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.

    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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List of Events

  1. A child lying on the floor of a large museum gallery next to a long wooden bowl. The child is drawing a picture.
    Event

    Drawn Together at the Museum 

    Fri 27 Dec - Sun 30 Dec 2024, 11:00 - 15:00
    Our popular festive art event returns this December. Join us between Christmas and Hogmanay for calming sketching around the museum.
    Free

    National Museum of Scotland

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  2. Performers dressed as superheroes singing on a stage to an audience of families and young children.
    Event

    Sprogmanay

    Wed 1 Jan 2025, 12:00 - 17:00
    Join us for an afternoon of fun for children of all ages with a programme of live music, dancing, and performances.
    Free

    National Museum of Scotland

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  3. Two people sitting at a table listening to a member of museum staff talk about a sword from the collections.
    Event

    Museum Socials

    Fri 16 Aug – Fri 17 Jan, third Friday of the month, 10:30 – 12:00
    Our Museum Socials are designed for people living with dementia, their relatives, friends, carers, and supporters.
    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 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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  9. A hand is stamping a pledge, written on a brown piece of paper.
    Event

    Half Term: Collective Climate Action

    Sat 8 Feb - Sat 15 Feb, 10:30 - 15:30
    Join us at half-term to take part in our pop up Planetopia with activities to inspire your own climate action.
    Free

    National Museum of Scotland

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