National Museums Scotland Listings to 7 December 2014 Includes DANIE MELLOR'S PRIMORDIAL, INDIAN ENCOUNTERS, and More

Please find below National Museums Scotland listings to 7 December 2014.
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Exhibitions & Displays

National Museum of Scotland

Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF

Ming: The Golden Empire

27 June - 19 October 2014

Exhibition Gallery 1, Level 3

Cost: Adults £10/£8; Child (age 12-15) £6.50; Under 12s free; National Museums Scotland Members free; National Art Pass holders 50% discount

A collection of original artefacts from the Nanjing Museum, including Chinese National Treasures, introduce key aspects of the Ming dynasty, focusing on the remarkable cultural, technological and economic achievements of the period. Exquisite luxury items and rare objects reveal the wealth and opulence of the Ming imperial court, including the iconic blue and white porcelain with which the period is synonymous, sumptuous silk textiles, gold and jades, and rare examples of elaborately enamelled cloisonné. This will be the only UK showing of this internationally significant exhibition, which has been produced by Nomad Exhibitions in association with Nanjing Museum.

Sponsored by Baillie Gifford Investment Managers.

Common Cause: Commonwealth Scots and the Great War

11 July - 12 October 2014
Exhibition Gallery 2, Level 3

Free

Explore the stories of the Scottish diaspora and the war experiences of Commonwealth nations during the First World War. Through poignant objects from five key Commonwealth nations (Australia, Canada, England, New Zealand and South Africa) as well as newsreel footage, photography and the words of participants, discover how the war was experienced and commemorated in different parts of the British Empire. Then find out how military service was related to other expressions of Scottish identity and culture, such as Caledonian societies, Presbyterianism and piping.

This exhibition is supported by the International Division, Scottish Government and is part of the Year of Homecoming 2014.

Danie Mellor's Primordial: SuperNaturalBayiMinyjirral

1 August - 23 November 2014

Grand Gallery, Level 1

Free

Inspired by objects from National Museums Scotland's World Cultures Collection, acclaimed contemporary Australian artist Danie Mellor presents sculpture and work on paper that explores his own indigenous and European heritage. With works focusing on fauna, Aboriginal life and landscape, and science and exploration, alongside technical references to European art, Mellor's work is uniquely relevant to the breadth of National Museums Scotland's collections.

Presented by National Museums Scotland and the Edinburgh International Festival. With the support of Michael Reid, Sydney, Australia.

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.

National War Museum

Edinburgh Castle, EH1 2NG

Open 09:45-17:45 daily

Next of Kin

18 April 2014 - March 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

Science on Television and in the Museum

21 October, 15:00

Learning Centre, Seminar Room

Free, please register with Maureen Kerr on 0131 247 4274 or m.kerr@nms.ac.uk

How did museums respond to the arrival of television, the mass medium par excellence? Drawing on five years' research investigation into the development of science on TV and the history of the Science Museum, London, this presentation seeks to illuminate this question.

Margaret's Wardrobe

31 October, 14:00-15:30

Free but ticketed

Through the moving, personal story of Margaret and her wardrobe of high-end, High Street fashion, Dr Chris Lee explores the important role clothes play in retaining a sense of personal identity for Dementia sufferers. Share your passion for fashion with us and enjoy our Jean Muir handling collection.

Part of Luminate: Scotland's creative ageing festival

Being Human Festival

18 November, 12:30, 15:00, 18:30

Free

Auditorium, Level 1

Being Human is the UK's first national festival of the humanities. Between 15 and 23 November 2014, the festival will engage people across the UK with innovative research.

At the National Museum of Scotland there is a day of events with two film screenings documenting an individual's struggle with Motor Neurone Disease and another's experience of a serious illness. In the evening there is panel discussion about Being Human.

Film: I Am Breathing

12:30-13:45

Within a year, Neil goes from being a healthy 30-something to becoming paralysed from the neck down with Motor Neurone Disease. As his body gets weaker, his humour remains but a new wisdom emerges. Followed by Q&A with Director, Emma Davie.

http://www.iambreathing.com/

Film: The Edge of Dreaming

15:00-16:15

Amy did not remember her dreams until she dreamt that she would die at 48. When Amy fell seriously ill, she went on a search to change that dream, leading her to an eminent neuroscientist Mark Solms, and a new understanding of our brains. Followed by a Q&A with Director, Amy Hardie.

http://www.edgeofdreaming.co.uk/trailer.htm

Visualising Voices Panel Discussion

18:30-20:00, free but ticketed, booking available soon

Film makers Emma Davie and Amy Hardie join producer Sonja Henrici to discuss the ways documentary film can help us to interpret, engage and interact with experiences of Being Human. A drinks reception follows the event.

In association with Being Human: a festival of the humanities from 15-23 November 2014.

Animal, Mechanical and Me

19 November, 15:00

Seminar Room, Learning Centre, Level 1

Unlike any other organ, the heart is surrounded by two different narratives about what it represents; on the one hand, it is the pump or engine of the body and on the other, it is the social and cultural symbol of love, emotion and personhood. Dr Gill Haddow will ask the question - 'If you had to make the choice, would you choose to have something from a human or animal or mechanically made, placed inside you?' and 'Does having parts of your body replaced with materials from other sources make you feel any different?'

Meet Your Maker: Textile & Ceramics

22 - 23 November, 10:00-16:00

Free (drop-in)

Join six craft makers in celebration of Scottish craft as they showcase the design, processes and techniques behind their work. Makers from a variety of disciplines will give a rare behind the scenes look at their craft work. The first weekend features textile and ceramic artists from across Scotland and the second weekend features jewellery.

Meet Your Maker: Jewellery

29 - 30 November, 10:00-16:00

Free (drop-in)

Join six craft makers in celebration of Scottish craft as they showcase the design, processes and techniques behind their work. Makers from a variety of disciplines will give a rare behind the scenes look at their craft work. The first weekend features textile and ceramic artists from across Scotland and the second weekend features jewellery.

From Scotland with Love

30 November, 14:30-16:30

Cost: £6/£5 Members and Concessions, call 0300 123 6789 or book online

Auditorium, Level 1

Using footage from the National Library of Scotland's Scottish Screen Archive, the film explores the themes of love, loss, resistance, migration, work and play, while ordinary people are given voice by King Creosote's music and lyrics. The film screening is followed by Q&A with Director, Virginia Heath.

Maharaja Duleep Singh and Queen Victoria

6 December, 14:00-15:00

Free but ticketed

Explore Maharaja Duleep Singh's unusual position as 'an adopted' member of the British Royal Family during Queen Victoria's reign.

Priya Atwal, University of Oxford, explores the peculiarly British upbringing of the Indian ruler, Maharajah Duleep Singh, across mid-19th century India, England and Scotland.

Removed from his throne in northern India by the East India Company, Duleep was forcibly separated from his mother at the age of ten and brought up by his Scottish guardian, Dr John Spencer Login. The young prince was even virtually 'adopted' by Queen Victoria and became a popular figure amongst British high society. Priya's talk will delve into how the queen and the doctor attempted to mould Duleep into a new kind of ideal 'Anglo-Indian prince' during a formative period of the British Raj.

For Families

Octob-aaargh! Half Term

Sat 11-Sun 19 Oct 12:00-16:00

Free (drop-in)

Join us as we track down all sorts of scary, spooky, weird and wonderful things in the museum. Meet natural predators, find out why we keep stuff in jars and help solve a museum mystery... Watch out for pirates, too!

Tales of a Granny

Sat 25 & Sun 26 Oct 11:00 - 13:00 (rolling 30 min programme)

Scotland Galleries

Free (drop-in)

Where do you begin sharing the story of Scotland? With the tales, the songs and the beautiful and sometimes strange things the past has left us. Aimed at under-fives, these storytelling sessions introduce younger children, parents and carers to the riches of Scotland's story.

This event is also the prologue to Tales of a Grandson, part of the Scottish International Storytelling Festival.

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

Tales of a Grandfather: Unrolling Walter Scott's Magic Carpet

25 October, 14:00-15:00

Auditorium, Level 1

Donald Smith presents Sir Walter Scott's superb re-telling of Scotland for the Scottish International Storytelling Festival.

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

Open 10:00-17:00 daily

Wartime Families

11 - 20 October, 12:00-16:00

Cost: Included in museum admission

Join us this October half-term to make you own family history scrapbook. Go back in time and find out how to piece together and document your own family's history.

Air and Scare Halloween

25 & 26 October, 10:00-17:00

Cost: Included in museum admission

Join us for a weekend of spooky tales and scary activities for Halloween at East Fortune.

Astronomy Day

29 November, 10:00-17:00

Cost: Included in museum admission

Join us for a day of space-themed talks, activities and planetarium shows.

Supersonic Santa

6 - 7 December, 10:00-17:00

Cost: Included in museum admission

Enjoy festive activities and meet Santa aboard our Boeing 707 at East Fortune.

National Museum of Rural Life

Wester Kittochside, Philipshill Road, East Kilbride G76 9HR

Magic Carpet

20 August - 8 October, 10:30-10:55

Cost included in Museum admission

Discover life on the farm and in the countryside with 25 minutes of stories, songs and activities each Wednesday during term-time.

Supported by players of the People's Postcode Lottery

Go Wild in Autumn

11 - 19 October, 11:00-13:00 & 14:00-16:00

Cost included in Museum admission

Enjoy our Go Wild programme this October half-term in the country. Holiday fun for active adventurers, including ranger walks, crafts and photography.

Halloween

31 October, 17:00-19:00 (normal museum opening hours 10:00-17:00)

Free

Join in the spooky fun on this, the scariest night of the year! Take part in apple dooking, scary trails and lots of spirited activities.

Autumn Stargazing

12 November, 19:00-21:00

Booking info tbc

Try your eye for astronomy this November in the autumn night sky. Join the Clydesdale Astronomical Society and find out what the heavens have to offer this autumn (weather permitting). You are welcome to bring your own binoculars or telescopes and ask for advice on how to operate them.