Exhibitions & displays
National Museum of Scotland
Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF
Open 10:00–17:00 daily
Giants
Exhibition Gallery 1, Level 3
Until 14 Sep
Tickets from £13
Giants showcases the colossal prehistoric creatures that lived after the extinction of the dinosaurs, 66 million years ago. Discover life-sized 3D sculptures, skeletons, and fossils in this immersive, family-friendly exhibition. The Giants exhibition is designed and produced by the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences.
Book your ticket now nms.ac.uk/exhibitions/giants
COMING SOON Scotland’s First Warriors
Exhibition Gallery 2, Level 3
Opening 27 June
Entrance into the museum and exhibition is free
Explore archaeological evidence for the origins of organised conflict, from the Neolithic (late Stone Age) to the Romans, through over 250 objects. Scotland’s First Warriors explores how and why people fought, the impact of war, and the legacy of prehistoric conflict. Internationally significant discoveries from Scotland will be on display for the first time, including the Carnoustie Hoard.
Find out more nms.ac.uk/exhibitions/scotlands-first-warriors
Events
National Museum of Scotland
Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF
Open 10:00–17:00 daily
Magic Carpet
Learning Centre Event Space, Level 2
1, 8 & 22 Jun
10:30-11:15 & 11:45-12:30
Tickets £4
Magic Carpet sessions introduce you and your little one to some of the fascinating objects and themes in the museum in a fun and interactive way. Each month we explore a different theme using song, rhyme, movement, play and handling objects. This will help you and your little one discover more about the session topic.
Book now nms.ac.uk/events/magic-carpet
Curiosity Club
Learning Centre, Level 4
20 Jun
10:30-12:00
£10 (Members and Concessions £9)
Inspired by some of the Museum’s most exciting collections, 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
Learning Centre, Level 4
20 Jun
14:30-15:30
£10 (£9 Members and Concessions)
Relaxed Curiosity Club sessions are particularly aimed at children with additional support needs, neurodivergent children, and 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.
Book now nms.ac.uk/events/relaxed-curiosity-club
Festival Family Day
Grand Gallery
30 May
10:00-16:30
Free, drop in
Edinburgh International Children’s Festival Family Day returns for 2026. Experience exciting pop-up performances and creative encounters with local artists – from theatre and dance to walk-about characters – there is something for the whole family to enjoy.
Find out more nms.ac.uk/events/festival-family-day
James Hutton at 300: A Celebration of Geology
5 Jun
13:30-16:15
Free, drop in
Discover the legacy of James Hutton, the ‘father of modern geology’. Celebrate his tercentenary with free, drop-in short talks, mini tours and object handling.
Find out more nms.ac.uk/events/james-hutton-at-300-a-celebration-of-geology
Audio Descriptive Tour: Giants
Exhibition Gallery 1, Level 3
16 Jun
17:30-19:30
Tickets from £13, concessions available
Discover the Giants exhibition with an after-hours audio-described tour.Explore life-sized 3D sculptures, skeletons and fossils in this immersive exhibition with audio descriptions and tactile opportunities.
Book now nms.ac.uk/events/audio-descriptive-tour-giants
Summer Family Fun
Grand Gallery
Every Monday and Friday in July
10:00-16:00
Free, drop in
On Mondays and Fridays over the summer there will be range of exciting, drop-in activities for the whole family at the National Museum of Scotland.
Each week, we’ll explore a new theme – from Scottish stories to around-the-world-adventures, there will be something new to discover.
Find out more nms.ac.uk/events/summer-family-fun
Museum Late: Festival Ceilidh
Grand Gallery
7 & 14 Aug
Tickets from £26
The sell out Festival Ceilidh makes a stomping return this August. Grab your pals for a night of reels and revelry and join the party in Scottish style. The fantastic Jacobites Ceilidh Band will get you twirling and birling through Strip the Willow, Dashing White Sergeant and other traditional dances in one of Scotland’s biggest ceilidhs.
Book now, nms.ac.uk/events/museum-late-festival-ceilidh
BSL Tour: Giants
Exhibition Gallery 1
13 Aug
14:00
Tickets from £13, concessions available
Meet the colossal creatures that lived after the dinosaurs on a Deaf-led tour of ‘Giants’.
Through life-sized 3D sculptures, skeletons, fossils and hands-on experiences, discover ten enormous prehistoric giants with tour guide, Babs Brown.
Book now, nms.ac.uk/events/bsl-tour-giants
Museum Socials
Learning Centre Seminar Room, Level 4
Third Friday of the month
10:30–12:00
Free, booking required
Museum Socials events 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. Tea, cake and a warm welcome are always provided.
Book now nms.ac.uk/events/museum-socials
National Museums Collection Centre
242 W Granton Rd, Edinburgh EH5 1JA
Collection Centre Tours
16 Jun & 21 Jul
10:30 – 12:00 or 13:00 – 14:30
Tickets from £10, advance booking required
Discover the secrets of the storing and research of National Museums Scotland’s collections. Find out how these collections are used in international research and see objects rarely on public display.
Book now nms.ac.uk/events/collection-centre-tours
Swift Awareness Day
3 Jul
Timed sessions
Free, booking required
Join Dr Martin Stervander, Senior Curator of Birds, at the National Museums Collection Centre to discover the fast and fascinating world of the common swift. Explore swift specimens from the collections and check out some brand new swift nestboxes.
Book now, nms.ac.uk/events/swift-awareness-day
National Museum of Rural Life
Philipshill Road, East Kilbride, G76 9HR
Open 10:00–17:00 daily
Relaxed Afternoon: National Museum of Rural Life
Last Tuesday of every month
14:30-17:00
Free with museum admission and Annual Pass
Relaxed Afternoon is for anyone who would appreciate a calmer visit to the museum. This session is primarily for, but not limited to, families with neurodivergent children; neurodivergent 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.
Book your visit nms.ac.uk/events/relaxed-afternoon-national-museum-of-rural-life
Tractor Tots
29 May 2026
Learning Centre
£25 per child for block of 3, £20 per Member child for block of 3
Running in blocks of three sessions, Tractor Tots offers a fun, focused experience for younger visitors, introducing them to rural life through interactive creative play. Each session will feature handling objects from 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
Woolly Weekend
Museum and farm
23 & 24 May
10:30-16:00
Free with museum admission and Annual Pass
Celebrate all things woolly with a weekend of family fun at the National Museum of Rural Life.
See woolly farm friends up close and take part in wool-themed crafts, storytelling, and activities in the museum. Then take a walk to the farm to watch YouTube sensation Cammy Wilson sheart the flock. Cammy will explain how, when, and why sheep are sheared, and will demonstrate traditional and modern shearing techniques.
Book your visit nms.ac.uk/events/woolly-weekend
National Museum of Rural Life 25th Anniversary Day
4 Jul
10:00-17:00
Free with museum admission and Annual Pass
Come along to celebrate 25 years of the National Museum of Rural Life. Enjoy the special activities scheduled throughout the day that showcase the museum displays and life on a working farm.
Book your visit nms.ac.uk/events/national-museum-of-rural-life-25th-anniversary-day
Archaeology Weekend
25 & 26 Jul
10:30-15:30
Free with museum admission and Annual Pass
Take part in a family-friendly Archaeology Weekend at the National Museum of Rural Life. Meet the team from Treasure Trove Scotland and find out about their work investigating and assessing new archaeological discoveries.
Find out more, nms.ac.uk/events/archaeology-weekend
National Museum of Flight
East Fortune Airfield, East Lothian, EH39 5LF
Open Weekends only, 10:00–16:00
Expert Talks
Concorde Theatre
15 May & 12 Jun
11:00-11:20
Free with museum admission
From April to October, learn more about the collections and history of East Fortune Airfield with a series of free expert talks at the museum. There will be an opportunity to ask questions at the end of each talk. In April, join Matteo Randazzo who will discuss ‘Second World War Archaeology at East Fortune’.
Find out nms.ac.uk/events/expert-talks
BSL Tour: National Museum of Flight
16 May
14:00-15:30
Free add-on to general admission ticket
Discover amazing aircraft and explore the history of aviation in this Deaf-led tour delivered in British Sign Language. This event is Deaf-led and aimed at adult BSL users.
Book your visit nms.ac.uk/events/bsl-tour-national-museum-of-flight
Awesome Bricks
20 & 21 Jun
10:00-17:00
Tickets from £17, concessions available
The hands-on celebration of LEGO® returns to the National Museum of Flight. Join in for a weekend packed full of LEGO® brick fun, with lots to see and do for all ages. Get a close-up view of incredible LEGO® constructions created by talented AFOLs (Adult Fans of LEGO®), including an interactive train set, and make your own unique creations in the brick build zone.
Book your visit nms.ac.uk/events/awesome-bricks
Escape From France Puzzle Room
13 Jul–7 Aug (weekdays only)
11:30-16:00
Free with museum admission, drop-in
Work together as a family in the puzzle room and see if you’ve got what it takes to escape from France. Can you disguise yourself, speak French well enough to fool a German and find the right money to pay your rail fare to the coast?
Book your visit, nms.ac.uk/events/escape-from-france-puzzle-room
Moth Hunters
18 Jul
9:00-12:00
Free with museum admission
Discover the variety of local moths in the National Museum of Flight grounds with an early walk with entomologist Katty Baird and enjoy moth-themed family friendly activities.
Book your visit, nms.ac.uk/events/moth-hunters
360 Fest
29 Aug
10:00-17:00
Tickets from £17
From stunt shows and pedal-powered activities to interactive sessions and STEM science, there’s something to set everyone’s head spinning. See amazing 360° stunts and bike parkour from cycling experts, The Extreme Mountain Bike Show, get involved with hands-on activities in the aircraft hangars and have a go at some cycling fun.
Book now, nms.ac.uk/events/360-fest
Relaxed Morning: National Museum of Flight
Every second Sunday of the month, 10:00-12:00
Free with museum admission
Relaxed Morning at the National Museum of Flight is for anyone who would appreciate a calmer visit to the museum. Friendly staff will be there to give you a warm welcome and support your visit, as you explore the museum without noisy interactives and videos to create a more relaxed environment.
Book your visit nms.ac.uk/events/relaxed-morning-national-museum-of-flight
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For booking, opening times and location details, contact National Museums Scotland on 0300 123 6789
