National Museum of Scotland

L M★★★★★★★★★★5.02 weeks ago

I really enjoyed the National Museum of Scotland, even though I’m not usually a history person. The museum has a wide range of exhibitions, from the origins of life to science and technology, so there is something for everyone. At the time of my visit, most exhibitions were free, with only one requiring an admission fee, and donations were optional. There are also cafés and gift shops on site, which makes it convenient for families. It’s a great place to spend a few hours, especially with children. Don’t forget to go up to the top floor for some lovely views of the city.

Raf Owca★★★★★★★★★★5.0a week ago

One of the best museums we visited and I've been in quite a few. We spent good 3 hours exploring and we didn't see every display! It's huge and offers something interesting for everyone. It can get busy at times but still enough space for everyone. Very good coffee on the caffe downstairs!

Mark Eberhart★★★★★★★★★★5.03 months ago

Amazing museum full of incredible exhibits and artifacts. The terrace has incredible views of Edinburgh Castle. Right next to Dolly the sheep is one of the oldest steam locomotives in the world so don’t miss it! You could easily spend all day in this museum- and did i mention it’s great for kids? Probably one of the best child-friendly museums I’ve seen. Very well run and an incredible value for free.

Manoj★★★★★★★★★★5.04 months ago

A must-see museum that deserves plenty of time. It’s free entry for everyone. You should allow a minimum of three hours to explore the full collection at a comfortable pace. For car parking, it is advisable to use the Holyrood car park near the Scottish Parliament building, where charges are around £1 per hour ( Use the Pay and display machine for parking). From there, it is roughly a 6 to 12 minute walk to the museum, depending on your walking speed. Parking in this area also places you within easy walking distance of other major sights, including the Palaces like Arthur’s Summit, as well as the historic Royal Mile street which is towards Edinburgh Castle.

Taistealaiche★★★★★★★★★★4.04 months ago

Our overall Impression of the museum was great and while the National Museum of Scotland itself remains a stunning cultural venue with much to offer, the 'Giants' special exhibition fell short of its promotional promise, leading to a sense of disappointment for us, when we were expecting impactful, immersive displays of prehistoric and colossal creatures. The exhibition provides comprehensive details about the featured "giants," with high-quality graphics that effectively communicate scientific information. Plus the ‘to-scale’ models successfully convey the immense size of creatures like the Megalodon, which is a formidable visual reminder of their presence in Earth's history. However, while the use of clear acrylic and structured displays ensures visibility and organisation of the limited original fossil material available, it somewhat detracts from the original animal / mammal/ bird / dinosaur. Our main concerns were the Size and Scope of the exhibition, which occupies a relatively small space, which feels underwhelming given its billing as a major attraction. Also, the display composition relies heavily on particle board and fibreboard structures, with only small sections of original fossils visible, which kind of diminishes the sense of authenticity and wonder many visitors were looking for. Unlike the museum's free permanent galleries which offer interactive elements, the 'Giants' exhibition lacks sufficient features to hold younger visitors' imaginations. Yes the graphics and video presentations were very high quality and full of interesting information, but not so much for the younger visitors. Pricing at £14.50 per person, the cost feels overpriced, particularly for families, when weighed against the exhibition's limited size and content. While the use of particle board was one idea, and is rugged enough to withstand the stream of visitors. I had an idea for using printed, flexible materials (similar to hot air balloon fabric) over a lightweight framework, which could create more visually immersive representations while still allowing for fossil displays to be integrated, potentially enhancing both educational value and visitor engagement at a lower cost than solid structures. …… just a thought !? But as a footnote, the museum itself is stunning and well worth a visit, at any time of the year !!