Dynamic Earth

About the museum

Dynamic Earth opened in 1999 under the name Our Dynamic Earth and was one of the first major millennium attractions in the United Kingdom. It stands in Holyrood, next to the Scottish Parliament, on the site of a former gasworks and brewery whose owners gave the land for public use in 1988. The roughly £34 million project was paid for by the Millennium Commission, the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Scottish Government as part of the regeneration of the area.

The building was designed by Michael Hopkins and Partners. A fabric roof stretched over a steel frame covers a two-storey exhibition space, and part of the old brewery wall was kept as part of the design. The site lies close to where the Scottish geologist James Hutton lived and worked in the eighteenth century, a link the centre uses in telling the story of deep time.

Visitors follow a self-guided route through galleries that take them from the formation of the Earth through its changing climates. Permanent features include a real iceberg, an earthquake experience and the Deep Time Machine. A 360-degree digital planetarium shows presenter-led programmes and dome films. Dynamic Earth is a Scottish registered charity, the Dynamic Earth Charitable Trust, and since 2025 a standard ticket doubles as an annual pass.

Highlights

• Real iceberg that visitors can see up close
• Earthquake experience and Deep Time Machine
• 360-degree digital planetarium with daily shows, including a BSL-interpreted screening
• Café with views of Arthur's Seat and the Scottish Parliament
• One ticket gives unlimited visits for twelve months
• Audio guides in five languages

Permanent exhibitions

• Galleries – A self-guided route that tells Earth's story through exhibits such as a real iceberg, an earthquake experience and the Deep Time Machine.
• Planetarium – A 360-degree dome with daily presenter-led shows and films about space and Earth, including one BSL-interpreted screening each day.

Founded

1999

Operated by

Dynamic Earth Charitable Trust

Director

Hermione Cockburn

Admission & discounts

There is no separate day ticket: standard admission is sold as an Annual Pass, which allows unlimited visits for 12 months from the date of purchase. The prices shown are online prices; walk-in prices at the Welcome Desk are £1.50 higher (adult £24.50, child £16.50, concession £21.50). Concession tickets are also available to people receiving Employment and Support Allowance, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance or Pension Credit, with a benefit letter and photo ID. Gift Aid can be added to annual passes. Visiting the café and gift shop does not need a ticket.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

All areas of the building are wheelchair accessible and staff help whenever needed. Six disabled bays are in the car park and Blue Badge holders park free. Quiet Afternoons (the last three hours of selected days, with reduced capacity) and Relaxed Days (adjusted lighting and sound, video captions) are held on selected dates. Sensory bags, sensory maps, Now and Next cards, ear defenders and Explorer Packs (fidget toy, sunglasses, soft toy and more) are available, and a social story and Access Statement can be downloaded. One BSL-interpreted Planetarium screening runs each day. Audio guides are offered in five languages.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Baby changing facilities

Child tickets start at age 4 and under-4s enter free. Holiday and themed events run through the year, for example free hands-on exhibitions, and the café has a children's menu and high chairs. Baby changing facilities are near the café.

Getting there & parking

About a 20-minute walk from the city centre. Access is from Holyrood Road, Holyrood Gait and a footpath from Horse Wynd. Cycle racks are outside on Holyrood Road. Cars that do not meet Low Emission Zone standards cannot enter the turning circle at the front.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Core Café is open daily from 10:00 with hot food from 12:00, a children's menu, vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options, high chairs and bottle warming; it is open to the public without a ticket. The gift shop is also open without a ticket.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 800 guests.

Spaces include the Stratosphere (up to 550 seated or 800 standing), the Biosphere, the Planetarium (100 seats), an outdoor terrace and an amphitheatre (500 seats), for conferences, dinners, weddings and parties.

Plan your visit