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National War Museum

MilitaryHistoryClosed · Opens 9:45amFrom £23.5Edinburgh Waverley

Housed in a 1748 ordnance storehouse on Hospital Square within Edinburgh Castle, the National War Museum has told the story of Scotland at war since it opened in 1933. Run by National Museums Scotland, its galleries span two floors and four centuries, from Highland broadswords and regimental uniforms to chemical warfare suits, medals and letters sent home from campaigns abroad. Military art includes Robert Gibb's famous painting The Thin Red Line. Entry is included with an Edinburgh Castle ticket.

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Permanent Collections

Plan Your Visit

Getting there

Hospital Square, Edinburgh Castle, Castlehill, Edinburgh EH1 2NG, United Kingdom

Nearest station: Edinburgh Waverley, Princes Street (tram)

Show on map

Hours

Winter hours 1 October – 31 March 2027, 09:45–16:45

Mon09:45–17:45
Tue09:45–17:45
Wed09:45–17:45
ThuToday09:45–17:45
Fri09:45–17:45
Sat09:45–17:45
Sun09:45–17:45

Admission

From £23.5

Museum entry is free with an Edinburgh Castle ticket (adult £23.50 online, £26.00 at the gate). Under 5s go free.

Nearby

Camera Obscura & World of Illusions

Children4 min walk

National Galleries Scotland: National

ArchitectureFree5 min walk

The Writers' Museum

Local HistoryFree6 min walk

The Georgian House

Architecture7 min walk

Visitor Information

How much does National War Museum cost?
Standard adult admission to National War Museum is £23.5. Museum entry is free with an Edinburgh Castle ticket (adult £23.50 online, £26.00 at the gate). Under 5s go free.. Prices for special exhibitions and timed-entry slots may differ.
What are the opening hours of National War Museum?
National War Museum is open Daily 09:45-17:45 (April-September); 09:45-16:45 (October-March). Closed 25 and 26 December. Inside Edinburgh Castle; the museum is currently partially closed for essential building repairs.. Holiday hours can vary, so check the museum's website before you go.
Where is National War Museum?
National War Museum is located at Hospital Square, Edinburgh Castle, Castlehill, Edinburgh EH1 2NG, United Kingdom, in the Old Town area of Edinburgh. The nearest stations are Edinburgh Waverley, Princes Street (tram).
What can I see at National War Museum?
400 years of Scotland at war, told through broadswords, uniforms, letters home and art inside Edinburgh Castle. Current highlights include Maps: Memories from the Second World War, The Art of Commemoration, Scotland at War: 400 Years of Conflict.
Do I need to book National War Museum in advance?
Booking ahead is recommended, especially for weekends, school holidays, and special exhibitions. Tickets are normally on the museum's website, and a pre-booked timed slot helps you avoid queues at the entrance.
When is the best time to visit National War Museum?
Weekday mornings shortly after opening are typically the quietest, especially mid-week. Late afternoons can also be calmer. Weekends, school holidays, and the lunch rush are the busiest periods.

Stefan Schäfer, Lich / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

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