National Library of Scotland
ENTRY
Free
SETTING
Indoors
WHERE
Edinburgh
What it’s like
Free exhibitions on Scotland's history plus a Discovery Room of toys and books for younger kids to dig into.
This is a proper library in the grand sense, all reading rooms and archives, but there's a strand of it built for families. The exhibitions cover Scotland's heritage and stories, which sounds worthy and a bit dry until you're actually stood in front of the objects, and it costs nothing to walk round. For younger children there's a Discovery Room with toys and books, which is the bit worth heading for first if you've got a restless four-year-old rather than saving it for last.
Storytelling sessions and workshops crop up too, so it's worth timing a visit around one if you can, rather than just wandering in and hoping. Opening hours run late on weekdays, 10am to 7pm Monday to Thursday, dropping back to 10am to 5pm Friday and Saturday, and it's shut on Sundays entirely. That evening opening on weekdays is handy if you want to dodge the school-run crowds.
There's a café on site, though it closes an hour earlier than the building on Monday to Thursday, so don't leave your coffee stop to the last minute. Parking is off-street at nearby NCP sites rather than anything attached to the building, though Blue Badge holders get free parking on George IV Bridge or Victoria Street. The building itself is wheelchair accessible, with a wheelchair available for exhibition visitors, and there's baby change and a lift if you've got a buggy in tow.
It won't take you all day unless there's a workshop to build the visit around, but for a free, indoor, wet-weather option in the middle of Edinburgh it earns its place on the list.
Facilities
Need to know
- Parking
- Off-street at nearby NCP sites
- Food
- On-site café with food and drink options
- Wheelchairs
- Wheelchair accessible. Wheelchair available for exhibition visitors
- Dogs
- Assistance and emotional support animals only, water bowls provided
- Free entry with no booking needed, so it's an easy one to slot in on a whim
- The café shuts an hour before the building Monday to Thursday
- Sundays are a no-go, the library's closed
- A wheelchair is available on site for exhibition visitors if you need one
Plan your visit
How much does it cost?
Nothing. Entry is free.
Do we need to book?
There's no booking link listed, so it looks like you can just turn up.
What are the opening hours?
10am to 7pm Monday to Thursday, 10am to 5pm Friday and Saturday, and closed on Sundays.
Is there anything for younger children?
The Discovery Room has toys and books, and there are storytelling sessions and workshops from time to time.
Is there parking?
No car park attached, but there are nearby NCP sites. Blue Badge holders get free parking on George IV Bridge or Victoria Street.
Can we get food there?
There's a café on site, though it closes an hour earlier than the building on Monday to Thursday.
Can we bring the dog?
Only assistance and emotional support animals, but there are water bowls out for them.
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