Exhibitions
Visit the free exhibitions in our George IV Bridge Building. Open daily, except on some public holidays. No need to book.
On this page
Beyond Macbeth
9 December to 29 April
Visit our exhibition looking at the importance of Shakespeare to Scotland.
See iconic Shakespeare items from the world-class collections in the National Library of Scotland and the University of Edinburgh Library — including:
- The first edition of collected plays, known as 'the First Folio'
- Some of the earliest published versions of plays such as 'Romeo and Juliet'
- An exceptionally rare copy of 'Titus Andronicus'.
Find out about key figures in Scotland who helped bring these collections together, and hear what Shakespeare means to Scots today.
Read more about 'Beyond Macbeth'.
Treasures displays
Permanent display area with themes changed regularly.
- 'Scott's last expedition' — 12 January to 25 March
View a small sample of the many treasures in NLS collections. From hand-written documents to printed books, maps, musical scores, bindings and other art work.
All our treasures are important pieces of Scotland's cultural heritage. Some are unique. Some are beautiful. Some are huge. Some are tiny. Some are rarely seen in public because their age mades them fragile.
Throughout the year we will change the theme of the treasures display, bringing to light more of the millions of items we hold.
The John Murray Archive
Permanent exhibition.
The writers and thinkers of John Murray's publishing firm shaped the modern world through their works of literature, science, exploration and politics.
This exhibition draws on material from the John Murray Archive. It uses state-of-the-art exhibition technology to bring to life the work and lives of a changing selection of the publisher's most influential figures.
Those featured in the present line-up include Lord Byron, Charles Darwin and David Livingstone.
Learn how they contributed to one of the greatest periods of human progress and creativity. See if you could publish your own international bestseller.
Opening times for exhibitions at NLS
Monday to Friday: 10.00-20.00
Saturday: 10.00-17.00
Sunday: 14.00-17.00
See also: Public holidays and festive season opening hours