National Museums Scotland Listings Feature INDIAN ENCOUNTERS, GAME MASTERS and More

The National Museums Scotland's listings until April 11th are below. They include exhibits such as Indian Encounters, Game Masters and much more. There are also many activities and events for families and for adults.

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.

Masters of Japanese Porcelain

6 March-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

10 April-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.

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 Adults

Spotlight On: Indian Encounters

23 February

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

Seminar Room, Learning Centre, Level 4

Free, booking required

Explore the personal stories of Captain Archibald Swinton and Maharaja Duleep Singh and the objects they collected, and take a behind-the-scenes look at how our experts used scientific techniques to reveal the fascinating stories behind these objects.

Spotlight On: Game Masters

28 February
14:00-15:30 (doors open at 13:45)

Auditorium, Level1

Free, booking required

From the original Arcade Heroes to Scotland's current international success, Professor Gregor White, University of Abertay, leads you on an historical journey tracking the development of videogames, and taking a glimpse into what the future might hold.

Game Changers

5 March
18:30-20:00 (doors open 18:15)

Auditorium, Level 1 via Lothian Street at rear of Museum

Free, booking required

Find out how a William Morris design inspired the making of a digital game. BAFTA winner Sophia George was the first games designer in residence at the Victoria and Albert Museum. Inspired by William Morris, she interpreted his iconic 'Strawberry Thief' design into a digital game. Join Sophia and guests to find out how game designers are shedding new light on our cultural heritage.

This event is in partnership with V&A Museum of Design Dundee, and will include the opportunity to see the Design in Motion travelling gallery.

Spotlight On: Mary Slessor

8 March
14:00-15:30 (doors open at 13:45)

Auditorium, Level 1

Free, booking required

Join curator Sarah Worden and guests in a celebration of Mary Slessor's remarkable life on the centenary of her death. Mary Slessor promoted the rights of women and children and spread Christianity as a Scottish missionary in Nigeria in the 19th century. The day will focus on Mary Slessor's work in Calabar and the challenges women faced during that period both in 19th century Dundee and in Nigeria.

Part of International Women's Day on Sunday 8 March 2015.

Spotlight On: Eric Lomax, Railwayman of War and Peace

14 March

14:00-15:30 (doors open at 13:45)

Auditorium, Level 1

Free, booking required. Age 14+

Dr Michael Bailey, President of the Stephenson Locomotive Society, tells the story of Eric Lomax, whose photographs form a remarkable archive of pre-war Scottish railways. Eric's autobiography, The Railway Man, now a feature film, tells the story of his incarceration during the Second World War and subsequent bouts of combat stress.

Edinburgh International Science Festival adult events

4-19 April

Pricing dependent on specific event

This year the Science Festival will transform into the 'Ideas Factory' and celebrate its role as a hub for ideas, information, innovation and inspiration. Special events include:

LateLab - Tron v Tron: Legacy

4 April

19:30-22:00

Auditorium, entry via Lothian Street

Cost: £10, £8 Members & Concessions

Kick off the 2015 LateLab season by playing Light Cycle to decide which of these two films gets the Atmosphere treatment in this special expanded cinema event to complement the Game Masters exhibition. Be transported inside the software world of a mainframe computer where interaction between programmes good and malicious is the only way to get back out. Behind the smoke and mirrors, watch out for the bits and bytes.

Games for everyone, by everyone

8 April

20:00-21:30 (doors open at 19:45)

Auditorium, entry via Lothian Street

Cost: £8, £6 Members & Concessions

Dr Jo Twist, CEO of the Association for UK Interactive Entertainment will discuss diversity in games and will share stories from some of the industry's most successful women.

Jo will also take an in depth look at the UK computing curriculum and the measures that need to be put in place to attract more women into STEAM subjects like computer science and coding.

Spotlight On: Philosophy and the Science

9 April

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

Auditorium, Level 1

Free, booking required. Age 14+

Explore the relationships between philosophy, science and our universe at National Museum of Scotland. How did cosmology evolve from metaphysics to science? How can the laws of cosmology be tested? What are dark matter and dark energy, and what is the evidence for them? Join philosopher of science Michela Massimi and Peter Davidson, senior curator of Minerals and Meteorites, National Museums Scotland, to ask the big questions about our universe.

The Big Bang Bash

10 April

19:00-22:30

Cost: £12, £10 Members & Concessions (tickets available soon)

Save the date for an out-of-this-world night of science at the museum.

For families

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. Full details available at www.nms.ac.uk/imgame

Supported by players of People's Postcode Lottery.

March Magic Carpet Weekenders

7 March-29 March (Saturdays & Sundays only)
11:00-11:25

Meet at the Lighthouse Lens, Grand Gallery, Level 1

Free, places limited

Join us on the museum Magic Carpet for stories, songs and activities inspired by our fascinating collections.

Supported by players of People's Postcode Lottery.

Science Sunday

22 March

12:00-16:00

Free, drop in

Come and enjoy an afternoon of demos, activities and mini challenges as part of British Science Week.

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.

Edinburgh International Science Festival family events

4-19 April

Pricing dependent on specific event

Enter the 'Ideas Factory' and explore activities for the whole family around the museum, including drop-in events and shows from the University of Edinburgh. Events include:

Lab Rats in Space: Explore Your Universe

7-11 April
10:30, 11:30, 14:30 & 15:30 (45 mins)

Free

Help our museum lab rats scientists on their astronomical adventures through fun demonstrations and hands-on experiments. Suitable for ages 5-8 and their adult helper.

Supported by players of People's Postcode Lottery.

Astro-teenies

14-19 April
10:30 & 11:30 (30 mins)

Free

Reach for the stars in our space-themed sensory science story sessions. Suitable for under 3s and their adult helper.

Supported by players of People's Postcode Lottery.

Astro-tots

14-19 April
14:30 & 15:30 (35 mins)

Free

Come on a museum space science adventure with stories, songs and mini experiments. Suitable for ages 3-5 and their adult helper.

Supported by players of People's Postcode Lottery.

For everyone

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)

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 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.

Go Wild in Spring

3-19 April

10:00-17:00

Cost included in museum admission

School holiday fun for active adventurers, including den building, crafts and photography.

Easter Sunday Funday

5 April

10:00-17:00

Cost included in museum admission

Spring into Easter and celebrate the new season by welcoming our new lambs and calves and going on an egg hunt, then see if you can spot the Easter bunny!