All war museums to visit in Scotland

Explore the history and impact of conflicts at 63 war museums in Scotland. These museums offer insights into military history, strategies, and the human experiences of war.

Are you interested in military history? These are the must-visit war museums in Scotland:

  1. Edinburgh Castle1

    Edinburgh Castle

     Edinburgh
    This most famous of Scottish castles has a complex building history. The oldest part, St Margaret’s Chapel, dates from the 12th century; the Great Hall was erected by James IV around 1510; the Half Moon Battery by the Regent Morton in the late 16th century; and the Scottish National War Memorial aft
  2. Stirling Castle2

    Stirling Castle

     Stirling
    Stirling Castle is a museum in Stirling. The museum features exhibits related to: weapons and war, social history, architecture and archaeology.
  3. Culloden Battlefield and Visitor Centre3

    Culloden Battlefield and Visitor Centre

     Inverness
    Culloden Battlefield and Visitor Centre is a museum in Inverness. The museum features exhibits related to Weapons and War and Personalities. Key themes, people and exhibits in the museum include Bonnie Prince Charlie - Prince Charles Edward Stuart and Duke of Cumberland.
  4. Blair Castle4

    Blair Castle

     Blair Atholl
    Blair Castle is a museum in Pitlochry. The museum features exhibits related to Weapons and War.
  5. Fort George5

    Fort George

     Ardersier
    Fort George is a historical site that dates back to the 18th century. It is located in Ardersier, approximately seventeen kilometers northeast of Inverness in the Scottish region of Highland. This artillery fort offers a glimpse into the past, showcasing the military architecture and strategic planning of the time. Visitors can explore the fort and its surroundings, taking in the rich history and stunning views of the Scottish landscape.
  6. Linlithgow Palace6

    Linlithgow Palace

     Linlithgow
    Linlithgow Palace is a museum in Linlithgow. The museum features exhibits related to: trade and commerce, photography, archives, natural sciences, weapons and war, social history, industry, coins and medals, personalities, architecture, sport, law and order, world cultures, land transport, medicine
  7. National Museum of Flight Scotland7

    National Museum of Flight Scotland

     East Fortune
    The National Museum of Flight, located in the civil parish of Athelstaneford, is the most significant aviation museum in Scotland. It offers a comprehensive collection of aircraft, helicopters, and engines, making it a fascinating destination for aviation enthusiasts and history buffs alike.
  8. National War Museum Scotland8

    National War Museum Scotland

     Edinburgh
    The National War Museum, situated within the historic Edinburgh Castle in Scotland, has been welcoming visitors since its opening in 1933. The museum is housed in a converted 18th-century ordnance storehouse and offers a comprehensive look into Scotland's military history spanning over 400 years. The museum is managed by National Museums Scotland.
  9. Caerlaverock Castle9

    Caerlaverock Castle

     Bankend
    Caerlaverock Castle is a museum in Caerlaverock, Near Dumfries. The museum features exhibits related to: weapons and war, social history, architecture and law and order.
  10. Oban War and Peace Museum10

    Oban War and Peace Museum

     Oban
    Oban War and Peace Museum is a museum in Oban. The museum features exhibits related to Social History.
  11. The Black Watch Castle and Museum11

    The Black Watch Castle and Museum

     Perth
    Balhousie Castle, a 17th-century structure, is situated in Perth, Scotland. It was initially the residence of the Earls of Kinnoull. This historical significance adds a layer of intrigue for visitors, providing a glimpse into the past and the nobility that once resided within its walls.
  12. The Gordon Highlanders Museum12

    The Gordon Highlanders Museum

     Aberdeen
    The Gordon Highlanders Museum, located in Aberdeen, Scotland, is dedicated to the history of the Gordon Highlanders regiment. This regiment has a rich history, originating as the 92nd (Gordon Highlanders) Regiment of Foot in 1794. It later merged with the 75th (Stirlingshire) Regiment of Foot to form the Gordon Highlanders in 1881, and was eventually incorporated into a larger unit of the British Army in 1994.
  13. Shetland Museum13

    Shetland Museum

     Lerwick
    Shetland Museum is a museum in Lerwick. The museum features exhibits related to: law and order, trade and commerce, land transport, social history, coins and medals, weapons and war, costume and textiles, agriculture, personalities, science and technology, music, decorative and applied art, archives
  14. Inverness Museum and Art Gallery - High Life Highland14

    Inverness Museum and Art Gallery - High Life Highland

     Inverness
    Inverness Museum and Art Gallery - High Life Highland is a museum in Inverness. The museum features exhibits related to: science and technology, fine art, music, social history, archaeology, personalities, coins and medals, weapons and war, costume and textiles, archives, land transport, natural sci
  15. Chatelherault Country Park15

    Chatelherault Country Park

     Ferniegair
    Chatelherault Country Park is a museum in Hamilton. The museum features exhibits related to Land Transport, Social History, Personalities, Natural Sciences, Archaeology, World Cultures, Fine Art, Costume and Textiles, Decorative and Applied Art, Weapons and War, Archives and Science and Technology.
  16. Dumbarton Castle16

    Dumbarton Castle

     Dumbarton
    Dumbarton Castle is a museum in Dumbarton. The museum features exhibits related to: social history, weapons and war and architecture.
  17. Scotland's Secret Bunker17

    Scotland's Secret Bunker

     Saint Andrews
    Scotland's Secret Bunker is a unique historical site that offers a glimpse into the Cold War era. This nuclear shelter, located in Scotland, has been transformed into a museum dedicated to the Cold War. Visitors can explore the bunker and learn about its history and the role it played during this tense period in world history.
  18. HMS Unicorn18

    HMS Unicorn

     Dundee
    The HMS Unicorn, now a museum in Dundee, Scotland, is a unique piece of naval history. This Leda-class frigate underwent significant design changes during its construction, including the incorporation of a circular stern and the use of a construction system with small-sized timbers. These alterations make it a distinctive example of naval architecture from its era.
  19. Dumfries Museum and Camera Obscura19

    Dumfries Museum and Camera Obscura

     Dumfries
    Dumfries Museum and Camera Obscura is a museum in Dumfries. The museum features exhibits related to Coins and Medals, Medicine, Industry, Natural Sciences, Decorative and Applied Art, Weapons and War, Maritime, Social History, Land Transport, Religion, Costume and Textiles, Science and Technology, L
  20. Mull Museum20

    Mull Museum

     Tobermory
    Mull Museum is a museum in Tobermory. The museum features exhibits related to Archives, Archaeology, Weapons and War, Social History and Maritime.
  21. Glenfinnan Visitor Centre21

    Glenfinnan Visitor Centre

     Glenfinnan
    Glenfinnan Visitor Centre is a museum in Glenfinnan. The museum features exhibits related to: weapons and war and architecture. Key themes, people and exhibits in the museum include: prince charles edward stuart - bonnie prince charlie, scottish architect james gillespie graham, battle of culloden a
  22. Montrose Air Station Museum22

    Montrose Air Station Museum

     Montrose
    The Montrose Air Station Heritage Centre is a significant historical site located in the northern part of Montrose, Angus, Scotland. The Centre is situated on the grounds of the former airfield, which holds the distinction of being the first operational military airfield in Great Britain. This makes it a unique destination for those interested in aviation history.
  23. Perth Museum and Art Gallery23

    Perth Museum and Art Gallery

     Perth
    Perth Museum and Art Gallery is a museum in Perth. The museum features exhibits related to Fine Art, Music, Archaeology, Coins and Medals, Social History, Archives, Weapons and War, Decorative and Applied Art, Land Transport, Natural Sciences, Science and Technology, World Cultures and Costume and T
  24. Stirling Smith Art Gallery and Museum24

    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
  25. Scapa Flow Museum25

    Scapa Flow Museum

     Lyness
    Scapa Flow Museum’s role is to chart Orkney’s military involvement in the First and Second World Wars and provide a safe home for a major collection of wartime artefacts, many of national and international importance. The many stories are brought to life through a world class display of over 250 art
  26. 26

    Devil's Porridge Museum

     Eastriggs
    Devil's Porridge Museum is a museum in Annan. The museum features exhibits related to: weapons and war and social history. Key themes, people and exhibits in the museum include: ideal communities: eastriggs and gretna, mixing the devil's porridge, qunintinshill rail disaster, state management scheme
  27. Clan Macpherson Museum27

    Clan Macpherson Museum

     Newtonmore
    Clan Macpherson Museum is a museum in Newtonmore. The museum features exhibits related to Fine Art, Decorative and Applied Art, Weapons and War, Archives and Social History.
  28. Orkney Wireless Museum28

    Orkney Wireless Museum

     Kirkwall
    The Orkney Wireless Museum, located in Kirkwall, Orkney, Scotland, is home to a vast collection of both domestic and military wireless equipment. This collection provides a unique insight into the evolution of wireless technology, from its early beginnings to its use in military operations. Visitors to the museum can explore a range of exhibits, including early domestic radios, wartime communication devices, and various pieces of military equipment.
  29. Scalloway Museum29

    Scalloway Museum

     Scalloway
    Scalloway Museum is a museum in Shetland. The museum features exhibits related to: weapons and war, social history and maritime. Key themes, people and exhibits in the museum include: the shetland bus operation.
  30. Hawick Museum and the Scott Art Gallery30

    Hawick Museum and the Scott Art Gallery

     Hawick
    Hawick Museum and the Scott Art Gallery is a museum in Hawick. The museum features exhibits related to Weapons and War, Science and Technology, World Cultures, Fine Art, Natural Sciences, Personalities, Land Transport, Costume and Textiles, Decorative and Applied Art, Coins and Medals, Archaeology,
  31. The Watt Institution31

    The Watt Institution

     Greenock
    The Watt Institution, formerly known as the McLean Museum and Art Gallery, is situated in Greenock, Inverclyde, Scotland. It is the primary museum in the Inverclyde area, offering a rich cultural experience to its visitors. The museum is easily accessible and is a significant cultural landmark in the region.
  32. Strathnaver Museum32

    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.
  33. Elgin Museum33

    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
  34. Bute Museum34

    Bute Museum

     Rothesay
    Bute Museum is a museum in Isle of Bute. The museum features exhibits related to Social History, Personalities, Natural Sciences, Weapons and War, Costume and Textiles, Maritime, Archives, Archaeology, Science and Technology, Fine Art, Coins and Medals and Land Transport. Key themes, people and exhi
  35. Montrose Museum and Art Gallery35

    Montrose Museum and Art Gallery

     Montrose
    Montrose Museum and Art Gallery features exhibits related to Religion, Social History, Archaeology, Music, Coins and Medals, Maritime, Trade and Commerce, Weapons and War, Decorative and Applied Art, Law and Order, Natural Sciences, Costume and Textiles, Personalities, Fine Art, Land Transport, Scie
  36. The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Museum36

    The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Museum

     Edinburgh
    The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Museum is a regimental museum that showcases the collections of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards and its predecessor regiments. It provides a comprehensive view of the history and heritage of these regiments, making it a fascinating destination for those interested in military history.
  37. Rozelle House Galleries37

    Rozelle House Galleries

     Ayr
    Rozelle House Galleries is a museum in Ayr. The museum features exhibits related to Social History, Costume and Textiles, Weapons and War, Archives, World Cultures, Natural Sciences, Medicine, Personalities, Archaeology, Coins and Medals, Fine Art and Decorative and Applied Art. Key themes, people a
  38. Royal Scots Regimental Museum38

    Royal Scots Regimental Museum

     Edinburgh
    Royal Scots Regimental Museum is a museum in Edinburgh that tells the story of the Regiment in chronological order on pictorial wall panels supported by maps, display cases, tableaux and dioramas. Its medal collection is partly on display. Besides this, the museum features weapons, pictures, collect
  39. Borders Textile Towerhouse39

    Borders Textile Towerhouse

     Hawick
    Borders Textile Towerhouse is a museum in Hawick. The museum features exhibits related to: fine art, weapons and war, natural sciences, social history, science and technology, archaeology, decorative and applied art, archives, costume and textiles and personalities.
  40. Glenesk Folk Museum40

    Glenesk Folk Museum

     Glenesk
    Glenesk Folk Museum is an independent museum set in the midst of Glenesk, one of the five Angus Glens. Opened in 1955 by its creator and original curator, local schoolteacher Greta Michie, the museum existed in a building called The Retreat. This was built for Captain Wemyss in the 1840s as a huntin
  41. Old Haa41

    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.
  42. Crail Museum and Heritage Centre42

    Crail Museum and Heritage Centre

     Crail
    The Museum provides an insight into the past life of this ancient Royal Burgh, its kirk, seafaring tradition, Crail Golfing Society (founded in 1786 - the 7th oldest in the world) and airfield history from the First World War until its closure in 1960 (HMS Jackdaw, Fleet Air Arm Station, HMS Bruce
  43. Colzium House43

    Colzium House

     Kilsyth
    Colzium House is a museum in Kilsyth. The museum features exhibits related to: fine art, weapons and war, costume and textiles, world cultures, natural sciences, archaeology, decorative and applied art, social history, archives and coins and medals.
  44. Douglas Heritage Museum44

    Douglas Heritage Museum

     Douglas
    Douglas Heritage Museum is a museum in Douglas. The museum features exhibits related to Archives, Weapons and War and Social History.
  45. Brechin Town House Museum45

    Brechin Town House Museum

     Brechin
    Brechin Town House Museum is a museum in Brechin. The museum features exhibits related to Personalities, Social History, Archaeology, Decorative and Applied Art, Costume and Textiles, Archives, Fine Art, Coins and Medals, Weapons and War and Science and Technology.
  46. Clan Gunn Heritage Centre and Museum46

    Clan Gunn Heritage Centre and Museum

     Latheron
    Clan Gunn Heritage Centre and Museum is a museum in Latheron. The museum features exhibits related to Archaeology, Fine Art, Weapons and War, Archives and Costume and Textiles.
  47. Clan Donnachaidh Museum47

    Clan Donnachaidh Museum

     Pitlochry
    Clan Donnachaidh Museum is a museum in Pitlochry. The museum features exhibits related to: coins and medals, social history, archaeology, maritime, archives, fine art, decorative and applied art, music, weapons and war, personalities, natural sciences, medicine and costume and textiles.
  48. Museum of the Cumbraes48

    Museum of the Cumbraes

     Millport
    Museum of the Cumbraes is a museum in Isle of Cumbrae. The museum features exhibits related to Personalities, Fine Art, Social History, Natural Sciences, World Cultures, Archives, Costume and Textiles, Archaeology, Weapons and War and Decorative and Applied Art.
  49. Skelmorlie ROC Post49

    Skelmorlie ROC Post

     Skelmorlie
    Skelmorlie ROC Post is a museum in . The museum features exhibits related to: weapons and war.
  50. Lanark Museum50

    Lanark Museum

     Lanark
    Lanark Museum is a museum in Lanark. The museum features exhibits related to Medicine, Coins and Medals, Social History, Archives, Costume and Textiles and Weapons and War.
  51. 51

    Historylinks Museum

     Dornoch
    Historylinks Museum is a museum in Dornoch. The museum features exhibits related to: weapons and war, land transport, archives, decorative and applied art, sport, social history, religion and costume and textiles. Key themes, people and exhibits in the museum include: original royal dornoch golf clu
  52. 52

    Dalbeattie Museum

     Dalbeattie
    Dalbeattie Museum is a museum in Dalbeattie. The museum features exhibits related to Natural Sciences, Archives, Weapons and War, Medicine, Land Transport, Social History, Costume and Textiles and Fine Art.
  53. 53

    Glencoe Folk Museum

     Glencoe
    Glencoe Folk Museum is a museum in Glencoe. The museum features exhibits related to: archives, medicine, costume and textiles, social history and weapons and war.
  54. 54

    Coldstream Museum

     Coldstream
    Coldstream Museum is a museum in Coldstream. The museum features exhibits related to Social History, Archaeology, Weapons and War, Archives and Fine Art.
  55. 55

    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
  56. 56

    Coastal Communities Museum

     North Berwick
    Coastal Communities Museum is a museum in North Berwick. The museum features exhibits related to: archaeology, medicine, coins and medals, natural sciences, personalities, maritime, social history, costume and textiles, decorative and applied art, weapons and war, archives and fine art.
  57. 57

    Royal Highland Fusiliers Regimental Museum

     Glasgow
    The Royal Highland Fusiliers Regimental Museum is a museum in Glasgow that tells the story of the Regiment, antecedent regiments & successor battalion.
  58. 58

    Alyth Museum

     Alyth
    Alyth Museum is a museum in Alyth. The museum features exhibits related to Social History, Decorative and Applied Art, Fine Art, Archaeology, Music, Costume and Textiles, Weapons and War, Archives, Natural Sciences, Land Transport, Coins and Medals and World Cultures.
  59. 59

    Banff Museum

     Banff
    Visit one of Scotland's oldest Museums, founded in 1828. See an electro-type copy of the Deskford Carnyx, a unique 2000-year-old war trumpet, as well as an award-winning natural history display. local geology, arms and armour and a nationally important collection of Banff silver. Banff Museum featur
  60. 60

    Baird Institute

     Cumnock
    Baird Institute is a museum in Cumnock. The museum features exhibits related to Social History, Coins and Medals, Science and Technology, World Cultures, Archives, Decorative and Applied Art, Natural Sciences, Costume and Textiles, Weapons and War, Archaeology, Fine Art and Personalities.
  61. 61

    Museum Store

     Grangemouth
    Museum Store is a museum in Grangemouth. The museum features exhibits related to: social history, costume and textiles, land transport, weapons and war, natural sciences, archives, decorative and applied art, maritime, medicine, science and technology, archaeology, personalities, music and coins and
  62. 62

    George Waterston Memorial Centre and Museum

     Fair Isle
    George Waterston Memorial Centre and Museum is a museum in Fair Isle. The museum features exhibits related to: natural sciences, fine art, decorative and applied art, personalities, weapons and war, music, maritime, costume and textiles, land transport, archaeology, world cultures, archives, social
  63. 63

    Brander Museum

     Huntly
    Brander Museum is a museum in Huntly. The museum features exhibits related to Coins and Medals, Social History, Weapons and War, Costume and Textiles, Personalities, Archaeology and Natural Sciences. Key themes, people and exhibits in the museum include Huntly textile industry and learn about:, 19th