Explore the history of innovation in Scotland and across the world.

Communications, transport, industry, engineering, energy and medicine: how have scientific and technological inventions changed our lives? Find the answers in our Science and Technology galleries!

With 6 galleries spread over 3 levels, explore scientific ideas and discoveries through interactive games and thought-provoking displays.

Galleries to visit

Three adults turning pedals as part of an interactive display in a multi-storey museum gallery.

Explore

Location: Level 1

Our family-friendly Explore gallery brings science to life with hands-on games and interactive exhibits. You can even try out your own genetic experiments – fancy making a glowing pig?


Young children interacting with different displays of technology in a museum gallery.

Making It

Location: Level 1

Making It looks at how manufacturing and engineering have changed our lives, from early industry to 3D printing. Don't forget to look up to see an aerial history of aviation stunningly suspended from the ceiling, including Percy Pilcher's record breaking Hawk glider.


Rows of telephones and mobile phones from different eras.

Communicate

Location: Level 3

Communicate tells the story of telecommunications, from semaphore to smart phones. Will you spot your first mobile phone in a case?


Man looking at a model ship in a glass cabinet at National Museum of Scotland.

Technology by Design

Location: Level 3

Scientific innovation and invention are celebrated in Technology by Design. Discover the evolution of the bicycle and design your own bike, marvel at an Apple 1 computer from 1976 and discover Edinburgh's key role in the history of prosthetics.


Energise

Location: Level 5

The Energy Tower in our Energise gallery offers you a workout! See if you can generate enough energy to light up the whole tower – and burn some calories too.


A large spherical copper cavity on display in a museum gallery.

Enquire

Location: Level 5

Enquire explores how scientists have sought to answer fundamental questions. Follow in the steps of pioneers such as Sir James Black by designing a clinical drug trial, and encounter a giant copper accelerating cavity from CERN’s LEP collider. After all, who doesn’t like a dash of drama with their science history?


Gallery accessibility

Getting to the galleries

Lifts and escalators

Lifts are available to all floors of the museum. You can check the museum map or ask a member of the Visitor Experience team for the nearest lifts. Information on lift dimensions is available on the AccessAble website.   

In the galleries

Seating

There are limited seating options in the Science and Technology galleries. Please ask a member of staff for directions to the nearest seats to you. 

Lighting and noise

The lighting levels are moderate in all of the Science and Technology galleries. The levels are the brightest on Level 5 in the Enquire gallery. 

The Science and Technology galleries can be busy at certain times of the day, so can be noisy. 

You can check our sensory map to explore all the different sensory experiences in different parts of the museum.

Large print guides

Large print guides can be found in every gallery of the museum. Please remember to return them after use so that other visitors can use them. 

Facilities

Toilets

Accessible toilets are available on Levels 0 and 3, as well as a Changing Places (U) toilet in the Entrance Hall on Level 0.  You can access the museum map to find those nearest to you. 

Cloakroom and storage

Self-service lockers are located in the Entrance Hall. The lockers come in three sizes which accommodate coats and small bags right up to small flight cases. 

There is buggy storage available in the museum. It is located on Level 1 of the Scotland galleries, behind the Kingdom of the Scots gallery.

Quiet spaces

If at any time you or someone you are visiting with finds the visit overwhelming, a member of staff can direct you to quieter areas in the museum. The sensory map also identifies the quieter spaces.

For full access information for the National Museum of Scotland buildings, find out more on our accessibility page