History events in Edinburgh
View all the upcoming History events taking place throughout Edinburgh below or use the calendar to find events taking place on a specific month or date.
Events in Edinburgh
Archie Brennan: Tapestry Goes Pop!
Archie Brennan: Tapestry Goes Pop! tells the story of Edinburgh native Archie Brennan (1931-2019) in the first-ever major retrospective of his work.
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Curious About Edinburgh - Quirky Heritage Walks for the Curious!
Have fun discovering Edinburgh on this quirky, self-guided, heritage walk with a treasure hunt theme from Curious About!
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Gun Salutes
Join us at Edinburgh Castle for a number of gun salutes throughout the year. Each gun salute, unless otherwise stated, takes place at 12 noon.
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Hopetoun Grounds Walk
This Ranger-led walk at Hopetoun House will lead you through the nature and history of Hopetoun’s designed landscape.
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Family Trail: Portraits at the Palace
Pick up your copy of this family trail and use it to become an art detective and explore the Palace, discovering details and hidden histories in the portraits on display.
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A Summer To Remember - Bobby’s Heritage Trail
Looking for free fun activities for children over the summer holidays?
Come along to 'A Summer to Remember' at The Wee Museum of Memory in Ocean Terminal Shopping Centre, Edinburgh!
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Discover Edinburgh’s Gruesome History
Do you want to explore Edinburgh's top sights in one evening AND discover gruesome secrets about the city that Scotland would rather keep hidden? Well then, this is the tour for your!
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Digital Lecture: Playing Cricket with the Nabis: Charles H. Mackie’s French Connections
This lecture given by Belinda Thomson, Honorary Professor in art history at the University of Edinburgh, examines the influences of French Art in the work of Charles H. Mackie.
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Jacobite Edinburgh - A Healthy Walk through History
Take a walking tour through time, seeing Edinburgh's Old Town as it was when the Jacobites were there from September 17th to October 31st 1745.
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Lecture: A Curious Flowering: The Hydros in Scotland in the 19th Century
Join Jane Neil-MacLachlan, writer and novelist under the pen name of Jane Tulloch, for this lecture on Hydropathic institutions in Scotland in the 19th Century!
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Edinburgh International Book Festival Themes: Blood Legacies - Confronting our Colonial Past
This series explores how the West’s traditional narratives around race and colonialism are increasingly agreed to be toxic and unacceptable.
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Walter Scott Storytelling Festival Day
Born 250 years ago, Scottish novelist Walter Scott was at one time the most famous writer in the world. Join us on his birthday to celebrate Scott and his connection to the Palace of Holyroodhouse!
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Lecture: The Morton Photography Project at the National Trust for Scotland
Dr Antonia Laurence Allen will share collections, stories and projects from properties as diverse as Canna House, Brodie Castle and Tenement House at Lauriston Castle on 19th August.
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Digital event: Descriptive tour for Visually Impaired Visitors of Charles H. Mackie: Colour and Light
Join artist Tessa Asquith-Lamb for a tour specifically designed for visually impaired visitors focusing on the Charles H. Mackie: Colour and Light exhibition!
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Lecture: Earls, Maids, Dames and Gardeners
Vicky Garrington shares some key pieces from Edinburgh Museums & Galleries large and important costume collection.
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Family Festival: Summer Garden Party
Join us for a day full of activities, for all ages to enjoy, inspired by the garden at The Palace of Holyroodhouse!
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Costumed Performance: A Fairley Interesting Look at Lauriston
It’s the year 1923. Join Mrs Reid, her housekeeper Mrs Mackay and her steward and friend, John Fairleyus as they reflect on the many interesting people connected with the house and estate!
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Lecture: Heroines of the Canongate: Women as Urban and Social Reformers in the Edwardian Old Town
This talk offers a different account of urban reform in Edwardian Edinburgh. It explores the many people who worked together to change the living conditions of the communities in the city’s Old Town
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Lecture: Enlightened Golfers
This talk given by Jim Scanlon, a member of Leith local history society and Leith Rules Golf Society, will explore the variety of notable people who have played golf on Leith Links.
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Scots at War at the Castle
Join Scots at War for an interactive family experience where you can join Scotland's army of yesterday- today!
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Lecture: Charles Hodge Mackie and the Celtic Revival in Scotland and France
This lecture explores the influence of both Scottish and French art on Charles Mackie through a consideration of the work he produced in the 1890s.
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Battle of Prestonpans - Re-enactment Weekend
This large-scale living history event will bring the past to life as visitors get the chance to meet re-enactors in full period dress and witness history being made.
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Burns V McGonagall: An evening with Scotland’s best poet and arguably the worst!
William McGonagall has long been regarded as ‘the worst poet in the history of the English language’. Join Scots actor Jock Ferguson for an evening of anecdotes and stories and a wee dram in betwe
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Lecture: Discovering Leith through Maps
This lecture given by Laragh Quinney will consider how Leith has been depicted on maps from the 16th century to the present day.
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Lecture: A Guid Cause Maks a Strong Arm
This talk explores the ‘gists, the ‘gettes and the fight for female emancipation, viewed by some as a campaign and by others as a war.
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Curator’s Tour of Charles H. Mackie: Colour and Light
Join Dr Helen Scott, Curator of Fine Art, for a tour of the exhibition Charles H. Mackie: Colour and Light!
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Dan Snow’s History Hit
Dan Snow brings his award-winning, chart-topping podcast and online TV channel 'History Hit' live to The Queen's Hall.
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Lecture: E. A. Hornel: from Camera to Canvas
This talk by Dr Antonia Laurence Allen is about Scottish artist Edward Atkinson Hornel and illustrates how Hornel’s travels and use of photographs influenced his artistic practice.
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Lecture: Leith 2020: A Photographic Walk Through Time
Fraser Parkinson will illustrate the rich heritage of Leith through photographs, showing the history and changing face of Leith from the mid-1850s to the present day.
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Lecture: Distant lives: The Earliest Photographs of St Kilda
In 1860 Capt. F.W.L. Thomas sailed to St Kilda to take the first ever photographs of St Kilda. This is the story of the quest to give these St Kildans back their identity and to tell their story.
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Lecture: Tokens of Festive Magic: The Victorian Christmas
Join artist Tessa Asquith-Lamb for an exploration of the 19th century Christmas through antique objects, many from her own collection which inspire her intricate etchings.
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Lecture: Upstairs, Downstairs: Glamorous gowns to working dress
Vicky Garrington explores a variety of historic dress from a much-mended maid’s uniform of the early 20th century to a sumptuous 18th century silk dress scattered with tulips.
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Descriptive Tour for Visually Impaired Visitors of Lauriston Castle at Christmas
Join us for a special Christmas Tour at Lauriston Castle specifically designed for visually impaired visitors.
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Nick Knowles and Neil Oliver – Does History Repeat Itself?
It is time to meet the common folk as Nick Knowles and Neil Oliver turn the spotlight on those who gave their all for the Britain, we know today.
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Events in East Renfrewshire
Cathcart Cemetery Summer Tour Programme
Join the Friends of Cathcart Cemetery for a tour of this magnificent late Victorian Garden Cemetery in the Southside of Glasgow!
Events in Fife
Events in Glasgow
Curious About Glasgow
Have fun discovering Glasgow with a self-guided, heritage walk with a treasure hunt theme from Curious About!
Glasgow City Centre Walking Tour
This is a 1.5 - 2 hour tour that will take you around all the main sites of the city, giving you an excellent opportunity to find out about Glasgow's rich history and culture!
Historic Tours of Glasgow University
Join a Historic Tour of the University of Glasgow the fourth oldest university in the English-speaking world!
Glasgow Music City Tours: Merchant City Tour
Get under the skin of Glasgow's vibrant music scene with this entertaining, guided walking tour of Merchant City and the East End from Glasgow Music City Tours!
Charles Rennie Mackintosh Walking Tour
Join Walking Tours in Glasgow to explore the streets of Mackintosh's home city to experience and witness his lasting legacy!
Glasgow Vintage Vehicle Trust Open Sundays
The Glasgow Vintage Vehicle Trust opens its Bridgeton Bus Garage to the public on selected Sundays throughout the year!
Park Walk: A Story of Stone & Ice
Enjoy a walking tour within the Pollok Estate with one of Pollok House's knowledgeable guides on Sunday 1st August!
Lairds & Ladies Family Visit
Join the team at Pollok House to hear about some of the interesting characters who have lived in the house and discover their favourite hobbies!
The Lighthouse Building Tours
The Lighthouse hold tours every Saturday, they offer a great opportunity to learn about The Lighthouse building, but also about the work of Charles Rennie Mackintosh and the city he was born in!
Antonine Guided Walk
Did you know that Old Kilpatrick is brimming with history? Join local historian Stuart Forsyth for an afternoon exploring the site of the Roman fort, accompanied by a delicious afternoon tea!
Largs Viking Festival & Festival of Fire
The 2021 Largs Viking Festival & Festival of Fire, marking the 1263 Battle of Largs, will be held between the 28th August and 5th September!
Clydebuilt Festival
Back for a fourth year, the Clydebuilt Festival will return to the Riverside Museum and The Tall Ship at Riverside on Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th of September 2021!
GVVT Annual Open Weekend
Glasgow Vintage Vehicle Trust's Annual Open Weekend returns for 2021 on Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th October!
Events in Lanarkshire
Lanark Lanimers: A Wee Look Back!
Learn about the community spirit and passion that surrounds Lanimers at New Lanark's brand new exhibition, Lanark Lanimers: A Wee Look Back!
Chatelherault to Low Parks Heritage Trail
Explore the walking and cycling route between two of South Lanarkshire's historic buildings, enjoying local heritage, whilst benefitting your health and wellbeing!
Leadhills Miners Library
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!
Classic Car Show
Get ready for a day full of family fun when Summerlee Museum's annual Classic Car Show returns on Sunday 1st August!
Events in Renfrewshire and Inverclyde
16 Years: Gigs in Scotland 1974-1990
Join Beacon Arts Centre for a special event as Chris Brickley, author of 16 YEARS: Gigs in Scotland 1974-1990, discusses the live music experience in Scotland!
Events in Stirling and Falkirk
Stirling Ghostwalk
Join Stirling Old Town's most grumblesome Ghoul, the Happy Hangman, Jock Rankin, on a creepy, comic guided ghostwalk!
Nick Knowles and Neil Oliver – Does History Repeat Itself?
It is time to meet the common folk as Nick Knowles and Neil Oliver turn the spotlight on those who gave their all for the Britain, we know today.
Events in Other Areas
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