National Museums Scotland Listings Feature HUNTING THE HIGGS BOSON, and More

Exhibitions

National Museum of Scotland

Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF

Hunting the Higgs Boson

27 September 2013 - 16 February 2014

Grand Gallery, Level 1

Free

This small exhibition explores the journey and continuing quest to discover the fundamental structure of the universe, and includes objects from CERN as well personal artefacts from Professor Peter Higgs.

Kabuki: Japanese Theatre Prints

4 October 2013 - 2 February 2014

Exhibition Gallery 2, Level 3

Free

Come face to face with Kabuki theatre's most famous warriors, villains, heroes and heroines through 61 of the finest Japanese woodblock prints from the Museums' collection. The striking designs present vivid depictions of Kabuki, the popular form of traditional, all-male, Japanese theatre which combines drama, music, dance and acrobatics in convoluted plots concerning dramatic emotional conflicts and feats of derring-do. This exhibition offers a rare opportunity to view these beautiful images and to learn more about a fascinating cultural and social period in Japanese history.

Creative Spirit: Revealing Early Medieval Scotland

25 October 2013 - 23 February 2014

Grand Gallery, Level 1

Free

The Glenmorangie Early Medieval Research Project casts new light on iconic objects from the time of the Picts and the Gaels. This small exhibition presents re-creations which bring back to life objects that did not survive or are badly preserved, made using traditional craft skills and innovative technology.

Mammoths of the Ice Age

24 January - 20 April 2014

Exhibition Gallery 1, Level 3

Cost: Adult £9, Concession £7.50, Child (5-15) £6, Under 5s free, Family of 3* £19, Family of 4* £25 (*must include at least 1 adult and 1 child), National Museums Scotland Members free, National Art Pass holders receive 50% discount

Journey back in time millions of years and discover the animals of the Ice Age at the first UK showing of this interactive, family-friendly exhibition. Joust with mammoth tusks, feel mammoth fur between your fingertips and touch the replica teeth of a colossal mastodon. Then meet Lyuba, a detailed replica of the 42,000-year-old baby woolly mammoth, and learn why early humans both hunted and honoured these majestic animals. This exhibition was created by The Field Museum, Chicago.

National War Museum

Edinburgh Castle, EH1 2NG

Arctic Convoys

24 May 2013 - 13 March 2014

Free with admission to Edinburgh Castle

Sailing from Scotland, Iceland and North America to ports in northern Russia, the Arctic convoys carried vital supplies to the Russian allies. As well as facing the constant possibility of attack from German U-boats, the men who sailed on these ships faced some of the toughest conditions of the war: freezing cold, storms and treacherous fog. Thousands of British merchant and naval seamen lost their lives in this operation. Through photographs, letters, interviews and personal possessions, this exhibition tells the story of the courage and determination of these wartime heroes.

Events/Activities

National Museum of Scotland

Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF

For Everyone

Champagne Flutes Trio

14 December, 15:15-16:00

Grand Gallery

Champagne Flutes is a trio comprising of flute students from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, their repertoire ranges from the early baroque period to works by modern day composers. Come and enjoy them play in the magnificent setting of the Museum's Grand Gallery

Christmas Choirs

15 December, 13:30-16:00

Level 1

Free, drop-in

Get in the festive spirit with concerts from local choirs.

Christmas Art Competition

27 - 30 December, 10:30-16:30

Free, drop-in

Which of our treasures will inspire you on the 40th anniversary of this popular drawing competition? Basic materials provided, all ages and abilities welcome.

Supported by STAEDTLER.

Scot:Lands - Home:Land

1 January, 12:00-17:30

Free

Discover nine incredible new worlds, presenting the very best in music, art and theatre; created and curated by Scotland's most innovative artists and musicians. Start your journey at the Home:Land - the National Museum of Scotland - where you'll receive a Landing Card with information about the first destination of your journey. Once your journey is completed, return to the Museum for 17:00 and enter your Landing Card into the prize draw to win a journey of a life time across Scotland. Part of Edinburgh's Hogmanay.

For Adults

Containing garbage: The evolution of rubbish bin design in the UK and West Germany, 1945-1970s

14 January, 15:00-16:30
Seminar Room, Learning Centre, Level 4
Free, book your place by contacting Maureen Kerr on 0131 247 4274 or m.kerr@nms.ac.uk

Join Professor Ray Stokes from University of Glasgow for the next lecture in our Understanding Technology series. Immediately after the Second World War, the lowly rubbish bin in the UK was remarkably similar to its West German counterpart. During the decades that followed, both countries became consumer societies. By the 1970s, in response to a greatly changed waste stream, bins in West Germany had become radically different from those in the immediate post-war period, while those in Britain remained largely unchanged. This paper explores the factors accounting for this divergence.

Saturday Showcase: Making Stones Speak

18 January, 14:00-16:30

Auditorium, Level 1, doors open 13:40
Cost: £10, £8 Members and concessions, to book 0300 123 6789

What can we learn from re-examining replicas, the responses of contemporary artists to the magnificent stones sculptures of Early Medieval Scotland, and from re-creating these ancient monuments using innovative digital technology? Find out in our Saturday Showcase, in partnership with Glenmorangie. Includes a complimentary glass of Glenmorangie Original, courtesy of our partner.

For Families

Christmas Crafternoons

14 - 15 December, 12:00-16:00

Free, drop-in

Make a festive decoration inspired by our collections.

Hogmanay Family Ceilidh

31 December, 14:00-15:30

Free, drop-in

Enjoy an afternoon of whirling and birling with Canongate Cadjers Ceilidh Band. It's enthusiasm, not experience that counts!

Wee Hansel and Gretel Ballet Workshops

3 - 6 January, various times

Cost: £6, booking essential. To book call 0300 123 6789

Take part in dance workshops inspired by Scottish Ballet's winter production Hansel & Gretel. There are workshops for different age groups, from parent and toddler to nine-year-olds. No experience necessary.

Meet the Mammoths

25 - 26 January, 12:00-16:00

Grand Gallery, Level 1

Free, drop-in, children must be accompanied by an adult

The mammoths have arrived! Join us for a weekend of ice age themed activities including '10 Steps to Make a Mammoth' drawing workshops with award-winning children's author-illustrator Catherine Rayner.

Magic Carpet

Wednesday during term time

10:30 and 11:30 (25 mins)

Suitable for ages 2-4 (+ their adult)

Free - sign up on day at Info Desk, Entrance Hall, Level 0, as places are limited

The National Museum of Scotland's magic carpet introduces little ones to some of the fantastic things in the museum through 20 minutes of stories, songs and activities. Join us as the carpet visits a different gallery or theme every week. Look out for special guests too!

Magic Carpet Minis

Thursdays during term time

10:30 and 11:30 (20 mins)

Suitable for ages 0-2 (+ their adult)

Free - sign up on day at Info Desk, Entrance Hall, Level 0, as places are limited

Join the National Museum of Scotland for magic carpet sessions for really little ones and their adults. Go along for songs, stories, rhymes and objects in the unique museum setting.

Friday Afternoon Fun

Fridays during term time, 13:30-16:30

Free, drop-in

Let out of school early? Make the most of your half-day Friday and come and have some fun with the National Museum of Scotland! Drop by for free activities such as Gallery Safaris, make-and-take and object handling. Check out information screens on the day for details.

Daily tours

New Galleries taster tour

11:00 (1 hr)

Free

Suitable for: Adults

Venue: Tours leave from the Meeting Point, Entrance Hall, Level 0.

Join one of our New Galleries Taster guided tours and discover some of the highlights in the new galleries.

Themed tours

13:00 (1 hr)

Free

Suitable for: Adults

Tours leave from the Meeting Point, Entrance Hall, Level 0.

Join us for our exciting programme of in-depth tours with a different theme every day. You can see the schedule at www.nms.ac.uk/tours

Scotland highlight tours

15:00 (1 hr)

Free

Suitable for: Adults

Tours leave from the Meeting Point, Entrance Hall, Level 0.

Join one of our daily guided tours and discover some of the highlights in the Scotland galleries.

National War Museum

Edinburgh Castle, EH1 2NG

Soldiers at War: The Crimean War

26 January, 10:00-16:00

Hospital Square, National War Museum, Edinburgh Castle

Cost included in Edinburgh Castle admission

Meet Crimean War re-enactor and bestselling children's author Allan Burnett whose uniform was inspired from the National War Museum's collections, and made by a costumier who worked on the Sharpe series.

National Museum of Rural Life

Wester Kittochside, Philipshill Road, East Kilbride G76 9HR

Christmas Wreath Workshop

15 December, 14:00-16:00

Cost: Adult £10, Child £3 (includes material and tuition costs). To book call 0300 123 6789

Make your very own Christmas Wreath to add a touch of creativity to your festive celebrations.

Burns Unbound!

25-Sun 26 January 2014, 10:00-17:00
Cost: Included in museum admission. Adult £6.50/£5.50, Child £3 (under 5 free). Family (2 adults, 2 children) £17.00. National Museums Scotland and National Trust for Scotland Members and National Art Pass holders free

Join the National Museum of Rural Life for a weekend of Burns Night celebrations. As Scotland gets ready to welcome the world for Homecoming Scotland 2014, get in the spirit of our national bard with Burns-themed family craft activities, costumed characters, gallery trails, music, storytelling, theatre, and local food and drink. You can also explore the 1950s working farm, Georgian farmhouse and award-winning museum.Part of the extended Winter Festivals programme of events taking place around the country.

Willow Harvest

2 February 2014, 10:00-17:00

Cost: Included in museum admission, but booking essential, please call 0300 123 6789 to book. Adult £6.50, Concessions £5.50, Child £3 (under 5 free), Family (2 adults, 2 children) £17. Free to National Museums Scotland Members only, there is a charge for National Trust for Scotland Members.

Join the National Museum of Rural Life for this fun outdoor event, Willow is a naturally eco-friendly and versatile material has been used for centuries to make utensils and herbal remedies. Put your wellies on and help us harvest this year's crop!