The National Museum of Rural Life in East Kilbride will celebrate its 25th anniversary with a day of special activities on Saturday, July 4, 2026. The event features a parade of 25 new and vintage tractors, hands-on crafts, and behind-the-scenes tours.
Tractor Parade and Farmyard Fun
To mark the milestone, 25 new and vintage tractors will parade the grounds in a special anniversary tractor run. Visitors can also enjoy a programme of tours, demonstrations, and hands-on crafts around the museum, historic working farm, and 1950s farmhouse.
In the farmyard, visitors can vote for best in show as Clydesdale horses, sheep, and cows are dressed for competition. They can also meet the museum’s newest arrivals, Eigg and Muck, eight-week-old Highland calves, alongside rare breed Tamworth pigs, hens, and the Ayrshire dairy herd, which is milked every afternoon.
Behind-the-Scenes Tours and Collections
Behind-the-scenes tours will showcase the museum’s galleries and stores, exploring the land, people, and ways of working that have shaped Scotland’s rural history. On display is Scotland’s largest collection of tractors, combine harvesters, and farming machinery.
Vicky McLean, general manager at the National Museum of Rural Life, said: “In July 2001, the museum opened on 170 acres of farmland just outside Glasgow. Now, 25 years and nearly two million visits later, the site has become a truly beloved attraction, offering an escape from urban life and a way to connect to Scotland’s rural heritage. We hope visitors of all ages will join us to celebrate this exciting milestone!”
Event Details
The National Museum of Rural Life’s 25th anniversary day takes place from 10am to 5pm on Saturday, July 4. The event is free with museum admission and annual pass entry. Visitors can enjoy food and drink options from the Shielings café, the Really Awesome Coffee food van, and Thorntonhall Ice Cream in the picnic field.
