Tag: listings

National Museums of Scotland: What’s On in April

Exhibitions & Displays 

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

Audubon’s Birds of America 
Until 8 May 2022 
Exhibition Gallery 1, Level 3 
Ticketed, £0-£10 


This exhibition examines the artistry and legacy of one of the world’s rarest, most coveted and largest 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 showcases 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/BirdsofAmerica 

 
The Typewriter Revolution 
Until 11 Sep 2022 
Exhibition Gallery 2, Level 3 
Free entry 

The typewriter’s social and technological influence is revealed in this exhibition examining 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 
 
Following the 250th anniversary of Sir Walter Scott’s birth, experience his novels through objects that inspired him. 

In this small exhibition discover 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 and supporting Year of Stories 2022. 

Visit nms.ac.uk/walterscottexhibition 
 

Book of Hours 

31 Mar – 3 Aug 2022 
Kingdom of the Scots gallery (Level 1) 
Free  

Explore the pages of an illustrated prayer book featuring a handwritten poem by a young Mary, Queen of Scots in this display.  

Written in Latin on vellum, the Book of Hours contains 40 exquisite illuminations by a 16th century Master artist. Used for private worship, it belonged to Mary’s great aunt Louise de Bourbon, Abbess of Fontevraud, who is believed to have gifted this precious volume to the young queen. 

The book will be exhibited in the Kingdom of the Scots gallery, in a display alongside other objects associated with Mary, Queen of Scots. Six different pages within the book will be revealed, with a new page displayed every three weeks. A QR code will allow you to scroll through the vividly illustrated pages in detail. 
 
The Book of Hours is on loan to National Museums Scotland from The Pininski Foundation, Liechtenstein. 

Visit nms.ac.uk/exhibitions-events 

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. 

Supported by Baillie Gifford Investment Managers. 

Visit nms.ac.uk/Anatomy 

 
Events 


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

Edinburgh Science Festival 2022 

9 Apr – 24 Apr 2022 
10:00 – 17:00 

The Edinburgh Science Festival brings two weeks of science-fuelled exploration to the National Museum of Scotland, from free interactive exhibits to family workshops and adult talks.  

The Grand Gallery will be home to DataSphere, a multi-media exploration of the information driving our world. Elsewhere in the museum get-hands on with amazing drop-in experiments from the University of Edinburgh, and children’s workshops exploring everything from Creative Coding to Disease.  

Adults can enjoy a series of fascinating talks and debates on topics from climatology and the philosophy of science to death, folklore and the cities of the future. Speakers include A.C. Grayling, Jim Al-Khalili, Alice Bell and Mary Roach.

The DataSphere will also be transformed after dark with bars, a DJ and exclusive activities just for grown-ups. Take the chance to have as much fun as the kids as you send, swipe and scroll through the data that drives our world. 

To book or find out more, visit the Edinburgh Science Festival website. 

*NEW* Centre for Open Learning: Victorian Scotland 

21 Apr – 23 Jun 2022 
11:00-13:00 
Seminar Room, Learning Centre Level 4 
£175 for 10 sessions (concessions available) 

National Museums Scotland are delighted to host a new term of University of Edinburgh Short Courses – a great way to explore the national collections and their wider history with experts.   

This 10-week course uses selected items from the museum’s collections as the basis for studying Victorian Scotland. Using a different historical object each week, students will consider the political, economic, industrial, imperial, cultural and social history of Scotland in this period of enormous change and creativity.  

The course will be led by Helen Rapport PGCE, M.A., PhD. 

Book now nms.ac.uk/VictorianScotland 

*NEW* Centre for Open Learning: Georgian Scotland 

21 Apr – 23 Jun 2022 
14:00-16:00 
Seminar Room, Learning Centre Level 4 
£175 for 10 sessions (concessions available) 
 
National Museums Scotland are delighted to host a new term of University of Edinburgh Short Courses – a great way to explore the national collections and their wider history with experts.   

This 10-week course explores Scotland’s great changes and developments from 1714–1815. Making extensive use of National Museums 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. 

The course will be led by Helen Rapport PGCE, M.A., PhD. 

Book now nms.ac.uk/GeorgianScotland 

*NEW* Centre for Open Learning: Discovering the National Collections:  
Jewellery from Antiquity to Present Day 

22 Apr – 20 May 2022 
11:00-13:00 
Seminar Room, Learning Centre Level 4 
£75 for 5 sessions (concessions available) 

National Museums Scotland are delighted to host a new term of University of Edinburgh Short Courses – a great way to explore the national collections and their wider history with experts.   

This course will use the museum collections to introduce the extraordinarily diverse world of jewellery. From antiquity to the present day, we will explore our fascination with adornment to discover how trade, culture and craftsmanship pushed the boundaries of jewellery making around the world.  

This course is led by Karen A Clulow BA MA FSA Scot, and will be taught within a range of galleries in the National Museum of Scotland. 

Book now nms.ac.uk/exhibitions-events 

*NEW* Festival Family Encounters Day 
7 May 2022 
10:00-16:30 
Grand Gallery 

Free, drop-in. Some events may have timed slots and require sign-up on the day. 

The Edinburgh International Children’s Festival opens on Saturday 7 May with Family Encounters at the National Museum of Scotland. Come along to get curious, creative and enjoy specially commissioned performances from Scottish based artists. 

All events at Family Encounters on 7 May are free. Some may have timed slots and require sign-up on the day. 

Find out more nms.ac.uk/exhibitions-events 

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

*NEW* Bird Bingo 
1 Apr – 30 Apr 2022 
10:00-17:00 
A trail around the museum 
Free with museum admission and Annual Pass  

Come and play Bird Bingo at the National Museum of Rural Life, can you find all the birds hiding around the museum? 

Using the clues on our family trail sheet, see if you can spot different birds in our museum galleries and learn fun facts about them on your journey. 

This family event is supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery  

Find out more nms.ac.uk/birdbingo 

*NEW* Spring Explorers 

11 Apr – 14 Apr 2022 
10:30-15:30 
Learning Centre and Theatre 
Free with museum admission and Annual Pass 

Become a Spring Explorer this school holiday with family storytelling and lots of sustainable crafts.  

Hear a story about farm animals, and make a bird feeder, paper pot for planting or a beautiful egg box flower to take home.

Supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery

Find out more about the activities and their dates nms.ac.uk/springexplorers 

*NEW* Woolly Weekend 
28 May – 29 May 2022 
11:00-16:00 
Free with museum admission and Annual Pass 
 
Visit the National Museum of Rural life to celebrate our woolly wonders. See our shearer at work with the Scottish Blackface sheep and enjoy wool-themed family crafts and activities.  

Find out more nms.ac.uk/woollyweekend 

National Museum of Flight   
East Fortune Airfield, East Lothian, EH39 5LF   
From 1 Apr, Open daily 10:00 – 16:00 

*NEW* Make Do and Mend 

19 Apr – 22 Apr 2022 
11:00-16:00 
Concorde Hangar 
Free with museum admission 

Find out about the sustainability skills that people used during and after the Second World War with hands-on, family-friendly activities.  

Discover original Second World War RAF items and find out how people reused these objects creatively in the times of austerity after the war. 

Visitors can also try “French” knitting or book tickets for the “Bundle and Steam” fabric printing workshops. 

This family event is supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery 

Find out more and book nms.ac.uk/makedoandmend 

*NEW* Dig for Victory 

8 May 2022 
11:00-16:00 
Free with museum admission 

Find out how people grew and cooked their own food during the Second World War with cooking demonstrations, talks, tours and hands-on family activities. 

Discover the challenges of wartime cooking with food historian Nichola Fletcher and find out about the fruit and vegetables that were grown on the airfield. Families can also join drop-in workshops to create a wildflower seed bomb or make a paper pot to take home. 

This family event is supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery

Find out more nms.ac.uk/digforvictory 

Online

The Joy of Birds 

31 Mar 2022 
19:30-20:30 
Online 
Free, with optional donation 

Join David Lindo and Duncan Orr-Ewing to celebrate the joy that birds bring us, the urgent threats they face, and the science and conservation work protecting them. 

David Lindo, also known as The Urban Birder, is a wildlife broadcaster, nature writer and urban wildlife educationalist. He is Vice-President of the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust, Honorary President of the Colombia Bird Fair, and was voted 7th most influential person in Wildlife by BBC Wildlife Magazine.

Duncan Orr-Ewing is Head of Species and Land Management for RSPB Scotland.

This event includes live Q&A.

Supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery

Book Now nms.ac.uk/JoyofBirds 

 
Follow us on Twitter…twitter.com/NtlMuseumsScot 

Follow us on Facebook…facebook.com/NationalMuseumsScotland 

Follow us on Instagram…instagram.com/nationalmuseumsscotland/ 

For booking, opening times and location details, contact National Museums Scotland on 0300 123 6789 

What’s On at National Museums of Scotland: Exhibitions and Events

EXHIBITIONS & DISPLAYS 

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

Audubon’s Birds of America 
Until 8 May 2022 
Exhibition Gallery 1, Level 3 
Ticketed, £0-£10 
 
This exhibition examines 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 showcases 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/BirdsofAmerica 

LAST CHANCE TO SEE Scotland’s Climate Challenge 

Until 27 Mar 2022 
Exhibition Gallery 3, Level 1 
Free  

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
 

The Typewriter Revolution 
Until 11 Sep 2022 
Exhibition Gallery 2, Level 3 
Free entry 

The typewriter’s social and technological influence is revealed in this 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 and supporting Year of Stories 2022. 

Visit nms.ac.uk/walterscottexhibition 
 

*NEW* Book of Hours 

31 Mar – 3 Aug 2022 
Kingdom of the Scots gallery (Level 1) 
Free  

Explore the pages of an illustrated prayer book featuring a handwritten poem by a young Mary, Queen of Scots in this display.  

Written in Latin on vellum, the Book of Hours contains 40 exquisite illuminations by a 16th century Master artist. Used for private worship, it belonged to Mary’s great aunt Louise de Bourbon, Abbess of Fontevraud, who is believed to have gifted this precious volume to the young queen.

The book will be exhibited in the Kingdom of the Scots gallery in a display alongside other objects associated with Mary, Queen of Scots. Six different pages within the book will be revealed, with a new page displayed every three weeks. A QR code will allow you to scroll through the vividly illustrated pages in detail. 
 
The Book of Hours is on loan to National Museums Scotland from The Pininski Foundation, Liechtenstein. 

Visit nms.ac.uk/exhibitions-events 

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. 

Supported by Baillie Gifford Investment Managers. 

Visit nms.ac.uk/Anatomy 

 
EVENTS

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

Spotlight On: Audubon’s Birds of America 
8 Mar 2022 
14:00-15:00 
Auditorium, Level 1, National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF 
Free, advance booking required.  
Suitable for those aged 12 and over. 

Join exhibition Curator Mark Glancy and Paper Conservator Lisa Cumming as they discuss how our upcoming exhibition Audubon’s Birds of America took flight.   
Discover how Birds of America, one of the world’s rarest and most coveted books, was made, and learn about the ongoing conservation work to preserve these life-size, hand-coloured prints for future generations.  

Book now nms.ac.uk/exhibitions-events 

Relaxed Opening Hour  
27 Mar 2022  
10:00-11:00  
Free entry  
 
These monthly Relaxed Opening Hours are for anyone who would appreciate a calmer visit to the museum.  
  
This session is primarily for, but not limited to, families with autistic children; autistic 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.    

Friendly staff will be there to give you a warm welcome and support your visit, as you explore some areas of the museum without noisy interactives and videos to give a more relaxed environment. The Relaxed Opening Hour includes access to the entirety of the museum currently open to the public. At 11:00 sound will be switched back on, but visitors to this session are welcome to remain in the museum for as long as they like.   
 
Find out more at nms.ac.uk/exhibitions-events 

*NEW*  Edinburgh Science Festival 2022 

9 Apr – 24 Apr 2022 
10:00 – 17:00 

Two weeks of science-fuelled exploration at the National Museum of Scotland, from free interactive exhibits to family workshops and adult talks.  

The Grand Gallery will be home to DataSphere, a multi-media exploration of the information driving our world. Elsewhere in the museum gets hands-on with amazing drop-in experiments from the University of Edinburgh, and children’s workshops exploring everything from Creative Coding to Disease Detectives.

Adults can enjoy a series of fascinating talks and debates on topics from climatology and the philosophy of science to death, folklore and the cities of the future. Speakers include A.C. Grayling, Jim Al-Khalili, Alice Bell and Mary Roach. And join DataSphere After Dark, with bars, a DJ and exclusive activities just for grown-ups. 

Take the chance to have as much fun as the kids as you send, swipe and scroll through the data that drives our world. 

To book or find out more, visit the Edinburgh Science Festival website. 

 
National Museum of Flight  
East Fortune Airfield, East Lothian, EH39 5LF  
Saturdays and Sundays 10:00 – 16:00 
 
*NEW* National Lottery Open Week 

26 Mar – 27 Mar 2022 
10:00 – 16:00 
Free entry on presentation of National Lottery ticket (T&Cs apply) 
 
On 26 and 27 March, the National Museum of Flight is taking part in the National Lottery Open Week.   

As a recipient of National Lottery funding, we are inviting players to the museum for free for the weekend, to say thank you for their support. Please book a timed entry ticket online for every member of your group in advance of your visit. 

Book now nms.ac.uk/exhibitions-events 


ONLINE 

*NEW* Museum Socials: Audubon’s Birds of America 

18 Mar 2022 
11:00–12:00 
Online 
Free 
 
Museum Socials are created for anyone affected by Dementia and their relatives, friends and supporters. The monthly events create a friendly environment where everyone is welcome and all contributions are valued. They are suitable for first-time visitors and for those who might not regularly come to the museum, as well as people who have always loved visiting.  

In March, join exhibition curator Mark Glancy to learn about the making of Birds of America, one of the world’s rarest and most coveted books. 

Book nms.ac.uk/MuseumSocials 

The Joy of Birds 

31 Mar 2022 
19:30-20:30 
Online 
Free, with optional donation 

Join David Lindo and Paul Walton for an online discussion celebrating the joy that birds bring us, the urgent threats they face, and the science and conservation work protecting them.  

David Lindo, also known as The Urban Birder, is a wildlife broadcaster, nature writer and urban wildlife educationalist. He is Vice-President of the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust, Honorary President of the Colombia Bird Fair, and was voted 7th most influential person in wildlife by BBC Wildlife Magazine. 

Paul Walton is Head of Habitats and Species for RSPB Scotland. 

Supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery. 

Book Now nms.ac.uk/JoyofBirds 

 
Follow us on Twitter…twitter.com/NtlMuseumsScot 

Follow us on Facebook…facebook.com/NationalMuseumsScotland 

Follow us on Instagram…instagram.com/nationalmuseumsscotland/ 

For booking, opening times and location details, contact National Museums Scotland on 0300 123 6789 

National Museums Scotland: What’s on this month

National Museums Scotland’s exhibition Audubon’s Birds of America opens this month, please see details of the exhibition and related events below, followed by all other National Museums Scotland listings to 12 March 2022. 


OPENING SOON Audubon’s Birds of America 
12 Feb – 8 May 2022 
National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF 
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/BirdsofAmerica 

NEW February Half Term 

14 Feb – 17 Feb 2022 
10:00 – 12:00 & 14:00 – 16:00 
Grand Gallery, National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF 
Free, drop-in 

Swoop into the National Museum of Scotland for some feathery February half term fun or download a hands-on activity to try at home.  

Join our Learning Enabler team at their drop-in Learning Trolleys to find out the basics of birdwatching – what to take, where to look and what to look for. Or have a go at a bird chatter challenge and see if you can match the bird to its call. 

Next, imagine the Grand Gallery is a garden and look up to spy six beautiful birds perched around the balcony. Can you identify all six and complete the answers on our bird watching challenge sheet?  

You can also fold your own paper origami dove with the team from Burns & Beyond. These doves will later be flown alongside 2,500 others in artist Michael Pendry’s creation, to debut at St Giles’ Cathedral in March 2022. 

Event supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery 

Visit nms.ac.uk/exhibitions-events 

 
Spotlight On: Audubon’s Birds of America 
8 Mar 2022 
14:00-15:00 
Auditorium, Level 1, National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF 
Free, advance booking required.  
Suitable for those aged 12 and over. 

Join exhibition Curator Mark Glancy and Paper Conservator Lisa Cumming as they discuss how our upcoming exhibition Audubon’s Birds of America took flight.   
Discover how Birds of America, one of the world’s rarest and most coveted books, was made, and learn about the ongoing conservation work to preserve these life-size, hand-coloured prints for future generations.  

Book now nms.ac.uk/exhibitions-events 

NEW Mindful viewing of Audubon’s Birds of America 

6 March 2022 
17:30-19:00 
National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF 
£15, £13 Members and Concessions 

A rare chance to explore our special exhibition after hours, hosted by museum mindfulness teacher Laura Baxter. Taking time to savour pleasant experiences, such as looking at art, can increase our mental wellbeing. 

This session will invite visitors to first freely browse the exhibition, then as a group focus on a single work of art within the exhibition, discovering how to enjoy the artwork and experience how to engage with it mindfully, moment by moment. Through guided mindfulness practices, participants will discover how to slow down, connect with the artwork and each other. 

Part of the National Museum of Scotland’s Wellbeing Weekend.

Book Now nms.ac.uk/WellbeingWeekend 

NEW The Joy of Birds 

31 Mar 2022 
19:30-20:30 
Online 
Free, with optional donation 

Join David Lindo and Paul Walton for an online discussion celebrating the joy that birds bring us, the urgent threats they face, and the science and conservation work protecting them.  

David Lindo, also known as The Urban Birder, is a wildlife broadcaster, nature writer and urban wildlife educationalist. He is Vice-President of the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust, Honorary President of the Colombia Bird Fair, and was voted 7th most influential person in Wildlife by BBC Wildlife Magazine. 

Paul Walton is Head of Habitats and Species for RSPB Scotland. 

Supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery. 

Book Now nms.ac.uk/JoyofBirds 

Exhibitions & Displays 

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

 
National Museum of Flight 
East Fortune Airfield, East Lothian, EH39 5LF 
Saturdays and Sundays 10:00 – 16:00 

LAST CHANCE TO SEE LEGO® Concorde Model 
Until 6 February 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 

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

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 

NEW Wellbeing Weekend: Yoga, sketching and mindfulness 

4 Mar – 6 Mar 2022 
 
A weekend of resetting, relaxing and reflection within the inspiring architecture and galleries of the National Museum of Scotland.   

As we emerge from the darkest months of the year, join us for a series of events to reset your body and uplift your mind. From relaxing yoga to mindful sketching, make the most of our unique spaces and inspiring galleries to improve and enhance your wellbeing. 

The times, dates, prices and booking info for individual events across the weekend are below. 

Yin Yang Flow Yoga 

Friday 4 March 
18:00-19:15 
£15, £13 Members and Concessions 
 
Morning Ashtanga Yoga 

Saturday 5 March  
08:15-09:15 
£15, £13 Members and Concessions 
 
Mindful Sunday Sketch 

Sunday 6 March, 
13:00-14:30 and 15:00-16:30 
£10, £8 Members and Concessions 
 
Wellbeing Trail 

4-6 March 
Free 
See the museum in a new light using our Wellbeing Audio Trail, or pick up a paper copy in the Grand Gallery. 

Book Now nms.ac.uk/WellbeingWeekend 

 
Follow us on Twitter…twitter.com/NtlMuseumsScot 

Follow us on Facebook…facebook.com/NationalMuseumsScotland 

Follow us on Instagram…instagram.com/nationalmuseumsscotland/ 

For booking, opening times and location details, contact National Museums Scotland on 0300 123 6789 

National Museums Scotland listings to 15 February

Exhibitions & Displays 

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


 
OPENING SOON 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.  

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 

 
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 

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

Origami Dove Making 
Fri 21 – Sun 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 in March 2022.  

This event is part of Burns & Beyond 2022. 

Visit nms.ac.uk/origami-dove-making 

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 

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 

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 

*NEW Spotlight On: Audubon’s Birds of America *

8 Mar 2022 
14:00-15:00 
Auditorium, Level 1 
Free, advance booking required.  
Suitable for those aged 12 and over. 

Join exhibition Curator Mark Glancy and Paper Conservator Lisa Cumming as they discuss how our upcoming exhibition Audubon’s Birds of America took flight.

Discover how Birds of America, one of the world’s rarest and most coveted books, was made, and learn about the ongoing conservation work to preserve these life-size, hand-coloured prints for future generations.  

Exhibition supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery 

Boon now nms.ac.uk/exhibitions-events 

 
Follow us on Twitter…twitter.com/NtlMuseumsScot 

Follow us on Facebook…facebook.com/NationalMuseumsScotland 

Follow us on Instagram…instagram.com/nationalmuseumsscotland/ 

For booking, opening times and location details, contact National Museums Scotland on 0300 123 6789 

National Museums Scotland – listings to 30 January 2022

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   

 
Follow us on Twitter…twitter.com/NtlMuseumsScot 

Follow us on Facebook…facebook.com/NationalMuseumsScotland 

Follow us on Instagram…instagram.com/nationalmuseumsscotland/ 

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

National Museums Scotland: What’s On

National Museums Scotland listings to 31 December 

Festive Fun at the National Museum of Rural Life 

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

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 a spectacular willow star with artist Anna Cross. In these half-day workshops for adults, both beginners and seasoned crafters alike will learn how to create their own beautiful decoration. A stylish alternative to traditional Christmas wreaths, you’ll want to display your large willow star year after year.  
 
Book now: nms.ac.uk/exhibitions-events  
 
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   

Festive Family Crafts  
27 Nov – 28 Nov 2021  
Sat: 10:30 – 16:00  
Sun: 10:30 – 15:30  
Free with pre-booked museum admission  
 
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  
 

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 

 
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 
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 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 

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 

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 

 
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  

NEW Costume Conversations 
22 Nov 2021, 17:00 
Free Instagram live, follow @nationalmuseumsscotland  

Join the final instalment of our Instagram Live series exploring how one object can tell multiple stories.   
In Costume Conversations our expert panel will explore how clothes tell stories on stage and screen. We’re asking the big questions about costume interpretation to find out just what’s involved in fashioning the past in the present. 

View nms.ac.uk/CostumeConversations  

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 

Follow us on Twitter…twitter.com/NtlMuseumsScot 

Follow us on Facebook…facebook.com/NationalMuseumsScotland 

Follow us on Instagram…instagram.com/nationalmuseumsscotland/ 

For booking, opening times and location details, contact National Museums Scotland on 0300 123 6789