National Museums Scotland has acquired a prototype LUTZ Pathfinder, one of three vehicles used for the first test of fully self-driving cars in public in the UK. Going on display in the National Museum of Scotland from today, it is the first autonomous vehicle to enter a UK museum collection.

Discover the facts about a large ocean sunfish that stranded off Scotland’s coast in 2020 and hear what we can learn from studying this strange fish.

Find out more about graduate research.

Professor Matthew Forster Heddle (1828-1897) was Scotland's most famous mineralogist. At National Museums Scotland, we look after 5,700 specimens from his collection.

Can you complete our Selfie Safari challenge? Find all the animals and take a family portrait with each one!

National Museums Scotland is a member of the Scottish Cultural Heritage Consortium. The Consortium is a Collaborative Doctoral Partnership funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC).

Most of the objects in the Museum’s Tibetan collection were acquired in the short timespan of 1890-1930, less than a lifetime, making this collection a snapshot of the British Empire’s relationship with Tibet.

This 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.

Within our collections departments, our staff hold a wealth of knowledge and can provide expert advice on collections, their identification, care and management.

Developed here in Scotland in 2010, this sustainable technology is helping to bring clean drinking water to the developing world

The story of how specimens make their way into a museum’s collection is often a peculiar one.

Find out more about the postgraduate doctoral projects which National Museums Scotland co-supervises supported from a variety of sources.

A 10th-century hoard found on the Isle of Skye contained 19 dirhams, silver coins from the Islamic emirates of central Asia. These were not exotic curiosities collected by a Viking traveller, but evidence of trade routes connecting Scotland across vast distances at the turn of the first millennium.

Recreate your favourite museum objects and places using the LEGO® you have at home!

Fly across Scotland with Dolly the sheep, hitch a ride to space on a rocket and collect museum objects along the way.

Two pieces of tusk in our collection show that some woolly mammoths made their home in Scotland, while another provides early evidence of mammoths in North America.

St Andrew is Scotland's patron saint and his Saltire (X-shaped) cross is Scotland's flag. Discover more about how he has been represented through the centuries.

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

The National Museum of Scotland in the heart of Edinburgh's Old Town offers the most stunning setting for memorable events.

Only 89 Twin Pioneers were ever built – and you can see one in the National Museum of Flight.

Discover the story of the people who designed, built and operated Scotland's lighthouses through the objects which brought their role to life.

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.

Discover the beauty of our Scottish Turkey red collection through this collaborative project between National Museums Scotland and the School of History, Classics and Archaeology, University of Edinburgh.

This striking ceremonial standing cup and cover was created especially for the Museum by virtuoso silversmith Malcolm Appleby.

We’ve teamed up with upcyling experts Ostrero and artist Bryony Knox to create three paper-cut designs inspired by Scottish animals. Choose from a stately stag, a magical unicorn or a red squirrel! The designs are inspired by paper-cut art from Mexico . Look out for some examples in our Patterns of Life gallery.

Download our family trail to help you plan a structured visit to the National Museum of Scotland.

The aim of this two-year research project is to survey and re-interpret the Highland dress and tartan fashion holdings of National Museums Scotland, assessing them for further research and display potential.

These rare Jacobite and British military colours were carried into battle at Culloden by opposing sides.

See the world's first delta winged bomber on display at National Museum of Flight, East Fortune Airfield.

Explore the story of Waterloo at the National War Museum.

Join Tara from T-Yoga at the National Museum of Scotland for a gentle morning flow designed to wake up your body and mind.

In the 19th century there was a particularly intense interest in classifying the natural world.

Mode brings the museum's wardrobe to life with a selection of 30 objects from the world of fashion.

Our archaeological and Scottish collections cover Scottish material culture from the earliest times to the present day.

The destruction of Hamilton Palace, the grandest stately home in Britain, was one of the greatest losses to national heritage ever to happen in this country. This is the story of how Scotland’s biggest treasure trove was won and lost.

We asked our Facebook fans which objects from the National Museum of Scotland their families would like to colour in, and here are the results! From our family of lions to the giant sunfish, T-Rex to our elephant - is your favourite here?

In 1971, over 300 beautiful scent bottles were donated to National Museums Scotland. The scent bottles were collected by Ida Pappenheim. Discover the story behind this charming collection.

The first important professional woman artist of modern Scotland, Phoebe Anna Traquair was a leading figure within the Scottish Arts and Crafts movement.

Throughout 2021, we want to work with local museums across Scotland to integrate more maths into their museum programming and provide support to take part in Maths Week Scotland.

This exhibition highlights the exciting work being carried out in Scotland to fight against climate change.

These multi-coloured plastic dolls, western in their appearance, are very popular in Africa today.

Make the most of your visit with our museum highlights. Your rural adventure starts here!

Learn more about what’s changed to help you plan your visit.

We’ve teamed up with upcycling experts Ostrero and artist Bryony Knox to create a design for a cool owl badge – made form a fizzy drinks can! Try it out today.

Investigate the wonderful world of insects this June as part of National Insect Week.