The National Museums Scotland's Listings Until November 16th Include DANIE MELLOR'S PRIMORDIAL, INDIAN ENCOUNTERS, and More

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.

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

Evening Lecture: The First World War - 100 years on

25 September, 18:30-19:30
Auditorium, Level 1
Cost: £6/£5 Members and Concessions, booking required. Book online or call 0300 123 6789

Academic, writer and broadcaster Professor Sir Hew Strachan analyses how the fundamental transformation in how wars are fought has influenced how we commemorate conflict.

Introduction to Chinese Calligraphy THIS EVENT IS NOW FULLY BOOKED

28 September, 10:30-13:00, 14:00-16:30

Learning Centre, Level 4

Discover the tools and techniques of this ancient art form in an introductory session led by Chi Zhang, calligraphy artist.

Saturday Showcase: Ming, The Golden Empire

4 October, 13:30-16:00

Auditorium, Level 1

Cost: £10/£8 Members and Concessions, includes refreshments. Booking required. Book online or call 0300 123 6789

Join our panel as they discuss the wider historical context of Ming: The Golden Empire at the National Museum of Scotland.

Principal Curator Dr Kevin McLoughlin will look at the growth in book culture during the late Ming, Dr Yupin Chung from Glasgow Museums explores the quest for fine tea in Ming times and Dr Julian Ward from the University of Edinburgh discusses late Ming journeys to China's Sacred Mountains. Dr Stephen McDowall, from the University of Edinburgh, will chair a panel discussion and audience questions.

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

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

Meet the Experts

26 September, 13:00-16:30

Grand Gallery, Level 1

Free

Find out what researchers get up to and see some of their inventions at the National Museum of Scotland.

Flamenco Ad Libitum Flashmob

10 October, 13:00 onward

Grand Gallery, Level 1

Free

Join us for an unmissable live event featuring Flamenco music and dance performance for the Edinburgh Hispanic Festival 2014.

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 and Dolly the sheep, 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.

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.

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.