A mother and son interact with a museum display in front of a group of taxidermy models and animal skeletons. A leopard sits on a tree branch next to the skull of a crocodile.

Our impact

Scotland’s National Collection is an important resource and we use it to create wide-reaching cultural, social, educational and economic impact.

National Museums Scotland is a charity and Non-Departmental Public Body which cares for Scotland’s outstanding National Collection of natural and material culture.

The Collection is an important resource historically, culturally, and scientifically. Through our work we seek to share it as widely as possible, and to create impact to make a positive contribution to society. 

As well as running public museums, we do this in a range of ways: being environmentally responsible; working across Scotland and internationally; reaching out to communities; generating new knowledge through research; and supporting Scotland’s visitor economy.

  • National work

    Sharing our knowledge and expertise strengthens the museum sector in Scotland and deepens our relationships with other organisations.
  • Illustration of a group of colourful Carolina Parrots perching on branches.

    International work

    Beyond Scotland, international collaborations allow us to share knowledge, learn from others and make our treasures available to the widest possible audience.

  • Sustainability

    We are committed to addressing the climate and biodiversity challenges, taking action across our whole organisation: our people, programmes, places and processes.
  • A group of visitors on a BSL tour of an exhibition space

    Community and access

    Our community engagement and outreach work encourages greater access to our museums and engages communities across Scotland with the National Collection.
  • A multicoloured tartan coat with green silk fringing and wooden buttons.

    Collection reviews

    Our specialist staff work with partners to increase knowledge and understanding of collections held in museums across Scotland.

  • Training and guidance for museums

    We develop skills in the Scottish museums sector by providing expert advice and training on collections, their identification, care and management.
  • A museum building with a mix of modern and Victorian architecture.

    Economy

    Our four museums make an important contribution to the creation and promotion of world-class culture in Scotland which makes it a more attractive place to live, work and visit.

Our museums

  • Wide shot of a large brown museum building with grand windows. A statue of a man stands outside the entrance doors.

    National Museum of Scotland

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  • A couple in a museum walkiing under the nose of a Concorde aeroplane.

    National Museum of Flight

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Find out more

  • Elaborately decorated pendant, necklace, and locket made of gold, pearls, and other precious gems

    Discover our collection

    Learn more about the National Collection through a range of articles, films, and audio content
  • Ten players crowd around a line of consoles in an exhibition space at Game On in Ontario Science Centre.ario Science Ce

    What's On

    Current and upcoming exhibitions and events at our museums

  • Research

    Research is crucial to our stewardship of the national collections and to the intellectual development of subject knowledge.