A multi-level museum atrium with white pillars and railings. Different museum objects are on display on each level. Visitors look up at the objects.

National Museum of Scotland

With thousands of amazing objects across dozens of galleries, the museum offers a world of discovery under one roof

Visitor information for National Museum of Scotland

Admission details:

Free entry, charges for some special exhibitions.

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. An array of bronze age weapons including a brown shield with a hole in the centre, a dark grey spearhead and a stack of green and grey short swords against a black background.
    Exhibitions

    Scotland's First Warriors

    –
    'Scotland's First Warriors' reveals the origins and impact of conflict in prehistoric Scotland.
    Free

    National Museum of Scotland

    More info
  2. Two fossils lying on a large map next to some coloured pencils and a sketchbook. The sketchbook contains illustrations of the fossils.
    Events

    Creative Workshop: Drawing the Earth

    Sat 12 Sep, 12:30 - 16:30
    Inspired by the Tercentenary of James Hutton's birth, join us for this geology drawing workshop.

    National Museum of Scotland

    Find out more
  3. Woman and baby in arms sitting on the floor on a checked carpet.
    Events

    Magic Carpet

    Mon Sep 7 2026 - Mon 15 Mar 2027
    Explore the collection with our Magic Carpet sessions for under 5s. Inspire curious little minds through song, rhymes, movement and sensory play.

    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.

    What is the Peebles Hoard?

    Archaeology, Scotland

    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…
    Short read
  2. Fan with wooden sticks and guards painted black with gilt detailing. One guard with inscription 'ESPANA'. Fan leaf in metallic paper printed with a bullfighting scene

    Fan favourites: 5 decorative souvenir fans

    Art and design, Fashion and textiles

    Written by Dr Emily Taylor & Carys Wilkins
    Hand-held folding fans are a lightweight portable accessory. Although their practical function is to keep you cool, the decoration and materials used to make fans communicate much, much more.Fans make ideal souvenirs, intended to be…
    Listicle
  3. Screenshot from a 3D model of oak boat stem from a Viking-age boat stem from Eigg

    A Viking Age boatyard on Eigg

    Archaeology

    Written by Dr Adrián Maldonado
    Two oak boat stems dating to 880-1050 AD from the isle of Eigg show the arrival of Scandinavian seafaring technology to Scotland.These rare survivals reveal how the Viking Age forever changed Scotland's seaways.Vikings and the seaWe tend…
    Short read
  4. The Holy Loch near Dunoon. A large loch with mountains in the distance. A white ferry travels across the loch.

    'The world opened up to us’: Collecting American-Scottish Cold War experiences in Dunoon, Scotland

    History and cultures, Scotland

    Written by Dr Sarah Harper & Dr Mhairi Maxwell
    The Cold War in Scotland forged new bonds between Scottish and American communities. As testimonies of veterans and Dunoon locals tell us, the conflict brought different cultures together and had a lasting impact on the town and its…
    Long read
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