National Museums Scotland

The Lewis Chessmen: Unmasked National Museum of Scotland 21 May – Sun 19 September Special Exhibitions gallery, Level 3 Free
This prestigious new exhibition features chessmen drawn from the collections of National Museums Scotland and the British Museum, The Lewis Chessmen: Unmasked is the most comprehensive exhibition on the chessmen for over a decade. The exhibition addresses the mystery and intrigue surrounding the chessmen, explores the stories surrounding their discovery and shows how the characters reflected society at the time they were made. It draws upon new research by National Museums Scotland on their craftsmanship, origins and historical context to provide visitors with a new and vibrant perspective on the chessmen. The National Museum of Scotland is the first venue for the exhibition, which will later travel to Aberdeen Art Gallery, Shetland Museum & Archives and Museum nan Eilean in Stornoway. The exhibition and tour has been made possible with funding from the Scottish Government.

Land Girls and Lumber Jills National War Museum 26 February 2010 – February 2011 Included in Edinburgh Castle admission This new exhibition tells the important story of the Women’s Land Army (WLA) and Women’s Timber Corps (WTC) in Scotland. From roots in the First World War, these Land Girls and Lumber Jills played a vital role in feeding the nation and providing timber. Objects include a formal uniform from the 1940s right up to the 2008 medal awarded to all surviving members of both the WLA and WTC. ‘Land girls’ took on all types of agricultural work from sowing to harvesting, calving to shearing, whilst the Women’s Timber Corps supplied the wood. Some volunteered but others were conscripted as by 1941 all women under the age of 60, without children under 14, could be called up for essential war work.  Public recognition of the vital hard work and commitment from these women arrived in 2008 when they were issued with a medal which incorporated the designs from both the Land Army badge and that of the Timber Corps, along with a certificate of thanks from the Prime Minister.

Treasured: Wonderful Things, Amazing Stories National Museum of Scotland Until 2011 Free This exhibition offers the chance to discover some of the most extraordinary treasures in the care of National Museums Scotland. Featuring over 300 objects drawn from the four corners of the globe and spanning across centuries, Treasured: Wonderful Things, Amazing Stories celebrates the wonder and diversity of the National Museums’ world-class collections. From a Sumatran tiger to a Victorian corset, Treasured is an eclectic mix of the spectacular, extraordinary, precious and personal. The exhibition provides a link to the Royal Museum collections during closure, casting new light on familiar objects and also giving a first glimpse of some of the objects which will feature in the redeveloped National Museum of Scotland when it re-opens in 2011.

Events/activities
National Museum of Scotland
Summer events Summer Science Weekdays Mon 12 – Fri 30 July Connect gallery 11:00 – 13:00/ 14:00 – 16:00 Age 5+ Free (Drop-in) Join in our three-week programme of science fun, featuring scientists and astronomers from the Edinburgh Royal Observatory and the University of Edinburgh. We have everything from Huge Telescopes to Build a Superbug workshops! Check www.nms.ac.uk/events for details.
A Slice of Life Mon 19 July – Sun 8 August 11:00 – 13:00/ 14:00 – 16:00 Free (Drop-in) Step back in time and encounter everyday characters from Scottish history, all with a story to tell. From an alewife to a steam engine driver – who will you meet today? There will be two characters daily – check the information screens for gallery locations. Sounds Global Sat 24 – Sun 25 July Hawthornden Court Level 1 and galleries 12:00-16:00 Free (Drop-in) Witness an explosive Bhangra hip hop DJ set with live Punjabi percussion by Tigerstyle. Baobab Gateway introduce world rhythms from the Middle East.
Visit www.nms.ac.uk/soundsglobal for full details. Part of Stories of the World, one of the major projects at the heart of the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad. Free Fringe Music Mon 9 – Sat 28 August Hawthornden Court 12:45 (45mins) Free Liven up your lunchtime at the Museum! Sit back and enjoy the music of some of Scotland’s most talented musicians – for free! Drawing on the Lewis Chessmen for inspiration, our programme stretches from Norway to the shores of Lewis. From fiddles and flutes to ballads and brass, why not join us every day during the festival for an uplifting lunchtime. For more details visit www.nms.ac.uk/fringe Fringe Finale Ceilidh Sun 29 August Hawthornden Court 14:00 (1hr 30mins) Free Join our popular local ceilidh band the Canongate Cadjers as we round off our annual Fringe programme in traditional style. All are welcome to come and clap along, learn some steps and enjoy a good shindig.
Medieval Soap Sculptures Sun 5 September Hawthornden Court Level 1 12:00-16:00 Free (Drop-in) Carve your very own chess piece inspired by the Lewis Chessmen. Look closely at the Chessmen to create your own queen, bishop or humourous berserker. Or invent your own chess character to add to the board.
Talks and lectures Understanding Technology: Making Jet Propulsion Work Mon 30 August Dunfermline Room 15:00 (1hr 30mins) Free – Book on 0131 225 7534 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 0131 225 7534 end_of_the_skype_highlighting Professor Phil Scranton from Rutgers University, New Jersey, discusses complexity and contingency in technological innovation in the latest talk in this popular Understanding Technology series. In association with the Institute for the Study of Science, Technology and Innovation, University of Edinburgh.
Film Screening – Fir- tàilisg Leòdhais: Lewis Chessmen Sat 4 September Dunfermline Room 14:30 (1hr 30mins) Free – Book on 0131 225 7534 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 0131 225 7534 end_of_the_skype_highlighting This is your opportunity to see the full version of the BBC Alba film featured in our special exhibition The Lewis Chessmen: Unmasked. Film director David Halliday will introduce the screening and there will be a Q&A session afterwards with the exhibition’s curator Dr David Caldwell. Weekend events Connect Super Science Shows Connect gallery Every Sat and Sun 12:15/13:15/14:15/15:15 (20mins) Age 5+ Limited space (seating for 20) Free Come along to our free events every weekend in Connect. Find out about science in the real world at our Meet the Scientist events or enjoy a Super Science Show!
Free Tours: Scottish Collections Tours leave from the Hawthornden Court meeting point:
Highlights Tour (1hr) Daily 11:30/13:30
Themed Tour (1hr) Daily 14:30
Family Tour (15mins) Sat 14:00
Treasured: Wonderful Things, Amazing Stories Tour (1hr) Tue 15:00/Fri 12:00
Information about topics for themed and family tours can be found on the museum’s information screens and on our website www.nms.ac.uk/tours.

National War Museum
Special events
Life in the Trenches Sat 7 – Sun 8 August 9:45 – 16:00 Events are included in Castle admission
What was it like wearing a kilt in the trenches? Learn about the hardships faced by the Gordon Highlanders during the First World War. Regular troops are joined by the nursing corps, who share the importance of their role in the conflict.

Medieval Mercenaries Sat 21 – Sun 22 August 9:45 – 16:00 Events are included in Castle admission Fourteenth century Scottish soldiers – blue faces, kilts and Mel Gibson, right? Uncover the real story, from mercenaries to knights in armour. See the battle demonstrations and hands-on medieval workshops.