Description

Discover the story of Scotland through our capital city and our National Museum. You will see the places where history happened, follow our story through iconic exhibitions and complete your tour at the Museum Brasserie with tea and a scone.

You'll meet your guide in the heart of Edinburgh's Old Town at the Mercat Cross, the site of executions and proclamations. Together you will explore key locations and stories hidden around the Royal Mile. See a city of the past, which goes unnoticed for many, a city where commoners, Queens and criminals once walked.

Iconic Scottish objects mixed with streets soaked in history. Follow your guide to the National Museum of Scotland where our nation's treasures are stored. Once inside your Mercat tour guide will introduce the Scottish collections. You'll step through Scotland's history, using key objects, and hear how they all have shaped our past, present and future.

Which tour will you choose?
Working closely with the National Museum of Scotland, we’ve created five tours of their extensive Scotland collections. Looking for something a little more tailored? Just ask – we can create a session to cover just about anything, from geology to genetics.

A History of Scotland in 10 Objects
From the world-famous to the curious, explore the objects that helped shaped Scotland – and the world. This is the perfect introduction to our country’s past.

What Makes a Scot?
From battlefields to poetry to emigration, Scottish identity is more complex than it first appears. We’ll go back to explore the nation’s earliest people, right through to 21st century Scots – asking how we define ourselves within Scotland and beyond.

Scotland’s Dark History
Every nation has secrets that lurk in the shadows. From torture to murder, we’ll look at the museum’s rich collection of objects that uncover a more sinister side of the past.

Exploding the Myths
Were Scotland’s early people savages or civilised? Was Bonnie Prince Charlie truly a romantic hero? The answers are more complex than you might think – so we’ll look at the evidence that’s right here in the museum’s collection.

Symbols of Scotland
Scots are associated with all sorts of symbols – from the saltire of our national flag to the thistle. What are they, and what do they signify?

Discover the history of the Old Town and its place in history! Enjoy a guided tour of the National Museum of Scotland! Relish fine tea and freshly baked scones at our national museum!