National Museum of Scotland

What's on

List of Exhibitions

  1. 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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  2. 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.
    Free

    National Museum of Scotland

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  3. The taxidermy specimen of a grey legged douroucouli, 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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  4. Two women looking at geological samples in a museum display case.
    Membership

    Become a Member

    Enjoy a range of benefits, including free entry, unlimited access to our special exhibitions, and event discounts. 

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List of Events

  1. A person is peering into a glass case, which features a single stone sculpture on top of a white square plinth.
    Event

    Morning Curator Tour: Injecting Hope

    Wed 9 Apr, 9:15 - 10:00
    Join our exhibition curator for an exclusive early morning tour of our Injecting Hope exhibition.
    Sold out

    National Museum of Scotland

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  2. An audience watches models on a runway in a large multi-story museum gallery.
    Event

    Spaceship Earth After Hours

    Fri 11 Apr, 19:00 - 22:00
    Join us for an evening of science-fuelled fun in the beautiful setting of the Grand Gallery at night.

    National Museum of Scotland

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  3. Event

    Injecting Hope: Deaf Experiences of Lockdown

    Wed 23 Apr, 17:30 - 19:00
    Join us for a film screening and discussion exploring the Scottish Deaf community’s experiences of lockdown.

    National Museum of Scotland

    Find out more
  4. A portrait of two young men turned to one another sideways. The man on the left is wearing a white ruffle wig an a blue jacked with buttons. The man on the right is wearing a white ruffled wig and a red jacket with buttons, a blue ribbon draped over left shoulder and a six point star medal pinned to the coat.
    Event

    Centre for Open Learning: Georgian Scotland

    24 Apr – 26 Jun 2025, Thursdays 11:00 – 13:00
    This course explores Scotland’s great changes and developments between 1714 – 1815.

    National Museum of Scotland

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  5. A selection of plates printed with brightly coloured and metallic gold geometric patterns.
    Event

    Centre for Open Learning: Understanding Colour

    24 Apr – 26 Jun 2025, Thursdays 11:00 – 13:00
    This course offers an introduction to the uses of colour using the National Museum of Scotland’s collections.

    National Museum of Scotland

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  6. A portrait of a Scottish piper in traditional dress made up of red tartan.
    Event

    Centre for Open Learning: Scotland: Romance and Reality

    Fri 23 May 2025, 10:30 – 16:30
    Explore the romance and reality of 18th and 19th century Scotland in this one-day course.

    National Museum of Scotland

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  7. A group of children sit with their carers and parents on the floor at the museum. They're gazing up at something being performed behind the camera.
    Event

    Family Day

    Sat 24 May, 10:00 - 16:30
    Join us for a day of free pop-up performances and activities for the whole family as we kick off the 2025 Edinburgh International Children’s Festival.

    National Museum of Scotland

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  8. A museum building with a mix of modern and Victorian architecture.
    Event

    Member Event: Annual Director's Lecture: Beyond Our Walls

    Tue 27 May, 18:30 - 19:30
    Join Director, Dr Chris Breward for this special Members’ evening event and learn more about how the work of National Museums Scotland reaches beyond the museum’s walls. Chris will be joined on the night by Dr John Giblin, Keeper of Global…

    National Museum of Scotland

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  9. A youg child and his parent or carer are surrounded by a crowd of people and enjoying an event in the grand gallery at the National Museum of Scotland.
    Event

    Monkey Business

    Sat 28 and Sun 29 Jun, Sat 19 and Sat 26 Jul, 10:30 - 16:00
    This summer, celebrate the opening of our new exhibition 'Monkeys: Our Primate Family' with activities for all the family.

    National Museum of Scotland

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