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 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. Young woman sketching on clipboard in front of wildlife exhibition
    Event

    The Sunday Sketch

    Sun 23 Mar, 14:00 - 16:00
    Learn how to sketch taking inspiration from the incredible collections on display at the National Museum of Scotland.

    National Museum of Scotland

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  2. Various different samples of rock cut in rectangular samples and lined up in rows with labels beneath each.
    Event

    Member Event: From Rocks to Life

    Tue 25 Mar 2025, 18:15 - 19:15
    Learn about the evolution of minerals and biology and discover how they shaped our planet.

    National Museum of Scotland

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  3. 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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  4. 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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  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 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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  7. 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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