National Museums of Scotland Announces Upcoming Exhibitions and Events
By: Christina Mancuso Aug. 01, 2013
The National Museum of Scotland Includes the following list of upcoming exhibitions:
National Museum of Scotland
Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF
Amazing Amber
10 May - 8 September 2013
Exhibition Gallery 2, Level 3
Free
This breathtaking exhibition explores the many facets of a beautiful and versatile material that had been treasured for thousands of years: amber. Bringing together for the first time highlights of National Museums Scotland's collection, Amazing Amber reveals the origins, properties and use of this precious substance - from million-year-old insects preserved in the resin, to contemporary jewellery.
Ilana Halperin: The Library
24 May - 29 September 2013
Grand Gallery, Level 1
Free
Artist Ilana Halperin explores notions of time in The Library, a contemporary art exhibition that presents rocks, minerals and geological artefacts in a new and remarkable light. The Library will introduce visitors to the alphabet of geology through agates that share the artist's birthday, minerals that record the collision of Earth and outer space, artworks slowly formed in caves and geothermal springs and her most ambitious project to date, a 1.3 ton stone library featuring books of the mineral mica.
Mary, Queen of Scots
28 June - 17 November 2013
Exhibition Gallery 1, Level 3
Cost: Adult £9, Concession £7.50, Child (12-15) £6, Under 12s free, National Museums Scotland Members free, National Art Pass holders receive 50% discount.
Arguably one of the most enigmatic figures in Scottish history, the story of Mary, Queen of Scots can still arouse strong emotions: was she betrayed by those she trusted, condemned to die a Catholic martyr, or a murdering adulteress with her husband's blood on her hands? This major exhibition, only showing in Edinburgh, provides a unique opportunity to re-evaluate much that has been written and speculated about this charismatic monarch, drawing together surviving relics intimately connected with Mary and wider Renaissance material, such as documents, portraits, jewellery, furniture and textiles.
New For You: Arts and Crafts Furniture
Until 15 September
Grand Gallery, Level 1
Free
Followers of the Arts and Crafts movement believed that the quality of manufactured goods could be improved only by a return to the values of pre-industrial craftsmanship. Arts and Crafts furniture designers strove for simple, solid construction embellished with clear and appropriate decoration. The fine pieces on display are destined for our new Art and Design galleries, opening in 2016.
National War Museum
Edinburgh Castle, EH1 2NG
Arctic Convoys 1941-45
24 May 2013 - March 2014
Free with admission to Edinburgh Castle
Sailing from Scotland, Iceland and North America to ports in northern Russian, 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 Adults
Geological Home Movies
3 August, 15:00 - 16:30
Free, book in advance at www.nms.ac.uk/h?alperin
Artist Ilana Halperin selects and introduces a special screening of films in which artists interact with geological processes, play with the laws of physics and embrace nature's capacity to create and destroy. With films by Joan Jonas, Seth Kelly, Allan McCollum, Takehito Shiina and a new work by Ilana Halperin.
Open Studies Summer Course - From Every Angle: Mary Queen of Scots
12 - 15 August / 26 - 29 August COURSE IS NOW FULLY BOOKED
Cost: £150, to book in advance call 0131 650 4400
Investigate the pomp, the persona and the personality of Mary, Queen of Scots in the context of a special exhibition celebrating her life, times and achievements at the National Museum of Scotland. This course will investigate Mary Stewart from every angle, with experts discussing events, places, art and artefacts, costume and society in which she lived and died. Includes exhibition admission.
This course takes place at National Museum of Scotland, and includes site visits to Edinburgh Castle and University of Edinburgh Special Collections.
A Tour of The Library
17 August, 16:00 (45 mins) EVENT IS NOW FULLY BOOKED
Andrew Patrizio, Professor of Visual Culture at the University of Edinburgh and long-term collaborator with Ilana Halperin, explores the surprising relationship between contemporary art and geology.
Museum After Hours
17 and 24 August, 19:00 - 22:30
Cost: Adult £15, Concession and Members £12, book in advance at www.nms.ac.uk/afterhours
Age 18+
Escape the daytime crowds and experience the spectacular Grand Gallery of the National Museum of Scotland as you've never done before. Along with entry to our fascinating Mary, Queen of Scots exhibition, artists from across the globe will perform, including Russian mimes Confused in Syracuse, the spectacular Japanese circus troupe Company Man, and acclaimed Korean physical theatre group A Romance. There will also be renaissance entertainment featuring Shakespeare for Breakfast and hands on activities linked to the exhibition. With drinks and snacks from our bars and dining in our Brasserie, Museum After Hours promises to be a lively evening of entertainment and an unmissable part of the Edinburgh Festivals season.
The Brasserie will be serving dinner to ticket holders from 17:00 onwards. Call 0131 247 4040 or 0131 247 4084 to reserve a table.
In association with C venues at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Edinburgh International Festival: Movements
19 - 24 and 27 August, 14:30 - 15:30
Auditorium, Level 1 (entry via Chambers Street)
Cost: £6, book in advance at www.eif.co.uk/series/movements
As part of the Edinburgh International Festival Movements is a series of talks and events, presented in association with National Museums Scotland, exploring how artists have kept pace with technology over the centuries and how technology in turn influences artists. Specialist contributors include musicians Brian Eno, Irvine Arditti and Simon Kirby and subjects include 300 years of the piano, the autonomous and emotional robot band Cybraphon, and the phenomenon of Deus ex machina.
In Conversation: Antonia Fraser
23 August, 18:30 - 19:30 EVENT IS NOW FULLY BOOKED
Auditorium (enter via Lothian Street entrance)
Cost: Adults £8, Concessions and Members £6, to book call 0300 123 6789
An unmissable opportunity to hear Antonia Fraser reflect back on her classic biography of Mary.
Mary, Queen of Scots lectures for groups
Cost: £5 per head (45 mins). Please note this does not include entry to the exhibition.
Enhance your group visit to our Mary, Queen of Scots exhibition with an illuminating introductory talk by a museum expert. Available for adult groups (minimum 20, maximum 60) on specified weekdays only. Information and booking on 0131 247 4041 ortours@nms.ac.uk
Spotlight On: Amber Inclusions - Trapped in Time
5 September, 14:00 - 15:00
Auditorium, Level 1
Free - book in advance. To book call 0300 123 6789
Amber inclusions can reveal new details about life on Earth millions of years ago. Exhibition curator Dr Andrew Ross discusses his own research into this natural time capsule, shares some fascinating stories and reveals his role in uncovering a significant hoax.
Evening Lecture: Flodden 1513 - How Unlucky Were the Scots?
9 September, 18:30 - 19:30
Auditorium, Level 1
Cost: Adults £6, Concessions and Members £5, to book call 0300 123 6789
The outcome of the Battle of Flodden was a major national disaster, affecting the lives of many north, and south, of the border, But to what extent was it deserved? Dr David Caldwell explores how - and why - the Scots prepared for war with England.
Spotlight On: Arctic Convoys 1941-1945
19 September, 14:00 - 15:00
Auditorium, Level 1
Free - book in advance. To book call 0300 123 6789
Elaine Edwards, curator of our special exhibition Arctic Convoys 1941-1945 at the National War Museum, discusses the convoys that took vital supplies to Russia during the Second World War. Elaine is joined by a veteran merchant seaman, who shares his own first-hand experiences of working on the convoys.
Evening Lecture: Mary's Downfall
26 September, 18:30 - 19:00
Auditorium, Level 1 (enter via Lothian Street entrance)
Cost: Adults £6, Concessions and Members £5, to book call 0300 123 6789
Mary's rule triggered some of the most dramatic events in British history. Did she self-destruct in a murderous sex scandal? Did the English frame her? John Guy, author of the Whitbread-prize-winning 'My Heart is My Own', The Life of Mary Queen of Scots, examines the evidence.
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 atwww.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.
For Everyone
Free Fringe Music
3 - 25 August, 12:45 (45 min)
Free, drop in
Take time out in our magnificent Grand Gallery and celebrate our collections with daily live music performances, from the Renaissance to the best young contemporary Scottish talents.
For Families
Magic Carpet
Wednesday during term time
10:30 and 11:30 (25 mins)
Free
Suitable for ages 2-4 (+ their adult)
Free - sign up in the Entrance Hall on the day 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 the day in the Entrance Hall 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.
Year of Natural Scotland
5 - 10 August, 12:00 - 16:00
Free, drop-in
Celebrate Scotland's wildlife and historic landscapes with hands-on activities and gallery safaris.
RSPB: Raptors!
11 August, 12:00 - 16:00
Free, drop in
Find out all about the importance of birds of prey in Scotland, from long ago up to the present day.
Royal Rumblings!
15 July - 3 August (not Sundays), 12:00 - 16:00
Free, drop in
Enjoy courtly crafts, costumes, and hands-on history inspired by our Mary, Queen of Scots exhibition.
Living History Scotland
4 August, 12:00 - 16:00
Free, drop in
Discover more about life at the time of Mary, Queen of Scots through living history demonstrations, performances and displays.
Special event: Abigail, by Catherine Rayner
14 August, 14:00 and 15:00 (25 mins)
Living Lands Gallery, Level 1
Free, drop-in
Join award-winning author-illustrator Catherine Rayner on the magic carpet for a reading from her beautiful new book and some Abigail-inspired activities. Catherine will be available for signing after each session. Abigail will be available to buy in the Museum very soon. Copies of other titles can be found in the Connect shop on Level 1.
National Museum of Rural Life
Wester Kittochside, Philipshill Road, East Kilbride G76 9HR
Go Wild in Summer
29 June - 11 August
Cost: included in museum admission, booking essential - call 0300 123 6789
Enjoy a packed programme of family events throughout the school holidays from photography and mask-making to rock-painting and Enviro Art.
Country Fair
1 September, 10:00 - 17:00
Cost (includes museum admission): Adult £7:50 / £6.50, Child £4 (under 5 free), Family (2 adults and 2 children) £22, National Museums Scotland Members free. To book go to www.nms.ac.uk/rural
Join our celebration of all things rural. Meet farmyard creatures in our animal marquee, have a ride on our toy tractors and experience country skills and traditional crafts. Watch our sheepdog trials and try your hand at sheaf-tossing and welly-throwing!
National Museum of Flight
East Fortune Airfield, East Lothian, EH39 5LF
Summer Science
1 July - 15 August (Mon-Thurs only), 12:00 - 16:00
Cost: included in museum admission
Come along and enjoy a science show about the forces of flight or electrical circuits in aeroplanes. Then use what you have discovered to make something to take away. From torches to gliders, from hot air balloons to bangers, take home your own technology.
The Wheels and Wings Show
22 September, 10:00 - 17:00
Cost (includes museum admission): Adult £10:50 / £8.50, Child £5 (under 5 free), Family (2 adults and 2 children) £27.50. National Museums Scotland Members free. To book go to www.nms.ac.uk/flight
Join the National Museum of Flight for a thrilling display of gravity-defying stunts with the amazing White Helmets motorcycle display team. Have a go on a Segway, test your mountain bike skills and see more than 200 classic cars and working vehicles. You can also enjoy hands-on activities and talks from experts.
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