National Museum of Scotland Releases Schedule for Summer 2016
By: Matt Smith Jun. 08, 2016
National Museum of Scotland
Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF
Fossil Hunters: Unearthing the Mystery of Life on Land
19 Feb - 14 Aug 2016
Free
Exhibition Gallery 2, Level 3
Discover how life on earth moved from water onto land 360-345 million years ago through ground-breaking discoveries made in Scotland. See fossils unearthed as recently as summer 2015, meet the people who uncovered these remarkable finds, discover the scientific techniques used to extract and identify them, and glimpse what life was like before the dinosaurs.
This exhibition is informed by the findings of the TW:eed research project.
Kindly supported by the National Environment Research Council and the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Celts
10 Mar - 25 Sep 2016
Adult £10, concession £8, child (12-15) £6.50. Members and under 12s go free.
Exhibition Gallery 1, Level 3
This major exhibition, organised in partnership with the British Museum, unravels the complex story of the different groups who have used or been given the name 'Celts' through the extraordinary art objects they made and used. Spanning more than 2,500 years, the exhibition explores history through these powerful decorated objects and examines how art styles have changed considerably over time, often flourishing during periods when different cultures came into contact.
Sponsored by Baillie Gifford Investment Managers.
Organised in partnership with the British Museum.
Reflecting Telescopes
25 Mar - 28 Aug 2016
Three display cases, Grand Gallery, Level 1
Free
This small display reveals the work of pioneering Scots in the development of the reflective telescope. The work of James Gregory (1638?75) is highlighted, a contemporary of Isaac Newton he was Professor of Mathematics at St Andrews then Edinburgh University. A predecessor of the modern telescope, Gregory's 'reflecting' telescope used mirrors, rather than glass lenses, to create a more compact instrument and sharper images. The display will also touch upon astronomy in Edinburgh, a city that has remained at the forefront of astronomical research and discovery for more than four centuries.
Stone Age Jade from the Alps
20 May - 30 Oct 2016
Grand Gallery, Level 1
Free
This small display showcases National Museums Scotland's rarely seen collection of Stone Age jade axeheads, alongside Tim Pomeroy's contemporary sculpture, Axehead. These rare and exquisite objects found around the Scottish countryside have long puzzled archaeologists. How did these beautiful Neolithic axeheads end up in Scotland, so far from their origins in the North Italian Alps around 6,000 years ago? Now, thanks to a French-led project involving National Museums Scotland - Projet Jade - the fascinating story of their creation, use and astonishing 1,500 km journey has been revealed.
BUILD IT! A museum made from LEGO®
1 Jun - 1 Dec 2016
Info Zone, Level 3
Free
A beautiful three-metre LEGO® model of the National Museum of Scotland is now on display. Renowned brick artist Warren Elsmore and his team took over 350 hours and almost 90,000 bricks to build this exquisite model of the museum. Using scale-plans and elevation drawings, the miniature model depicts gallery details and a number of exhibition objects with thousands of tiny bricks.
Showing as part of the Festival of Architecture 2016, which will celebrate Scotland's fantastic built environment, as a key part of the 2016 Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design celebrations. #IAD2016.
National War Museum
Edinburgh Castle, EH1 2NG
Open 09:45-17:45 daily
Life Support: Stories from The Royal Regiment of Scotland
25 Apr 2016 - 29 Jan 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
Open 10:00-17:00 daily
For everyone
New Galleries Grand Opening
8 Jul - 10 Jul 2016
10:00-17:00
Free (drop-in)
Join us on from 10:00 on Friday 8 July 2016 for a weekend of celebration and be amongst the first to discover ten new galleries at the National Museum of Scotland. Have a go at designing your own catwalk creation, power a lightbulb on our giant hamster wheel, and enjoy the thrills and spills of driving a racing car!
From the oldest aircraft in Britain and ceramic works by Picasso, to a 3D print of a human brain and a metal dress by Paco Rabanne, the new galleries will showcase excellence and innovation in decorative art, design, fashion, science and technology.
For families
Feely Friday
3 Jun - 24 June 2016
Fridays, 13:30-16:30
Grand Gallery
Free (drop-in)
Discover strange and wonderful objects from our handling collections every Friday during term time.
Magic Carpet
8 Jun - 30 Jun 2016
Every Wednesday 10:30-10:55, 11:30-11:55
Free. Limited spaces available, sign up on the day at the Information Desk in the Entrance Hall. Suitable for ages 2-4 (and accompanying adult).
Take a trip on the Magic Carpet to explore the fantastic things in the National Museum of Scotland through stories, songs and activities.
Supported by players of the Peoples Postcode Lottery
Magic Carpet Minis
9 Jun - 30 Jun 2016
Every Thursday 10:30-10:50, 11:30-11:50
Free. Limited spaces available, book online at www.nms.ac.uk/Scotland. Suitable for ages 0-2 (and accompanying adult).
Take a trip on the Magic Carpet, especially for very little ones, to explore the fantastic things in the National Museum of Scotland through stories, songs and activities.
Supported by players of the Peoples Postcode Lottery
Crafty Celts
4 Jul - 7 Jul, 1 Aug - 7 Aug 2016
12:00-16:00
Free (drop-in)
Handle some amazing Celtic objects, and make a carnyx hand puppet or some ancient accessories.
Supported by players of the Peoples Postcode Lottery
Sci-Art Summer
8 Jul - 31 Jul 2016
12:00-16:00
Free (drop-in)
Come and explore our fantastic new Science & Technology and Art & Design galleries. Take part in craft activities, enjoy live demonstrations and displays and meet some interesting characters.
Supported by players of the Peoples Postcode Lottery
History Happenings
8 Jul - 10 Jul 2016, then every Thursday, Friday and Sunday in July
11:00-13:00, 14:00-16:00
Free (drop-in)
Step back in time and encounter everyday characters from history, inspired by our new galleries. A suffragette with her invaluable bicycle, a weaver getting to grips with new technology in 1816 and a 1960s department store worker who dreams of designer fashion - who will you meet?
Supported by players of the Peoples Postcode Lottery
For adults
Museum Socials: Mary, Queen of Scots
17 Jun 2016
10:30-12:00
Free, call 0300 123 6789 to book your place
Married, crowned Queen of Scots, Queen Consort of France and widowed all by the time she was just 18 years old - join us to discover the remarkable life of Mary, Queen of Scots.
One of our 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.
Spotlight On: Shang Dynasty Oracle Bones
28 Jun 2016
14:00-15:00 (doors open 13:45)
Auditorium, Level 1
Free. Book tickets online, www.nms.ac.uk/Scotland, or call 0300 123 6789.
In ancient China, animal bones were used in rituals to ask questions of deities, and the inscriptions on these intriguing artefacts represent the earliest form of Chinese writing. Join experts from the University of Edinburgh and Dr Rosina Buckland for a glimpse into recent research on our collection of 'oracle bones'.
Museum Socials: Scotland's Early People
15 Jul 2016
10:30-12:00
Free, call 0300 123 6789 to book your place
Romans, Picts, Vikings - we explore these people and their impact on Scotland through our archaeology collections. One of our 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.
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.
National Museum of Flight
East Fortune Airfield, East Lothian, EH39 5LF
Scotland's National Airshow 2016
23 Jul 2016
10:00-17:00
Cost: Various prices, visit www.nms.ac.uk/airshow for more information and to book tickets. Early bird tickets available until Friday 8 July.
The Red Arrows will headline an afternoon of breathtaking aerial displays, alongside a host of aircraft old and new. Joining the line-up for the very first time are the Swiss Air Force PC-7 Team in nine Pilatus PC-7 Turbo Trainers and the Norwegian Air Force Historic Squadron in a MiG 15 UTI and two de Havilland Vampires. The RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight brings the iconic Spitfire, Lancaster and Hawker Hurricane. A thrilling day out for the whole family!
National Museum of Rural Life
Wester Kittochside, Philipshill Road, East Kilbride G76 9HR
Farm matters
30 Mar - 31 Dec 2016
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.
Woolly Weekend
11 Jun - 12 Jun 2016
10:00-17:00
Free with museum admission
Watch our sheep shearer at work on the farm and learn about what their fleeces are used for when you meet our spinners and knitters. Say hello to our friendly alpacas and listen to Emily Mackenzie read her new book Stanley the Knitting Cat.
Heavy Horse Show
17 Jul 2016
10:00-17:00
Cost: Adult £10/£9, Child £6 (under 5s free), Family (2 adults, 2 children) £27
Join us for one of Scotland's biggest heavy horse shows at National Museum of Rural Life this summer. Take to the fields to watch horses compete in a range of events including 'Clydesdale Ridden' and 'Turnout' (riding with carriages). Come face-to-face with equines in all shapes and sizes including Clydesdales, Shetlands, Highlands and donkeys and enjoy a free horse ride.
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