A black and white photo of a group of people standing in a city square holding balloons. There is a child's pram covered in protest signs and buttons.
Just announced
Event

Banners, Ballads and Badges

Sat 8 March, 13:00-15:30

National Museum of Scotland

£5, £3 Members & Conc

About Banners, Ballads and Badges

Join an afternoon of talks and crafts as we discuss the vibrant anti-nuclear protests between the 1970s and 1990s and consider the unique role women played in Scotland’s peace movement.   

The impact of the Cold War still lingers in Scottish politics, culture and the collective memory. Through an afternoon of talks and crafts, learn about the anti-nuclear protest movement during the 1970s–1990s and discover the Scottish women who devoted their lives and careers to highlighting the impact of war on contemporary society.  

Joining us on the day will be speakers from National Museums Scotland, the National Library of Scotland and the Gareloch Horticulturalists (Horties). Together they will discuss the significance of Scotland’s peace camps and vibrant anti-nuclear protests, which attracted women from all over the world.  

Our speakers will also explore how activism and protest material from this period has been collected, documented and preserved for future generations, and consider how it has influenced contemporary political and environmental movements internationally. 

On the day

TimeActivity
13:00Drop in to our Event Space to view peace banners and create your own origami peace crane and feminist pin badge. This craft session will be led by The Gareloch Horticulturalists (Horties).
14:00Take your seat in the Auditorium for our panel discussion, hosted by award-winning broadcaster and author Gemma Cairney.
15:10Staying in the Auditorium, composer Penny Stone leads us in song, sharing the history and meaning behind some old and new peace and protest songs. Join in or sit back and enjoy.
15:30Opportunity for a self-led visit to the Cold War Scotland exhibition.

Our panellists

Dr Sarah Harper is Cold War Research Fellow at National Museums Scotland. Sarah's research on Scottish anti-nuclear protest material is featured in our Cold War Scotland exhibition and publication. 

Hannah Grout is Assistant Curator on the Scottish Women Waging Peace Project at the National Library of Scotland. The project aims to catalogue and promote archival material to illuminate the under-explored histories of women’s engagement in politics and activism. 

Beth Junor is a writer, gallerist and peace activist. She was involved with Greenham Common Women's Peace Camp in the 1980s and 1990s. During this time, she carried out numerous non-violent direct actions in support of nuclear disarmament. 

Caroline Westgate is a member of The Gareloch Horticulturalists (Horties), a women's non-violent direct action peace group. The group's 40th anniversary of campaigning and acting for the abolition of nuclear weapons in the UK using a range of creative methods was recently celebrated at Glasgow Women's Library.

Accessibility and facilities

We want everyone who comes to our museums to enjoy their time with us and make the most of their visit.  If you have any access requirements, please email us in advance at  PublicEvents@nms.ac.uk.

Museum entrances

There is level access to the museum via the main doors to the Entrance Hall on Chambers Street, the Tower entrance at the corner of Chambers Street and George IV Bridge, and the Lothian Street entrance.

Lifts

Lifts are available to all floors of the museum. 

Toilets

There are toilets on most levels of the museum, including accessible toilets and baby changing facilities. There is a Changing Places (U) toilet in the Entrance Hall on Level 0. 

Borrow a wheelchair

Wheelchairs are available for loan at no charge. Please note wheelchairs cannot be booked in advance. On arrival, ask about availability at the Information Desk. 

Small mobility scooters are permitted inside the museum.

Assistance dogs

Guide dogs, hearing dogs and other recognised assistance dogs are admitted. 

Induction loops and hearing helpers

Induction loops

There are induction loops throughout the museum. They can be found at: 

• Information desks at the Main Entrance and Tower Entrance
• The Auditorium
• The Dunfermline Room lecture theatre

Hearing helpers

If you are here for a workshop, staff leading them are happy to wear microphones provided.

We also have a set of hearing helpers which staff can use during a session.

Visit our accessibility page for general access information for the National Museum of Scotland. 

In partnership with Glasgow Women’s Library and the National Library of Scotland. 

Part of International Women’s Day. 

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