Day: June 29, 2026

As part of the National Museum of Scotland’s Summer Family Fun, family visitors to the Museum on 29 June and 3 July are invited to help celebrate the 30th birthday of the world’s most famous sheep.

Visitors will have the chance to write in Dolly the sheep’s big birthday card, and can enjoy a special Dolly-themed cupcake, on sale in the Museum’s cafes from 29 June – 16 July.  

Dolly was born on 5 July 1996 at the Roslin Institute just outside Edinburgh, the first cloned mammal ever to be created from an adult cell. 

Affectionately named after country music legend Dolly Parton, her inception changed what scientists thought was possible and opened new possibilities in medicine and biology. She spent her entire life in Roslin where she gave birth to six healthy lambs and died in 2003 aged six.  

On 16 July, the Museum will host an adult event exploring the history and legacy of Dolly. Dolly at 30: The Life and Legacy of a Cloned Sheepwill bring together an expert panel to explore the historical significance and ongoing cultural impact of Dolly.  

Director of Edinburgh Science Hassun El-Zafur will chair a panel conversation exploring the scientific innovation, historic significance and ongoing cultural impact of Dolly the sheep. Panelists include experts from the Roslin Institute, the University of Edinburgh, the University of Cambridge, and National Museums Scotland. The discussion will be followed by an audience Q&A.  

On the night there will also be the opportunity to see recent Dolly-related additions to the museum’s contemporary collections. 

Professor Andrew Kitchener, Principal Curator of Vertebrate Biology at National Museums Scotland said: Thirty years on, Dolly remains an icon of modern science whose story captures the public’s imagination. 

“Dolly has been on display at the National Museum of Scotland for over 20 years and remains one of our most popular exhibits. We look forward to welcoming visitors in July to help us celebrate this milestone birthday for Dolly.”

Dolly at 30: The Life and Legacy of a Cloned Sheep 
Thu 16th July  
 
18:30 – 20:00: Panel discussion in the Auditorium,  
20:00 – 20:30: Pop-up display of newly acquired objects related to Dolly the sheep. 

National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street  
This event is free, but booking is required.  
This event is for ages 16+. 

Tickets can be booked online at Dolly at 30: The Life and Legacy of a Cloned Sheep | National Museums Scotland  

This event is supported by the History of Science Society’s Elizabeth Paris Endowment.  

A campaign to highlight the criminality of buying alcohol for minors has been welcomed by the Scottish Government.

Scottish Minister for Community Safety Kirsten Oswald MSP praised the collaboration between Police Scotland, retailers and the alcohol sector to tackle the issue which leads to underage drinking and street disorder.

The “It’ll Cost You” is a campaign fronted by Police Scotland which will run in communities across Scotland during the summer months.

Ms Oswald said: “This campaign by the Scottish Alcohol Industry Partnership is a welcome addition to the efforts in confronting underage drinking.”

The clear message of the campaign is that buying alcohol for minors could land you with a fine, a jail sentence or both.

Police Scotland is working with retailers and alcohol companies to drive home the stark message that buying alcohol for children, proxy purchase, is a criminal offence.

Evaluations of the previous campaigns have shown a steady increase in awareness about the implications of supplying alcohol to minors, but it remains a serious issue with detections being made by police across Scotland during the course of last year’s campaign.

The “It’ll Cost You!” campaign is a collaboration between Police Scotland, the Scottish Alcohol Industry Partnership and Community Alcohol Partnerships.

This year’s campaign will run from Monday 29 June in communities across Scotland.

Kirsten Oswald MSP, Minister for Victims and Community Safety said: “Buying alcohol for anyone under 18 is a criminal offence and could result in a fine, imprisonment or both.

“It can put young people at risk of harm, increase their vulnerability and contribute to antisocial behaviour. This campaign highlights the value of partnership working to tackle underage drinking and help keep our young people safe.

“I welcome the continued efforts of Police Scotland, retailers and the alcohol industry to promote and reinforce this message.

“While awareness is growing, every detection shows that proxy purchasing remains an issue in communities across Scotland. I urge anyone considering it to think carefully about the consequences – for themselves and the young person involved.”

Chief Inspector Michelle Grant, Police Scotland, said: “This campaign showcases the benefits of key partners working together to inform the public of dangers associated with underage drinking, as well as the criminal consequences for supplying those under 18 with alcohol.”

Luke McGarty, Chair of the SAIP Campaigns Group and Head of Policy and Public Affairs, Scottish Grocers Federation, said: “Retailers are successfully stopping underage alcohol purchase through the Challenge 25 scheme.

“It is vital, therefore, that adults buying alcohol for them instead are fully aware that it is a criminal act. The “It’ll Cost You!” campaign fits perfectly with SGF’s position of promoting responsible community retailing.

“We look forward to continuing to work with our partners on the campaign again this year.”

Tam Cassidy, Community Alcohol Partnership, said: “The campaign gives us an opportunity to spread the “It’ll Cost You!” message in local communities, highlighting the dangers of buying alcohol for young people.

“We look forward to working with Police Scotland and the Police Scotland Youth Volunteers to make sure that this messaging is carried through all our engagement activity this summer.”