Roman Scotland: Life on the Edge of Empire
14th November 2026 – 18th April 2027
National Museum of Scotland,
Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF
nms.ac.uk/RomanScotland
Press images are available here.
Opening this weekend, a major exhibition at the National Museum of Scotland sheds new light on the Roman occupation in Scotland, demonstrating how this significant frontier was supplied from across the Empire, and looking at the impacts this occupation had on the local population.
Bringing together recent research, significant loans from across Europe and previously unseen archaeological discoveries from Scotland, Roman Scotland: Life on the Edge of Empire tells new stories of Roman occupation and reshapes our understanding of Scotland’s relationship with the Roman world.
Central to the exhibition are finds from a 2nd century AD Roman fort at Inveresk in East Lothian, a site whose full significance is revealed in this exhibition. The Antonine Wall was built across the narrowest part of Scotland, with additional forts along the coasts to east and west. Inveresk was one of these and grew to become a major centre with a substantial population.
Recent excavations have transformed our understanding of the site, highlighting its significance in the story of Roman Scotland. The fort was home to the world’s most northerly Mithraeum (temple to the god Mithras), and the exhibition’s centrepiece is two spectacular altars from the temple, newly conserved and on display for the first time.
A thriving town surrounded the military base at Inveresk. This bustling community, ranging from soldiers and their families to traders, craftworkers and enslaved people, is brought to life in the exhibition. Locals in this occupied land had to interact with these invading groups, and the exhibition will paint a vivid picture of their relationships, from bloodshed to diplomatic deals.
Dr Fraser Hunter, Principal Curator of Prehistory and Roman Archaeology at National Museums Scotland said:
“This rich exhibition is the first to explore Roman attempts to conquer Scotland in detail, asking why they failed, what effect they had on the locals, and examining the legacy they left behind. The extraordinary material found at Inveresk sheds new light on the peak of Roman occupation in Scotland, revealing how this significant frontier outpost and fortification was supplied from across the Empire, and taking visitors beyond the soldiers and into the lives of a vibrant and diverse frontier community.”
Objects are brought together from international collections, including the earliest known copy of De vita Iulii Agricolae, on loan from Biblioteca Nazionale Centrale in Rome, and institutions across the UK.
Roman Scotland: Life on the Edge of Empire is accompanied by a programme of events at the National Museum of Scotland, including a Museum Late and an in-conversation with historian, author and broadcaster Greg Jenner, host of BBC Radio 4's You're Dead To Me. A book of the same title has also been published by Archeopress.
The exhibition is made possible with the support of the Roman Scotland Exhibition Supporters Circle.
Pictured: National Museum of Scotland's Emma Ulloa with a ceramic cult vessel from Mainz, Germany, AD120-150, on loan from Generaldirektion Kulturelles Erbe Rheinland-Pfalz, Direktion Landesarchäologie, Außenstelle Mainz. Two Roman altars from Inveresk, near Edinburgh are illuminated in the background.
Photo © Stewart Attwood
Notes to editors
1.Roman Scotland: events, talks and tours
National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF
nms.ac.uk/whats-on
Museum Late: When in Rome
Fri 20 Nov, 19:30 - 22:30
Tickets £26, Members and concessions available
A night of Roman-inspired revelry in the spectacular setting of the National Museum of Scotland after hours.
Book now nms.ac.uk/events/museum-late-when-in-rome
Meet the Makers: Prehistoric and Roman Scotland
Sat 21 and Sun 22 Nov, 10:00 - 16:00
Free, drop in
Contemporary makers will represent craft skills from Bronze Age Scotland to the Roman military occupation.
Find out more nms.ac.uk/events/meet-the-makers-prehistoric-and-roman-scotland
Creative Workshop: Roman Pottery
Sat 21 and Sun 22 Nov, 10:30 - 13:00 and 14:00 - 16:30
Tickets £50, Members and concessions available.
Master potter and ancient pottery specialist Graham Taylor leads a hands-on workshop exploring the skills and techniques of ancient Roman Pottery making and decorating.
Book now nms.ac.uk/events/creative-workshop-roman-pottery
Curiosity Club: The Romans
Sat 28 Nov, 10:30 - 12:00
£10 (Members and Concessions £9)
Inspired by some of the museum’s most exciting collections, Curiosity Clubs are a chance for kids to explore the museum without their adult helpers through games, activities and gallery visits.
Book now https://www.nms.ac.uk/events/curiosity-club
Morning Exhibition Tour: Roman Scotland: Life on the Edge of Empire
Thu 21 Jan, Thu 25 Feb & Wed 10 Mar, 9:30–10:15
Tickets £18, concessions available
A pre-opening tour of Roman Scotland: Life on the Edge of Empire, exploring the key themes of the exhibition.
Tickets available to book from 1 Dec nms.ac.uk/events
Audio Descriptive Event: Roman Scotland
Fri 12 Feb, 11:00-13:00
Tickets £13.50. Member and concessions available.
An audio-described tour of Roman Scotland: Life on the Edge of Empire, followed by refreshments, object handling and crafts.
Book now nms.ac.uk/events/audio-descriptive-roman-Scotland
February Half Term: Building an Empire
Sat 13 - Fri 19 Feb
10:00 - 16:00 (with some timed activities)
Explore Roman life in Scotland through fun crafts, playful mini-workshops, and hands-on activities for all ages.
Find out more soon at nms.ac.uk/events
The Last People on Earth
Sat 13 Feb, 11:00 - 12:00
Story teller Andy Cannon invites audiences on a powerful journey back almost 2000 years, to a defining moment in Scotland’s history: the battle of Mons Graupius.
Find out more soon at nms.ac.uk/events
In Conversation: Roman Impact on Scotland with Greg Jenner
Sat 3 Apr 2027, 14:00 - 15:30
Tickets £12.50, Members and concessions available
An expert panel discusses interactions between Roman military communities and local groups at the most northerly boundary of the Roman Empire.
Book now nms.ac.uk/events/in-conversation-roman-impact-on-scotland-with-greg-jenner
2. Roman Scotland: Life on the Edge of Empire, publication
By Fraser Hunter, Rebecca H. Jones
£29.99
Published Archaeopress Archaeology, ISBN 9781805833840
Exploring life at the northern edge of the Roman Empire, this richly illustrated book draws on remarkable objects and archaeological discoveries to tell the stories of soldiers, local communities and people from across the Roman world, tracing conquest, frontier life, cultural encounters and the enduring legacy of Rome in Scotland.
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.