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
Until 16 May 2027
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
Museum Late: Festival Ceilidh
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
Deaf Families Museum Takeover
7 Aug
11:00–15:00
Free, booking required
As part of Edinburgh Deaf Festival and in partnership with Deaf Action, join us for a day of activities for deaf families throughout the museum. Designed for families with children ages 0 – 11, the day will feature a range of free activities for different age groups, including sensory play, crafts, BSL storytelling, object handling, creative activities and family-friendly experiences inspired by the museum’s collections.
Book now nms.ac.uk/events/deaf-families-museum-takeover
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
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
Magic Carpet
Sep 7, 14, 21
10:30 – 11:15 or 11:45 – 12:30
Tickets from £4 per session
Our 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 will explore a different theme using song, rhyme, movement, play and handling objects. This will help you and your little one discover more about our topic.
Book now, nms.ac.uk/events/magic-carpet
Creative Workshop: Drawing the Earth
12 Sep
12:30–16:30
Tickets from £30, Members and concessions available
In this workshop, led by geologist and illustrator Vojta Hybl, you will explore the rock cycle – the process by which rocks change from one type to another.
2026 marks 300 years since James Hutton’s birth. Often credited as the father of modern geology, Hutton’s ideas about deep time changed how understood the age of the Earth.
Vojta will combine scientific knowledge of geology with a range of creative approaches to demonstrate just how dynamic rocks can be.
You will visit some of our collections inspired by James Hutton, to encourage your drawing as a new way into understanding geology.
Book now, nms.ac.uk/events/creative-workshop-drawing-the-earth
The Sunday Sketch
20 Sep & 25 Oct
14:00 – 16:00
Tickets from £13
Join artist Sheena Russell to take a new look at our collections and be guided through a range of drawing activities within the museum’s galleries. All abilities are welcome at this relaxed and informal session. Each month we will explore a different theme, and all materials are supplied.
Book now, nms.ac.uk/events/the-sunday-sketch
Creative Workshop: Drop Spinning
26 Sep
10:30-12:30
Tickets from £50, Members and concessions available
Join Nic DeRushie, researcher and living educator, for this inspirational and practical workshop around traditional spinning techniques. There will be the opportunity to make spindles and learn the basics of spinning using Scottish heritage breed fleeces. Learn about yarn plying and explore projects that can be done using a small amount of hand-spun yarn.
Book now, nms.ac.uk/events/creative-workshop-drop-spinning
In Conversation: Understanding Prehistoric Lives Beyond Conflict
26 Sep
14:30-16:00
Tickets from £10
The exhibition curator of ‘Scotland’s First Warriors’, Dr Matthew Knight, is joined by Tristan Hughes, television presenter, author and history podcast host, and Nicole DeRushie, historian and author of ‘Bog Fashion’, to discuss the archaeological evidence that tells us about life beyond conflict in prehistoric Scotland.
Book now, nms.ac.uk/events/understanding-prehistoric-lives-beyond-conflict
Music at the Museum
27 Oct – 2 Mar 2027
11:30 – 12:15 and 13:30 – 14:15
Free, drop-in
In collaboration with Live Music Now Scotland, we are bringing live music into the heart of the museum on Tuesdays. With experienced performers and rising stars of live music, each week features a different soloist, duo or ensemble.
Find out more, nms.ac.uk/events/music-at-the-museum
Find out Fridays
4 Sep – 26 Feb 2027, Friday afternoon during term time
13:30 – 16:00
Free, drop-in
Explore a different theme each week on Friday afternoons with our Learning team. Find out fascinating facts and hear surprising stories about our collections and get hands on with some of our favourite objects.
Find out more, nms.ac.uk/events/find-out-fridays
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
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
Adult Workshop: Willow Basket Making
22 & Sun 23 Aug
Tickets 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
Working Animal Day
12 Sep
10:30-16:00
Free with museum admission
Join us for a fun-filled celebration of working animals at the National Museum of Rural Life.
See amazing outdoor displays from sheepdog training experts Glen and Jan Welsh, and specialist dog stunt team Les Amis d’Onno. Then head inside the museum for themed crafts and family storytelling.
Book now, nms.ac.uk/events/working-animal-day
Tractor Tots
18 & 21 Sep, 2 and 5 Oct
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
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
7 Aug & 11 Sep
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 August, Eilidh MacKenzie will discuss ‘The Work of Poppy Scotland’ and in September, Elaine Edwards will discuss ‘The Work of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.’
Find out nms.ac.uk/events/expert-talks
Escape From France Puzzle Room
Until 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
Sensory Sunday: National Museum of Flight
9 Aug
11:00-12:00
Free with museum admission
Children with additional support needs and disabilities and their families can 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 the session. Attendees can take their time exploring the museum as a family before and after the session.
Book your visit, nms.ac.uk/events/sensory-sunday-national-museum-of-flight
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
Doors Open Days
26 & 27 Sep
10:00-17:00
Free, booking essential
Visit the museum for free over Doors Open Days East Lothian weekend and learn about the history of aviation from the First World War to the present day. Immerse yourself in interactive galleries, supersonic experiences and our historic hangars and airfield.
Book now, nms.ac.uk/events/doors-open-days
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