Climate Emergency
Scotland’s Climate Challenge
24 Sep 2021 – 27 Mar 2022
National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF
Exhibition Gallery 3, Level 1
Free display
This small exhibition highlights the exciting work being carried out in Scotland to fight against climate change. It brings together just some of the technological responses that have been developed in Scotland or that are being used here in the effort to cut carbon dioxide emissions. On show are a range of leading-edge equipment, much of it newly collected, alongside samples of natural material.
Supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery.
Visit nms.ac.uk/ClimateChallenge
Extinction Bell
24 Sep 2021 – 9 Jan 2022
National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF
The Grand Gallery, Level 1
Free display
The Extinction Bell is a work by Bristol-based artist Luke Jerram that aims to raise awareness of biodiversity loss. A fire engine bell from National Museums Scotland’s collection has been adapted to toll at random intervals 150-200 times per day. Each ring of the bell symbolises the extinction of a species, representing the number being lost every 24 hours (according to a 2007 report from the UN).
Supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery.
Visit nms.ac.uk/ExtinctionBell
And If Not Now, When?
1 Nov – 14 Nov 2021
10:30 – 16:30
National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF
Event Space, Level 2
Free immersive installation, sign up on the day in the Grand Gallery
And If Not Now, When? is an immersive, reactive, sound and film installation by Edinburgh artists Philip Pinsky and Karen Lamond which invites you to experience a transformed urban reality to inspire hope and possibility.
Confronted with a heightened version of a busy urban junction; heavy traffic, pollution and noise, you will walk through a sound and film installation, guided by a lighted path. As you do so, notice how your position in the room directly impacts the environment around you.
Watch and listen as your actions transform one environment into another and end the experience with a vivid and tranquil re-imagining of how we could all live peacefully in our cities.
Visit nms.ac.uk/exhibitions-events
Art and Science – Communicating the Climate Emergency
4 Nov 2021
19:30 – 20:30
Online event
Free, with optional donation
As the eyes of the world turn to Scotland for the UN Climate Conference in November, join artists Luke Jerram and Philip Pinsky, along with National Museums Scotland curators, for a discussion about the urgency of the climate and biodiversity crisis. Explore how the research and technology being used to tackle these issues can be shared with the wider public, and consider how art can help communicate these critical messages and inspire change.
Supported by players of the Postcode Lottery.
Visit nms.ac.uk/exhibitions-events
Further Exhibitions & Displays
National Museum of Scotland
Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF
Open 10:00–17:00 daily
NEW – Audubon’s Birds of America
12 Feb – 8 May 2022
Exhibition Gallery 1, Level 3
Ticketed
This new exhibition at the National Museum of Scotland will examine the artistry and legacy of one of the world’s rarest, most coveted and biggest books.
Published as a series between 1827 and 1838, Birds of America by John James Audubon (1785-1851) was a landmark work that achieved international renown due to the epic scale of the project and the book’s spectacular, life-sized ornithological illustrations.
Audubon’s Birds of America (12 February – 8 May 2022) will showcase 46 unbound prints from National Museums Scotland’s collection, most of which have never been on display before, as well as a rare bound volume of the book, on loan from the Mitchell Library. This exhibition is a unique opportunity to see so much of Audubon’s work in one place.
Supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery
Visit: nms.ac.uk/Audubon
The Typewriter Revolution
24 Jul 2021–17 Apr 2022
10:00–16:30
Exhibition Gallery 2, Level 3
Free entry
The typewriter’s social and technological influence is revealed in this new exhibition and looks at its role in society, arts, and popular culture. It traces the effect and evolution of typewriters across more than 100 years, from weighty early machines to modern style icons.
The impact of the typewriter has been much wider than simply speeding up the way we write. It helped revolutionise the world of work and change the lives of working women in particular. Typewriters helped them launch their own businesses at a time when female employers were rare and became a vital weapon in the fight for the vote.
Visit nms.ac.uk/Typewriters
Inspiring Walter Scott
6 Aug 2021 – 9 Jan 2022
Exhibition Gallery 4, Level 1
Free entry
On the 250th anniversary of Sir Walter Scott’s birth, experience his novels through objects that inspired him. In this small exhibition we show how Scott drew upon real historical objects for inspiration, placing objects alongside Scott’s words, and the stories in which they feature. While you view these fascinating objects, you can listen to an actor reading extracts from these tales.
In association with Walter Scott 250: Celebrating 250 Years of Scotland’s Greatest Storyteller.
Visit nms.ac.uk/walterscottexhibition
Events
Online
Celebrating Black Fashion
26 Nov 2021
19:30—20:15
Watch online
Free, with option to add a donation
Join model and broadcaster Eunice Olumide as she shares her experience of a transforming industry with museum curator Georgina Ripley. Eunice and Georgina will also discuss Eunice’s recent book How To Get Into Fashion, focussing on creativity, diversity, and wellbeing.
This event will be followed by a live Q&A chaired by Mal Burkinshaw, Head of the School of Design at Edinburgh College of Art.
Part of Black History Month 2021.
Book now nms.ac.uk/CelebratingBlackFashion
National Museum of Rural Life
Wester Kittochside, Philipshill Road, East Kilbride, G76 9HR
Open 10:00–17:00 daily
For Adults
NEW Willow Star Workshop with Anna Cross
26 Nov 2021
10:15–12:45, 14:00–16:30
£35, suitable for adults (age 16+)
Kick off the festive season by weaving your own large willow star with artist Anna Cross. In these half-day workshops for adults, you will learn how to create your own beautiful decoration. Suitable for beginners and seasoned crafters alike, Anna will guide you through the weaving process.
Book now: nms.ac.uk/exhibitions-events
For Families
NEW Children’s Workshop: Make a Willow Decoration
Sat 27 Nov
14:30–16:00
£10 per child, suitable for ages 10+
Advanced booking is essential
Keen to learn more about the art of willow weaving? Then book a place on this 1.5 hour-long workshop with willow artist Anna Cross, suitable for children age 10+ with an accompanying adult.
Anna will show you how to weave and decorate your very own willow star decoration to take home, perfect for hanging in your room or on the Christmas tree.
Visit: nms.as.uk/exhibitions-events
NEW Festive Family Crafts
27 Nov – 28 Nov 2021
Sat: 10:30 – 16:00
Sun: 10:30 – 15:30
Free with pre-booked museum admission
Join us for festive family activities across the weekend, from drop-in craft sessions to a children’s willow weaving workshop with Anna Cross, the artist who created our Willow Sculpture Trail.
Our family programming is supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery
Visit: nms.as.uk/exhibitions-events
NEW Clyde’s Winter Trail
27 Nov 2021 – 9 Jan 2022
10:00 – 17:00
Free with pre-booked museum admission
Spot the festive scenes that Clyde, the Clydesdale horse, and his friends have been creating around the museum as they get ready for the festive season.
Our family programming is supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery
Visit: nms.as.uk/exhibitions-events
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For booking, opening times and location details, contact National Museums Scotland on 0300 123 6789
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