National Museums Scotland listings 26 May to 7 July 2008

National Museums Scotland listings

26 May to 7 July 2008

Highlights

Food,
Farming and Nature Day

National 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

National Museum of Costume

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 5 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+.

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

The Killing Times

Hawthornden
Court

Sun 29
June

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

Free

Living
History Scotland takes you back to 1680s Scotland, a period often known as ‘The Killing Times' or
‘The Glorious Revolution'. Enjoy a demonstration of soldiers'
uniforms, weapons and tactics. Find out exactly what a ‘flash in the
pan' is and how to ‘bite the bullet'.

Sunday Morning Music - Sax Ecosse

Sun 29
June

11:00 (1hr)

Free

Enjoy a
relaxing Sunday morning stroll through the galleries to the soothing sounds of
talented young musicians.

Live
Music Now! Scotland brings some of the very best young musical talent to the museum.

Scottish Traditions of Dance Trust - Edinburgh Tattoo
Highland Ceilidh Dancers

Hawthornden
Court

Sun 6
July

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!

National Museum of Rural Life

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.

Summer Evening Herb Walk

Wed 25
June

19:00 -21:00

Book
now

Beasties
and Bugs Day

Sun 29 June

10:00-13:00/14:00-16:00

Book now

Activity
Wednesday

Wed 2 July

11:30-13:30/14:00-16:00

Book now

National Museum of Costume

Adult Craft Workshops

Sat 14 June

10:00-16:00

Adult £25/Conc £20

Book now

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. This workshop is on 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.

Kids' Craft Workshops

Mon 7 July

10:00 (2 hours)

£2

Book in advance 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.

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.

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

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.

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 images or any further information please contact the
press office on 0131 247 4391 or email [email protected]

Barbara Lyon
Marketing and Communications Assistant

National Museums Scotland
Chambers Street
Edinburgh EH1 1JF

Tel +44 (0) 131 247 4391
Fax +44 (0) 131 247 4307
email [email protected]

http://www.nms.ac.uk

The National
Museum of Scotland is currently undergoing a £46 million
transformation. For more information visit:
http://www.nms.ac.uk/royal_museum_project.aspx
<http://www.nms.ac.uk/royal_museum_project.aspx&gt;