Exhibitions & Displays
National Museum of Scotland
Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF
Open 10:00–17:00 daily
Audubon’s Birds of America
12 Feb – 8 May 2022
Member Preview Day, 11 Feb
Exhibition Gallery 1, Level 3
Ticketed, £0-£10
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 which 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
Book now nms.ac.uk/Audubon
Anatomy: A Matter of Death and Life
1 Jul – 13 Nov 2022
Exhibition Gallery 1, Level 3
Ticketed
Explore the history of anatomical study, from artistic explorations by Leonardo da Vinci to the Burke and Hare murders.
This exhibition will look at the social and medical history surrounding the practice of dissection. It will trace the relationship between anatomy, its teaching and cultural context and the bodies that were dissected. Looking at Edinburgh’s role as an international centre for medical study, the exhibition will offer insight into the links between science and crime in the early 19th century.
Sponsored by Baillie Gifford Actual Investors.
Visit nms.ac.uk/Anatomy
The Typewriter Revolution
Until 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
Until 8 Jan 2023
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
Scotland’s Climate Challenge
Until 27 Mar 2022
Exhibition Gallery 3, Level 1
Free entry
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
++LAST CHANCE TO SEE ++ Extinction Bell
Until 9 Jan 2022
The Grand Gallery
Free entry
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
National Museum of Flight
East Fortune Airfield, East Lothian, EH39 5LF
Saturdays and Sundays 10:00 – 16:00
LEGO® Concorde Model
Until 30 Jan 2022
Saturdays and Sundays 10:00 – 16:00
Free with pre-booked museum entry
Master builder Warren Elsmore and his team have created a LEGO® Big Build of the National Museum of Flight’s Concorde.
Six metres long and made of over 60,000 bricks, you can see the model on display alongside the real thing. The model is made purely from standard 2×4 LEGO bricks and took five days to build as part of our Brick Wonders exhibition in Spring 2021.
Visit nms.ac.uk/exhibitions-events
Events
Online
Museum Art Challenge 2021
Until 2 Jan 2022
Online, free
Looking for something creative to do this December? The Museum Art Challenge invites you to make art inspired by our incredible collections. With five weekly themes to get you thinking, you can take part from near or far simply by emailing us a picture of your finished artwork.
Take part nms.ac.uk/museumartchallenge
National Museum of Scotland
Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF
Open 10:00–17:00 daily
*NEW* Origami Dove Making
21 – 23 Jan 2022
11:00-13:00, 14:00-16:00
Grand Gallery, Level 1
Free, drop-in
Try out your origami skills and help to create a flock of birds to become part of Les Colombes (The Doves), a stunning installation symbolising love, hope and kindness. The artwork will make its Scottish debut in St Giles’ Cathedral as a highlight of the annual Burns & Beyond Festival later in January 2022.
This event is part of Burns & Beyond 2022.
Visit nms.ac.uk/origami-dove-making
*NEW* Victorian Edinburgh
20 Jan – 31 Mar 2022
11:00 – 13:00
Seminar Room, Learning Centre Level 4
£175 for 10 sessions (concessions available)
Join this short course from National Museums Scotland and the University of Edinburgh, a great way to explore our collections and their wider history with experts.
Victorian Edinburgh considers the complex challenges and changes wrought in the period 1837–1901 within Scotland’s capital city. It examines examples of the economic, social and political context in which ‘Edinburghers’ lived, and assesses their responses to the most important Scottish, British and international events.
This course will be led by Helen Rapport PGCE, M.A., PhD. The University of Edinburgh Short Courses are presented by the Centre for Open Learning.
Book now nms.ac.uk/VictorianEdinburgh
*NEW* Georgian Scotland
20 Jan – 31 Mar 2022
14:00 – 16:00
Seminar Room, Learning Centre Level 4
£175 for 10 sessions (concessions available)
Join this short course from National Museums Scotland and the University of Edinburgh, a great way to explore our collections and their wider history with experts.
Georgian Scotland explores Scotland’s great changes and developments from 1714–1815. Making extensive use of National Museum Scotland’s collections, the course covers the Enlightenment and the growth of universities, trade, transportation and industry, as well as the impact of Jacobite rebellions and events overseas, from France and Spain to the American colonies.
This course will be led by Helen Rapport PGCE, M.A., PhD. The University of Edinburgh Short Courses are presented by the Centre for Open Learning.
Book now nms.ac.uk/GeorgianScotland
*NEW* Discovering Decorative Arts at the National Museum of Scotland
20 Jan – 24 Mar 2022
11:00 – 13:00
Dunfermline Room
£175 for 10 sessions (concessions available)
Join this short course from National Museums Scotland and the University of Edinburgh, a great way to explore our collections and their wider history with experts.
This course will introduce the magnificent decorative arts collections within the National Museum of Scotland. We will explore the historical developments of decorative arts and how they have influenced the modern methods and techniques used to create many of the beautiful objects on display in the National Museum of Scotland.
This course will be led by Karen A Clulow BA MA FSA Scot. The University of Edinburgh Short Courses are presented by the Centre for Open Learning.
Book now nms.ac.uk/DecorativeArts
National Museum of Rural Life
Wester Kittochside, Philipshill Road, East Kilbride, G76 9HR
Open 10:00–17:00 daily
Clyde’s Winter Trail
Until 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.
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
All our museums are open. This includes:
National Museum of Scotland
National Museum of Flight
National Museum of Rural Life
National War Museum
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