Discover how an extra-terrestrial exhibit was made ready for display in the National Museum of Scotland.

National Museums Scotland is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr Sam Alberti as its new Director of Collections.

Delve into the diverse collection of pioneering ethnomusicologist Jean Jenkins.

From the early 20th century, the tractor helped to transformed farm life in Scotland. There are several examples on display in the collection at the National Museum of Rural Life, East Kilbride.

Meet Ching Ching the panda, one of the world’s most endangered species in Survival at National Museum of Scotland.

Visitors to the Scotland Transformed gallery at National Museum of Scotland cannot miss the mighty Newcomen engine.

Meet Cybraphon, the moody autonomous robot band in a box created by Edinburgh-based artist collective FOUND.

Mineral collecting was Matthew Heddle's main passion. Several of his minerals are on display in the National Museum of Scotland.

Explore how missionaries made a significant impact on gathering the materials featured within the Tibetan collections at the National Museum of Scotland, with their materials peaking between 1890-1904.

Our popular Magic Carpet storytelling sessions at the National Museum of Scotland provided inspiration for a pilot Community Engagement project encouraging bilingual families with preschool children to enjoy the Museum.

This vintage Avro Anson first flew in 1935, when it represented leading edge technology.

For almost 30 years, anyone who could afford the ticket could shoot across the globe at twice the speed of sound. How? By flying on Concorde, the world’s only supersonic passenger aeroplane.

This Nimrod XV241 served with the RAF from the early 1970s until March 2010.

Pioneering Percy Pilcher could have been the first person ever to fly. But why did the glider he designed never take off?

Explore exhibitions held at the National Museum of Scotland over the past year.

Wildlife Photographer of the Year is the most prestigious photography event of its kind, providing a global platform that showcases the natural world’s most astonishing and challenging sights for over 50 years

This event has been cancelled.

The Cockcroft-Walton generator was developed at the University of Cambridge in the early 1930s to accomplish the first artificial splitting of the atom.

The battle of Tel-el-Kebir was a decisive moment in the British maintaining order in Egypt in the late 19th century and its depicted in a magnificent painting at National War Museum.

Discover the classic Ruston steam excavator, and find out how our conservation team restored it to its former glory.

What is it like to hold your own brain? John Scott, a Lothian Birth Cohort participant, was lucky enough to find out

The Lewis chess pieces live in the National Museum of Scotland. Colour them in or cut out and make your own chess piece here.

These four unique instruments were specially created for Performance and Lives gallery at the National Museum of Scotland by internationally renowned composer and artist Victor Gama.

With the opening in February 2019 of three new galleries at the National Museum of Scotland, we celebrated the completion of the transformation of our much-loved Victorian building.

Volunteering with National Museums Scotland can be hugely rewarding. But don't take our word for it, here's what some of our volunteers say about their time with us.

Step back in time and experience life in wartime Britain to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day.

Discover more about the Tibetan project, in collaboration between the University of Stirling, Department of Languages, Cultures and Religions, and the National Museum of Scotland, Department of World Cultures.

Join us for one of Scotland's biggest hands-on LEGO® events.

This has been a landmark year at National Museums Scotland.

The Research Library is our main reading room on level 3 of the National Museum of Scotland.

The Scottish History and Archaeology Department at the National Museum of Scotland is a leading player in the field of post-excavation analysis of finds.

The National Museum of Scotland provides comprehensive facilities for meetings, conferences and social events.

Our international workshop drew together speakers from a wide range of disciplines, and invited regimental, corps and service museum curators to discuss collecting cultures in military contexts beyond the parameters of the project, as well as contemporary themes including issues of reparation and return.

On 11 September 2018 we held our first knowledge exchange workshop at the National Army Museum with a group of curators from different regimental museums across the United Kingdom.

Explore the amazing collections of National Museums Scotland through films, animations and podcasts.

The image library of National Museums Scotland comprises a vast wealth of material from our museums. Images from National Museums Scotland are available from the image library for reproduction in publications, film, television and other media.

Our First World War Centenary programme of exhibitions and events shares the Scottish memory of these world-changing events with national and international visitors.

Find out more about the AHRC project and its precursors.

On 31 October 2014, Dr Chris Lee presented Margaret’s Wardrobe at the National Museum of Scotland, as part of Luminate: Scotland’s Festival of Creative Ageing. This illustrated talk showed how personal collections can help preserve self-identity, and how our museum collections continue to stimulate memories and discussion.

The National Museum of Scotland received £16,400 from the National Lottery Heritage Fund to work with young people from the Scottish Sikh community.

Out and About in Edinburgh was a five week course, developed by the City Community Learning Team for adult learners from South Bridge Resource Centre, Edinburgh delivered at the National Museum of Scotland.

This contemporary piece by sculptor Michael Eden celebrates the architectural styles of the National Museum of Scotland.

Discover how this traditional Scottish instrument was commissioned for the Performance and Lives gallery in the National Museum of Scotland.

Trails and resources for Primary School visits to the National Museum of Scotland.

Trails and resources for Secondary School visits to the National Museum of Scotland.

The Galloway Hoard has now finished at the National Museum of Scotland but it will be on display at the Kirkcudbright Galleries from 9 October 2021 to 10 July 2022 and on to Aberdeen Museum and Art Gallery from 30 July to 23 October 2022.

In the early 18th century, natural history was an increasingly popular pastime and many people visited fields and ponds, often bringing a microscope, to investigate the flora and fauna.