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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!

1st January 2024 - 31st December 2025
Various Locations Edinburgh

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

9th March 2024 - 26th January 2026

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

13th July 2024 - 4th January 2026

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

12th November 2024 - 12th November 2025

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

1st December 2024 - 31st December 2025

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

12th December 2024 - 31st December 2025

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

Selected dates between 14th January 2025 - 30th September 2025

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

18th January 2025 - 27th November 2025

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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Royal Portraits: A Century of Photography

28th February 2025 - 7th September 2025

This exhibition at The Palace of Holyroodhouse, charts the evolution of royal portrait photography from the 1920s to the present day!

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Dr Arnott’s Sampling Sensation

Selected dates between 1st March 2025 - 28th December 2025

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

Selected dates between 7th March 2025 - 5th December 2025

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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Snapshots: Gallery Short Talks

Selected dates between 13th March 2025 - 4th September 2025

Join us on Thursdays at The Palace of Holyroodhouse for a short talk on one of the fascinating photographs in our exhibition Royal Portraits: A Century of Photography!

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Conservation Hangar Talks

1st April 2025 - 29th March 2026

See behind the scenes of the work carried out in the museum’s Conservation hangar with these free talks.

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The World of King James VI and I

26th April 2025 - 14th September 2025

Marking the 400-year anniversary of King James’s death, this exhibition will chart his remarkable reign through stories of friendship, family, feuds and ambition.

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Arthur’s Amble

Selected dates between 27th April 2025 - 28th September 2025

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

27th April 2025 - 26th October 2025
Edinburgh Old Town

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

Selected dates between 24th May 2025 - 27th September 2025

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

1st June 2025 - 31st October 2025

Join The Lost Close for this Innovations & Inventions Tour and learn just how much Scotland has brought to the world!

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True Crime Tours

Selected dates between 1st June 2025 - 30th August 2025

The Real Mary Kings Close invites you to step beneath the Royal Mile and explore the shadowy secrets of the Old Town on a True Crime Tour. Dare to descend?

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Edinburgh Forgotten Women

Selected dates between 6th June 2025 - 31st August 2025
Various Locations Edinburgh

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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Closes & Coffee

Selected dates between 19th June 2025 - 30th August 2025
Edinburgh Old Town

Step into a story steeped in centuries with Closes & Coffee, an exclusive immersive experience from The Real Mary King’s Close and The Lost Close.

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Resistance

21st June 2025 - 4th January 2026

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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Kids Go FREE at Hopetoun House this Summer!

27th June 2025 - 31st August 2025

BIG NEWS! This July and August, children aged 15 and under can explore Hopetoun House and Grounds absolutely FREE with a paying adult.

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Sea Shanties at Trinity House

19th July 2025

Join traditional Scots singer Joss Cameron at Trinity House on 19th July and learn about the history of sea shanties before having a go at singing your own seafaring songs!

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Costume at court: Family dressing up

25th July 2025 - 8th August 2025

Discover some of the past fashions of the Palace with our costume at court drop-in sessions and take part in our dressing up activity!

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Pint and a Spooky(ish) Thing

31st July 2025
Edinburgh East

Have a drink with the International Ghost Appreciation Society, then go on a spooky walk, ending with skittles at a 200-year-old pub...

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Family Physic Garden Tours

Selected dates between 1st August 2025 - 15th August 2025

Join us in the Physic Garden this summer for free family history tours designed specially for children!

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Letters From Exes

7th August 2025 - 8th August 2025

From emails and WhatsApps to handwritten notes, join Not Cricket Productions in exploring the bizarre, heartfelt and hilarious letters of lost love at The Royal Scots Club!

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The Secret Room at Lauriston Castle

Selected dates between 7th August 2025 - 20th August 2025

Enjoy one of the most magical experiences at the Fringe as three expert magicians illustrate Lauriston Castle’s intriguing past with magic, illusions and sleight-of-hand!

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The Underground Lectures: Illicit Spirits: How Prohibition Impacted the Scotch Whisky Industry

8th August 2025

Step into the world of speakeasies with Siobhan Sellers, whisky expert, as she takes us on a journey through the Prohibition era.

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Royal Portraits: A Century of Photography - BSL Tour

12th August 2025

Enjoy a BSL tour of Royal Portraits: A Century of Photography at The King's Gallery, The Palace of Holyroodhouse on Tuesday 12th August!

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Jacobites, Italians and Music in Edinburgh

14th August 2025

Join Dr Brianna Robertson-Kirkland as she explores the story of the first generation of the Corris through images, storytelling and song at St Cecilias Hall on 14th August!

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The Underground Lectures: The Healing Power of Alchemy

14th August 2025

This talk given by Daisy Cunynghame on 14th August will explore the history of alchemy, its role in medicine and Scotland’s place in the development of this mystical science!

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Jacobite Activity Day

16th August 2025

Join us at The Palace of Holyroodhouse on Saturday 16th August for a fun activity day exploring Jacobite stories and Bonnie Prince Charlie’s visit to the Palace.

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The Underground Lectures: Mary Somerville: a Love for Mathematics, Science and Orange Marmalade

20th August 2025

Join historian Ruth Boreham to discover how Mary’s Somerville thirst for knowledge never dimmed, no matter what her age!

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The Underground Lectures: Adventures in Banking: The Turbulent Tales of the Original Bank of Scotland Investors

21st August 2025

Join Gillian Paterson, Museum Engagement Officer for this talk on The Turbulent Tales of the Original Bank of Scotland Investors at The Royal Scots Club on 21st August!

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Relaxed Evening: Palace of Holyroodhouse

22nd August 2025

This relaxed opening on Friday 22nd August, offers a chance to explore the Palace of Holyroodhouse in a calm, tranquil atmosphere!

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The Underground Lectures: Sex and the Second World War

22nd August 2025

Join Dr Kate Stephenson, Freelance Historian, to find out what really went on in the blackouts of the Second World War and how the war impacted relationships and sexual freedoms during the 1940s.

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Japan on Stage: An Introduction to Kabuki and Noh Theatre

16th September 2025

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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Explorers – The Age of Discovery with James May

17th October 2025

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

18th October 2025

Step into the world of Ancient Rome with renowned historian Mary Beard as she uncovers the stories that history forgot.

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David Olusoga: A Gun Through Time

22nd November 2025

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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Sponsored Links

Paisley First
Tea Green
Great Run Company
Fayre Play
Link
Escape The Past

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 Talk: Witchcraft in the Shire of Renfrew

Heritage Talk: Witchcraft in the Shire of Renfrew

28th October 2025

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

History of Patterton and Darnley Ranges

9th November 2025

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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Catherine Cranston: The Unknown Mrs Cochrane

Catherine Cranston: The Unknown Mrs Cochrane

23rd September 2025

Find out more about the life of the pioneering lady entrepreneur Catherine Cranston, who spent many happy years in Barrhead, from Historian Lorraine Murray.

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History Events in Fife

Here's a selection of History Events you can find over on our sister site, What's On Fife:

St Andrews Memories

St Andrews Memories

Selected dates between 4th February 2025 - 2nd December 2025

Drop in to The R&A World Golf Museum and have a chat whilst looking at photographs, objects and film footage from our collections!

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Creative Coven: Voices & Visions of the WITCH

Creative Coven: Voices & Visions of the WITCH

4th June 2025 - 11th August 2025

The Community Gallery at Dunfermline Carnegie Library and Galleries is thrilled to present Voices & Visions of the WITCH, a Visual and Literary Art Exhibition brought to you by Creative Coven.

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Classic Car Meet & Greet

Classic Car Meet & Greet

Selected dates between 13th April 2025 - 12th October 2025

Join Fife Classic Car Group for these monthly classic car meet and greet events at Fife Heritage Railway in Leven!

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History Events in Glasgow

Here's a selection of History Events you can find over on our sister site, What's On Glasgow:

Glasgow 850 Theatre & Entertainment Tour

Glasgow 850 Theatre & Entertainment Tour

Selected dates between 24th April 2025 - 30th August 2025

Enjoy an edifying, amusing and sensational walking tour of the entertainment and theatre history of Glasgow over the last 850 years!

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Glasgow Vintage Vehicle Trust Guided Tours

Glasgow Vintage Vehicle Trust Guided Tours

Selected dates between 25th May 2025 - 19th July 2025

On selected dates Glasgow Vintage Vehicle Trust are opening Bridgeton Garage for pre-booked guided tours!

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Explorers: The Age of Discovery with James May

Explorers: The Age of Discovery with James May

9th October 2025

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!

READ MORE

History Events in Lanarkshire

Here's a selection of History Events you can find over on our sister site, What's On Lanarkshire:

Archaeology Day

Archaeology Day

19th July 2025

Take part in a family-friendly Archaeology Day at the National Museum of Rural Life on Saturday 19th July!

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Everything Flows: Music in North Lanarkshire

Everything Flows: Music in North Lanarkshire

28th June 2025 - 19th October 2025

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

Selected dates between 3rd May 2025 - 28th September 2025

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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History Events in Renfrewshire and Inverclyde

Here's a selection of History Events you can find over on our sister site, What's On Renfrewshire:

Sma’ Shot Cottages

Sma’ Shot Cottages

Selected dates between 2nd April 2025 - 27th September 2025

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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Family History Cafe: Paisley Poor Relief

Family History Cafe: Paisley Poor Relief

2nd August 2025

Join Renfrewshire Ancestors, from The Urban Historian, for the Family History Cafe and talk exploring Paisley Poor Relief from the Churches point of view.

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Paisley Rediscovered: The Recovery Series - Paisley Rediscovered

Paisley Rediscovered: The Recovery Series - Paisley Rediscovered

12th August 2025

Paisley Rediscovered: The Recovery Series is a set of Heritage talks looking at the town of Paisley from earliest times until the mid 20th Century, the first talk explores the foundation of the town.

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History 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

Scotland’s National Hero

12th April 2025 - 26th October 2025

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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The Mysterious world of Runes

The Mysterious world of Runes

17th August 2025

Learn the mysterious ways of the ancient Nordic alphabet as we follow a trail through Mugdock Country Park on Sunday 17th August!

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Stirling Ghostwalk

Stirling Ghostwalk

3rd January 2025 - 27th December 2025

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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Events in Other Areas

Sponsored Links

Open Pass Scotland
Renfrewshire Council
Escape The Past
Edinburgh Dungeon
Hostelworld
ATG

Sponsored Links

Paisley First
Tea Green
Great Run Company
Fayre Play
Link
Escape The Past
Open Pass Scotland
Renfrewshire Council
Escape The Past
Edinburgh Dungeon
Hostelworld
ATG

Popular Events

Tapestry Weaving Experience Day
This tapestry weaving experience day at Dovecot Studios is a rare chance to learn the art of tapestry weaving at the UK’s longest running tapestry studio.
Edinburgh Folk & Food Festival
The Edinburgh Food Festival is back at Assembly George Square Gardens and has expanded to include live folk music.
The Coal Porters
Catch The Coal Porters when they bring their 2025 tour to Leith Depot on Saturday 6th September!
International Moon Day
To mark the anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing, Dynamic Earth is celebrating International Moon Day on Sunday 20th July with a day of free, family-friendly, lunar-inspired activities!
St James Quarter Sessions
St James Quarter Sessions is back for its third year, between 15th and 24th August, with a packed line up of heavy hitters and up and coming talent taking over the East End of the city!

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