WHAT’S ON AT NATIONAL MUSEUMS SCOTLAND
Exhibitions & displays
National Museum of Scotland
Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF
Open 10:00–17:00 daily
Injecting Hope: The Race for a COVID-19 Vaccine
Until 27 Apr 2025
Special Exhibition Gallery, Level 3
Free
Injecting Hope is a new, free exhibition at the National Museum of Scotland that presents the science behind the COVID-19 vaccine.
This exhibition brings together more than 80 objects that were acquired in real time during the peak of the pandemic by curators across the UK. Learn the science behind the creation of the vaccine and understand the logistics behind its global roll-out.
Find our more nms.ac.uk/exhibitions/injecting-hope
Cold War Scotland
Until 4 Jan 2026
10:00 – 17:00
Special Exhibition Gallery 2, Level 3
Free
Scotland’s unique geography and topography provided a useful base for Allied military preparations and research during the Cold War, a 40-year nuclear stand-off between the USA and the Soviet Union following the end of the Second World War.
Cold War Scotland is an output of Materialising the Cold War, a collaborative research project between National Museums Scotland and the University of Stirling. The project explores how the Cold War heritage is represented and how museums can adapt to tell this story in future.
The exhibition will explore both the visible and invisible legacies of the war in Scotland.
Find out more nms.ac.uk/ColdWarScotland
LAST CHANCE TO SEE
Theravada Buddhism
Until 9 Mar 2025
Gallery 3, Level 1
Free
A thought-provoking display charts the history and influence of the Theravāda Buddhist tradition across the world, including its role in Scotland today.
The display includes a Buddha on loan from The Dhammapadipa Temple in Edinburgh. The Buddha was designed and made in Thailand in 2013, then later gifted to Temple where it is now used in their garden meditation room.
Find out more nms.ac.uk/theravadabuddhism
Events
National Museum of Scotland
Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF
Open 10:00–17:00 daily
Relaxed Morning
6 Apr
10:00-12:00 (quiet space open until 12:30)
Free admission, drop-in
Join us for our monthly Relaxed Morning for anyone who would appreciate a calmer visit to the museum.
This session is primarily for, but not limited to, families with autistic children; autistic young people and adults; adults living with dementia; adults and children with mental health problems and any other visitors with sensory needs or who may prefer a more relaxed experience, plus their families, friends and carers.
Friendly staff will be there to give you a warm welcome and support your visit, as you explore some areas of the museum without noisy interactives and videos to give a more relaxed environment.
Find out more nms.ac.uk/events/relaxed-morning
Sensory Sunday
6 Apr
11:00-12:00 and 14:00-15:00
Free, booking required
Exciting, hands-on sensory play sessions for children with additional support needs. Families with children with additional support needs and disabilities are invited to join our programme of sensory play sessions.
Explore the museum’s collections, get creative and meet other families. Sensory Sunday sessions are relaxed, fun hands-on, and respond to the needs of the families participating. You are welcome to come and go at any point during a session.
Book now nms.ac.uk/events/sensory-sunday
Magic Carpet Explorers
Block 2 (3, 10 & 17 Mar)
10:30–11:15 or 14:00–14:45
£15.00 per child for block of 3
£13.50 per Member child for block of 3
Magic Carpet Explorers introduces little ones to some of the wonderful galleries, objects, and themes in the museum in a fun and interactive way.
Taking place in different spaces around the museum, explore subjects such as the natural world, science and technology, world cultures, and Scottish history through songs, stories, rhymes, actions, objects, and short activities.
Book now nms.ac.uk/events/magic-carpet-explorers
Magic Carpet Minis
Block 2 (5, 12, 19 Mar)
10:30–11:15 or 14:00–14:45
£15.00 per child for block of 3
£13.50 per Member child for block of 3
Magic Carpet Minis introduces you and your little one to some of the wonderful galleries, objects and themes in the museum in a fun and gentle way.
Taking place in different spaces around the museum, you will explore subjects such as the Natural World, Space, World Cultures and Scottish History through songs, stories, rhymes, actions, objects and sensory play.
Book now nms.ac.uk/events/magic-carpet-minis
Relaxed Access Evening: Injecting Hope
6 Mar
17:30-19:30
Free, booking required
Join us for a relaxed after-hours visit to Injecting Hope: The Race for a COVID-19 Vaccine. During this session, visitor numbers will be reduced, and sounds will be lowered to create a more relaxed experience.
This session is primarily for, but not limited to, neurodivergent visitors and those with sensory or additional support needs who would prefer a more relaxed experience, plus their families, friends and carers.
Book now nms.ac.uk/events/relaxed-access-evening-injecting-hope
Creative Workshop: Hand Embroided Stories
9 Mar
11:00-16:30
£50 Adults, £45 Members and Concession
Join textile artist Louise Goult to create your own unique hand embroidered artwork. Taking inspiration from the treasure trove of creativity in our Fashion and Style gallery, you will learn the skills, stitches and techniques to make a unique hand embroidered artwork.
Book now nms.ac.uk/events/hand-embroidered-stories
Audio Descriptive Tour: Injecting Hope
13 Mar
17:30-19:00
Free, booking required
Join our tour guide for an audio descriptive tour and a chance to look round the Injecting Hope exhibition after hours.
This tour is aimed at blind, partially sighted and visually impaired visitors, and is most suitable for those aged 14+.
Book now nms.ac.uk/events/audio-descriptive-tour-injecting-hope
Friday Friends
14 March
14:00 – 16:00
Free, booking required
Our Friday Friends programme offers a welcoming space for visually impaired and D/deaf children and their families. The groups meet monthly and explore the themes of the museum through objects, music, art and activities.
Find out more nms.ac.uk/events/friday-friends
Morning Curator tour: Cold War Scotland
18 Mar
09:15-10:00
£12, £10 (Members & Concessions)
Join this tour of our current exhibition Cold War Scotland to better understand a time when the world stood on the brink of nuclear war.
Dr Meredith Greiling, Principal Curator of Technology, will delve deeper into stories explored within the exhibition, from the emergence of nuclear energy in Scotland to the vibrant anti-nuclear protests and political activism of the period.
Book now nms.ac.uk/events/morning-curator-tour-cold-war
Morning Curator Tour: Injecting Hope
19 Mar & 9 Apr
09:15-10:00
£12 Adults, £10 Members & Concessions
Join our exhibition curator for an exclusive early morning tour of our Injecting Hope exhibition which details the rapid research, development and delivery of the COVID-19 vaccine. Discover the science behind the creation of the vaccine, the logistics behind its global roll-out and some of the uniquely Scottish experiences of the global pandemic.
Book now nms.ac.uk/events/morning-curator-tour-injecting-hope
Injecting Hope BSL Tour
20 Mar
15:00-16:00
Free, booking required
Join BSL guide Trudi Collier for a tour of the Injecting Hope exhibition with a focus objects connected to the Deaf experience of the pandemic.
Book now nms.ac.uk/events/injecting-hope-bsl-tour
Museum Socials
21 Mar & 18 Apr
10:30-12:00
Learning Centre Seminar Room, Level 4
Free, booking required
Museum Socials are designed for people living with dementia, their relatives, friends, carers, and supporters. Relaxed and informal, each session explores a different museum theme through various interactive activities, including curator talks, object handling and creative crafts. And tea, cake and a warm welcome are always provided.
Book now nms.ac.uk/events/museum-socials
The Sunday Sketch
23 Mar
14:00-16:00
£15 or £13 (Members & Concession)
Ages 18+
Join artist Sheena Russell to take a new look at our collections and be guided through a range of drawing activities in our Ancient Egypt Rediscovered gallery. This session will focus on the representation of the human form in ancient Egyptian artefacts.
Book now nms.ac.uk/events/the-sunday-sketch
Relaxed Magic Carpet
24 Mar
10:30-11:15 or 14:00-14:45
£ 3 per child
Join us for a relaxed Magic Carpet session as we explore the museum through interactive songs, rhymes, and sensory play.
This is a monthly, relaxed version of our Magic Carpet event, for babies, toddlers and children aged 0-6 with additional support needs or for anyone who would prefer a calmer session and a slightly more relaxed pace. This is not a set age range for participants and we welcome all families who feel they may enjoy these sessions.
Book now nms.ac.uk/events/relaxed-magic-carpet
Curiosity Club
29 Mar
10:30-12:00
£10 (Members and Concessions £9)
Ages 7-11
Inspired by some of the museum’s most exciting collections, our Curiosity Clubs are a chance for kids to explore the museum without their adult helpers through games, activities, and gallery visits.
Book now nms.ac.uk/events/curiosity-club
Relaxed Curiosity Club
29 Mar
14:30-15:30
£10 (£9 Members and Concessions)
Relaxed Curiosity Club sessions are particularly aimed at children with additional support needs, neurodivergent children or children with disabilities. Parents/carers (up to two per participating child) are invited to stay and either join in with the activities or enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the foyer of the activity area.
Content is aimed at ages 7–11, but this is not a set age range and we welcome all children and families who think they might enjoy these sessions.
Book now, nms.ac.uk/events/relaxed-curiosity-club
Edinburgh Science Festival 2025
5 – 20 Apr
All pricing and booking through Science Festival website
Join us as we host two weeks of science-fueled exploration, from free interactive exhibits to family workshops and adult talks and events. The 2025 Edinburgh Science Festival will explore the challenges of living on a planet with finite resources, through the lenses of science fiction and space exploration.
View events https://www.edinburghscience.co.uk/whats-on/#national-museum-of-scotland
National Museum of Rural Life
Philipshill Road, East Kilbride, G76 9HR
Open 10:00–17:00 daily
Tractor Tots
Block 1: 7, 14 & 21
Block 2: 10, 17 & 24
10:30
£20 per child for block of 3, £15 per Member child for block of 3
Ages 0-4
Running in blocks of three Friday morning sessions, Tractor Tots offers a fun, focused experience for our younger visitors, introducing them to the museum and farm, and bringing it to life through interactive creative play.
Each session will take place in a different location at the museum and working farm, and will feature handling objects from our learning boxes, singing, storytelling, rhymes, actions and sensory play to learn all about life in the countryside.
Book now nms.ac.uk/events/tractor-tots
Spring Explorers
8 – 11 Apr
Free with museum admission and Annual Pass
Become a Spring Explorer this April at the National Museum of Rural Life. Our Spring Explorers family activities are back, and this time they’re all about pollination! Get hands on with seeds, soil and planting and sign up for storytelling, before exploring the museum galleries and historic farm.
This free family event is supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery.
Find out more nms.ac.uk/events/spring-explorers
National Museum of Flight
East Fortune Airfield, East Lothian, EH39 5LF
Open Weekends only, 10:00–16:00
Conservation Hangar Talks
Until 30 Mar
14:00-15:00
Free with museum admission
Join a member of our Visitor Experience team for a behind-the-scenes look in our Conservation hangar on a free daily talk at 14:00. Find out about objects from the collection that aren’t normally on display and have the chance to see conservators at work.
Book now nms.ac.uk/events/conservation-hangar-talks
Sustainable Skies
14 – 18 Apr
11:00-16:00
Free with museum admission
Join us for family activities across five days at the National Museum of Flight, as part of Edinburgh Science Festival. As well as family-friendly fun, you’ll also learn about the future challenges faced by flight and their solutions.
This free family event is supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery.
Find out more nms.ac.uk/events/sustainable-skies
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For booking, opening times and location details, contact National Museums Scotland on 0300 123 6789
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