Edinburgh › Southside
National Museum of Scotland
A free, world-class museum of Scottish history, science, art and natural history.
Photo: M J Richardson / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
The museum is two buildings in one: a Victorian Grand Gallery of iron and glass, and a modern wing on the story of Scotland. You can see the Lewis Chessmen, a stuffed Dolly the Sheep, Egyptian mummies, a T. rex cast and a roof terrace with views of the castle.
It is free, which makes it the best rainy-day choice in the city. Two to three hours is enough for the highlights.
Tickets / priceFree general admission. Some special exhibitions charge a fee. Source: National Museums Scotland (official), checked 2026-10-10
Opening hoursOpen daily 10:00–17:00. Closed on 25 December, with shorter hours on 26 December and 1 January. Source: National Museums Scotland (official), checked 2026-10-10
Time needed120–240 minutes
Best timeOpening time or after 15:00
Getting thereOn Chambers Street; 10 min walk from Waverley station; buses 2, 3, 29, 35
AddressChambers Street, Edinburgh EH1 1JF
Booking advice
No booking needed. Book ahead for ticketed special exhibitions.
Insider tips
- Start on the roof terrace for the view, then work your way down.
- The Lewis Chessmen are on Level 3 in the Kingdom of the Scots section.
- Go at opening or after 15:00: school groups fill the museum around midday.
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