National Museums Scotland listings
23 November 2009 – 4 January 2010
Highlights
Sir Jackie Stewart: World Champion – 1969, 1971, 1973
National Museum of Scotland
>From Tue 8 September
Free
Proud Scots, motor-racing fans and sporting enthusiasts can now speed into the National Museum of Scotland to see the famous Formula One car belonging to three times Formula One World Champion and Scottish sporting legend, Sir Jackie Stewart OBE. To celebrate the 40th anniversary of his first World Drivers’ Championship in 1969 and Scotland’s Year of Homecoming 2009, Sir Jackie has loaned his 1971 World Championship-winning Tyrrell 003 car to the Museum for up to three years. The car has won eight Grand Prix races, more than any other individual car, and is displayed alongside Sir Jackie’s 1971 Monaco Grand Prix and German Grand Prix trophies, and his famous tartan-rimmed helmet.
Salt of the Earth
National Museum of Scotland
Fri 16 October 2009 - Sun 10 Jan 2010
Free
Alan Cumming, Neve Campbell, Chris Hoy, Sharleen Spiteri, Jack White, John Byrne – just some of the faces helping shape the image of Scotland and its culture. Craig Mackay’s stunning photographs capture well-known Scots and international figures with Scottish connections. The dramatic results show a growing confidence in modern Scotland as celebrities, sporting personalities and artists spread their influence abroad. “Scotland and its people have had a profound impact on the world today. Although these are modern photographs, the title reflects the often humble and resilient nature of Scottish emigrants who have enriched the world around them over the centuries.” – Craig Mackay.
Gifted
National Museum of Scotland
Fri 13 November 2009 – Sun 10 January 2010
Free
We’ve got Christmas covered! Gifted brings together new work from over 20 of Scotland’s most talented craft makers with handmade, limited-edition pieces to suit all tastes and budgets. If you’re looking for a one-off present for a loved one, escape the hustle and bustle of Princes Street and shelter in our handmade haven. You might like to treat yourself while you’re there! This year’s exhibition includes ceramics, jewellery, textiles, books and more from makers such as Jaimie MacDonald, Hannah McAndrew, Anna King and Astrid Weigel. Keep an eye on our website for an updated list of our cutting-edge designers at www.nms.ac.uk/gifted.
Garden Detectives
National Museum of Rural Life
>From Fri 9 October
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 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.
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.
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.
Events/activities
National Museum of Scotland
Talks and lectures
Home Is Where the Heart Is
Early People gallery
Wed 25 November
19:00 (1hr)
£5/£4/Members free
Book now on 0131 225 7534
As well as being a well-known novelist, Ron Butlin is also Edinburgh’s Makar, or Poet Laureate. In his usual relaxed style, Ron will give some short readings and reflect on what Homecoming Scotland 2009 has meant to him.
Understanding Technology: Witnessing the Telescope
Dunfermline Room
Thu 26 November
15:00 (1hr 30min)
Free
Book now on 0131 225 7534
Professor Mario Biagioli of Harvard University discusses Kepler, Galileo and the uses of testimony, as part of the International Year of Astronomy.
Curator’s Choice: The Real Tam O’Shanter
Dunfermline Room
Fri 27 November
14:00 (1hr)
£5/£4/Members free
Book now on 0131 225 7534
John Burnett explores the background to Robert Burns’ greatest poem in his new book The Hellish Legion. Here he discusses beliefs about ghosts and witches, folk memories of heroism, murder and tragedy in Burns’ country. He will bridge the gap between objects on display and the work of the poet, whose 250th birthday we are celebrating this year.
Edinburgh Lecture: John Byrne in Conversation
Off site at Royal Society of Edinburgh
Thu 3 December
18:30 – 20:00 (1hr 30min)
£3 booking fee
Purchase tickets via www.edinburghlectures.org or telephone 0131 473 2000
International artist and playwright John Byrne talks about his illustrious and varied career and reflects on Scottish art and culture. John Byrne’s portrait features in our Salt of the Earth photographic exhibition.
Part of the Edinburgh Lectures series.
Curator’s Choice: Heaven’s Above!
Dumfermline Room
Fri 11 December
14:00 (1hr)
£5/£4/Members free
Book now on 0131 225 7534
In the International Year of Astronomy, Tacye Phillipson, Curator of Science, previews ancient and modern objects from our astronomical collections which will go on display in the redeveloped National Museum of Scotland.
Christmas Lecture: Building Intercultural Bridges Between East and West
Early People gallery
Mon 21 December
18:30 (1hr 30min)
£5/£4/Members free
Book now on 0131 225 7534
The Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilisation is the first of its kind in the United Arab Emirates. Dr Ulrike Al-Khamis, Co-Director, charts the museum’s inception and describes its unique approach: its multi-disciplinary exhibition galleries and its intercultural, educational vision. Mulled wine and mince pies will be served from 18:30.
Special events
Homecoming Finale
Hawthornden Court
Sat 28, Sun 29 November
10:00 – 17:00
Free
Help us celebrate St Andrew’s Day as our Homecoming Scotland 2009 programme draws to a close. Be inspired by music, drama, tours and trails with the best Scottish talent, including a special performance of Tam O’Shanter from Scottish Youth Theatre and YDance. For the full programme please visit www.nms.ac.uk.
Festive
Make a Treasure
Hawthornden Court
Sat 5 December
12:00 – 16:00
Free (drop-in)
Find a treasure in the Museum that inspires you and get creative with artist and jeweller Dorothy Hogg MBE. Make a beautiful embossed medal for someone special or a stunning decoration for your tree.
Christmas Bells
Hawthornden Court
Sun 6 December
12:45/13:45/14:45 (20 – 30mins)
Free
Join the Parish of Dunkeld Handbell Ringers as they fill the Museum with festive chimes and cheer!
Christmas Choirs
Hawthornden Court, Level 1
Sun 13 December
12:45/13:45/14:45 (30mins)
Free
Get ready to sing along as we enjoy an afternoon of festive concerts from local choirs, including the Edinburgh University Renaissance Singers. For full details please visit our website.
Edinburgh Early Dancers
Hawthornden Court
Sun 20 December
13:45/14:45 (30mins)
Free
Enjoy costumed courtly dances from this talented group, part of the Scottish Traditions of Dance Trust.
Christmas Art Competition
Hawthornden Court
Sun 27 – Wed 30 December
10:00 – 17:00
Free
Our popular competition is back! Come along and draw or paint your favourite objects. Open to all ages and abilities.
Hogmanay Family Ceilidh
Hawthornden Court
Thu 31 December
14:00 (1hr 30mins)
Free
Join the Canongate Cadjers Ceilidh Band for a fun-filled afternoon of traditional music, song and dance to bring in the New Year!
New Year’s Day Concert
Hawthornden Court
Fri 1 January
12:45/13:45/14:45 (30mins)
Free
Let the sounds of talented young traditional musicians add something special to your first visit to the Museum in 2010.
In partnership with Live Music Now Scotland.
Weekend events
Scottish Traditions of Dance Trust
Hawthornden Court
Sun 3 January
13:45/14:45 (30mins)
Free
Get your toes tapping to the sounds and spectacle of the Edinburgh Tattoo Highland Ceilidh Dancers.
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 website www.nms.ac.uk/tours.
National Museum of Flight
Supersonic Christmas
Sat 19 – Sun 20 December
12:00 – 16:00
Child £5
Come and meet Santa in his plane for a sky-high Christmas. Includes a gift from Santa!
National Museum of Rural Life
Christmas Wreath Workshops
Sun 6 December
14:00 – 16:00 (2hrs)
Get into the festive spirit and learn to make your own traditional Christmas wreaths.
Christmas Fair and Foal Show
Sun 13 December
10:00 – 17:00
Adults £6, Concs £5, Children under 12 free
Book now on 0131 247 4369
Gorgeous Shetland foals and donkeys steal the show at our Christmas event. Festive crafts, stalls, a wreath-making workshop, parlour games, a pantomime and a special nativity scene up at the farm all add to the festive spirit.
Sunday Craft Sessions
Sun 29 November
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 2 December, Wed 16 December
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.
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
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