Exhibitions

Opening on the 1st July 2023 this exhibition, ‘Dream Destinations’, celebrates the rise of Scotland’s seaside resorts

The exhibition explores the harsh reality of this controversial industry that threatened the survival of many species. It showcases the Scottish contribution to industrial whaling and aims to educate the public about the importance of safeguarding marine life through various media.

Visual and audio work by Keith Salmon, Graham Byron and Drew Kirkland

Visit this exhibition built inside the hold of the last surviving Scottish-built puffer! Learn how these iconic boats evolved from small sailing coasters to steamships to diesel engine lifelines.

The Harbour Stories Screening Room showcases a collection of personal stories reflecting on life lived around the shipyards and marine industries of Irvine and Garnock Valley during the last century.

A spectacular collection of ship models which has been meticulously built over the last 60 years.

We're happy to announce a new temporary exhibition in collaboration with the Shipwrecked Mariners' Society for their 10th anniversary photography competition. Come and see these stunning photographs taken across the UK. This will be on display from 4 November 2022 until 5 February 2023.

Sea Monsters! will be an exploration of both the real and mythical creatures residing off the coasts of Scotland as well as those that are believed to lurk in oceans around the world.

As part of the Art That Made Us Festival launched by the BBC in April, the Scottish Maritime Museum has developed the online exhibition 'Scotland's Quarantine Island'.

The fantastic new exhibiiton comes to Dumbarton! It tells the amazing story of Skylark IX, which is believed to be one of only two ‘Dunkirk Little Ships’ from the World War 2 Operation Dynamo surviving in Scotland.

Glass Artist and Researcher, Dr Ayako Tani's latest exhibition, Glass Ships in Bottles, comes to the Scottish Maritime Museum, Dumbarton.  It tells the fascinating story of the origins of the glass ships in bottles industry that stemmed from the decline of scientific glass blowing in the UK.