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. A person stands behind a stall that has different maths and magic activities on it. The stall is in a shopping centre.
    Event

    The Amazing Mathemagic Show

    Sat 21 Feb, 10:30 – 13:00 and 13:30 – 16:00
    Join students and staff from Edinburgh University as they use maths to transform into performers, musicians and astonishing mind readers. 
    Free

    National Museum of Scotland

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  2. A child touches an animal skull on an object handling station in the museum.
    Event

    Giants: Half Term

    Sat 14 - Sun 22 Feb, 10:30 - 16:00
    Join us in the Grand Gallery for free family activities to celebrate the recent opening of our new exhibition, Giants.
    Free

    National Museum of Scotland

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  3. A parent and child play with red Lego bricks on a table.
    Event

    Giants: Half Term Big Build

    Sat 14 - Sun 22 Feb, 10:30 - 16:00
    Get inspired by our Giants exhibition and join us this half term for LEGO activities for all the family.

    National Museum of Scotland

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  4. Young woman sketching on clipboard in front of wildlife exhibition
    Event

    The Sunday Sketch

    Sun 22 Feb - Sun 22 Mar, 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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  5. Close up of a musician in a blue shirt playing a guitar.
    Event

    Ceòl aig an Taigh Tasgaidh Music at the Museum

    Mon 23 Feb, 11:00-11:45, 13:00-13:45
    Join us for a free Gaelic concert for World Gaelic Week.
    Free

    National Museum of Scotland

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  6. A parent and toddler sitting on a colourful carpet playing with toys. Other parents and toddlers are sitting in the background.
    Event

    Magic Carpet: Gaelic Week Special / Seachdain na Gàidhlig

    Wed 25 Feb / DiC 25 Gearran, 10:30 - 11:15
    Join us at the National Museum of Scotland for a special Gaelic Magic Carpet.

    National Museum of Scotland

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  7. Curator Dr Sarah Laurenson with objects on a table - two horns, two brooches and a clay vessel
    Event

    Exploring our Gaelic Collections: gallery tour and talk

    Thu 26 Feb, 10:30-12:00 and 14:00-15:30
    Find out more about our project to explore 100 objects from the Museum’s collection with Gaelic historical and cultural significance.
    Free

    National Museum of Scotland

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  8. 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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  9. 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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