Giants coming soon to National Museum of Scotland
Giants
National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, Edinburgh
31 January – 14 September 2026
Press images are available here.
An immersive exhibition of giant prehistoric animals will open at the National Museum of Scotland this month. Giants (31 January – 14 September 2026) will showcase the enormous but often overlooked creatures that roamed the Earth after the extinction of the dinosaurs.
This will be the Scottish debut of the spectacular touring exhibition developed by the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences and toured by Nomad Exhibitions.
Giants invites visitors on a journey through time, from 66 million years ago to the present day. The exhibition features life-sized 3D models, fossils and nearly complete skeletons including Paraceratherium, the largest land mammal ever known to have walked the Earth, megalodon, the mightiest shark of all time, and the terrific Titanoboa cerrejonensis, the world’s longest ever snake.
Immersive displays will transport audiences into the natural habitats of these colossal beings, providing context to their existence and eventual extinction. Interactives will also invite visitors to step into the shoes of palaeontologists and biologists, engaging with the scientific processes behind fossil discovery and reconstruction.
New giants have since emerged, such as elephants, rhinoceroses and whales, but they too are now under threat of extinction. Giants will close with a poignant reminder of nature’s fragility and the urgent need to protect these animals for future generations.
Dr Sarah Stewart, Assistant Curator Palaeobiology at National Museums Scotland, said:
“We’re really looking forward Giants opening later this month. Popular attention on prehistoric life tends to focus either on dinosaurs or on our own earliest human ancestors, which leaves a relatively neglected gap of around 60 million years of natural history.
Giants is a striking invitation to us all to think about that period, to see how nature adapts over time, and also to reflect on the ways in which current human activity is denying that time to today’s endangered giants.”
The exhibition is supported by a programme of events including talks by award-winning wildlife photographers Doug Allan and Gordon Buchannan.
Tickets for Giants are available to book now at nms.ac.uk/Giants
Notes to editors
- Giants ticket pricing
|
Price Type |
Advanced* |
Day |
|
Adult |
£13 |
£14.50 |
|
Over 65s |
£12 |
£13.50 |
|
Student, Unemployed, Disabled, Young Scot |
£10 |
£11.50 |
|
Child 5-15 |
£9 |
£10.50 |
|
National Art Pass |
£6.50 |
£7.25 |
|
Education |
£4 |
|
|
Carer |
Free |
|
|
Child Under 5 |
Free |
|
|
Members |
Free |
|
|
NMS Staff |
Free |
|
|
Universal credit Adult |
£3 |
|
|
Universal credit Child 5-15 |
£0 |
|
Free entry for accompanying essential carers
For school bookings, contact schools@nms.ac.uk
Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult.
*Advance ticket prices are applicable up to 23:59:59 the day before.
Tickets for Giants and terms and conditions are available at nms.ac.uk/Giants
2. Giants public programme
National Museum of Scotland
Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF
For adults
Doug Allan: Giants of the Sea
Sunday 22 March 2026
11:30-12:30
Award-winning wildlife photographer Doug Allan shares his experiences of getting up close to the world’s great marine mammals.
Morning Curator Tours: Giants
Tuesday 7 April, Thursday 9 Aprill andTuesday 14 April 2026
9:45-10:30
Join our exhibition curator for an exclusive early-morning tour of Giants.
Gordon Buchanan: Giants of the Land
Saturday 16 May
14:00-15:00
Award-winning wildlife photographer and presenter Gordon Buchanan shares his experiences of filming the world’s great land animals.
Creative Workshop: Paper Creations
Saturday 23 May 2026
10:30-13:00 & 14:00-16:30
Join paper folding artist Kate Colin for a bespoke workshop, inspired by our Giants exhibition.
For families
Giants: Half-term
Saturday 14 Feb – 22 Feb 2026
Various times
Get inspired by Giants with big LEGO builds and free drop-in activities in the Grand Gallery.
3. About National Museums Scotland
National Museums Scotland is one of the leading museum groups in the UK and Europe and it looks after collections of national and international importance. The organisation provides loans, partnerships, research and training in Scotland and internationally. Our individual museums are the National Museum of Scotland, the National Museum of Flight, the National Museum of Rural Life and the National War Museum. The National Museums Collection Centre in Edinburgh houses conservation and research facilities as well as collections not currently on display.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/NationalMuseumsScotland
Instagram: @NationalMuseumsScotland
Bheireadh Oifis nam Meadhanan eadar-theangachadh Gàidhlig den bhrath-naidheachd seachad do bhuidhinn mheadhanan bharantaichte.
Cuiribh fios do dh'Oifis nam Meadhanan airson bruidhinn air cinn-latha freagarrach.
4. About Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences
The Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences has been entrusted with four major missions: scientific research into natural sciences, scientific expertise at the service of public authorities, conservation and management of scientific heritage and collections, and dissemination of scientific knowledge in society.
Its museum offers 16,000 m² of permanent galleries, temporary exhibition rooms and educational workshops. Its Dinosaur Gallery is world famous and the largest in Europe. It plays an active role in the promotion and dissemination of scientific culture, both within and beyond its walls, in particular through travelling exhibitions.
https://www.naturalsciences.be/
Instagram: @natural.sciences.belgium
- About Nomad Exhibitions
Nomad Exhibitions is an award-winning UK-based company that specialises in the design, production, and management of engaging and experiential temporary, touring, and permanent interpretive exhibitions for museums and cultural venues worldwide. With their experienced team of design and construction experts, they work in partnership with museums and cultural venues to create unique concepts, design outstanding exhibitions, and bring these projects to life through expert construction and installation management and market-leading sustainability practices.
Instagram: @nomadexhibitions