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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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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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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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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Slavery, Scotland and Inheritance
Join Alex Renton in conversation with Dr Cat Dunn about Slavery, Scotland and Inheritance what to do with that inheritance in Scotland today, at the City Art Centre on 3rd October!
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Witchcraft in Edinburgh
Join historical witchcraft expert Cara Hamilton at The Georgian House on October 3rd for a night you will not forget.
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Family Learning Festival at Museum on the Mound
Join us at the Museum on the Mound throughout the Family Learning Festival for fun, free family-friendly activities, trails and handling tables!
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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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Visualising Resistance in Art and Black Power Across Britain
Dr Maryam Ohadi-Hamadani traces some networks of Black artists and activists extending across the 1960s-70s UK into Scotland and beyond at the City Art Centre on Friday 10th October.
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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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Mary Shelley’s Monster
Storm clouds gather over Edinburgh this autumn as Mary Shelley’s Monster rises at The Edinburgh Dungeon from 11th October - 2nd November!
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Witches or Healers
Hear the story of Agnes Sampson, a woman accused of witchcraft and discover the scents of some of the herbs Agnes would have been familiar with as she worked as a local healer.
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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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The Return of Sudanese Cinema
Umloda Ibrahim, a James McCune Smith scholar, will explore the history of Sudan’s film industry on 17th October at the City Art Centre as part of Black History Month Scotland.
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After Dark at 7 Charlotte Square
Step inside 7 Charlotte Square and uncover the dark history of the house and Edinburgh in the 18th and early 19th centuries - a night of murder, mourning, and macabre history!
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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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‘Engraved on Man’s Skin’: The Auld Alliance, Much More than a Military Alliance
This talk examines a series of important, but less well-studied, figures who shaped the Auld Alliance during the fifteenth and early sixteenth centuries.
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The Aftermath of the Auld Alliance: Franco-Scottish attitudes from the Union of the Crowns to the age of romanticism
Clarisse Godard Desmarest, Professor of British Cultural Studies at the University of Picardie Jules Verne, presents this talk on The Aftermath of the Auld Alliance.
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Scotland’s Opium Secrets
Join Professor Jim Mills on 11th November at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh as he traces the consumption of opium-based substances in Scotland in the early modern period!
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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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Drawing the Italian Renaissance: Curator’s Introduction
Join exhibition curator Lauren Porter at The King's Gallery, Palace of Holyroodhouse as she discusses works from Drawing the Italian Renaissance!
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Christmas Activity Day
Join us at The Palace of Holyroodhouse on 13th December for a fun festive activity for the whole family to enjoy!
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Fire and Light, A Candlelight Christmas at 7 Charlotte Square
Step back in time and experience the magic of Christmas in 18th century Edinburgh at The Georgian House!
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Conservator Talk: Conserving the Campi Cartoon
Victoria Button, Royal Collection Trust’s Head of Paper Conservation, discusses her work in preparing drawings for presentation in Drawing The Italian Renaissance, on display at The King's Gallery.
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Curatorial Talk: The Patrons of the Renaissance
Join Martin Clayton, Head of Prints and Drawings at Royal Collection Trust, for this lunchtime lecture as he discusses the vital role of patrons in the creation of Italian Renaissance art.
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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:
Hands On Heritage
Every month the team at East Renfrewshire Culture & Leisure's Heritage Collection will select some of their most interesting treasures and share the stories behind them at Hands On Heritage!
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Heritage Talk: Witchcraft in the Shire of Renfrew
Join local historian Lorraine Murray to separate fact from fiction as she discusses Witchcraft in the Shire of Renfrew at Barrhead Foundry on Tuesday 28th October.
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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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Here's a selection of History Events you can find over on our sister site, What's On Fife:
Anster Nicht: More Than Leeches? Weird and Wonderful New Discoveries in Medieval Medicine
Join Professor James Palmer from the University of St Andrews as he gives us an entertaining tour of new discoveries that have transformed what we know about medieval medicine!
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St Andrews: The Dark Side Walking Tour
Back for its fourth year, uncover St Andrews' deepest secrets and darkest skeletons on this 1.5 hour tour run by Walking Tours in St Andrews this Halloween!
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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.
READ MOREHistory Events in Glasgow
Here's a selection of History Events you can find over on our sister site, What's On Glasgow:
Family History at St Mungo Museum of Religious Life and Art
Starting out on your family history journey can be daunting, but we can help. Join a librarian from The Mitchell Library for a FREE introductory session on library resources for family history.
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History and Horror Ghost Hunts at Provan Hall
Join expert guides from History and Horror Tours for a night-time exploration of one Scotland's most haunted buildings, Provan Hall!
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Exhibition: A Visual Stroll Through Maryhill
The 'A Visual Stroll Through Maryhill' exhibition brings together a selection of photographs from the Maryhill Burgh Halls collection, capturing local streets, landmarks and landscapes.
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Here's a selection of History Events you can find over on our sister site, What's On Lanarkshire:
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.
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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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Here's a selection of History Events you can find over on our sister site, What's On Renfrewshire:
History Cafe: Views Of Renfrewshire
Join Renfrewshire Heritage in Blend Coffee Lounge at Paisley Arts Centre on Saturday 18th October for their in-person History Cafe discussing Views Of Renfrewshire.
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Paisley Heritage Talk: History of Paisley’s Railways By Robert Law
Join Paisley Heritage on Thursday 2nd October at their Discover Paisley Hub on County Place for Robert Law's fascinating talk all about the history of Paisley's trains.
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Paisley Abbey Founders Festival Family Fun Day
Join Paisley Abbey on Saturday 11th October for their Founders Festival Family Fun Day, as part of a weekend of special celebrations!
READ MOREHistory Events in Stirling
Here's a selection of History Events you can find over on our sister site, What's On Stirling:
Scotland’s National Hero
Who was William Wallace? Listen as a costumed actor gives you an insight into the life of Scotland’s National Hero.
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Remembered: 80 years since the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki
In the 80th year since the bombing, the University of Stirling is hosting an exhibition from the Nagasaki National Peace Memorial Hall for the Atomic Bomb Victims.
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Public Lecture: Nagasaki and the Future of War in the 20th Century
Hear Professor Holger Nehring discuss the significance of the use of nuclear weapons on Nagasaki in this public lecture at the University of Stirling on 6th October.
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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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