National Museums Scotland listings to 13 May 2011
Highlights
Memoirs of a Lighthouse Keeper
Sun 3 Apr
14:00 (1hr)
Free – ticket required
Book on 0300 123 6789
A chance to hear from Dr Peter Hill, author of Stargazing: Memoirs of a Young Lighthouse Keeper. Published by Canongate in 2004, this book won a Saltire award for First Book of the Year and is a captivating record of Hill’s experience as a lighthouse keeper in the 1970s. The event marks the close of our Shining Lights exhibition.
Humanity in War
National War Museum
25 February 2011 – January 2012
Included in Edinburgh Castle admission
This exhibition depicts warfare across the last 150 years through stunning photography from the collection of the International Committee of the Red Cross. From the American Civil War to the conflicts of the early twenty-first century, the photographer has been a constant presence, preserving moments of courage, dignity, defiance and hope amidst pain and suffering.
Exhibitions
Shining Lights
The story of Scotland’s lighthouses
Until Sun 3 April 2011
National Museum of Scotland
Free
More than 6,200 miles long and including more than 760 islands, the jagged Scottish coastline is one of the most dangerous in the world. Shining Lights: The Story of Scotland’s Lighthouses tells the story of the people who designed, built and operated Scotland’s lighthouses, lighting a safe passage for mariners for more than 250 years. The exhibition will mark next year’s 200th anniversary of the lighting of the world’s oldest rock lighthouse, the Bell Rock near Arbroath.
Spectacular giant optics, lighthouse models and interactive exhibits will be amongst the objects used within Shining Lights to explore the development of lighthouse technology. This ranges from the Egyptian Pharos lighthouse of Alexandria over 2000 years ago and the towers topped with bonfires that formed the first 17th century Scottish lighthouses, to the fully automated systems that mark the Scotland’s coastline today and are now controlled from a single room in Edinburgh.
Sponsored by Pagan Osborne
Part of Bell Rock 200
Humanity in War
National War Museum
25 February 2011 – January 2012
Included in Edinburgh Castle admission
This exhibition depicts warfare across the last 150 years through stunning photography from the collection of the International Committee of the Red Cross. From the American Civil War to the conflicts of the early twenty-first century, the photographer has been a constant presence, preserving moments of courage, dignity, defiance and hope amidst pain and suffering.
Land Girls and Lumber Jills
National Museum of Costume
1 April – 31 October 2011
Included in Museum admission
This exhibition tells the important story of the Women’s Land Army (WLA) and Women’s Timber Corps (WTC) in Scotland. From roots in the First World War, these Land Girls and Lumber Jills played a vital role in feeding the nation and providing timber. Objects include a formal uniform from the 1940s right up to the 2008 medal awarded to all surviving members of both the WLA and WTC.
‘Land girls’ took on all types of agricultural work from sowing to harvesting, calving to shearing, whilst the Women’s Timber Corps supplied the wood. Some volunteered but others were conscripted as by 1941 all women under the age of 60, without children under 14, could be called up for essential war work. Public recognition of the vital hard work and commitment from these women arrived in 2008 when they were issued with a medal which incorporated the designs from both the Land Army badge and that of the Timber Corps, along with a certificate of thanks from the Prime Minister.
Events/activities
National Museum of Scotland
Weekend events
National Science and Engineering Week
Bloodhound Racers – balloon powered cars!
Sat 12 – Sun 13 March
12:00 – 16:00 (Drop-in)
Free
Break your own land speed record in this fun workshop as we take part in National Science and Engineering Week 2011.
Springtime Scramble
Sun 24 April
10:30 – 17:00 (Drop-in)
Free
Celebrate Easter with our family activity trail – it’s ‘eggcellent’ fun!
Edinburgh International Science Festival
Tales of Things at the Museum
Sat 9 – Mon 11 April
11:00 – 16:00
Free (Drop-in)
Use a smartphone and the latest ‘tagging’ technology to attach your own stories to objects in the museum. View them online at www.talesofthings.com
Edinburgh International Science Festival
Science Secrets
Tues 12 – Sat 16 April
12:00 – 16:00
Free (Drop-in)
Come and meet museum scientists and curators as they reveal the science secrets behind their work and how they care for our collections. A different themed investigation station each day!
Edinburgh International Science Festival
Go Go Gadgets!
Mon 11 – Fri 15 April
Mon 18 – Fri 22 April
11:00 – 12:00
15:00 – 16:00
Free (Drop-in) limited places at any one time
Bring out your inner inventor and make some cool contraptions and great gizmos from everyday stuff you find at home!
This programme has been developed by National Museums Scotland in memory of Jen Simpson, Learning Manager, whose creative spirit, imagination and enthusiasm encouraged people of all ages to engage with science.
Edinburgh International Science Festival –
Discover Science with the University of Edinburgh at the Museum
Wed 13 – Fri 22 April
10:00 – 17:00
Free (Drop in)
Meet real scientists and find out what’s happening in the changing world of science and technology. Come and take part in a workshop or just drop in to get hands on! This year’s highlights include:
GM’LL FIX IT?
13-15 April (Age 10+)
16 April (Age 14+)
(Free, but ticket required)
In this hands-on workshop, join the Gene Jury team to explore genetic modification – where would you draw the line?
Chemistry Works
13 – 17 April
Make a solar cell from straws, design a cancer therapy and investigate the properties of new materials.
Are We Computers?
13 – 17 April
How does the human mind work? Are we just sophisticated computers? Find out through experiments and robots.
Winning Ways
13 – 17 April
Discover how the mathematics of games can give you winning strategies for life.
Hunting the Higgs Boson!
13 – 22 April
Drive your own particle accelerator, catch cosmic ray muons and understand the Higgs Boson!
Earth Matters
18 – 22 April
Our Earth’s environment is important to all of us. See what is being done to preserve it.
Bio-discoveries
18 – 22 April
Find out about recent biology research at the University of Edinburgh, and do some hands-on stuff yourself!
Pop-up Engineering
18 – 22 April
Make pop-ups – ingenious engineering mechanisms where flat cardboard shapes are designed to spring into exciting 3D models.
Medical Detectives
17 – 22 April
Find out what medical and veterinary scientists are doing to keep people and animals healthy
Please note that some activities may not be suitable for very young children. For the full programme visit www.sciencefestival.co.uk.
A Slice of Life: May Day Special
Sun 1 – Mon 2 May
11:00 – 13:00/14:00-16:00 (drop-in)
Pick up a meetings map to find all our characters from Scotland’s past.
New Looks: Digital Photography and Animation
Sun 20 March
13:30 (3hrs)
14-18 years old
Free, tickets required
Book now on 0300 123 6789
Explore digital photography techniques and create stop-frame animation with an artist from Edinburgh’s Stills gallery.
Talks and lectures
The Living Legacy of John Muir
Wed 16 Mar
19:00 (1hr)
£5/£4/Members and Patrons free
Book on 0300 123 6789
John Muir was born in East Lothian in 1838. Today his legacy lives on through the work of the John Muir Trust. Mike Daniels, Head of Land and Science, outlines the Trust’s vision for wild places in the UK.
Curator’s Choice: The Chambers Woodblock Collection
Fri 25 Mar
14:00 (1hr)
£5/£4/Members and Patrons free
Book on 0300 123 6789
In the 1860s, Chambers Publishers commissioned a series of wood engravings to illustrate Chambers’ Encyclopaedia and The Book of Days. Alison Taubman, Principal Curator of Communications, explores the fascinating collection.
Memoirs of a Lighthouse Keeper
Sun 3 Apr
14:00 (1hr)
Free – ticket required
Book on 0300 123 6789
A chance to hear from Dr Peter Hill, author of Stargazing: Memoirs of a Young Lighthouse Keeper. Published by Canongate in 2004, this book won a Saltire award for First Book of the Year and is a captivating record of Hill’s experience as a lighthouse keeper in the 1970s. The event marks the close of our Shining Lights exhibition.
Treasure Trove in Scotland: Recent Finds
Wed 6 Apr
19:00 (1hr)
£5/£4/Members and Patrons free
Book on 0300 123 6789
Based at National Museums Scotland, the Treasure Trove Unit is an independent organisation responsible for assessing newly-discovered archaeological objects. These include the recently-unearthed hoard of gold torcs from Stirlingshire. Stuart Campbell discusses the unit’s work and highlights some recent finds.
Understanding Technology: Sketches of Another Future
Thu 5 May
15:00 (1.5hr)
Free – ticket required
Book on 0300 123 6789
Andrew Pickering from the University of Exeter explores cybernetics in Britain between 1940 and 2000.
In association with the University of Edinburgh Institute for the Study of Science, Technology and Innovation
Tours
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
Check the website for more information on the different themes. www.nms.ac.uk/scotland
Family Tour (15mins)
Sat 14:00
National Museums Collection Centre
Behind the Scenes at the National Museums Collection Centre
National Museums Collection Centre, West Granton Road, Edinburgh EH5 1JA
Collections Tour: Tue 12, Tue 19 April
Heritage Science in Action: Thu 14, Thu 21 April
14:00 (1hr)
Age 16+
Free
Book now on 0300 123 6789 (limited spaces)
The collections tours are an opportunity to see where we store and conserve many of our amazing objects and specimens.
Heritage Science in Action is a unique chance to see the scientific investigation of museum objects carried out in our specialist laboratories.
National Museum of Flight
Flying Start
Fri 22 – Mon 25 April
12:00 – 15:00
(Drop-in)
Age 3+
Included in museum admission
Follow the trail around our aircraft to discover how they fly before having a go at building your own. Will your model fly the furthest or flop the fastest?
Part of the Edinburgh International Science Festival.
World War Experience
Sun 1 May
10:00 – 16:00
Adult £10.50/£8.50, Child £5 (under 5 free), family ticket £27.50
Parking, £4
Book on 0300 123 6789
Meet our re-enactors and their military vehicles from the First and Second World Wars, see them in battle and watch the skies for an aerobatic flying display. Join in our street party, learn to ‘make do and mend’ in our craft workshops, find out how your grandparents used to play as children and dance to the music of the time. Age restrictions may apply for some activities.
National Museum of Rural Life
Go Wild in Spring
Mon 4 – Fri 15 April
11:00 – 13:00/14:00 – 16:00
Included in museum admission
Booking essential on 0300 123 6789
Take part in country and outdoor activities including den-making, ranger walks, photography and a visit to the Garden Detectives exhibition. Make a day of it with a picnic and trips on our Farm Explorer.
Easter Sunday Fun Day
Sun 24 April
10:00 – 17:00
(2hr sessions)
Included in museum admission
Celebrate the arrival of spring at the farm; see our newly arrived lambs and calves, join in the Easter egg trail, meet the Easter Bunny or join our ranger for a springtime wild food walk.
Classic Cars
Sun 1 May
10:00 – 17:00
Adult £7.50/£6.50, Child £4 (Under 5 Free) Family tickets £22.00.
Book on 0300 123 6789
Visit us as we play host to more than 250 classic cars and vintage working vehicles. Meet the owners, choose your favourite car and watch the winners in our parade of champions! Meet our 1950s character who will regale you with stories of their travels and join in our crafty car workshop.
National Museum of Costume
Spring into Easter
Sun 24 April
11:00 – 16:00
Included in museum admission
Discover the secrets of our garden on a guided tour and follow Easter trails through the house.
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 0300 123 6789/www.nms.ac.uk
Shining Lights, the story of Scotland’s lighthouses is now on at the National Museum of Scotland. www.nms.ac.uk/shininglights
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