- Home
- Things to do
- Attractions
- Top Museums, Galleries & Exhibitions To Visit In Scotland
Top Museums, Galleries & Exhibitions To Visit In Scotland
Experience our culture and history at galleries and museums in Scotland. There are hundreds of attractions across Scotland to ignite your curiosity with fascinating exhibitions and displays ready to discover. Here are some of our recommendations for some of Scotland’s best-loved museums and art galleries to visit.
![](https://2f1a7f9478.visitscotland.net/binaries/content/gallery/visitscotland/cms-images/2024/03/29/perth-museum-interior.jpg)
Perth Museum - The New Home of the Stone of Destiny
Find experiences
JavaScript needs to be enabled to see this product search form. You can turn this on in your browser settings.
Museums in Scotland
Scotland is lucky to have engaging museums all over the country, but here are some of the big hitters to visit.
![]( https://2f1a7f9478.visitscotland.net/wsimgs/External%20View%20Media%20Res%20c%20Andrew%20Lee.jpg
)
National Museum of Scotland
Fire your imagination at the National Museum of Scotland, one of the UK’s top 10 visitor attractions.
Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is one of Scotland's most popular free attractions.
![](https://2f1a7f9478.visitscotland.net/binaries/content/gallery/visitscotland/cms-images/2022/07/04/burns-birthplace-museum.jpg)
Robert Burns Birthplace Museum
Explore the birthplace of Robert Burns
![]( https://2f1a7f9478.visitscotland.net/wsimgs/Ext_Riverside_1371161501.jpg
)
Riverside Museum
With over 3,000 objects on display there's everything from skateboards to locomotives, paintings to prams and cars to a Stormtrooper.
Discovery Point and RRS Discovery
Experience life in the Antarctic with Captain Scott and his crew on the RRS Discovery at Discovery Point.
![](https://2f1a7f9478.visitscotland.net/binaries/content/gallery/visitscotland/cms-images/2023/07/28/the-burrell-collection.jpg)
The Burrell Collection
One of the greatest art collections ever amassed by one person, consisting of more than than 9,000 objects spanning 6,000 years of history.
The Skye Museum of Island Life
Step back in time and experience how islanders really lived at the unique and informative Skye Museum of Island Life.
The Great Tapestry of Scotland
The Tapestry tells a compelling visual account of Scotland’s history, heritage and culture from its formation to present day.
Shetland Museum & Archives
Set on the waterfront within a restored 19th century dock in Lerwick, this fascinating museum tells the story of Shetland’s heritage and culture.
Highland Folk Museum
The Highland Folk Museum brings to life the domestic and working conditions of earlier Highland peoples.
![]( https://2f1a7f9478.visitscotland.net/wsimgs/2023_04_AMM_XtrsNewVinyls_5_14126729.jpeg
)
Aberdeen Maritime Museum
Aberdeen Maritime Museum tells the story of the city's long relationship with the sea.
![]( https://2f1a7f9478.visitscotland.net/wsimgs/Visitors_in_front_of_the_BAC_1-11_at_the_National_Museum_of_Flight_Ruth_Armstrong_Photography_1057471272.jpeg
)
National Museum of Flight
Discover a world-class collection of aircraft and hear the fascinating stories of the people who built and flew them.
Scottish Art Galleries
There are plenty of local galleries and smaller venues to discover in Scotland, but we also recommend visiting a couple on this list for a great experience of Scottish art and culture.
![]( https://2f1a7f9478.visitscotland.net/wsimgs/pot-ext1_1086330402.jpg
)
Scottish National Portrait Gallery
Explore a fascinating overview of Scotland past and present though a wealth of imagery encompassing painting, photography, sculpture and film.
![]( https://2f1a7f9478.visitscotland.net/wsimgs/GoMA_Exterior_8mb_300dpi_267685954.jpg
)
Gallery of Modern Art
Scotland's most visited art gallery and the centre for Glasgow's extensive modern and contemporary art collection.
![]( https://2f1a7f9478.visitscotland.net/wsimgs/90419E2D73B35ABA5AE21E230EF63D5E5974BDB7.jpg
)
V&A Dundee
Welcome to the world of design and encourages you to explore how design creativity can be provocative, ingenious or simply breathtaking.
![](https://2f1a7f9478.visitscotland.net/binaries/content/gallery/visitscotland/cms-images/2022/08/19/aberdeen-art-gallery.jpg)
Aberdeen Art Gallery
Aberdeen Art Gallery is bursting at the seams with some of the finest collections in the UK following it's recent refurbishment.
![]( https://2f1a7f9478.visitscotland.net/wsimgs/lanntair_534582776.jpg
)
An Lanntair Arts Centre
An Lanntair brings you the best in arts, music, cinema and entertainment in the Outer Hebrides.
![]( https://2f1a7f9478.visitscotland.net/wsimgs/Copy%20of%20McManus%20birdseye%20view_548986962.jpg
)
McManus Art Gallery & Museum
Discover eight beautiful open gallery spaces which house stunning exhibitions of art, history and the environment.
National Galleries of Scotland
Experience art from Scotland and around the globe at these Edinburgh art venues
City Art Centre
With six exhibition galleries, the City Art Centre is Scotland's emporium of the visual arts.
![]( https://2f1a7f9478.visitscotland.net/wsimgs/12_Fruitmarket_Building_images_by_Ruth_Clark_971402529.jpg
)
Fruitmarket Gallery
Spend a day in the capital and see some of the best contemporary artwork on display.
![]( https://2f1a7f9478.visitscotland.net/wsimgs/pierarts1.jpg
)
Pier Arts Centre
Admire one of the UK’s most impressive collections of 20th century British art at this art gallery in Stromness.
What's New
Check out some of the latest art exhibitions taking place in Scotland, including deep dives into iconic fabrics. Make sure you also take a trip to the newly refurbished Burrell Collection, which won The Museum of the Year Award 2023.
![](https://2f1a7f9478.visitscotland.net/binaries/content/gallery/visitscotland/cms-images/2023/07/28/the-burrell-collection.jpg)
The Burrell Collection
One of the greatest art collections ever amassed by one person, consisting of more than than 9,000 objects spanning 6,000 years of history.
![](https://2f1a7f9478.visitscotland.net/binaries/content/gallery/visitscotland/cms-images/2022/08/19/aberdeen-art-gallery.jpg)
Constructed Narratives at Aberdeen Art Gallery
Dive into the work of Aberdeen-born Lennox Dunbar, Ian Howard and Arthur Watson - three of Scotland’s foremost artists.
Other things you might like
![](https://2f1a7f9478.visitscotland.net/binaries/content/gallery/visitscotland/cms-images/2022/07/27/aberdeen-art-gallery.jpg)
Arts & Culture
![](https://2f1a7f9478.visitscotland.net/binaries/content/gallery/visitscotland/cms-images/2022/11/29/the-helix-visitor-centre---header-image.jpg)
Free Attractions
Historic Attractions in Scotland
![National Museum of Scotland](https://2f1a7f9478.visitscotland.net/binaries/content/gallery/visitscotland/cms-images/2024/02/12/60285-national-museum-of-scotland-large.jpg)
Top tourist attractions & places to visit in Scotland
Rainy Day & Indoor Activities in Scotland
![](https://2f1a7f9478.visitscotland.net/binaries/content/gallery/visitscotland/cms-images/2022/11/25/armchair_books_029-1.jpg)
Scottish Writers & Literature
Join our Newsletter Clan
Get Scotland inspiration direct to your inbox. Don't miss the inside track from our Scotland experts on exciting trip ideas, unique attractions and hidden gems loved by locals.