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
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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Maps: Memories from the Second World War
Through personal stories, photography and memorabilia, this exhibition at the National War Museum charts the creation and use of maps during the Second World War.
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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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Whisky Tasting and Tales
Taste 4 deliciously different whiskies while taking a journey into the history of whisky in Scotland and its profound importance within Scottish culture.
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Escape the Past: The Anatomist
Descend into a world of grave robbery, mystery and malpractice as you embark on a thrilling adventure into Edinburgh’s dark past.
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Escape the Past: The Deacon’s Cabinet
From Escape The Past comes a new escape room 'The Deacon’s Cabinet', a historical heist escape room which challenges you to outsmart the infamous Deacon Brodie!
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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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Monumental Treasure Hunt: West Princes Street Gardens
Welcome to the Monument-al Treasure Hunt in West Princes Street Gardens Edinburgh, a cultural & historical exploration for children & adults of all ages to enjoy.
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Dr Arnott’s Sampling Sensation
Uncover the secrets of 17th-century medicine with a hands-on workshop led by an expert from his time: Dr Arnott, who examined his patients’ health by analysing urine’s colour, smell & TASTE!
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Palace Page Turners
Many authors have been inspired to pick up their pen to write about the Palace of Holyroodhouse. These sessions will explore these literary works followed by a hearty discussion!
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Conservation Hangar Talks
See behind the scenes of the work carried out in the museum’s Conservation hangar with these free talks.
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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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Some Kind of Tours: 5 million years of Edinburgh history in 90 minutes
Unearth the twisted tales of Greyfriars Kirkyard and uncover Scotland's sinister past on this unique, 90 minute walking tour of Edinburgh’s atmospheric Old Town.
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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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Innovations & Inventions Tour
Join The Lost Close for this Innovations & Inventions Tour and learn just how much Scotland has brought to the world!
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Dear Library
To mark our 100th birthday, the National Library of Scotland presents a special exhibition, 'Dear Library'.
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Resistance
Resistance explores how acts of resistance have shaped life in the UK, and the powerful role of photography in documenting and driving change.
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Scots on the Move: Railways and Tourism in Victorian Scotland
Join us at the National Records of Scotland and find out how tourism in Scotland was transformed by the birth of the railways during the reign of Queen Victoria (1837-1901).
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Edinburgh Street Historians LGBTQ Free Walking Tour
This walking tour of Edinburgh focuses on LGBTQ history from the battle of legalisation to the modern issues faced by the community in the current day!
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Edinburgh Forgotten Women
Join one of the Edinburgh Street Historians' highly skilled and experienced guides on an unforgettable walking tour all about the amazing women of our city's past 1000 years!
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The Fun and Funny Old Town Tour
This free walking tour is fun and funny, performed by local independent tour guides, it will really help you to know the city and understand something about what life is all about!
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Myths and Legends Tour
This September, step beneath the Royal Mile and into a world where history and folklore entwine, with The Real Mary King’s Close new 'Myths and Legends Tour'!
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Japan on Stage: An Introduction to Kabuki and Noh Theatre
Join Dr Helen Parker at Dovecot on 16th September as she offers an illustrated introduction to kabuki, a form of traditional Japanese drama!
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Doors Open Days West Lothian
Scotland's annual Doors Open Days festival gives you free access to lots of fascinating buildings across West Lothian! This year's event will be held on 20th & 21st September!
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Doors Open 2025: Newhailes House
Explore 300 years of history within Newhailes House this Doors Open Day on Saturday 27th September!
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Doors Open Day: Adam Smith’s Panmure House
Explore the historic Adam Smith's Panmure House in the heart of Edinburgh for Doors Open Day weekend!
READ MOREDoors Open Days - East Lothian
Scotland's annual Doors Open Days festival gives you free access to lots of fascinating buildings across East Lothian! This year's event will be held on 27th & 28th September!
READ MOREDoors Open Days - Edinburgh
Scotland's annual Doors Open Days festival gives you free access to lots of fascinating buildings across Edinburgh! This year's event will be held on September 27th & 28th!
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Whispers of the past
Join our guide for a journey through the grounds of this ancient site to explore the veiled past of Edinburgh Castle!
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Come for the Yacht, stay for the scones
Are you looking for something fun to do this October holidays in Edinburgh? Then bring the whole crew and follow in the footsteps of Royalty aboard The Royal Yacht Britannia!
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Great Big Living History Week
Especially for the October Holidays sites all over Scotland will be hosting characters throughout history including Edinburgh Castle.
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An Audience with Philippa Gregory
Join Philippa Gregory, as she takes you on a journey through the history you thought you knew, a fascinating evening of entertaining historical insight and unforgettable storytelling!
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Explorers – The Age of Discovery with James May
From Ice Age migrations to space travel, the stories of famous, infamous and unknown explorers will come to life, presented by British television presenter and award-winning journalist James May!
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An Evening with Mary Beard
Step into the world of Ancient Rome with renowned historian Mary Beard as she uncovers the stories that history forgot.
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Edinburgh Castle Gun Salutes
Edinburgh Castle hold a number of gun salutes throughout the year to mark a variety of special occasions!
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David Olusoga: A Gun Through Time
Join David Olusoga at the Assembly Rooms on Saturday 22nd November as he uncovers the story of three firearms that changed the world and the lives of our ancestors!
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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:
History of Patterton and Darnley Ranges
Here's another chance to visit the Patterton and Darnley rifle and pistol ranges if you missed it last year, and before it takes a break.
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Doors Open Days East Renfrewshire
Scotland's annual Doors Open Days festival gives you free access to lots of fascinating buildings across East Renfrewshire! This year's event will be held on September 20th & 21st.
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Heritage Course: House History for Beginners
This course led by an experienced genealogist will get you started on carrying out a house history in Scotland and will get you accessing some pretty amazing records!
READ MOREHistory Events in Fife
Here's a selection of History Events you can find over on our sister site, What's On Fife:
Falkland Palace Ghost Tours 2025
Come along to Falkland Palace this September and October for an after-hours journey through its dark history and ghostly legends.
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Lessons from Lake Malawi: Fisheries Governance in the Colonial Era
Discover the hidden history and complex legacies of colonial-era fisheries in Lake Malawi at this exhibition in The Scottish Fisheries Museum!
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St Andrews Memories
Drop in to The R&A World Golf Museum and have a chat whilst looking at photographs, objects and film footage from our collections!
READ MOREHistory Events in Glasgow
Here's a selection of History Events you can find over on our sister site, What's On Glasgow:
LGBT+ Tours at The Burrell Collection
Join curators at The Burrell Collection on a journey through the galleries uncovering hidden LGBTQ+ histories from their collection!
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Kelvingrove Museum of Empire
This tour led by Nelson Cummins, Curator of Legacies of Slavery and Empire will explore the history in the present day Kelvingrove through a tour of some of the current galleries and displays.
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Hunter-Gatherers at Hogganfield
Travel back over 10,000 years in time to explore life as a hunter-gatherer with fun, free, family–friendly activities at Hogganfield!
READ MOREHistory Events in Lanarkshire
Here's a selection of History Events you can find over on our sister site, What's On Lanarkshire:
Everything Flows: Music in North Lanarkshire
Come hear the memories of local musicians, see costumes, photos and records through the decades or even just come for a boogie at the Everything Flows: Music in North Lanarkshire exhibition!
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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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Hamilton Mausoleum Tour
Take a tour of one of the finest private tombs in the country and the town's most striking historic landmark, Hamilton Mausoleum.
READ MOREHistory Events in Renfrewshire and Inverclyde
Here's a selection of History Events you can find over on our sister site, What's On Renfrewshire:
Paisley Heritage Talk & Presentation: Miss Cranston from Lorraine Murray
Join Paisley Heritage on Thursday 25th September for this fascinating talk and presentation from local historian and archivist Lorraine Murray, all about Miss Cranston.
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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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History Cafe: Open Discussion On Local History
Join Renfrewshire Heritage in Blend Coffee Lounge at Paisley Arts Centre on Saturday 20th September for their in-person History Cafe.
READ MOREHistory Events in Stirling
Here's a selection of History Events you can find over on our sister site, What's On Stirling:
Stirling Ghostwalk
Take a tour of the strange tales and stranger characters of Stirling's Old Town on the Stirling Ghostwalk... comedy, drama, fact and fable - fun for boys & ghouls of all ages!
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Enchanted Woods - The Lost World of Rupert Bear
The Arts Society Stirling & Forth Valley is delighted to welcome back Tim Stimson for the first event of this year's programme on Thursday 18th September!
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Doors Open Days Stirling 2025
Scotland's annual Doors Open Days festival gives you free access to lots of fascinating buildings across Stirling!
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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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