum of Scotland

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  6. Film still of a 16th century Black African diplomat dressed in elaborate European-style clothing with a thick, white fur trimmed collar and hat. He is holding a scroll.
    Events

    We Were Here: Film screening and in conversation

    Fri 16 Oct 2026, 19:00 – 21:00
    To celebrate Black History Month, join us for a special screening of 'We Were Here - The Untold History of Black Africans in Renaissance Europe'.
    Free

    National Museum of Scotland

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  7. 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

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  8. 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

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  9. 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

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