Tag: dinosaurs

GIANT exhibition opens in Edinburgh this weekend

An immersive exhibition of giant prehistoric animals opens at the animals opens at the National Museum of Scotland this weekend. Giants (31 January – 14 September 2026) showcases the enormous but often overlooked creatures that roamed the Earth after the extinction of the dinosaurs. 

This is the Scottish debut of the spectacular touring exhibition developed by the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences and toured by Nomad Exhibitions. 

Giants invites visitors on a journey through time, from 66 million years ago to the present day.  The exhibition features life-sized 3D models, fossils and nearly complete skeletons including Paraceratherium species , the largest land mammal ever known to have walked the Earth, Otodus megalodon, the mightiest shark of all time, and the terrific Titanoboa cerrejonensis, the world’s longest ever snake.

Immersive displays transport audiences into the natural habitats of these colossal beings, providing context to their existence and eventual extinction. Interactives also invite visitors to step into the shoes of palaeontologists and biologists, engaging with the scientific processes behind fossil discovery and reconstruction. 

New giants have since emerged, such as elephants, rhinoceroses and whales, but they too are now under threat of extinction. Giants closes with a poignant reminder of nature’s fragility and the urgent need to protect these animals for future generations. 

Dr Sarah Stewart, Assistant Curator Paleobiology at National Museums Scotland, said: “I am delighted that visitors will have the opportunity to experience the spectacular Giants exhibition from this weekend. 

“Popular attention on prehistoric life tends to focus either on dinosaurs or on our own earliest human ancestors, which leaves a relatively neglected gap of around 60 million years of natural history.  

“The exhibition is a striking invitation to us all to think about that period, to see how nature adapts over time, and also to reflect on the ways in which current human activity is denying that time to today’s endangered giants.” 

Giants is supported by a programme of events including talks by award-winning wildlife photographers Doug Allan and Gordon Buchannan. 

Tickets for Giants are available to book now at nms.ac.uk/Giants 

Dinosaurs roam free in Musselburgh!

Jurassic Encounter follows sell-out tour with visit to Musselburgh in July 

NEWHAILES House has stood firm through four centuries by the Musselburgh Coast, but this July its Gardens will experience something  completely new: An invasion of DINOSAURS, as the UK’s most roarsome family event thunders into town! 

Jurassic Encounter will see 50+ animatronic creatures from the  Jurassic, Triassic and Cretaceous periods resurface in parks in  London, Buxton, Edinburgh and Bristol, as well as making their  way across the sea for a stint in Rotterdam.  

Roaring into Musselburgh on July 2nd, the event will feature TWO,  life-sized T-Rex beasts, which roar and snarl at passers by. Other  family favourites include Pterosaurs that shriek from the trees and a  15m tall Brachiosaurus guarding her eggs.  

The event makes for  the perfect family day out, just a few miles along from the ever  popular Portobello Beach. 

Naz Kabir, spokesperson for Jurassic Encounter, says: “Last year,  thousands of visitors all over the UK enjoyed a day out with our  prehistoric beasts, and we’re delighted to return for another tour in  2022.  

“This year we’ll have new dinosaurs, even more interactive exhibits  including a VR experience and an education cinema where families  will be able to learn more about these incredible creatures.”  

The animatronic installations will feature information panels,  containing interesting facts about each dinosaur, ensuring a visit to  Jurassic Encounter will be as educational as it is exciting. And  guests will be invited to watch documentaries about the period in the Education Cinema Marquee along the route, bringing the  beasts to life and showing how they roamed the earth. 

An excavation sand pit will allow children to dig for their dinosaur  skeletons and fossils, and learn how archaeologists discovered the  extinct species of past eras. And a VR experience will offer the  chance to escape into a different world.  

Food and refreshments will be available along the route and a  merchandise trailer at the end of the route for children to purchase  a souvenir. Guests are free to roam the park as they wish, and  discover the animals lurking behind bushes and creeping through  the undergrowth.  

Tickets start at £9.50 and earlybird tickets are available now for the  Edinburgh event. For a 20% discount,  visit www.jurassicencounters.uk and use the code EARLYBIRD20.

Dinosaurs on the loose this summer!

Jurassic Encounter follows sell-out tour with visit to Musselburgh in July

NEWHAILES House has stood firm through four centuries by the Musselburgh Coast, but this July its Gardens will experience something completely new: An invasion of DINOSAURS, as the UK’s most roarsome family event thunders into town. 

Jurassic Encounter will see 50+ animatronic creatures from the Jurassic, Triassic and Cretaceous periods resurface in parks in London, Buxton, Edinburgh and Bristol, as well as making their way across the sea for a stint in Rotterdam. 

Roaring into Musselburgh on July 2nd, the event will feature TWO, life-sized T-Rex beasts, which roar and snarl at passers by. Other family favourites include Pterosaurs that shriek from the trees and a 15m tall Brachiosaurus guarding her eggs. 

The event will be open every day from July 2 – 17 and makes for the perfect family day out, just a few miles along from the ever popular Portobello Beach.

Naz Kabir, spokesperson for Jurassic Encounter, says: “Last year, thousands of visitors all over the UK enjoyed a day out with our prehistoric beasts, and we’re delighted to return for another tour in 2022. 

“This year we’ll have new dinosaurs, even more interactive exhibits including a VR experience and an education cinema where families will be able to learn more about these incredible creatures.” 

The animatronic installations will feature information panels, containing interesting facts about each dinosaur, ensuring a visit to Jurassic Encounter will be as educational as it is exciting. And guests will be invited to watch documentaries about the period in the Education Cinema Marquee along the route, bringing the beasts to life and showing how they roamed the earth. 

An excavation sand pit will allow children to dig for their dinosaur skeletons and fossils, and learn how archaeologists discovered the extinct species of past eras. And a VR experience will offer the chance to escape into a different world. 

Food and refreshments will be available along the route and a merchandise trailer at the end of the route for children to purchase a souvenir. Guests are free to roam the park as they wish, and discover the animals lurking behind bushes and creeping through the undergrowth. 

Tickets start at £9.50 and earlybird tickets are available now for the Newhailes event. For a 20% discount, visit www.jurassicencounters.uk and use the code EARLYBIRD20.

Half-term Adventures at Blair Drummond Safari Park

Families on half term are in for a treat at Blair Drummond Safari Park with pumpkins, firepits, hay-bale spiders, and of course, safari animals roaming the park’s large grounds. 

Up until 31st October, little ones get the chance to marvel at the antics of the cheeky meerkats, look up to the towering giraffes and say hello to the lions before heading to the dinosaur forest for a truly Jurassic experience.  

With a new food menu including wood fired pizzas, tacos, freshly made donuts, and a seasonal hot chocolate shack, it’s a truly indulgent day out.    

Entry numbers are strictly limited so book now on:

www.blairdrummond.com/visiting-us/ 

Prices:  Adult £16.50, Child (3-15yrs) £13.50, Senior (60 yrs) £13.50. Pumpkins £3 each  

Opening times: 9:30am – 5:30pm 

Are you brave enough to visit our ROARsome new guests?

Dynamic Dinosaurs are coming out to play at Conifox Adventure Park!  

Dynamic Dinosaurs from 5th – 11th July   

Family run, for family fun, Conifox Adventure Park announces an event of the biggest proportions, as it invites some of the oldest visitors ever seen (even older than Grandad!) to stay and play.  

From 5th to 11th July, come and meet the Dinosaur Rangers as they introduce four LIVE dinosaurs, teaching you fascinating facts and telling wild stories in a fun-packed 45-minute show. Little kids and big will get to see the dinos up close, petting them as well as having the opportunity to snap a photo to remember what will be an utterly off the ‘scale’ day.   

Not to be missed, this limited-edition show will be home to two Velociraptors, a Triceratops and a T-Rex, all incredibly lifelike, roaming, roaring and waiting to be discovered.   

James Gammell, director of Conifox Adventure Park is one big kid who cannot wait for this dino-mite adventure: “Can you roar like a T-Rex? Stomp like a Triceratops? Well, now is your chance to find out … !

“We are so excited to have four guests coming to stay with us this July, all of whom haven’t been seen for more than 65 million years. By the way, does anyone know what dinosaurs eat? Better get the rangers ready!”   

After your voice is sore from roaring, guests are invited to journey around the dino area to find clues and collect a prize, whilst visitors (who haven’t been eaten) can complete the day (or start it before their adventure begins) with lots of family fun in the Adventure Park, with attractions including a: 9-Hole Footgolf Course, Pedal Go-Karts, Off-Road Pedal Tractors, Giant Sand Pit, Kid’s Pedal Tractor Farm, Springers, Giant Jump Pillow, Trampolines, Swings, Balance Beams, Rope Bridge and so much more!   

Are you brave enough to step into our pre-historic world? We promise, nothing will Triceratop-it!   

Find out more and book tickets here, or visit the Conifox Adventure Park Facebook page @conifoxadventurepark and website.  

Still time to visit Jurassic Kingdom at Lauriston Castle

You can still catch the Jurassic Kingdom event at Lauriston Castle, but only until next Sunday – the dinosaurs are moving on to pastures new after 15th April.

The event is open from 10am to 6pm daily with last entry at 5pm. For further info visit

http://www.jurassickingdom.uk/edinburgh/

See more pictures on NEN’s Facebook Page