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Join us for the global Earth Hour party, highlighting the need for action on climate change. As the lights are turned off, we will be stargazing and moon watching with freelance ranger, Elizabeth Tindall, followed by hot drinks, fun start trails and making activities inside he museum. Wrap up for all weathers. If it is raining there will be alternative indoor activities. Suitable for all ages. No booking required.

Discover how life on earth moved from water onto land 360-345 million years ago through ground-breaking discoveries made in Scotland in Fossil Hunters at Dumfries Museum from Friday 23 February - Sunday 22 April 2018. In Fossil Hunters, meet the people who uncovered these remarkable finds, discover the scientific techniques used to extract and identify them, and glimpse what life was like before the dinosaurs. Supported by the Natural Environment Research Council and the Heritage Lottery Fund.

We celebrate the opening of the National Museum of Scotland exhibition "Fossil Hunters" with a talk by Nick Fraser, Keeper of Natural Sciences at National Museums Scotland. New fossils from the Scottish Borders are of international significance. Nick will explore how these fossils are giving us a whole new understanding of the earliest invasion of land b back-boned animals about 360 million years ago. Light refreshments will be served.

2018 Foyer Exhibition From prehistoric axe heads to a post medieval gold ring, this exhibition showcases recent archaeological finds made in our history rich region.

From 9th May - Dean Castle, Kilmarnock Using Dean Castle's internationally renowned collections of early musical instruments, arms & armour and tapestries, this new exhibition looks at a time when art in Europe reflected a range of religious images, as well as folklore and mythological creatures. During the period known as the renaissance, Europe turned its back on the darkness and superstition of the middle-ages whilst recapturing the thought and vision of ancient Greek and Roman civilisation. The art of the Renaissance explored an unseen world of unearthly beings beyond our day-to-day existence and many of the objects on show here feature angels, strange plants and other mysterious creatures.

The political pioneer Keir Hardie died a hundred years ago in September 1915 but his legend endures. Date Occurs 28/05/2015 - 19/12/2015 Time Thurs - Sat 11am - 5pm Admission FREE

We are delighted to feature the work of Abram Games, one of the pivotal graphic designers of the 20th century. Date Occurs 16/05/2015 - 05/09/2015 Time Tues - Sat 11am - 5pm Admission FREE

East Ayrshire Council’s paintings collection includes artworks which date from as early as the 17th century and includes examples from each of the following historical periods from then up until the present day. Date Occurs 16/05/2015 - 05/09/2015 Time Tues - Sat 11am - 5pm Admission FREE

On the 18th June 1815 the Battle of Waterloo took place in Belgium, and saw the end of the Emperor Napoleon's attempts to rule Europe. Date Occurs 09/05/2015 - 30/09/2015 Time 11-5pm Admission FREE

When We Are Young is an exhibition of play and recreation for children and adults, celebrating how we have played in the past. Toys, games, amusements, posters, records and lots of other fun things will be on display. Supported by Museums Galleries Scotland, the exhibition offers space for community-curated displays, where local people will tell the story of how they played in the past. Toys, games and music will give visitors the chance for some hands-on fun! This is a family friendly exhibition, suitable for all ages. Linked to the exhibition is a digitisation project, which allows us to make our Toy collections more accessible online via our on-line exhibition. Look out for workshops and events throughout the year.

In July 2014 East Ayrshire Leisure Trust, on behalf of East Ayrshire Council, acquired one of the most important remaining artefacts relating to the Eglinton Tournament of 1839 - a silver-gilt statuette of the 13th Earl of Eglinton and his horse in their full Tournament armour. The statue, and a selection of watercolours and shields, will be on public display at the Dick Institute (South Museum) from Thursday 28th August (Tue – Sat 11am – 5pm) to commemorate the 175th Anniversary of the Eglinton Tournament.

100 years ago, in August 1914, the conflict that became known as the Great War began. It drew in nation after nation until it became truly a World War, affecting the lives of millions. This important anniversary will be marked nationwide. Our exhibition concentrates on the experiences of men and women of Ayrshire who served in the armed forces or who worked on the land, in factories, or in hospitals. The ways in which the war and its fallen were commemorated in the years afterwards will also be featured. Each section will be illustrated by contemporary objects and images. Linked to the exhibition is a digitisation project, supported by Heritage Lottery Fund, which will allow us to work with young people to make our World War One collections more accessible online. Look out for workshops and events throughout the year.