National Museum of Scotland Announces Schedule of Exhibitions through January 2016

The Silversmith's Art: Made in Britain Today

18 Sep - 4 Jan 2016

Exhibition Gallery 2, Level 3

Free

This ground-breaking exhibition celebrates the exceptional creativity and skill which make Britain a world leader in modern silver. The Silversmith's Art features 150 masterpieces made by 66 acclaimed silversmiths between 2000 and 2015. At the heart of the exhibition is The Goldsmiths' Company's role as patron of contemporary studio silver. This guild, situated in the City of London, has supported Britain's gold and silversmithing trades for over 700 years.

In association with The Goldsmith's Company.

Child's Play: Toys and Technology

25 Sep 2015 - 10 Jan2016

Grand Gallery, Level 1

Free

How have children's playthings changed over the last 150 years? From Meccano to a Minions scooter, this exhibition explores the development of toys and how they have grown In response to the changing world.

New to the National Collections

23 Oct 2015 - 28 Feb 2016

Grand Gallery, Level 1

Free

New to the National Collections provides a fascinating insight into National Museums Scotland's varied collections and a number of items are on public view for the first time. The display is diverse, from a tiny fragment of the 2013 Chelyabinsk Meteor to the quirky Omnibot 2000 robot butler.

National War Museum

Edinburgh Castle, EH1 2NG

Open 09:45-17:45 daily

Helmand Return

27 Feb 2015 - 27 Mar 2016

Free with admission to Edinburgh Castle

Five years after his poignant exhibition Helmand: Faces of Conflict, renowned photographer Robert Wilson revisited Afghanistan as an official war artist to record the British troops' final tour of duty. The photographs allow a rare insight into the process of withdrawing from a war zone; capturing the essence of the human and logistical challenges faced during the transfer of responsibility and withdrawal.

Helmand Return is created by Robert Wilson, curated by Catherine Collins and Rhiannon Adam, and loaned by Gallery One and a Half.

Events/Activities

National Museum of Scotland

Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF

Open 10:00-17:00 daily

For Everyone

Christmas Choirs

6 Dec & 20 Dec 2015

15:00-16:00

Free (drop-in)

Get into the festive spirit with Christmas concerts from local choirs at the National Museum of Scotland. This year we've invited three Edinburgh-based choirs - Accord, Edinburgh Renaissance Singers and Edinburgh Contemporary Choir - to bring some festive cheer to your museum visit.

Supported by the Peoples Postcode Lottery.

LTD Edition Jewellery

11 Dec - 13 Dec 2015

10:00-17:00

Event Space, Learning Centre, Level 2

Free (drop-in)

Edinburgh College of Art Jewellery students showcase work from their annual LTD Edition Jewellery project. These projects link students to leading companies Weston Beamor and Cooksongold in the Birmingham Jewellery Quarter, to create small designer editions of work integrating the hand-made with digital design and manufacture. Second year Graphic Design students from the College will also be providing their designed and made packaging for the display.

Christmas Art Competition

27 Dec - 30 Dec 2015

10:30-16:30

Free (drop-in)

What in the museum will inspire you to get drawing this year? Take part in our popular annual art competition suitable for all ages and abilities. Basic materials and lots of encouragement provided.

For Adults

Open Studies: Victorian Edinburgh

From 1 Oct 2015 (10 weeks)

10:30-12:30

Seminar Room, Learning Centre, Level 4

Cost: £121/£80. Book at www.ed.ac.uk/openstudies or call 0131 650 4400 to book.

Examine Edinburgh's economic social and political climate during 1837-1901 and assess how the city's inhabitants responded to some of the most important Scottish, British and international events of the era. Includes exhibition entry.

Museum Socials

16 Oct 2015 - 18 Mar 2016

Every Friday, 10:30-12:00

Meet at the Tower Entrance, 10:15 for 10:30

Free, call 0300 123 6789 to book your place.

This new series of relaxed and informal sessions offers 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.

Spotlight On: The Silversmith's Art Today

1 Dec 2015

14:00-15:00 (doors open 13:45)

Auditorium, Level 1

Free

The Goldsmiths' Company's Curator and Art Director, Rosemary Ransome Wallis, introduces the Company's role as a guild and leading patron of modern silver, showcasing its beautiful collection innovative studio silver as featured in our exhibition.

In association with The Goldsmith's Company.

Big Screen Space Night

15 Dec 2015

18:30 (doors open 17:45)

Grand Gallery

Cost: £5, book at www.edfilmfest.org.uk/films

Celebrate the first British astronaut launch to the International Space Station at National Museum of Scotland. The evening will start with a live link to the Space Station as the hatch opens and British astronaut Tim Peake is welcomed aboard to start his six month tour. To mark the occasion we are delighted to welcome Italian astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti who has just recently returned from her own mission aboard the ISS. Samantha will be available for an audience Q&A ahead of a special screening of The Martian.

Part of UK Space Day, organised with the Edinburgh International Science Festival and supported by the Edinburgh International Film Festival.

For families

Magic Carpet

21 Oct - 15 Dec 2015

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

Free, limited places (first come, first served basis). Suitable for under 5s, must be accompanied by an adult.

Our magic carpet introduces little ones to objects in the Museum through 25 minutes of stories, songs and activities.

Magic Carpet Minis

22 Oct - 17 Dec 2015

Every Thursday, 10:30-10:50, 11:30-11:50

Free, limited places (first come, first served basis). Suitable for ages 0-2, must be accompanied by an adult.

Magic Carpet Mini sessions especially for really young children and their carers. Come along for songs, stories, rhymes and objects in the unique museum setting.

Magic Carpet Weekenders

28 Nov - 29 Nov 2015

11:00-11:25

Free, limited places (first come, first served basis). Suitable for under 5s, must be accompanied by an adult.

Join us for our monthly special weekend story activity sessions as we explore different objects on the Magic Carpet.

Christmas at the Museum

Sat 5 December 2015

12:00-16:00

Free (drop-in)

The National Museum of Scotland's festive programme kicks off with a double bill of sleigh bells and science. Discover the deadly lengths people will go to for beauty, meet a plague or two and make a molecular Christmas decoration to take home at this month's Science Saturday, Deadly December: Plagues and Pandemics. Then join our musical Winter Warm-up for an afternoon of festive performances by wind ensemble Sirocco winds, The Scottish Consort and the brass quintet Bells Up. With Live Music Now Scotland and the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.

Science Saturday: Deadly December

Sat 5 Dec 2015

12:00-16:00

Free (drop-in)

Seven fleas a-flying, six corsets crushing, five gold (neck) rings...join us for a fun, slightly twisted antidote to the usual Christmas frivolity on Science Saturday. Discover the deadly lengths people will go to for beauty, meet a plague or two, take part in our debate on the future of global health and make a molecular Christmas decoration to take home.

Christmas Crafternoon

12 Dec - 13 Dec2015

12:00-16:00

Free (drop-in)

Come and make a lovely museum-inspired festive decoration to take home. Our crafts this year have been designed by 3rd Year Illustration students from Edinburgh College of Art as part of a joint project.

Hogmanay Family Ceilidh

31 Dec 2015

14:00-15:30

Free (drop-in)

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

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), free.

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)

Free

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

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

Looking for a more in-depth experience? We offer a wide range of themed tours. Ask at the information desk or check our website for forthcoming tour titles www.nms.ac.uk/tours

National Museum of Rural Life

Wester Kittochside, Philipshill Road, East Kilbride G76 9HR

Christmas Fair and Foal Show

6 Dec 2015

10:00-17:00

Adult £8 / £7, Child £4.50 (under 5 free), family tickets for 2 adults and 2 children £23, National Museums Scotland Members free. Book tickets online at

Meet Father Christmas, enjoy a pantomime and pick up some gift ideas at our Christmas Craft Fair. Experience traditional Yuletide activities at the farmhouse with pomander making and Victorian parlour games.