Two people sitting at a table listening to a member of museum staff talk about a sword from the collections.
Programmes

Museum Socials

Museum Socials are free sessions for anyone living with dementia, their relatives, friends and supporters.

Our Socials have been running since October 2015 and are a partnership with the National Galleries of Scotland and the National Library of Scotland.

You can read more about Museum Socials in this blog post.

Museum Socials create a friendly environment where everyone is welcome and all contributions are valued. They are suitable for first-time visitors and for those who might not regularly come to the museum, as well as people who have always loved visiting.

Each month has a different theme. Our next Social is being announced soon!

It’s the highlight of her week… the variety of Friday activities are right up her street. It’s a fabulous program doing really important work and definitely contributing greatly to my Mum’s mental health and wellbeing.

Julie Baikie

Museum Socials on film

Watch a short film to get a flavour of what a Social at the National Museum of Scotland is like.

Our Socials programme was a finalist in Scotland's Dementia Awards 2017, together with the National Galleries of Scotland, the National Library of Scotland and Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, for Best Dementia Friendly Community Initiative.

We were nominated by Julie Baikie whose mum, Rae, has been coming to the Socials every week for the last year. 

Upcoming events at our museums

  1. 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

    Find out more
  2. A family of four in a museum walking underneath the body of a Concorde aeroplane.
    Event

    National Lottery Open Week

    Sat 22 Mar, 10:00 - 16:00
    On 22 March, the National Museum of Flight is taking part in the National Lottery Open Week.

    National Museum of Flight

    Find out more
  3. 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

    Find out more