Museums are trusted public spaces where people encounter stories, objects and one another. Scotland has some internationally recognised museums. 

Organised on 18 May each year or around this date, the events and activities planned to celebrate International Museum Day can last a day, a weekend or an entire week. IMD was celebrated for the first time 40 years ago. All around the world, more and more museums participate in International Museum Day. Last year, more than 37,000 museums participated in the event in about 158 countries and territories.

The Stirling Smith Art Gallery & Museum

The Stirling Smith Art Gallery and Museum, affectionately known as The Smith – has played a very special part in the history of Stirling since its foundation in 1874. Established by the bequest of artist Thomas Stuart Smith (1815-1869), it is an historic public-private partnership which has continued to the present day.

Today, it functions as a gallery, museum and cultural centre for the Stirling area. It is the repository for the historical artefacts and paintings of Stirlingshire, at the same time offering exhibition opportunities for contemporary artists. Over twenty community groups meet regularly in its lecture theatre, and a café and biodiversity garden are among its attractions.

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The Battle of Bannockburn Visitor Centre

Stand shoulder to shoulder with Robert the Bruce on the site of his greatest victory. Immerse yourself in the award-winning Battle of Bannockburn experience as you witness a digitally re-created version of the battle, up close!
Find out how warriors, pages, knights and civilians on either side of the conflict became involved and what role they played.
Discover more about the two opposing kings, whose tactics in 1314 changed the path of Scotland’s history, forever.
Follow in the footsteps of Robert the Bruce in our memorial park and see the spot where he raised his royal standard.
The Battle of Bannockburn experience puts you at the heart of the action so you can discover more about this crucial event in Scottish history.

https://www.nts.org.uk/visit/places/bannockburn

The Scottish Crannog Centre

2,500 years ago, some people across Scotland lived in Iron Age loch-dwellings known as “Crannogs”. Eighteen of these have been found on Loch Tay in Perthshire. Since 1979, we’ve explored these ancient dwellings and in 1997 a reconstruction based on excavation results was built and became the showpiece of the Scottish Crannog Centre.

Explore the museum which holds ancient artefacts, and our Iron Age village, crafted with locally sourced materials, showcasing traditional craftsmanship with hands-on activities. Join expert-led tours.

Balquhidder

• Mhor 84 restaurant
  • A stylish and laid-back roadside diner that’s very welcoming to dogs. It offers a vibrant menu of locally sourced food, great coffee, and live music events. Dogs are allowed inside the restaurant and on the terrace.

The Black Watch

Discover the story of Scotland’s oldest Highland Regiment at Balhousie Castle in the heart of Perth. Home to a Collection of National Significance, our museum explores over 300 years of The Black Watch’s military history from their formation in 1739 to their amalgamation in 2006. We also offer an award-winning bistro serving freshly prepared food, a museum shop filled with Scottish gifts and regimental items, and a year-round programme of events that celebrate heritage, creativity and community. The Black Watch Castle and Museum is also available for private and corporate venue hire, providing a memorable setting surrounded by history.

Discover military history in The Black Watch Castle and Museum

Scottish Vintage Bus Museum

The Scottish Vintage Bus Museum is set in a 49-acre site, north of Dunfermline and houses over 100 buses, as well as trains, a horse tram, and other exhibits. Whatever your age there will be something there for you!

They have over 100 vehicles on site large and small, old and not so old. Their oldest vehicles date from the 1920s and our newest from 2004.

Bannockburn House

Hidden near Stirling in the heart of Scotland, Bannockburn House is one of Scotland’s most extraordinary historic places. A rare 17th-century house with deep connections to the Jacobites, Bonnie Prince Charlie, and the story of tartan. Today, it is owned by the community and cared for through one of the most ambitious community-led conservation and restoration projects in the UK.

This is more than a house. It is a living rescue project, a place where history is being researched, conserved, and shared in real time. From remarkable original interiors and architectural survival to stories that connect Bannockburn House with some of the defining moments of Scottish history, every room has something to reveal.

As one of Stirling’s top rated tourist attractions, guests can explore a house shaped by centuries of change. For those drawn to the romance and drama of the Jacobite era, the house also offers a powerful sense of place that will feel instantly familiar to Outlander fans.