Museums in Scotland
The National Museum of Scotland and the Scottish National Gallery in Edinburgh, the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum and the Riverside Museum in Glasgow, V&A Dundee, and museums on the islands and in the Highlands.
Scotland Museum Guide
Our guide lists 122 museums in Scotland across 62 towns and cities. You’ll find the widest choice in Edinburgh (23), Glasgow (15), and Dundee (9).
Broken down by focus, the largest shares go to History & Cultural History (25%), Castles, Palaces & Monasteries (19%), and Art & Design (16%) – 11 of our 12 categories are represented.
57 museums are free to visit. For the others with a published price, a regular adult ticket costs £11 at the median, and the middle half charge between £9 and £17.50.
46 museums are fully wheelchair accessible, 77 offer dedicated programs for families, and 68 have a café or restaurant. These figures come from our ongoing research – museums whose details we haven’t verified yet aren’t included in the counts.
Top 10 museums in Scotland
The best-known museums in Scotland
Balmoral CastleCastles & Palaces · Ballater
Edinburgh CastleCastles & Palaces · Edinburgh
Scottish National GalleryArt · Edinburgh
Kelvingrove Art Gallery and MuseumArt · Glasgow
National Museum of ScotlandHistory · Edinburgh
Glamis CastleCastles & Palaces · Glamis
Royal Yacht BritanniaHistory · Edinburgh
Inveraray CastleCastles & Palaces · Inveraray
Riverside MuseumTechnology · Glasgow
Scottish National Portrait GalleryArt · Edinburgh
Museums in Scotland with free admission
- Scottish National GalleryArt · Edinburgh
- Kelvingrove Art Gallery and MuseumArt · Glasgow
- National Museum of ScotlandHistory · Edinburgh
- Riverside MuseumTechnology · Glasgow
- Scottish National Portrait GalleryArt · Edinburgh
Modern OneArt · Edinburgh
Gallery of Modern ArtArt · Glasgow
Broughty Castle MuseumCastles & Palaces · Dundee
Burrell CollectionArt · Glasgow
The HunterianArt · Glasgow
Museums in Scotland with programs for families
- Edinburgh CastleCastles & Palaces · Edinburgh
- Scottish National GalleryArt · Edinburgh
- Kelvingrove Art Gallery and MuseumArt · Glasgow
- National Museum of ScotlandHistory · Edinburgh
- Royal Yacht BritanniaHistory · Edinburgh
- Riverside MuseumTechnology · Glasgow
- Scottish National Portrait GalleryArt · Edinburgh
Braemar CastleCastles & Palaces · Braemar
Castle of MeyCastles & Palaces · Thurso- Modern OneArt · Edinburgh
Wheelchair-accessible museums in Scotland
- Balmoral CastleCastles & Palaces · Ballater
- Scottish National GalleryArt · Edinburgh
- Kelvingrove Art Gallery and MuseumArt · Glasgow
- National Museum of ScotlandHistory · Edinburgh
- Royal Yacht BritanniaHistory · Edinburgh
- Riverside MuseumTechnology · Glasgow
- Scottish National Portrait GalleryArt · Edinburgh
- Modern OneArt · Edinburgh
- Gallery of Modern ArtArt · Glasgow
- Burrell CollectionArt · Glasgow
Museums in Scotland with the highest published visitor numbers
- National Museum of ScotlandHistory · Edinburgh
- Kelvingrove Art Gallery and MuseumArt · Glasgow
- Riverside MuseumTechnology · Glasgow
- Gallery of Modern ArtArt · Glasgow
- Burrell CollectionArt · Glasgow
Glasgow Science CentreTechnology · Glasgow
Scotch Whisky ExperienceSpecial · Edinburgh
Campbeltown MuseumRegional · Campbeltown
By category
Cities with the most museums
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
How many museums are there in Scotland?
Our directory currently lists 122 museums in Scotland across 62 towns and cities.
What are the best-known museums in Scotland?
Some of the best known are Balmoral Castle, Edinburgh Castle, Scottish National Gallery, Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, and National Museum of Scotland.
Which museums in Scotland offer free admission?
57 museums are free to visit – for example Scottish National Gallery, Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, National Museum of Scotland, and Riverside Museum.
Which museums in Scotland are open on Mondays?
Many museums are closed on Mondays, but according to their regular hours 67 are open, such as Edinburgh Castle, Scottish National Gallery, and Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum.
Which museums in Scotland are wheelchair accessible?
46 museums are fully wheelchair accessible, including Balmoral Castle, Scottish National Gallery, and Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. Others are partially accessible – you’ll find the details on each museum’s page.
How much does it cost to visit museums in Scotland?
A regular adult ticket costs £11 at the median, with prices ranging from £4 to £26. Children, students and families usually pay less.
Other regions: North East England · North West England · Yorkshire and the Humber · East Midlands · West Midlands · East of England · London · South East England · South West England · Wales · Northern Ireland