Go behind the scenes of National Museums Scotland’s collection of 2.5 million insect specimens.

This Insect Week, explore fascinating insect collections with Entomology Curator Ashleigh Whiffin. Over one million species of insects have been described and named worldwide, so far. There are more than 24,000 species in the UK alone and we can find insects in almost every habitat. They can be pollinators, predators, pests, parasites and prey and studying them is an important part of food production, medicine, ecology and conservation. 

Join Ashleigh behind the scenes as she shares a rare public glimpse of our collection of around 2.5 million insect specimens and explains how we use them for research. 

This is an in-person tour at the National Museums Collection Centre, for those aged 14 and over. 

On the day

• Please arrive 15 minutes before your tour is scheduled to start. When you arrive, please report to Reception at the Gatehouse building on the right hand side of the entrance barrier. 
• Ticket booking is not possible at the Collection Centre.   
• Light refreshments will be available. 

Getting here

National Museums Collection Centre  
242 West Granton Road  
Granton  
Edinburgh EH5 1JA  
Tel: 0131 247 4470  

For a map, visit www.nms.ac.uk/collectioncentre  

• There is no visitor parking available but there is on-street parking nearby. Further information on parking can be found at  www.edinburgh.gov.uk/parking. 
• Parking for bicycles is available.
• A number of buses run to the Collections Centre. More details can be found at  www.lothianbuses.com. 

Accessibility

We want everyone who comes to our museums to enjoy their time with us and make the most of their visit. 

Our Collection Centre is a working site which we are transforming to enable better public access.  

• Our tours involve standing, walking, and several short flights of stairs. 
• The tours move between buildings, so please dress for the weather.
• If you would like a stool, let us know.

If you will be using a wheelchair, an assistance dog, require disabled parking or have any other access requirements, please email us in advance of the tour at publicevents@nms.ac.uk.

Accompanying essential carers go free.  

Part of Insect Week 2025. 

Insect Week is organised by the  Royal Entomological Society, and supported by partner organisations throughout the UK and Europe.