National Museums Scotland in Edinburgh has released the details of eight new exhibitions to be unveiled in 2008, to coincide with the kick-start of the museum’s £46m revamp.

The Silver: Made in Scotland exhibit will feature silver spanning seven centuries, while February’s Your Museum is Changing will provide a behind-the- scenes glimpse of the refurbishment and what will be offered on completion in 2011.

In March, Changing Hip Knits will look at the last century of knitwear design and Call to Arms will showcase what life was like for Scots in battle across the ages.

Life in Subartic Canada opens in May – a collaborative exhibition reflecting the museum’s strong links with Canada and revealing the lives of indigineous communities in the region with objects collected for the museum by 19th century Scottish fur traders.

In July, a new permanent gallery called Scotland: A Changing Nation will cover some of the major influences to have shaped the lives of Scots since World War I.

In September a generic display of former favourite and never-seen-before objects will be on show and the Jean Muir exhibit will open in November.