LIST YOUR EVENT FOR FREE

The Abbey Strand Book Club

In the Abbey Strand Book Club, explore spaces and objects which have shaped history and inspired fiction.

The Abbey Strand Book Club

About The Abbey Strand Book Club

Listed Under Books Events

From Jacobite stories to embroidered biographies, the Palace of Holyroodhouse and its many chapters of history have provided the inspiration for many literary works over the centuries. In the Abbey Strand Book Club, explore spaces and objects which have shaped history and inspired fiction. Please note, texts are not included in the ticket price, and should be purchased to read beforehand.

2 March - Waverley, Walter Scott
In our first Abbey Strand book club session, explore Walter Scott's novel Waverley, and discover the history and spaces in the Palace that provided inspiration for Scott.

1 June - The Fair Botanists, Sarah Sheridan
Explore the space and stories of the Physic Garden at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, before turning attention to a recent novel inspired by gardens of Enlightenment Edinburgh.

7 September - Macbeth, William Shakespeare
A portrait of Macbeth hangs in the Great Gallery at the Palace of Holyroodhouse. In this same room hangs a portrait of James VI and I. Explore the connection between the king and the bard, and delve into an interest which they had a common interest- witchcraft.

7 December - Embroidering Her Truth, Clare Hunter
Perhaps one of the most famous residents to make the Palace of Holyroodhouse her home was Mary, Queen Of Scots. Explore Mary's chambers and objects connected with the monarch, including an exquisite embroidery made during the last years of her life.

Sponsored Links

Tea Green
Renfrewshire Council
Paisley First
Clann An Drumma
Fayre Play
Open Pass Scotland
Ceangail

Other Events at The Palace of Holyroodhouse

Abbey Strand Book Club

Selected dates between 8th March 2024 - 6th December 2024

Explore spaces and objects which have shaped history and inspired fiction at the Abbey Strand book club!

READ MORE

Royal Rhyme Time

Selected dates between 11th March 2024 - 2nd December 2024

Join us in the historic Abbey Strand Centre for our special Royal Rhyme Time sessions for toddlers.

READ MORE

Abbey Strand Art Club

Selected dates between 4th May 2024 - 30th November 2024

Do you enjoy getting creative and learning about the past? If so then the Abbey Strand art club could be just for you. Suitable for 7-12 years olds.

READ MORE

Hands On History

Selected dates between 8th July 2024 - 26th August 2024

Join us in the Family Room at The Palace of Holyroodhouse to get up close to some historical and replica objects.

READ MORE

Midweek makes: Collage crowns

Selected dates between 10th July 2024 - 28th August 2024

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.

READ MORE

Physic Garden Family Tours

Selected dates between 19th July 2024 - 2nd August 2024

For the first time, families will be able to join free short tours of the beautiful Physic Garden at the height of summer.

READ MORE

Magical Menagerie Activity Day

27th July 2024

Learn about the history of the Palace Gardens, where 500 years ago a medieval menagerie was home to a range of animals including lions, tigers and bears.

READ MORE

Recycled fashion: Family workshop

10th August 2024

Take part in a fun family workshop exploring fashion in Georgian Britain at The Palace of Holyroodhouse on 10th August!

READ MORE

Style & Society: Dressing the Georgians - BSL Tour

14th August 2024

Join Art Guide Trudi Collier for a British Sign Language tour of Style & Society: Dressing the Georgians at The King's Gallery, Edinburgh on 14th August!

READ MORE

Dance and Dress in Georgian Edinburgh

23rd August 2024

Taking inspiration from the exhibition Style & Society: Dressing the Georgians, join historical dance expert Alena Shmakova for this lecture on 23rd August!

READ MORE

Student Sessions: Style & Society

20th September 2024

Join us at The King's Gallery on 20th September for an exciting opportunity for students in arts, heritage and culture to explore to the exhibition, Style & Society: Dressing the Georgians!

READ MORE

A Society Soiree: Georgian Style

20th September 2024

Join Surveyor of the King's Pictures, and curator of the exhibition, Anna Reynolds on 20th September for an exclusive view of Style & Society: Dressing the Georgians!

READ MORE

Fireside Stories: Local Lore

25th October 2024

Join professional storyteller Fiona Herbert inside Abbey Strand on 25th October to hear tales of Edinburgh’s past, from folk tales to tales of terror!

READ MORE

Christmas Relaxed Access Evening

6th December 2024

This event at The Palace of Holyroodhouse on 6th December is open to all, including those with autism and other neurodiverse needs, together with their siblings, families, and carers.

READ MORE

Carols by the Christmas Tree

8th December 2024 - 9th December 2024

Enjoy seeing the beautifully decorated State Apartments of The Palace of Holyroodhouse, as you make your way to the Great Gallery to hear a wonderful concert of Christmas music on 8th December!

READ MORE

Festive Wreaths at Holyroodhouse

12th December 2024

Join florist and Royal Warrant-holder Lottie Longman at the Palace of Holyroodhouse on 12th December to create your own festive wreath to take home!

READ MORE

Descriptive tour: A Royal Christmas

14th December 2024

Join us for a special descriptive Christmas Tour at the Palace of Holyroodhouse designed for visually impaired visitors.

READ MORE

Exclusive Family Tour at the Palace of Holyroodhouse

14th December 2024

This Christmas, join us for a magical morning at the Palace of Holyroodhouse on our exclusive, guided Christmas family tour!

READ MORE

Royal Christmas Traditions: BSL Interpreted Tour

14th December 2024

Join us in the beautiful surroundings of the Palace of Holyroodhouse for this guided festive tour, exploring Royal Christmas traditions!

READ MORE

Sponsored Links

Scottish Rugby
The Straits
Escape The Past
Hilton Glasgow
ATG
Edinburgh Dungeons
Kids Pass

Similar events you might like...

Abbey Strand Book Club

Abbey Strand Book Club

Selected dates between 8th March 2024 - 6th December 2024

Explore spaces and objects which have shaped history and inspired fiction at the Abbey Strand book club!

READ MORE
Free Book Club at Fort Kinnaird

Free Book Club at Fort Kinnaird

Selected dates between 1st May 2024 - 28th November 2024

Fort Kinnaird is hosting a free monthly book club in partnership with Musselburgh Library to bring the community together over the joy of reading.

READ MORE
An Evening with Andy the Highlander

An Evening with Andy the Highlander

31st July 2024

Topping & Company Booksellers of Edinburgh are thrilled to be welcoming social media sensation Andy the Highlander on 31st July, who joins us to present Lochs & Legends!

READ MORE
Fringe by the Sea

Fringe by the Sea

2nd August 2024 - 11th August 2024

Fringe by the Sea is back with a bang! With over 250 events between August 2nd and 11th in the beautiful seaside town of North Berwick, there's something to suit every taste!

READ MORE
ScotlandsFest: Fower Legs Guid, Twa Legs Better! - Thomas Clark

ScotlandsFest: Fower Legs Guid, Twa Legs Better! - Thomas Clark

5th August 2024

Join translator Thomas Clark on a fascinating journey through Orwell, Scots and the language we use today.

READ MORE
ScotlandsFest: Slavery and Scotland, Our Hidden History - Kate Phillips

ScotlandsFest: Slavery and Scotland, Our Hidden History - Kate Phillips

7th August 2024

Admit it, Jamaica made Scotland wealthy. Author of Bought and Sold: Scotland, Jamaica and Slavery, Kate Phillips tells the real story of Scotland and slavery.

READ MORE
ScotlandsFest: The Geomythography of Scotland - Stuart McHardy

ScotlandsFest: The Geomythography of Scotland - Stuart McHardy

7th August 2024

Enjoy a thrilling journey through time and mythology unlocking captivating secrets with historian and folklorist Stuart McHardy!

READ MORE
An Evening with Alex Howard

An Evening with Alex Howard

7th August 2024

Join us at Waterstones Edinburgh West End on Wednesday 7th August as we welcome Alex Howard to the shop to celebrate the paperback release of The Ghost Cat!

READ MORE
ScotlandsFest: Quines, Women of Scotland - Gerda Stevenson

ScotlandsFest: Quines, Women of Scotland - Gerda Stevenson

8th August 2024

In poetry and song, award-winning writer/actor/singer Gerda Stevenson presents the remarkable women from her acclaimed book, Quines: Poems in Tribute to Women of Scotland.

READ MORE

Find other events in Edinburgh

Sponsored Links

Tea Green
Renfrewshire Council
Paisley First
Clann An Drumma
Fayre Play
Open Pass Scotland
Ceangail
Scottish Rugby
The Straits
Escape The Past
Hilton Glasgow
ATG
Edinburgh Dungeons
Kids Pass

Popular Events

Castle Street Market
Held in brightly coloured gazebos in the heart of central Edinburgh, Castle Street Market is filled with top quality products and has something to satisfy every taste!
Rachel Fairburn: Side Eye
Rachel Fairburn is set to perform for the first-time ever a unique blend of brand-new stand-up and the best bits of her debut character comedy hour when she brings Side Eye to Monkey Barrell Comedy!
The Portobello Comedy Night Fringe Special
The fantastic Patrick Monahan headlines another epic night of comedy supported by at least 4 excellent acts fresh from the Edinburgh Fringe plus a top notch MC.
Edinburgh ‘Open House’ Ceilidhs
Join Edinburgh ‘Open House’ Ceilidhs for their Friday Ceilidhs held in the Royal British Legion Hall! If you love to dance or want to learn this event is for you.
Game On
Get set for Game On - the largest interactive exhibition of the history and the culture of video games.

Popular Listings

Corn Exchange Haddington Edinburgh Playhouse Festival Theatre Edinburgh Howden Park Centre Livingston Kings Theatre Edinburgh National Museum of Scotland O2 Academy Edinburgh The Brunton Theatre, Musselburgh Traverse Theatre Usher Hall