National Museum of Scotland

About the museum

The National Museum of Scotland grew out of a natural history collection given to the University of Edinburgh in 1697, which became one of the first museums in the United Kingdom. In the nineteenth century the government took over the collections, and a new building designed by Francis Fowke and Robert Matheson, with a grand central hall of cast iron, partly opened in 1866 as the Edinburgh Museum of Science and Art. It was later renamed the Royal Scottish Museum.

The neighbouring Museum of Scotland, a modern building devoted to Scottish antiquities, culture and history, opened in 1998. In 2006 the two buildings were merged into one museum. The Victorian building was closed for a three-year refurbishment costing £47 million and reopened on 29 July 2011 with sixteen new galleries and many objects that had not been on show before.

Today the museum covers geology, archaeology, natural history, science, technology, art and world cultures as well as the story of Scotland. It is part of National Museums Scotland, admission is free, and with around 2.3 million visitors in 2025 it was the most visited attraction in Scotland that year.

Highlights

• Dolly the sheep, the first mammal cloned from an adult cell
• The Millennium Clock, a large kinetic sculpture
• The Grand Gallery, a soaring Victorian hall of cast iron and glass
• Ancient Egyptian collections and world cultures galleries
• The Kingdom of the Scots gallery and Scotland’s archaeology and medieval objects

Permanent exhibitions

• Kingdom of the Scots – A gallery in the Scotland galleries on the early Scottish kingdom.
• Imagine – A play and discovery gallery for young children, where museum objects come to life through stories, music and hands-on activities.
• Adventure Planet – An interactive natural history gallery with dressing-up and a dinosaur dig.

Founded

1998

Operated by

National Museums Scotland

Visitors per year

approx. 2,318,305 (2025)

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission to the permanent galleries is free. Charges apply to some special exhibitions, events and tours.

Accessibility

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

Lifts and ramps give step-free access to the galleries from the main entrance on Chambers Street. Accessible toilets are on all floors and a Changing Places toilet is on level 0 in the Entrance Hall. Wheelchairs can be borrowed free of charge but cannot be booked in advance; ask at an information desk. Induction loops are installed at the information desks and in the Auditorium, and hearing helpers can be used in sessions. Large print labels are provided. Audio-described and object-handling tours and a free BSL tour can be requested by email (communities@nms.ac.uk, +44 131 347 4313; allow six weeks for tours). There are four free designated parking spaces for disabled visitors on Chambers Street, which cannot be booked in advance. Assistance dogs are welcome.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly
• Baby changing facilities
• Playground / play area

The family hub lists Magic Carpet sessions for under-5s with songs, rhymes and sensory play (7 September 2026 to 15 March 2027) and a free drop-in Find Out Fridays session in term time (13:30–16:00). The Imagine gallery is aimed at young children, and Adventure Planet has interactive activities. The buggy park is on level 1 of the Scotland galleries behind the Kingdom of the Scots gallery, and baby changing is available on most levels.

Getting there & parking

The coach drop-off point is outside the main entrance on Chambers Street.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant: not available
• Museum shop
• Lockers
• Wi-Fi

The museum states that free wifi is available throughout the building. Balcony Café (level 3), Hawthornden Café (level 1) and Museum Kitchen (level 0). The Lunch Space in the Entrance Hall is for eating packed lunches, but is given priority to school groups in term time. Self-service lockers in the Entrance Hall (three sizes, up to 58 × 44 × 66 cm, from £3 for the day) are paid for by phone, card or a cash voucher bought in the shop. Toilets are on every level.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Up to 1,500 guests.

The Grand Gallery and Entrance Hall can host receptions for up to 1,500 guests; other spaces include the Board and Bute Rooms, the Auditorium Complex (about 200 seats) and the Rooftops.

Plan your visit