National Museum of Scotland

What's on

List of Exhibitions

  1. 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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  2. 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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  3. A Roman stone altar with the face of the Roman god Sol carved into it. Rays of light pass through slits around the head of Sol.
    Exhibition

    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. 
    Just announced

    National Museum of Scotland

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  4. Two women looking at geological samples in a museum display case.
    Membership

    Become a Member

    Enjoy a range of benefits, including free entry, unlimited access to our special exhibitions, and event discounts. 

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List of Events

  1. Two children examine museum objects on a trolley. One is holding a small bone while the other looks intently.
    Event

    Summer Family Fun

    Every Monday and Friday in July, 10:30 - 16:00
    Get crafty, get curious, get up-close with our free summer holiday activities.
    Free

    National Museum of Scotland

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  2. A busy museum gallery filled with people looking at boards and displays for the Edinburgh Science Festival
    Event

    Edinburgh Science Festival 2026

    Daily from Sat 4 - Sun 19 Apr, 10:00 - 17:00
    Join us as we host two weeks of science-filled discovery, from free interactive exhibits to family workshops and adult discussions.

    National Museum of Scotland

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  3. A close-up of painted organic shapes in different shades of brown
    Event

    Exclusive Viewing: The Great Instauration

    Sat 4 Apr, 18:00-20:00
    Join us for a unique evening celebrating artist Gayle Chong Kwan's new art installation in the Grand Gallery as part of Edinburgh Science Festival 2026.
    Tickets available

    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

    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

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  5. A brass and black small replica of a Stirling Engine is held up in front of a case. The background is an out of focus room filled with red and black stripes.
    Event

    Makkin it!

    Mon 06 April – Sun 19 April , 10:00 – 12:00 and 13:00 – 15:00  
    Discover some of the weird and wonderful things invented in Scotland with free, drop-in activities as part of Edinburgh Science Festival.
    Free

    National Museum of Scotland

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  6. A large white card structure in the shape of a whale skull. The inside of the structure contains parts of a real bone skull, and teeth.
    Event

    Morning Curator Tour: Giants

    –
    Join our exhibition curator for an exclusive early-morning tour of Giants.

    National Museum of Scotland

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  7. 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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  8. Two people sitting at a table listening to a member of museum staff talk about a sword from the collections.
    Event

    Museum Socials

    17 Apr - 24 Jul, 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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  9. 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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