National Museums Scotland News - News

Dig up some fun this half term at the National Museum of Rural Life

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 09:00:00 Z

Spring has arrived at the National Museum of Rural Life in East Kilbride this half term. Dig into soil themed storytelling sessions and craft activities, and visit the new-born lambs during Spring Explorers, running from 14-17 April.

Bronze Age shield returns to Scotland for first time in over 200 years

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 08:14:00 Z

Six Bronze Age shields have been brought together for the first time ahead of a new exhibition opening at the National Museum of Scotland this summer. Dating from 3300 to 3500 years ago, the shields include the only intact examples to survive from Scotland.

Cloned sheep that paved the way for Dolly the sheep goes on show at the National Museum of Rural Life

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 00:01:00 Z

Morag the sheep – an important cloned predecessor to the world-famous Dolly the sheep - has gone on permanent display at the National Museum of Rural Life in East Kilbride as part of a new section exploring the role of science in agriculture, Scotland’s Farming Future.

Untold story of Scotland’s wartime air defence system revealed

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 10:57:00 Z

The remarkable and largely untold story of the air defence network in Scotland during the Second World War is revealed in a new book by the National Museum of Flight’s aviation curator, Ian Brown.

Rare scientific instrument in National Museums Scotland’s collection marks its 1000th anniversary

Sun, 22 Feb 2026 10:00:00 Z

One of the rarest scientific instruments in the collections of National Museums Scotland marks a major milestone this year as it turns 1000 years old.

Rare Roman altars acquired for the nation will go on display in the autumn

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 00:15:00 Z

Two spectacular stone altars from a Roman fort near Edinburgh have been acquired for the National Collection ahead of a major exhibition at the National Museum of Scotland. The rare carvings are among the finest examples of sculpture from Roman Britain and will go on display for the first time in Roman Scotland: Life on the Edge of Empire (14 November 2026 – 28 April 2027).

Roman Scotland: Life on the Edge of Empire

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 00:05:00 Z

14th November 2026 – 28th April 2027

National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF

Take flight this half term at the National Museum of Flight

Thu, 05 Feb 2026 10:10:00 Z

At the National Museum of Flight this half term, master the skills needed by pilots during the Second World War. Thanks to the support of players of People’s Postcode Lottery, families can enjoy hands-on activities as part of Pilot Training School, running from Saturday 14 to Wednesday 18 February.

Giant exhibition opens in Edinburgh this weekend

Wed, 28 Jan 2026 22:03:00 Z

Giants
National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, Edinburgh
31 January – 14 September 2026

410 million year old fossil which defies classification enters collection of National Museums Scotland

Wed, 21 Jan 2026 19:00:00 Z

UNDER EMBARGO UNTIL 7pm GMT, Wednesday 21st January

A 410 million year-old fossil from Aberdeenshire in Scotland which scientists have identified as being a ‘new’ form of life, distinct from plants or fungi, has been added to the collections of National Museums Scotland.