
Butter Making
About Butter Making
In this fun, hands-on workshop, pupils discover where milk comes from and learn how cream is transformed into butter. Pupils will learn about traditional milkmaid methods, then churn and taste their own butter.
Adaptable version available.
What will my pupils do in the workshop?
This session takes place in our Learning Centre.
In this fun, interactive workshop, pupils discover where milk, cream, and butter come from and will
- Learn about modern and traditional milking techniques, and the history of butter making
- Get hands-on with our plunge churn and butter pats
- Churn and taste their very own butter.
Pupils will have the opportunity to visit the farm during their visit and meet our herd of Ayrshire dairy cows.
Dietary Requirements
Please let us know of any allergies or dietary requirements upon booking as this workshop will include food tasting.
We cannot guarantee that our Farm Explorer tractor-trailer will be running during your visit.
Workshop breakdown
Please note: timings are subject to change and are only indicative of the session.
Introduction (5 minutes): Welcome and introduction to the workshop by the Learning Communicator. A visual timetable will be shown.
All About Milk (20 minutes): Pupils learn where milk comes from through discussion, a short quiz, and stories about milk production past and present using objects from our collection.
Butter Activities (20 minutes): Pupils explore how butter is made through a hands-on shaping activity and by making their own butter. This part of the session may be noisy.
Tasting (10 minutes): Pupils have the opportunity to taste the butter they have made on a cracker.
Wrap Up (5 minutes): The Learning Communicator will recap the session and say goodbye.
Staff were very helpful. Children enjoyed butter making and tasting their produce. There are great playground facilities for wind down time after the busy day.
P1 teacher, Glasgow
- Curriculum links
LIT 0-10a LIT 1-10a LIT 2-10a
TCH 0- 04a TCH 1- 04a TCH 2-4a
TCH 0-05a TCH 1-05a
HWB 0-35a HWB 1-35a HWB 2-35a
HWB 0-30b, HWB 1-30b
SOC 0-04a SOC 1-04a SOC 2-04a
SOC 1-09a
SCN2-15a
- Sustainable development goals
2, 3, 4, 8, 12, 15, 17
- Meta skills framework
Self-management: Focusing, Adapting
Social intelligence: Communicating, Collaborating
Innovation:Curiosity, Sense-making
Available dates
October 2026
Tue 6 Oct 2026 - 10:30 and 11:45
Wed 7 Oct 2026 - 10:30 and 11:45
Thu 8 Oct 2026 - 10:30 and 11:45
November 2026
Tue 3 Nov 2026 - 10:30 and 11:45
Wed 4 Nov 2026 - 10:30 and 11:45
Thu 5 Nov 2026 - 10:30 and 11:45
Tue 17 Nov 2026 - 10:30 and 11:45
Wed 18 Nov 2026 - 10:30 and 11:45
Thu 19 Nov 2026 - 10:30 and 11:45
December 2026
9 Dec 2026 - 10:30 and 11:45
10 Dec 2026 - 10:30 and 11:45
January 2027
Tue 19 Jan 2027 - 10:30 and 11:45
Wed 20 Jan 2027 - 10:30 and 11:45
Thu 21 Jan 2027 - 10:30 and 11:45
February 2027
23 Feb 2027 - 10:30 and 11:45
24 Feb 2027 - 10:30- and 11:45
25 Feb 2027 - 10:30 and 11:45
March 2027
Tue 23 Mar 2027 - 10:30 and 11:45
Wed 24 Mar 2027 - 10:30 and 11:45
Thu 25 Mar 2027 - 10:30 and 11:45
April 2027
Tue 20 Apr 2027 - 10:30 and 11:45
Wed 21 Apr 2027 - 10:30 and 11:45
Thu 22 Apr 2027 - 10:30 and 11:45
May 2027
Tue 18 May 2027 - 10:30 and 11:45
Wed 19 May 2027 - 10:30 and 11:45
Thu 20 May 2027 - 10:30 and 11:45
Request a visit
Booking Terms and Conditions
Payment process
- Scottish State schools should raise a Purchase Order through their Local Authority procurement system for the cost of charged sessions. Purchase Order numbers should be notified to schools@nms.ac.uk at least 7 days in advance of the visit.
- Independent Schools will be invoiced after the visit. Payment terms are 15 days from date of invoice.
Cancellation Policy
- National Museums Scotland reserve the right to charge a fee for short notice cancellations or no-shows.
- Bookings cancelled less than 3 weeks prior to the visit will incur an administration fee of 50% of the value of chargeable events.
- Bookings cancelled less than 2 weeks prior to the visit will incur an administration fee of 100% of the value of chargeable events.
- A charge of 100% of the value of booked sessions will apply to no-show or last-minute cancellations.
- In certain circumstances National Museums Scotland may waive the administration fee.
- Cancellations should be notified in writing to schools@nms.ac.uk.
Free access for SIMD 1&2 schools
National Museums Scotland (NMS) Free Workshop Policy: Terms and Conditions
Eligibility and Access Policy for Free Workshops
As part of our commitment to inclusive education and community engagement, National Museums Scotland (NMS) is pleased to offer 20% of our educational workshops free of charge to schools located in areas designated as SIMD 1 and 2, based on the Scottish Government's Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD). The following terms and conditions apply:
Eligibility Criteria
- SIMD Designation: Schools must be located in areas classified as SIMD 1 or SIMD 2 (where at least 60% of pupils are also classified as SIMD 1 or 2) to qualify for free workshops.
- Verification: Eligibility will be verified using the latest SIMD data provided by the Scottish Government. Schools may be required to provide documentation or additional information to confirm their eligibility.
Workshop Availability
- Limited Slots: Free workshops are subject to availability, with 20% of our total workshop offerings reserved for eligible schools.
- Exclusions: Please note that this offer only applies to workshops delivered by National Museums Scotland staff and excludes special events, study days and special exhibition visits.
- Advance Booking: Schools are encouraged to book early to secure a place, as free workshop slots are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Waiting List: In the event that all free workshop slots are filled, eligible schools can be placed on a waiting list and will be notified if a slot becomes available.
Terms of Participation
- No Transport Cost Support: NMS does not provide financial support for transport costs. Schools are responsible for arranging and funding their own transportation to and from the museum.
- Cancellations: Schools must notify NMS at least two weeks in advance if they need to cancel a booking. Repeated cancellations without adequate notice may affect future eligibility for free workshops.
- Feedback: Participating schools may be asked to provide feedback on the workshops to help us improve our educational offerings. Participation in feedback activities is appreciated but not mandatory.
- Class cap: Workshop offer is limited to 4 classes from a school for each school session.
Application Process
- Application Form: Interested schools must complete the appropriate section in the booking request form.
- Supporting Documents: Schools may need to submit supporting documents to verify their eligibility based on SIMD status.
- Confirmation: Successful applicants will receive a confirmation email with details of their workshop booking.
We are dedicated to making our educational resources accessible to all and look forward to welcoming eligible schools to National Museums Scotland.
By participating in our workshops, schools agree to adhere to the above terms and conditions. NMS reserves the right to modify these terms and conditions at any time.
July 2024
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