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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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 Nuclear Bunker Tour
Don't miss an amazing opportunity to see part of Scotland's Cold War History on the Barnton Nuclear Bunker Tours every Saturday and Sunday!
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Weekly Tours at St Cecilia’s Hall
Join our team of volunteers at St Cecilia's Hall for a FREE weekly tour of the collection!
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Exhibition: Silver, Salt and Stories - Images and Memories of the Scots Herring Women
The exhibition by Jill de Fresnes is centred around filmed interviews with 12 Scottish women who worked as herring gutters from the 1920s through to the 1960s.
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Georgian Soirée: A Jacobite-themed Evening at the Georgian House
Join us for a Georgian Soirée with a Jacobite twist, hosted in the stunning Georgian House in Edinburgh on Saturday, November 8th!
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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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The Cunninghame Graham Lecture 2025
This year's Cunninghame Graham Lecture will be from William Chislett and is titled '50 Years After Franco: Spain’s Profound Transformation, 1975-2025'.
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When Madame de Pompadour met Bonnie Prince Charlie: A Tragedy in Three Acts
Join Michael Nevin for this presentation at Institut français d'Ecosse as he discusses the end of the Auld Alliance, set up in 1295 for the mutual defence against their shared adversary, England.
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Winter Family Trail
Free this Winter at St Cecilia's Hall, can you find all 8 snow-people hidden around the galleries and answer each of their questions?
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Scottish Traditional Music Hall of Fame 20th Anniversary Celebration
Join Hands Up for Trad on 18th November for an intimate celebration marking two decades of the Scottish Traditional Music Hall of Fame, with David Francis and Louis DeCarlo!
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Myths and Legends Tour
This November, 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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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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Gowns & Glamour, an Art Deco Adventure from Paris to New York
The Costume Society Scotland's December talk is taking place at Augustine United Church on the 1st and will hopefully enthuse the art deco in you!
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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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John Roy Stuart - Latha Chuilodair
In this play, the ghost of John Roy Stuart, poet, partisan and Colonel of the Jacobite Edinburgh Regiment, returns to Scotland to recall his life, times and final battle.
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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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Uncovering Ancient Egypt with Bettany Hughes
Step into the golden sands of Ancient Egypt with award-winning historian Bettany Hughes as she brings the land of the pharaohs vividly to life at the Assembly Rooms!
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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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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.
READ MOREHistory Events in Fife
Here's a selection of History Events you can find over on our sister site, What's On Fife:
Anster Nicht: Finding the Fairy Queen's Voice
For decades, an enigmatic figurehead, known as The Fairy Queen, has been displayed in the Scottish Fisheries Museum. But where did it come from, and what does it symbolise?
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Steaming Ahead : How the Railways Changed the Fish we Eat
In this 200th anniversary year of commercial rail travel in the UK, we take the opportunity to look at the wide-ranging impacts of these technologies on a particular industry – fishing.
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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!
READ MOREHistory Events in Glasgow
Here's a selection of History Events you can find over on our sister site, What's On Glasgow:
Glasgow School of Art Archives & Collections Tour
Explore the fascinating history of The Glasgow School of Art with an exclusive tour of their Archives and Collections at The Whisky Bond on the first Thursday of each month!
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Glasgow 850
2025 will be a big year for Glasgow as we celebrate the city's 850th birthday. It's a milestone and everyone who has or does call Glasgow home is invited to the party!
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Historic Tours of Glasgow University
Join a historic walking tour of the University of Glasgow the fourth oldest university in the English-speaking world!
READ MOREHistory Events in Lanarkshire
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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Here's a selection of History Events you can find over on our sister site, What's On Renfrewshire:
Heritage Buddies Consultation & Recruitment Event
Are you interest in archaeology? local history? or family history? Heritage Buddies is an exciting new project exploring the stories that lie hidden in Renfrewshire's heritage graveyards.
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The Witches Of Renfrewshire - Book Launch & Talk
Join Brian Hannan, author of The Witches Of Renfrewshire as he launches the book with two special events at Skirlies Cafe on Wednesday 29th October and Wednesday 12th November.
READ MOREHistory Events in Stirling
Here's a selection of History Events you can find over on our sister site, What's On Stirling:
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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Burns an’ a’ that
Join us at Stirling Castle to celebrate burns an' a' that and why not have a go at addressing the haggis!
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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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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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