Tag: What's On?

National Museums Scotland: What’s on over Easter holidays

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

Curiosity Club
Learning Centre, Level 4
28 Mar & 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
28 Mar
14:30-15:30
£10 (£9 Members and Concessions)

Relaxed Curiosity Club sessions are particularly aimed at children with additional support needs, neurodivergent children, or 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

Gather Around the Frame: A Celebration of Hand Quilting
Locations across the museum
29 Mar
10:15-16:45
Free drop-in activities, booking required for panel discussion

Join us for a hands-on stitching experience around replica historical quilting frames as enjoyed by previous generations as they sewed together. This event will feature talks, film screenings, hands-on crafts, and our very own quilting bee. All materials are provided.

Find out more nms.ac.uk/events/gather-around-the-frame-a-celebration-of-hand-quilting

Edinburgh Science Festival 2026
Locations across the museum
Daily from 4-19 Apr
10:00-17:00
All pricing and bookings through Science Festival website

Edinburgh Science Festival 2026 will highlight Scotland’s contribution to scientific advances through research, innovation, and its extraordinary people. The Grand Gallery will host family-friendly activities and artwork by award-winning artist, Gayle Chong Kwan.

Find out more nms.ac.uk/events/edinburgh-science-festival-2026

Makkin it!
5-19 April
10:00-2:00 and 13:00-15:00
Free, drop in

Join our Learning Team in the Grand Gallery to discover some incredible Scottish inventions.  Get hands-on with some of our favourite inventions, press and investigate your unique fingerprint, then head off and explore our galleries with a copy of our Inventors trail. 

Find out more nms.ac.uk/events/makkin-it

Morning Curator Tour: Giants
Special Exhibition Gallery 1, Level 3
7-14 Apr
Tickets from £13

Join exhibition curator, Dr Sarah Stewart, for an exclusive early-morning tour of Giants.

Giants celebrates the colossal creatures that roamed the Earth 66 million years ago. Meet ten giant creatures from prehistory. Discover how they were able to grow so large, what advantages their size offered, and why they eventually faced extinction.

The Giants exhibition is designed and produced by the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences.

Book now nms.ac.uk/events/morning-curator-tours-giants

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

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

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. And tea, cake and a warm welcome are always provided.

Book now nms.ac.uk/events/museum-socials

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

Spring Explorers
14–17 Apr
10:30–15:30
Free with museum admission and Annual Pass

Become a Spring Explorer this April at the National Museum of Rural Life. Join us as we dig into all things soil and explore the wiggly world beneath our feet. Take part in a planting activity to learn how bugs and worms keep soil healthy for plants to grow. Settle in for some lively, soil-inspired storytelling in the theatre, then get messy with some hands-on fun at our Soil Exploration Station.

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

Tractor Tots
24 Apr & 29 May 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

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

National Museum of Flight

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

Flying High
Concorde Hangar
6-10 Apr
10:00-16:00
Free with museum admission

Learn about the Scottish engineering inventions that made international travel possible through fun family activities.

Book your visit nms.ac.uk/events/flying-high

Expert Talks
Concorde Theatre
17 Apr & 15 May
11:00-11:20
Free with museum admission

From April to October, 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

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

Follow us on Facebook…facebook.com/NationalMuseumsScotland   

Follow us on Instagram…instagram.com/nationalmuseumsscotland/   

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

Follow us on Facebook…facebook.com/NationalMuseumsScotland   

Follow us on Instagram…instagram.com/nationalmuseumsscotland/   

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

What’s On at National Museums Scotland this summer

Monkeys: Our Primate Family 

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

OPENING TODAY Monkeys: Our Primate Family  
28 Jun – 30 Nov  

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 

 Events 

Monkey Business  
28 & 29 Jun and 19 & 26 Jul 
10:30-16:00 
Grand Gallery 
Free, drop-in  

This summer, celebrate the opening of our new exhibition Monkeys: Our Primate Family with activities for all the family. Join us for four days of monkeying around with fun, family activities for all ages.   

Grab a seat at our craft tables, get hands-on with fascinating objects and more. Then discover the world of primates in our new exhibition, Monkeys: Our Primate Family. 

Find out more nms.ac.uk/events/monkey-business 

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  

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  

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 

Spotlight On: Monkeys: Our Primate Family  
7 October  
14:00-15:00  
Auditorium, Level 1 
£3, £2 Members & concession  

In this spotlight talk, exhibition curator Dr Andrew Kitchener will share his insights into the making of the exhibition and discuss the cutting-edge primate research taking place at the National Museums Collections Centre.   

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

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

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

Relaxed Morning  
6 Jul & 3 Aug 
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.uk/events/relaxed-morning  

Sensory Sunday  
6 Jul & 7 Sept 
11:00-12:00 and 14:00-15:00 
Free, booking required   

Exciting, hands-on sensory play sessions for children with additional support needs. Families with children with additional support needs and disabilities are invited to join our programme of sensory play sessions. 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 a session. 

Book now nms.ac.uk/events/sensory-sunday  

Summer Family Fun  
7 Jul-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  

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 

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

Relaxed Afternoon: National Museum of Rural Life  
24 June  
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 

Nature Track Packs  
28 Jun-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 

Tractor Tots  
7 Jul  
10:30 or 13:30 blocks  
£20 per child for block of 3, £15 per Member child for block of 3 
Ages 0-4 

Running in blocks of three Friday morning sessions, Tractor Tots offers a fun, focused experience for our younger visitors, introducing them to the museum and farm, and bringing it to life through interactive creative play. Each session will take place in a different location at the museum and working farm, and 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  

Archaeology Day  
19 Jul 
11:00-15:30 
Free with museum entry and Annual Pass 

Take part in a family-friendly Archaeology Day at the National Museum of Rural Life. 

Meet the team from Treasure Trove Scotland and find out all about their work to investigate and assess new archaeological discoveries. 

Book your visit nms.ac.uk/events/archaeology-day 

National Museum of Flight 

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

Awesome Bricks  
14 & 15 Jun 
10:00-17:00 
Tickets from £13.50, book in advance to save 

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, including an interactive train set. You can also make your own unique creations in our brick build zone.  

Book your ticket nms.ac.uk/events/awesome-bricks 

Second World War Satchels  
7 Jul-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 

Second World War Puzzle Room  
7 Jul-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 

Lunchtime Talks  
18 & 25 Jul and 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  

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. 

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  

Follow us on Facebook…facebook.com/NationalMuseumsScotland   

Follow us on Instagram…instagram.com/nationalmuseumsscotland/   

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

Coming Up: Summer Events at Drumbrae Library Hub

It’s almost the Summer Holidays!

We have a jam packed schedule of events lined up for you.

These events will be advertised and available to book where required on a weekly basis.

Here is the first weeks’ program (above).

Booking will open at 10am today (25th June) by following this link for Eventbrite:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/…/drumbrae-library-edinburgh/

As always children under 8 years of age must be accompanied by an adult.

What’s Showing at Assembly Hall

Edinburgh’s Christmas: 6 December – 4 January

SWAMPLESQUE (06 Dec – 04 Jan)

After wowing audiences across Australia and smashing box office records at Edinburgh Fringe 2024, everyone’s favourite ogre-inspired burlesque and drag parody is coming to Edinburgh to celebrate Christmas! Swamplesque is the award-winning, critically acclaimed, burlesque parody show from Far Far Away! This ‘outrageously fun’ (The Advertiser, Adelaide) show offers its audience a smorgasbord of performance styles.

Tickets from £21.00

Time 21:00

Age 16+ (Restriction) – Nudity, Strobe Lighting, Scenes of Sexual Nature

JASON BYRNE: NO SHOW (06 Dec – 07 Dec)

There’s no show like a Jason Byrne NO SHOW. NO SHOW is a show with no comedy safety net. By the end of NO SHOW you’ll have experienced a once in a lifetime show or NO SHOW. Jason, along with the audience, will begin NO SHOW with no show whatsoever. Witness Jason use his infamous audience interactions with a sprinkle of props, both on and off the stage, to create NO SHOW! Your ‘full-on, double-up, gasping-for-oxygen hilarious’ (Chortle.co.uk) NO SHOW will never be repeated.

Tickets from £25.50

Time 19:00

Age 14+ (Guideline) – Strong language/swearing, Babies are not allowed in the venue – Children under 2 years

Val McDermid and Nicola Sturgeon in The Company of Books (15 Dec)

Book lovers can join Val McDermid and Nicola Sturgeon for a special festive inconversation event on Sunday 15 December at Assembly Hall, for In the Company of Books. The two will be joined by special guests Alan Cumming and Paula Hawkins to explore the joys of reading, and a few glasses of mulled wine.

Tickets from £24.00

Time 16:00

THE BUBBLE SHOW (21 Dec – 22 Dec)

This is no ordinary bubble show; it’s an original, interactive adventure, where the fusion of magic, storytelling, and science converge in a breathtaking display of bubble artistry.  And leading the charge is none other than the legendary Highland Joker, actor, storyteller and Guinness World Record Holder, renowned as one of the foremost bubble artists in the world!

Whether you’re a wide-eyed child or a child at heart, prepare to be captivated by the spellbinding wonder of bubbles! So come one, come all, and let your imagination soar as we dive headfirst into the spectacular world of bubbles!

Tickets from £14.00

Time 14:00

New Muirhouse Library opens next week

We hope you’re as excited as we are for our opening next week!

Here’s what’s on in the new Muirhouse Library (!) next week – we hope to see lots of you there, for Bookbug, kids’ craft sessions after school, and coffee mornings.

See you soon!

National Museum of Scotland: What’s On

LISTINGS from 31 JULY

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

Game On
29 Jun – 3 Nov 2024
Special Exhibition Gallery, Level 3
Tickets on sale spring 2024

Get set for Game On – the largest interactive exhibition of the history and the culture of video games. Game On, an exhibition conceived and curated by Barbican Immersive, examines the creative and technological advances that have established a new medium and artform.

From Sonic the Hedgehog to Mario, explore gaming’s rich history through over 100 playable games from the last five decades.

Find our more nms.ac.uk/game-on

Cold War Scotland
13 Jul 2024 – 26 Jan 2025
10:00 – 17:00
Special Exhibition Gallery 2, Level 3
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

Theravada Buddhism
Until 12 Jan 2025
Gallery 3, Level 1
Free

A thought-provoking display charts the history and influence of the Theravāda Buddhist tradition across the world, including its role in Scotland today. The display includes a Buddha on loan from The Dhammapadipa Temple in Edinburgh. The Buddha was designed and made in Thailand in 2013, then later gifted to Temple where it is now used in their garden meditation room.

Find out more nms.ac.uk/theravadabuddhism

Events

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

Summer Family Fun
Until 12 Aug
Mondays & Fridays
10:30 – 15:30
Grand Gallery and spaces across the museum
Free, drop in

Join us every Monday and Friday during the holidays for a range of fun drop-in activities for all the family. Our friendly Enabler team will be bringing our favourite themes to life from dinosaurs to outer space and from ancient Egypt to Vikings. Plus, we will be powering up with brand new activities inspired by our summer exhibition Game On.

Find out more nms.ac.uk/SummerFamilyFun

Gilded Balloon at the Museum
31 Jul – 26 Aug
Auditorium
Tickets from £10

Start your day with a musical note, enjoy a bit of politics at lunchtime and slide into evenings filled with comedy, plus everything in-between from Friend(s), magic and musicals.

Book now nms.ac.uk/GildedBalloon

BSL Museum Tour
12 & 16 Aug
11:00 – 12:00
Meet at the Lighthouse Lens in the Grand Gallery, Level 1
Free, booking required

Join BSL tour guide Barbara Brown for a themed, guided tour of the museum. The tour will last around one hour with the chance to explore the museum independently afterwards.

Book now nms.ac.uk/BSL-Museum-Tour

Faovale Imperium
16 – 18 Aug
15:30 – 16:30
Facing the Sea gallery & Level 1
Free – sign up on the day
Limited spaces available

Join comedian James Nokise and DJ Don Luchito for a funny and thought-provoking exploration of the National Museum of Scotland’s Pacific collections through poetry and music.

Find our more: nms.ac.uk/faovaleimperium

Morning Curator Tour: Cold War Scotland
Thu 22 Aug, Wed 25 Sep, Tue 29 Oct
09:15-10:00
Meet at Tower Entrance, Level 1
£12, £10 Members & Conc.

Join our exhibition curators for an exclusive early morning tour of our Cold War Scotland exhibition. Dr Meredith Greiling, Principal Curator of Technology, and Cold War Research Fellow Dr Sarah Harper will delve deeper into stories explored within the exhibition, from the emergence of nuclear energy in Scotland to the vibrant anti-nuclear protests and political activism of the period.

Book now nms.ac.uk/MorningTour


Collection Centre Tours
28 Aug – 26 Mar 2025
National Museums Collection Centre

Discover the secrets of how we store our Natural Sciences, Science & Technology and Scottish History & Archaeology collections, and find out how these objects and specimens are used in international research.  This is an in-person event at the National Museums Collection Centre in Granton, for those aged 14 and over.

Book now nms.ac.uk/CollectionCentreTours

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

Second World War Satchels
2 Jul – 29 Aug
10:00 – 17:00
Concorde Hangar
Free with museum admission

Bring the history of the Second World War to life with our summer activity satchels for adults and families. 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. The satchels are free to borrow and can be collected from The Concorde Hangar.

Find out more nms.ac.uk/SecondWorldWarSatchels


Second World War Puzzle Room
24 Jul – 29 Aug
Wed – Fri, 14:00 – 16:00
Building 26
Free with museum admission

Problem solving skills and the ability to work out codes were essential skills for people working in the RAF during the Second World War.

Work together as a family in our puzzle room and see if you can produce the answers. Only by solving four different challenges will you know if you have got what it takes.

Book now nms.ac.uk/PuzzleRoom

360 Fest
31 Aug
10:00-17:00

Go full circle at our brand-new big event at the National Museum of Flight. Be wowed with 360 stunts from cycle team, The Clan, plus circus displays and lots of have-a-go activities. Join a hula-hoop workshop, try some plate spinning and learn about the science of spheres with STEM science activities. Ticket price includes entry to the whole museum.

Book now nms.ac.uk/360Fest

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

Nature Track Packs
Until 1 Sep
10:00 – 17:00
Free with museum entry and Annual Pass

Available to borrow at the museum ticket desk, each pack contains fun ideas and activities to help children use all their senses to explore the countryside on a walk to the farm.

Book now nms.ac.uk/naturetrackpacks


MooFest
14 & 15 Sep
11:00 – 16:00
Free with museum admission and Annual Pass

Celebrate all things cattle at the National Museum of Rural Life. We are putting our bovine friends in the spotlight at this weekend of hands-on activities, talks and family fun. Find out all about cows, bulls, milk, and meat with our experts, take part in family craft sessions and meet some of the cattle on our working farm.

Book now nms.ac.uk/MooFest

Autumn Explorers
15 Oct – 18 Oct 2024
10:30 – 15:30
Free with museum admission and Annual Pass
Tickets available August 2024

Our Autumn Explorers family activities are back, with storytelling, sustainable crafts, and the chance to learn all about soil and spiders.

Read more: nms.ac.uk/autumnexplorers

Follow us on Twitter…twitter.com/NtlMuseumsScot   

Follow us on Facebook…facebook.com/NationalMuseumsScotland   

Follow us on Instagram…instagram.com/nationalmuseumsscotland/   

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

What’s On at National Museums

Exhibitions & displays


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

Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2024
Until 6 May 2024
Special Exhibition Gallery, Level 3
Ticketed

In this world-renowned exhibition, on loan from the Natural History Museum in London, see exceptional images which capture fascinating animal behaviour, spectacular species and the breathtaking diversity of the natural world.

Book now nms.ac.uk/wildlife-photographer-of-the-year


Uniquely Scottish Silver
Until 26 May 2024
Grand Gallery
Free

Uniquely Scottish Silver brings together five distinct Scottish silver object designs: mazers, quaichs, thistle cups, ovoid urns and heart brooches. Discover some of the earliest and rarest survivals within the Scottish silversmiths’ craft.

Find out more nms.ac.uk/Uniquely-Scottish-Silver


Game On
29 Jun – 3 Nov 2024
Special Exhibition Gallery, Level 3
Tickets on sale spring 2024

Get set for Game On – the largest interactive exhibition of the history and the culture of video games. Game On, an exhibition conceived and curated by Barbican Immersive, examines the creative and technological advances that have established a new medium and artform.

From Sonic the Hedgehog to Mario, explore gaming’s rich history through over 100 playable games from the last five decades.


Find our more nms.ac.uk/game-on

Theravada Buddhism
Until 12 Jan 2025
Gallery 3, Level 1
Free

A thought-provoking display charts the history and influence of the Theravāda Buddhist tradition across the world, including its role in Scotland today. The display includes a Buddha on loan from The Dhammapadipa Temple in Edinburgh.

The Buddha was designed and made in Thailand in 2013, then later gifted to Temple where it is now used in their garden meditation room.

Find out more nms.ac.uk/theravadabuddhism

Cold War Scotland
13 Jul 2024 – 26 Jan 2025
10:00 – 17:00
Special Exhibition Gallery 2, Level 3
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

Sensory Sunday: Exploring Ancient Egypt
05 May
14:00
Level 4, Studio 2, Learning Centre
Free, booking required

Families with children with additional support needs and disabilities are invited to join our programme of sensory play sessions.

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 a session.

These sessions are suitable for children with additional support needs, neurodivergent children or children with disabilities. The content is aimed at ages 5-10 but is not set – we welcome all families who think they might enjoy these sessions.

Book now nms.ac.uk/sensorysunday


Magic Carpet Minis
Block 1 (08,15 and 22 May)
10:30-11:15 or 14:00-14:45
£15.00 per child for block of 3
£13.50 per Member child for block of 3

Magic Carpet Minis introduces you and your little one to some of the wonderful galleries, objects and themes in the museum in a fun and gentle way. Taking place in different spaces around the museum, you will explore subjects such as the Natural World, Space, World Cultures and Scottish History through songs, stories, rhymes, actions, objects and sensory play.

Book now nms.ac.uk/magiccarpetminis


Magic Carpet Toddlers
Block 1 (13, 20 & 27 May)
10:30–11:15 or 14:00–14:45
£15.00 per child for block of 3
£13.50 per Member child for block of 3

Magic Carpet Toddlers introduces you and your little one to some of the wonderful galleries, objects and themes in the museum in a fun and interactive way. Taking place in different spaces around the museum, you will explore subjects such as the natural world, science and technology, world cultures and Scottish history through songs, stories, rhymes, actions, objects and short activities.

Book now nms.ac.uk/magiccarpettoddlers

Wellbeing Wanders
13-17 May
11:30-12:00
Meet at the Lighthouse Lens, Grand Gallery, Level 1
Free, sign up on the day

Join us on a guided walk around the museum for Wellbeing Week. Explore the collections and take part in mini mindful sessions at each stop along the way with these short, free guided walks.

Find out more nms.ac.uk/wellbeingwanders

Curiosity Club: Ancient Egypt
18 May
10:30-12:00
Level 4, Learning Centre
£10 (Members and Concessions £9)

Capturing some of the museum’s most exciting collections, this is a chance for kids to explore the museum through games, activities and gallery visits.

Book now nms.ac.uk/curiosityclub

Wellbeing Week: Mindful Art at the Museum
19 May
11:30-12:30
Meet at the Tower Entrance, Level 1
£10, £8 Members and Concession

Join artist Kayleigh McCallum and mindfulness practitioner Charlene Duncan for mindful sketching in our galleries. This small group session in our galleries will start with a short introduction to mindfulness, followed by guided sketching and then some final mindfulness exercises. Suitable for all levels, including complete beginners. All materials will be provided. All ages welcome, but recommended age 8+.

Book now nms.ac.uk/MindfulArt


Slow Down Sunday for Families
19 May
10:30–11:15 & 13:00–13:45
Event Space, Level 2
Free, booking required

Join author and mindfulness teacher Natasha Iregbu as she invites families to practice mindfulness in a fun and enjoyable way. Natasha and her excitable butterfly Amaya will take you on a journey of storytelling and mindfulness as they guide you and your children to use your senses and practice being in the moment. The session will include a book reading, mindfulness activities, yoga movement and a craft activity.

Book now nms.ac.uk/SlowDownSunday

Wellbeing Week: Musical Moments in the Museum
19 May
13:00-16:00
Free, drop in

Enjoy an afternoon of musical encounters, featuring two musicians from the Scottish Chamber Orchestra. As part of our Wellbeing Week, experience musical soundscapes within some of our Scottish galleries.

Find out more nms.ac.uk/musical-moments-in-the-museum

Edinburgh International Children’s Festival: Family Encounters Day
25 May
10:00 – 16:30
Grand Gallery, Level 1
Free, drop-in
Some activities may require sign-up on the day

At our Festival Family Encounters Day, enjoy exciting new performances and interactive experiences from local artists, pop-up theatre and dance shows, walk-about character actors and plenty of hands-on family activities.

The full event programme will be published in early May.

Find out more nms.ac.uk/FamilyEncounters


Galloway Hoard: Where did the silver come from?
29 May
19:30 – 20:30
Online event
Free, with optional donation

In this live online event, National Museums Scotland Galloway Hoard Researcher Adrián Maldonado will join Jane Kershaw from the University of Oxford to explain how a collaboration between cutting-edge science and archaeology can reveal the sources of Viking-age silver in the Galloway Hoard.

Book now nms.ac.uk/vikingsilver

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

Conservation Hangar Talks
Daily
14:00-15:00
Free with museum admission
Booking required

See behind the scenes of the work carried out in the museum’s Conservation hangar with these free talks. Find out about objects from the collection that aren’t normally on display and have the chance to see conservators at work.

Book now nms.ac.uk/ConservationHangarTalks

Behind the Scenes Tours
29 May & 26 June
12:00-13:00
Free with museum admission
Booking required

Find out about our collection of aero-engines and propellers on a curator-led tour of our Object Store.

Book now nms.ac.uk/BehindtheScenes

Awesome Bricks
15 & 16 June
Advance booking required

Our hands-on celebration of LEGO returns to the National Museum of Flight. Join us for a lively weekend of LEGO brick fun, with lots to see and do for all ages. Get a close-up view of incredible LEGO constructions, including an interactive train set, and make your own unique creations in our white brick build zone.

Book now nms.ac.uk/awesomebricks

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


Tractor Tots 
Until May 2024
10:15 & 13:30
Various dates
Ticketed

Running in blocks of three Friday morning sessions, Tractor Tots offers a fun, focused experience for our younger visitors, introducing them to the museum and farm, and bringing it to life through interactive creative play. Each session will take place in a different location at the museum and working farm, and 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/tractor-tots 


Woolly Weekend
18 & 19 May
11:00 –16:00
Free with museum admission and Annual Pass

Join us for a weekend of all things woolly at the National Museum of Rural Life.

Book now nms.ac.uk/WoollyWeekend

Follow us on Twitter…twitter.com/NtlMuseumsScot   

Follow us on Facebook…facebook.com/NationalMuseumsScotland   

Follow us on Instagram…instagram.com/nationalmuseumsscotland/   

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

What’s On at National Museums Scotland

Exhibitions & displays

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

Rising Tide: Art and Environment in Oceania
Until 14 Apr 2024
Exhibition Gallery 2, Level 3
Free

Delve into the most important and pressing issue of our time, humanity’s damaging relationship with planet Earth. This urgent issue is felt especially deeply in Australia and the Pacific Islands where sea levels are rising due to climate change and the oceans are filling with plastic.

Rising Tide considers our relationship to the natural environment through contemporary artistic responses to climate change and plastic waste by Indigenous Australian and Pacific Islander artists.

Find out more nms.ac.uk/Rising-Tide


Uniquely Scottish Silver
Until 26 May 2024
Grand Gallery
Free

Uniquely Scottish Silver brings together five distinct Scottish silver object designs: mazers, quaichs, thistle cups, ovoid urns and heart brooches. Discover some of the earliest and rarest survivals within the Scottish silver smiths’ craft.

Find out more nms.ac.uk/Uniquely-Scottish-Silver


Wildlife Photographer of the Year 
Until 06 May 2024
Special Exhibition Gallery, Level 3
Ticketed

In this world-renowned exhibition, on loan from the Natural History Museum in London, see exceptional images which capture fascinating animal behavior, spectacular species and the breathtaking diversity of the natural world.

Book now nms.ac.uk/wildlife-photographer-of-the-year

Game On
29 Jun – 03 Nov 2024
Special Exhibition Gallery, Level 3
Tickets on sale spring 2024

Get set for Game On – the largest interactive exhibition of the history and the culture of video games. Game On, an exhibition conceived and curated by Barbican Immersive, examines the creative and technological advances that have established a new medium and art form. From Sonic the Hedgehog to Mario, explore gaming’s rich history through over 100 playable games from the last five decades.

Sign up to our monthly enewsletter to hear more nms.ac.uk/game-on

Events

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

Relaxed Morning
Sun 03 Mar
10:00-12:00 (Quiet space open until 12:30)
Free entry

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.uk/Relaxed-Morning


In Conversation: Rachel Bigsby, Wildlife Photographer
09 Mar 2024
14:00–15:00

In celebration of International Women’s Day and our exhibition Wildlife Photographer of the Year, developed by the Natural History Museum, the National Museum of Scotland is proud to host two women who have carved out their careers inspired by the wonders of the natural world.

Join Rachel Bigsby as she shares the joys and challenges of her career in wildlife photography and broadcasting, and hear poetry from Kathleen Jamie, Makar (National Poet for Scotland).

Book now nms.ac.uk/rachelbigsby

Relaxed Access Evening: Wildlife Photographer of the Year
12 Mar 2024
17:30–19:00
Special Exhibition Gallery 1, Level 3
Booking required, ticketed

During this opening, visitor numbers will be limited and, wherever possible, sounds lowered to provide a more relaxed experience. A quiet break-out space will also be available, and a visual welcome guide will be provided in advance to help you prepare for your visit.

This session is primarily for, but not limited to, neurodivergent young people and adults, adults living with dementia, adults with learning difficulties or mental health challenges, or any visitors with sensory needs or who may prefer a more relaxed experience, plus their families, friends and carers.

Book now nms.ac.uk/Relaxed-Access


Magic Carpet Minis
Until 20 Mar 2024
10:30 & 14:00 on Wednesdays
£15.00 per child for block of 3
£13.50 per Member child for block of 3

Magic Carpet Minis introduces you and your little one to some of the wonderful galleries, objects and themes in the museum in a fun and gentle way. Taking place in different spaces around the museum, you will explore subjects such as the Natural World, Space, World Cultures and Scottish History through songs, stories, rhymes, actions, objects and sensory play.

Book now nms.ac.uk/MagicCarpetMinis


Behind the Lens: Doug Allan
27 Apr 2024
14:00–15:00
BSL interpreted

Twice winner of the underwater category in the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition, join photographer, Doug Allan, as he shares insights from his incredible 40-year career and reflects on the impact of climate change on the natural world.

Featuring his own photographs and clips from well-known TV programmes, Doug will discuss how the natural world has inspired his photography, his passion for capturing wildlife on film, and share some of the challenges faced when working in the wild.

Book now nms.ac.uk/DougAllan

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

National Lottery Open Week
16 & 17 Mar 2024
10:00 – 16:00
Free entry on presentation of National Lottery ticket (T&Cs apply)

As a recipient of National Lottery funding, we are inviting players to the museum for free for the weekend, to say thank you for their support. Visitors will need to book a timed entry ticket online for every member of their group in advance of their visit and bring both their admission ticket and lottery ticket or scratch card.

Book now nms.ac.uk/National-Lottery-Open-Week 


Conservation Hangar Tours
Until 31 Mar 2024
Free with museum admission
Booking required

See behind the scenes of the work carried out in the museum’s Conservation hangar with a guided tour and find out more about objects from the collection that aren’t normally on display.

Book now nms.ac.uk/Conservation-Hangar-Tours


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

Spring Explorers
8 – 11 Apr 2024
10:30 – 15:30
Free with museum admission and Annual Pass

Our Spring Explorer school holiday activities are back, and this time they’re all to do with Scotland’s folklore and wildlife.

Find out more nms.ac.uk/Spring-Explorers

Tractor Tots 
Until May 2024
10:15 & 13:30
Various dates
Ticketed

Running in blocks of three Friday morning sessions, Tractor Tots offers a fun, focused experience for our younger visitors, introducing them to the museum and farm, and bringing it to life through interactive creative play.

Each session will take place in a different location at the museum and working farm, and 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/tractor-tots 

Follow us on Twitter…twitter.com/NtlMuseumsScot   

Follow us on Facebook…facebook.com/NationalMuseumsScotland   

Follow us on Instagram…instagram.com/nationalmuseumsscotland/   

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