Enter the Pharaoh’s Tomb Hawick Museum until March

Staff at Hawick, working with volunteer artists, have created a fabulous walk-in Egyptian tomb for this exhibition, complete with painted interior and hieroglyphics, set against a Nile backdrop featuring pyramids and animals. Artefacts include a sarcophagus and mummified heads. Children’s activities and schools’ workshops. Tel: 01450 373457.

Heaven and Hell (and other worlds of the dead) Royal Museum Edinburgh until February 11

A major exhibition exploring beliefs about the afterlife from around the world. More than 350 objects are used to tell the story of the rituals, superstitions, traditions and attitudes that have surrounded death over the past 6,000 years. The show features mummies, cannibal forks and fantasy coffins. For information on schools’ workshops and in-service sessions, tel: 0131 247 4206.

Outside Influence Gracefield Arts Centre, Dumfries September 22-October 21

This promises to be an inspirational show by pupils and artists involved in the 1999-2000 artists in schools “Creative Education” project in Dumfries and Galloway.

Four artists were based in four schools throughout the year, and helped pupils to create pottery, jewellery, fantasy costumes and other work. The project is due to continue this year with four new artists. For details tel: 01387 262084.

When Coal was King Kirkcaldy Museum and Art Gallery, until October 15

An excellent show with great local appeal, this exhibition examines the rich social and industrial history of Fife coal mining, past and present.

Displays include artefacts, photographs, documents, oral history, etc. It forms part of the “Journey to the Centre of the Earth” project, a series of related exhibitions about the historyof coal in the area, being mounted in Fife museums this year. For information about schools’ visits, tel: 01592 412860 .

Expressions: Scottish Art 1976- 1989 McManus Galleries and DCA Dundee, September 16-November 5

The third in a series of four exhibitions tracing the history of Scottish art since 1945. Its second and final venue is Dundee where the show is being split over two sites. Featuring paintings, sculpture, photographs and prints by 76 leading artists including Steven Campbell, David Mach, Alison Watt and Peter Howson. For information on the extensive education programme, tel: 01382 432248 .

John Byrne @ 60 and Golly It’s Good Paisley Museum and Art Galleries until October 1

John Byrne, Paisley born and bred, is an artist in the widest sense of the word, having made his name as an author, designer and painter. This exhibition features work from all areas of his artistic life including record covers and portraits of Robbie Coltrane and Billy Connolly.

Golly It’s Good tells the story of Paisley jam and marmalade manufacturer James Robertson amp; Sons. For information about schools’ programmes for both shows, tel: 0141 889 3151.

Open Your Eyes Chessels Gallery, Moray House, Edinburgh until September 29

“Open Your Eyes” is the title of an education programme developed by Visual Arts Scotland. Working with primary teachers, initially in Edinburgh, it aims to increase children’s involvement in art and develop their observational skills.

On show here is the work of P4-P7 pupils who were given the opportunity to observe and respond creatively to the work of established Scottish artists in last year’s Visual Arts Scotland show at the Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh. The result, say the organisers, is “a vibrant exhibition that is beautiful, colourful and inspiring”, tel: 0131 226 3111.