National Museum of Scotland Releases Schedule of Events for January 2016

National Museum of Scotland

Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF

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 - 31 Jan 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.

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.

Tim Peake's Space Mission Principia: Public Activities

15 Dec 2015

10:30-11:00, 11:30-13:00, 15:00-17:00

Free (drop-in)

Get hands-on with space science through a series of out-of-this world activities, to explore the solar system in a digital planetarium, learn about astronaut nutrition and growing food in space, and discover how astronauts get fit for orbit. From 10:30-11:00 there will also be the opportunity to handle a range of meteorites and find out how we see further into space using infrared cameras and memory metal.

Organised with the Edinburgh International Science Festival and the UK Space Agency.

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.

FameLab: Learn Something Amazing in Just Three Minutes

9 Jan 2016

14:30-16:30

Auditorium, Level 1

Free, booking required.

What is space weather? How many species of human are there? These are just some of the things you could learn as you witness our finest young Science Communicators battle for a place in the FameLab UK final. Part of the Science Saturday series of events at the National Museum of Scotland.

Burns Unbound

24 Jan 2016

10:00-17:00

Free (drop-in)

Celebrate our national bard with a packed programme of Burns-themed activities for all ages. Join us for a day of music - performances by Randolph's Leap, Cherry Grove Granny Green, Robyn Stapleton and Claire Hastings,- dancing, storytelling and mice!

Burns Unbound is supported through Scotland's Winter Festivals, a programme of events managed by EventScotland, part of VisitScotland, on behalf of the Scottish Government.

For Adults

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.

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.

Organised with the Edinburgh International Science Festival and supported by the Edinburgh International Film Festival.

The Final Fling

1 Jan 2016

17:00-18:30

Grand Gallery

Free

Join us for the final festival fling of Edinburgh's Hogmanay, a ceilidh in the Grand Gallery with Edinburgh supremos the Portobello Ceilidh Band.

Part of Edinburgh's Hogmanay.

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.

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.

Supported by players of Peoples Postcode Lottery.

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!

Supported by players of Peoples Postcode Lottery.

Wee Scotland

1 Jan 2016

12:00-17:00

Free, some activities must be pre-booked, visit www.edinburghshogmanay.com for more information

Welcoming all those under 10 for arts and crafts, storytelling, music and theatre in the most unexpected forms - discover the Museum like you've never seen before.

Part of Edinburgh's Hogmanay, presented by Pleasance Kids and National Museums Scotland.

Magic Carpet Weekenders

23 Jan - 24 Jan 2016

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.

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

South Lanarkshire Folk Academy Christmas Concert

12 Dec 2015

14:00-16:00

Free with entry to museum

Hear both tutors and students perform and have a go at playing some traditional instruments in their drop in workshops.