National Mining Museum

About National Mining Museum

Housed in the wonderfully restored Lady Victoria Colliery, National Mining Museum Scotland tells the story of coal for Scotland. Through two floors of exhibitions, interactives and guided tours, retrace the footsteps of thousands of miners and their families who relied on the colliery to make a living.

The Story of Coal Exhibition - Take a step back in time to coal's creation in the Carboniferous period 360 million years ago, then follow human efforts to extract it from the earth from the 13th century to modern times.

A Race Apart Exhibition - Experience what life was like for the miners and their families in Scotland's mining communities. Dress up as a Victorian and help out with the laundry!

Guided Tours - A tour of the pithead, recreated underground roadway and coalface with an ex-miner as your guide gives the atmosphere and noise of a working pit - an experience which instantly makes you glad you're not a miner!

Multi-Media Tour - FOR a fascinating look behind the scenes with amazing archive footage, take a self-guided tour of the colliery using one of our multi-media guides narrated by Scottish author Ian Rankin.

Archives and Library - The museum's reference library houses mining books, journals, trade catalogues and periodicals as well as the archive of the Lothian Coal Company. The library is open to researchers by appointment.

Café Coal - Café Coal, operated by Opulent Catering, is open from 10am every day serving breakfast, lunch, hot and cold snacks, speciality coffees and freshly baked cakes.

To get the most from your visit you should try to allow yourself 2-3 hours and we highly recommend that you bring warm clothes with you - some areas of the museum can be fairly cold all year round!

We are accredited Information partners of VisitScotland and can offer tailored advice to help you make the most of your visit. Come in and have a chat for insider tips about the must see attractions in our local area.