What’s On at National Museums Scotland

The latest National Museums Scotland listings:  

Exhibitions & displays

National Museum of Scotland     
Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF    
Open 10:00–17:00 daily   

Game On
Until 3 Nov 2024
Special Exhibition Gallery, Level 3

Get set for Game On – the largest interactive exhibition of the history and the culture of video games.

Game On, an exhibition conceived and curated by Barbican Immersive, examines the creative and technological advances that have established a new medium and artform. From Sonic the Hedgehog to Mario, explore gaming’s rich history through over 100 playable games from the last five decades.

Find our more nms.ac.uk/game-on

Cold War Scotland
13 Jul 2024 – 26 Jan 2025
10:00 – 17:00
Special Exhibition Gallery 2, Level 3
Free

Scotland’s unique geography and topography provided a useful base for Allied military preparations and research during the Cold War, a 40-year nuclear stand-off between the USA and the Soviet Union following the end of the Second World War.

Cold War Scotland is an output of Materialising the Cold War, a collaborative research project between National Museums Scotland and the University of Stirling. The project explores how the Cold War heritage is represented and how museums can adapt to tell this story in future. The exhibition will explore both the visible and invisible legacies of the war in Scotland.

Find out more nms.ac.uk/ColdWarScotland

Theravada Buddhism
Until 12 Jan 2025
Gallery 3, Level 1
Free

A thought-provoking display charts the history and influence of the Theravāda Buddhist tradition across the world, including its role in Scotland today. The display includes a Buddha on loan from The Dhammapadipa Temple in Edinburgh. The Buddha was designed and made in Thailand in 2013, then later gifted to Temple where it is now used in their garden meditation room.

Find out more nms.ac.uk/theravadabuddhism

Events

National Museum of Scotland
Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF
Open 10:00–17:00 daily

Morning Curator Tour: Cold War Scotland
Wed 25 Sep & Tue 29 Oct
09:15-10:00
Meet at Tower Entrance, Level 1
£12, £10 Members & Conc.

Join our exhibition curators for an exclusive early morning tour of our Cold War Scotland exhibition. Dr Meredith Greiling, Principal Curator of Technology, and Cold War Research Fellow Dr Sarah Harper will delve deeper into stories explored within the exhibition, from the emergence of nuclear energy in Scotland to the vibrant anti-nuclear protests and political activism of the period.

Book now nms.ac.uk/MorningTour

Relaxed Viewings: Game On
Sun 1 Sep & Sun 6 Oct
10:00-12:00
Tickets from £10

Enjoy a calmer visit to the Game On exhibition. In these sessions visitor numbers will be reduced and the volume of some games turned down. This session is primarily for, but not limited to, neurodivergent children, young people and adults, and those with sensory or additional support needs who would prefer a more relaxed experience, plus their families, friends and carers.

Book now nms.ac.uk/relaxed-viewings-game-on

Magic Carpet Explorers
Mon 2 Sep-Mon 11 Nov
10:30-11:15 or 14:00-14:45
£15.00 per child for block of 3, £13.50 per Member child for block of 3

Magic Carpet Explorers introduces you and your little one to some of the wonderful galleries, objects and themes in the museum in a fun and interactive way. Taking place in different spaces around the museum, you will explore subjects such as the natural world, science and technology, world cultures and Scottish history through songs, stories, rhymes, actions, objects and short activities.

Book now nms.ac.uk/magic-carpet-explorers

Magic Carpet Minis
Wed 4 Sep – Wed 20 Nov
10:30 – 11:15 or 14:00 – 14:45
£15.00 per child for block of 3, £13.50 per Member child for block of 3

Magic Carpet Minis introduces you and your little one to some of the wonderful galleries, objects and themes in the museum in a fun and gentle way. Taking place in different spaces around the museum, you will explore subjects such as the Natural World, Space, World Cultures and Scottish History through songs, stories, rhymes, actions, objects and sensory play.

Book now nms.ac.uk/magic-carpet-minis

Spotlight On: Cold War Scotland
Thu 5 Sep
14;00-15:00
£5, £4 Members & Conc.

The Cold War was a global conflict that began in the wake of the Second World War and ended with the peaceful revolutions of 1989-90 and the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.  During this 40-year nuclear stand-off between the USA and the Soviet Union, Scotland’s unique geography and topography provided a useful base for Allied military preparations and research.  

In this spotlight talk, Director of Collections Dr Sam Alberti and historian Holger Nehring discuss Scotland’s critical position on the frontline of the Cold War and share the stories of the Scots involved in this global conflict.

Book now nms.ac.uk/spotlight-on-cold-war-scotland

Relaxed Evening: Game On
Tue 10 Sep
17:30-19:30
Tickets from £9

Enjoy a calmer visit to the Game On exhibition. During this special session, visitor numbers will be limited and we will lower sounds on the loudest games to create a more relaxed experience. A quiet break-out space will also be available and a visual welcome guide will be provided in advance to help you prepare for your visit.

Book now nms.ac.uk/relaxed-evening-game-on

The Galloway Hoard: A Decade of Discovery
Wed 11 Sep
19:30-20:30
Free with optional donation

The Galloway Hoard was hailed as a remarkable Viking-age treasure and, in the ten years since its discovery, has been analysed by experts from across the globe.

The Hoard has not only provided researchers with a window into an early medieval world of vast horizons and networks, but also intimate family heirlooms and sacred relics.

In this live online event, many of the experts who have studied the Galloway Hoard will discuss the unique insights it has revealed, and will share a vision for its future.

Book now nms.ac.uk/the-galloway-hoard-a-decade-of-discovery

Curiosity Club
Sat 14 Sep – Sat 23 Nov
10:30
£10 (Members and Concessions £9)

Capturing some of the museum’s most exciting collections, our Curiosity Clubs are a chance for kids to explore the museum without their adult helpers through games, activities, and gallery visits.

Book now nms.ac.uk/curiosity-club

Relaxed Curiosity Club
Sat 14 Sep – Sat 23 Nov
14:30
£10 (Members and Concessions £9)

Capturing some of the museum’s most exciting collections, our Curiosity Clubs are a chance for kids to explore the museum without their adult helpers through games, activities, and gallery visits. Relaxed Curiosity Club sessions are particularly aimed at children with additional support needs, neurodivergent children or children with disabilities.

Book now nms.ac.uk/relaxed-curiosity-club

Multisensory Museum Walk: Scotland Galleries
Sat 21 Sep
10:15, 12:15 & 14:30
Free, booking required

Join dance artist Alena Ageeva to experience our Scottish archaeology and art collections in a new and creative way using movement, touch, sound, and smell. This creative exploration of the Scotland Galleries uses movement and your senses to find new connections with some of our most important and beautiful objects.

Book now nms.ac.uk/multisensory-museum-walk-scotland-galleries

Magic Carpet Explorers: Maths Tales Special
Wed 25 Sep
10:30 – 11:15 or 14:00 – 14:45
Free, booking required

Bring your little ones for a fun session on the Magic Carpet exploring maths tales. Discover shapes, numbers, time and more through songs, action rhymes, objects and sensory play. Suitable for children ages 2–4 and their adult helper.

Book now nms.ac.uk/magic-carpet-explorers-maths-tales-special

Science Saturday 2024
Sat 28 Sep
10:30-15:30
Free, drop in

Join us to celebrate Maths Tales at the museum, as part of Maths Week Scotland. Unleash your creativity with LEGO® bricks, meet friendly learning robots Sphero, Botley and Code-a-Pillar, delve into strategy games, or challenge yourself to brain teasers and logic puzzles.

Book now nms.ac.uk//science-saturday-2024

Museum Late: Game On
Sat 5 Oct
19:30-22:30
Prices from £16, exhibition add-on ticket from £7

Join us for a night of grown-up fun and games in the spectacular setting of the National Museum of Scotland at night. Get ready for a night like no other with music, bars, and gaming throughout our galleries.

Book now nms.ac.uk/museum-late-game-on

Accessible Games Night with RNIB and TripleTapTech: Visual Impairment
Tue 15 Oct
17:30-20:00
Free, booking required

Join us for a sociable night of accessible gaming with TripleTapTech and RNIB for people who are blind or partially sighted. We are partnering with RNIB and gaming innovators TripleTapTech to create a special event where visitors can play on a range of accessible games..

Book now nms.ac.uk/accessible-games-night-with-rnib-and-tripletaptech-visual-impairment

Collection Centre Tours
Until 26 Mar 2025
National Museums Collection Centre

Discover the secrets of how we store our Natural Sciences, Science & Technology and Scottish History & Archaeology collections, and find out how these objects and specimens are used in international research.  This is an in-person event at the National Museums Collection Centre in Granton, for those aged 14 and over.

Book now nms.ac.uk/CollectionCentreTours

National Museum of Flight
East Fortune Airfield, East Lothian, EH39 5LF
Open daily 10:00 – 16:00

Relaxed Morning: National Museum of Flight
Sun 8 Sep-Sun 8 Dec
10:00-12:00
Free with museum admission

Join us for a Relaxed Morning at the National Museum of Flight, for anyone who would appreciate a calmer visit to the museum. This session is primarily for, but not limited to, families with neurodivergent children, neurodivergent young people and adults, adults living with dementia, adults and children with mental health problems, and any other visitors with sensory needs or who may prefer a more relaxed experience, plus their families, friends and carers.

Book now nms.ac.uk/relaxed-morning-national-museum-of-flight Science Sunday
Sun 22 Sep
10:30-15:30
Free with museum admission

Join us to celebrate Math Tales at the museum, as part of Maths Week Scotland. Unleash your creativity with LEGO® bricks, meet friendly learning robots Sphero, Botley and Code-a-Pillar, delve into strategy games, or challenge yourself to brain teasers and logic puzzles.

Book now nms.ac.uk/science-sunday

National Museum of Rural Life
Philipshill Road, East Kilbride, G76 9HR
Open 10:00–17:00 daily 

Nature Track Packs
Until 1 Sep
10:00 – 17:00
Free with museum entry and Annual Pass

Available to borrow at the museum ticket desk, each pack contains fun ideas and activities to help children use all their senses to explore the countryside on a walk to the farm.

Book now nms.ac.uk/naturetrackpacks

Relaxed Morning: National Museum of Rural Life
Sun 1 Sep – Sun 1 Dec
10:00-12:00 (quiet space open until 12:30)
Free with museum admission

Join us for our monthly Relaxed Morning for anyone who would appreciate a calmer visit to the museum. This session is primarily for, but not limited to, families with neurodivergent children; neurodivergent young people and adults; adults living with dementia; adults and children with mental health problems; and any other visitors with sensory needs or who may prefer a more relaxed experience, plus their families, friends and carers.

Book now nms.ac.uk/relaxed-morning-national-museum-of-rural-life

MooFest
Sat 14 & Sun 15 Sep
11:00 – 16:00
Free with museum admission and Annual Pass

Celebrate all things cattle at the National Museum of Rural Life. We are putting our bovine friends in the spotlight at this weekend of hands-on activities, talks and family fun. Find out all about cows, bulls, milk, and meat with our experts, take part in family craft sessions and meet some of the cattle on our working farm.

Book now nms.ac.uk/MooFest

Tractor Tots
Fri 20 Sep – Mon 25 Nov
£20 per child for block of 3, £15 per Member child for block of 3

Tractor Tots is a bookable series of playful sensory singalong sessions for under-fives and their adults at the National Museum of Rural Life.

Book now nms.ac.uk/tractor-tots

Adult Workshops: Natural Dyeing
Sat 21 Sep
10:15-16:00
Tickets from £55

This hands-on workshop will get you started with all you need to know to start dyeing at home.Find out how to use homegrown or foraged plants to dye yarn and fabric in this full-day workshop with natural dyer and textile artist Elisabeth Viguie-Culshaw.

Book now nms.ac.uk/adult-workshops-natural-dyeing

Menopause Wellbeing Walk
Fri 11 Oct
10:30-12:30
Tickets from £30

Slow down and take some time out on a guided menopause wellbeing walk with mindful activities at the National Museum of Rural Life. Join Anna Neubert-Wood from WanderWomen for this meditative, restorative and reflective outdoor experience aimed at those going through menopause.

Book now nms.ac.uk/menopause-wellbeing-walk

Autumn Explorers
15 Oct – 18 Oct 2024
10:30 – 15:30
Free with museum admission and Annual Pass

Tickets available August 2024

Our Autumn Explorers family activities are back, with storytelling, sustainable crafts, and the chance to learn all about soil and spiders.

What’s On at National Museums Scotland

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davepickering

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