Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Museum

About the museum

The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Museum looks after the history of Scotland’s light cavalry regiment and of the regiments that came before it. It was founded in 1976 and stands in the New Barracks, the largest building in the Edinburgh Castle complex, so a visit fits well with a day at the castle.

The permanent exhibition follows the regiment from its origins in the late seventeenth century to the present day. Visitors learn about the part the regiment and its predecessors played in many key events in British history. The collection has more than a thousand objects, including uniforms, weapons, equipment, flags, medals, musical instruments, horse equipment, paintings and prints, and it also tells the story of military music in the regiment. A well-known item is a Japanese officer’s sword from the Burma campaign in 1945, linked to the 3rd Carabiniers.

The museum is also responsible for the regimental archive, which holds documents, photographs, maps and official publications and is open to researchers by appointment. A regimental shop is on the first floor, and a learning officer offers sessions for schools, either at the castle or as outreach visits.

Highlights

• Regimental story from the late 17th century to the present
• More than 1,000 objects including uniforms, medals and flags
• Military musical instruments and horse equipment
• Housed in the New Barracks at Edinburgh Castle
• Regimental shop on the first floor

Permanent exhibition

• Permanent exhibition: the history of the regiment – The regiment’s story from its origins in the late 17th century to the present day, with the part it and its predecessors played in many decisive events in British history.

Founded

1976

Operated by

Royal Scots Dragoon Guards

Admission & discounts

Entry to the museum is free, but it is inside Edinburgh Castle, for which Historic Environment Scotland charges admission. Members of the regimental association and the regimental family can arrange access to the castle through the regiment’s home headquarters with 48 hours’ notice on weekdays; this does not allow wider access to the castle.

Accessibility

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

The museum is fully wheelchair accessible: a ramp leads to the main entrance and a lift on the ground floor goes to the first floor, where the exhibition begins. The approach to the castle is an uphill tarmac slope, and the route inside the castle continues uphill over uneven cobbles. A mobility vehicle can be requested from Historic Environment Scotland at the castle entrance. There are no toilets in the museum, but there are facilities nearby in the castle. Limited Blue Badge parking near the castle entrance on the Esplanade must be booked in advance.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The museum is in the New Barracks, the largest building in Edinburgh Castle.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards regimental shop is on the first floor of the museum. Edinburgh Castle has cafes and toilets nearby.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit