Our wealth of treasures represent more than two centuries of collecting. Collections take in everything from Scottish and classical archaeology to decorative and applied arts; from world cultures and social history to science, technology and the natural world.

We aim to be a world-class museums service that informs, educates and inspires. We have five museum sites that are open to the public, each showing different parts of the collection.



Edinburgh is home to our two most popular museums; the National Museum of Scotland on Chambers Street and the National War Museum at Edinburgh Castle.

National Museum of Scotland

The new National Museum of Scotland is now open. Explore the diversity of the natural world, world cultures, art and design, science and technology and Scottish history, all under one roof.

National War Museum

In the magnificent setting of Edinburgh Castle, explore over 400 years of the Scottish military experience. Uncover stories of courage and determination, victory and defeat, heroics and heartbreak and find out how war has left its mark on Scotland's history, image and reputation abroad.

National Museums Scotland also has the following sites throughout Scotland:

National Museum of Costume near Dumfries

National Museum of Flight at East Fortune Airfield, East Lothian

National Museum of Rural Life in East Kilbride

For more information please visit www.nms.ac.uk