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

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    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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  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

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    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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  4. The taxidermy specimen of a grey legged doroucouli, looking directly at the camera against a grey background.
    Exhibition

    Monkeys: Our Primate Family

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    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. Crafting materials set out on a table, including cotton reels and thread.
    Event

    Creative Workshop: Hand Embroidered Stories

    Sun 9 Mar 2025, 11:00 - 16:30
    Taking inspiration from the treasure trove of creativity in our Fashion and Style gallery, textile artist Louise Goult will teach you the skills, stitches and techniques to make a unique hand embroidered artwork.

    National Museum of Scotland

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  2. Black and white photo of a large group of young people walking and holding homemade signs with peaceful slogans.
    Event

    Morning Curator tour: Cold War Scotland

    Tue 18 Mar, Wed 2 Apr 09:15 - 10:00
    Join our exhibition curator for an exclusive early morning tour of our Cold War Scotland exhibition.

    National Museum of Scotland

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  3. A person is looking at an artistic light installation of a virus cell, lit with yellow and blue colours, in a museum display case. It's been placed in front of a black backdrop.
    Event

    Injecting Hope BSL Tour

    Join BSL guide Trudi Collier for a guided tour of the exhibition. This event is aimed at D/deaf community BSL visitors.
    Free

    National Museum of Scotland

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  4. 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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  5. 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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  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 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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  8. 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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