Exhibitions & displays
National Museum of Scotland
Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF
Open 10:00–17:00 daily
Giants
Special 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
Special 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
11, 18 & 25 May
10:30-11:15 & 11:45-12:30
Tickets £4
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 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
Gordon Buchanan: Giants of the Land
Auditorium, Level 1
16 May
14:00
Tickets from £12
Join award-winning wildlife filmmaker, presenter and author Gordon Buchanan as he makes his first-ever appearance at the National Museum of Scotland. In this auditorium talk, Gordon will reflect on 30 years of taking part in daring expeditions, pushing boundaries, and raising awareness of the world’s most endangered species and habitats.
Book now nms.ac.uk/events/gordon-buchanan-giants-of-the-land
Centre for Open Learning: the History and Culture of Colour
Various galleries
21 May–18 Jun
14:00-15:30
£80 per person
The University of Edinburgh’s Centre for Open Learning invites you to take your learning beyond the classroom. Explore artifacts in the museum’s remarkable collections and uncover stories linking the history of colour with culture, society and art. Focusing on specific colours, you will explore their histories and examine the impact these colours have had, and continue to have, on specific cultures and the world as a whole. Through gallery-based teaching, trace the effects of colour on culture and society throughout history up to the present day.
Book now nms.ac.uk/events/centre-for-open-learning-the-history-and-culture-of-colour
Creative Workshop: Paper Creations
Learning Centre Studios, Level 4
23 May
10:30-13:00 and 14:00-16:30
Tickets from £45
Join paper folding artist Kate Colin for a bespoke workshop, inspired by our Giants exhibition and fossil collections. You will learn paper folding techniques and create a collection of handcrafted paper sculptures inspired by spiral forms and fossil structures.
Book now nms.ac.uk/events/creative-workshop-paper-creations
Curiosity Club
Learning Centre, Level 4
23 May
10:30-12:00
£10 (Members and Concessions £9)
Inspired by some of the Museum’s most exciting collections, our 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
23 May
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
Special Exhibition Gallery 1, Level 3
16 Jun
17:30-19:30
Tickets from £13, concessions available
Join us after hours for an audio-described tour of the Giants exhibition. Discover 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
Join us on Mondays and Fridays in July for a range of exciting, drop-in activities for the whole family. 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 Socials
Learning Centre Seminar Room, Level 4
Third Friday of the month
10:30–12:00
Free, booking required
Our 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
19 May & 16 Jun
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
Relaxed Afternoon: National Museum of Rural Life
Last Tuesday of every month
14:30-17:00
Free with museum admission and Annual Pass
Join us for our monthly Relaxed Afternoon 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
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 shear our 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
Tractor Tots
29 May
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 our younger visitors, introducing them to rural life through interactive creative play. Each session will feature handling objects from our 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
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
Learn more about our collections and the history of East Fortune Airfield with our 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 our 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
Our hands-on celebration of LEGO® returns to the National Museum of Flight. Join us 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 our brick build zone.
Book your visit nms.ac.uk/events/awesome-bricks
Relaxed Morning: National Museum of Flight
Every second Sunday of the month, 10:00-12:00
Free with museum admission
Join us for a Relaxed Morning at the National Museum of Flight, 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
