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
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
Summer Family Fun
Every Monday and Friday in July
10:00-16:00
Free, drop in
On Mondays and Fridays over the summer there will be a 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
Dolly at 30: The Life and Legacy of a Cloned Sheep
16 Jul
18:30-20:30
Free, booking required
To coincide with her 30th birthday in July, join us for an evening exploring the history and legacy of Dolly the sheep, the first cloned mammal ever to be created from an adult cell.
Book now nms.ac.uk/events/dolly-at-30
Creative Workshops for Kids: In the Footsteps of Giants
22 & 29 Jul, 09:30 – 12:00 or 13:30 – 16:30
Tickets from £25, Members and concessions available
Led by theatre-maker and arts educator Marion Geoffray, children will have the chance to uncover fossils and learn some of the key skills palaeontologists use. They will then embark on a guided exploration of our Giants exhibition.
Book now nms.ac.uk/events/creative-workshops-for-kids-in-the-footsteps-of-giants
Creative Workshops for Kids: Storytelling Through Collage Animation
22 & 29 Jul, 09:30 – 12:00 or 13:30 – 16:30
Tickets from £25, Member and concessions prices available
Join animator and visual artist Dominika Jackowska for a creative workshop just for kids, inspired by our Giants exhibition. After a guided visit to the exhibition, children will get an introduction into stop-motion animation in our Learning Centre. They will have a chance to explore their own ideas and create their own short animation.
Book now nms.ac.uk/events/creative-workshops-for-kids-storytelling-through-collage-animation
Museum Late: Festival Ceilidh
7 & 14 Aug
Tickets from £26
Museum Late: 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
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
Creative Workshop: Egyptian Ceramics
22 Aug
Tickets from £30, Members and concessions available
Explore Egyptian pottery with writer and ceramicist Mohamed Tonsy. Create your own decorative piece, inspired by historical objects from the National Collection. Mohamed will be joined by one of our Curators of the Ancient Mediterranean, who will share their knowledge about Egyptian objects in the collection.
Book now nms.ac.uk/events/creative-workshop-egyptian-ceramics
Morning Curator Tour: Scotland’s First Warriors
26 Aug & 18 Sept
Tickets from £10
Join exhibition curator Dr Matthew Knight for an exclusive early morning tour of ‘Scotland’s First Warriors’.
Featuring the incredible Carnoustie Hoard, ‘Scotland’s First Warriors’ is a unique exhibition which will take you on a 4000-year journey to explore the origins and impact of conflict in prehistoric Scotland.
Book now nms.ac.uk/events/morning-curator-tour-scotlands-first-warriors
Museum Socials
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
25 Aug, 10:30 – 12:00 or 13:00 – 14:30
Tickets from £10, advance booking required
Discover the secrets of how we store and research our collections. Find out how our collections are used in international research and see objects rarely on public display.
Book now nms.ac.uk/events/collection-centre-tours
National Museum of Rural Life
Philipshill Road, East Kilbride, G76 9HR
Open 10:00–17:00 daily
Tractor Tots
3, 6 & 8 Jul
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
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. On Sat 25 Jul, 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
Adult Workshop: Willow Basket Making
22 & 23 Aug
Prices from £95
Choose from two full-day basket making workshops at the National Museum of Rural Life.
Each workshop led by willow artist and forager Max Johnson features a different style of basket to make and take home. In the Saturday workshop make a traditional berry picking basket. In the Sunday workshop, make a beautiful Zarzo flower gathering basket.
Book now nms.ac.uk/events/adult-workshop-willow-basket-making
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
National Museum of Flight
East Fortune Airfield, East Lothian, EH39 5LF
Open Weekends only, 10:00–16:00
Expert Talks
Concorde Theatre
10 Jul & 7 Aug
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 July, join Ian Brow for ‘East Fortune Attacked’ and in August, Eilidh MacKenzie will discuss ‘The Work of Poppy Scotland.’
Find out nms.ac.uk/events/expert-talks
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
