Maritime museums in Scotland

The Riverside Museum (Glasgow Museum of Transport) is home to over 3,000 objects that detail Glasgow’s rich past from its days as maritime powerhouse to a glimpse into daily Glasgow life in the early to mid 20th Century. ​Amongst the objects on display are everything from skateboards to locomotives,

The RRS Discovery, or Royal Research Ship Discovery, holds a significant place in the history of the United Kingdom as the last three-masted wooden ship built in the country. This ship was used by the renowned explorer Robert Falcon Scott in his Antarctic exploration journeys in 1901. Today, it stands as a testament to the country's maritime history and the spirit of exploration that defined an era.

The Aberdeen Maritime Museum is situated in a prime location along the historic Shiprow boulevard, in close proximity to the port of Aberdeen. This strategic location not only makes it easily accessible for visitors but also adds to the authenticity of the maritime experience it offers. The museum is housed in several buildings, including the former Congregationalist temple of the Holy Trinity and Provost Ross's house, one of the oldest in the city.

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

The Scottish Fisheries Museum is situated in the picturesque town of Anstruther, in the council area of Fife, Scotland. This location is not only historically significant but also offers visitors a chance to experience the charm of a traditional Scottish town. The museum is easily accessible and provides a unique insight into the local fishing history.

The Museum of Scottish Lighthouses is a museum in Fraserburgh. The museum features exhibits related to: personalities, archives, maritime, social history and science and technology. Key themes, people and exhibits in the museum include: lighthouse lenses and equipment., photographs of lighthouses an

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.

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

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

Scottish Maritime Museum is a museum in Irvine. The museum features exhibits related to Land Transport, Maritime and Archives.

Stromness Museum is a museum in Stromness. The museum features exhibits related to World Cultures, Archives, Natural Sciences, Archaeology, Coins and Medals, Science and Technology, Maritime, Social History and Land Transport.

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

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

Kirkcaldy Galleries is a museum in Kirkcaldy. The museum features exhibits related to: social history, land transport, medicine, archives, coins and medals, fine art, science and technology, maritime, archaeology, decorative and applied art, personalities and costume and textiles.

The Titan Clydebank is a cantilever crane situated in the Scottish town of Clydebank, within the West Dunbartonshire council area. This historical structure was built by the shipbuilding company John Brown & Company, which moved to Clydebank in 1871. The crane was installed at the end of the dock in 1907 by the Glasgow crane and bridge builder Sir William Arrol & Company.

The Signal Tower Museum, located in the coastal town of Arbroath, Angus, Scotland, is a historical site that was originally built in 1813. It served as the base of operations for the Bell Rock Lighthouse, housing the families of the keepers and the shore staff who ran the lighthouse tender supplying the light. The museum offers a glimpse into the past, showcasing the history and operations of the Bell Rock Lighthouse.

Visit Stonehaven's oldest building - the Earl Marischal's 16th - century storehouse which served as the County Tolbooth of Kincardineshire from 1600-1767 to discover why Episcopal priests were imprisoned here in 1748, Stonehaven's links with the sea, and local bygones. Tolbooth Museum features exhib

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.

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.

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.

Museum of Islay Life is a museum in Isle of Islay. The museum features exhibits related to: land transport, maritime, medicine, fine art, coins and medals, costume and textiles, music, science and technology, personalities, archaeology, social history and archives.

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

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

Unst Boat Haven is a museum in Haroldswick. The museum features exhibits related to Industry, Maritime and Social History. Key themes, people and exhibits in the museum include Recreated blacksmith's workshop, Whillies or eela boats, Shetland shipbuilding, Model boats, Sixareens and Yoals.

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

Cromarty Courthouse Museum is a museum in Cromarty. The museum features exhibits related to Maritime, Coins and Medals, Trade and Commerce, Industry, Archives and Social History.

Ullapool Museum is a museum in Ullapool. The museum features exhibits related to Natural Sciences, Archaeology, Archives, Maritime and Social History.

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.

Mallaig Heritage Centre is a museum in Mallaig. The museum features exhibits related to Agriculture, Maritime, Archives, Personalities, Social History, Film and Media, Fine Art, Religion, Land Transport and Photography.

The Scottish Maritime Museum is a nationally recognized industrial museum located in Irvine and Dumbarton, in the West of Scotland. The museum is dedicated to preserving and showcasing Scotland's rich shipbuilding heritage. It offers visitors a unique opportunity to explore the history and significance of shipbuilding in Scotland.

Fairfield Heritage is a community museum dedicated to telling the story of Govan’s outstanding role in world shipbuilding. Please come and visit us and enjoy the very building that was once the headquarters of the greatest shipbuilding enterprise in the world, the Fairfield Shipbuilding & Engineeri

Mckechnie Institute is a museum in Girvan. The museum features exhibits related to Land Transport, Natural Sciences, Costume and Textiles, Fine Art, Maritime and Archives.

The Newburgh Ancestry and History Society is a Voluntary Group set up to preserve and archive the various collections of local history, photographs and artefacts that have been donated to the Museum. We operate in the Lower Laing Museum which displays a wide range of Historical Artefacts and Infor

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.

Campbeltown Museum is a museum in Campbeltown. The museum features exhibits related to Maritime, Social History, Fine Art, Archaeology, Science and Technology and Coins and Medals.

Fetlar Interpretive Centre is a museum in Fetlar. The museum features exhibits related to Archives, Medicine, Personalities, Maritime, Music, Archaeology and Social History.

The HMY Britannia, a state yacht that served the British Crown for 43 years, was designated as a museum ship in Leith, Scotland, by Queen Elizabeth II in 1997. This historical vessel offers visitors a unique glimpse into the royal maritime history of Britain.

Eyemouth Museum is a museum in Eyemouth. The museum features exhibits related to Medicine, Social History, Coins and Medals, Costume and Textiles, Fine Art, Archives and Maritime.

Queensferry Museum is a museum in South Queensferry. The museum features exhibits related to Science and Technology, Maritime, Land Transport, Natural Sciences and Social History.

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

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.

Arbuthnot Museum and Gallery is a museum in Peterhead. The museum features exhibits related to Social History, Fine Art, Coins and Medals, Maritime, World Cultures, Archives and Land Transport. Key themes, people and exhibits in the museum include Northern Scotland's largest coin collections, Arctic

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

Skerryvore Lighthouse Museum is a museum in Hynish, Isle of Tiree. The museum features exhibits related to: maritime, fine art and social history.

Bernera Museum is a museum in Bernera. The museum features exhibits related to Archaeology, Maritime and Archives.

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