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.
    Just announced

    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 series of three sketches depicting dress designs on three female figures
    Event

    Member Event: Jean Muir Archives

    Thursday 2 October, 18:30 - 19:30
    Discover the unique vision, and innovative design approach of British fashion designer, Jean Muir.

    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 group of children stand around a person sitting in a wheelchair playing a banjo
    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 sketcher drawing a rabbit in the diorama in the Beginnings gallery of the National Museum of Scotland. The tutor is giving some tips
    Event

    Creative Workshop: An Introduction to Drawing Scottish Wildlife

    Saturday 4 October, 11:00 - 16:00
    Join artist Meg Buick to learn how to draw animals using our world-class collection of Scottish wildlife. 

    National Museum of Scotland

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  5. 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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  6. Close up of a taxidermy specimen of the Hamlyn's monkey, looking directly at the camera.
    Event

    Relaxed Morning: Monkeys: Our Primate Family

    3 Aug - 2 Nov 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.

    National Museum of Scotland

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  7. 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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  8. An abstract printed scene, showing the figure of a person sat down, holding a mask with horns up to their face. The person is printed in black ink, and is set against a background of bright green circular shapes.
    Event

    Printmaking workshop with Nkem Okwechime

    Sun 5 Oct, 14:00-16:00
    Enjoy a practical printmaking workshop with Scottish-Nigerian artist Nkem Okwechime. Explore how the museum’s collections have inspired his work,and try out screen printing for yourself.

    National Museum of Scotland

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  9. A man is looking face to face at a taxidermy specimen of a proboscis monkey
    Event

    Spotlight On: Monkeys: Our Primate Family

    Tuesday 7 October, 14:00 - 15:00
    Join exhibition curator, Dr Andrew Kitchener, to learn how research into our primate collections is shaping our understanding of the biology and conservation of monkey species around the world today.

    National Museum of Scotland

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