National Museum of Scotland

What's on

List of Exhibitions

  1. A Buddha sculpture holding an alms bowl.
    Exhibition

    Theravāda Buddhism

    –
    This thought-provoking display charts the history and influence of the Theravāda Buddhist tradition across the world, including its role in Scotland today.The Theravāda tradition is one of the oldest forms of Buddhism. As one of the two…
    Free

    National Museum of Scotland

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  2. A black and white photo of a group of people standing in a city square holding balloons. There is a child's pram covered in protest signs and buttons.
    Exhibition

    Cold War Scotland

    –
    Exploring Scotland’s critical position on the frontline of the Cold War, this exhibition tells the stories of the Scots at the centre of this global conflict.
    Free

    National Museum of Scotland

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  3. A person is looking at a framed picture. The picture looks like a square block of pink from a distance, but on closer inspection it's a stream of code for a virus.
    Exhibition

    Injecting Hope: The Race for a COVID-19 Vaccine

    –
    Injecting Hope is a free exhibition at the National Museum of Scotland, that presents the science behind the COVID-19 vaccine.
    Coming soon

    National Museum of Scotland

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  4. The taxidermy specimen of a grey legged doroucouli, looking directly at the camera against a grey background.
    Exhibition

    Monkeys: Our Primate Family

    –
    Monkeys: Our Primate Family is one of the most comprehensive exhibitions on primates ever staged, featuring over 50 rare primate specimens.
    Coming soon

    National Museum of Scotland

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List of Events

  1. White plaster bust of a child with a neutral expression and long, wavy hair on a round plinth with a black background.
    Event

    Centre for Open Learning: Sculpture of the World

    23 Jan – 20 Feb 2025, Thursdays 11:00 – 13:00
    Discover how to look at sculpture and gain an understanding of the materials and techniques used.
    Sold out

    National Museum of Scotland

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  2. An adult helping a child with a science experiment
    Event

    Find Out Fridays

    10 Jan – 27 Jun 2025, every Friday afternoon during term time 13:30 – 16:00
    Taking a different theme and activity each week, our Engagement team will share some of the fascinating facts and surprising stories behind our collections.
    Free

    National Museum of Scotland

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  3. A group of children stand around a person sitting in a wheelchair playing a banjo
    Event

    Friday Friends

    Various dates, 14:00 - 16:00
    Our Friday Friends programme offers a welcoming space for visually impaired and D/deaf children and their families.
    Free

    National Museum of Scotland

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  4. Event

    Museum Late: Big Burns Ceilidh

    Fri 24 Jan 2025, 19:30 - 22:30
    Join us to celebrate Burns Night with a traditional Scottish ceilidh in the Grand Gallery, plus activities throughout our galleries.
    Sold out

    National Museum of Scotland

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  5. Child looks towards the right through a brass telescope.
    Event

    Curiosity Club

    Sat 14 Sep – Sat 29 Mar 2025, 10:30 - 12:00
    Our popular Curiosity Club sessions return this season, for inquisitive kids aged 7–11.
    Updated

    National Museum of Scotland

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  6. A child and adult looking at a geological specimen.
    Event

    Relaxed Curiosity Club

    Sat 14 Sep – Sat 29 Mar, 14:30 - 15:30
    Unleash your inner museum detective and explore our collections through games, activities and an optional gallery visit.
    Updated

    National Museum of Scotland

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  7. A man and a boy sit on a bench in the grand gallery looking at a large dinosaur picture book. The boy is wearing ear protectors.
    Event

    Relaxed Morning

    2 Feb - 6 Jul 2025, 10:00 - 12:00 (Quiet space open until 12:30)
    Join us for our monthly Relaxed Morning for anyone who would appreciate a calmer visit to the museum.
    Free

    National Museum of Scotland

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  8. A person tracing a child's hand on a piece of paper.
    Event

    Sensory Sunday

    Sun 2 Feb - Sun 6 Apr 2024, 11:00 - 12:00 and 14:00 - 15:00
    Exciting, hands-on sensory play sessions for children with additional support needs.
    Free

    National Museum of Scotland

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  9. A number of young children sit with adults on a colourful carpet.
    Event

    Magic Carpet Explorers

    Mon 3 Feb - Mon 17 Mar 2025, 10:30 or 14:00
    Introduces your little one to the wonderful galleries in the museum at our interactive Magic Carpet Explorers sessions.

    National Museum of Scotland

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