All language & literature museums to visit in Scotland

Celebrate the power of words at 15 language and literature museums in Scotland. These museums explore the history of languages, literary works, and the lives of authors.

Are you a literature enthusiast? Here are the best language and literature museums in Scotland

  1. Robert Burns Birthplace Museum1

    Robert Burns Birthplace Museum

     Alloway
    The Robert Burns Birthplace Museum is a dedicated space that houses a vast collection related to the life of Robert Burns, who is celebrated as Scotland's national Bard. The museum provides an in-depth look into the life and works of Burns, offering visitors a chance to explore and understand the cultural significance of this renowned figure.
  2. Abbotsford2

    Abbotsford

     Melrose
    Abbotsford House, situated near Melrose in Scotland, is a historic residence that once belonged to the renowned British writer, Walter Scott. This grand estate offers a glimpse into the life and times of one of Britain's most celebrated literary figures. Visitors can explore the house and its grounds, taking in the neo-Gothic architecture and the many artefacts and memorabilia related to Scott's life and works.
  3. Burns House Museum3

    Burns House Museum

     Dumfries
    Burns House Museum is a museum in Dumfries. The museum features exhibits related to: fine art, social history, decorative and applied art, archives, personalities, costume and textiles, music, coins and medals and literature. Key themes, people and exhibits in the museum include: kilmarnock and edin
  4. Writers' Museum4

    Writers' Museum

     Edinburgh
    The Writers' Museum is a literary museum that is devoted to three Scottish writers. Once collection is dedicated to Robert Burns, a Scottish national poet and lyricist. Another collection focuses on Robert Louis Stevenson, a poet and novelist, the author of Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. And
  5. Stirling Smith Art Gallery and Museum5

    Stirling Smith Art Gallery and Museum

     Stirling
    Stirling Smith Art Gallery and Museum is a museum in Stirling. The museum features exhibits related to: trade and commerce, costume and textiles, literature, land transport, agriculture, natural sciences, industry, decorative and applied art, religion, toys and hobbies, personalities, science and te
  6. Robert Burns Centre6

    Robert Burns Centre

     Dumfries
    Robert Burns Centre is a museum in Dumfries. The museum features exhibits related to Social History, Costume and Textiles, Archives, Literature, Decorative and Applied Art, Fine Art, Coins and Medals and Personalities. Key themes, people and exhibits in the museum include Robert Burns, Jean Armour B
  7. Strathnaver Museum7

    Strathnaver Museum

     Bettyhill
    Strathnaver Museum, situated in Bettyhill, Sutherland, Scotland, is a volunteer-run independent museum that first opened its doors to the public in 1976. It offers a deep dive into the history of north west Sutherland, particularly focusing on the Highland Clearances.
  8. Elgin Museum8

    Elgin Museum

     Elgin
    Elgin Museum is a museum in Elgin. The museum features exhibits related to Maritime, World Cultures, Coins and Medals, Natural Sciences, Weapons and War, Land Transport, Trade and Commerce, Archaeology, Personalities, Decorative and Applied Art, Archives, Social History, Science and Technology, Reli
  9. J M Barrie's Birthplace9

    J M Barrie's Birthplace

     Kirriemuir
    J M Barrie's Birthplace is a museum in Kirriemuir. The museum features exhibits related to Personalities, Literature and Social History.
  10. Bachelors' Club10

    Bachelors' Club

     Tarbolton
    The Bachelors' Club is a museum under the National Trust for Scotland, situated at 1 Sandgate Street, Tarbolton, KA5 5RB. This location is significant as it was the site of the first rural debating society in Scotland and served as a prototype for many Burns Clubs worldwide. The 17th-century building is thatched and furnished with period pieces, providing a glimpse into the past.
  11. Old Haa11

    Old Haa

     Yell
    Old Haa is a museum in Burravoe, Yell. The museum features exhibits related to: archives, archaeology, music, social history, fine art, maritime, decorative and applied art, land transport and personalities.
  12. Sanquhar Tolbooth Museum12

    Sanquhar Tolbooth Museum

     Sanquhar
    Sanquhar Tolbooth Museum is a museum in Sanquhar. The museum features exhibits related to Personalities, Coins and Medals, Decorative and Applied Art, Industry, Fine Art, Science and Technology, Social History, Costume and Textiles, Literature, Archaeology, Agriculture and Natural Sciences. Key them
  13. Dunbeath Heritage Centre13

    Dunbeath Heritage Centre

     Dunbeath
    The Centre provides a focus for the work of Dunbeath Preservation Trust: Registered museum; archaeological exhibition, Neil M Gunn literary landscape, engaging approach to landscape interpretation through art installations, photography and unique floor map. Repository for research data, manuscripts,
  14. 14

    John Gray Centre

     Haddington
    John Gray Centre is a museum in Haddington. The museum features exhibits related to Personalities, Design, Natural Sciences, Archives, Religion, Music, Literature, Agriculture, Trade and Commerce, Costume and Textiles, Aviation, World Cultures, Architecture, Social History, Archaeology, Decorative a
  15. 15

    Glasgow Women's Library

     Glasgow
    Glasgow Women's Library is a museum in Glasgow. The museum features exhibits related to: music, performing arts, architecture, film and media, literature, social history, religion, world cultures, archives, costume and textiles, law and order, design and photography.