National Museum of Scotland Announces Schedule of Activities for Winter 2015

Exhibitions & Displays

National Museum of Scotland

Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF

New to the National Collection

19 September 2014 - 22 February 2015

Grand Gallery, Level 1

Free

From a rare beluga whale skull to a ground-breaking Electraglide guitar, a selection of exciting recent additions to the National Museums Scotland's collections will be on display for the first time in New to the National Collection. The display will give visitors an insight into National Museums' extensive and varied collections, showcasing material being collected now for future generations, including objects that will feature in ten forthcoming new galleries which on decorative art, design, fashion, science and technology.

Indian Encounters

14 November 2014 - 1 March 2015

Exhibition Gallery 2, Level 3

Free

Explore the changing relationships between Great Britain and India during the 18th and 19th centuries through the lives of two men with very different experiences of British imperial rule: Captain Archibald Swinton and Maharaja Duleep Singh. See the intricate miniature paintings collected by Captain Swinton, and the beautifully crafted jewellery once owned by Maharaja Duleep Singh, alongside a newly commissioned painting by renowned British artists The Singh Twins.

Game Masters

5 December 2014 - 20 April 2015

Exhibition Gallery 1, Level 3

Cost: Adults £10/£8; Child £6.50; Under 5s free; Family of 3 £23; Family of 4 £28; National Museums Scotland Members free; National Art Pass holders 50% discount; Students £5 (Tuesdays only)

Featuring over 100 playable games, Game Masters showcases the work of more than 30 leading videogame designers. The exhibition explores the development of videogames through interviews with game designers and rare original game artwork, as well as looking forward to how independently produced games are leading the way in design, aesthetics and game play.

Exhibition created by the Australian Centre for the Moving Image, Melbourne, and supported by the Victorian Government.

Express Yourself

12 December 2014 - 29 March 2015

Exhibition Gallery 3, Level 1

Free

Jewellery is an incredibly powerful and personal form of expression. Whether the individual is a collector or designer, what they choose to buy, commission or create defines them. Discover more about those who are or were involved in collecting, commissioning or creating jewellery, including leading UK jewellers David Watkins and Wendy Ramshaw and fashion designer Jean Muir.

National War Museum

Edinburgh Castle, EH1 2NG

Open 09:45-17:45 daily

Next of Kin

18 April 2014 - 8 February 2015

Free with admission to Edinburgh Castle

1914 brought war to Scotland on an unprecedented scale. How did families cope with the absence and loss of their loved ones? Through a selection of family treasures, this exhibition reveals the profound personal experiences of Scottish families during the First World War, and the methods used to remember those they loved.

Next of Kin will tour eight venues around Scotland until 2018 and will be accompanied by digital and learning resources. Each venue will develop additional content related to their local areas which will be captured and preserved in an online resource. Find out more at www.nms.ac.uk/centenary

Supported by the Culture Division, Scottish Government and the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Events/Activities

National Museum of Scotland

Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF

Open 10:00-17:00 daily

For Adults

FameLab

17 January

14:30-16:30

Auditorium, Level 1

Free, book online or call 0300 123 6789

Witness our finest Scottish science communicators as they battle it out to win a place at the FameLab UK National Final. How do 3D glasses work? Why is wearing red an advantage in sport? How do cabbages keep warm in winter? These are some of the things you could learn at the Scottish final of FameLab UK.

Migration, Museums and Memorials

11-13 February

Seminar Room, Learning Centre, Level 4

Cost: £20, book online by 6 February

When, how, and why is Scotland's migration history represented in museums, galleries, and memorials and how does it compare with depictions of other movements including the Great Irish Famine, slavery, the holocaust, and refugee flows? How might Scottish portrayals of migration, at home and abroad, be influenced by representations of other migrant flows? What aspects of the Scottish migrant experience remain forgotten? How might scholarly interpretations influence museum practice and vice versa? This is the fourth seminar in the series Scotland's Diasporas In Comparative International Perspective, funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (UK).

Museum Lates: Game Masters

13 February

19:00-22:30

Cost: Late + exhibition entry £20/£18; Late only £12/£10

This February our legendary Museum Lates enters the virtual world of the videogame. Play retro and modern games in our pop-up videogaming lounge, enjoy Pac-Man-inspired spoken word and game-related talks, or practice your Dance Central moves in the Silent Disco. Singstar wannabies will have to wait their turn, as live music comes courtesy of minimalist cosmic disco duo Happy Meals and electro-tinged pop performers Bdy_Prts. Get into the spirit of the evening by dressing up as your favourite videogame icon, or see the lovely people from Fantoosh Face Art for a gaming inspired makeover.

For families

Macastory: The Twa Rabbies

24 & 25 January

14:00, 14:00 & 15:00 (40 mins)

Auditorium, Level 1

Free (drop in)

This fun-filled show has not one but two Rabbie Burns claiming to be the real McCoy! We let the audience decide who is telling the truth as the Rabbies tell outrageous tall tales of their amazing adventures and perform songs and verses from the Bard himself.

I'm Game!

14-22 February

Free (drop in)

You'll never be 'board' this half term with our playful family events programme all about games. Try your hand at games through the ages, have fun with crafty characters, complete our power-up challenge trail, learn space invader dance moves and more. More details to follow soon at www.nms.ac.uk/families

Magic Carpet

Wednesday during term time

10:30 and 11:30 (25 mins)

Suitable for ages 2-4 (+ their adult)

Free - sign up on day at Info Desk, Entrance Hall, Level 0, 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 day at Info Desk, Entrance Hall, Level 0, 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.

Feely Fridays

Fridays during term time

13:30-16:30

Free, drop-in

Feely Fridays gives you the chance to explore our fascinating handling collections - from meteorites to mammals and Vikings to Victorians! Check out information screens on the day for details.

For everyone

Christmas Art Competition

27 - 30 December

10:30-16:30

Free (drop-in)

Be inspired by the objects in the museum and get drawing. Take part in our popular annual art event suitable for all ages and abilities. Basic materials and lots of encouragement provided.

Hogmanay Family Celidh

31 December

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!

Edinburgh's Hogmanay: Scot:Lands

1 January 2015

12:00-17:00

Free

Artists and musicians welcome in the New Year at surprising and atmospheric venues in Edinburgh's Old Town and beyond. Begin your journey of discovery at the Home:Land, the National Museum of Scotland.

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 Rural Life

Wester Kittochside, Philipshill Road, East Kilbride G76 9HR

Magic Carpet

7 January-1 April

Every Wednesday, 10:30-10:55

Suitable for ages 3-5 (+ their adult)

Included in museum admission

Explore life on the farm with a magical adventure on board the Magic Carpet. Discover life on the farm and in the countryside with 25 minutes of stories, songs and activities each Wednesday during term-time.

Magic Carpet Minis

7 January-1 April

Every Thursday, 10:30-10:55

Suitable for ages 0-2 (+ their adult)

Cost included in museum admission

Explore life on the farm with a magical adventure on board the Magic Carpet. Discover life on the farm and in the countryside with 25 minutes of stories, songs and activities each Thursday during term-time.

Burns Unbound

24 & 25 January

10:00-17:00

Cost included in museum admission

Join us for a celebration of Robert Burns, Scots language and Burns Night traditions. You can also explore our 1950s working farm, Georgian farmhouse and award-winning museum, open all day.