National Museum of Scotland

The museum is extensive with many floors. We stopped in here because it was raining SO glad we did! The artitecutre inside is unique in itself and there are many exhibits but if you are pressed for time I highly recommend you see the Scottish section. It starts from ancient times to present today in a timeline starting at the bottom floor and working your way up. The displays are exceptional and include precious and priceless artefacts from everyday to royals. It is hard to believe they are real. We thoroughly enjoyed the visit and nit let go back to see more. The museum is very large and so there are places to sit and rest amongst the displays but there are also two cafes.

Extensive collections and interesting place to visit. Interesting exhibits of Scottish history including the Galloway silver hoard. Nice cafe overlooking the main hall. Covid regulations mean you have to book a (free) timed ticket and can't just turn up. They have one way systems but it's not always obvious which way to go. The roof terrace was closed when we went, some of the exhibits were completely closed for covid reasons and the shop has a long queue with only a small handful allowed in at a time. An interesting museum, would recommend a visit but they could perhaps look at some of the covid rules around the museum to make it easier for visitors.

With so much to do and see this is certainly an attraction for the whole family. Entrance is free and if you're interested in history, or have inquisitive children, plan to be there for a good few hours.
The view from the 7th floor terrace is also well worth seeing!
Gives you a stunning view of the city without the tiresome journey up Calton Hill or Arthur's Seat.

I have visited this museum many many times over the years and have a fondness for the building that arises mostly from an appreciation of the quite extraordinary main gallery hall. The hall itself is a museum piece and is simply beautiful, and, in my experience, unrivalled by any other museum building I have visited in Europe in terms of the structure and design. The museum houses an extensive and varied collection of which only a small portion is on display. For those interested in history, the Scottish culture section has a wealth of information and objects from which more can be learned than most other destinations in Scotland. The science section is interesting and accessible. The nature section is varied and includes a number of exhibits that now look somewhat dated but balanced by some contemporary displays. It is a stimulating playground for children with dedicated activity rooms on the ground and upper floors. The millennium clock on the ground floor also engages people of all ages with its amazing and sometimes sinister moving parts. Put shortly, there is something here for everyone. I share the concerns expressed by other reviewers that the signage is sometimes inadequate and the curating of the exhibits can be somewhat idiosyncratic. It isn't always easy to find what you are looking for. It is worth recording that these delights are free to enter. Having recently spent £80 on admission to two museums/galleries in Rome, Edinburgh is to be congratulated that it has managed to find a way to make culture free to all at the main galleries and museums. This museum is worth visiting just to admire the main hall. I still miss the fish ponds on the ground floor!

We have been visiting this Museum on a regular basis over several years and still have not seen everything. Great for kids, there are lots of permanent interactive exhibits and often free drop in activities for families. An absolute godsend for local families when the weather is grim and you need to get the kids out the house and recommend for visitors too. Food wise, we have eaten in the Brasserie a couple of times and the cafe once, the Brasserie is good food but expensive and takes a while and the cafe is no bargain either, personally I'd nip out to a nearby a cafe, there are plenty.

This museum cannot be missed when visiting Edinburgh. It has always so much on display, so it could easily be considered as a day trip, even when coming here with young children. The entry to museum is free but donations boxes are placed at all entrances and in many parts of the building. Every few months the main exhibition, that is a subject of an entry fee of roughly £10 per person, is replaced by different one. These are usually very well organized and informative. There is a cafe on first floor, bistro on the lower ground floor and restaurant on the top floor, and all of these have vert affordable prices. It's accessible for everyone and it should definitely be visited by everyone coming to the capital city of Scotland.

On a day when the weather closed the castle, I was looking for something to do and took a chance on this museum. Glad that I made this choice. The museum has no entry fee, but you can easily spend a couple of hours looking at all of the different exhibits. There are plenty of interactive areas for the kids to enjoy as well. It's located in the center of town, not far from the Royal Mile. Very enjoyable visit

Even if you are not too interested in museums, you have to go and see this one for the beauty of the building which hosts it and how it has been arranged by the architects who improved this splendid museum. Furthermore, if you have children with you, they will want to stay in up to the last minute.The best way of learning is while having a nice time, and this result is achieved indeed in the National Museum of Scotland, for adults as well. A lot of the human sciences and of the nature’s miracles are represented in the museum. The fact that it is free - although a donation is recommended and I do recommend - is a relief in a city where the tendency is to put a heavy toll even for breathing

We visited here during our edinburgh trip and were amazed at the amount of things to see in this musuem. There are different floors and rooms full of different items from around the world to look at. There are a lot of interactive parts to this musuem also which is great for people of all ages. We spent around 2.5 hours here in total. The musuem was free to enter. They also offer a cloak room to store bags or small suitcases for £1.50 per item which is a great idea. There are 2 cafes, toilets,lifts and a gift shop. Would highly recommend a visit!

Knew little about the museum prior to visit but this was something my husband wanted to do. Always a little concerned taking teenage children to a museum - how much complaining can one take!!! BUT we all had a fantastic time. Something for everyone - you could spend hours here. So much to see, a beautiful building which takes your breath away and even though it was busy as it was a wet half term it didn't feel crowded. After quite a few hours we felt we'd hardly scratched the surface and could easily return time and time again. We decided to pay £29 to attend the Tyrannosaurus exhibition and although we enjoyed it I don't think it was worth the money but don't regret paying it as the rest of the visit was brilliant and all FREE! Definitely worth a visit for all ages.