The 10 Best Specialty Museums in Scotland, United Kingdom

May 12, 2022 Cedrick Jardin

– in Europe  (green & dark grey) – in the United Kingdom  (green)
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1. Shetland Museum and Archives

Hays Dock, Lerwick ZE1 0WP Scotland +44 1595 695057 [email protected] http://www.shetlandmuseumandarchives.org.uk
Excellent
80%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 913 reviews

Shetland Museum and Archives

Shetland Museum and Archives is located on Hay's Dock, which was restored during the building of this award winning visitor attraction.Discover the islands' many secrets through the exhibits and displays, and take a look in the boat shed where you can see demonstrations of traditional boat building skills. Also be sure to visit Da Gadderie, the museum's temporary exhibition area which hosts a diverse range of exhibitions throughout the year.Shetland Museum and Archives is open daily and admission is free.

Reviewed By nickw593 - London, United Kingdom

This is a great place to visit on one of the rainier days in Lerwick. Really interesting museum that covers the geology, biodiversity, history and culture of these islands...from the dawn of time to the present day. Good, modern and well presented displays that inform but do not overwhelm. It is also free to enter and has a decent little shop.

2. Montrose Air Station Heritage Centre

Waldron Road, Montrose DD10 9BD Scotland +44 1674 678222 [email protected] http://www.rafmontrose.org.uk/
Excellent
84%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 280 reviews

Montrose Air Station Heritage Centre

Britain's first operational military air station was established in Montrose by the Royal Flying Corps in 1913. The heritage centre's collection of photographs and artefacts tell the story of RFC/RAF Montrose and the men and women who served here through two world wars. The award-winning heritage centre is an accredited museum run entirely by volunteers and was proud to receive The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service in 2014. COVID-19 precautions - visits must be booked in advance. Please see the museum website for more details.

Reviewed By vallie77

Absolutely fantastic couple hours spent wandering round this amazing gem of a place, highly recommend a visit! Staff are super friendly and informative. I especially loved the wee room full of old 40s wedding dresses , photos, jewellery etc, . Easiest 5star review ever!

3. Royal Yacht Britannia

Ocean Drive Ocean Terminal, Edinburgh EH6 6JJ Scotland +44 131 555 5566 [email protected] http://www.royalyachtbritannia.co.uk
Excellent
74%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 22,167 reviews

Royal Yacht Britannia

Step aboard The Queen's former floating palace and experience this iconic 5 star attraction for yourself. Rated Scotland's Best Attraction for 12 years running and in TripAdvisor's UK Top 10 for the last 5 years, Britannia is one of the most famous ships in the world. Sailing a million miles on a thousand official visits, during 40 years in service, the Royal Yacht played host to glittering state banquets and official receptions, but was also home to the Royal Family and crew of 220 Royal Yachtsmen. Explore Britannia's highly accessible 5 decks with highlights including the elegant Royal Apartments, Crew's Quarters, Engine Room and stunning Royal Deck Tea Room. Highly accessible for wheelchairs and buggies. Open year round .Only 15 minutes from Edinburgh city centre (local buses every 10 minutes - 11, 22, 34 and 35 to Ocean Terminal).

Reviewed By JCBH_1 - McLean, United States

The (now retired) Royal Yacht Britannia is a national treasure, frozen in time for all of us to enjoy. Wonderful "whisper" audio sets tied to numbered highlights so you can't miss a thing. Britannia is crowded, but for great reason: It's fantastic. You visit everything from the Bridge to the (impeccable) Engine Room, including the impressive State Dining Room and Salon, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip's staterooms - staff quarters and even the ship's infirmary and laundry rooms. The Royal Rolls Royce is on board, and the Queen's motor launch (alongside the Britannia - you'll see it last) is very impressive. Furnishings are original. It's amazing. Very nice shoreside ticket facility, gift shop, etc. There is also a tea room - which is apparently very popular. Britannia is a national treasure - terrific to be able to experience it.

4. British Golf Museum

St Andrews Bruce Embankment, St. Andrews KY16 9AB Scotland +44 1334 460046 [email protected] http://www.britishgolfmuseum.co.uk/
Excellent
49%
Good
37%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
1%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 364 reviews

British Golf Museum

Tee off your visit to St Andrews at one of the most iconic golf locations in the world. The British Golf Museum is just 67 yards from the 1st Tee of the famous Old Course. Discover over 500 years of golf history, exclusive shopping and a wonderful Cafe all under one roof. A warm welcome is assured at this 5 star venue.

Reviewed By 757mariannec - Burnham, United Kingdom

Beautifully laid out, multi-media museum, view from 1st floor cafe over Old Course and West Sands absolutely stunning!!

5. Dynamic Earth

112 Holyrood Road, Edinburgh EH8 8AS Scotland +44 131 550 7800 [email protected] http://www.dynamicearth.co.uk
Excellent
56%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
4%
Terrible
4%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,647 reviews

Dynamic Earth

A visit to Dynamic Earth is like nothing else on Earth. It's a chance to experience the primeval forces of nature as they shaped our planet, to journey through space and time and even go on a 4DVENTURE around the world. You'll be embarking on the interactive adventure of a lifetime - the lifetime of our planet. As if this wasn't enough, Dynamic Earth is home to Scotland's only 360 degree full dome film theatre. We have a variety of films showing throughout the year.

Reviewed By BeckyC526

We visited on 9th February and had an excellent family day out. The staff were really engaging and friendly without being overbearing and from the moment you enter the building there are things to do. The attention to detail for each section of the tour was really something and each area was its own sensory experience full of learning material. We loved it as two adults for what we could learn and our 18 month old daughter was enthralled by the lights and sounds. There was a lot on offer for the entrance fee, as well as the tour there is a 360 showdome and a soft play area. We didn’t use the showdome on this occasion as our little one was getting tired but we can’t wait to see it in action. The cafe food was actually edible and there was good choice. The gift shop had lots of the usual soft toys and trinkets but it also has a nice selection of maps, science kits, minerals and lots of interesting books. I was particularly impressed with the books on offer. Overall I highly recommend a visit and i cannot believe that this was our first visit after 12 years of living in Edinburgh. We will definitely be back soon.

6. Aberdeen Maritime Museum

52-56 Shiprow Provost Ross House, Aberdeen AB11 5BY Scotland +44 1224 337700 [email protected] http://www.aagm.co.uk/venues/aberdeenmaritimemuseum/amm-overview.aspx
Excellent
63%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,824 reviews

Aberdeen Maritime Museum

Aberdeen has long prospered off of sea-based industries, from the boom of the city's fishing industry in the early 20th century to its oil industry today; this museum explores the historic developments behind the city's maritime industries.

Reviewed By Lummox60N - Lerwick, United Kingdom

This museum is, perhaps, an undersold heritage gem. It covers every aspect of Aberdeen's maritime heritage, exploring the city's history and development both as a city and harbour, and offers a deeper insight into the oil industry modern Aberdeen is so dependent on. Well worth a visit, and there's a cafe in there too.

7. The Gordon Highlanders Museum

St Luke's Viewfield Road, Aberdeen AB15 7XH Scotland +44 1224 311200 [email protected] http://www.gordonhighlanders.com
Excellent
74%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 708 reviews

The Gordon Highlanders Museum

UPDATE 18.03.2020 Coronavirus (Covid-19) In light of the ever-evolving Covid-19 situation, it is with a heavy heart that we have decided to close The Gordon Highlanders Museum and Duchess Jean Tea Room to the public from 4.30 today until further notice. We will review this decision on a weekly basis and post any updates on this page and to our social media channels. Thank you for your understanding in this confusing and uncertain time; we hope to welcome visitors back to the Museum soon. The Finest Regiment in the World" was how Sir Winston Churchill described The Gordon Highlanders in 1900. So why not come and see why? A wonderful day out and a fantastic welcome await you at The Gordon Highlanders Museum where we are committed to preserving and sharing the legacy of this world-famous Regiment.

Reviewed By 561ruthd - Doha, Qatar

We went on a school trip to the museum. One of the really interesting things we saw was the Silver Room and our guide told us lots of interesting information. One of our favourite bits was the Armoury; we really enjoyed seeing the guns and swords because normally we only see them in video games, not real life. The activities about WW1 were really cool - in the trench we got to spot enemy soldiers with a periscope. We learnt a lot about what life for soldiers was like in WW1 and we're not sure if we'd have managed to do it! Our guides Jim and Lewis were really helpful and very informative, they answered all our questions. Definitely a trip we'd recommend (but not for very young children, it might be a bit boring) and we'd love to go back.

8. The Tolbooth Museum

Town House Castle Street/Union Street, Aberdeen AB11 5BQ Scotland +44 1224 621167 http://www.aagm.co.uk/Visit/TheTolboothMuseum/ttm-overview.aspx
Excellent
44%
Good
45%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 344 reviews

The Tolbooth Museum

Reviewed By countrygal301 - Ottawa, Canada

A fun and informative museum. Lots of interesting information in a free venue. A word lots of climbing up and down cramped staircases.

9. The Riverside Museum of Transport and Travel

Riverside Museum 100 Pointhouse Place, Glasgow G3 8RS Scotland +44 141 287 2720 [email protected] http://www.glasgowlife.org.uk/museums/venues/riverside-museum/
Excellent
66%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
2%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 9,436 reviews

The Riverside Museum of Transport and Travel

Riverside Museum is Glasgow's award-winning transport museum. With over 3,000 objects on display there's everything from skateboards to locomotives, paintings to prams and cars to a Stormtrooper. Get hands on with our interactive displays. Walk through Glasgow streets and visit the shops, bar and subway. Climb aboard a train, tram or bus and get a real feel for old public transport. Discover Glasgow's rich shipbuilding history, explore the car and motorbike walls and help put out a fire with our interactive fire engine. There are over 90 large touch screens panels full of images, memories and films that tell the fascinating stories behind the objects. There really is something for all ages to enjoy at the Riverside Museum.

Reviewed By 425grace13

What a fabulous place and free lovely setting and wow so interesting old cars fab old buses wonderful cafe you can even use the Segways for a small amount great go visit

10. West Highland Museum

Cameron Square, Fort William PH33 6AJ Scotland +44 1397 702169 [email protected] http://www.westhighlandmuseum.org.uk/
Excellent
62%
Good
34%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,078 reviews

West Highland Museum

We are a museum set in Cameron Square which is just off of the centre of Fort William High Street. We have eight rooms packed with fascinating objects, from treasure from a shipwrecked Spanish Armada galleon to the bagpipes played at Bannockburn in 1314. Whether its archaeology, natural history, Commando training and weaponry, Highland crofting life, costumes and charms, Victorian times, silver, coins and medals, or even the history of mountain rescue, it can all be found at the West Highland Museum.

Reviewed By olaoko - Gdynia, Poland

Fascinating history in small place. Brilliant, very helpful and friendly staf. Exhibition about green beret was the most interesting. This is an independent museum with free admission so please think about donation to rescue this unique little treasure.

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