National
Museums Scotland listings
26 October - 7 December 2009
Highlights
Sir Jackie Stewart: World Champion -
1969, 1971, 1973
National Museum of Scotland
>From Tue 8 September
Free
Proud Scots, motor-racing fans and sporting
enthusiasts can now speed into the National Museum of Scotland to see
the famous Formula One car belonging to three times Formula One World
Champion and Scottish sporting legend, Sir Jackie Stewart OBE. To celebrate the
40th anniversary of his first World Drivers' Championship in 1969 and
Scotland's Year of Homecoming 2009,
Sir Jackie has loaned his 1971 World Championship-winning Tyrrell 003 car to
the Museum for up to three years. The car has won eight Grand Prix races,
more than any other individual car, and is displayed alongside Sir
Jackie's 1971 Monaco Grand Prix and German Grand Prix trophies, and his
famous tartan-rimmed helmet.
Ballast: Bringing the Stones Home
National Museum of Scotland
Wed 5 August - Sun 8 November
Free
John Edgar's stone sculptures tell the story of
emigration - leaving the homeland, the voyage through unknown seas and
the arrival in a new land. Using stone that he collected in 2005 from historic
quarries in Scotland, the New Zealand
artist has made sculptures based on the land and the flag, the compass, trig
stations and survey markers. Mapping voyages, journeys, arrivals and
departures, the stones are reunited with their homeland as part of Homecoming Scotland 2009. This exhibition
celebrates in stone the strong culture that is common to Scotland and New Zealand.
Salt of the Earth
National Museum of Scotland
Fri 16 October 2009 - Sun 10 Jan 2010
Free
Alan Cumming, Neve Campbell, Chris Hoy, Sharleen Spiteri,
Jack White, John Byrne - just some of the faces helping shape the image
of Scotland and its culture. Craig Mackay's stunning photographs capture
well-known Scots and international figures with Scottish connections. The
dramatic results show a growing confidence in modern Scotland as celebrities, sporting
personalities and artists spread their influence abroad. "Scotland
and its people have had a profound impact on the world today. Although these
are modern photographs, the title reflects the often humble and resilient
nature of Scottish emigrants who have enriched the world around them over the
centuries." - Craig Mackay.
Gifted
National Museum of Scotland
Fri 13 November 2009 - Sun 10 January 2010
Free
We've got Christmas covered! Gifted brings together new work from over
20 of Scotland's most talented craft makers with handmade, limited-edition
pieces to suit all tastes and budgets. If you're looking for a one-off
present for a loved one, escape the hustle and bustle of Princes Street and shelter in our
handmade haven. You might like to treat yourself while you're there! This
year's exhibition includes ceramics, jewellery, textiles, books and more
from makers such as Jaimie MacDonald, Hannah McAndrew, Anna King and Astrid
Weigel. Keep an eye on our website for an updated list of our cutting-edge
designers at www.nms.ac.uk/gifted.
Garden Detectives
National Museum of Rural Life
>From Fri 9 October
Free with museum admission
What lurks at the bottom of your garden? See the natural world through the eyes
of a detective. Delve into hedges, take a peek in our shed and unearth wonders
from our flower beds and pond. Explore habitats, study food chains, track
animals and discover what they get up to while you're asleep! Inspired by
the work of Charles Darwin on his 200th birthday, Garden Detectives turns the ordinary into the extraordinary.
Take a larger-than-life look at plants and flowers, learn fascinating facts
about nature and experience all the sounds and smells of a real garden, without
getting your hands dirty. Darwin200 is a national programme of events celebrating Charles Darwin's scientific
ideas and their impact on society.
Exhibitions
Helmand: Faces of Conflict
National War Museum
Until Sun 31 January 2010
Included in Edinburgh
Castle admission
Helmand: Faces of Conflict at the National War
Museum features the photography of
Robert Wilson, war artist with Edinburgh's
52 Infantry Brigade. From the faces of weary men returning from three weeks on
patrol to the dusty landscape of their surroundings, Wilson captures the lives of soldiers and
civilians with an unflinching sense of intimacy.
Jean Muir: A Fashion Icon
National Museum of Costume
Until Sat 31 October 2009
Included in museum admission
Explore the work of an international fashion designer, and unravel
the distinctive Jean Muir look. Jean Muir was an iconic figure in the world of
fashion design, recognised internationally as ‘the jewel in the crown of
British fashion'. Jean Muir: A Fashion
Icon celebrates the life and work of this individual and revered
dressmaker through a stunning display of garments, sketches, patterns,
accessories, catwalk footage and fashion photography. The exhibition reflects
the intimacy of Miss Muir's London
premises - a white, pristine environment in which she chose to live and
work. Highlights from the National Museums Scotland touring exhibition are
displayed, along with garments selected especially for the National Museum of
Costume. On show for the first time is a selection of jewellery from the
archive.
Fantastic Flight
National Museum of Flight
New permanent exhibition
Included in museum admission
Our three new hands-on galleries help you find out how aeroplanes fly, how they
are built and the skills needed to fly them. Join in with over 25 activities to
feel the force of lift, discover what planes are made of and test your own
skills. Can you navigate your way around the world or land an aeroplane?
Remember to try out the flight simulations - could you be a fighter
pilot?
Get to grips with the mechanics of flight with buttons,
dials, switches, propellers and wings. Look out for a Wright Brothers engine,
the propeller from an aeroplane which flew over Everest and Sheila
Scott's record-breaking Piper Comanche, which she flew solo around the
world. Let your imagination soar!
Fortunes of War
National Museum of Flight
New permanent exhibition
Included in museum admission
What was it like to serve at East Fortune airfield at
different times in its history? Uncover the vivid human story of service at
this military airfield from RAF crew, photographs, film and rare artefacts. You
can see wings from an East Fortune Sopwith Cuckoo, and the original painted
gate from the Royal Naval Air Station. Watch out for objects from the R34, East
Fortune's record-breaking airship, which flew to North
America and back in the first-ever transatlantic crossing.
You can also discover how the airfield has changed with our
interactive map, navigate an airship to find the enemy submarine and watch
historic film footage. Models, aircraft parts, uniforms, and flying equipment
combine to give you a very personal sense at what life was like at East
Fortune.
Treasured: Wonderful Things, Amazing
Stories
National Museum of Scotland
Until 2011
Free
This exhibition offers the chance to discover some of the
most extraordinary treasures in the care of National Museums Scotland.
Featuring over 300 objects drawn from the four corners of the globe and
spanning across centuries, Treasured:
Wonderful Things, Amazing Stories celebrates the wonder and diversity
of the National Museums' world-class collections. From a Sumatran tiger
to a Victorian corset, Treasured is an eclectic mix of the spectacular, extraordinary, precious and personal.
The exhibition provides a link to the Royal Museum
collections during closure, casting new light on familiar objects and also
giving a first glimpse of some of the objects which will feature in the
redeveloped National Museum of Scotland when it re-opens in 2011.
Events/activities
National Museum of Scotland
Talks and lectures
Curator's
Choice: Paper and Textile Conservation
National Museums Collection Centre,
Granton
Fri 30 October
14:00 (1 hr)
£5/£4/Members free
Book now on 0131 225 7534
Lynn McClean, Head of Textile and Paper
Conservation, reveals the process and techniques involved in conserving objects
for display as part of the Royal Museum Project. Tickets for this event must be
booked in advance.
Curator's
Choice - Scotland:
A Changing Nation
Dunfermline Room
Fri 6 November
14:00 (1 hr)
£5/£4/Members free
Booking essential on 0131 225 7534
David Forsyth, Senior Curator of Scottish Social History and Diaspora, looks at
the story behind this major gallery redevelopment. He considers the challenge
of presenting the recent past and reveals some of the fascinating stories
behind the objects.
Home
Is Where the Heart Is
Early People gallery
Wed 25 November
19:00 (1hr)
£5/£4/Members free
Book now on 0131 225 7534
As well as being a well-known novelist, Ron Butlin is also Edinburgh's Makar, or Poet Laureate. In
his usual relaxed style, Ron will give some short readings and reflect on what Homecoming Scotland 2009 has meant to him.
Understanding
Technology: Witnessing the Telescope
Dunfermline Room
Thu 26 November
15:00 (1hr 30min)
Free
Book now on 0131 225 7534
Professor Mario Biagioli of Harvard
University discusses
Kepler, Galileo and the uses of testimony, as part of the International Year of Astronomy.
Curator's
Choice: The Real Tam O'Shanter
Dunfermline Room
Fri 27 November
14:00 (1hr)
£5/£4/Members free
Book now on 0131 225 7534
John Burnett explores the background
to Robert Burns' greatest poem in his new book The Hellish Legion. Here he discusses beliefs about ghosts
and witches, folk memories of heroism, murder and tragedy in Burns'
country. He will bridge the gap between objects on display and the work of the
poet, whose 250th birthday we are celebrating this year.
Edinburgh Lecture: John Byrne in Conversation
Off site at Royal Society of
Edinburgh
Thu 3 December
18:30 - 20:00 (1hr 30min)
£3 booking fee
Purchase tickets via www.edinburghlectures.org or telephone 0131 473 2000
International artist and playwright John Byrne talks about his illustrious and varied
career and reflects on Scottish art and culture. John Byrne's portrait
features in our Salt of the Earth photographic exhibition.
Part of the Edinburgh Lectures series.
Special events
Homecoming Finale
Hawthornden Court
Sat 28, Sun 29 November
10:00 - 17:00
Free
Help us celebrate St Andrew's Day as our Homecoming
Scotland 2009 programme draws to a close. Be inspired by music,
drama, tours and trails with the best Scottish talent, including a special
performance of Tam O'Shanter from Scottish Youth Theatre and YDance. For
the full programme please visit www.nms.ac.uk.
Festive
Make a Treasure
Hawthornden Court
Sun 22
November, Sat 5 December
12:00 - 16:00
Free (drop-in)
Find a treasure in the Museum that inspires you and get creative with artist
and jeweller Dorothy Hogg MBE. Make a beautiful embossed medal for someone
special or a stunning decoration for your tree.
Christmas Bells
Hawthornden Court
Sun 6
December
12:45/13:45/14:45 (20 - 30mins)
Free
Join the Parish of Dunkeld Handbell
Ringers as they fill the Museum with festive chimes and cheer!
Weekend events
Jann Pechan Show
Hawthornden Court
Sun 1
November
12:45/13:45 (25 mins)
Free
Come along and see this exciting music and dance showcase, created by members
of Sikh Sanjog girls' group, as part of a project exploring their
cultural traditions and heritage.
HLF Young Roots project in partnership
with National Museums Scotland.
Meet the Scientist at National Pathology
Week!
Hawthornden Court
Sun 8
November
11:00 - 16:00
Free (drop-in)
Learn all about how your heart works in events and workshops by the Pathology
Department at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary. Celebrate the achievements of
Nobel Prize-winning Sir James W Black, the Scottish scientist who pioneered the
lifesaving beta-blockers drugs.
Medieval Harp Maestro
Level 1 gallery
Sun
15 November
12:45/13:45/14:45
(20 - 30 mins)
Free
Join
accomplished musician Simon Chadwick for a practical and historical workshop on
this fascinating instrument and then have a go yourself.
Connect
Super Science Shows
Connect gallery
Every Sat and Sun
12:15/13:15/14:15/15:15 (20mins)
Age 5+
Limited space (seating for 20)
Free
Come along to our free events every
weekend in Connect. Find out about science in the real world at our Meet the Scientist events or enjoy a Super Science Show!
Free
Tours: Scottish
Collections
Tours leave from the Hawthornden Court
meeting point:
Highlights
Tour (1hr)
Daily 11:30/13:30
Themed
Tour (1hr)
Daily 14:30
Family
Tour (15mins)
Sat 14:00
Treasured: Wonderful Things, Amazing Stories Tour (1hr)
Tue 15:00/Fri 12:00
Information about topics for themed
and family tours can be found on the museum's information screens and on
our website www.nms.ac.uk/tours.
National Museum of Flight
Air
and Scare Halloween
Sat 31 October
10:00 - 17:00
Dress up in your scariest costume to look the part for creepy workshops and
themed events.
National Museum of Rural Life
Halloween Party
Sat 31 October
15:00 - 17:00
Free admission from 15:00
Revel in apple dooking, scary stories, grisly games and creepy crafts at this Homecoming Scotland 2009 event. Adults can
enjoy John Burnett's talk on
Robert Burns and the supernatural.
Christmas Wreath Workshops
Sun 6 December
14:00 - 16:00 (2hrs)
Get into the festive spirit and learn to make your own traditional Christmas
wreaths.
Sunday Craft Sessions
Sun 1, 15, 29 November
14:00 - 16:00 (Drop-in)
Get crafty at one of our regular sessions and make something to take away with
you.
Wednesday Parent and Toddler Sessions
Wed 4 November, Wed 18 November
Wed 2 December
13:00 (1hr)
Parents with pre-school children are welcome to join us.
Song time, story time or craft time - come along and see which session is
on, or call us on 0131 247 4369.
Museum addresses:
National Museum
of Scotland, Chambers Street, Edinburgh,
EH1 1JF
National War Museum, Edinburgh Castle,
Edinburgh, EH1 2NG
National Museum of Flight, East Fortune Airfield, East
Lothian EH39 5LF
National Museum of Costume, Shambellie House, New Abbey, Dumfries, DG2
8HQ
National Museum of Rural Life, Wester Kittochside, Philipshill Road, East Kilbride, G76 9HR
For booking, opening times and location details, contact National Museums Scotland on 0131 225
7534/www.nms.ac.uk
Salt of the Earth: famous faces with Scottish roots, photographed by Craig
Mackay. National Museum of Scotland. Opening 16 October.
- Log in to post comments