Go behind the scenes of the National Museum Scotland's collection of over 1 million archaeological artefacts.

This Scottish Archaeology month, explore our Neolithic and Bronze Age collections with Senior Curators of Prehistory  Dr Hugo Anderson-Whymark and Dr Matthew Knight. 

Our archaeology curators care for over 1 million archaeological artefacts, from Scotland's first settlers in late Palaeolithic onward. Nearly 250 years of systematic collecting has built a material record of the place we now call Scotland, within its wider European and global contexts. 

Highlights from the prehistoric archaeology collections include artefacts from the Neolithic village of Skara Brae on Orkney, intriguing Neolithic carved stone balls, a wealth of prehistoric pottery and Bronze Age metalwork. 

Join our prehistory curators to learn more about our wide-ranging research in Scottish archaeology and see important objects from of our collections up close. 

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 Scottish Archaeology Month 2025. 

Scottish Archaeology Month is organised by Archaeology Scotland.