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

    The Sunday Sketch

    Sun 21 Sep - Sun 23 Nov, 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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  4. 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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  5. Colour illustration of The Edinburgh Seven women standing proudly with 'boo!' text written above them by Anders Frang
    Event

    Legends, Myths and Maths: A Journey Through Scotland

    Sun 28 Sep, 11:00 - 12:00
    Join author David Macphail to explore the myths, legends, wildlife and landscapes of Scotland, with hidden maths.
    Free

    National Museum of Scotland

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  6. Event

    In Conversation: Peter Ross and Fraser Hunter

    Sun 28 Sep, 15:00 - 16:00
    Bestselling author Peter Ross and curator Dr Fraser Hunter discuss Peter’s new book 'Upon A White Horse' which features objects from the museum’s archaeology collections.

    National Museum of Scotland

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  7. Illustrated repeating colour print of the bust of Queen Victoria surrounded by flags, leaves and flowers, and various animals including a tiger and a kangaroo.
    Event

    Centre for Open Learning: Victorian Scotland

    1 Oct – 10 Dec 2025, Wednesdays 11:00 – 13:00
    This course uses selected items from the museum’s collections as the basis for studying Victorian Scotland.

    National Museum of Scotland

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  8. 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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  9. 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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