National
Museums Scotland listings
25 May - 6 July 2009
Highlights
Garden Detectives
National Museum of Scotland
Opening 26 June
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.
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
Until 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.
Events/activities
National Museum of Scotland
Scottish Traditions of Dance
Trust
Hawthornden Court
Sun 7 June, Sun 5 July
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.
Bruce and Bannockburn
Hawthornden Court
Sun 14 June
12:45/13:45/14:45 (25mins)
Free
Prepare for battle with Alba Adventures! Hear the story of Robert the Bruce and
find out how King Edward II of England
was defeated at Bannockburn
in 1314.
The Art of Bell Ringing
Hawthornden Court
Sun 21 June
12:45/13:45/14:45 (30mins)
Free
Join Heather McLean and her group of hand bell ringers to learn about the art
of bell ringing. Enjoy a fascinating demonstration then have a go yourself!
The Sights and Smells of Old
Edinburgh
Hawthornden Court
Sun 28 June
12:45/13:45/14:45 (30mins)
Free
A comic, musical, theatrical trip through the streets of 18th century ‘Auld
Reekie' - all from the comfort of the museum! Part of the Edinburgh
Old Town Festival, 15-28 June - www.scottishstorytellingcentre.co.uk
Sunday Morning Music
Level 1 galleries
Sun 31 May, Sun 28 June
11:00 (1hr)
Free
Enjoy a relaxing stroll through the galleries to the soothing sounds of
talented young musicians.
In association with
Live Music Now! Scotland.
Charles
Darwin and the Museum
Off site at Royal Society of Edinburgh
Wed 10 June
14:00 (1hr)
£5/£4/Members free
Book now on 0131 225 7534
In the year of Charles Darwin's 200th birthday, Geoff Swinney, Principal Curator
of Lower Vertebrates and Mollusca, discusses the man, the scientist, and his
associations with the museum.
Curator's
Choice: The Educated Eyeball
Dunfermline Room
Fri 12 June
14:00 (1hr)
£5/£4/Members free
Book now on 0131 225 7534
Brian Jackson, Principal Curator of Mineralogy, reveals what happens when light
enters a gemstone and demonstrates the "Hodgkinson method" of
identifying gems without the use of instruments. Come along and educate your
eyeballs and have a go at interpreting what you see!
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 (20mins)
Age 5+
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
Make and take
Flying
Things
Every Sat and Sun until 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
Inspired
by Jean Muir: Adult Workshops
The Jean Muir Archive: Conserving the
Collection
Wed 17 June
11:00 - 12:00
Event included in museum admission
Lynn McClean, Head of Textile and
Paper Conservation, discusses preserving the archive for future generations.
National Museum of Rural Life
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.
Father's Day
Sun 21 June
14:00 - 16:00 (Drop-in)
Join in our
craft workshop and make a card for Father's Day.
Go Wild! Summer Programme
Daily from Mon 29 June - Fri 14 August
11:30/14:00 (2hrs)
Booking essential on 0131 247 4369
Make the most of the holidays with our new summer activities. Call us on 0131
247 4369 for more information on arts and crafts - including kite making and
photography - as well as music sessions. You can also enjoy a short film
in our theatre.
Sunday Craft Sessions
Sun 14 June
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 3, 17, 30 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
Regimental Redcoats
Sat 13 - Sun 14 June
12:30/13:10/14:00/15:00 (20mins)
Meet our resident redcoats for
marching and musket drills in Scotland's
most famous regimental home. Get hands-on with object handling.
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.
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