What to do · Edinburgh
National Museum of Scotland, from Dolly the sheep to the rooftop terrace
Information
- Price
- Free · some temporary exhibitions are paid
- Duration
- 2 h 30
- Season
- All year, except 25 December
- Who it's for
- All ages; Imagine gallery for the youngest
Where to start
The National Museum of Scotland is on Chambers Street, five minutes' walk from the Royal Mile via George IV Bridge. It's free and huge: it joins a Victorian building with an iron-and-glass atrium, the Grand Gallery, to a modern wing in golden stone devoted to the history of Scotland. Go in through the Grand Gallery, pick up a map and choose two or three areas; seeing everything in a day isn't realistic.
- Dolly the sheep. The first mammal cloned from an adult cell, in 1996, at an institute near Edinburgh. She's stuffed in a display case in the Explore gallery, on level 1, and she's the museum's selfie spot.
- The Millennium Clock. A tower of gears, figures and music next to the Grand Gallery. It springs into action on the hour, from 11:00: if you're nearby, stop and watch.
- The Scotland galleries. From prehistory to the 20th century, in order, floor by floor: Pictish stones, Viking pieces, mementoes of Mary, Queen of Scots, the industrial revolution.
- Animals and science. Hanging skeletons, stuffed animals and science rooms with buttons and screens to touch.
With young children and with teenagers
For the youngest there's Imagine, on level 1: a colourful room with dressing-up, sound games, a story corner and an area for crawling babies. In autumn and winter there are song and play sessions for under-5s (Magic Carpet), from 7 September 2026 to 15 March 2027; check the times on the website. There's pushchair storage on level 1 of the Scotland galleries and baby-changing facilities on almost every floor.
Teenagers usually get hooked on the science and technology rooms, the animal gallery and the rooftop terrace. Let them pick an area to explore on their own with a meeting time in the Grand Gallery.
The rooftop terrace
On level 7 there's a terrace with views of the castle, the Old Town and Arthur's Seat. It's free and opens from 10:00 to 16:45. Go up the stairs from the Industry and Empire gallery, on level 5, or take the terrace lift. It's one of the easiest viewpoints in the city: no slopes, no queues and with a lift.
Tips
- For a rainy day It's the handiest indoor plan in the centre: free, under cover and with a café inside.
- Arrive at 10:00 The first hours are the quietest, before the school groups.
- Combine it with Greyfriars Greyfriars cemetery, a stop on the Harry Potter walk, is across the street.
- Finish on the roof Leave the terrace for the end, when you don't want to see any more display cases.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the National Museum of Scotland cost?
Entry is free. Only some temporary exhibitions are paid.
What are the opening hours?
Every day from 10:00 to 17:00. It's closed on 25 December; on the 26th and on 1 January it opens from 12:00 to 17:00.
Where is Dolly the sheep?
In the Explore gallery, on level 1. She has been at the museum since 2003.
Is it worth it with young children?
Yes. The Imagine gallery is designed for babies and children up to primary age, and there's pushchair storage and baby-changing.
Do you need to book?
Not for general admission. Paid exhibitions and some activities do need booking.
With young childrenAs a familyWith teenagers
