Scotland’s First Warriors Exhibition

Scotland’s First Warriors comes to the National Museum of Scotland from 27 June 2026 to 16 May 2027, with free admission.

This long-running exhibition explores the origins of organised conflict in prehistoric Scotland, from the late Stone Age through to the Romans.

Key Event Details

Detail	Info
Event	Scotland’s First Warriors
Dates	27 June 2026 to 16 May 2027
Exceptions/notes	Closed 25 Dec; shorter hours 26 Dec and 1 Jan
Venue	Exhibition Gallery 2, Level 3 at the National Museum of Scotland
Address	Chambers Street, Edinburgh EH1 1JF
Admission	Free
Opening hours	Museum usually open daily, 10am to 5pm
Best for	History, archaeology, families, free things to do in Edinburgh
Official page	https://www.nms.ac.uk/exhibitions/scotlands-first-warriors

What To Expect

Scotland’s First Warriors looks at how and why people fought in prehistoric Scotland.

The exhibition brings together more than 250 objects, including weapons, shields and archaeological finds that show the first signs of organised warfare. It covers a long period, from the Neolithic period to the Roman era.

National Museums Scotland says internationally important discoveries from Scotland will be shown, including items going on public display for the first time.

Carnoustie Hoard and Bronze Age Finds

One of the key displays is the Carnoustie Hoard, a Bronze Age discovery found near Carnoustie in 2016.

The hoard includes a bronze sword in a wooden scabbard and a spearhead decorated with gold. These objects help tell a wider story about conflict, status and belief in early Scotland.

The exhibition also includes Bronze Age shields, giving visitors a closer look at how ancient weapons and defensive objects were made, used and preserved.

Tickets & Entry

Entry to Scotland’s First Warriors is free.

You don’t need a paid ticket for the exhibition, but it’s still worth checking the official National Museum of Scotland page before visiting in case opening hours, room details or access information change.

Official exhibition page:
https://www.nms.ac.uk/exhibitions/scotlands-first-warriors

Location

The exhibition is at the National Museum of Scotland on Chambers Street.

The museum sits close to the Old Town, George IV Bridge, the University of Edinburgh and the Royal Mile, making it easy to add to a wider day out in the city centre.

Getting There

The National Museum of Scotland is around a 10-minute walk from Waverley Station.

Several Lothian Buses routes stop nearby on South Bridge, George IV Bridge, Chambers Street and Nicolson Street. There is no visitor parking at the museum, so public transport is usually the easier option.

Our Tips

• Visit early in the day if you want a quieter look at the displays.
• Pair it with nearby Old Town stops such as Greyfriars Kirkyard, the Royal Mile or the Museum of Edinburgh.
• Leave extra time if you’re visiting with children, as the museum has plenty of other free galleries.
• Check the official page before travelling, especially during school holidays and festival periods.

Sources

National Museums Scotland exhibition page:
https://www.nms.ac.uk/exhibitions/scotlands-first-warriors

National Museum of Scotland visitor information:
https://www.nms.ac.uk/national-museum-of-scotland/plan-your-visit