See & Do

National Museum of Scotland

Free

Attraction Heritage

Hightlight

Cafe
City Centre
Events
Family Friendly

Our world-class collections will take you on a journey through the history of Scotland, the wonders of nature and diverse cultures from around the globe.Discover scientific breakthroughs and marvel at exquisite art, design and fashion from across the centuries. From the tiniest creatures to towering spacecraft and ancient times to the present day, there are thousands of stories to discover.

Grand Gallery, Collecting Stories and Window on the World
With its soaring pillars and high windows, the light-filled atrium of the Grand Gallery is one of Scotland’s most beautiful spaces, and provides a spectacular start to your museum visit.

Art, Design and Fashion galleries
These sumptuous galleries showcase the best of decorative art, design, fashion and style. Discover a treasure trove of creativity, explore the influence of design on everyday life and see how contemporary makers continue to innovate

Natural World galleries
Our much-loved Tyrannosaurus rex guards the entrance to a stunning series of galleries about our precious planet. Here we ask the big questions: how does the world work? What do we know about it? What is our place in the universe?

Science and Technology galleries
Communications, transport, industry, engineering, energy and medicine: how have scientific and technological inventions changed our lives? Explore the history of innovation in Scotland and across the world through interactive games and thought-provoking displays.

Scottish History and Archaeology galleries
Our Scotland galleries guide you from the Palaeolithic era to the present day, from the earliest cultures to space age science, prehistory to pop culture. Come face-to-face with iconic historic artefacts, learn how Scottish innovation has helped shape the modern world, and see how the lives of everyday Scots have changed through the centuries.

World Cultures galleries
In the World Cultures galleries you can encounter diverse peoples, cultures and objects, discovering how we differ and what we all share. The objects on display are drawn from some of museum’s oldest collections and demonstrate Scotland’s international links.

Ancient Egypt and East Asia galleries
Discover the remarkable culture and achievements of the ancient Egyptians and explore one of the most significant East Asia collections in the UK.

Family Galleries
Filled with interactives and spaces for reflection, stories and experimentation, our family friendly galleries have something for everyone.

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Opening Hours

Monday: 10:00 - 17:00

Tuesday: 10:00 - 17:00

Closed

Wednesday: 10:00 - 17:00

Thursday: 10:00 - 17:00

Friday: 10:00 - 17:00

Saturday: 10:00 - 17:00

Sunday: 10:00 - 17:00

Google Reviews

National Museum of Scotland

4.856435 reviews

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Mohammad Mohsin Phalgaroo

a month ago

I had an absolutely fantastic experience at the National Museum of Scotland. From the moment you walk in, the building itself is breathtaking the stunning architecture perfectly blends historic grandeur with modern design. The variety of exhibits is truly impressive. Whether you’re interested in Scottish history, science and technology, world cultures, fashion, or natural history, there’s something here for everyone. The Scottish history galleries are especially well curated, offering a rich and immersive journey through the nation’s past. The interactive science sections are engaging and fun, making it a great visit for families as well as adults. One of the highlights is the rooftop terrace, which offers beautiful panoramic views across Edinburgh definitely worth a visit on a clear day. The museum is well laid out, easy to navigate, and the staff are friendly and knowledgeable. Best of all, general admission is free, making it an incredible value for such a high-quality experience. I would highly recommend the National Museum of Scotland to anyone visiting Edinburgh. It’s the kind of place you could return to multiple times and still discover something new.

AJAY CYRIAC SEBASTIAN

a month ago

I had an absolutely fantastic experience at the National Museum of Scotland. From the moment I walked in, I was impressed by the stunning architecture that beautifully blends historic and modern design. The building itself is worth the visit, with its grand atrium and thoughtfully curated spaces. The variety of exhibits is outstanding. Whether you’re interested in Scottish history, science and technology, world cultures, fashion, or natural history, there is something here for everyone. I especially loved the interactive science and engineering sections, which make learning engaging for both children and adults. The Scottish history galleries are incredibly well presented, offering a deep and meaningful insight into the nation’s past. The museum is well organized, clean, and easy to navigate. Staff members were friendly, knowledgeable, and happy to answer questions. I also appreciated that general admission is free, making it accessible to all visitors. Make sure to head up to the rooftop terrace for beautiful views of Edinburgh — it’s a hidden gem! Overall, I would highly recommend visiting the National Museum of Scotland. It’s educational, inspiring, and a highlight of any trip to the city.

Mark Eberhart

4 weeks ago

Amazing museum full of incredible exhibits and artifacts. The terrace has incredible views of Edinburgh Castle. Right next to Dolly the sheep is one of the oldest steam locomotives in the world so don’t miss it! You could easily spend all day in this museum- and did i mention it’s great for kids? Probably one of the best child-friendly museums I’ve seen. Very well run and an incredible value for free.

Manoj

a month ago

A must-see museum that deserves plenty of time. It’s free entry for everyone. You should allow a minimum of three hours to explore the full collection at a comfortable pace. For car parking, it is advisable to use the Holyrood car park near the Scottish Parliament building, where charges are around £1 per hour ( Use the Pay and display machine for parking). From there, it is roughly a 6 to 12 minute walk to the museum, depending on your walking speed. Parking in this area also places you within easy walking distance of other major sights, including the Palaces like Arthur’s Summit, as well as the historic Royal Mile street which is towards Edinburgh Castle.

Taistealaiche

a month ago

Our overall Impression of the museum was great and while the National Museum of Scotland itself remains a stunning cultural venue with much to offer, the 'Giants' special exhibition fell short of its promotional promise, leading to a sense of disappointment for us, when we were expecting impactful, immersive displays of prehistoric and colossal creatures. The exhibition provides comprehensive details about the featured "giants," with high-quality graphics that effectively communicate scientific information. Plus the ‘to-scale’ models successfully convey the immense size of creatures like the Megalodon, which is a formidable visual reminder of their presence in Earth's history. However, while the use of clear acrylic and structured displays ensures visibility and organisation of the limited original fossil material available, it somewhat detracts from the original animal / mammal/ bird / dinosaur. Our main concerns were the Size and Scope of the exhibition, which occupies a relatively small space, which feels underwhelming given its billing as a major attraction. Also, the display composition relies heavily on particle board and fibreboard structures, with only small sections of original fossils visible, which kind of diminishes the sense of authenticity and wonder many visitors were looking for. Unlike the museum's free permanent galleries which offer interactive elements, the 'Giants' exhibition lacks sufficient features to hold younger visitors' imaginations. Yes the graphics and video presentations were very high quality and full of interesting information, but not so much for the younger visitors. Pricing at £14.50 per person, the cost feels overpriced, particularly for families, when weighed against the exhibition's limited size and content. While the use of particle board was one idea, and is rugged enough to withstand the stream of visitors. I had an idea for using printed, flexible materials (similar to hot air balloon fabric) over a lightweight framework, which could create more visually immersive representations while still allowing for fossil displays to be integrated, potentially enhancing both educational value and visitor engagement at a lower cost than solid structures. …… just a thought !? But as a footnote, the museum itself is stunning and well worth a visit, at any time of the year !!

National Museum of Scotland

Hightlight

Hightlight

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Google Reviews

National Museum of Scotland

Mohammad Mohsin Phalgaroo

AJAY CYRIAC SEBASTIAN

Mark Eberhart

Manoj

Taistealaiche

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