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National War Museum

Discover the story of Scotland at War. Explore over 400 years of conflict through a unique collection of artefacts, military objects and personal stories.

Highlights

  • Through artefacts, discover more about Scotland’s relationship with its powerful neighbour, England. 
  • Uncover the stories behind the key figures in Scottish military history. 
  • See the iconic painting – The Thin Red Line by Robert Gibb. The heroic representation of the Highland soldier as a symbol of Scotland 

Essentials

Entrance to the museum is free but entry to Edinburgh Castle is charged via Historic Environment Scotland (HES).

How to book 

HES Travel Trade 

National War Museum

Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh, EH1 2NG
Tel: 0300 123 6789

Admission

Entry to the museum is free.

Historic Environment Scotland charges for admission to Edinburgh Castle where the National War Museum is located. 

Further visiting information is available on the Edinburgh Castle website.

Opening times

Museum open
Open daily: 09:45 - 17:45

Shoulder of a red uniform with white stripes and sleeve embellishments. The collar is yellow and white.

Explore the museum

Explore the galleries and discover uniforms, insignia and equipment, medals, decorations, weapons, paintings, ceramics and silverware. All throw light on Scotland's military history, from world-changing events to the everyday life of Scottish servicemen. Try our First World War Trail too!

Things to see and do

Awards

We take pride in maintaining excellent standards and offering you the best visit possible.

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