National Museums Scotland Presents Latest Exhibits and Displays, Thru March

National Museum of Scotland presents its latest Exhibitions & Displays:

National Museum of Scotland

Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF

Open 10:00-17:00 daily

Monkey Business

9 Dec 2016 - 23 Apr 2017

10:00-17:00

Exhibition Gallery 1

Adults £10, £8 Concessions, Child £7 (5-15 years, under 5s free), Members free

Stand shoulder to shoulder with our closest living relatives. Swing with the orangutans, spot one of the world's smallest primates, the grey mouse lemur, get up close to a lowland gorilla and see if you can catch as many termites as a chimpanzee. Learn how primates have adapted to their surroundings, discover how they communicate and investigate how humans and primates co-exist today.

Featuring more than 60 taxidermy specimens created especially for the exhibition, as well as photography, film and hands-on interactives for all ages, this immersive, family-friendly exhibition will take you into the heart of the jungle.

Supported by players of the People's Postcode Lottery

Wildlife Photographer of the Year

16 Sep 2016 - 19 Feb 2017

Exhibition Gallery 2, Level 3

Free

This world-renowned exhibition, on loan from the Natural History Museum in London, features 100 awe-inspiring images, from fascinating animal behaviour to breath-taking wild landscapes. The most prestigious photography event of its kind, Wildlife Photographer of the Year has provided a global platform to showcase the natural world's most astonishing and challenging sights for over 50 years.

Sponsored by Morton Fraser and Arts & Business Scotland New Arts Sponsorship Grant

Nordic Modernist Design

23 Sep 2016 - 12 Feb 2017

Grand Gallery, Level 1

Free

Discover a remarkable collection of Modernist jewellery, glassware and ceramics. This small display will showcase highlights of a private collection recently gifted to National Museums Scotland, featuring design classics by leading Nordic designers and manufacturers of the mid-20th century. Characterised by simplicity and functionality, and inspired by the nature, landscape, and climate of northern Europe, these Modernist creations continue to influence designers and manufacturers today.

Supported by the Embassy of Denmark

Scottish Pottery: Art and Innovation

3 Feb - 25 Jun 2017

Exhibition Gallery 4, Level 1, Grand Gallery

Free

Over 250 years ago Scottish industry began producing a wide range of pottery, from everyday ware to exotic decorative pieces. Potteries established by Scottish entrepreneurs sprung up around the Forth and Clyde regions, as well as further afield. Scottish Pottery: Art and Innovation is a small display that brings together key objects from National Museums Scotland's collection from this important time in Scottish industrial history, and tells the story of some of the people who embarked on this journey of industrialisation.

Part of Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology

National War Museum

Edinburgh Castle, EH1 2NG

Open 09:30-17:00 daily (last entry 16:00)

Life Support: Stories from The Royal Regiment of Scotland

25 Apr 2016 - 26 Feb 2017

Free with admission to Edinburgh Castle

Marking The Royal Regiment of Scotland's first decade of operations, this exhibition offers a fresh perspective on the combat and peacekeeping work of Scotland's infantry soldiers as well as the people, military and civilian, who make up their vital support network at home and on the frontline.

Life Support: Stories from The Royal Regiment of Scotland is created in association with the Royal Regiment of Scotland.

Events/Activities

National Museum of Scotland

Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF

For families

Mini Makers

4 Feb - 5 Feb, 5 Mar - 6 Mar 2017

11:00-11:40, 14:00-14:40

Learning Centre, Level 4, National Museum of Scotland

Free (Booking required and normally available one week before)

Join us on the first weekend of every month for our hands-on activity sessions for 3-5 year olds plus their adult helper. Help out at our Teddy Bear Hospital in February and get creative with colour in March.

Supported by players of People's Postcode Lottery

Magic Carpet

11 Jan - 29 Mar 2017 (no session on 15 Feb)

Every Wednesday, 10:30-10:55, 11:30-11:55

Meet at the Green Fountain in the Grand Gallery on Level 1

Free (sign up on the day at the Information Desk in the Entrance Hall)

Suitable for ages 2-4 (plus accompanying adult)

Take a trip on the Magic Carpet to explore the fantastic things in the National Museum of Scotland. The events introduce little ones to objects in the Museum through 25 minutes of stories, songs and activities. Limited places, on a first come, first served basis.

Supported by players of People's Postcode Lottery

Magic Carpet Minis

12 Jan - 30 Mar 2017 (no session on 16 Feb)

Every Thursday 10:30-10:50, 11:30-11:50
Free (pre-book 10:30 session from day before or sign up for 11:30 session on the day in the Entrance Hall)

Meet at the green fountain, Grand Gallery, Level 1

Suitable for ages 0-2 (plus accompanying adult)

Take a trip on the Magic Carpet to explore the fantastic things in the National Museum of Scotland. Magic Carpet Mini sessions are especially for really young children and their carers. Come along for songs, stories, rhymes and objects in the unique museum setting.

Supported by players of People's Postcode Lottery

Feely Friday

13 Jan - 31 Mar 2017 (No session on 17 Feb)

13:30-16:30

Check information screens for each sessions' theme and location

Free (drop in)

Discover strange and wonderful objects from our handling collections every Friday during term time.

Supported by players of People's Postcode Lottery

February half term: Monkey Mischief

11 Feb - 19 Feb 2017

11:00-16:00

Free (full programme and booking available from 1 February)

Join our primate party and take part in daily activities inspired by our Monkey Business exhibition. Highlights will include Monkeying Around dance and movement workshops (11-17 Feb), heads and tails mask and bottom-making and a special Science Saturday all about anatomy (18 Feb).

Monkeying Around - dance and movement workshops

11 - 17 Feb 2017
Free (booking/sign-up required)

Event Space, Level 2

Join our friends from Shuffle Dance to learn a range of monkey moves to help you cross different natural environments and make it to the once in a lifetime Primate Dance! Follow the music and watch out for those pesky human primate cousins!

Four sessions per day, 30 child places per session:

10:30 - 11:10 from walking to age 4. Children must be accompanied. Book from 1 February.

11:30 - 12:10 from walking to age 4. Children must be accompanied. Sign up on the day.

13:30 - 14:15 P1 - P4 age. Adults not required to stay but should remain nearby in the museum (book from 1 February).

14:30 - 15:15 P1 - P4 age. Adults not required to stay but should remain nearby in the museum (sign up on day).

Families: Make it at the Museum

12 Mar 2017

10:30-12:00

Learning Centre, Level 4

£10 (1 child ticket includes an adult helper ticket, suitable for children age 8+ and their accompanying adult, booking required, available online from 1 Feb)

Older children and their families can join this practical workshop to try out jewellery making techniques and make a piece to take home, inspired by our collections.
Led by Artist Jeweller Dorothy Hogg MBE

For adults

Spotlight On: Iranian Collections

10 Feb 2017

14:30-16:00

Seminar Room, Learning Centre, Level 4

Free - tickets required (book online or call 0300 123 6789)

Senior Curator, Friederike Voigt traces the history of the Iranian collections of National Museums Scotland. She will focus on the role of Scottish engineer and diplomat, Sir Robert Murdoch Smith, in building up the collections, and explore how ideas surrounding their development, research and display have changed. The talk will feature a selection of objects from our collections.

Part of the Edinburgh Iranian Festival 2017

Spotlight On: History of Hydroelectric in Scotland

9 Mar 2017

14:00-15:00

Auditorium, Level 1

Free - tickets required (suitable for age 14+, book online or call 0300 123 6789)

Hydroelectric power has played a major part in the social and economic development of Scotland for over a century. Ian Marchant, Chairman of the energy services firm Wood Group, and former Chief Executive of energy utility company, SSE plc, will give his perspective on the history and future of renewable energies in Scotland.

In association with The Newcomen Society

Museum Socials

17 Feb - 17 Mar 2017

10:30-12:00

Free (call 0300 123 6789 to book your place)

Series of monthly relaxed and informal sessions offering anyone living with Dementia, along with their relatives, friends and supporters, an opportunity to explore a different part of the museum each month with our learning staff. Sessions are free and include a cup of tea.

17 Feb 2017 - The Rise of Photography

17 Mar 2017 - Celebrating Science

Museum Late: Monkey Business

10 Mar 2017

19:00-22:30

National Museum of Scotland

Age 18+

Late plus exhibition entry £20, £18, Members & Concessions, Late only £12, £10, Members & Concessions (online booking required - www.nms.ac.uk/lates)

Our legendary Museum Lates return on Friday 10 March with a focus on our fascinating exhibition, Monkey Business.

Supported by The List

Grown ups: Make it at the Museum

12 Mar 2017

13:30-16:30

Learning Centre, Level 4

£20, £15 Members and Concessions (suitable for age 14+, book online or call 0300 123 6789)

Join this practical jewellery workshop for adults and make a creative piece inspired by our collections. No experience necessary.

National Museums Collection Centre Tours

23 Feb - 25 May 2017 (held on the final Thursday of each month)

10:30-11:45

National Museums Collection Centre, 242 West Granton Road, Edinburgh EH5 1JA

£6, £5 Members and concessions (age 14+, book online or call 0300 123 6789)

Go behind the scenes on a tour of our state-of-the-art collections research centre for Scottish History and Archaeology and Natural Sciences in Granton, Edinburgh.

Daily tours

Join one of our free daily tours and spend an hour exploring some of the highlights of the National Museum of Scotland.

Themed Tours

Daily at 15:00 (1 hr)

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

Free

Our free guided themed tours at National Museum of Scotland explore everything from Scotland's history to the supernatural.

Discover the National Museum

Daily at 11:00 (1 hr)

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

Free

From stunning Victorian architecture to the Lewis Chessmen, this tour will give you a flavour of all the National Museum of Scotland has to offer.

Scottish Galleries Highlights Tour

Daily at 13:00 (1 hr)

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

Free

Follow the story of Scotland through fascinating objects on this highlights tour.

National Museum of Flight

East Fortune Airfield, East Lothian, EH39 5LF

Make and Paint Models

11 Feb - 19 Feb 2017

12:00-16:00

Free with museum admission

Use our collection as inspiration for building and painting a model aeroplane. Head off for a journey of discovery at East Fortune Airfield this half term and explore the history of aviation from the First World War to the present day. Explore our historic hangars and then make your way to the Education Centre to make an Airfix model.

New military and civil aviation hangars

Winter opening: Saturdays & Sundays only

5 Nov 2016 - 26 Mar 2017

10:00-16:00

Free with museum admission

Concorde audio guide: Free

Explore two new hangars at the National Museum of Flight and experience the history and drama of flight as never before. Discover the stories behind one of Europe's best collections of aircraft and find out more about the people who flew and worked with them through dramatic displays and fascinating interviews.

National Museum of Rural Life

Wester Kittochside, Philipshill Road, East Kilbride G76 9HR

Willow Harvest

5 Feb 2017

10:30-12:30

Free with museum admission (suitable for adults and accompanying children, call 0131 247 4369 to book)

Join us at the National Museum of Rural Life for our annual Willow Harvest. Help artist Lise Bech bring in this year's harvest and find out more about how this versatile material is used in basket making.

Outdoor clothing and footwear is required, all harvesting tools will be provided on the day.

Farm matters

30 Dec 2016 - 31 Mar 2017

10:00 onwards

Free with museum admission

Discover the everyday activities on the Wester Kittochside farm at National Museum of Rural Life and join us for seasonal agricultural demonstrations with the animals and crops (weather permitting).

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 Rural Life, Wester Kittochside, Philipshill Road, East Kilbride, G76 9HR

For booking, opening times and location details, contact National Museums Scotland on 0300 123 6789/www.nms.ac.uk

For images or any further information please contact the press office on 0131 247 4391 or email media@nms.ac.uk