About 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.
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.
Exhibition highlights
Exhibition accessibility and facilities
We want everyone who comes to our museums to enjoy their time with us and make the most of their visit.
Getting to the exhibition gallery
Lifts are available to all floors of the museum. You can check the museum map or ask a member of staff for the nearest lifts.
There are escalators in the Collecting Stories gallery on Level 1 leading to the exhibition gallery on Level 3.
Information on lift and escalator dimensions is available on the AccessAble website.
Toilets
There are toilets on all levels of the museum. Accessible toilets and baby changing facilities are available on most floors. There is a Changing Places (U) toilet in the Entrance Hall on Level 0.
You can access the museum map to find those nearest toilets or ask a member of our Visitor Experience team for directions.
Wheelchair and mobility scooter users
Borrow a wheelchair
Wheelchairs are available for loan at no charge. Please note wheelchairs cannot be booked in advance. On arrival, ask about availability at the Information Desks in the Entrance Hall or Tower Entrance.
Mobility scooters
Small mobility scooters are permitted inside the museum and the exhibition.
Seating
Seating is available throughout the exhibition.
Blind or partially sighted visitors
Large print labels
Large print labels are available in this exhibition.
D/deaf or hard of hearing visitors
Hearing induction loops
There is a hearing induction loop at the information desk outside the exhibition gallery.
Autistic or sensory sensitive visitors
Sensory resources
Ear defenders are available to borrow for free from the exhibition ticket desk on Level 3.
A limited number of sensory backpacks are available at the information desks in the Main Entrance Hall and the Tower Entrance. These backpacks cannot be booked in advance.
Visit our accessibility page for full access information for the National Museum of Scotland buildings.
