National Museums Scotland listings

21 July to 1 Sept 2008

Highlights

Airshow 2008

Sat 26 July

10:00-17:00

Advance Ticket Prices:

Adult £14, Conc £12, Child 5-15 £7, Family (2 adults, 3 children) £35,

Members:

Adult £11, Conc £9, Child 5-15 £5, Child 0-4 free

Gate Ticket Prices:

Adult £17, Conc £15, Child 5-15 £10, Family (2 adults, 3 children) £45, Child 0-4 free

Parking £4

Programme £4

Come along to the National Museum of Flight's Airshow for an action packed day out that all the family will enjoy!

Visit East Fortune Airfield on Saturday 26 July for the National Museum of Flight's annual air display. In the afternoon there will be over two hours of breathtaking, high octane aerial displays, ranging from historic warbirds to contemporary military jets.

Prefer to keep your feet on the ground? There will be plenty to see and do throughout the day; children's activity workshops, fairground rides, flight simulators, displays, demonstrations and much, much more...

Check the website for programme updates as they happen, and to book your tickets. www.nms.ac.uk/airshow

Exhibitions

Scotland: A Changing Nation

National Museum of Scotland

Level 6

Free

Discover the political, industrial and cultural influences that have helped shaped today's Scotland.

In July, a major new permanent gallery will open at the National Museum of Scotland. From the First World War to the present day, Scotland: A Changing Nation will trace the varied experiences of people living and working in Scotland. Through first-hand accounts, significant objects and film, you can examine how Scotland has been shaped into the nation it is today.

Scotland: A Changing Nation explores five major themes affecting life in Scotland, including war, industry and economics and social change. The final part of the journey celebrates Scottish achievement in sport, culture, medicine, science and technology.

Exhibits will range from traditional to contemporary, including everything from furniture to food and technology to textiles.

Reflecting the vibrancy and diversity of Scottish culture during the past century, this gallery brings together many fascinating objects and perspectives from all over Scotland - creating a thought-provoking glimpse into Scottish social history.

Call to Arms

National War Museum

Until 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.

Wildlife Photographer of the Year

National Museum of Rural Life

Until Sun 14 Sept 2008

Included in admission to the museum
The exhibition shows some of the most stunning and original wildlife pictures taken by photographers worldwide of all ages.

Extremes: Life in Subarctic Canada

National Museum of Scotland

Until Sun 19 October

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?

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+.

A Slice of Life

Level 1, 3 & 4

Thu 24-Sat 26 July, Thu 31-Sat 2 August, Thu 7-Sat 9 August

10:30-12:30/14:00-16:00 (Drop-in)

Free

Step back in time and encounter everyday characters from Scottish history, all with a story to tell! Meet a steam engine driver, hear what life was like for an Edinburgh doctor in the 1800s and watch out for an unlucky lady in the stocks awaiting her gruesome punishment!

Extremes event: Tales from the Subarctic

Special Exhibitions gallery, Level 3

3 August

11:15/13:15/14:15 (30 mins)

Free.

Ages 5+

Storyteller and harper Heather Yule weaves stories and music inspired by the beautiful objects in our special exhibition.

Summer Science

Connect gallery

Mon 21-Fri 1 August

Free /Drop-in

Ages 5+

Join us for a fun fortnight of science events in the Connect gallery: from five-minute encounters with a science busker to counting whales or making your own brain, there's something different every day!

Songs and Stories of a Changing Nation

Hawthornden Court

Sun 27 July

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

Free

Join Stuart McHardy and friends for spirited songs and tales about issues that have shaped Scotland over the last century.

Extremes event: Worn Out? Worn Art!

Hawthornden Court

Sat 2 August

10:30 -16:00(Drop-in)

Free

Ages 5+

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.

Extremes event: Curator Talk: Living from the Land

Special exhibitions gallery, level 3

Fri 29 August

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.

Free Music at the Museum

Hawthornden Court

Sun 3-Sun 24 August

Weekday:12:45 (45mins) Weekend:12:45/13:45 (45 mins)

Free

You'll be here every day for this vibrant three week programme of the very best of Scottish music and dance. Highlights include Mary Ann Kennedy, clarsach player and Gaelic Singer; and Ewan Robertson, BBC Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year 2008.

Sun 3 August: Scottish Traditions of Dance Trust: Inverkeithing Step Dancers

Mon 4 August: Jennifer Port: Clarsach, voice

Tue 5 Gary Innes, Ewan Robertson: Accordion, guitar, voice

Wed 6 Claire Mann, Aaron Jones: Fiddle, guitar, bouzouki, mandolin

Thu 7 Donald Lindsay: Pipes, ballad singer

Fri 8 Panalba: Historical Scottish folk music through the centuries

Sat 9 Scottish Traditions of Dance Trust

Sun 10 Scottish Traditions of Dance Trust

Mon 11 Sarah Naylor, Douglas Millar: Fiddle, keyboard

Tue 12 Skerryvore: Five piece traditional boy band from the Isle of Tiree

Wed 13 Commonwealth Dancers

Thu 14 Kathleen Graham: Clarsach, voice

Fri 15 Angus Lyon, Ruaridh Campbell: Accordion, fiddle

Sat 16 Scottish Traditions of Dance Trust

Sun 17 Scottish Traditions of Dance Trust: Celtic Storm

Mon 18 Anna Wendy Stevenson, Ewan McPherson: Fiddle, guitar

Tues 19 Mary Ann Kennedy: Clarsach, voice
Wed 20 Anna Massie, Mariearad Green: Fiddle, banjo, mandolin, accordion, pipes
Thu 21 Allie Robertson: Clarsach
Fri 22 Calum Stewart, Andy May: Wooden flute, piano
Sat 23 Scottish Traditions of Dance Trust
Sat 24 Finale Ceilidh: Canongate Cadjers Ceilidh Band. (starts at 14:00)

Traditional Games

Hawthornden Court

Sun 31 August

12:45/13:45/14:45/15:45 (30 mins)

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.

Sunday Morning Music

Hawthornden Court

Sun 31 August

11:00 (1 hr)

Free

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

National Museum of Rural Life

Activity Wednesday

Wed 30 July, 6 August

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

Book now

Dinodig

Mon 21-Fri 25, Mon 28-Tues 29 July

11:00-12:00, 14:00 -15:00

Book now

Teddy Bears Picnic and Traditional Sports Day

Sun 3 August

13:00 -16:00

Digital Photography

Sun 10 August

11:00 -13:00 14:00 -16:00

Book now

Evening Bat Walks

Tue 12, 19, 26 August

20:30 -22:30

Book now

Know the Code - Outdoor Access Awareness

Sun 17 August

14:00 -16:00

Animal Mask Workshop

Sun 17 August

14:00 -16:00

Celebrating Country Skills

Sun 17 August

10:00 -17:00

Adult £6, Conc £5, Child free, Members free

Experience all the fun at the farm with demonstrations, craft fairs, pony rides and workshops. Watch the farmer work his sheep in style with the Sheep Dog Trials and see sparks fly with the renowned Edward Martin Horseshoeing Competition, where farriers from home and abroad compete in this test of speed and skill.

National Museum of Costume

Kids' Craft Workshops

Mon 21 Wed 23, Fri 25, Mon 28, Wed 30 July, Fri 1, Mon 4 August

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 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.

Victorian Day

Sun 27 July

11:00 -16:00

Free with admission to the museum - Adult £3, Conc £2, Child under 12 free, Members free

Following on from the success of last year's event, enjoy another opportunity to step back in time and experience the fashions of a bygone era. Felicity Faichney, celebrated milliner, will be on hand to demonstrate the art of the hat. Why not have a go at creating your own millinery masterpiece?

Get knitted at our knitting workshop!

Conquering cabling

Sat 23 August

10:00-16:00
Adult £25/ Conc £20
Come and try some different cabling techniques with our facilitator Janet O'Donnell, no experience needed.

National Museum of Flight

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 11 August

11:00/12:00/14:00/15:00/16:00

Go behind the scenes with the curators on these free guided tours.

Teddy Bears' Picnic

Sat 2-Sun 3 August

11:30-16:00

Bring along your favourite teddy bear. Age 3+.

National War Museum

Second World War Scottish Soldiers

Hospital Square

Sat 2-Sun 3 August

12:00-15:00, (20 mins) 12:30, 13:10, 14:00, 15:00

Included in Castle admission

From mountains to deserts, Scottish soldiers fought all over the world during the Second World War. See the war through a soldier's eyes in our re-enactment display.

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

Made in Scotland, from stories. Scotland: A Changing Nation. Opens 11 July
www.nms.ac.uk/changingnation <http://www.nms.ac.uk/changingnation> 

National Museums Scotland, Scottish Charity, No. SC 011130