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Curator Dr Fraser Hunter examines the Roman altars.Photo © Duncan McGlynn (4)

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

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). 

The Roman altars at the National Museums Collection Centre, Edinburgh. Photo © Duncan McGlynn (5) cropped

Roman Scotland: Life on the Edge of Empire

14th November 2026 – 28th April 2027 

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

Take flight at the National Museum of Flight. Image credit © Andy Catlin

Take flight this half term at the National Museum of Flight

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. 

Connie Blacklaw (11)  meets a megalodon at the National Museum of Scotland’s exhibition Giants. Photo © Stewart Attwood cropped

Giant exhibition opens in Edinburgh this weekend

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

National Museums Scotland Research Associate Sandy Hetherington with sample of the 410 million year-old fossil of Prototaxites

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

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. 

Curator Ian Brown under the wings of Concorde G-BOAA with the archive. Photo © Duncan McGlynn (2)

Material from Concorde’s first flight donated to the National Museum of Flight

A personal archive of rare material from Concorde’s first commercial flight has been donated to the National Museum of Flight in East Lothian. The acquisition of dozens of items including tickets, menus and photographs, comes on the 50th anniversary of this inaugural journey. 

The Moocall wearable health sensor. Image © Moocall (1)

Cow ‘smart watch’ to go on display at National Museum of Rural Life

A new display at the National Museum of Rural Life will explore the future of farming in Scotland, from cutting edge scientific advances to the resurgence of  crofting.

Innovations, including wearable technology for cows that monitors an animal’s health and wellbeing, will reveal how science is transforming farming and animal care. 

Gerald Durrell with a pygmy anteater in Panama, 1983, filming TV series Amateur Naturalist. Photo © Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust

Rare specimen collected by celebrated naturalist Gerard Durrell is donated to National Museums Scotland

The Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust has donated more than 550 specimens and samples to National Museums Scotland’s internationally significant natural sciences collection.  

The makers selected for the new exhibition project. Photo © Neil Hanna

Makers selected for contemporary craft exhibition at the National Museum of Scotland and Ulster Museum

New, contemporary craft works inspired by the collections of National Museums Scotland and National Museums NI will be displayed in a collaborative exhibition, opening at the National Museum of Scotland in summer 2027, then at the Ulster Museum, National Museums NI in early 2028.  

Celebrate the season with festive family fun at the National Museum of Rural Life © Andy Catlin (003)

Festive fun on the farm at the National Museum of Rural Life

nms.ac.uk/FestiveWeekend 

 

Celebrate the season with festive fun for the whole family at the National Museum of Rural Life. The East Kilbride attraction will host Festive Weekend on Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 December, with support from players of People’s Postcode Lottery. 

Curator Craig Angus from National Museums Scotland puts finishing touches to the installation of the Rock Crystal Jar from the Galloway Hoard at Kirkcudbright Galleries, image credit Andy Jardine

Prized treasure from the Galloway Hoard on show for the first time in Kirkcudbright

A unique rock crystal jar found as part of the Galloway Hoard has gone on public display for the first time. The Galloway Hoard: Rock Crystal Jar exhibition at Kirkcudbright Galleries, near where the Hoard was first discovered, will run until 14 June 2026.  

Assistant Curator Craig Angus with silver arm rings from the Burray Hoard. Photo © Duncan McGlynn (2)

Objects from the Burray Hoard go on display at Orkney Museum

More than 70 objects from the Burray Hoard will go on display at Orkney Museum from Saturday [1 November] on loan from National Museums Scotland.