A Roman stone altar with the face of the Roman god Sol carved into it. Rays of light pass through slits around the head of Sol.
New
Schools sessions

Roman Scotland exhibition visit

National Museum of Scotland

About Roman Scotland exhibition visit

Bring your class to explore life on the northern frontier of the Roman Empire. This self-led exhibition visit invites pupils to discover the people, places and stories of Roman Scotland through fascinating objects, immersive displays and real archaeological evidence.

'Roman Scotland: Life on the Edge of Empire' runs from Saturday 14 November 2026 to Sunday Sunday 18 April 2027.

What will my pupils do?

Pupils will get the opportunity to:

  • Encounter objects used by soldiers and civilians living at the edge of the Roman world
  • Explore themes of identity, power, trade and daily life
  • Investigate how Scotland connected to the wider Roman Empire
  • Develop enquiry skills through observation, discussion and interpretation 

Our exhibition provides a rich stimulus to support cross-curricular enquiry and critical thinking. 

Suggested learning focus: 

You can tailor your visit to suit your class. Possible enquiry questions include: 

  • What was life like on Rome’s northern frontier?
  • How did Roman culture influence Scotland?
  • Who lived here and how did they interact? 

Find out more about 'Roman Scotland: Life on the Edge of Empire'

Teaching notes can be downloaded from 1 November.

Book our workshop

Why not enhance your visit by booking for our workshop or study day? 

Roman Scotland Explorer and Museum Stories: Roman Scotland will guarantee access to the exhibition. 

Join an online session 

Can’t visit in person? Let the museum come to you! Book our new, free digital schools session, The Romans: Meet the Gods.

Curriculum links

SOC 1-01a, SOC 2-01a, SOC 3-01a  

SOC 1-02a, SOC 2-02a, SOC 3-02a  

SOC 1-03a, SOC 2-03a, SOC 3-03a  

SOC 1-04a, SOC 2-04a, SOC 3-04a  

SOC 1-06a, SOC 2-06a, SOC 3-06a  

SOC 1-14a, SOC 2-14a, SOC 3-14a  

LIT 1-02a, LIT 2-02a, LIT 3-02a  

LIT 1-09a, LIT 2-09a, LIT 3-09a  

Sustainable development goals

4, 10, 11

Meta skills framework

Self-Management - Focusing, Adapting  

Social Intelligence - Communicating, Collaborating

Innovation - Curiosity, Sense-making, Critical thinking

Timings

Check your booking for timings and arrive at the museum at least 15 minutes before the start of your exhibition visit slot.

Available dates

November 2026

Mon 16 Nov 2026 - 10:15 and 11:30

Fri 20 Nov 2026 - 10:15 and 11:30

Mon 23 Nov 2026 - 10:15 and 11:30

Fri 27 Nov 2026 - 10:15 and 11:30

Mon 30 Nov 2026 - 10:15 and 11:30

December 2026

Fri 4 Dec 2026 - 10:15 and 11:30

Mon 7 Dec 2026 - 10:15 and 11:30

Fri 11 Dec 2026 - 10:15 and 11:30

Mon 14 Dec 2026 - 10:15 and 11:30

Tue 15 Dec 2026 - 10:15 and 11:30

Wed 16 Dec 2026 - 10:15 and 11:30

Thu 17 Dec 2026 - 10:15 and 11:30

Fri 18 Dec 2026 - 10:15 and 11:30

January 2027

Fri 8 Jan 2027 - 10:15 and 11:30

Mon 11 Jan 2027 - 10:15 and 11:30

Fri 15 Jan 2027 - 10:15 and 11:30

Mon 18 Jan 2027 - 10:15 and 11:30

Fri 22 Jan 2027 - 10:15 and 11:30

Mon 25 Jan 2027 - 10:15 and 11:30

Fri 29 Jan 2027 - 10:15 and 11:30

February 2027

Mon 1 Feb 2027 - 10:15 and 11:30

Fri 5 Feb 2027 - 10:15 and 11:30

Mon 8 Feb 2027 - 10:15 and 11:30

Fri 12 Feb 2027 - 10:15 and 11:30

Mon 22 Feb 2027 - 10:15 and 11:30

Wed 24 Feb 2027 - 10:15 and 11:30

Thu 25 Feb 2027 - 10:15 and 11:30

Fri 26 Feb 2027 - 10:15 and 11:30

March 2027

Mon 1 Mar 2027 - 10:15 and 11:30

Fri 5 Mar 2027 - 10:15 and 11:30

Mon 8 Mar 2027 - 10:15 and 11:30

Fri 12 Mar 2027 - 10:15 and 11:30

Mon 15 Mar 2027 - 10:15 and 11:30

Fri 19 Mar 2027 - 10:15 and 11:30

Mon 22 Mar 2027 - 10:15 and 11:30

Wed 24 Mar 2027 - 10:15 and 11:30

Thu 25 Mar 2027 - 10:15 and 11:30

Tue 30 Mar 2027 - 10:15 and 11:30

Wed 31 Mar 2027 - 10:15 and 11:30

April 2027

Thu 1 Apr 2027 - 10:15 and 11:30

Request a visit

Booking Terms and Conditions

Cancellation Policy
  • National Museums Scotland reserve the right to charge a fee for short notice cancellations or no-shows.
  • Bookings cancelled less than 2 weeks prior to the visit will incur an administration fee of £25.
  • A charge of £50 will apply to no-show or last-minute cancellations.
  • In certain circumstances National Museums Scotland may waive the administration fee.
  • Cancellations should be notified in writing to schools@nms.ac.uk.

You might also like

  1. A Roman stone altar with the face of the Roman god Sol carved into it. Rays of light pass through slits around the head of Sol.
    Schools session

    The Romans: Meet the Gods

    This is an online session
    In this interactive session, pupils are introduced to Roman Gods and discover how different people used them. Can they match each deity to someone's story?
    Free
    Find out more
  2. Schools session

    Roman Scotland Explorer

    National Museum of Scotland
    Discover Roman Scotland through an exhibition visit and handling session, allowing pupils to investigate how Romans and local people lived, worked and interacted on the edge of empire.
    New
    Find out more
  3. Schools session

    Museum Stories: Roman Scotland

    National Museum of Scotland
    Take a deeper look at Scotland’s Roman past with this engaging study day.
    New
    Find out more