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 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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  2. 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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  3. 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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  4. Child looks towards the right through a brass telescope.
    Event

    Curiosity Club

    Sat 29 Mar - Sat 21 Jun, 10:30 - 12:00
    Don’t miss our exciting, hands-on sessions for curious kids ages 7-11.

    National Museum of Scotland

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

    Relaxed Curiosity Club

    Sat 29 Mar – Sat 21 Jun, 14:30 - 15:30
    Join us for our exciting series of hands-on sessions for curious ASN families.

    National Museum of Scotland

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  6. An orchestra is performing in the grand gallery at the National Museum of Scotland.
    Event

    Concert for a Summer's Night

    Sat 14 Jun, 20:00 - 21:15
    Join us for an evening of bright and vivid music from the Scottish Ensemble in the light-filled setting of the Grand Gallery.

    National Museum of Scotland

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  7. 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.
    Free

    National Museum of Scotland

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  8. Young person points at a model of the museum made from Lego.
    Event

    Summer Family Fun

    Mondays and Fridays from 14 Jul - 1 Aug, 10:30 - 15:30
    Get crafty, get curious, get up-close with our fun summer holiday activities.
    Free

    National Museum of Scotland

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  9. A tacidermied family of emperor tamarins are sat on a log. One of them looks like it is whispering in the other's ear.
    Event

    BSL Tour of Monkeys: Our Primate Family

    Thu 14 Aug, 15:00 - 16:00
    Join BSL guide Babs Brown for a guided tour of the exhibition. This event is aimed at D/deaf community BSL visitors. It will be delivered in BSL with no interpretation provided.

    National Museum of Scotland

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