National Museum of Scotland

Connecting Scotland to the world and the world to Scotland.

About National Museum of Scotland

	National Museum of Scotland Chambers Street, Edinburgh Old Town EH1 1JF
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Listed Under Attractions - Museums / Attractions - Days Out / Attractions - History and Culture / Activities - History and Heritage / Attractions - Visitor Centres

Explore the diversity of the natural world, world cultures, art and design, science and technology and Scottish history, all under one roof at the National Museum of Scotland.

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Upcoming Events at National Museum of Scotland

Exhibitions

Cold War Scotland

13th July 2024 - 4th January 2026

National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh Old Town

Exploring Scotland’s critical position on the frontline of the Cold War, a new exhibition will tell the stories of the Scots at the centre of this global conflict.

Exhibitions

Monkeys: Our Primate Family

28th June 2025 - 30th November 2025

National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh Old Town

See some of the rarest and most endangered primates on Earth in 'Monkeys: Our Primate Family' at the National Museum of Scotland.

Family and Kids

Find Out Fridays

Selected dates between 15th August 2025 - 19th December 2025

National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh Old Town

Explore a different theme each week on Friday afternoons, during school term-time, with our Learning team at the National Museum of Scotland.

Family and Kids

Curiosity Club

Selected dates between 25th October 2025 - 29th November 2025

National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh Old Town

Leave your grown-ups at the door and jump into a Curiosity Club for these exciting, hands-on sessions for curious kids aged 7 – 11 at the National Museum of Scotland!

Family and Kids

Sprogmanay

1st January 2026

National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh Old Town

Shimmy, sparkle, and sing your way into the New Year as Sprogmanay returns on New Year’s Day at the National Museum of Scotland.

Nights Out

Museum Late: Big Burns Ceilidh

23rd January 2026

National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh Old Town

Enjoy a night like no other in the beautiful setting of the National Museum of Scotland at night as the fantastic Jacobites Ceilidh Band bring the Grand Gallery to life!

Exhibitions

Giants

31st January 2026 - 14th September 2026

National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh Old Town

Discover life-sized 3D sculptures, skeletons, and fossils in this immersive, family friendly exhibition at the National Museum of Scotland!

National Museum of Flight Scotland

National Museum of Flight Scotland East Fortune Airfield, EH39 5LF

Head off on a journey of discovery at this former airfield as you explore the history of aviation from the First World War to the present day

National Museum of Rural Life

Wester Kittochside Philipshill Road, East Kilbride G76 9HR

Take in the sights, smells and sounds of a 1950s working farm, complete with dairy cows and sheep, at the National Museum of Rural Life in East Kilbride.

National War Museum

Edinburgh Castle Castlehill, Edinburgh Old Town EH1 2NG

Discover the story of Scotland at war within the walls of Edinburgh Castle with a visit to the National War Musuem.

Museums

The Writers Museum

Lawnmarket Lady Stair's Close , Edinburgh Old Town EH1 2PA

The Writers’ Museum celebrates the lives of three great Scottish writers – Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson.

Museums

Scott Monument

Scott Monument East Princes Street Gardens , Edinburgh Old Town EH2 2EJ

Standing proudly in Princes Street Gardens, the Scott Monument is one of the most iconic Edinburgh landmarks, a must-visit for tourists and locals alike.

Museums

Museum of Edinburgh

142 Canongate Royal Mile, High Street, Edinburgh Old Town EH8 8DD

No day out on the Royal Mile is complete without a visit to the Museum of Edinburgh, where the City’s past is brought vividly to life.

Museums

The Peoples Story Museum

163 Canongate , Edinburgh Old Town EH8 8BN

The People's Story gives an unique insight in to Edinburgh's working class people from the 18th century to the late 20th century.

Museums

Dunbar Town House Museum and Gallery

Dunbar Town House Museum and Gallery High Street, Dunbar EH42 1ER

Dunbar Town House Museum and Gallery: the Town House has been the focus of town life since the 16th century.

Museums

National Mining Museum Scotland

Lady Victoria Colliery Newtongrange, Dalkeith EH22 4QN

The National Mining Museum Scotland, a 5 Star visitor attraction housed in the wonderfully restored Lady Victoria Colliery in Newtongrange!

Museums

Queensferry Museum

53 High Street , South Queensferry EH30 9HP

Queensferry museum showcases the past and traditions of historic Queensferry and neighbouring Dalmeny.

Museums

Linlithgow Canal Centre

Canal Basin Manse Rd, Linlithgow EH49 6AJ

Canal Cruises to Avon Aqueduct, Linlithgow Boat Trips, Tearoom, Canal Museum, Charters and Self-Drive Canal Boat Hire. Open from Easter until the end of September.

Museums

Almond Valley Heritage Centre

Almond Valley Heritage Centre Millfield, Livingston EH54 7AR

Almond Valley Heritage Centre in Livingston, West Lothian, is an award winning farm, museum and discovery centre!

Museums

National War Museum

Edinburgh Castle Castlehill, Edinburgh Old Town EH1 2NG

Discover the story of Scotland at war within the walls of Edinburgh Castle with a visit to the National War Musuem.

Museums

John Gray Centre

15 Lodge Street, Haddington EH41 3DX

The John Gray Centre brings together East Lothian Council’s Archaeology, Museum, Archive and Local History Services, alongside Haddington’s branch library.

Museums

St Cecilias Hall: Concert Room & Music Museum

50 Niddry Street, Edinburgh Old Town EH1 1LG

The beautiful St Cecilia's Hall dates back to 1763 and is also home to the University of Edinburgh's internationally renowned collection of historic musical instruments.

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