News

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). 

14th November 2026 – 28th April 2027 

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

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

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.  

The largest freshwater pearl to be found in Scotland in centuries has been donated to the National Collection. Perfectly round, 11mm in diameter and weighing 43.6 grains, the Abernethy Pearl went on permanent display in the Restless Earth gallery at the National Museum of Scotland today (Thursday 18 September). 

A Bronze Age hoard discovered in Carnoustie has been acquired by National Museums Scotland and will go on display for the first time in a new exhibition opening next summer.

The hoard includes a rare spearhead decorated with gold and a bronze sword in a wooden scabbard, dating from around 1120-920 BC. Scotland’s First Warriors (27 Jun 2026 – 17 May 2027) will bring together over 250 objects spanning thousands of years, to explore the origins and impact of conflict and warfare in prehistoric Scotland. 

Edinburgh tram passengers will have the chance to climb aboard a ‘mobile museum’ from today [24 July] as a new tram launches with special National Museum of Scotland livery. 

National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, Edinburgh 
28 June–30 November 2025 
 
nms.ac.uk/monkeys

• Immersive showcase of giant prehistoric animals opens at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery on 2 August before moving to Scotland in January 2026
• Visitors will encounter awe-inspiring creatures that roamed the Earth after the extinction of the dinosaurs
• Exhibition also highlights need to protect current natural giants such as elephants and whales.

Tickets for the biggest exhibition of primate behaviour ever staged go on sale today, Earth Day, Tuesday 22 April.  

Powder horns from the 17th to 19th century, a road sign from Skye and a handmade crogan, or earthenware pot, are among 100 objects to be reappraised in a new project which aims to reveal the Gaelic stories and connections behind material held in the National Collection.

 Tha adhaircean pùdair bhon 17mh chun 19mh linn, soidhne-rathaid às an Eilean Sgitheanach agus crogan crèadha am measg 100 rud a thèid ath-mheasadh ann am pròiseact ùr a tha ag amas air na sgeulachdan agus na ceanglaichean Gàidhlig air cùl stuth a tha sa Chruinneachadh Nàiseanta fhoillseachadh.