National Museum of Scotland

National museum · Lauriston

National Museum of Scotland

National museum · Lauriston

4

Chambers St, Edinburgh EH1 1JF, United Kingdom

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National Museum of Scotland by Neil McLean/Courtesy National Museum of Scotland
National Museum of Scotland by Courtesy National Museum of Scotland
National Museum of Scotland by Photo courtesy of National Museums Scotland
National Museum of Scotland by Courtesy National Museum of Scotland
National Museum of Scotland by Peter Dibdin/Courtesy National Museum of Scotland
National Museum of Scotland by Neil McLean/Courtesy National Museum of Scotland
National Museum of Scotland by Peter Dibdin/Courtesy National Museum of Scotland
National Museum of Scotland by null
National Museum of Scotland by null
National Museum of Scotland by null
National Museum of Scotland by null
National Museum of Scotland by null
National Museum of Scotland by null
National Museum of Scotland by null
National Museum of Scotland by null
National Museum of Scotland by null
National Museum of Scotland by null
National Museum of Scotland by null
National Museum of Scotland by null
National Museum of Scotland by null
National Museum of Scotland by null
National Museum of Scotland by null
National Museum of Scotland by null
National Museum of Scotland by null
National Museum of Scotland by null
National Museum of Scotland by null
National Museum of Scotland by null
National Museum of Scotland by null
National Museum of Scotland by null
National Museum of Scotland by null
National Museum of Scotland by null
National Museum of Scotland by null
National Museum of Scotland by null
National Museum of Scotland by null
National Museum of Scotland by null
National Museum of Scotland by null
National Museum of Scotland by null
National Museum of Scotland by null
National Museum of Scotland by null
National Museum of Scotland by null
National Museum of Scotland by null
National Museum of Scotland by null
National Museum of Scotland by null
National Museum of Scotland by null
National Museum of Scotland by null
National Museum of Scotland by null
National Museum of Scotland by null
National Museum of Scotland by null

Highlights

Scottish history, dinosaurs, fashion, science, technology, and more  

Featured in Conde Nast Traveler
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Chambers St, Edinburgh EH1 1JF, United Kingdom Get directions

nms.ac.uk
@nationalmuseumsscotland

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Chambers St, Edinburgh EH1 1JF, United Kingdom Get directions

+44 300 123 6789
nms.ac.uk
@nationalmuseumsscotland
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@ntlmuseumsscot

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Last updated

Sep 14, 2025

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@cntraveler

Why You Should Ditch the Short-Haul Flight for an Overnight Train

"A popular attraction in Edinburgh where visitors can explore a variety of exhibits spanning Scottish history, technology, and culture."

https://www.cntraveler.com/story/family-travel-caledonian-sleeper-train
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@afar

"History buffs shouldn’t miss this sprawling museum housed in adjacent modern sandstone and classic Victorian buildings—the latter of which features a magnificent atrium with soaring pillars and high windows. The diverse collections here take visitors through the history of Scotland and around the world, covering everything from nature, science, and technology to art, design, and fashion. Start in the Grand Gallery, where you’ll find a giant deer skeleton, a massive whale skull, and machinery used to smash atoms, then watch the Millennium Clock chime the hour. Also worth exploring are the Celtic, Roman, and Viking artifacts, including the famous Lewis chess pieces; Mary Queen of Scots’ exquisite jewelry collection; Dolly the sheep, the first cloned mammal ever; twists on classic tartan by top designers like Jean Paul Gaultier; and the miniature Arthur’s Seat coffins."

The Essential Guide to Edinburgh
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@cntraveler

11 Best Things to Do in Edinburgh | Condé Nast Traveler

"If you want to learn about Scottish history and identity, the National Museum of Scotland is your one-stop-shop. It’s in the beating heart of central Edinburgh, and therefore easy to access, and you can’t miss it—it’s one of the few contemporary buildings in this UNESCO-listed part of the city. Inside, you can view the famed Lewis Chessmen, carved in ornate detail from walrus ivory in the 12th century, as well as historic clothing, plus furniture from Scotland’s most acclaimed designers (most notably, Charles Rennie Mackintosh). Don't miss the macabre Miniature Coffins: tiny wooden figures inside little pine coffins that were discovered on Arthur’s Seat in 1836 and have been bound with tales of witchcraft and voodoo ever since. Kids will go nuts for the dinosaur exhibits. Entry is free, and you can take one of the free guided tours, but the labeling throughout is so good throughout that you'll probably be fine going it solo." - Freya Herring

https://www.cntraveler.com/gallery/best-things-to-do-in-edinburgh
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@cntraveler

10 Best Museums in Edinburgh | Condé Nast Traveler

"Situated slap-bang in the center of Edinburgh, the National Museum of Scotland is sprawling, highly informative, and very easy to access. It’s also a massively popular museum, thanks in part to the fact that it's free. Collections range from artifacts from ancient Egypt and local archaeological finds, to the remains of the first cloned mammal, Dolly the sheep." - Freya Herring

https://www.cntraveler.com/gallery/best-museums-in-edinburgh
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Elizabeth Davies

Google
Me and my mate visited here in late August and had an enjoyable time, yet a handful of things left me with a slight bittersweet experience. The Pros ✅ - The exhibitions and displays are arranged in a very eye catching and awe inspiring way 🤩. It really gives you that feeling of wonder and wanting to learn and understand more🤓. The height of the building really gives these spaces an advantage, allowing visitors to see the scope of some larger pieces. - While there are quieter areas, with simple displays and plaques, there are also plenty of interactive displays as well. This makes it a really engaging place for everyone, including families with younger children. - Obviously the free entry is fantastic, especially for a museum with such scope 🤑. The Cons ❌ - While looking through a section of which I have a level of expertise, I found some information to be inaccurate. While I'm certain they wouldn't blatantly lie, it makes me wonder how much of their information is 100% factual 😶. - The plaques are interesting yet I found that many were very to the point with surface-level information 🥲. As someone who works in the museum industry I believe it's not just important to explain one piece, but to give the wider context and be transparent about what we do and don't know. This inspires someone to ask questions, think about what they're learning and ask why it matters today 👏👏👏. It encourages a different perspective, so people don't just learn history, but learn from history. I found most of the museum told me things but didn't make me think. - It was cool to go up to the rooftop terrace, but the elevator was quite frustrating. It would already get quite full on the bottom couple of floors so those waiting on the four floors in-between them and the roof had to hope that there was enough room for them to squish in. Either way the high volume of people meant the elevator was called to almost each floor... Resulting in a long ride with a lack of personal space 😅😆. Overall me and my friend still had a nice time here. If anyone wanted a fun day out I'd recommend this place. If anyone had a more specific interest or wanted some more detailed information, I'd recommend somewhere else 😁.

DENNY JAMES ALUKKA

Google
The National Museum of Scotland is absolutely fantastic! The building itself is stunning, and inside there is so much to explore. From ancient history and dinosaurs to science, fashion, and technology, there’s something for everyone. The layout is easy to follow, and every section is full of fascinating displays. I especially enjoyed how interactive it is – perfect for both adults and children. You can easily spend a whole day here and still discover new things. The museum is also free to enter, which makes it even more amazing. The staff were friendly and helpful, and the atmosphere was very welcoming. Whether you’re visiting Edinburgh for the first time or you live nearby, this museum is a must-see. Truly one of the best museums in the UK!

David Stejkowski

Google
One of our unexpected highlights of Edinburgh. It has everything in one place — history, culture, art, science, even natural wonders. You can walk from ancient stones and Viking swords to the story of Dolly the sheep and modern technology. The exhibits are laid out in a way that makes sense, and the building itself is beautiful. The open galleries give you room to breathe and never feel crowded. It’s easy to move at your own pace, whether you want to stop and study every detail or just take in the sweep of Scotland’s story. Theres plenty to keep children engaged, while adults will enjoy the depth and variety. We could have returned for more. The best part is that it manages to be both educational and enjoyable without feeling overwhelming. Truly a world-class museum, and worth every minute.

Katharina Savelieva

Google
🏛️ A masterpiece of knowledge, wonder, and imagination 🏛️ The National Museum of Scotland is an absolute must-visit — not just in Edinburgh, but in all of the UK. It’s the kind of place that makes you feel like a curious kid again, eyes wide, heart open, mind racing. 🌍 From ancient history to cutting-edge science, natural wonders to Scottish legends — every floor is full of surprises. You can go from Egyptian mummies to Dolly the Sheep, from fashion exhibits to dinosaur skeletons — all under one breathtaking roof. 🌟 The architecture itself is stunning. The Grand Gallery feels like stepping into a cathedral of light, curiosity, and culture. There’s space to breathe, to explore slowly, and to truly feel the magic of learning. 👨‍👩‍👧 Perfect for all ages — whether you’re traveling solo, as a couple, or with family, you’ll find something to fascinate, inspire, or simply delight you. 🎟️ And the best part? It’s free. A gift to everyone who steps through its doors. 💫 One of the true highlights of my time in Edinburgh. I could’ve spent an entire day there — and I’ll definitely be coming back for more.

Xamidullo Mo'minov

Google
The museum is such a wonderful place. Once you enter, you don’t even want to leave, because the unique exhibits truly capture your attention. I even found some exhibits related to my homeland, and they have been preserved with great care. The visiting museum is totally free.

Walter Dinda (Walt)

Google
Incredible 7 story Museum. It is free to visit! You must go to the 7th floor roof for the panoramic view! There is a large clock made by a Russian that you must observe on the hour every hour! The clock comes alive with moving parts! The building itself is beautiful.

Bram Slijpen

Google
This year, we visited the National Museum for the second time. And once again, it was a wonderful experience. The building is beautiful and all the exhibitions are meticulously curated. This time, we also visited the roof terrace, which offers a stunning view of Edinburgh. It's hard to believe that this museum is free. It's definitely a must-see when visiting Edinburgh.

C R (Nuo)

Google
We spent almost 3 hours here and still haven’t finished our tour yet. We wished come back next in the early morning and avoid the busy summer time pretty sure we will more enjoy walking around inside. Suitable for kids as well also has lot of lifts which means take care parents and disabled people so much. Everything is great just not the right time. Summer holidays always not a good time for visiting.
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Jeffrey W.

Yelp
OMG, this place is amazing. The size of it is overwhelming. If you lived here it would take days to see it all. If you even like museums a little bit this place is not to be missed. It is world class. Make sure to go to the 7th floor for the view. Its a bit tricky to find it but its worth it. And, wait for it, its free.
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Dan C.

Yelp
Great museum. From the prehistoric to the modern offers a great overview of Scottish history. From Viking era chess pieces carved from walrus tusk ivory to a medieval "beheading machine" to a 19th century lighthouse, to Dolly the cloned sheep there's tons to see and learn about Scottish histor
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Jennifer A.

Yelp
This was such a fun find! We heard about this place on tik tok and wanted to go see it. The main reason is Dolly the sheep from the early 90s was here. It was free entrance and we got to look around as long as we wanted. There were so many different things to see and do. Totally worth a trip if you have kiddos!
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Sunil R.

Yelp
The best part of the UK are the museums and they are free. This is another stunning museum...so much to see and experience. The natural history section was my favorite.
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Andrea H.

Yelp
The National Museum of Scotland, located in Edinburgh, has a large range of exhibits, including science, technology, art, and history collections. It's a fascinating and a great way to explore Scotland's rich cultural heritage. Theres so much to see. You can explore everything from ancient artifacts and archaeological wonders to interactive displays on science and technology. The museum also features art collections, including paintings and sculptures, offering a comprehensive journey through Scotland's history and culture.
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Trina W.

Yelp
There is so much to see and immerse in this museum experience. It's like and unlike every museum you've ever treated yourself to. Here's the thing about Scotland Museums, they are donation based. There's so many layers of goodness to see. The vintage and unique displays they have procured have so much thought behind them. There's multiple floors and you could spend at least a couple of hours herem with a quick cafe break
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Christina R.

Yelp
It boggles my mind to see places like this and know that they are free. I mean, I don't disagree that they should be free but I'm from a place where $$$ rules and we don't care about funding education so seeing places like this make me happy. This museum is a time sucker but in all the best ways. I think you could spend an ENTIRE day here and still not see everything that they have. In fact, we ended up skipping floors 2 and 4 because we started to get tired at the end of 5. We started upstairs and worked our way down and yes, we were tired by the end of 5. The rooftop here is gorgeous and had great views. The layout of this place is so confusing but in the best way. There are little cut outs and places to sit. There are nooks and crannies filled with information. The main building is so gorgeous, even if it is a "replica" of something built in London. There's something for everyone in here. My love was all about the T-Rex and I was here to see Dolly. But we had a lot of fun with the interactive exhibits and we learned quite a few new things. We sat for a while at the café with some sodas, shockingly affordable with a good selection of drinks, coffees, teas, cakes, light lunches and snacks. Very clean too. Someone was on top of clearing tables. Nice bathrooms as well.
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Dave P.

Yelp
Fantastic museum in old town Edinburgh. I could spend a couple of days here. Loved the old Scottish history areas as well as newer history and even kids areas. AMA king place and free entry.
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Tracie M.

Yelp
Very well organized and fascinating museum. You learn Scottish history in a very engaging way. There were exhibits on sewing, wool, textiles and clothing. And we saw Dolly the sheep!
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Marc P.

Yelp
My two favorite things there: Their cafe: they had some really good food at a reasonable price. (For a museum cafe, I'd rate it 4.5 stars) The display of bicycles from the 19th and early 20th century timeframes. Other than those two items, the museum just didn't do it for me. There were some cool things I learned about nuclear reactors, discrimination (Rose West display), and optical signaling... but everything felt a little disjointed to me.
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Reed B.

Yelp
To say the National Museum of Scotland is overwhelming would be the understatement of the century. It's filled with an amazingly eclectic selection of items of all types from all over the world. The layout is a bit confusing but keep track of what you've seen and what you want to see and wander and you should be fine. There is a decent cafe and clean toilets on every level. I wish there were a few more places to sit but overall it was an amazing experience and I wish we had more than just a few hours to rush through!
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Tanis L.

Yelp
The National Museum of Scotland was the final museum I visited on my heritage travel trip to Scotland in July 2019. I had purchased and read some old texts about Scotland of Old before my trip and had one artifact I was determined to find, Brecc Bennach of Monymusk. Arriving around 11:20 a.m. on Friday 19 July 2019, I was uncertain of where to find the small (inches by inches) piece. Looking for more Scotland-centric exhibits I started with a perusal of the exhibit housing carved stone altars from the Romans. I found some of these altars in other museums in Scotland as well. It was interesting to see which altars were housed at which museum. After walking through a Scotland history section, I decided maybe just asking a museum worker about Brecc Bennach would be best. The museum had workers on the floor of the museum, so I asked one if they had/if the piece Brecc Bennach was on display. After checking to see if it was, they took me to the piece. I knew it was small, but was nonetheless surprised at its quaintness and ornateness. Definitely work a visit in my books, plus I got to see more Roman stone altars.
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Dave C.

Yelp
OK... this is a free museum with about 15 or so different sections. My wife and I spent 5 hours here and hit information overload. For me, I focused most heavily on the Scottish history sections starting with Robert the Bruce in the early 1300s and continuing through to the present. This was on 4 separate floors in the "newer addition" through the various eras. Yet, that's only about 1/3 of the museum. I breezed through sections on animals, fashions, and other cultures. There are a couple of eating places.
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Daniel K.

Yelp
Very large museum. Huge variety of stuff from many topics. Building itself is pretty cool. Very nice staff. Free entry. Interpretative content is good but much of the interactive stuff was broken. This is a place worth checking out.
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Colin D.

Yelp
We came here on our first full day in Edinburgh when we were too tired to really do anything else and it seemed like a good fit for the kids. We were pleasantly surprised all around. A staff member at the front desk pulled us aside and explained where everything was and what was likely to excite the kids and he sent us to the natural history part of the museum to start. The fossils and preserved animals were as good as any museum I've been to and that includes the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History in DC where we're from. The kids got to stand next to a T-Rex skeleton as well as see all kinds of other animals. We then wound our way up through the atriums toward the rocks where we saw all kinds of amazing "gems" that my 4-year-old daughter loved. The only frustrating part is (the same as almost any museum) there are lots of interactive screens and things which the kids would much rather play with rather than seeing any of the actual exhibits.

John C.

Yelp
Very mixed experience at the museum. Beautiful building and there's some amazing things on display. However, there were far too many people there the day I visited (good problem to have I guess) and the exhibits were somewhat haphazardly organized. Eg in the science and engineering section, a fabulous steam engine was beside a set of formula 1 race cars.... Both great exhibits, but no linkage between them to tell the story of how or why they are related. Just some neat stuff dumped in a room with a half hearted label. In the nature section, some of the stuffed animals were in pretty shabby condition, and similar to other sections, it was hard to work out why groupings of animals were together. Overall, a missed opportunity for the curators to explain not just what the exhibits were , but also why they were important enough to be in a museum and how they were connected the other things. Seemed like a nice spot to entertain some kids, but not much more than that. Opportunity missed!
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Mary Ann F.

Yelp
We're we so thrilled that the museums and art galleries were open on our first day. Edinburg Castle was closed for the "queens mile" procession. We were warned by our concierge that it would run right in front of the hotel so we might have trouble getting back in... Um no I won't! I was blown away by this museum! It had floor after floor of beautiful installations. The rooftop terrace was incredible with the best view of the city's landscape. It was nice to see the Edinburg Castle since it was closed. I liked that the museum was very organized floor by floor. From historic costumes, cars and planes, tech, and most interestingly Scottish history was everywhere. There were interactive films and robots, definitely a great place for children. I so enjoyed watching a film about the Scottish plaids and how they make the kilts. I'm a big fan of those as all my beloved ones know! I'm a huge fan of historic fashions and this section did not disappoint! Ballgowns, menswear and corsets that were all the rage of the decades were all included. Joe was a good sport with this stuff because he's not that interested. The tech section was very cool too since I was a long time resident of the Silicon Valley and remember Apple so fondly since my daughter is a major player at that company! Proud Mama! The architecture was mind blowing and I couldn't help taking picture after picture. I'm so happy I got a upgrade on my phone and I'm so happy with the photos it takes. We were tired and we had another museum to go. We were so great full that these were open! You could easily spend a couple of days here. Most museums are free but ask for a donation. We found that was the case all along our way in England and then Scotland. I felt I would give more of a donation after the exhibits too. We didn't go to the cafe at this spot because we heard the next museum had yummy pastries.
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Angie W.

Yelp
Really cool spot. The layout is a bit strange to me but it's got so many things to look at! I definitely wish I could've spent more time here ! I showed up a little past opening time and it wasn't too crowded was definitely was filling up by the time I was heading out.
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Lisa R.

Yelp
This was such a great find on a rainy day! There's so many amazing things to do in Edinburgh we were really avoiding any museums. But our last day it rained, and we only had a couple hours, so we walked down to this museum and I really wanted to spend the whole day. We will for sure be back. I grew up in New York City with some of the best museums in the United States. And this is at the top of my favorites now.
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Joshua G.

Yelp
This perfectly curated museum occupies almost the entirety of Chambers street. At first glance it appears to be a sprawling mini metropolis just off the Royal Mile. Once you walk inside this free museum you are instantly greeted by the juxtaposition of historic Scotland and modern Scotland. Among the many collections and exhibits this museum houses the majority of the Isle of Lewis' chess pieces. So run over the museum and be sure to walk around inside and soak up Scottish history.
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Philippa C.

Yelp
Fantastic place... so beautifully and artistically laid out. So many interesting and wonderful things to see. It has improved leaps and bounds throughout the years. I used to go as a kid and take my own kids. The only down side is they removed the wonderful huge fish pond that was in the middle of the main courtyard. Not sure why? A fantastic way to spend a rainy afternoon.. The cafe has savoury food and good coffee and cakes.
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Steff D.

Yelp
I'm always impressed with the National Museum of Scotland: there is SO. MUCH. TO. LOOK. AT. I have been here a number of times and I know I've only made it through maybe half of what's on display. For sure, this is a must see especially during those cold/windy/rainy Scottish days. While it's always pretty busy here I've never had to wait very long for the loo or to participate in any of the interactive elements. Also, I appreciate that there are little fold-out chairs discreetly available throughout the museum for people who just need a break from walking. Things that I love: the giant t-rex; the huge collection of minerals, rocks, and crystals; the video playing on repeat (all the way upstairs, and tucked into a corner) of Scottish people talking about Scottish things; all of the things to do with animals; all of the things to do with cultures from around the world. I also like the enormity of the grand hall -- it's so light and airy and spacious. There's so much to see here, and there's truly something for everyone. My advice? Spend the whole day here (you still won't see everything). Come back for a few hours every day (you still won't see everything). Come at least once every time you visit Edinburgh (you still won't see everything). But this is definitely a wonderful place to visit!
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Danielle S.

Yelp
This is one of the best museums I've ever visited. A friend described it as a "museum of everything" to me and that was incredibly apt. The best thing is, like with many of Edinburgh's museums, admission is free. You can leave a donation if you so choose. I visited on a week day and it was busy but not crowded. Plenty of space to walk around and take in the exhibits. The grand hall is absolutely beautiful in its own right. The ceilings are high and make for great photos. All of the exhibits are along the perimeter and are located on three levels. I went floor by floor, navigating through each individual exhibit on every level before going upstairs. If you want to look at all of one (i.e., the natural history part) at once, you'll have to keep going up and down stairs to get to the other sections. There was so much to see here -- animals, Scottish history, tech, archaelology, and more. I loved going through all of the highly detailed exhibits. There were some interactive sections, too, that were great for kids. I think this museum is a must-see for anyone visiting Edinburgh!
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Nikki G.

Yelp
You could walk in on a Monday, and come out on a Friday, and still not see everything housed in this museum. The collection is incredible, and impressive. The bartenders at my hotel recommended this museum. I couldn't wait to go either, since the next day rain was predicted and we needed an indoor activity. I went with adults, and there was something for everyone. There were interactive exhibits, as well as the normal museum fare. I especially liked the mummy and Egyptian display. We don't have many exhibits on that where I am from. I liked the openness and airy quality of the main hall of the museum, and how if you looked down, you could see other exhibits and peruse what you might want to view after the current exhibit you were looking at. Don't forget to check out the huge clock on the hour to see that magnificent display. People gather around it and watch. If I had more time, I would have taken a little longer to look at things. Great collections. And it is free, they just ask for a donation.
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Shanah C.

Yelp
Couldn't believe this museum was free? Beautiful, and huge! Great little cafe too! Only had about an hour to walk around but all of the exibits were interesting.
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Gayl B.

Yelp
FREE and free bathrooms (English: "the loo" or the WC). But what's better than that? The stuff in this museum. We really raced in here for use of the facilities, but then realized that this museum is so AWESOME! I loved looking at the fashion styles and, of course, they have DOLLY! My cousin was really excited about some old cars and some mechanical engineering "stuff." You could spend a significant amount of time here or you could do the once over and enjoy what you do see, but do place it on the list to visit when in Edinburgh.
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Justine S.

Yelp
I can't believe entrance to this museum is free. It's amazing. I only had a couple of hours but I really enjoyed myself, it had all these different interesting sections (animals, vehicles, space, etc) and each was bigger and more elaborate than the last. Worth the visit, and if you can, spend the whole day here!
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Ana V.

Yelp
Very lovey and colorful. Amazing experience. Free for all except for special exhibits. The fashion hall and the hall with animals and fossils were fantastic!
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Ronnie B.

Yelp
Take a guided tour and if you are lucky to get Sue, she will give you a thorough history of the orgins and beginnings of Scotland along with an overview of the building and present day museum. Fascinating!! There are a variety of tours throughout the day, I wish I could have taken them all!- you could spend all day here, go for a fast bite in the cafe in the grotto of the museum, tour with a guide, visit the five floors of exhibits, shop in the gift shops, and go for a meal in the full serve restaurant on the 5th floor. And the best part of the National Museum of Scotland?-FREE.
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Kevin B.

Yelp
The National Museum of Scotland is a ginormous multidisciplinary museum in the heart of Edinburgh's old town. Each wing has a different focus, with wings specializing in Scottish history (my favorite), science and technology, global culture, and the natural world (e.g., animals and biology). It's free to visit and can easily take up half a day or more. Come with lots of time, OR just come with an hour or two to visit one particular area which peaks your interest. Worth a trip!
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Ginger O.

Yelp
Excellent museum well worth several visits. Plus like most museums here, all free. The Scottish history floor is a morning in itself and the first floor technology and culture exhibits are mesmerizing. Spent a couple of hours just in the fashion and textile section. Hope to one day make it up to the higher floors . The cafe is just ok but it's a nice place to have tea and a break. Great gift shop.
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Kate W.

Yelp
I could have spent hours at this museum! It truly has something for everyone. I started off my visit with lunch at the cafe is the basement. Everything was delicious and the prices were reasonable for a museum. They offer 3 tours throughout the day. I took the 1:00 tour which covers Scottish history. The tour is free and lasts about an hour. A guide took us through the exhibits and gave us a brief history of Scotland from it's geological origins through the coronation of Mary, Queen of Scots' son James. It was a great introduction to Scottish history. If history isn't your thing, don't worry! There's plenty of other things to see from an exhibit about diversity in fashion, to natural history, to industry in Scotland. You can even see Dolly, the cloned sheep! I particularly enjoyed the galleries about Scottish history and the fashion and textiles gallery. The terrace viewing gallery is a great place for views of Edinburgh. The Victorian architecture is a treat, too.
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Emily H.

Yelp
This is a beautiful building with many different exhibits that are beautifully crafted in a way that there is no way to see everything in one room. Great for all ages. Only down side is that it is very difficult to navigate and the people who work there are not great at giving directions. A great place to visit on a rainy day!

Victoria F.

Yelp
Hey, it's free. What more do you need? (It was actually really cool. Medieval Scotland history was interesting. I had a good time. 10/10 would like to go back). Also would recommend shooting for early if you want a better social distanced experience.
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John B.

Yelp
Dolly the sheep is here in all her taxidermised glory. It is always exciting to come across a hidden gem. This museum, dedicated to everything that makes Scotland the country it is today, contains a wonderful collection of eclectic memorabilia. (Rick Steves raved about this place when he was covering Edinburgh). Everyone will get a different perspective on what this museum has to offer as it is unusual to visit and actually see every artifact. Most people will visit a couple of galleries, get excited about a couple of displays and then leave. There is a millennium clock here, which is pretty cool. The gift shop is well stocked and you can relax and have a cup of tea in the cafe. This museum will entertain you and leave you with thoughts of warriors and adventurers and inventors and all things Scottish.

A V.

Yelp
Great way to spend time. It's one of the best museums I've ever visited. Many collections, many interactive points. I loved it. I will come back
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Dianna B.

Yelp
When you stumble into town, and you find yourself at the national museum that offers FREE admission, what do you do? YOU GO INSIDE. Don't ask questions, just do it. You will NOT regret it. The museum soars 5 stories on the inside and has So MANY different things inside. From a lively display of interactive things for the kidlets to play with - and I honestly thought this was the big attraction, to art, ancient oddities and indigenous peoples from other lands. I could have spent HOURS here. Sadly we didn't spend too much time, rather a little over an hour, and that was just enough to whet my appetite. I WANT TO GO BACK *rattles cage* Please take me back!!!
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Jon T.

Yelp
The National Museum of Scotland is a quite extensive museum, with art, fashion, science, etc. collections. If you really wanted to take the entirety of it in, you would certainly need more than a day to do it justice. When I was there, it was specifically to see the Rip It Up: Scottish Pop exhibit. As an avid fan of several Scottish pop bands, I was beyond excited to check out the exhibit. And it did not disappoint. The exhibit was well curated, taking the visitor's from some of the early Scottish pop stars through punk, indie, and beyond. As I had hoped, I got all my fill of Orange Juice, Josef K, Altered Images, etc. If this collection is anything to be judged by, I would recommend those visiting check out the temporary exhibits to see what's being featured at time of visit.
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Melissa W.

Yelp
Had a wonderful time at the National Museum of Scotland! Beautifully done and very educational. My favorite section was the science and technology galleries; others included Scottish history, animals and earth, fashion and much more. We spent several hours here, but you could easily spend days and days. Saw some locals sitting in the cafe that sits overlooking the atrium, both lounging and working -- perfect spot! A must visit!
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Arla M.

Yelp
Overwhelming! So much to see. Very interesting. It's free and worth a couple of hours if you want to learn more about Scotland.
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Manish C.

Yelp
I can't rave about this museum as much as others as it seemed to be an odd hodgepodge of several themes ranging from natural history to science/space to Scottish history, with the Scottish history portion of the museum being the real treat. The science/space sections were quite underwhelming, being overrun by kids, and also unavoidable as you need to pass through them to/from the Scottish history wing. It's a decent museum & I'd recommend a visit based on the fact that admission is free & the Scottish history wing is worth an hour of your time while visiting the castle or Old Town area, but it quite honestly does not measure up to some of the 4 or 5 star museums I've been to around the world.

Roland B.

Yelp
Wonderful museum , came to look at Scotland history. So many things here and entry is free.

Matthew P.

Yelp
Museum is on 6 floors you even get to go out on to the roof top garden, they do have a exhibition room in this museum which you have to pay to enter but other rooms in museum are free and there is a cafe and also toilets and lifts.
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Casey S.

Yelp
There is so much to see at the National Museum of Scotland that you can likely made a whole day out of this stop. There are seven different floors to explore. It's not just Scottish history (though there's plenty of that), there's sections regarding fashion, technology and more. Make sure to visit the rooftop terrace too - there's some gorgeous views of the city while up there.
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Nathan W.

Yelp
This is a great museum with so much to see and do for all. There is so much here you could take days to see if all. Very interesting displays here. Well worth a visit. Displays from all over world.
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Monica L.

Yelp
The National Museum of Scotland is excellent. I highly recommend the museum, and don't miss the rooftop terrace for the view of Edinburgh. They take donations, but otherwise, the museum is free. This was very helpful for popping in for part of two days.
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Sarah S.

Yelp
The National Museum of Scotland is huge. I loved the way the exhibits were laid out. There's a small cafe in the middle where you can rest and eat a scone or grab some cold food. I liked the open layout.

Mike L.

Yelp
A terrific and eclectic collection in a modern space.
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Minnie N.

Yelp
We thought we could just go thru here in a couple hours but that isn't possible. There are just way too many interesting things here. Plenty of fascinating and interactive exhibits for the kids as well. We should've allowed at least a day. It's really worth a visit.