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Curator Zena Timmons prepares Morag for display. Photo © National Museums Scotland (4)

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

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.

IanBrownAIrDefenceScotland-3

Untold story of Scotland’s wartime air defence system revealed

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.

Dr Rebekah Higgitt of National Museums Scotland examines an 11th century astronomical instrument known as an astrolabe on the 1000th anniversary of its manufacture. The astrolabe, which was used to observe, calculate and predict the position of the Sun and the stars, is on display at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh. Image © Andy Catlin   003

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

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.

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.