National Museums Scotland – Page 2 – The NEN

National Museums Scotland Listings

Exhibitions & displays

National Museum of Scotland
Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF
Open 10:00–17:00 daily

LAST CHANCE Cold War Scotland
Special Exhibition Gallery 2, Level 3
Until 4 Jan 2026
10:00 – 17:00
Free

Cold War Scotland is an output of Materialising the Cold War, a collaborative research project between National Museums Scotland and the University of Stirling.

The project explores how the Cold War heritage is represented and how museums can adapt to tell this story in future. The exhibition will explore both the visible and invisible legacies of the war in Scotland.

Find out more nms.ac.uk/cold-war-scotland

COMING SOON Giants
Special Exhibition Gallery 1, Level 3
Opening 31 Jan 2026
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/giants

Events

National Museum of Scotland
Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF
Open 10:00–17:00 daily

Relaxed Morning
7 Dec
10:00-12:00 (quiet space open until 12:30)
Free admission, drop-in

Join us for our monthly Relaxed Morning for anyone who would appreciate a calmer visit to the museum. This session is primarily for, but not limited to, families with autistic children; autistic 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. Friendly staff will be there to give you a warm welcome and support your visit, as you explore some areas of the museum without noisy interactives and videos to give a more relaxed environment.

Find out more nms.ac.uknms.ac.uk/events/relaxed-morning

Ash Rise Afternoon
7 Dec
14:00-16:30
Auditorium, Level 1
£5, £4 Members & conc.

Join us for a special film screening and panel discussion to hear about the Ash Rise project. Learn more about Scotland’s native ash tree, the challenges of ash die-back and how the material is celebrated in contemporary furniture making.

Find out more nms.ac.uk/events/ash-rise-afternoon

Live Music Mondays
15 Dec
12:45 – 13:30
Free, drop in

Come along to free live music performances, featuring folk, classical, traditional Scottish, and modern fusion styles. In collaboration with Live Music Now Scotland, we are bringing live music into the heart of our museum. 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/live-music-mondays

Drawn Together at the Museum
27 – 30 Dec
10:30-16:00
Grand Gallery, Level 1
Free, drop-in

Join us in the National Museum of Scotland this festive period and be inspired to sketch some of the fascinating objects in our collection. Whether it’s an old favourite or something new to you, there will be plenty to catch your eye in our galleries.

Find out more nms.ac.uk/events/drawn-together-at-the-museum

Sprogmanay
1 Jan 2026
12:00-17:00
Free, drop-in

Shimmy, sparkle, and sing your way into the New Year as Sprogmanay returns for 2026. Enjoy an afternoon of fun for all ages with live music and performances. The full programme will be announced in December.

Find out more nms.ac.uk/events/sprogmanay

Conservation in action: Film showcase and panel
17 Jan 2026
13:30-15:00
Auditorium, Level 1
£5 adults, £4 conc.

From the wilds of Alaska to our very own National Museums Collection Centre in Granton, join us to explore inspiring conservation and environmental stories. In partnership with the Edinburgh Conservation Film Festival (ECFF) and Edinburgh Communities Climate Action Network (ECCAN), see a selection of short films and hear more from our panel of conservation champions.

Book now nms.ac.uk/events/conservation-in-action-film-showcase-and-panel

National Museum of Rural Life
Philipshill Road, East Kilbride, G76 9HR
Open 10:00–17:00 daily 

Festive Weekend
6 & 7 Dec
11:00-16:00
Free with museum admission and Annual Pass

Bring the family for a weekend of festive activities, and storytelling at the National Museum of Rural Life.

Get hands on with nature-inspired crafts in the Learning Centre, make some eco-friendly reindeer food to take home, then follow our festive trail around the museum galleries. Sign up on the day for panto-style storytelling in the theatre with the team from Macastory.

Book your visit now nms.ac.uk/events/festive-weekend

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

Tractor Tots
Jan & Feb 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 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 

Conservation Hangar Talks
Until 29 Mar 2026
14:00-15:00
Free and available as an add-on to your general admission ticket. Booking required.

Join a member of our Visitor Experience team for a behind-the-scenes look in our Conservation hangar on a free daily talk at 14:00. Find out about objects from the collection that aren’t normally on display and have the chance to see conservators at work.

Book your visit nms.ac.uk/events/conservation-hangar-talks

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 give a more relaxed environment.

Book your visit nms.ac.uk/events/relaxed-morning-national-museum-of-flight

For booking, opening times and location details, contact National Museums Scotland on 0300 123 6789  

National Museums Scotland Listings

Exhibitions & displays

National Museum of Scotland
Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF
Open 10:00–17:00 daily

LAST CHANCE Monkeys: Our Primate Family
Until 30 Nov
10:00-17:00
Ticketed

See some of the rarest and most endangered primates on Earth in Monkeys: Our Primate Family at the National Museum of Scotland. This exhibition explores the remarkable lives of our primate relatives and demonstrates how they have adapted to survive in different habitats. The exhibition brings together more than 50 species of monkeys, apes, lemurs and lorises.

Book your ticket now nms.ac.uk/exhibitions/monkeys-our-primate-family

Cold War Scotland
Until 4 Jan 2026
10:00 – 17:00
Free

Cold War Scotland is an output of Materialising the Cold War, a collaborative research project between National Museums Scotland and the University of Stirling.

Find out more nms.ac.uk/ColdWarScotland

NOW ON SALE Giants
Opens 31 Jan 2026
Ticketed

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.

Tickets now on sale nms.ac.uk/exhibitions/giants

Events

National Museum of Scotland
Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF
Open 10:00–17:00 daily

Relaxed Morning: Monkeys: Our Primate Family
2 Nov
10:00 – 12:00 (Quiet space open until 12:30)
Special Exhibition Gallery 1
Tickets from £13

Join us for our monthly Relaxed Morning for anyone who would appreciate a calmer visit to the exhibition. During this time some ambient sounds will be turned down and visitor numbers will be reduced.

A sensory backpack will also be available from the front desk to support your visit.

Book now nms.ac.uk/events/relaxed-morning-monkeys

Relaxed Morning
2 Nov & 7 Dec
10:00-12:00 (quiet space open until 12:30)
Free admission, drop-in

Join us for our monthly Relaxed Morning for anyone who would appreciate a calmer visit to the museum.

This session is primarily for, but not limited to, families with autistic children; autistic 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.

Friendly staff will be there to give you a warm welcome and support your visit, as you explore some areas of the museum without noisy interactives and videos to give a more relaxed environment.

Find out more nms.ac.uknms.ac.uk/events/relaxed-morning

Annual Open Evening
20 Nov
18:00-19:30
Auditorium, Level 1
Free, booking required

Join us for the Annual Open Evening to find out more about our collections and the work that we do across all our museums. The event will be hosted by Ian Russell, our Chair, and Dr Chris Breward, our Director. Dr Matthew Knight, Senior Curator of Prehistory will also present on Scotland’s First Warriors, a new exhibition opening at the National Museum of Scotland in 2026.

Book now nms.ac.uk/events/annual-open-evening

Monkeys After Dark: Families
21 Nov
17:30-19:30
Special Exhibition Gallery 1, Level 3 & Auditorium, Level 1
£18 adult, £13 conc. and £3 child

Enjoy after-hours access to Monkeys: Our Primate Family. This family session will include taster talks, hands-on activities and more.

Book now nms.ac.uk/events/monkeys-after-dark-families

Monkeys After Dark: Adults
21 Nov
17:30-19:30
Special Exhibition Gallery 1, Level 3 & Auditorium, Level 1
£18 adult, £15 Members and conc.

This adults-only event features the opportunity to discover current research exploring the sex lives of our closest animal relatives and experience Monkeys: Our Primate Family exhibition afterhours.

See our primate handling collection with our museum experts including Principal Curator, Dr Andrew Kitchener. Explore 3D printed models and new digital software with our guest speakers to learn more about primate anatomy.

Book now nms.ac.uk/events/monkeys-after-dark-adults

The Sunday Sketch
21-23 Nov
14:00-16:00
Ages 18+
Tickets from £13

Learn how to sketch, taking inspiration from the incredible collections on display in our museum galleries. 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.

Book now nms.ac.uk/events/the-sunday-sketch

Ash Rise Afternoon
7 Dec
14:00-16:30
Auditoirum, Level 1
£5, £4 Members & conc.

Find out more nms.ac.uk/events/ash-rise-afternoon

Drawn Together at the Museum
27 – 30 Dec
10:30-16:00
Grand Gallery, Level 1
Free, drop-in

Find out more nms.ac.uk/events/drawn-together-at-the-museum

Sprogmanay
1 Jan 2026
12:00-17:00
Free, drop-in

Find out more .nms.ac.uk/events/sprogmanay

National Museum of Rural Life
Philipshill Road, East Kilbride, G76 9HR
Open 10:00–17:00 daily 

Adult Workshop: Festive Willow Weaving
29 & 30 Nov
Learning Centre
£40, £35 Members and conc.

Led by artist and forager Max Johnson, choose from one or more workshops to make a willow wreath, willow star or willow reindeer and tree to take home. All workshops are suitable for beginners, with all materials and equipment provided.

Book now nms.ac.uk/events/adult-workshops-festive-willow-weaving

Festive Weekend
6 & & Dec
11:00-16:00
Free with museum admission and Annual Pass

Bring the family for a weekend of festive activities, and storytelling at the National Museum of Rural Life.

Book your visit now nms.ac.uk/events/festive-weekend

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

Tractor Tots
Jan & Feb 2026
Learning Centre
£25 per child for block of 3, £20 per Member child for block of 3

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 

Science Sunday
2 Nov
11:00-15:00
Free with museum admission.

Celebrate maths at the National Museum of Flight. Use objects from the collection to practice ‘subitizing’ – the ability to see the number of objects without counting. Find out about the museum collection with our Cryptography Challenges and explore the museum with our new maths trail.

Book your visit nms.ac.uk/events/science-sunday

Conservation Hangar Talks
Until 29 Mar 2026
14:00-15:00
Free and available as an add-on to your general admission ticket. Booking required.

Book your visit nms.ac.uk/events/conservation-hangar-talks

Relaxed Morning: National Museum of Flight
Every second Sunday of the month, 10:00-12:00
Free with museum admission

Book your visit nms.ac.uk/events/relaxed-morning-national-museum-of-flight

For booking, opening times and location details, contact National Museums Scotland on 0300 123 6789  

3000-year-old secret of the Peebles Hoard revealed

A year on from its acquisition by National Museums Scotland, initial conservation work has revealed exceptionally rare silver-coloured objects in one of the most significant hoards ever discovered in Scotland.

Dating to 1000–800 BCE, the Peebles Hoard comprises over 500 unusual bronze and organic objects and components, many without archaeological parallel anywhere in the world.

The defining technological characteristic of the Bronze Age is the widespread use and production of bronze, an alloy of copper and tin that is usually a deep golden colour. Conservation of the Peebles Hoard has revealed rare silver-coloured objects from an era when silver was unknown.

Analysis at the National Museums Collection Centre revealed the colour is the result of high levels of tin on the surface. This is thought to be the product of a deliberate enrichment technique by highly skilled craftspeople.

The hoard was discovered by a metal detectorist in the Scottish Borders in 2020 and allocated to National Museums Scotland through the Treasure Trove legal process in 2024. It was extracted from the ground in a single block and excavated under laboratory conditions at the National Museums Collection Centre in Edinburgh.

The bronze objects emerged encrusted with earth and green copper patina. After months of careful preparatory work to stabilise, assess and document the material in the hoard, conservators are painstakingly removing thousands of years of dirt and corrosion to reveal the spectacular lustre of the original surface.

It is estimated that it will take three years to complete the conservation of this exceptional Bronze Age discovery.

Bethan Bryan, Peebles Hoard Conservator at National Museums Scotland, said: “Working on the conservation of the Peebles Hoard is a rare privilege and definitely a career highpoint.

“As well as removing dirt and corrosion it is essential that we preserve as much precious organic material as possible for future research. Getting to this point has been a challenging and incredibly time-intensive process, but the moment the silvery surface began to emerge was magical, a secret revealed after 3000 years.”

The use of many of the objects in the hoard is yet to be discovered but it is believed that some may have adorned a horse or wooden vehicle. The tin-enriched decoration would have added to its impact, signifying high status and wealth through exquisite craft.

Efforts to secure funding for the continued research and conservation of the hoard are ongoing.

Dr Matthew Knight, Senior Curator of Prehistory at National Museums Scotland, said: “The Peebles Hoard is truly a one-of-a-kind discovery, and I have never seen anything like the stunning, silver-coloured finish of these Bronze Age objects. They almost glow.

Thanks to the generous support of our donors we are making significant progress. However, there is more to be done to prevent further deterioration of these fragile objects and continue our research to uncover more of the Hoard’s secrets.”

Conservation of the Peebles Hoard is supported by The Leche Trust, the Pilgrim Trust and a group of private trusts and individual donors.

Fossil discovery reveals new species of fanged reptile that once roamed Scotland

A fossil discovered on the Isle of Skye has revealed a new species and family of Jurassic reptile linked to the origins of lizards and snakes.

A study published in Nature today by an international team of researchers, led by the American Museum of Natural History and including National Museums Scotland, describes a previously unknown Jurassic reptile that lived around 167 million years ago. The species has been given the Gaelic name Breugnathair elgolensis meaning ‘false snake of Elgol’, referencing the area of southern Skye where it was discovered.

Breugnathair had snake-like jaws and highly recurved teeth, similar to those of modern-day pythons. Unlike living snakes, it had the proportions and limbs of a lizard. The fossil is among the oldest and most complete Jurassic lizards known to science.

Breugnathair was a squamate, the largest order of scaled reptiles, including lizards and snakes. The species has been placed in a new family Parviraptoridae, an enigmatic group of extinct, predatory squamates.

Previously known from very incomplete remains, parviraptorids were thought by some to be the first snakes. Breugnathair might therefore provide evidence of the lizard-like ancestors of snakes, but it also has primitive anatomical traits suggesting that parviraptorids were stem-squamates, the predecessors of all lizards and snakes.

Lead author Dr Roger Benson, Curator of Paleontology at the American Museum of Natural History, said: “Snakes are remarkable animals that evolved long, limbless bodies from lizard-like ancestors.

“Breugnathair has snake-like feature of the teeth and jaws, but in other ways is surprisingly primitive. This might be telling us that snake ancestors were very different to what we expected, or it could instead be evidence for evolution of predatory habits in a primitive, extinct group”

The fossil was discovered near Elgol by National Museums Scotland curator Dr Stig Walsh, and is now part of the Museum’s collection. Other recent Jurassic discoveries from Skye include the Elgol dinosaur, the most complete dinosaur skeleton found to date in Scotland; adult and juvenile Krusatodon, that revealed that these mammals grew more slowly during the Jurassic than mammals do today; and the world’s largest Jurassic pterosaur fossil, Dearc sgiathanach.

Dr Stig Walsh, Senior Curator of Vertebrate Palaeobiology at National Museums Scotland and co-author of the study, said: “The Isle of Skye is one of the most important Middle Jurassic sites in the world.

“Breugnathair elgolensis is a remarkable addition to the fossil record, helping to rewrite our understanding of the evolution of snakes and lizards. We’re delighted to add it to the other amazing finds in the National Collection that were discovered in Skye, truly Scotland’s Jurassic Isle.”

In addition to the American Museum of Natural History and National Museums Scotland, the study involved researchers from the University of Cambridge, University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, and University College London.

The fossil was also analysed by the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility in Grenoble. A particle accelerator that produces high-power X-rays, was used to non-destructively scan the fossil and reveal their internal structure in unprecedented detail.

Professor Susan Evans of UCL, who co-led the study, said: “The Jurassic fossil deposits on the Isle of Skye are of world importance for our understanding of the early evolution of many living groups, including lizards which were beginning their diversification at around this time.

“I first described parviraptorids some 30 years ago based on more fragmentary material, so it’s a bit like finding the top of the jigsaw box many years after you puzzled out the original picture from a handful of pieces. The mosaic of primitive and specialised features we find in parviraptorids, as demonstrated by this new specimen, is an important reminder that evolutionary paths can be unpredictable.”

Mosaic anatomy in an early fossil squamate is published in Nature: npj Palaeoecosystems.

The paper will be available here, from 16:00 on Wednesday 1 October 2025

National Museums Scotland Listings

WHAT’S ON AT NATIONAL MUSEUMS ACROSS SCOTLAND

Exhibitions & displays

National Museum of Scotland     
Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF    
Open 10:00–17:00 daily

Monkeys: Our Primate Family
Until 30 Nov
10:00-17:00
Ticketed

Book your ticket now nms.ac.uk/exhibitions/monkeys-our-primate-family

Cold War Scotland
Until 4 Jan 2026
10:00 – 17:00
Free

Scotland’s unique geography and topography provided a useful base for Allied military preparations and research during the Cold War, a 40-year nuclear stand-off between the USA and the Soviet Union following the end of the Second World War. Cold War Scotland is an output of Materialising the Cold War, a collaborative research project between National Museums Scotland and the University of Stirling. The project explores how the Cold War heritage is represented and how museums can adapt to tell this story in future. The exhibition will explore both the visible and invisible legacies of the war in Scotland.

Find out more nms.ac.uk/ColdWarScotland

Events

National Museum of Scotland
Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF
Open 10:00–17:00 daily

Science Saturday
27 Sep
10:30-15:30
Hawthornden Court, Level 1 & Event Space, Level 2
Free, drop in

Celebrate Maths Week Scotland at the museum with crafts, games and puzzles. Unleash your creativity with our maths challenges. Build a Scottish wild animal with LEGO® or design and draw your own animals adapted to suit different climates.

Find out more nms.ac.uk/events/science-saturday

Legends, Myths and Maths: A Journey Through Scotland
28 Sep
11:00-12:00
Auditorium Level 1
Free, booking required

Join author David Macphail to explore the myths, legends, wildlife and landscapes of Scotland, with hidden maths. A fun and interactive talk for families presented by Maths Week Scotland.

Find out more nms.ac.uk/events/legends-myths-and-maths

In Conversation: Peter Ross and Fraser Hunter
28 Sep
15:00-16:00
Auditorium Level 1
Tickets from £7.50

Join author Peter Ross in conversation with Dr Fraser Hunter, Principal Curator of Prehistoric and Roman Archaeology, as they discuss Peter’s new book ‘Upon A White Horse: Journeys in Ancient Britain and Ireland‘, which explores the enduring mystery of ancient sites and objects and considers the ways in which they continue to hold significance for people now.

The book includes a number of items in National Museums Scotland’s collections, including the strange and fascinating Ballachulish Figure.

Book now nms.ac.uk/events/in-conversation-peter-ross

Creative Workshop: An Introduction to Drawing Scottish Wildlife
4 Oct
11:00-16:00
Tickets from £45

Take a fresh look at our Scottish wildlife collections. These informal creative workshops will focus on helping you to better understand and engage with these fascinating animals in new ways.
Using pencils, artist Meg Buick will teach you how to create various textures and marks to depict the animal world.

Book now nms.ac.uk/events/creative-workshop-drawing-wildlife

Relaxed Morning: Monkeys: Our Primate Family
5 Oct
10:00 – 12:00 (Quiet space open until 12:30)
Special Exhibition Gallery 1
Tickets from £13

Join us for our monthly Relaxed Morning for anyone who would appreciate a calmer visit to the exhibition. During this time some ambient sounds will be turned down and visitor numbers will be reduced.
A sensory backpack will also be available from the front desk to support your visit.

Book now nms.ac.uk/events/relaxed-morning-monkeys

Relaxed Morning
7 Sep
10:00-12:00 (quiet space open until 12:30)
Free admission, drop-in

Join us for our monthly Relaxed Morning 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 some areas of the museum without noisy interactives and videos to give a more relaxed environment.

Find out more nms.ac.uknms.ac.uk/events/relaxed-morning

Printmaking workshop with Nkem Okwechime
5 Oct
14:00-16:00
Learning Centre
Free, booking required

Enjoy a practical printmaking workshop with Scottish-Nigerian artist Nkem Okwechime. Explore how the Museum’s collections have inspired his work and try screen printing techniques to create artwork to take home.

Book now nms.ac.uk/events/printmaking-workshop-with-nkem-okwechime

Spotlight On: Monkeys: Our Primate Family
7 Oct
14:00-15:00
£3, £2 Members & Conc.

Join exhibition curator, Dr Andrew Kitchener, to learn how research into our primate collections is shaping our understanding of the biology and conservation of monkey species around the world today.

The first exhibition of its kind to show primates behaving as they would in the wild, ‘Monkeys: Our Primate Family’ brings together more than 50 taxidermy specimens, including monkeys, apes, lemurs and lorises.

Book now nms.ac.uk/events/spotlight-on-monkeys-our-primate-family

Six Long Legs
15-17 Oct
10:30 – 11:30 and 14:00 – 15:00
Auditorium, Events Space, Level 2
Performance fee, workshop £2

Join us for three days of insect-themed family fun inspired by the National Museums Scotland’s entomology collection. Enjoy a colourful show featuring dressing up, puppetry and mischievous anarchy. Then get creative and build your own bug in a playful and collaborative workshop.

Find out more nms.ac.uk/events/six-long-legs

Wild Wings of Hope
15-17 Oct
10:30-16:00
Grand Gallery, Living Lands gallery
Free

Explore the extraordinary journeys of migratory birds and insects with storytelling and craft. This three-day event celebrates the biodiversity and cultural heritage of Scotland and Africa.

Find out more nms.ac.uk/events/wild-wings-of-hope

Curiosity Club: Wild Wings
25 Oct
10:30-12:00
Learning Centre, Level 4
£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

The Sunday Sketch
26 Oct
14:00-16:00
From £13

Book now nms.ac.uk/events/the-sunday-sketch

National Museum of Rural Life
Philipshill Road, East Kilbride, G76 9HR
Open 10:00–17:00 daily 

Relaxed Afternoon: National Museum of Rural Life
30 Sep
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.

Book your visit nms.ac.uk/events/relaxed-afternoon-national-museum-of-rural-life

Autumn Explorers
14 Oct – 17 Oct
10:30-15:30
Free with museum admission and Annual Pass

Our Autumn Explorers family activities are back, and this time we’re going on a nocturnal nature adventure with storytelling and sustainable crafts.

Book your visit nms.ac.uk/events/autumn-explorers

National Museum of Flight
East Fortune Airfield, East Lothian, EH39 5LF
Open Weekends only, 10:00–16:00 

October Half Term: Make Do and Mend
11 Oct-19 Oct
Drop-in daily from 10:00-15:00

Try knitting, repairing and re-using clothes, following advice from a Second World War publication.

Make Do and Mend was a government campaign during the Second World War to teach people how to repair and reuse existing clothing to help them get through the clothing shortage. During October half term, take part in family activities that will introduce you to some of these skills.

Book your visit nms.ac.uk/events/make-do-and-mend

Science Sunday
2 Nov
11:00-15:00
Free with museum admission.

Book your visit nms.ac.uk/events/science-sunday

Conservation Hangar Talks
Until 29 Mar 2026
14:00-15:00
Free and available as an add-on to your general admission ticket. Booking required.

Book your visit nms.ac.uk/events/conservation-hangar-talks

For booking, opening times and location details, contact National Museums Scotland on 0300 123 6789  

Rare Bronze Age hoard saved for the nation

CARNOUSTIE HOARD WILL GO ON DISPLAY NEXT SUMMER

A Bronze Age hoard discovered in Carnoustie has been acquired by National Museums Scotland and will go on display for the first time in a new exhibition opening next summer.

The hoard includes a rare spearhead decorated with gold and a bronze sword in a wooden scabbard, dating from around 1120-920 BC. Scotland’s First Warriors (27 Jun 2026 – 17 May 2027) will bring together over 250 objects spanning thousands of years, to explore the origins and impact of conflict and warfare in prehistoric Scotland.

The spearhead has an intricately decorated gold-bound socket, one of only two such examples known from Scotland. It was discovered alongside a bronze sword with an unusual lead-tin pommel, still sheathed in the remains of a wooden scabbard.

The sword was carefully wrapped in a woven wool garment, fastened with a disc-headed pin; the spearhead blade was wrapped in sheepskin, and the socket was wrapped in a fine woollen cloth.

The weapons hint at the existence of a localised warrior elite in the Angus area over 3,000 years ago.

The hoard was deliberately and thoughtfully placed near a Bronze Age round structure. This is the only Bronze Age weapon hoard from Scotland to be found within a clearly defined settlement, offering a unique opportunity to explore the relationship between these treasured objects and the lives of the people who crafted and used them.

The survival of prehistoric textiles and organic material is also extremely rare and reveals an extra layer of the care and attention that went into the formation of the hoard.

Dr Matthew Knight, Senior Curator of Prehistory at National Museums Scotland, said: “The Carnoustie Hoard is a remarkable discovery. This is the first time we’ve encountered weapons buried at a settlement where people lived. It forces us to reconsider relationships between people and these objects and enriches our picture of life in Bronze Age Scotland.

“On top of that we have the exceptional survival of wood, textiles and animal skin that express how much these objects were valued. After hours of painstaking conservation, I can’t wait to for visitors to see the hoard for the first time in our new exhibition Scotland’s First Warriors.”

Alongside the Carnoustie Hoard, Scotland’s First Warriors will include never-before-seen internationally significant archaeological discoveries from across Scotland.

From the Neolithic (late Stone Age) to the coming of the Romans, the exhibition will present the origins of organised conflict.

It will explore how people fought, the motivations for fighting, the brutal impact of war on people’s lives and the long-lasting legacy of prehistoric conflict.

The hoard was unearthed in 2016 by GUARD Archaeology near Carnoustie, in an area that was due to be developed into two football pitches.

The full assemblage of archaeological finds from site represents a nationally significant group of objects spanning nearly 3000 years from the early Neolithic to the late Bronze Age.

Scotland’s First Warriors

27th June 2026 – 17th May 2027
National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF

Admission Free

nms.ac.uk/ScotlandsFirstWarriors

Museum in Motion: National Museums Scotland’s new cargo bike brings history and culture to communities

A new bespoke cargo bike commissioned by National Museums Scotland will bring hands-on learning and cultural experiences directly to communities across Edinburgh.  

Developed by National Museums Scotland and designed by XYZ CARGO UK, the bike will enable museum staff to deliver accessible creative workshops and storytelling sessions with local communities. It will be based at the National Museums Collection Centre in Granton in the north of Edinburgh.

The Collection Centre is home to some 12 million objects and is also a regular part of National Museums Scotland’s community outreach work, hosting visits from local groups and schools. 

The bike is completely electric, generating low carbon emissions in its outreach. It has a large storage compartment which enables it to transport objects from the Museum’s handling collection, including replicas of the Lewis Chess pieces, Pictish chains and Roman helmets, and even a 3D-printed chimpanzee skull. 

Jane Miller, Community Engagement Manager at National Museums Scotland, said:  “While admission to the National Museum of Scotland is free, we know that there can be all sorts of barriers to access traditional museum spaces.

“That’s why it’s important that we have an active programme of community engagement, and the Museum in Motion cargo bike is a colourful, fun and sustainable way of bringing the Museum to communities on their doorsteps.” 

The project is funded in part by the Edinburgh Airport Community Fund. Gordon Robertson, Chief Communications and Sustainability Officer at Edinburgh Airport said: “Our Community Fund is designed to support a wide range of groups and organisations within our neighbouring communities, and this project is a fantastic example of the fund in action.

“By contributing to the purchase of this cargo bike, we’re helping National Museums Scotland reduce its carbon footprint and enhance the accessibility of its collections by bringing them directly into local communities.”

Anyone interested in inviting the Museum in Motion cargo bike to visit their community or wants to find out more, can contact the Community Engagement team at National Museums Scotland by email at communities@nms.ac.uk.  

National Museums Scotland Listings

NATIONAL MUSEUMS SCOTLAND – WHAT’S ON

Exhibitions & displays

National Museum of Scotland
Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF
Open 10:00–17:00 daily

Monkeys: Our Primate Family
Until 30 Nov
10:00-17:00
Ticketed

Cold War Scotland
Until 4 Jan 2026
10:00 – 17:00
Free

Cold War Scotland is an output of Materialising the Cold War, a collaborative research project between National Museums Scotland and the University of Stirling. The project explores how the Cold War heritage is represented and how museums can adapt to tell this story in future. The exhibition will explore both the visible and invisible legacies of the war in Scotland.

Find out more nms.ac.uk/ColdWarScotland

Events

National Museum of Scotland
Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF
Open 10:00–17:00 daily

Museum Late: Festival Ceilidh
1 & 8 Aug
19:30-22:30
Tickets from £24

Our sell out museum ceilidh makes its festival debut. Grab your pals for a night of reels and revelry and join the party in Scottish style. Set in the museum’s majestic Grand Gallery, all dances are suitable for beginners with no previous experience necessary – our caller will guide you through the steps on the night.  Between dances enjoy drinks, food, activities and explore a selection of the museum galleries at night. 

Book now nms.ac.uk/events/museum-late-festival-ceilidh

Summer Family Fun
1 Aug
10:30-15:30
Free, drop-in

Join us on Mondays and Fridays for a range of exciting, drop-in activities for the whole family. Each week, we will be exploring 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

Relaxed Morning
3 Aug
10:00-12:00 (quiet space open until 12:30)
Free admission, drop-in

Find out more nms.ac.uknms.ac.uk/events/relaxed-morning

Morning Curator Tour: Monkeys: Our Primate Family
13 & 15 Aug
09:15-10:00
Special Exhibition Gallery 1, Level 3
£15, £13 Members & Concessions

Join us before normal opening hours to explore this special exhibition with its curator, Dr Andrew Kitchener. The tour will bring you face to face with some of the rarest and most endangered primate species on Earth. Explore their remarkable lives and discover how primates have adapted to survive in different habitats.

Book now nms.ac.uk/events/morning-curator-tour-monkeys

Okolo: Artwork by Nkem Okwechime
13-22 Aug
11:00-16:00
Learning Centre Foyer, Level 4
Free

Informed by his research of the museum’s African collection, ‘Okolo’ by Scottish-Nigerian artist and printmaker Nkem Okwechime explores the intersection of European and West African identity.

This installation features artwork based on observations and inspiration from visits to the National Museums Collection Centre. This installation is featured as part of the Edinburgh Art Festival.

Find out more nms.ac.uk/events/okolo-artwork-by-nkem-okwechime

BSL Tour of Monkeys: Our Primate Family
14 Aug
15:00-16:00
Special Exhibition Gallery 1, Level 3
£10

Join BSL guide Babs Brown for a guided tour of our exhibition, Monkeys: Our Primate Family.

The tour will last approximately one hour with the chance to explore the exhibition independently afterwards. This event is aimed at D/deaf community BSL visitors, and is most suitable for those ages 14+.

Book now nms.ac.uk/events/bsl-tour-of-monkeys-our-primate-family

Barkcloth Making from Niue – An ancient practice from the South Pacific
16-17 Aug
10:00 and 14:00
Learning Centre, Level 4
Free, booking required

Join artist Cora-Allan to learn about hiapo (barkcloth) from the island of Niue in the South Pacific, and hear how her work bridges historic and contemporary art practice.

Book now nms.ac.uk/events/barkcloth-making

Jacobites Curator Tour
20 Aug
10:30 – 11:30, 12:00 – 13:00, and 14:30 – 15:30
Scotland galleries
£12, £10 Members and Concessions

Join Georgia Vullinghs, Curator of Renaissance and Early Modern History, for a gallery tour to explore the history and legacy of the Jacobite risings in Scotland.

View a century of objects relating to the overthrow of James VII and the subsequent effort of his descendants to reclaim their crowns.

Book now nms.ac.uk/events/jacobites-curator-tour

Audio Descriptive Tour: Monkeys: Our Primate Family
3 September
Special Exhibition Gallery, Level 3
17:30-19:00

Join our tour guide for an audio descriptive tour of Monkeys: Our Primate Family, with accompanying sensory resources and a chance to explore the exhibition after hours.

This tour is aimed at blind, partially sighted and visually impaired visitors. It is most suitable for those ages 14+.

Book now nms.ac.uk/events/audio-descriptive-tour-monkeys-our-primate-family

National Museum of Rural Life
Philipshill Road, East Kilbride, G76 9HR
Open 10:00–17:00 daily 

Nature Track Packs
Until 31 Aug
10:00-17:00
Free with museum admission

Our free Nature Track Packs are great tools for children on the walk to the farm. Each Nature Track Pack contains fun ideas, activities and challenges to inspire and engage all of the senses.

Find out more nms.ac.uk/events/nature-track-packs

Dog and Duck Day
13 Sep
10:30 –15:30
Free with museum admission and Annual Pass

Join us for a fun-filled day of working dog displays, crafts and family storytelling at the National Museum of Rural Life. See clever canines at work in outdoor displays from the Drakes of Hazard sheepdog and duck team and specialist dog trainers, Mordor Gundogs.

Booking available soon nms.ac.uk/events/dog-and-duck-day

Adult Workshop: Eco Printing
27 Sep
10:15-16:00
Learning Centre
£70, £65 Concessions

This full-day workshop with natural dyer and textile artist Elisabeth Viguie-Culshaw is suitable for both beginners and those with some natural dyeing or eco printing experience.

Book now nms.ac.uk/events/adult-workshop-eco-printing

Relaxed Afternoon: National Museum of Rural Life
30 Sep
14:30-17:00
Free with museum admission and Annual Pass

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 

Lunchtime Talks
8 Aug
13:00-13:20
Free with museum admission

Hear experts speak about the history of East Fortune Airfield, the museum’s collections and more in our series of free lunchtime talks.

Find out more nms.ac.uk/events/lunchtime-talks

Second World War Puzzle Room
Until 15 Aug
12:00-15:00
Free with museum admission

Work together as a family in our puzzle room and see if you can come up with the answers. Only by solving four different challenges will you know if you’ve got what it takes to decipher codes, diffuse a bomb and work out flight paths.

Book your visit nms.ac.uk/events/second-world-war-puzzle-room

Second World War Satchels
Until 17 Aug
10:00-16:00
Free with museum admission

Pick up one of our summer activity satchels and delve deeper into the history of the Second World War.

Separate satchels are available for adult and family visitors.

Find out more nms.ac.uk/events/second-world-war-satchels

360 Fest
6 Sept
10:00-17:00
Tickets from £13.50, book in advance to save

Go full circle at our big family event at the National Museum of Flight.  You’ll be on a roll this September with our all round family fun event. From stunt shows and pedal-powered activities to interactive sessions and STEM science, there’s something to set everyone’s head spinning.

Book your ticket nms.ac.uk/events/360-fest

Conservation Hangar Talks
Until 29 Mar 2026
14:00-15:00
Free and available as an add-on to your general admission ticket. Booking required.

Book your visit nms.ac.uk/events/conservation-hangar-talks

For booking, opening times and location details, contact National Museums Scotland on 0300 123 6789  

Calculator used by Scottish scientist to help NASA achieve first manned moon landing donated to National Museums Scotland

Ahead of the anniversary of the first moon landing (20th July 1969), a mechanical calculating machine used by a Scottish scientist in support of the mission has been donated to National Museums Scotland.

The donated object is a Facit Model LX calculator used by Archie Roy (1924-2012), Professor of Astronomy at the University of Glasgow. Professor Roy was an expert in celestial mechanics and orbital motion calculations.

He was asked by NASA to be a consultant on trajectory calculations for spacecraft in a programme of lunar missions that culminated in the Apollo 11 mission which took Neil Armstrong’s crew to become the first humans to set foot on the moon, landing on 20 July 1969.

Professor Roy is thought to have acquired the mechanical calculator to enable him to carry out his PhD, which he was awarded in 1954, and continued to use it through the 1960s until it was gradually superseded by electronic computers.

After Professor Roy’s retirement in September 1989, his friend and colleague, the Astronomer Royal for Scotland, John Brown, recognised the calculator’s significance to the history of science and held it for safekeeping before his widow Margaret donated it to National Museums Scotland.

Dr Tacye Philipson, Senior Curator of Science at National Museums Scotland, said: “This is a wonderful addition to the National Collection for many reasons.

“It is a visibly well-used piece of kit, reflecting Professor Archie Roy’s long and productive career.

“Moreover, when we think of the array of computational power at our fingertips today with our phones and laptops, it is evocative to look at this completely analogue machine and think that it was instrumental in one of the most extraordinary technological achievements in human history, one unsurpassed and even unrepeated in over 50 years. Professor Roy’s calculator gives us a tangible link to Scotland’s part in that achievement.”

The Facit Model LX calculator was manufactured in Sweden from 1938 to 1954. The one used by Professor Roy has been added to National Museums Scotland’s extensive Science and Technology collections, where it will be used to make connections with other material relating to space, astronomy and calculation, including a prototype camera designed for use on the moon, and an analogue calculator created for the solution of Kepler’s equation.

National Museum of Flight uncovers Second World War secrets in anniversary year

New research has revealed details of two air assaults on East Fortune Airfield that were kept secret during the Second World War.

The historic airfield in East Lothian is now home to the National Museum of Flight, which opened 50 years ago this month, in July 1975.

A discreet, handwritten note on an archived document led curators from the Museum to uncover the hidden details. In November 1940, three bombs were dropped on the airfield. Almost a year later in October 1941, enemy gunners attacked the site from the air. No casualties were recorded.

Throughout the Second World War the airfield served as an operational training unit. In Scotland, direct hits were rarely reported publicly to prevent enemy forces identifying significant sites. The Lothians were targeted by German bombers on several occasions, including attacks on a decoy airfield in nearby Drem, but until now this important part of the airfield’s history was unknown.

East Fortune is one of the UK’s best-preserved Second World War airfields. Air raid and blast shelters, that were likely used during the attacks, have recently been conserved and are now open to visitors to discover more about Scotland’s wartime heritage.

Ian Brown, Curator at the National Museum of Flight, said: “Revealing these previously unknown events at East Fortune has taken some real detective work.

“The airfield has played a significant role in Scottish aviation history for over a century. Even in the museum’s 50th year we’re still discovering stories that can help us better understand the airfield’s past.”

As part of the 50th anniversary celebrations, visitors can learn more about life during the Second World War in a new series of lunchtime talks, starting on Friday 18th July.

The talks are free with the museum admission and can be booked at: nms.ac.uk/Flight.

The National Museum of Flight explores the history of aviation from the First World War to the present day through interactive galleries, historic aircraft and hangars.

On display is one of Europe’s best collections of aircraft, including Scotland’s only Concorde, which visitors can board.