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