National Museum of Scotland Releases Summer Schedule for 2015

Exhibitions & Displays

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.

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.

For Adults

Spotlight On: Photography: A Victorian Sensation

9 July

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

Auditorium, Level 1

Free, booking required

Join curator Dr Alison Morrison-Low for an introduction to the pioneers of photography and a discussion on how the Victorian craze for the photograph transformed the way we capture images today.

A Passion for Pringle

26 July

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

Auditorium, Level 1

Free, booking required

Former Pringle designers Wallace Shaw and Lesley Brown discuss designing for machine-made knitwear and their contribution to the fashion revolution of the 1960s and 1970s.

Pringle Open Day

26 July

12:00-16:00

Grand Gallery & Event Space

Free, drop-in

Celebrate 200 years of Pringle of Scotland with knitting workshops and the chance to share your Borders-made knitwear treasures with our experts.

Museum After Hours: Friday Fringe Takeover

14, 21 & 28 August

19:30-22:30

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/openstudies 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 Study Short Courses: Victorian Edinburgh

From 1 October (10 weeks)

10:30-12:30

Seminar Room, Learning Centre, Level 4

Cost: £121/£80. Booking available soon 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.

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.

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!

Supported by players of People's Postcode Lottery.

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.

Supported by players of People's Postcode Lottery.

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.

Supported by players of People's Postcode Lottery.

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

Scotland's National Airshow 2015

25 July

10:00-17:00

Cost: Early bird tickets: Adult £17/£15.50, Child £8.50 (under 5s free), Family (2 adults, 2 children) £42,50. Full price from 11 July and on the day: Adult £20/£18, Child £10:00 (under 5s free), Family (2 adults, 2 children) £50.

Join us at East Fortune Airfield as aircraft old and new take to the skies for an afternoon of breathtaking aerial displays. Back for 2015 are the fantastic RAF Red Arrows display team plus the ever-popular Spitfire and Hurricane from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. Making their debut at East Fortune are the Royal Jordanian Falcons alongside the Royal Navy Historic Flight Swordfish and the Aircraft Restoration Co.'s Bristol Blenheim. With lots more to be announced, 2015 is shaping up to be one of our best ever lineups.

40th Anniversary for National Museum of Flight

1-31 July
10:00-17:00

The National Museum of Flight is 40 and we're offering free entry during the month of July to anyone sharing its 7 July birthday.

RAF Museum on Tour

9-12 July

12:00-16:00

Cost included in museum admission

The RAF Museum's new exhibition First World War in the Air will bring its First World War handling collection to National Museum of Flight this July. From original and replica uniforms and flying clothing from the Royal Flying Corps to embroidered greeting cards and trench art, these sessions will bring the First World War period to life.

National Museum of Rural Life

Wester Kittochside, Philipshill Road, East Kilbride G76 9HR

Heavy Horse Show

19 July

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

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 more than 150 horses compete in a range of events including 'Clydesdale Ridden' and 'Turnout' (riding with carriages). The family fun continues with pony rides on the farm and craft workshops in the museum.