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

Contact:

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 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

    More info
  2. A close up of a musician playing a violin with the Grand Gallery in the background.
    Event

    Live Music Mondays

    Mon 15 Dec – Mon 16 Feb, 12:45 – 13:30
    Come along to free live music performances featuring folk, classical, traditional Scottish, and modern fusion styles. 

    National Museum of Scotland

    Find out more
  3. 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

    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. Colourful printed cotton with blue geometric print and a blue red and green selection of fruits and flowers in the centre.
    Discover

    The material lives of ordinary people: rare 19th century Chinese cotton

    Written by Dr Rachel Silberstein
    When you think of historical Chinese dress, what material comes to mind? Most people would probably assume silk. But the majority of the population in Qing dynasty China (1644-1911) actually wore cotton.However, this reality is not…
    Keep reading
  3. Skull of adult Siberut Macaque facing forward with a black background.
    Discover

    6 world-class type specimens in our stores

    Written by Dr Andrew Kitchener, Dr Rachel Walcott & Dr Andrew Ross
    Type specimens are among the most important objects in natural science collections. They are the specimens on which the scientific names of species of animals, plants or minerals are based.  Animals and plants are named using the Linnaean…
    Keep reading
  4. The curved end of a shepherd's crook, showing a thistle emblem at the very end.
    Discover

    A tale of 3 sticks and their stories about rural Scotland

    Written by Oliver Taylor
    What connects three ordinary looking sticks at the National Museum of Rural Life?At first glance, you may disregard one, or even all of them. However, their unassuming nature hides their significance. A poacher's fishing rod 
    Keep reading
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