National Museum of Scotland
- Box office 0300 123 6789
- Opening times Daily 10am–5pm.
- Seasonal times Closed 25 Dec. Open noon–5pm on 26 Dec, 1 & 2 Jan.
- Admission Free.
- Website www.nms.ac.uk
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In its landmark building, occupying more than half of Chambers Street, the National Museum of Scotland was formerly two different museums – the Royal Museum, built in 1861, and the more modern Museum of Scotland, completed in 1998. The facilities were unified in April 2008, although there is still a definite thematic separation: the former Royal Museum (complete with its grand Victorian Hall) has a worldwide and natural history focus, while the newer building maintains a distinctly Scottish viewpoint. Between the two is an interactive technology zone, filled with exhibits that form an easy connection between education and fun for children. They can race in a Formula 1 simulation, operate robotic arms and moon buggies, and discover the science behind solar and rock power. Dolly the Sheep also inhabits this space, as does the full-size Wylam Dilly locomotive. At the top of the spherical sandstone tower at the George IV Bridge end of the building is the Tower Restaurant, which has made a name for itself as a fantastic example of fine dining in the capital.
Fire your imagination at the National Museum of Scotland, one of the UK’s top 10 visitor attractions. Our diverse collections take you on a journey of discovery through the history of Scotland, the wonders of nature and world cultures – all under one roof.
From meteorites to monsters from the deep, our Natural World galleries tell the story of our planet, while our World Cultures galleries link people and possessions across the globe. Follow the story of Scotland from prehistory to the present day in our Scottish galleries, marvel at a spectacular array of over 800 objects in our Window on the World and meet the Scots whose ideas, innovations and leadership took them across the world in our Discoveries gallery.
Text supplied by third party.
- Provides: Free wi-fi
Events at this venue
There are 7 events at this location
Sorted by title / date & time
Art of Glass
An exploration of glass work in Britain today, presented in collaboration with the National Centre for Craft & Design and featuring the work of artists pushing the boundaries of what can be done with glass as a medium.
Fri 20 Jul
Free / 0300 123 6789
- 10:00 – 17:00
Sat 21 Jul
Free / 0300 123 6789
- 10:00 – 17:00
Sun 22 Jul
Free / 0300 123 6789
- 10:00 – 17:00
Edinburgh Life Drawing and Urban Sketching
This group is for anyone who likes to draw. Unlike other artists like musicians, actors or dancers… people who like to create drawings often do so alone. Once finished they tend to hide their sketch pad somewhere and few people get the pleasure of seeing their work. There's nothing wrong with that but it could also be a…
Sun 22 Jul
Prices to be confirmed / 0300 123 6789
Urban Sketching at National Museum of Scotland
- 12:00 – 15:00
Sun 5 Aug
Prices to be confirmed / 0300 123 6789
Urban Sketching at National Museum of Scotland
- 12:00 – 15:00
Sun 19 Aug
Prices to be confirmed / 0300 123 6789
Urban Sketching at National Museum of Scotland
- 12:00 – 15:00
Free Fringe Music
National Museum of Scotland Experience the joy of live music at the museum as the best young contemporary music talents perform an exciting blend of Scottish pop, traditional Scottish songs and instrumental sets; all inspired by the museum's Scottish pop music exhibition. See different performers every day and keep…
Sat 4 Aug
Sun 5 Aug
Mon 6 Aug
Futureproof: Chronicles
An alternative audio guide incorporating dance, devised by NTS, Project X and Thulani Racha.
Sat 6 Oct
Times to be confirmed / £5 / 0300 123 6789
Part of Futureproof.
Sun 7 Oct
Times to be confirmed / £5 / 0300 123 6789
Part of Futureproof.
Museum After Hours: Friday Fringe Takeover
National Museum of Scotland Enjoy a unique flavour of the Fringe and explore the museum after hours. From music and dance to comedy and theatre, hand-picked performers will showcase highlights from their acts across three exhilarating party nights. From the Grand Gallery’s main stage to more intimate spaces across the…
Fri 10 Aug
Fri 17 Aug
Fri 24 Aug
POP-UP Duets (fragments of love)
Janis Claxton Dance Janis Claxton Dance returns with this award-winning 2016 Fringe hit. Janis Claxton and composer Pippa Murphy have joined forces with a team of world-class dancers for a series of short, site-specific performances choreographed specifically for public spaces. Based around the theme of love, the duets…
Wed 15 Aug
Thu 16 Aug
Fri 17 Aug
Rip It Up: The Story of Scottish Pop
National Museums Scotland and BBC Scotland are coming together to tell the story of Scottish pop music in a major collaborative project that explores the musical culture of a nation over more than half a century.
Fri 20 Jul
£9 (£7.20; Children £6.30–£7) / 0300 123 6789
Sat 21 Jul
£9 (£7.20; Children £6.30–£7) / 0300 123 6789
Sun 22 Jul
£9 (£7.20; Children £6.30–£7) / 0300 123 6789
Reviews & features
Win tickets to the spectacular Museum After Hours at the National Museum of Scotland
Win a pair of tickets to the Museum After Hours: Friday Fringe Takeover, at the National Museum of Scotland.
Enjoy a family fun day out at the Fringe
10 Jul 2018
Grab a bite to eat, chill out at the Circus Hub and catch a world-class show
Planning a day out at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe can be a daunting task – with a massive 3,548 shows in 317 venues across an entire city, you may not know where to start. Add kids into that equation and it can feel like mission impossible.
Ten new galleries open at the National Museum of Scotland
6 Jul 2016
Major redevelopment of the Edinburgh attraction dedicated to science, technology, art, design and fashion
Following a £14.1 million redevelopment the National Museum of Scotland is set to open ten new galleries on Friday 8 July. The latest phase in a planned £80 redevelopment of the iconic museum in the heart of Edinburgh.
The Best Activities for Kids and Families in Edinburgh
3 Mar 2015
Places to go and things to do in Auld Reekie
Visitors have been climbing to the top of Camera Obscura’s rooftop chamber for over 150 years, so they must be doing something right. Up there, you can view Edinburgh through a giant periscope, ‘pick up’ a bus or person on a piece of paper, and learn…
Preview: the National Museum of Scotland
22 Jul 2011
A peek inside the museum, plus reminiscences from notable Edinburghers and a guide to coming events
The National Museum of Scotland on Chambers Street is due to reopen this month after a three-year, £46.4 million redevelopment. David Pollock takes an exclusive peak behind closed doors to find out about the new exhibits
The National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh
16 Feb 2011
Newly renovated NMS showcases Scottish achievements
A country with as many scientists, inventors and explorers as Scotland needs a place to show off all its achievements – and nowhere does the job better than the newly renovated National Museum
National Museum of Scotland to celebrate start of renovations
24 Apr 2008
The National Museum of Scotland will celebrate the start of the £46.4m Royal Museum Project renovations with a weekend of entertainment. The Red Hot Chilli Pipers will headline the event, which runs from Sat 26–Sun 27 Apr. See www.nms.ac.uk/celebration
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