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 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

    Find out more
  2. A busy museum gallery filled with people looking at boards and displays for the Edinburgh Science Festival
    Event

    Edinburgh Science Festival 2025

    Daily from 5 Apr - 20 Apr, 10:00 - 17:00
    Join us as we host two weeks of science-fuelled exploration, from free interactive exhibits to family workshops and adult talks and events. 

    National Museum of Scotland

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  3. A young child is sitting next to an Adult, and both are playing with crafted materials and looking happy.
    Event

    Mission Planet Earth

    Sat 5 Apr - Sun 20 Apr, 10:30 - 16:00
    Scientists, astronauts, wayfarers, and wanderers – Planet Earth needs you! Return to Earth and discover what you can do to solve the problems of the future.

    National Museum of Scotland

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  4. 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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  5. 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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  6. 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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  7. 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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  8. 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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  9. 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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