An immersive exhibition of giant prehistoric animals opens at the animals opens at the National Museum of Scotland this weekend. Giants (31 January – 14 September 2026) showcases the enormous but often overlooked creatures that roamed the Earth after the extinction of the dinosaurs.
This is the Scottish debut of the spectacular touring exhibition developed by the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences and toured by Nomad Exhibitions.
Giants invites visitors on a journey through time, from 66 million years ago to the present day. The exhibition features life-sized 3D models, fossils and nearly complete skeletons including Paraceratherium species , the largest land mammal ever known to have walked the Earth, Otodusmegalodon, the mightiest shark of all time, and the terrific Titanoboa cerrejonensis, the world’s longest ever snake.
Immersive displays transport audiences into the natural habitats of these colossal beings, providing context to their existence and eventual extinction. Interactives also invite visitors to step into the shoes of palaeontologists and biologists, engaging with the scientific processes behind fossil discovery and reconstruction.
New giants have since emerged, such as elephants, rhinoceroses and whales, but they too are now under threat of extinction. Giants closes with a poignant reminder of nature’s fragility and the urgent need to protect these animals for future generations.
Dr Sarah Stewart, Assistant Curator Paleobiology at National Museums Scotland, said: “I am delighted that visitors will have the opportunity to experience the spectacular Giants exhibition from this weekend.
“Popular attention on prehistoric life tends to focus either on dinosaurs or on our own earliest human ancestors, which leaves a relatively neglected gap of around 60 million years of natural history.
“The exhibition is a striking invitation to us all to think about that period, to see how nature adapts over time, and also to reflect on the ways in which current human activity is denying that time to today’s endangered giants.”
Giants is supported by a programme of events including talks by award-winning wildlife photographers Doug Allan and Gordon Buchannan.
Tickets for Giants are available to book now at nms.ac.uk/Giants
SPARTANS AND FORRESTER HIGH SCHOOL AMONG THE WINNERS
36 community projects across Scotland benefitting from new and upgraded grassroots sport facilities
Boost will improve accessibility and sustainability, through multisport, all-weather pitches, goalsposts, floodlights and community hubs – with 50% going to 30% most deprived communities in the UK
Announcement made as UK Culture Secretary visited East Kilbride United Community Sports Club
Move supports drive to break down barriers to opportunity, give families affordable ways to stay healthy, and deliver an NHS fit for the future
Applications for £8.14 million of funding for Scotland to be distributed in 2026/27 to open
36 community projects across Scotland are benefitting from new all-weather pitches, extended playing hours through floodlighting, and modern changing facilities designed to welcome underserved groups like women and girls, in a new boost for grassroots sport facilities by the Government.
Among those projects are The Spartans, who receive £132,996 towards an artificial grass pitch upgrade and £136,913 towards an artificial grass pitch upgrade, spectator and technical area installation for Forrester High School.
The projects across the country have been awarded funding through the Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities Programme in 2025/26, with more beneficiaries to be announced soon.
These new or refurbished facilities will give families low-cost options to stay active on their doorstep, helping when many are facing cost-of-living pressures. It will also open up opportunities to underserved groups like women and girls. At least half of all funding will go directly to the 30% most deprived communities in the UK.
Sports clubs and organisations will also benefit from new goalposts, fencing and new changing pavilions – all of which help make sites more accessible and sustainable for local communities. To ensure broader participation beyond football, at least 40% of funded projects must have a multi-sport offer.
This approach will give more people access to a wider variety of sports and activities, such as rugby, cricket, and basketball.
Full details of all the 991 UK projects funded through the Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities Programme in 2025/26 at time of writing to date are attached and available on GOV.UK.
The announcement was made as Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy visited East Kilbride United Community Sports Club, who received £310,000 across 2024-26 for a new artificial pitch and changing pavilion at Kirktonholme. The upgraded facility now hosts women’s and girls’ teams, school PE lessons, and a walking football programme supporting men’s mental health.
Grassroots sport is at the heart of Scotland’s communities.
UK Gov has announced £8m for grassroots sports facilities in Scotland for 2026/27, part of a £400m UK boost.
Scotland Office Minister Kirsty McNeill said:“Scotland is a nation passionate about sports and it’s great to see how in the year that our men’s team returns to the football World Cup UK Government investment is benefiting local communities through new and upgraded sporting facilities at the likes of East Kilbride United.
“The UK Government is continuing to ensure communities the length and breadth of Scotland have access to quality pitches, changing pavilions, lighting, goalposts and other facilities essential for people of all ages and abilities to enjoy.
“Grassroots sports are at the heart of Scotland’s communities and the UK Government is committed to helping local clubs – and the health and well-being of those who use them – flourish”
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, said:“This is sport delivering for the nation. Every pound we invest in grassroots facilities is a pound that takes pressure off our NHS, supports mental and physical health, and opens doors for new community members to benefit from sport – like women and girls who’ve been shut out for too long.
“We’re supporting communities that have made do with run-down pitches and crumbling changing rooms for years. This government is turning that around – building the facilities that get people active, bring communities together, and nurture the next generation of sporting talent.”
Scottish FA President Mike Mulraney said:“We are grateful to the Department of Culture, Media and Sport and partners for their continued support. This latest funding announcement will enable us to further invest in the infrastructure of our national sport, which I have made my number one priority as President.
“It will allow us to reinforce the Power of Football by increasing participation among all ages and abilities, and improving health and wellbeing as a result.
“The association has also committed to diverting profits to our Pitching In campaign and we look forward to strengthening our partnerships with the UK Government, Scottish Government, business and philanthropic communities and local authorities to transform our facilities estate.”
Sports Minister Stephanie Peacock visited Spartans at Ainslie Park today (Friday 30 January) and said:“This investment will make a real difference to communities across Scotland. Quality facilities are the foundation of grassroots sport – they’re places where children fall in love with the game, where communities thrive, and where people of all ages come together to stay active and healthy.
“It was brilliant to see what a difference it’s already made to Spartans FC’s facilities. By targeting funding at areas that need it most, we’re making sure everyone has the chance to benefit from sport, regardless of where they live or their background.”
Clubs and organisations are invited to apply for funding via:
Through new local sports facilities or critical upgrades to outdated facilities, the funding will deliver:
New 3G grass pitches enabling year-round play regardless of weather
Upgraded changing pavilions with more appropriate changing facilities for women and girls
Floodlighting to extend playing hours into evenings and car parking for better accessibility
New goalposts, fencing and storage facilities to improve safety and access
Priority use time slots for women and girls teams at funded sites
Facilities that can host PE and school activities alongside community use
Sites that support health initiatives and community outreach programmes
The funding is designed to promote health, wellbeing and community cohesion, remove the barriers to physical activity for under-represented groups (such as women and girls, people with disabilities, and ethnic minority communities), and support the Government’s Plan for Change by breaking down barriers to opportunity and delivering an NHS fit for the future.
2026-27 funding:
Funding breakdown by nation:
England: £68.35 million (delivered through the Football Foundation)
Scotland: £8.14 million (delivered through the Scottish Football Association)
Wales: £5.735 million (delivered through the Cymru Football Foundation)
Northern Ireland: £2.775 million (delivered through the Irish Football Association)
Applications can be submitted on an ongoing basis in England via the Football Foundation.
Application windows will open soon in Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, and the relevant FA websites will be updated with more details.
ONE YEAR EXTENSION TO INVESTING IN COMMUNITIES FUND
The Scottih Government has confirmed that Investing in Communities funding will be continued for a further year.
The announcement comes as a huge relief to community projects facing massive cuts to their funding, with services being slashed and some organisations facing closure.
Scottish Greens raised concerns over the uncertainty faced by many of Edinburgh’s third sector projects at a council meeting last month.
A looming catastrophe has been averted with the announcement of one year’s transition funding while a replacement to the Investing in Communities Fund is developed.
Edinburgh Northern and Leith MP Tracy Gilbert took up the case of local community organisations and yesterday received welcome confirmation that fears have been allayed – at least for now.
She said: “Following budget cuts, I raised concerns with the Scottish Government about the future of the Investing in Communities Fund. Ministers have now confirmed a one-year transition extension for existing projects ending in March.
“This will help in the short term, but it falls short of the long-term certainty our community organisations need. I’ll keep pushing for sustained funding and stability for the services people rely on.”
Local MSP Ben Macpherson has also been on the case. He said: “This morning I visited Dr Bell’s Family Centre to discuss a situation that was of real concern.
“Using my decade of experience – including how to get things done for local organisations – I’d written to The Scottish Government about it on Monday and followed this up today, working actively as their/your local constituency MSP … I was therefore very pleased that shortly after the matter had been resolved.
“I know it’s been a worrying time for the centre and am relieved that immediate worries have been lifted. My team and I will keep working with the centre to explore more funding streams, and support the impactful work they do in our communities.”
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Edinburgh projects who received Investing in Communities funding (2023- 26) are:
About Youth, Calder Youth Action Project (part of Wester Hailes Together), City of Edinburgh, £105,822
Community Renewal Trust, Our Neighbourhood: A new hyperlocal Community Wealth Building partnership, City of Edinburgh, £300,732
Dr. Bell’s Family Centre, Start Well, Live Well: Wellbeing Support for Families in Leith, City of Edinburgh, £348,067
Edinburgh Food Social Cic, Changing Craigmillar Food Culture, City of Edinburgh, £325,847
Fresh Start, Fresh Connections, City of Edinburgh, £280,201
North Edinburgh Arts, North Edinburgh Arts Link Up, City of Edinburgh, £331,400
Space @ The Broomhouse Hub, Together We Can, City of Edinburgh, £350,000
The Venchie Children And Young People’s Project, Family Support Service, City of Edinburgh, £208,732
Transition Edinburgh South (Scotland) Ltd, Investing in Gracemount, City of Edinburgh, £302,196
Whale, The Arts Agency, Creativity, Place and Enterprise in Wester Hailes (part of Wester Hailes Together), City of Edinburgh, £332,494.
