In Conversation: Understanding Prehistoric Lives Beyond Conflict

Tristan Hughes works as a presenter for the TV & Podcast Network History Hit, the UK’s biggest digital history brand across Video On Demand, Podcasts, social media and the web. He has presented several ancient history documentaries over the years ranging from Prehistoric Scotland and the Picts to Pompeii and Petra. He is the author of 'Alexander's Successors at War: The Perdiccas Years' and is the host of the award-winning ancient history and archaeology podcast, 'The Ancients'.

Nicole DeRushie is an independent researcher-practitioner in ancient fibre arts and textiles and living history educator. She is the author of the best-selling book, ‘Bog Fashion' and the creator behind the popular Instagram account, @grounded_history. Nicole works with museums in Oxford and gives talks, workshops and demonstrations around the country and abroad.

Dr Matthew Knight is Senior Curator of Prehistory at National Museums Scotland, responsible for the Scottish Chalcolithic and Bronze Age collections. He is the curator of the ‘Scotland’s First Warriors’ exhibition.

Matthew's research is largely focused on Bronze Age material culture, predominantly metalwork and depositional practices. He is interested in how prehistoric people engaged with their materials, particularly how they treated their objects both before and during the process of intentionally burying them. He has explored this in his research through the themes of memory, identity, and object biography, as well as undertaking experimental activities to better understand prehistoric processes.  

National Museums Scotland have a non-refundable and non-transferable ticketing policy.

See our full Ticketing Terms and Conditions.

You can make your way to the Auditorium by walking through the Collecting Stories gallery. Go through the glass doors and the Auditorium will be on your left.

The door to the Auditorium is not automatic and cannot be opened by a push pad. During an event it may already be open or you can open it by pulling it towards you. 

There are four designated spaces for wheelchairs in the Auditorium. Two are at the front on Level 1 and two are at the back on Level 2. You can access the upper spaces by taking the lift next to the Auditorium. A staff member will be available to give directions to the lift. 

These spaces can be booked in advance. Please contact publicevents@nms.ac.uk to book a designated wheelchair space.

There is significant space to use a wheelchair in the Auditorium. 

You can borrow a wheelchair from the information desks at the Entrance Hall and Tower Entrance. They cannot be booked in advance.

Seats in the Auditorium are fixed and tiered. There are steps and handrails on either side of the seating rows. 

The seats are cushioned and have arm rests on either side. 

There is 18cm of leg room between rows. 

If you require a seat at the front or near the front, please contact publicevents@nms.ac.uk. 

There is an induction loop in the Auditorium. 

The nearest toilets are on Level 1 next to the Lothian Street Entrance. There are standard toilets and an accessible toilet. A baby changing table is located in the accessible toilet. 

If you require a changing places toilet, please ask a member of staff.