Past Exhibitions
Monkeys: Our Primate Family
–'Monkeys: Our Primate Family' was one of the most comprehensive exhibitions on primates ever staged, featuring over 50 rare primate specimens.
Injecting Hope: The Race for a COVID-19 Vaccine
–'Injecting Hope' was a free exhibition at the National Museum of Scotland, that presented the science behind the COVID-19 vaccine.
Cold War Scotland
–Exploring Scotland’s critical position on the frontline of the Cold War, this exhibition told the stories of the Scots at the centre of this global conflict.
Game On
–Conceived and curated by Barbican Immersive, 'Game On' examined the history and culture of video games.
Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2023
–Wildlife Photographer of the Year is the most prestigious photography event of its kind, providing a global platform that showcases some of the best photography talent from around the world for nearly 60 years.
Theravāda Buddhism
–This thought-provoking display charted the history and influence of the Theravāda Buddhist tradition across the world, including its role in Scotland today.
Rising Tide: Art and Environment in Oceania
12 Aug 2023 - 14 Apr 2024Rising Tide considered our relationship to the natural environment through contemporary responses to climate change and plastic waste by Indigenous Australian and Pacific Islander artists.
Beyond the Little Black Dress
–This exhibition explored design classics to cutting-edge catwalk creations, Beyond the Little Black Dress deconstructs this iconic garment and examines the radical power of the colour black in fashion.
The Declaration of Arbroath
–2020 marked the 700th anniversary of the Declaration of Arbroath, one of Scotland's most important historical artefacts.
Doctor Who Worlds of Wonder
–This must-see exhibition brought a scientific perspective to The Doctor's adventures, drawing on content from across the full canon of Doctor Who.
Bernat Klein: Design in Colour
–This exhibition explored the life and career of Bernat Klein, one of the 20th century’s leading forces in modernist design, marking the centenary of his birth.
E.coli by Luke Jerram
–An installation of Luke Jerram's E.colli sculpture was suspended from the Grand Gallery in this temporary display.
Anatomy: A Matter of Death and Life
–This exhibition explored the history of anatomical study, from artistic explorations by Leonardo da Vinci to the Burke and Hare murders.
Audubon’s Birds of America
–This exhibition explored the artistry and legacy of one of the world’s rarest, most coveted and biggest books.
Extinction Bell
–The Extinction Bell was a work by Bristol-based artist Luke Jerram that raised awareness of biodiversity loss.
Scotland's Climate Challenge
–This small exhibition highlighted the exciting work being carried out in Scotland to fight against climate change.
The Typewriter Revolution
–This exhibition explored how typewriters have helped to influence both society and technology, and why they are still popular today.
LEGO® Concorde Model
–Master builder Warren Elsmore and his team created a LEGO® Big Build of our very own Concorde, especially for us.
The Galloway Hoard: Viking-Age Treasure
–Visitors were able to see cleaned and conserved objects from the Hoard, revealing intricate decoration not seen since the objects' burial more than 1,000 years ago.
Scotland’s Precious Seas
–National Museums Scotland collection contains over 4 million marine invertebrates and 120,000 marine vertebrates. The objects on display demonstrated how these collections help us monitor the changing life in our waters.
Tyrannosaurs
–Tyrannosaurs explored the most feared and revered of all dinosaurs, bringing the latest palaeontological discoveries to life and challenging preconceptions about these ferocious predators.
Parasites: Battle for Survival
–This exhibition explored the challenges we face in fighting five of the most persistent parasites and the people who are fighting against them.
Wild and Majestic: Romantic Visions of Scotland
–Wild and Majestic considered the representation of Scotland around the world and explored the beginnings of the Scottish tourism industry.
Body Beautiful: Diversity on the Catwalk
–This exhibition looked at how today’s fashion industry is challenging perceptions and championing alternative ideals of beauty on the catwalk, in advertising, editorial and behind the camera.