National Museums Scotland listings
12 May to 23 June 2008
Highlights
Food, Farming and Nature
Day at the Museum of Rural Life
Sun 1 June
10:00 –17:00
Cost
included in museum admission
Get green-fingered with wildlife walks and tours of our farm: hear
about the wonders of bio-fuels and plant your very own sunflower seed. Our
expert Walter Gilmour will even have some handy hints and tips for making the
most of your own garden plot.
Flower Festival at the National Museum of Costume
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.
Exhibitions
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 – Sun 1 Feb 2009
Included in
Castle admission
Explore the history, tactics and weapons of Scottish
infantry over the centuries.
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 changed the way warfare has been fought
over the centuries, one thing remains constant: the importance of infantry.
Call to Arms explores the unwavering need for ‘boots on the ground’ by charting
the development of Scottish foot soldiers since the 14th century.
Examine the clothing, protection, weapons and tactics
employed by soldiers and uncover some of the motivations behind the fighting
Scotsman.
See examples of modern infantry weapons used by the British
Army and get to grips with replica swords and armour in the hands-on section.
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.
Events/activities
National Museum of Scotland
Connect Super Science Shows
Connect gallery
Every Sat & Sun
12:15/13:15/14:15/15:15 (20 mins)
Free/drop-in
Come along to our free events every weekend in Connect. Find out
about science in the real world at our Meet the Scientist event or enjoy a free
SuperScience show. Age 5+.
Hands on History
Hawthornden Court
Saturdays
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: Antonine Guard
Hawthornden Court
Sun
18 May
11:45/12:45/14:45
(30mins)
Free
Sunday Morning Music
Sun
25 May
11:00
(1hr)
Free/drop-in
Enjoy
a relaxing Sunday morning stroll through the galleries to soothing sounds from
talented young musicians.
Sunday Afternoon Fun: Alba Puppet
Show
Hawthornden Court
Sun
25 May
12:45/13:45/14:45
(30mins)
Free
Extremes event: Curator Talk: Living from the Land
Special Exhibitions gallery, Level 3
Fri 30 May, Sat 21 June
14:00 (1hr)
Free
Book now on 0131 225 7534
The Tlicho people of North-western Canada live in one
of the most extreme climates on earth. Their lives are shaped by the seasons
and how they use the resources from their land. Curator Chantal
Knowles explores Tlicho crafts and techniques, with an
opportunity to handle some tools and materials.
Scottish
Traditions of Dance Trust - Edinburgh Early Dancers
Hawthornden Court
Sun 1 June
13:45/14:45 (30mins)
Free/drop-in
Get your toes tapping to the sounds and spectacle of
Scottish traditional dance with a variety of performers, dance styles and
music!
Traditional
Games
Hawthornden Court
Sun 8 June
12:45/13:45/14:45/15:45 (30mins)
Free
Fancy a change from computer games? Join Big Top Glasgow for
games from a bygone age! Try out ‘girds’ and ‘cleeks’, whips and ‘peeries’,
‘diabolos’ and many more.
Extremes
event: Worn Out? Worn Art!
Hawthornden Court
Sat 14 June
10:30 –16:00
Free/drop-in
A fabulous art workshop inspired by how the Tlicho people
make use of the resources all around them. Join artist Trina O’Hara to help
design and make a fun outfit from recyclable materials. Ages 5+
Extremes event:
Tales from the Subarctic
Special Exhibitions gallery, Level 3
Sun 15 June
11:15/13:15/14:15 (30 mins)
Free
Storyteller and harper Heather Yule weaves stories and music
inspired by the beautiful objects in our special exhibition. Ages 5+
The Art of Bell Ringing
Hawthornden Court
Sun 15 June
12:45/13:45/14:45 (30mins)
Free
Join hand-bell soloist Heather McLean to learn about the art
of bell ringing. Enjoy a fascinating demonstration then have a go yourself!
The Sights
and Smells of Old Edinburgh
Hawthornden Court
Sat 21-Sun 22 June
12:45/13:45/14:45 (30mins)
Free
Join us for a comical, musical and theatrical trip down the Old Town streets of
18th-century ‘Auld Reekie’ – all from the comfort of the museum! You never know
who you might meet!
Part of Edinburgh Old Town Festival 16
– 29 June. Find out more at www.scottishstorytellingcentre.co.uk
National Museum of Rural Life
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.
Food, Farming and Nature
Day
Sun 1 June
10:00 –17:00
Cost
included in museum admission
Get green-fingered with wildlife walks and tours of our farm: hear
about the wonders of bio-fuels and plant your very own sunflower seed. Our
expert Walter Gilmour will even have some handy hints and tips for making the
most of your own garden plot.
Sunflower Planting
Workshop
Sun 1 June
14:00 –16:00
More
information about this workshop will be available online shortly. For more
information or to book online, telephone 0131 247 4377.
Father’s Day
Sun
15 June
10:00
–17:00
Dads
go free! Dads can unwind and sample some locally produced beer from Craighill
Brewery while the kids get crafty in our workshops.
National Museum of Costume
Flower Festival
National Museum of Costume
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.
Adult Craft Workshops
Sat
14 June
10:00–16:00
Adult
£25/Conc £20
Pattern and colour
Join Suzanne Stuart Davies for a brief look at British knitting traditions:
what, why and how! Then learn how to create your own design and start knitting.
Basic knitting skills required.
Inspired
by our showcase of designer Scottish knitwear in Hip Knits? Then unleash your
creativity at our themed workshops for those aged 16+. Whether you want to
learn new skills, try out new techniques or just have fun, there’s something
for everyone.
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 19 May
11:00/12:00/14:00/15:00/16:00
Go behind the
scenes with the curators on these free guided tours.
Museums on the Air
Sat
14–Sun 15 June
10:00–17:00
Learn
how to broadcast messages over the airwaves, and speak with other museums from
around the world by radio.
Father’s Day
Sun
15 June
10:00–17:00
Dads
go free!
National War Museum
Medieval Mercenaries
Hospital Square
Sat 24–Sun 25 May
12:00-15:00, (20 mins) 12:30, 13:10, 14:00, 15:00
Included in Castle admission
Did 14th-century soldiers really have blue faces and wear kilts?
Get the real experience of these formidable medieval warriors, from mercenaries
to knights in armour. Get up close and personal with our battle demonstrations
and hands-on medieval workshops.
Clan Warriors
Hospital Square
Sat 14–Sun 15 June
12:00-15:00, (20 mins) 12:30, 13:10, 14:00, 15:00
Included in Castle admission
Could you face down the might of a Highland charge?
Maestro Paul MacDonald takes you into the world of the 18th-century clan
warrior. See swordsmanship displays and learn about 18th-century weapons and
fighting kit.
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
For more on what’s on at the Museums
throughout 2008, please see:
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