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Download our family trail to help you plan a structured visit to the National Museum of Scotland.
ViewThe Cockcroft-Walton generator was developed at the University of Cambridge in the early 1930s to accomplish the first artificial splitting of the atom.
ViewHead outdoors and see how many brilliant birds you can spot with the help of some bright binoculars! Learn how to make them here!
ViewDiscover the classic Ruston steam excavator, and find out how our conservation team restored it to its former glory.
ViewMarvel up close at the pages of an illustrated prayer book featuring a handwritten poem by a young Mary, Queen of Scots.
ViewWhat is it like to hold your own brain? John Scott, a Lothian Birth Cohort participant, was lucky enough to find out
ViewThis display highlights a small selection from our Scottish History & Archaeology collections, showing how research and collecting at National Museums Scotland is reshaping understandings of Scotland in the past, and reflecting the Scotland of today for future generations of museum visitors.
ViewArchaeological finds from Rome's invasions of Scotland can be found throughout the country, from the Solway Firth to Moray. Three of the most prominent sites are Trimontium, Traprain Law, and the Antonine Wall.
ViewA general self-led visit is free to book and allows you to explore a wide range of topics.
ViewMuseums are great places to uncover stories. Build your own story, inspired by our amazing objects.
ViewThis contemporary piece by sculptor Michael Eden celebrates the architectural styles of the National Museum of Scotland.
ViewDiscover how this traditional Scottish instrument was commissioned for the Performance and Lives gallery in the National Museum of Scotland.
ViewExplore the life and career of Bernat Klein, one of the 20th century’s leading forces in modernist design, in this free exhibition marking the centenary of his birth.
ViewThursday 25 June 2020 marks the 65th anniversary of the first flight of the Scottish Aviation Twin Pioneer. We mark this occasion with a look back at how commercial aviation has changed.
ViewRobert I, also known as Robert Bruce, was king of Scots from 1306 to 1329. Follow his journey from coronation to grave through objects associated with this famous warrior.
ViewIn 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.
ViewIt's over 40 years since Scotland's Concorde took to the skies in the first BA Concorde fleet commercial passenger flight. Don't miss the chance to get up close to G-BOAA.
ViewThis revolutionary pneumatic tyre was donated to the museum by its maker, John Boyd Dunlop, in 1910. But who really invented it?
ViewJoin curator Anna Groundwater for a guided virtual tour of life in Renaissance Scotland at the National Museum of Scotland.
ViewIn 2013, National Museums Scotland acquired one metal sculpture and one work on paper by contemporary Australian artist Danie Mellor.
ViewExplore the National Museum of Scotland with your class using our themed trails.
ViewWatch as artist Kayleigh McCallum shows you how to draw a King Penguin from our collection.
ViewWatch as artist Kayleigh McCallum shows you how to draw the Hunterston Brooch from our collection.
ViewSummer is usually the season for gala days and rural shows, including our own Heavy Horse Show. Celebrate the champions you know – family, friends or even pets - by making them a personalised rosette!
ViewWatch as artist Kayleigh McCallum shows you how to draw an Egyptian Coffin from our collection.
ViewCan you complete our Selfie Safari challenge? Find all the animals and take a family portrait with each one!
ViewDiscover the life of the National Bard through the collections of National Museums Scotland.
ViewFrom Samurai treasures to tiny netsuke, the National Museum of Scotland has the largest Japanese collection in Scotland.
ViewJoin curator Margaret Maitland for a guided virtual tour of our Ancient Egypt Rediscovered gallery.
ViewA huge range of different elements are used to make up the components of a mobile phone. But did you know that many of them can be found in minerals you can see on display at the National Museum of Scotland?
ViewThe Messerschmitt Komet was the fastest aircraft of the Second World War, and the only rocket-powered fighter plane ever to be used in combat.
ViewExplore inside the National Museum of Rural Life with your class using our themed trails.
ViewThe National Museum of Rural Life is open and tickets are available to book online.
ViewMeet the 12 metre-long, spectacular life-sized skeleton cast of a Tyrannosaurus rex, one of the star attractions at the National Museum of Scotland.
ViewThis Victorian scale model of a printing press was made in the Museum's own workshop.
ViewThe Wester Kittochside Farm at National Museum of Rural Life was owned and run by the Reid family for more than 400 years. Find out how the tenth laird and his family celebrated Christmas and New Year on the farm.
ViewA Stirling engine is powered by hot air rather than steam. Now 200 years old, its revolutionary technology has become even more relevant today.
ViewThe BAE Systems Hawk is a British single-engine, jet-powered advanced trainer aircraft. A stunning pair of Hawk wings with the iconic RAF Red Arrows livery are on display in the new Explore gallery at the National Museum of Scotland.
ViewSee an iconic piece of Scotland’s national heritage, the silver casket believed to have been owned by Mary, Queen of Scots.
ViewDiscover the story of the people who designed, built and operated Scotland's lighthouses through the objects which brought their role to life.
ViewLearn more about what’s changed to help you plan your visit to the National Museum of Rural Life.
ViewWhat do museum collections reveal about Britain’s and Scotland’s role in the Transatlantic slave system and the experiences of enslaved people?
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