The Hunterston nuclear power station panel, showing lots of dials on red, blue, green and black squares on a grey machine.
Just announced
Event

Spotlight On: Cold War Scotland

Thu 5 Sep, 14:00–15:00

National Museum of Scotland

£5, £4 Members & Conc.

About Spotlight On: Cold War Scotland

Delve deeper into the stories of Cold War Scotland and explore how the period impacted and influenced Scottish lives, politics, landscapes and technologies.   

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 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. 

Dr Sam Alberti is Director of Collections at National Museums Scotland. Professor Holger Nehring is Chair in Contemporary European History at the University of Stirling.   

Materialising the Cold War Project

National Museums Scotland and the University of Stirling are leading Materialising the Cold War, a collaborative research project funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council which explores how museums exhibit the hopes and fears of the Cold War and considers the relevance of Cold War history and memory today.   

Our Cold War Scotland exhibition will be open to visit before and after this talk. Entry is free.

Accessibility and facilities

We want everyone who comes to our museums to enjoy their time with us and make the most of their visit. 

Museum entrances

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

Lifts

Lifts are available to all floors of the museum. 

Lift dimensions can be found on the AccessAble website. 

Toilets

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

Wheelchair access

In the Auditorium

At the front of the auditorium there are designated spaces for wheelchair users. Small mobility scooters are permitted inside the museum. 

Borrow a wheelchair

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

Hearing induction loops

There is an induction loop at the museum Information Desk and in the Auditorium. 

Assistance dogs

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

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

If you have any access requirements, please email us in advance at publicevents@nms.ac.uk. 

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Further content for Spotlight On: Cold War Scotland