National Museum of Scotland Releases Schedule of Events for Fall 2015    

National Museum of Scotland

Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF

Masters of Japanese Porcelain

Until 30 August 2015

Exhibition Gallery 4, Level 1

Free

In the late 19th century, new markets and technologies inspired innovation in the Japanese ceramic industry. The finest potters of this period achieved recognition as Imperial Household Artists. This small exhibition focuses on four such individuals; Seif? Yohei III (1851-1914), Miyagawa K?zan (1842-1916), It? T?zan I (1846-1920) and Suwa Sozan I (1851-1922).

Fully Fashioned: The Pringle of Scotland Story

Until 16 August 2015

Exhibition Gallery 2, Level 3

Free

Celebrate the 200th anniversary of Pringle of Scotland at the National Museum of Scotland. This exhibition explores the central role the company has played in the production and design of knitwear, not only in Scotland but around the world. Using rare pieces of early knitwear, iconic fashion garments, archival records and film footage, the exhibition traces Pringle's evolution from hosiery manufacturer to cutting-edge fashion brand.

Waterloo: After the Battle

15 May-27 September 2015

Exhibition Gallery 3, Level 1

Free

To mark the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo, find out more about the impact of the battle within Scotland, from public celebrations to political unrest, the celebrity of veterans and the birth of battlefield tourism.

Photography: A Victorian Sensation

19 June-22 November 2015

Exhibition Gallery 1, Level 3

Cost: Adult £10/£8; Child £6.50; Under 12s free; Museums Scotland Members free; National Art Pass holders 50% discount

Meet the pioneers of photography and discover how the Victorian craze for the photograph transformed the way we capture images today and mirrors our own modern-day fascination for recording the world around us. Follow the cross-channel competition between photographic trailblazers Louis Daguerre and William Henry Fox Talbot, enter the world of the 1851 Great Exhibition and see some of the world's first stereophotographs. Then get swept up in the collecting craze of the carte-de-visite and discover the fascinating stories of the people behind the pictures, including Hill and Adamson's beautiful images of Victorian Edinburgh.

Kindly supported by The Morton Charitable Trust.

The Silversmith's Art: Made in Britain Today

18 September - 4 January 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.

National War Museum

Edinburgh Castle, EH1 2NG

Open 09:45-17:45 daily

Helmand Return

27 February 2015-March 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

Free Fringe Music

8-30 August

14:00-14:40

Free, drop-in

Experience the joy of live music this festival with daily performances at National Museum of Scotland. From bold brass to fabulous fiddlers, Free Fringe Music showcases the best contemporary talents from Scotland and further afield. See www.nms.ac.uk/fringe for details.

Gallery 37

13 August

10:00-17:00

Free

Event Space and Auditorium

Explore the diverse selection of work created by young people (aged 14-19), who have taken part in Gallery 37 this summer. Presented by Impact Arts, this event will showcase work developed with professional artists and inspired by the museum collections.

For Adults

Museum After Hours: Friday Fringe Takeover

14, 21 & 28 August

19:30-22:30, age 18+

Cost: £16/£14

Enjoy a unique flavour of the Fringe and explore our galleries after hours across three exhilarating nights, each with hand-picked performers, music, comedy, bars and entry to our fascinating exhibition, Photography: A Victorian Sensation. Guest-programmed by the festival gurus at The List, each night of this adults-only extravaganza will offer a different and tantalizing taste of the Fringe, along with our special exhibitions and activities tailored around our world-class collections.

Open Study Short Courses: Victorian Photography

14, 21 August & 24 October

10:30-16:30 (doors open 10:15)

Seminar Room, Learning Centre, Level 4

Cost: £38/£27. Visit www.ed.ac.uk/short-courses or call 0131 650 4400 to book.

From its invention in 1839, photography had a huge impact on Victorian society. This course will explore the art, science, products and popularity associated with photography in the Victorian era. The course runs in conjunction with the major exhibition at National Museum of Scotland, and includes an exhibition entry.

Open Studies: Victorian Edinburgh

From 1 October (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.

Glenmorangie Annual Lecture: Malcolm Appleby

22 September

19:00-20:00 (doors open at 18:15) , age 18+

Auditorium, entry via Lothian Street

Cost: £6/£5

Join engraver and silversmith Malcolm Appleby for the Glemorangie Annual Lecture at the National Museum of Scotland.

Doors Open Day at the National Museums Collection Centre

26 September - 27 September

National Museums Collection Centre

Free, booking required

Ever wondered what happens behind the scenes at National Museums Scotland? This guided tour offers a rare insight into how we care for and conserve our internationally important collections.

For families

Summer Holiday: Light! Camera! Action!

Monday 29 June-Sunday 9 August

12:00-16:00, free

Our six week daily summer programme has a spot of science, a hint of history, a dollop of drama and a ton of fun! Explore photographic processes and make a simple camera, experiment with light and heat, relive the Battle of Waterloo in miniature and meet some competitive Victorian photographers in our new Macastory family show. Don't forget to pop into our Victorian photographer's studio to pose for a souvenir family portrait! For the full programme visit www.nms.ac.uk/families

Supported by players of People's Postcode Lottery.

Meet the Expert

Sundays from 5 July-9 August

14:00-16:00, free

Explore Your Universe by meeting real scientists. Get hands-on and find out about their important work.

Supported by players of People's Postcode Lottery.

Dig It! At the Museum: Magic Carpet Mini Diggers

Saturdays and Sundays in September

11:00-11:45, free but ticketed (Book from 1 September)

Join us for archaeology-themed songs, stories and actions on the Magic Carpet before putting new skills to the test with our toddler-friendly dig box. Suitable for ages 2-4 and their adult helper.

Dig It! At the Museum: Hands-On History

Saturdays and Sundays in September

14:00-16:00, free (drop in)

Explore objects from Scotland, Europe and beyond, all with an archaeological story to discover.

Explorathon

Friday 25 September

12:00-16:00, free (drop in)

Join us for this Scotland-wide celebration of all things scientific. Meet real researchers and find out what cutting edge discoveries are being made by our nation's world-class scientists. Ask questions, see some surprising sights and maybe even take part in their experiments.

Daily tours

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

NEW! 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.

Themed Tour

Daily at 15:00 (1 hr)

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

Free

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 Flight

East Fortune, EH39 5LF

Holiday History: The First World War

20 July-16 August

12:00-16:00

Cost: Included in museum admission.

Discover the role East Fortune Airfield played in the First World War at the National Museum of Flight this summer.

The Wheels and Wings Show

27 September

10:00-17:00

Cost: Adult £11/£9, Child £6 (under 5s free), Family (2 adults, 2 children) £29, Members free, includes museum admission, parking charges may apply.

Join us for this ever-popular event featuring planes, bikes and automobiles at National Museum of Flight.

National Museum of Rural Life

Wester Kittochside, Philipshill Road, East Kilbride G76 9HR

Go Wild in Summer

27 June - 16 August

Free with museum admission

Our Go Wild in Summer holiday programme offers fun for active adventurers, from photography to den building, craft to bug hunting.

Country Fair

6 September

10:00-17:00

Cost: Adult £8/£7, Child $4.50 (under 5s free), Family (2 adults, 2 children) £23, National Museums Scotland Members free, Concession entry for National Trust for Scotland Members. For more details and to book, please call 0300 123 6789.

Join us for a celebration of all things rural this year.