National
Museums Scotland listings
20 July - 31 August 2009
Highlights
Airshow 2009
National Museum of Flight
Sat 25 July
10:00 - 17:00
Set coordinates for East Fortune Airfield on Saturday 25
July for the National Museum of Flight's annual air display. It's a
day filled with children's activity workshops, fairground rides,
displays, demonstrations and more. Look to the skies in the afternoon for more
than two hours of high-octane aerial displays, ranging from historic war birds
to contemporary military jets.
Early bird savings are available until 13 July - www.nms.ac.uk/airshow or 0131 247 4302.
Garden Detectives
National Museum of Scotland
Fri 26 June - Sun 27 September
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.
Ballast: Bringing
the Stones Home
National Museum of Scotland
Wed 5 August - Sun 8 November
John Edgar's stone sculptures tell the story of emigration
- leaving the homeland, the voyage through unknown seas and the arrival
in a new land. Using stone that he collected in 2005 from historic quarries in Scotland, the New Zealand artist has made
sculptures based on the land and the flag, the compass, trig stations and
survey markers. Mapping voyages, journeys, arrivals and departures, the stones
are reunited with their homeland as part of the Year of Homecoming 2009. This exhibition celebrates in stone
the strong culture that is common to Scotland
and New Zealand.
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 are displayed,
along with garments selected especially for the National Museum of Costume. On
show for the first time is a selection of jewellery from the archive.
Wildlife Photographer of the Year
National Museum of Rural Life
Until Sun 6 September
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.
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.
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 2 August
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 26 July, Sun 30 August
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.
A Slice of
Life
Levels 1, 3, 4
Mon 20 - Fri 24 July
Mon 27 - Fri 31 July
11:00 - 13:00/14:00 - 16:00
Free (Drop-in)
Step back in time and encounter everyday characters from Scottish history. Meet
a steam engine driver, an Edinburgh
doctor or an unlucky lady in the stocks (two characters daily).
Traditional
Games
Hawthornden Court
Sun 26 July
12:45/13:45/14:45/15:45 (30mins)
Free
Fancy a change from computer games?
Join Ross and Lexi of The Big Top for games from a bygone age! Try out girds
and cleeks, whips and peeries, diabolos and many more.
Curator's
Choice: Dandies, Scorchers and Wheelers
National Museums Collection Centre,
Meeting Room
Fri 28 August
14:00 (1hr)
£5 / £4 / Members free
Book now on 0131 225 7534
Alastair Dodds, Principal Curator of
Transport, talks about the development and use of the bicycle in Scotland.
>From early 19th century Hobby Horses to the revival of cycling in
recent years, enjoy a special glimpse of the bicycle collection in storage.
Fringe
Music: Homecoming 2009
Hawthornden Court
Sun 9 - Sat 29 August
Daily performances - 12:45 (45mins)
Free
A three-week programme showcasing the
very best of Scottish classical and traditional music. Liven up your lunch hour
with Alba Brass quintet, Allie Robertson on clarsach or soprano Emma Harper, as
part of Homecoming Scotland 2009.
For our full list of Homecoming events
please visit www.nms.ac.uk.
In
partnership with Live Music Now Scotland!
Fringe
Finale Ceilidh
Hawthornden Court
Sun 30 August
14:00 (2hrs)
Free
Put your dancing shoes on and join the Canongate Cadgers to celebrate the
finale of our fabulous Fringe programme.
Summer Science
A three-week science extravaganza!
Enjoy our programme of science shows and drop-in activities - celebrate
the International Year of Astronomy 2009,
meet live animals or take part in a science show.
Meet
the Mega Beasts
Connect gallery
Mon 20 - Fri 24 July
14:00 - 16:00
Free (Drop-in)
See www.nms.ac.uk for show times
Celebrate Darwin's discoveries with activities
linked to our new exhibition, Garden
Detectives. Meet some mega beasts like Khan the Boa Constrictor and
Ziggy, the most popular Chinese Water dragon we know!
The
Sky's the Limit
Connect gallery
Mon 27 - Fri 31 July
Free (Drop-in)
See www.nms.ac.uk for show times
The Royal Observatory brings us a week of events to celebrate the International
Year of Astronomy. Make a rocket, handle a meteorite or have your photo taken
with an infrared camera.
In
partnership with Edinburgh
Royal Observatory.
Super
Science Shows
Connect gallery
Mon 3 - Fri 7 August
12:15/13:15/14:15/15:15 (20mins)
Age 5+
Free (Drop-in)
Come along to one of our popular Super Science Shows. Join Alex on her Amazing Adventures or launch a ping pong
ball into space in Fantastic Forces.
Science rules!
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
Teddy
Bears' Picnic
Sat 1 - Sun 2 August
11:30 - 16:00
Age 3+
If you go down to the Museum today you're sure of a big surprise! Bring
along your favourite teddy bear and join in the fun and games.
Make and take
Creepers,
speeders and rollers
Every Sat and Sun
Sat 8 August - Sun 20 September
11:30 - 13:00/14:00 -
16:00 (20mins)
Age 3+
Make a toy that moves from recycled materials.
National Museum of Costume
The Mad Hatter's Victorian Tea Party
Sun 26 July
11:00 - 16:00
Join Felicity Faichney, the Museum's own mad hatter to
make your own paper hat before settling down for tea and cake!
Kids' Craft
Workshops
Wed 22, Wed 29 July; Wed 5, Wed 12 August
10:00 - 12:00
Get creative at our ever-popular sessions for children.
There are different activities each season - from mask-making and
painting your own cup and saucer for a tea party to constructing your own hat,
just like the Mad Hatter's! Find out more on www.nms.ac.uk/costume and book in advance on 0131 247 4030.
National Museum of Rural Life
Go Wild! Summer
Programme
Daily until 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.
Heavy Horse Show
Sun 19 July
10:00 - 17:00
Adults £6, Conc £5, Children under 12 free
Book now on 0131 247 4369 or at www.nms.ac.uk/rural
Come and see Clydesdale horses,
donkeys, and Highland and Shetland ponies at one
of Scotland's
biggest heavy horse shows. See nearly 200 of the country's largest and
smallest horses. There will be show classes, displays, agility courses and
tail-dressing workshops (not on real horses).
Evening Bat Walks
Tue 11, Tue 18 August 20:45 (2hrs)
Tue 25 August 20:30
Free
Booking essential on 0131 247 4369
Help us monitor wildlife at the farm. Learn from the experts and get a chance
to encounter these fascinating creatures.
Sunday Craft Sessions
Sun 23 August
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 28 July, Wed 12 August, Wed 26 August
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
Second World War Scottish Soldiers
Sat 1 - Sun 2 August
10:00 - 16:00
Drop-in
>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.
Instruments of War
Sat 22 - Sun 23 August
12:30 / 13:10 / 14:00 / 15:00 (20min)
Enjoy the sights and sounds of our military band with the skirl of the pipes
and the beat of the drum.
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.
Airshow 09 at the National Museum of Flight. Early bird tickets on sale now -
save up to £5. www.nms.ac.uk/airshow <http://www.nms.ac.uk/airshow>
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