A multi-level open museum space with balconies and an arched ceiling. There are lots of visitors looking at objects on display.

National Museum of Scotland

With thousands of amazing objects across multiple galleries, the Museum offers you a world of discovery all under one roof

Visitor information for National Museum of Scotland

Admission details:

Free entry

Find us:

Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF

Tel: 0300 123 6789

Opening hours:

Open daily, 10:00 - 17:00

Closed 25 Dec. Open 26 Dec, 12:00 – 17:00. Open 1 Jan, 12:00 – 17:00.

What's on

  1. 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

    Find out more
  2. 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

    Find out more
  3. 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

    Find out more
See what else is on

Stories from the collections

  1. Twelve bronze objects, including some rounded fittings with concentric circle designs and a rattle pendant. They are all silvery, with some green corrosion on the surface.
    Discover

    What is the Peebles Hoard?

    The Peebles Hoard is a spectacular collection of bronze, leather and wooden material. Dating to the Late Bronze Age (c.1000-800 BCE), it contains several hundred elements from a complex set of objects. A complete sword in a wooden scabbard…
    Keep reading
  2. An open book, with the left hand page showing an illustration of a peacock, and the right showing scrolled text.
    Discover

    6 highlights from our library

    Written by Morven Donald
    Founded by the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, the library at National Museum Scotland received its first book in 1781 – which is still on our shelves. Over the past 234 years, the library has gathered a wide-ranging and often…
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  3. Discover

    'I am yours': 11 Scottish posy rings

    Written by Dr Georgia Vullinghs
    Posy rings are some of the most evocative objects of love in National Museums Scotland's collections. These finger rings are named for the short inscriptions engraved on the inside of their band. 
    Keep reading
  4. A black and white photograph of a woman to the right, with short wavy brown hair, wearing a lose back jacket at a studio desk. She is operating am old-fashioned lathe. There is a bright double window to left.
    Discover

    Inspiring women: Helen Monro Turner

    Written by Sarah Rothwell
    Helen Monro Turner (1901 – 1977) was a distinguished Scottish glass engraver, designer, educator, and illustrator. An important figure in the development of glass art, Monro Turner was an early role model for women working in glass, and…
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Awards