CLICK HERE TO ADD YOUR EVENT

Monkeys: Our Primate Family

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

Monkeys: Our Primate Family

About Monkeys: Our Primate Family

This exhibition explores the remarkable lives of our primate relatives and demonstrates how they have adapted to survive in different habitats. The exhibition brings together more than 50 species of monkeys, apes, lemurs and lorises.

Visitors will discover how primates have evolved and adapted to travel and hunt for food. 'Monkeys: Our Primate Family' also reveals how primates communicate, and their complex social systems.

It is the first exhibition of its kind to show primate taxidermy specimens behaving as they would in the wild. Specimens on display include the Barbary Macaque, Western Lowland Gorilla, and ring-tailed Lemur.

'Monkeys: Our Primate Family' uncovers the threat of extinction, habitat loss and hunting that primates face today. Visitors will hear about the ongoing conservation efforts to protect primates in the wild and learn how to make a difference to their survival.

The exhibition first opened at the National Museum of Scotland in 2016 before embarking on an international tour. It returns to Edinburgh for a final time having been seen by over 500,000 visitors in six countries around the world.

Sponsored Links

Wonder & Co
Fayre Play
Hilton Glasgow
WST
The Chocolatarium
Kevin Quantum

Other Events at National Museum of Scotland

Cold War Scotland

13th July 2024 - 4th January 2026

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.

READ MORE

Find Out Fridays

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

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

READ MORE

Sprogmanay

1st January 2026

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

READ MORE

Museum Late: Big Burns Ceilidh

23rd January 2026

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!

READ MORE

Giants

31st January 2026 - 14th September 2026

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

READ MORE

Scottish Ensemble: Concerts for a Summer’s Night

19th June 2026

Join the Scottish Ensemble for their annual event, Concerts for a Summer's Night, at National Museum of Scotland on Friday 19th June!

READ MORE

Sponsored Links

Escape The Past
Open Pass Scotland
Local Motive Markets
Hostelworld
ATG
Edinburgh Dungeon

Similar events you might like...

Turner in January

Turner in January

1st January 2026 - 31st January 2026

Following the incredible success of last year’s blockbuster exchange with the National Gallery of Ireland, Scotland’s own much-loved Turners are back in Edinburgh for 2026!

READ MORE
Paper Trails

Paper Trails

10th January 2026 - 31st January 2026

Paper Trails presents a focused selection of works on paper by &Gallery’s represented artists this January.

READ MORE
Drawing the Italian Renaissance: BSL Tour

Drawing the Italian Renaissance: BSL Tour

31st January 2026

Join our British Sign Language tour of the Drawing the Italian Renaissance exhibition at The King's Gallery, Edinburgh.

READ MORE
Giants

Giants

31st January 2026 - 14th September 2026

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

READ MORE
The Biba Story: 1964–1975

The Biba Story: 1964–1975

6th February 2026 - 27th June 2026

The Biba Story explores how fashion phenomenon Biba blossomed to become the world’s first lifestyle label, sparking a revolution in how people shopped.

READ MORE
Shorthair & All Breed Championship Cat Show

Shorthair & All Breed Championship Cat Show

14th February 2026

The annual GCCF Championship Cat Show will be held on Saturday 14th February at West Lothian College Sports Hall, Livingston. It's a purr-fect day out for cat lovers everywhere!

READ MORE
Classic Trucks & Tractors

Classic Trucks & Tractors

28th February 2026 - 1st March 2026

From the organisers of Truckfest comes Classic Trucks & Tractors, a brand-new show on 28th Feb & 1st March 2026 at the Royal Highland Centre.

READ MORE
The Scottish Motorcycle Show

The Scottish Motorcycle Show

7th March 2026 - 8th March 2026

The Scottish Motorcycle Show returns to the Royal Highland Centre on March 7th & 8th with all the latest models, major manufacturers, and breath-taking live action!

READ MORE
100 Best Australian Wines Festival with Matthew Jukes

100 Best Australian Wines Festival with Matthew Jukes

21st March 2026

The 100 Best Australian Wines Festival with Matthew Jukes is back at The Edinburgh Academy on Saturday 21st March, following its great success last year!

READ MORE

Find other events in Edinburgh

Sponsored Links

Wonder & Co
Fayre Play
Hilton Glasgow
WST
The Chocolatarium
Kevin Quantum
Escape The Past
Open Pass Scotland
Local Motive Markets
Hostelworld
ATG
Edinburgh Dungeon

Popular Events

Panto 2025: Jack and the Beanstalk
Join Allan Stewart, Grant Stott and Jordan Young for the GIANT of a pantomime we've all BEAN waiting for!
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban In Concert with the RSNO
Experience Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban like never before as the Scottish National Orchestra brings John Williams’ spellbinding score to life live in concert at Edinburgh Castle!
Edinburgh’s Christmas: The Polar Ice Bar
Take some time to ‘chill’ at the Polar Ice Bar, the coolest bar in the city, where your table, chairs and glasses are sculpted entirely from ice.
Castle Of Light
Make Castle of Light: Fire and Ice part of your festive plans and enjoy the largest annual projection show in the UK when it returns for its sixth year!
Christmas at the Botanics
Explore the sights and sounds of Christmas in this magical after dark experience when it returns to the Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh!

Popular Listings

Corn Exchange Haddington Edinburgh Playhouse Festival Theatre Edinburgh Howden Park Centre Livingston Kings Theatre Edinburgh National Museum of Scotland O2 Academy Edinburgh The Brunton Theatre, Musselburgh Traverse Theatre Usher Hall