History events in Edinburgh
Scroll down to view the upcoming History events taking place throughout Edinburgh or use the filters to narrow down the results.
Events in Edinburgh
Rosslyn Chapel & Scottish Antiquaries Exhibition
Historic Environment Scotland Archives acquired the Rosslyn Album in 2021 and this exhibition presents images from the archive collections relating to Rosslyn Chapel and the contents of the album.
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Daily Tours at St Giles’ Cathedral
Join a volunteer guide for a 45 min to 1 hour glimpse into the history, heraldry and life of our historic Cathedral and Thistle Chapel!
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Curious About Edinburgh - Quirky Heritage Walks for the Curious!
Have fun discovering Edinburgh on this award-winning, quirky, self-guided, heritage walk with a treasure hunt theme from Curious About!
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Abbey Strand Book Club
Explore spaces and objects which have shaped history and inspired fiction at the Abbey Strand book club!
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Treasures of the National Library of Scotland
The National Library of Scotland's permanent exhibition provides a unique insight into Scotland’s history, culture and people and its place in the world.
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Arthur’s Secrets
Come along on a guided walk to learn more about Arthur's Seat's turbulent past, created by fire and ice!
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Arthur’s Adventure
Come along on a more challenging guided walk to learn about Arthur’s Seat’s turbulent past, created by fire and ice!
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Treasures: Byron’s life in letters
Discover more about Lord Byron through the life and letters of the Romantic poet at this talk on 24th April at the National Library of Scotland!
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April Lectures and Fellowship Election
Our Spring Election event welcomes new Fellows to the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland. The meeting will also feature two short presentations given by Early Career Researchers.
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Arthur’s Amble
Come along for a gentle guided walk around Hunter’s Bog and St. Margaret’s Loch and learn more about Arthur’s Seat’s turbulent past, created by fire and ice!
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Robert Fergusson: the simmer o’ his life
This tribute event at Scottish Poetry Library on 1st May presents poetry read by James Robertson, who will be in conversation with Professor Rhona Brown.
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The Epic History of The Lord of the Rings
Journey deep into Tolkien's imagination, from The Lord of the Ring's mythic roots to its enduring legacy. Followed by Q&A.
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Edinburgh Rising from the Ashes: 200 Years of the Scottish Fire Service
Journey through two centuries of firefighting legacy with our special exhibition created in partnership with the Museum of Scottish Fire Heritage.
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Powder and Pomade
Join exhibition curator and Surveyor of The King's Pictures Anna Reynolds for a closer look at 18th-century hairstyles on 3rd May in The King's Gallery, Palace of Holyroodhouse!
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Journey to the Isles - Part of Tradfest 2024
A mesmerising glimpse into the landscapes, folktales and songs that inspired one of Scotland's great early collectors of traditional arts.
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Edinburgh Castle Gun Salutes
Edinburgh Castle hold a number of gun salutes throughout the year to mark various special occasions!
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Lunch Time Talk- Asbestos From Magic Mineral to Deathly Dust
Join Surgeons' Hall Museums Research Fellow Professor Ken Donaldson as he discusses Asbestos in this bite sized talk on 6th May!
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Unicorn Activity Day
The national animal of Scotland can be spotted all over the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Join us on 6th May for a day of activities celebrating the unicorn!
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Esmé Stuart d’Aubigny, 1st Duke of Lennox, portrait of a French courtier who shook James VI’s court
Dr. Elisabeth Rébeillé-Borgella, historian and tour guide, will deliver a talk about Esmé Stuart d’Aubigny (c.1542-1583), 1st Duke of Lennox at Institut Français d'Ecosse on 7th May!
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Jean Bareham: Walking Tour - ‘Women in History: A Disorderly Tale’
Join Edinburgh based guide, researcher and writer Jean Bareham on a walking tour of Collective and Calton Hill, Edinburgh on Thursday 9th May!
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A King’s Visit: George IV in Edinburgh
Join Emma Stead, Curator at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, to learn about George IV’s visit to Edinburgh in 1822.
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Yotties’ Week
Step aboard this Yotties’ Week, Mon 13 May - Thurs 16 May, to see the former Royal Yachtsmen don their white overalls once again and return to their beloved Britannia.
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An Evening with Surgeons’ Hall
Join us for this unique, adult only, after hours event in the historic Museum and Library of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh on 17th May!
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Sea Shanty Workshop
Come along to this workshop in sea shanties on 18th May with Scottish traditional folk singer, Joss Cameron!
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Ghosts - Tales of Terror at Lauriston Castle
Come along and see the sights of Lauriston Castle as never seen before – hear the history of the castle and ghostly tales of the city!
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Regency Soirée in the Georgian House
Join us on 25th May for an immersive Georgian-inspired experience, including guided historical dance, a special tour of the house and a period dance and music recital!
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Rhind Lectures 2024
In their most anticipated event of the year, the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland's 2024 Rhind Lectures return from 31st May to 2nd June.
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In remembrance of the Scottish Witch Hunts
The Weaving Creative Threads Event at the Scottish Storytelling Centre features an evocative blend of artists, storytellers, singers, and speakers gathering to remember Scotland's accused witches.
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Dressing Children in the 18th century
Join Assistant Curator Lucy Peter as she explores an important philosophical shift in attitudes towards childhood and children’s fashion in the 18th century!
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Lunch Time Talk - The Rise of Edinburgh’s Medical Institutions
Join Surgeons' Hall Museums Head of Museum, Learning and Interpretation Thomas Elliott as he discusses the rise of Edinburgh's medical institutions.
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150 years of women writing medicine
Join three specialists for a discussion on the writing of women doctors, past and present at Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh on 26th June!
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Spectacular Jousting
Hear the thunder of hooves and the clashing of lances at the annual jousting tournament at Linlithgow Palace on 29th and 30th June!
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Hands On History
Join us in the Family Room at The Palace of Holyroodhouse to get up close to some historical and replica objects.
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Midweek makes: Collage crowns
Join us in the Family Room at The Palace of Holyroodhouse to discover the stories behind some special crowns. Get creative by decorating your own crown to wear as you visit the rest of the Palace.
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Cold War Scotland
Exploring Scotland’s critical position on the frontline of the Cold War, a new exhibition will tell the stories of the Scots at the centre of this global conflict.
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Recycled fashion: Family workshop
Take part in a fun family workshop exploring fashion in Georgian Britain at The Palace of Holyroodhouse on 10th August!
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Textile Orientalisms: Paisley Shawls in Literature
Join the National Trust for Scotland on Friday 6th September at the Georgian House to welcome the author, Suchitra Choudhury, for a presentation of her work and wider discussion!
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History Events in East Renfrewshire
Here's a selection of History Events you can find over on our sister site, What's On East Renfrewshire:
Heritage Walk: Giffnock - Mines and Mysteries
Led by Dr. Stuart Nisbet this heritage walk will tell the story of how Giffnock's limestone and fireclay were quarried.
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Heritage Talk: Time Travel Under My Floorboards - Vikings To Victorians
Join Paul Noble on a time travelling journey from the vikings to the Victorians from objects he discovered in the crawl space under his house!
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Heritage Walk: Giffnock - Fire and Brimstone
Led by Dr. Stuart Nisbet as well as looking at Giffnock's Sandstone Quarries, this walk will tell the story of the hundreds of miners who worked coal from under much of Giffnock.
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Here's a selection of History Events you can find over on our sister site, What's On Fife:
43rd Festival of Historic Transport
The 43rd Festival of Historic Transport is taking place at The Scottish Vintage Bus Museum on Sunday 16th June!
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Plant Sale at St Athernase Church in Leuchars
The Regeneration Fundraising Committee for St Athernase will be holding a plant sale at the church as well as offering free conducted tours of one of Scotland's architectural gems.
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Arts Lecture - The Story of Jewellery in Scotland by Clare Blatherwick
The Arts Society Fife's art lecture on 14th May looks at the jewels of a nation and those in public and private collections, and in potrtais.
READ MOREHistory Events in Glasgow
Here's a selection of History Events you can find over on our sister site, What's On Glasgow:
Behind The Scenes Tour of GMRC
Glasgow Museums Resource Centre is home to over a million treasures, come and see for yourself on one of their regular Behind the Scenes Tours!
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Carmunnock Heritage Trail
Take a unique, free, self-guided, multi-media tour around Glasgow's last village - Carmunnock by following the Carmunnock Heritage Trail!
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The George Ward Collection: Images of Old Maryhill
The George Ward Collection exhibition at Maryhill Burgh Halls captures a Maryhill suspended in time, invoking nostalgia for a long-lost city landscape, along Maryhill Road and beyond.
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Here's a selection of History Events you can find over on our sister site, What's On Lanarkshire:
History In The Field
History In The Field is Scotland's newest multiperiod living history event, hosted by Western Desert Recce Group, at the David Livingstone Centre in Blantyre between the 19th and 21st of July!
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Lanark Medieval Celebration
Head to Lanark on Saturday 4th May as the town hosts a fabulous free family day out with their annual Medieval Celebration!
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Leadhills Miners Library
Leadhills Miners Library is the oldest subscription library in the British Isles and is now a museum of literature and village life, open weekends May to September!
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Here's a selection of History Events you can find over on our sister site, What's On Renfrewshire:
Sma’ Shot Day
Paisley's annual Sma' Shot day event, one of the oldest workers' festivals in the UK, will take place this year on Saturday 6th July!
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Sma’ Shot Cottages
The Sma' Shot Cottages are a major attraction in the Renfrewshire area, providing visitors with an insight into two distinct periods of Paisley's weaving history!
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Here's a selection of History Events you can find over on our sister site, What's On Stirling:
Talks at The Smith: Sherlock, Darcy and friends revisited
Jo Ross-Barrett revisits characters from classic fiction and applies the lens of what we know now to their experiences and behaviours.
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Talks at The Smith: Highlights: The Smith’s Collection at 150
In this special talk to celebrate The Smith’s 150th birthday in 2024, we have a delightful two-hander, sharing the views of the professionals.
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Stirling 900: A Snapshot Exhibition
Stirling 900: A Snapshot celebrates the 900th anniversary of the Royal Burgh of Stirling through the art of continuing GOSSIP members.
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History of Prestwick Airport Walking Tour
Prestwick Airport, just 30 miles south west of Glasgow has had a colourful history since aviation activity was first recorded over 110 years ago in 1913, find out more on one of these walking tours!
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Highlight Talks
On selected days throughout the year the team at Robert Burns Birthplace Museum and volunteers hold a Highlight Talk exploring the life and works of Robert Burns!
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