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. Close up of two hands playing the wooden flute of a bagpipe. The bagpipe held under the arm is in soft focus.
    Event

    Live Music: St Andrew’s Day

    Sunday 30 November, 11:00–11:45 and 13:00–13:45
    Come along to free live music performances to celebrate St Andrew’s Day, featuring traditional Scottish music. 

    National Museum of Scotland

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  2. 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.
    Event

    Find Out Fridays

    5 Sep 25 - 26 Jun 2026, every Friday afternoon during term time 13:30 – 16:00
    Drop-in Friday fun for families of all ages.
    Free

    National Museum of Scotland

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  3. A young person in glasses and a hat looking at a robotic hand.
    Event

    Friday Friends

    Various dates, 14:00 - 16:00
    Our Friday Friends programme offers a welcoming space for visually impaired and D/deaf children and their families.
    Free

    National Museum of Scotland

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  4. 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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  5. 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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  6. 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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  7. 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

    Wed 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.
    Sold out

    National Museum of Scotland

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  8. A close up of a musician playing a violin with the Grand Gallery in the background.
    Event

    Live Music Mondays

    Mon 15 Dec – Mon 16 Feb, 12:45 – 13:30
    Come along to free live music performances featuring folk, classical, traditional Scottish, and modern fusion styles. 

    National Museum of Scotland

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  9. 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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