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
Rosslyn Chapel & Scottish Antiquaries Exhibition
Historic Environment Scotland Archives acquired the Rosslyn Album in 2021 and this exhibition presents images from the archive collections relating to Rosslyn Chapel and the contents of the album.
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Daily Tours at St Giles’ Cathedral
Join a volunteer guide for a 45 min to 1 hour glimpse into the history, heraldry and life of our historic Cathedral and Thistle Chapel!
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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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Abbey Strand Book Club
Explore spaces and objects which have shaped history and inspired fiction at the Abbey Strand book club!
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Treasures of the National Library of Scotland
The National Library of Scotland's permanent exhibition provides a unique insight into Scotland’s history, culture and people and its place in the world.
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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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Edinburgh Rising from the Ashes: 200 Years of the Scottish Fire Service
Journey through two centuries of firefighting legacy with our special exhibition created in partnership with the Museum of Scottish Fire Heritage.
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Edinburgh Castle Gun Salutes
Edinburgh Castle hold a number of gun salutes throughout the year to mark various special occasions!
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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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Ramsay & Edinburgh Fashion
A collection of Allan Ramsay’s portraits of women from NTS properties are brought together at the Georgian House for the first time.
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Summer Days at The Royal Yacht Britannia
Fun for all the family, explore the five decks of The Royal Yacht Britannia this summer, it's Tripadvisor’s No. 1 UK Attraction!
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The Dark Side of Edinburgh
The Dark Side of Edinburgh is a historic tour of the city that doesn't leave out all the gory details. Are brave enough to learn the truth?
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Medical History Tours
Explore some key moments in history that defined medicine, all of which happened in or around Mary King's Close, during our Medical History Tour!
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Man at Arms
Hear bloodthirsty tales of medieval warfare and castle life with a chainmailed Man at Arms. With a selection of replica weapons, helmet and armour examples.
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Hands On History
Join us in the Family Room at The Palace of Holyroodhouse to get up close to some historical and replica objects.
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Midweek makes: Collage crowns
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.
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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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Daring & Delicious - Private Walking Tour
Come to wander through the secret alleyways of old Edinburgh - come to listen, come to share your own daring stories. This private tour is unmissable!
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Daring Women of Edinburgh - A Walking Tour of Our History
Come on this walking tour and gain a unique insight into some of the daring women in Edinburgh's history!
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Dare to Rethink Edinburgh - A Quirky Walking Tour
Join Daring Women's upbeat Edinburgh female guide for a bit of unusual history and a bit of daring rethinking. All outrageous ideas are welcome!
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Eric Liddell: Legacy of an Olympic Legend
This exhibition offers a unique opportunity for visitors to explore the life and legacy of Eric Liddell, nicknamed ‘the Flying Scotsman’.
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Gosford House Open Days
This is a rare opportunity to see inside Gosford House, find out about its history, architecture, incredible art collection and the family who commissioned and still use it to this day!
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5 Mistakes That Changed History
Blending history, storytelling and comedy, 5 Mistakes That Changed History is perfect for history lovers, the history-curious and anyone who loves to learn new things, whilst having a laugh.
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ScotlandsFest: Edinburgh Witch or Just a B*tch? - Mary Craig
Hear the little-known story of one Edinburgh woman accused of witchcraft in the mid-17th century, warts and all.
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ScotlandsFest: Slavery and Scotland, Our Hidden History - Kate Phillips
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.
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ScotlandsFest: The Geomythography of Scotland - Stuart McHardy
Enjoy a thrilling journey through time and mythology unlocking captivating secrets with historian and folklorist Stuart McHardy!
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The Underground Lectures: Sex in the City: The Private Lives of Edinburgh’s Past Populations
Ever wondered who was doing what, with whom, and how in historic Edinburgh? If so, take a dive between the sheets with Kate Stephenson as she reveals the amorous antics of the last 500 years.
READ MOREThe Underground Lectures: Allan Ramsay and Edinburgh Fashion
This talk is a behind-the scenes look at curating the National Trust for Scotland’s exhibition Ramsay and Edinburgh Fashion.
READ MOREThe Underground Lectures: ’A strong dash of herself’: Golden Age Mystery Writers and their Fictional Alter Egos
If readers would traditionally ignore the authors themselves when reading a book, how does that experience change when a version of the author themself is a character?
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Pied Piper Walking Tours
Join us on a gentle walking tour of the Georgian New Town as we explore Edinburgh's illustrious music, literary and film history with live Scottish folk music from our resident 'Pied Piper' on fiddle.
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Recycled fashion: Family workshop
Take part in a fun family workshop exploring fashion in Georgian Britain at The Palace of Holyroodhouse on 10th August!
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ScotlandsFest: Edinburgh, Our Storied Town - Donald Smith
Meet the congenial ghosts of famous Edinburgh writers at their fireside, and hear lost voices live again – poets, diarists, storytellers and philosophers!
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ScotlandsFest: Forth Bridge Stories - Barbara Henderson
The iconic red railway bridge has spanned the Forth since 1890. Think you know the Forth Bridge? Think again!
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ScotlandsFest: If You Don’t Run, They Can’t Chase You - Neil Findlay
From Hillsborough to Grenfell, the Anti-Apartheid Movement to the Miners’ Strike, hear the inspiring tales of 30 years of social justice campaigns.
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ScotlandsFest: Meet Mary Queen of Scots and Bonnie Prince Charlie - Barbara Henderson
With award-winning author, storyteller and drama teacher Barbara Henderson, the Stuarts leap from the page in this family-friendly interactive session that puts the story back into history.
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Tales from the Towpath
Explore the history of the Union Canal on board the Lochrin Belle with Citadel Arts Group's 5-star show, Tales from the Towpath!
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ScotlandsFest: Collier Laddie - Rab Wilson
Close a pit, kill a community. Forty years on, Scots poet Rab Wilson relives the events of the 1984-85 UK Miners' Strike.
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ScotlandsFest: Our Fathers Fought Franco - Willy Maley and Jennie Renton
Why did these young men put their lives on the line and go to Spain to fight with the International Brigades? How did they all end up in the same prison cell? And what is their legacy today?
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ScotlandsFest: In Conversation - Richard Demarco
View Scotland through the lens of visual arts and literature. A rambling, enlightening dialogue discussion on the state of the Edinburgh festivals and Scotland as a whole.
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ScotlandsFest: You Are What You Wear - Eunice Olumide
Join Scottish supermodel Eunice Olumide MBE as she discusses everything you want to know about the fashion industry.
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ScotlandsFest: Whit If? Scotland’s History as It Might Have Been - Hugh McMillan
Hugh McMillan is the ideal guide to all the micht-hiv-bins of Scottish history, as well as all that wis. Humour is guaranteed!
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ScotlandsFest: The Queen’s Bahookie, and Other Tales From Scotland’s Castles - Robin Laing
Join Robin Laing and hear about the shenanigans of royals and aristocrats over centuries and a few other titbits!
READ MOREThe Underground Lectures: Materialising the Cold War in Scotland
This talk will examine Scottish experiences of the Cold War through the lens of material culture preserved by National Museums Scotland.
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ScotlandsFest: We Are Scottish Football - Julie McNeill
With a pen dipped in passion, Julie McNeill explores the emotional landscape of football, bringing to life the highs and lows, triumphs and tribulations that define the beautiful game in Scotland.
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Dance and Dress in Georgian Edinburgh
Taking inspiration from the exhibition Style & Society: Dressing the Georgians, join historical dance expert Alena Shmakova for this lecture on 23rd August!
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The Strange Case of Number 7 Charlotte Square
Join us on Saturday the 24th of August as we travel back to Edinburgh's gruesome Georgian past and experience the house in its original setting-via candlelight.
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Flower Festival at Duddingston Kirk
A Flower Festival celebrating 900 years of worship at Duddingston Kirk is taking place the first week in September, featuring the people associated with "A' Jock Tamson's Bairns".
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Scottish Geology Festival
Learn about the incredible stories hidden within Scotland's rocks when the Scottish Geology Festival returns for 2024 between September 1st and October 6th!
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Textile Orientalisms: Paisley Shawls in Literature
Join the National Trust for Scotland on Friday 6th September at the Georgian House to welcome the author, Suchitra Choudhury, for a presentation of her work and wider discussion!
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Siege on the Forth
Siege on the Forth takes place at Blackness Castle from 12pm – 4pm on Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th September.
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Student Sessions: Style & Society
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!
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Celtic Crag
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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Nurses and Doctors 1660-1820: An Uneasy Alliance
Join Professor Alannah Tomkins at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh to explore the unstable working relationship between nurses and doctors in the time before nursing reform.
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Fireside Stories: Local Lore
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!
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Christmas Relaxed Access Evening
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.
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Exclusive Family Tour at the Palace of Holyroodhouse
This Christmas, join us for a magical morning at the Palace of Holyroodhouse on our exclusive, guided Christmas family tour!
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Royal Christmas Traditions: BSL Interpreted Tour
Join us in the beautiful surroundings of the Palace of Holyroodhouse for this guided festive tour, exploring Royal Christmas traditions!
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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:
House History: Delving Deeper
This half day course is ideal for those who have completed House History for Beginners, or who already have some experience in house history research but would like to learn more.
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Family History: Delving Deeper
This half day course is ideal for those who have completed Family History for Beginners, or who already have some experience in family history research but would like to learn more.
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Family History For Beginners
This Family History Workshop, led by experienced genealogist Lorna Kinnaird, PGDip, ASGRA, FSA Scot, will give you the skills and knowledge you need to begin your family history research!
READ MOREHistory 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
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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Dysart Townhouse Museum - Sunday Opening
Dysart Townhouse Museum will be open every Sunday afternoon from June 30th until September 15th so come along and explore the history of Dysart and Kirkcaldy!
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Heritage Tour: East End of St Andrews
Enjoy a fascinating Heritage Tour of the East End of St Andrews and explore the rich history of this beautiful area with knowledgeable and local guides!
READ MOREHistory Events in Glasgow
Here's a selection of History Events you can find over on our sister site, What's On Glasgow:
East Park: 150th Anniversary Exhibition
This exhibition explores the long history of East Park through a series of never-before-seen photographs at Maryhill Burgh Halls!
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Tramway Backstage: Historical Tours
Join a backstage tour of Tramway on Saturday 14th or Sunday 15th September and learn about the building's rich past and present!
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A Talk About Scotland’s Victorian Kitchen with Peter Gilchrist
Join Scottish food historian Peter Gilchrist at Mackintosh at the Willow as he presents his ideas on the evolution of the Scottish Kitchen through the Victorian era.
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Here's a selection of History Events you can find over on our sister site, What's On Lanarkshire:
The Fourth 50th Anniversary Talk - ‘Lowland Highlanders’
Join photographer John Irvine for the fourth of five talks celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Museum of Lead Mining.
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The Battle of The Scheldt, 1944: An Illustrated Talk
Low Parks Museum is pleased to host an illustrated talk on this pivotal battle of the Second World War, delivered by Colonel Allan Downie.
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The Third 50th Anniversary Talk - ‘Dead Lead:- Lead, The Funeral Furnishing Trade 1600-2000’
Join Julian Litten, FSA for the third of five talks celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Museum of Lead Mining.
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Here's a selection of History Events you can find over on our sister site, What's On Renfrewshire:
Remode Youth Through the Mill project launch
Join Remode Youth to celebrate the launch of Through the Mill, Stories of Resilience and Renewal, a programme of textiles heritage events and creative sustainability focused workshops.
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Talk on The Glen Cinema Disaster, by Brian Hannan
Join Paisley Heritage Group for a talk with questions and answers session from Brian Hannan, author of The Glen Cinema Disaster book, on the very sad topic of the Glen Cinema disaster.
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Free Talk: Renfrewshire Weavers
Join The Urban Historian as he explores the heritage of the Renfrewshire weavers, concentrating on Paisley and Kilbarchan, in this evening talk!
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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Stirling Ghostwalk
Join Stirling Old Town's most grumblesome Ghoul, the Happy Hangman, Jock Rankin, on a creepy, comic guided ghostwalk!
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Stirling Jailhouse Horrors
This autumn let our Prison Surgeon, Dr Forrest, thrill you with the Horrible History of Stirling’s terrible Tolbooth – the worst Jail in Britain!
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History of Prestwick Airport Walking Tour
Prestwick Airport, just 30 miles south west of Glasgow has had a colourful history since aviation activity was first recorded over 110 years ago in 1913, find out more on one of these walking tours!
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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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