Schools and Learning
Bring history to life
There’s nothing quite like getting hands-on with history. At Linlithgow Museum, we encourage young people to explore, investigate, ask questions and discover stories from the past for themselves.
From examining objects and hunting for clues to testing myths and thinking like archaeologists, our activities are designed to spark curiosity and make learning fun.
We welcome school classes and home-learning groups and can work with you to shape a visit around the age, interests and learning needs of your group.
Investigate. Question. Discover.
These are just some of the creative ways we’ve encouraged young people to explore the past. Activities are often developed around particular exhibitions, projects and themes, using games, objects and investigation to inspire curiosity and get young people thinking about history in different ways.
Think Like an Archaeologist
What can rubbish tells us about the past?
Our Garbology activity challenged young archaeologists to examine a collection of discarded objects — in this case, the remnants of a birthday party — and work out what had happened using only the evidence left behind. It introduced the way archaeologists use finds from rubbish pits and other deposits to piece together stories about people in the past.
Fact or Folklore
Real creature or mythological beastie?
Look closely, discuss the evidence and make your decision. Our Real or Fake activities encourage young people to question what they're being told and decide whether some very strange creatures really existed.
Get Hands-On with History
Sometimes the best way to understand an object is to investigate it
Our handling collections give young people opportunities to examine objects and replica material up close and discover what everyday things can reveal about people's lives in the past.
Explore Linlithgow’s Stories
From Mary, Queen of Scots and Linlithgow's royal connections to wartime life, local industries and the everyday experiences of people who lived here before us, our collections provide lots of ways to explore the past.
If your class is studying a particular topic, tell us what you're working on. Where our collections can support it, we'll be happy to discuss ways of shaping your visit.
Home Learning
History detectives wanted!
Learning doesn't only happen in the classroom. We welcome home-learning families and groups who would like to discover Linlithgow's history through objects, stories and investigation.
We're also developing a growing collection of activities and mini-projects that young historians can try at home or use as the starting point for their own investigations.
Supporting Classroom Learning
Museum visits can support learning across Curriculum for Excellence, particularly within Social Studies, while encouraging observation, communication, enquiry, creativity and critical thinking.
Tell us what your pupils are learning about and we'll help you explore how Linlithgow Museum and its collections might complement their work.
Looking for a Quieter Visit?
With advance notice, we may be able to welcome school and home-learning groups on days when the museum is normally closed, giving your group more space and time to explore.
Please contact us in advance to discuss availability and what you'd like to get from your visit.
Ready to Start Exploring?
Every group is different. Tell us a little about your pupils, what you're studying and what you'd like to explore, and we'll help you plan your visit.