National Museum Of Scotland

On July 29 the National Museum Of Scotland's 16 brand new galleries will be unveiled. The highlight for children is the Imagine gallery, which is full of interactive exhibits. They can also become a nature explorer in the Adventure Planet gallery, marvel at the world’s creatures in the Natural World gallery, chart the achievements of famous Scots in the Discoveries gallery and explore and find out about life on islands in the Pacific Ocean in the Facing The Sea gallery.

Star attractions The museum’s huge Wall Of Wonders brings together a panorama of exciting objects to amaze and amuse. Long-standing favourites at the museum include Ching Ching the giant panda, who
once wowed the crowds at London Zoo, and the world’s oldest colour television.

Family X-Factor As the name suggests, the new Imagine children’s gallery is all about thinking big. Build a fantasy landscape inspired by a 16th-century Italian mosaic table design, create a teapot, join a Chinese dragon dance, make musical instruments with a difference, rummage through the story bags and more…

Not many people know this, but… During his time as a medical student in Edinburgh from 1825–26, Charles Darwin lived in a tenement building on the site of what is now the National Museum of Scotland.

Don’t forget to pack Comfy shoes – so you can explore high and low in a very big building without getting footsore.

Special events As part of the Fringe Festival Programme, there will be live music performances from August 5–26 in the museum gardens. And every Friday from August 26 there will be Friday Fun, with gallery and make-and-take activities.

Cost Free.

National Museum Of Scotland, Chambers Street Edinburgh EH1 1JF.

Also in the area Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Edinburgh Castle, National War Museum, National Museum Of Flight.