How to Beat the Crowds at the National Museum of Scotland
The National Museum of Scotland is free and open every day from 10 am to 5 pm. Go at 10 am on a weekday, as rainy days, weekends and August (Festival) are very busy. Don't miss the rooftop terrace, with views of Edinburgh Castle, and Dolly the Sheep.
- Entry
- Free
- Hours
- 10 am to 5 pm daily
- Special exhibitions
- Some paid
- Must see
- Dolly the Sheep, the Grand Gallery, rooftop terrace
- Best time
- 10 am on a weekday
- Busiest
- Rainy days, weekends, August
- Time to allow
- 2-3 hours
How busy is the National Museum?
As a free museum on Chambers Street, it's a rainy-day magnet. The Grand Gallery and the family galleries get very busy, especially in school holidays and during the Edinburgh Festival.
Before you go, check how busy the National Museum of Scotland is likely to be. BeatTheCrowd shows the live crowd level and an hourly forecast for any date, adjusted for Scottish school holidays, the Edinburgh Festival and weather.
Check today’s crowds at National Museum of Scotland →Best (and worst) times to go
- 10 am on a weekday: quiet galleries.
- After 3 pm: calmer.
- Worst: rainy weekends and August.
Our hourly forecast for the National Museum shows how busy each hour is expected to be on your date.
Check today’s crowds at National Museum of Scotland →Insider tips that actually save time
- Go up to the rooftop terrace for free castle views.