Into Edinburgh National Museum and its fascinating galleries

Although the museum opened its doors to the public in 2006, that's not where its story begins. Indeed, before it became the National Museum of Edinburgh, it was two separate museums that only merged in 2006: the New Museum of Scotland and the Royal Scottish Museum.

Firstly, the Royal Scottish Museum opened in 1899 and was known as the largest multidisciplinary museum in Scotland as it collected over 12 million objects. Secondly, the other building part of this fusion was the new Museum of Scotland, as we already mentioned, primarily opened in 1998 by Queen Elizabeth II.

Edinburgh National Museum is constantly evolving as there have been many modifications within the Victorian building, through the years. Recently, new galleries have been opened in East Asia and Ceramics in 2019, and who knows what the museum's next move will be!

The museum offers a wide range of activities, ideal for anyone with a passion for history, wildlife or even if you are a science enthusiast.

Start your visit in the grand gallery as you will be amazed by this room going through many floors. We want you to discover more on site so we won’t say much but just know that every object displayed is more interesting than the other! As you continue to explore the venue, head to the art, design & fashion gallery. More than textile, this collection includes breathtaking pieces of fashion, coming from the renowned Alexander McQueen or even the French creator Jean Paul Gaultier.

Another thing to do is to explore the Science and Technology Gallery or the Scottish History and Archaeology display room. The latter houses works of art dating from prehistoric times to the present day. It's fascinating to see how these artifacts stand the test of time, and some even create new memories like the Lewis chess pieces. How is this possible, you may ask? Well, these chess pieces feature in the famous film "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone", released in 2001, they actually even come to life during a scene with the young wizard.

After discovering the World Cultures exhibition room and the Ancient Egypt and East Asia galleries, you'll be eager to discover the natural world. This collection features animals as you see them today, as well as animals of the past. Some we love to admire, others we'd be afraid to meet. Indeed, some fearsome inhabitants are present in the museum, such as the 12 meter-long T Rex on display in the center of the hall. Although this animal existed 65 million years ago, its reputation and ferocity have remained intact to this day! But, don’t worry it won’t bite you!

Less frightening mammals are also on display, such as the famous Dolly. We are not talking about Dolly Parton, but if the sheep’s name brings to mind the country singer, it's no surprise because the animal was named after her. Dolly is actually the first mammal clone ever known. This story probably intrigues you, so don’t wait to learn more about it.

Moreover, this family-friendly museum has everything you need to enjoy your stay if you're coming with your family. From activities specially designed for kids to interactive family-oriented galleries, everything is at your disposal. There's even a miniature model of the museum made of... Lego! Yes, you read that right, it's the artist Warren Elsmore who's behind this work. Even if children can’t play with it, they will surely be impressed by this replica

So much history can work up an appetite, and unless you always have a snack or even lunch with you, you might be interested in the museum's dining options. On the third level, the Balcony Café offers tea, coffee, snacks and sandwiches from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. You can also eat in the museum kitchen on level zero, open at the same time and offering the same range of food.

As your belly is probably already full, don't hesitate to round off your day with a visit to the museum stores, as it's always nice to take a souvenir home, or to have a look around as if it were part of the museum. There will be plenty of choice as there are two souvenir shops within the building.

📍 Address:

Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF

🕒 Opening times:

Open daily, 10:00 - 17:00 3 to 4 hours for a visit

🎟️ Admission :

• Admission is free, and there's no need to reserve your ticket in advance.
• However, some exhibitions require a paid ticket, thus, be sure to check if your exhibition is free or not.
• You can also enjoy a free public guided tour if you are alone or part of a group of less than 6 people.