National Museums Scotland listings
31 March to 12 May 2008
Highlights
Kids’ Craft Workshops
National Museum of Costume
Mon 31 March, Wed 2, Fri 4, Mon 7, Wed 9, Fri 11 April
10:00 (2 hours)
£2
Book now on 01387 850 375.
Get creative at our ever-popular sessions for children.
There are different activities at every workshop in the holidays –
Easter, summer and October – with everything from outdoor art to kite
making and flying, willow sculpture making to animal tracking and a whole series
of art and craft workshops. Try your hand at felt making and fabric dyeing or
join us in trying to knit a record-breaking scarf.
New for 2008 – come along to Storycraft with our
resident storyteller, then take part in a craft activity relating to the tale.
Debate: Challenges of Climate Change
National Museum of Scotland
Lecture Theatre
Thu 10 April
18:00 (2hrs)
£5/£4/Free – advance booking essential at www.ed.ac.uk/news
Changes in our climate are likely to have a severe impact on
the environment, lifestyles and society. A panel of experts asks, ‘What can
be done?’
Organised in partnership with the University of Edinburgh. Please use Lothian Street entrance at rear
of museum.
Exhibitions
Silver: Made in Scotland
National Museum of Scotland
Until Sun 27 April
Adult £6, Concession £5,
Members/children 12 and under free
Book now online at
www.nms.ac.uk/silver or call 0870 421 4299
This
beautiful, versatile precious metal has long symbolised wealth, power, status
and success. In this never-to-be-repeated exhibition see over 350 shining
examples, past and present, from a ‘mazer’ linked with Robert the
Bruce to a teapot crafted for Billy Connolly.
Celebrate
the glittering tradition of silversmithing in Scotland over seven centuries
and, as we commemorate the 550th anniversary of hallmarking in Scotland,
find out about the ancient Incorporation of Goldsmiths that oversees the craft.
Unearth the stories behind the makers, objects and owners and delve into the
science of silver.
Royal Museum Project: Your
Museum is Changing
Crafts Gallery
Until Sun 27 April
Free
The £46 million transformation of the Royal Museum building
into a museum for the 21st century is underway.
Your Museum is Changing chronicles
the history of the building and reveals the plans for its future. For almost
150 years the Royal Museum has
inspired visitors from around Scotland and across
the world. Explore the changes that have taken place over the years through
archive footage and images. Find out why things are changing now, how the
transformation will be realised – including which galleries will be
closed when – and the benefits the refurbishment will bring. A computer generated
‘fly-through’ and artist’s impressions offer a ‘sneak
peak’ of what the revamped museum will look like from 2011.
Hip Knits
National Museum of Costume
Fri 21 March–Fri 31 October
Included in museum admission
After you have journeyed through a century of style in our
room settings, look out for this stylish showcase that’s bang up to date!
From Fair Isle sweaters,
to cutting-edge creations, Scotland has an
international reputation for its beautifully designed knitwear.
This new exhibition puts the spotlight on ‘hip
knits’ from Scotland. Explore the enduring popularity of
luxury Scottish knitwear and check out some of the latest catwalk designs. See
knitwear by Queene and Belle, Pringle of Scotland, Ingrid Tait (of Tait &
Style), James Millar, Vivienne Westwood and other leading international fashion
firms.
Events/activities
National Museum of Scotland
Connect Super Science Shows
Connect gallery
Saturdays and Sundays
11:45/12:45/13:45/14:45 (20mins)
Free
Find out about science in the real world at one of our Super
Science Shows or Meet the Scientist – every weekend, for free! Age 5+.
Silver: Made in Scotland – Exhibition
Guided Tours
Main Hall
Until Fri 25 April (Every Tue and Fri)
Tue 15:00/Fri 12:00 (1hr)
Free with valid exhibition ticket
Book now on 0131 225 7534
Find out more about Silver:
Made in Scotland on a guided tour. A valid exhibition ticket is
required. Book in advance and meet your guide at the Totem Pole in the Main
Hall. Places limited.
Edinburgh International Science Festival
Sat 29 March–Fri 4 April
Drop-in Event: Meet the
Medics and the Vets (Age 7+)
Edinburgh International Science Festival
The Chemistry Show
Lecture Theatre
Mon 31 March–Fri 4 April
13:30 (45mins)
Free - with ticket
Book now
The team are back by popular demand to explain the science
of proteins – which are essential to life - with colourful demonstrations
and experiments. Age 7+.
Edinburgh International Science Festival
Great Ideas in Computer Science
Lecture Theatre
Mon 31 March–Fri 4 April
15:30 (1hr)
Free - with ticket
Book now
Everyone makes mistakes: in 1943 the Chairman of IBM said he
thought there was a world market for “maybe five computers”! Come
along and find out about some truly great ideas in computing that haven’t
dated. Age 10+.
Edinburgh International Science Festival
Mon 31 March–Fri 4 April
Drop-in Event: Superchem (Age 5+)
Drop-in Event: Play the
‘Connect 4’ Challenge (Age 5+)
Drop-in Event: World of
Optics (Age 7+)
Drop-in Event: Discover Geoscience (Age 7+)
Workshop: Creative
Computing (Age 8+) 10:30 / 12:00 / 13:30
Edinburgh International Science Festival
Dr Bunhead’s Crash Test Jelly Babies
Lecture Theatre
Tue 1–Fri 4 April
11:00 (1 hr)
£5/£4
Book now
One hundred per cent live science, with classic hits such as
Spontaneously Combusting Jelly Babies, The Electrocuted Gherkin and The Most
Dangerous Bottom Burp in the World. Science made scary with all the nasty bits
left in! Age 7+.
Sunday Afternoon Fun: Scottish Traditions
of Dance Trust
Hawthornden Court
Sun 6 April, 4 May
13:45/14:45 (30mins)
Free
Scotland’s Gold
Education Centre
Fri 11 April
14:00 (1hr)
£5/£4/Members free
Book now
Discover the intriguing story of Scottish gold with
historian Dr R M Callender.
Enough Scottish gold was extracted to remake the Scottish
Crown in 1540. Find out about Scotland’s
very own ‘gold rush’ of 1869 in Sutherland’s Strath of Kildonan.
The Silver Society Scottish Seminar
Lecture Theatre
Fri 11–Sun 13 April
All day
Day ticket £40/3 days £120 (includes entry to exhibition)
The fascinating history of Scottish silver, its makers,
marks and patrons, is revealed by expert speakers including curator George Dalgleish,
Henry Steuart Fothringham, Historian to the Incorporation of Goldsmiths of the
City of Edinburgh, Rosemary Watt of Glasgow Museums and silversmith
Graham Stewart.
For information and booking email
[email protected] or send A4 SAE to the Scottish Silver Seminar, Box
246, 2 Landsdowne Row, London W1J 6HL.
Sunday Afternoon Fun: Medieval Harp Maestro
Sun 13 April
Hawthornden Court
12:45/13:45/14:45 (30mins)
Free
Behind the Scenes: Hallmarking
Fri 18 April
11:00–12:30 & 14:00–15:00
£10/£8 including entry to the exhibition
Book now on 0131 225 7534
How and why are things hallmarked? Find out on a tour of
Silver: Made in Scotland with curator George Dalgleish,
followed by a visit to the Edinburgh Assay Office at Goldsmiths Hall for an
informative talk by Assay Master Scott Walter. Please note that lunch and
transport between the venues are not included.
Tweed:
Fashioning the Big Cloth
Education Centre
Fri 18 April
14:00 (1hr)
£5/£4/Members free
Book now on 0131 225 7534
Tweed has enjoyed international
popularity since it was first produced in Scotland in the early
19th century. Fiona Anderson, Senior Curator of Dress and Textiles, explores
the fascinating history of this enduring fabric through items from the
collections.
Sights and Smells of Old Edinburgh
Hawthornden Court
Sun 20 April
12:45 / 13:45 / 14:45 (30mins)
Free
Celebration Weekend
Sat 26, Sun 27 April
All day
Free / drop-in
Join us for a spectacular weekend of
music, dancing, art and history to mark the start of our Royal Museum Project.
With something for everyone, this two-day event celebrates key stories in the
history of the museum and the exciting developments to come. Cultural
performances from Scotland and the world highlight the best of
our annual programme. Take part in our Treasure Trail and special tours. Help
create a giant freeze featuring our most treasured objects. Your memories are
part of the story, so come along and tell us about your first visit! Sunday
afternoon sees the Royal Museum Ceilidh and a special ceremony to mark the
closure of part of the museum as building work begins.
Sunday Morning Music
Sun 27 April
11:00 (1hr)
Free/drop-in
Enjoy a relaxing Sunday morning stroll through the galleries
to soothing sounds from talented young musicians.
Hands on History
Hawthornden Court
Saturdays 3, 10 May
11:00–13:00/14:00–16:00
Free/drop-in
Can you unlock the key to the past? Explore real and replica
objects from our themed handling collections. What will you discover today?
Sunday Afternoon Fun: Early Music Forum
Hawthornden Court
Sun 11 May
12:45–15:45
Free/drop-in
National War Museum
Commando Country
Until Sun 27 April
Included in museum admission
It’s June 1940. British forces are being forced to
evacuate Norway and France. Britain faces
imminent invasion. Drastic measures are required.
Commando Country examines the country’s response to
this dire situation. Special training centres were set up in the Highlands to train
Commando forces to strike in enemy-occupied Europe. First-hand
reports and personal items provide compelling accounts of secret raids, enemy
sabotage and deadly missions. Would you have managed to stay the course?
National Museum of Rural Life
Spring Crafts
Sun 13 April
14:00–16:00
Spring
Stargazing
Wed 23 April
19:00 –21:00
Book now on 0131 247 4422
Classic Car Show
Sun 4 May
10:00 –17:00
Adult £6/Conc £5/Child free/National Museums Scotland Members
free
Rolls Royce, Mini, Beetle and MGB – whatever your
dream machine we have them all at our ever-popular annual classic car show.
Children also have the chance to join in our themed craft workshop.
Crafty Cars
Sun 4 May
14:00–16:00
Compost Demo Day
Sun 11 May
14:00–16:00
National Museum of Costume
Teddy Bears’ Picnic
Mon 5 May
11:00 –16:00
If you go down to the woods today you’re sure of a big
surprise! Bring your favourite bear and join in the fun and games or simply
relax with your picnic in the beautiful setting of Shambellie House.
National Museum of Flight
Workshop: Make and Take
Sundays
11:30–13:00/14:00–16:00 (20mins)
Drop-in
Bring the kids along to a Make
and Take workshop where they can have fun making toys, using
everyday objects, from cotton-reel tanks and paper planes to camouflage
bandanas. Age 3+.
Radar Room
31 March–31 October
Wednesdays 10:00–12:00/13:00–16:00
See vintage radio, radar and avionics equipment.
Scenic Helicopter Tours
31 March–31 October
10:00–17:00
Castles and Harbours around East Lothian and Edinburgh City. Free
admission to the museum for tour members. Book with PDG Helicopters on 0870 607
9000.
March-April Edinburgh International Science
Festival:
The Safety Show
Thur 20 March–Mon 7 April
12:00/14:00 (20 mins)
Find out what makes flying a safe way to travel.
Design Your Own Safety Card
Thur 20 March–Mon 7 April
11:30–13:00/14:00–16:00 (20mins)
Find out safety tips for use in your house, your car or even
your bedroom!
The Safety Trail
Thur 20 March–Mon 7 April
11:00–16:00 (20mins)
Follow the clues and spot the features that show how aircraft
have developed from ‘kites’ to the super-safe luxury transport we
know today.
Behind The Hangar
Door
Mon 21
April
11:00/12:00/14:00/15:00/16:00
Go
behind the scenes with the curators on these free guided tours.
Second World War Days
Sat 3–Sun 4 May
£6 Adults/£5 Conc/Children 12 and under free/Members free
Book now
Parking £4
Take a nostalgic trip back in time and discover what life
was like during the Second World War.
See the vehicles that were used at East Fortune during the
Second World War, and hear the roar of their powerful engines!
You’ll have the opportunity to meet and watch
characters from the 1940s as they perform lifestyle re-enactments, which will give
you a flavour of what it was like to live and work at East Fortune during the 1940s.
You’ll also get the chance to try out dancing from the era. See if you
can master the flamboyant moves of the jitterbug, jive and swing, in our free dance
classes.
There are plenty of activities for all the family. Kids will
discover the old fashioned games that children played, while dressing up in
period clothing. Try to recreate the look yourself! Join our fashion and make-up
workshops to pick up the hints and tips you’ll need to take a step back
in time.
Museum addresses:
National Museum of Scotland, Chambers
St, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF
National War Museum, Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh, EH1 2NG
National Museum of Costume,
Shambellie House, New Abbey, Dumfriesshire,
DG2 8HQ.
National Museum of Flight,
East Fortune Airfield, East Lothian. For updated opening times see: http://www.nms.ac.uk/mf_openingtimes_ticketprices.aspx
National Museum of Rural Life, Wester Kittochside, Philipshill
Rd (off Stewartfield Way), East Kilbride, G76 9HR
For booking, opening times and location details, contact National
Museums Scotland on 0131 247
4422/ www.nms.ac.uk
National Museums Scotland
Chambers Street
Edinburgh EH1 1JF
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