National Museums Scotland 14 April to 26 May 2008 Exhibitions

National Museums Scotland listings

14 April to 26 May 2008

Highlights

Spring
Stargazing

National Museum of Rural Life

Wed 23 April

19:00 –21:00

Book now on 0131 247 4422

Celebration Weekend

National Museum of Scotland

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.

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

Until 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.

Extremes: Life in Subarctic Canada

National Museum of Scotland

Fri 16 May–Sun 19 Oct

Free

Experience the lives of one of Canada’s
indigenous communities and discover some of Scotland and Canada’s
shared history. In the 1850s and 60s Scottish fur traders collected
beautifully-crafted objects from the Dene peoples living in the Canadian subarctic.
Now part of National Museums Scotland’s
collection, these objects provide a fascinating insight into a living
community.

Extremes: Life in Subarctic Canada is the
result of a new relationship National Museums Scotland has built
with the descendents of the people who traded with the Scots, in particular the
Dogrib Dene, or Tlicho, in their own language. The objects are returning to Scotland from Canada where they
have been on display, along with contemporary material purchased from the Dene
people for our collections.

Find out how the objects came to the
museum. Admire their beauty, skill and workmanship. Experience personal stories
from the community. Discover the extremes of the subarctic environment. What
was it like to live here 150 years ago and how is it different today?

Call to Arms

National War Museum

Fri 23 May
2008–Sun 1 Feb 2009

Museum entry is included in
admission price to Edinburgh Castle

From 14th century Galloglass mercenaries and 17th century highland warriors to today's modern soldiers,
Scottish soldiers have always had a fearsome reputation on the battlefield.

While technology has unquestionably changed the way warfare has been
conducted over the centuries, one thing remains constant: the importance of
infantry in any conflict. Call to Arms explores this unwavering need for
'boots on the ground' by charting the development of Scottish infantry since
the 14th century. There will be a hands-on element to the exhibition,
designed to explore some of the myths associated with weaponry through
the ages.

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.

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

Sunday Morning Music

Sun 27 April, 25 May

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, 17, 24 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: Scottish Traditions
of Dance Trust

Hawthornden Court

Sun 4 May

13:45/14:45 (30mins)

Free

Sunday Afternoon Fun: Early Music Forum

Hawthornden Court

Sun 11 May

12:45–15:45

Free/drop-in

Sunday Afternoon Fun: Antonine Guard

Hawthornden Court

Sun 18 May

11:45/12:45/14:45 (30mins)

Free

Sunday Afternoon Fun: Alba Puppet Show

Hawthornden Court

Sun 25 May

12:45/13:45/14:45 (30mins)

Free

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

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

Adult skills: Willow weaving
Sat 17 May

10:00–16:00
Cost included in museum admission

More information about this workshop will be available online shortly. For more
information or to book online, telephone 0131 247 4377.

Adult skills: Dry Stone Dyking
Sun 18 May

10:00–16:00
Cost included in museum admission

More information about this workshop will be available
online shortly. For more information or to book online, telephone 0131 247
4377.

Adult skills: Herbal Preparations
Sun 25 May

10:00–16:00
Cost included in museum admission

More information about this workshop will be available
online shortly. For more information or to book online, telephone 0131 247 4377.

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.

Flower Festival

Sun 25, Mon 26 May

11:00 –16:00

Experience an explosion of colour with this positive feast
of flowers and floral art displays. Stroll through the grounds, admire the
views and enjoy a rare opportunity to explore the Walled Garden.

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

Until Friday 31 October

Wednesdays 10:00–12:00/13:00–16:00

See vintage radio, radar and avionics equipment.

Scenic Helicopter Tours

Until Friday 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.

Behind The Hangar
Door

Mon 21
April, 19 May

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.

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

http://www.nms.ac.uk

For more on what’s on at the Museums
throughout 2008, please see:

http://www.nms.ac.uk/pressrelease_year_ahead_2008.aspx

Silver: Made in Scotland