National
Museums Scotland listings
27 April - 8 June 2009
Highlights
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.
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 will be
displayed, along with garments selected especially for the National Museum of
Costume. On show for the first time will be a selection of jewellery from the
archive.
Wildlife Photographer of the Year
National Museum of Rural Life
Sat 9 May - Sun 2 August
Included in museum admission
Discover the best of the best in wildlife photography in this popular
exhibition from the Natural History Museum and BBC Wildlife Magazine. Held
annually, the competition aims to find the most stunning and original wildlife
pictures taken by photographers of all ages and abilities worldwide. Learn how
achieving the perfect picture is down to a mixture of skill, vision,
originality, knowledge of nature and luck. From animal behaviour to the
underwater world, garden wildlife to wild places, this exhibition is not to be
missed. Catch it while you can!
We will also be holding our very own competition for all
budding nature photographers. There will be categories for over and under 16s
and great prizes for the top three entries. For more information or an entry
form call 0131 247 4369.
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.
Scotland: A Changing Nation
National Museum of Scotland
New permanent gallery
Free
Our major new gallery celebrates Scotland's great
contributions to the world, as part of the Homecoming Scotland 2009 programme.
The gallery explores war, industry, daily life, social change and emigration, as
well as Scottish achievement in sport, culture, medicine, science and
technology. Reflecting the vibrancy and diversity of Scottish culture during
the past century, Scotland: A Changing
Nation creates a thought-provoking glimpse into Scottish social history.
The gallery is currently longlisted for the Art Fund Prize 2009, the UK's
largest arts prize.
Events/activities
National Museum of Scotland
Scottish
Traditions of Dance Trust
Hawthornden Court
Sun 3 May
13:45/14:45 (30mins)
Free
Get your toes tapping to the sounds
and spectacle of Scottish traditional dance with a variety of performers, dance
styles and music.
Sunday Morning Music Level
1 galleries
Sun 31 May
11:00 (1hr)
Free
Enjoy a relaxing Sunday morning stroll through the galleries to the soothing
sounds of talented young musicians.
In association with
Live Music Now! Scotland.
An
Evening with Gareth Hoskins: the Royal
Museum Project Architect
Early People gallery
Wed 29 April
19:00 (1hr)
£5/£4/Members free
Book now on 0131 225 7534
Gareth Hoskins talks about the architectural challenges he has faced on the
project, what has inspired him the most and how he envisages the transformed
Museum in 2011.
Curator's
Choice: Engineering Models
Dunfermline Room
Fri 8 May
14:00 (1hr)
£5/£4/Members free
Book now on 0131 225 7534
Klaus Staubermann, Curator of Science and Technology, explores the
museum's impressive collection of engineering models.
Medieval
Harp Maestro
Hawthornden Court
Sun 10 May
12:45/13:45/14:45 (30mins)
Free
Join accomplished musician Simon Chadwick for a practical and historical
workshop on this fascinating instrument and then have a go yourself.
Watercolours
in the Museum
Hawthornden Court
Sun 10, Sun 17, Sun 24 May
13:30 (3hrs)
£20/£16 concession
Age 16+
Limited spaces - book now on 0131 225 7534
Join artist Karen Clulow on this relaxing 4-week course, using watercolour
techniques to create images of ‘wonderful things' from Treasured. Includes a guided tour of the
exhibition. Please bring your own materials.
Discover
Tibet
Off-site at the Royal Society of Edinburgh
Wed 13 May
14:00 (1hr)
£5/£4/Members free
Book now on 0131 225 7534
See treasures from the museum's Tibetan collections and learn
about their collectors with Jane Wilkinson, Principal Curator of East and Central Asia.
Understanding
technology: Winston Churchill
Dunfermline Room
Thu 14 May
15:00 (1hr 30mins)
Free
Book now on 0131 225 7534
Professor David Edgerton of Imperial College London discusses Winston Churchill
as an inventor and product champion.
In association with the Institute for the
Study of Science, Technology and Innovation, University of Edinburgh.
Scottish
Swordsmen of Legend
Hawthornden Court
Sun 17 May
12:45/13:45/14:45 (30mins)
Free
Join Paul MacDonald and his team of talented swordsmen as they recreate the
lives of renowned Scottish warriors William Wallace, Rob Roy and Donald McBane.
Fly
Right Dance Company
Hawthornden Court
Sun 24 May
12:45/13:45/14:45 (40mins)
Free
Have a go at 20th century social dances with Fly Right Dance Company.
Jacobites
Alive
Hawthornden Court
Sun 31 May
12:45/13:45/14:45 (20mins)
Free
Join Alba Adventure Company and come
face to face with Jacobite clansmen. What was it like to live in Edinburgh in Jacobite
times?
Connect
Super Science Shows
Connect gallery
Every Saturday and Sunday
12:15/13:15/14:15/15:15
Free
Come along to our free events every
week in Connect. Find out about science in the real world at our Meet the Scientist events or enjoy a Super Science Show!
Bank Holiday fun!
A
Slice of Life
Levels 1, 3, 4
Sat 2 - Mon 4 May, Sat 16 - Mon 18 May
11:00 - 13:00/14:00 - 16:00 (Drop-in)
Free
Step back in time and encounter
everyday characters from Scottish history. Meet a steam engine driver, an Edinburgh doctor and an
unlucky lady in the stocks!
Zoo
Lab
Connect gallery
Mon 18, Tue 19, Sun 24 May
10:30 - 16:30 (Drop-in)
Free
Meet mini-beasts and mega-beasts! Live animals visit the museum -
including some animals you might meet in your own back yard as well as others
from around the world.
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
Second
World War Days
Sat 2 - Sun 3 May
10:00 - 17:00
See period vehicles up close, listen to the roar of powerful army engines and
enjoy our impressive tank parade. Meet characters from the 1940s and watch
their lifestyle re-enactments. Sample their life for yourself with swing-dance
classes, old fashioned games and make-up workshops.
Make and take
Flying
Things
Every Sat and Sun from Sat 9 May - Sun 19 July
11:30 - 13:00 / 14:00 - 16:00 (20mins)
Age 3+
Make a toy that flies from recycled materials.
National Museum of Costume
Teddy Bear's
Picnic
Mon 4 May
11:00 - 16:00
Free with museum entry
If you go down to the woods today you're sure of a big surprise! Bring
your favourite bear to join in the fun and games or simply relax with your
picnic in the beautiful setting of Shambellie House.
National Museum of Rural Life
Classic Car Show
Sun 3 May
10:00 - 17:00
Adult £6, Concession £5, Children under 12 free, National Museums Scotland
members free
Book now on 0131 247 4369 or www.nms.ac.uk/rural
Rolls Royce, Mini, Beetle and MGB
- whatever your dream machine, enjoy over 200 motors at our ever popular
annual show. Children also have the chance to join in our themed craft
workshop.
Adult Skills
Workshops (as part of Adult Learner's Week)
Sat 9 May, Sat 16 May
10:00 - 16:00
£25, Age 18+
Booking essential on 0131 247 4369
Following the success of last year's events, book your place to learn
country skills on these one-day courses, including a felt-making workshop on
the 9th and a willow-weaving workshop on the 16th. Please
bring your own lunch.
Scottish Fare
Sun 7 June
10:00 - 17:00
Feed your senses at our food extravaganza as we celebrate Homecoming Scotland 2009. Get tips on how
to grow veg in your own garden. Pick up some recipes at our cookery demonstrations.
See how food was prepared in the 18th century. Sample whisky and wild foods
from the Scottish countryside.
Sunday Craft
Sessions
Sun 10 May, Sun 24 May
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 6 May, Wed 20 May, Wed 3 June
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.
National War Museum
Clan Warriors
Sat 23 - Sun 24 May
12:30/13:10/14:00/15:00 (20mins)
Could you face down the might of a Highland
charge? Maestro Paul MacDonald takes you into the world of the 18th century
clan warrior.
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
Please note that National Museums Scotland (no
‘of' or ‘the) is our corporate name. Our individual museums
are called the National Museum of Scotland, National Museum of Flight, National
Museum of Rural Life, National Museum of Costume and National War
Museum.
National Museums Scotland, Scottish Charity, No. SC
011130
- Log in to post comments