Highlights of National Museums
for August to September
The Lewis Chessmen: Unmasked
National Museum of Scotland
21 May – Sun 19 September
Special Exhibitions gallery, Level 3
Free
This prestigious new exhibition features chessmen drawn from the collections of National Museums Scotland and the British Museum, The Lewis Chessmen: Unmasked is the most comprehensive exhibition on the chessmen for over a decade.
The exhibition addresses the mystery and intrigue surrounding the chessmen, explores the stories surrounding their discovery and shows how the characters reflected society at the time they were made. It draws upon new research by National Museums Scotland on their craftsmanship, origins and historical context to provide visitors with a new and vibrant perspective on the chessmen.
The National Museum of Scotland is the first venue for the exhibition, which will later travel to Aberdeen Art Gallery, Shetland Museum & Archives and Museum nan Eilean in Stornoway. The exhibition and tour has been made possible with funding from the Scottish Government.
The Jet Age
National Museum of Flight
New permanent exhibition
Included in museum admission
Take a look at the UK’s only Boeing 707 cockpit and cabin as we launch The Jet Age. The exhibition features the reminiscences of former cabin crew and passengers from the heyday of commercial travel. Visitors can revel in the glory of 1960s air travel, when photographing celebrities at the airport was still a novelty! Discover how the aircraft was made and watch interviews. Uniforms, baggage trolleys, airline jet engines and an airport fire engine all help tell the story of the airline that ushered in the ‘Jet Age’.
Parachute Store
National Museum of Flight
New permanent exhibition
Included in museum admission
Experience an evocative glimpse into life at East Fortune in the Second World War. Newly restored to its original appearance, the Parachute Store is where parachutes were hung from the ceiling to dry and repacked ready for use.
Exhibitions
Land Girls and Lumber Jills
National War Museum
26 February 2010 – February 2011
Included in Edinburgh Castle admission
This new 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.
Garden Detectives
National Museum of Rural Life
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, 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.
Marriage in the Movies
National Museum of Costume
Fri 9 April – Sun 31 October
Entrance included in Museum admission
Marriage in the Movies presents some of the most memorable wedding moments captured on film as we showcase gowns and accessories from the big (and small) screens.
The exhibition features wedding dresses worn by Keira Knightley, Helena Bonham-Carter and Meryl Streep, examines the iconic work of Oscar-winning costume designers, and explores the history of the wedding gown from its symbolism and tradition to fashion and style. While all the wedding gowns on display were made especially for the screen, they also represent the story and the style of the time – from the 1770s in Frankenstein and the late eighteenth century in The Duchess, to the early 1900s in Howard’s End.
Treasured: Wonderful Things, Amazing Stories
National Museum of Scotland
Until 31 October 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
Summer Events
A Slice of Life
Mon 19 July – Sun 8 August
11:00 – 13:00/
14:00 – 16:00
Free (Drop-in)
Step back in time and encounter everyday characters from Scottish history, all with a story to tell. From an alewife to a steam engine driver – who will you meet today? There will be two characters daily – check the information screens for gallery locations.
Free Fringe Music
Mon 9 – Sat 28 August
Hawthornden Court
12:45 (45mins)
Free
Liven up your lunchtime at the Museum! Sit back and enjoy the music of some of Scotland’s most talented musicians – for free! Drawing on the Lewis Chessmen for inspiration, our programme stretches from Norway to the shores of Lewis. From fiddles and flutes to ballads and brass, why not join us every day during the festival for an uplifting lunchtime. For more details visit www.nms.ac.uk/fringe
Fringe Finale Ceilidh
Sun 29 August
Hawthornden Court
14:00 (1hr 30mins)
Free
Join our popular local ceilidh band the Canongate Cadjers as we round off our annual Fringe programme in traditional style. All are welcome to come and clap along, learn some steps and enjoy a good shindig.
Medieval Soap Sculptures
Sun 5 September
Hawthornden Court
Level 1
12:00-16:00
Free (Drop-in)
Carve your very own chess piece inspired by the Lewis Chessmen. Look closely at the Chessmen to create your own queen, bishop or humourous berserker. Or invent your own chess character to add to the board.
Talks and lectures
Understanding Technology: Making Jet Propulsion Work
Mon 30 August
Dunfermline Room
15:00 (1hr 30mins)
Free – Book on 0131 225 7534
Professor Phil Scranton from Rutgers University, New Jersey, discusses complexity and contingency in technological innovation in the latest talk in this popular Understanding Technology series.
In association with the Institute for the Study of Science, Technology and Innovation, University of Edinburgh.
Film Screening – Fir- tà ilisg Leòdhais: Lewis Chessmen
Sat 4 September
Dunfermline Room
14:30 (1hr 30mins)
Free – Book on 0131 225 7534
This is your opportunity to see the full version of the BBC Alba film featured in our special exhibition The Lewis Chessmen: Unmasked. Film director David Halliday will introduce the screening and there will be a Q&A session afterwards with the exhibition’s curator Dr David Caldwell.
Romans Go Home?
Spotlight On: Brigantia
Fri 10 September
Early People Gallery
15:00 (30mins)
Free – Book on 0131 225 7534
Learn about the Celtic goddess Brigantia with Dr Martin Goldberg, Curator of Early Historic and Viking Collections.
Seminar – Unmasking the Lewis Chessmen
Sat 11 September
Bute Room
10:45 – 16:30
Adult £20, Conc/Members £15
Free – Book on 0131 225 7534
>From forensic science to art history, this seminar will highlight the fascinating range of recent research into the origins, history and making of these iconic figures. This is an unmissable opportunity to delve deeper into the stories explored in our special exhibition. Please note that lunch is not included.
In association with the University of Edinburgh.
Askasaurus: the Dinosaur Event for Grown-ups
Sat 18 September
Bute Room
15:00 – 16:00
The Askasaurus event is a free event that starts at 3pm and finishes at 4pm – you still need to book
Free – Book on 0131 225 7534
Think dinosaurs are just for kids? Think again. If you’re curious about cretaceous creatures or transfixed by Triceratops then come along to this adults-only interactive talk. Meet Museum experts and get answers to the questions you thought you were too old to ask!
Weekend events
Rock On: Scottish Geology Festival
Sun 19 – Mon 20 September
Connect gallery
12:00 – 16:00
Free (drop-in)
Join us for two days of fun-packed activities as part of the Scottish Geology Festival 2010. Create your own fossil out of clay, make a mini-dino world and more! For details visit www.nms.ac.uk/events from 1 September.
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 websitewww.nms.ac.uk/tours.
National War Museum
Special events
Medieval Mercenaries
Sat 21 – Sun 22 August
9:45 – 16:00
Events are included in Castle admission
Fourteenth century Scottish soldiers – blue faces, kilts and Mel Gibson, right? Uncover the real story, from mercenaries to knights in armour. See our battle demonstrations and hands-on medieval workshops.
National Museum of Flight
Special events
Meet the Author
Thu 19 September
14:00 (1hrs)
Included in museum admission
Libbie Escolme Schmidt, ex-BOAC stewardess and author of Glamour in the Skies: The Golden Age of the Air Stewardess will be talking to visitors and signing copies of her book.
National Museum of Rural Life
Special events
Go Wild in the Country
Fri 25 June – Mon 23 August
11:30/14:00 (2hrs)
Booking essential on 0131 247 4369
Enjoy country activities including den-making, ranger skills, photography and our Garden Detectives exhibition. Make a day of it with a picnic and trips on our Farm Explorer.
Evening Bat Walks
10, 17 August 20: 45 (2hrs)
24, 31 August 20: 30 (2hrs)
7 September 20:15 (2hrs)
14 September 20:00 (2hrs)
Free
Booking essential on 0131 247 4369
Come and help monitor wildlife at the farm – we’ll be doing bat monitoring on each of these evenings! Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Bringing the Harvest Home
Sun 12 September
10:00 – 17:00
Free with museum admission
Help us celebrate the harvest. See food preservation demonstrations and join in our Apple Day activities with juice-making, ‘dooking’ and tips on growing fruit and mini-orchards. Find out about wild food and spot the autumnal changes on a ranger walk. Experience farriery demonstrations and stock judging at the farm.
Part of Scottish Food and Drink Fortnight www.scottishfoodanddrinkfortnight.co.uk
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