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
Curious About Edinburgh
Have fun discovering Edinburgh with a self-guided, heritage walk with a treasure hunt theme from Curious About!
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Blood and Guts: The Twists and Turns of Edinburgh’s Medical History
Join the Surgeons Hall Museums on their weekend walking tour through Edinburgh’s old town and hear tales of old Edinburgh, disease, dissection and curious methods of treatment.
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Exhibition: Island Dreams
Gavin Francis examines our collective fascination with maps and islands in this exhibition stretching across four centuries of cartography from Scotland and around the world.
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Leith100 : Light-Up Leith History Mural
Come see the Leith History Mural in a whole new LIGHT when it returns for a run of 10 nights from 25th September!
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Edinburgh Medical Detectives- The Return of Sherlock Holmes
Back by popular demand our Curator returns to investigate Edinburgh’s 19th century ‘medical detectives’ as part of our Surgeons Hall Museums On Demand lecture series.
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Edinburgh 1745: Life behind the Jacobite Rising
Join Les Danses Antiques for this half-day online event to experience life in the Scottish capital in 1745!
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British Sign Language Tours at Linlithgow Palace - CANCELLED
Explore Linlithgow Palace with Deaf historian John Hay, whose BSL tour will be translated into English by interpreter Linda Duncan.
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By Leaves We Live: Patrick Geddes Story Tour of the Old Town
Walk in the footsteps of the great Victorian polymath, Patrick Geddes, who made his home in St James court and shaped the community and gardens of the Old Town.
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Caddie Capers with Macastory
Join the Old Town Caddies as they take you for a tour of Auld Reekie in story, song and rhyme!
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SISF: Black History Walking Tour of Edinburgh
Hear the fascinating but littleknown stories of Edinburgh’s deep connections with Africa, Asia and the Caribbean over the past 500 years.
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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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Death in The Arctic: Harry Goodsir and The Franklin Expedition
From Surgeons’ Hall Museum to death in the Arctic; Prof Ken Donaldson explores the history of Harry Goodsir and the Franklin Expedition as part of the On Demand online lecture series.
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Wine and War Masterclass
Back by popular demand, join Master of Wine Rose Murray Brown on Thursday 18th June for a fun evening of history and wine!
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Descriptive Tour for visually impaired visitors of Bright Shadows - Scottish Art in the 1920s
Join artist Tessa Asquith-Lamb for a tour specifically designed for visually impaired visitors focussing on our exhibition Bright Shadows - Scottish art in the 1920s.
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Lecture: The Japan/Glasgow Connection
Dr Saeko Yazaki discusses the vibrant intellectual and cultural exchange between Japan and Glasgow in the 1870s.
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Lecture: Beyond Hornel: Scottish Photographers in Meiji Japan
This talk will examine the history of Scottish expatriates in nineteenth-century Japan and their contribution to the photography networks and communities in their adopted country.
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Lecture: Broughton House & Garden
Join Dr Samuel Gallacher for a talk on Broughton House & Garden. The property is home to many of the paintings and photographs on display in the exhibition E. A. Hornel: From Camera to Canvas.
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Lecture: Artist, Model, Collector: Photography in the Life and Work of Mary Cameron
This lecture offers fresh insights into a fascinating artist. Dr Helen Scott is Curator of Fine Art at the City Art Centre, and author of Mary Cameron: Life in Paint.
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Documentation and Digitisation of Historic Photographs at the National Trust for Scotland Lecture
In this talk, Lily Barnes will pull back the curtain on the intricacies of working hands-on with historic photographs.
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Adult Creative Workshop: Introduction to Pinhole photography
Join us at City Art Centre for a special half day workshop exploring pinhole cameras!
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Lecture: Through the Artist’s Gaze: The Feminine Ideal in E.A. Hornel’s Work
Marianne Fossaluzza, a PhD student in Visual Culture at the University of Aberdeen, gives this lecture on The Feminine Ideal in E.A. Hornel’s Work.
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Lecture: Bright Shadows: Scottish Art in the 1920s
The 1920s was a period of contrasts: This lecture explores the events, ideas and styles that shaped Scottish art during this fascinating decade.
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Proposed and Seconded: The Royal Scottish Academy Nomination Books of the 1920s
This talk given by Alice Strang will focus on the women artists proposed and seconded for election by male allies, including Dorothy Johnstone, Cecile Walton and John Duncan.
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BSL interpreted tour of Lauriston Castle
Join us for a BSL signed tour of Lauriston Castle and step back in time as you experience life in Edwardian Edinburgh!
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Lecture: Roaring Sound: The Instruments of the Jazz Era
This talk will give a brief introduction of jazz as a style of music and explore the different instruments played in a typical jazz band of the 1920s.
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Curator’s Tour - Bright Shadows: Scottish Art in the 1920s
Dr Helen Scott, Curator of Fine Art, provides a tour of the exhibition Bright Shadows: Scottish Art in the 1920s.
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Lecture: Patrick Geddes’ Evergreen and Charles Mackie
Murdo Macdonald gives this talk on Patrick Geddes’ Evergreen and Charles Mackie at City Art Centre on Thursday 3rd June.
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Lecture: The Brave New World of Edwardian Book Illustration and Design
Join Jonathan Wild, Senior Lecturer in English Literature at the University of Edinburgh, for this talk on the design and illustration of books during the Edwardian period.
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Costumed Performance: Supporting the War Effort
It's the year 1916 with Mr and Mrs Reid planning a major event to raise money to support the conduct of the war. Walk through the Castle on a special tour watching the performance unfold.
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Leith 2020: An Archival look at Leith
This talk at Lauriston Castle explores the rich heritage of Leith and its unique identity.
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Descriptive Tour of Lauriston Castle for Visually Impaired Visitors
Join artist Tessa Asquith-Lamb for a tour specifically designed for visually impaired visitors around fascinating Lauriston Castle.
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Leith 2020: Leith Theatre Past Present and Future
The joint speakers will outline the chequered history of Leith Theatre, where it is now and where it might go in the future.
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Lecture: Charles H. Mackie: Colour and Light
This lecture will set Charles H. Mackie’s art in the context of his life. His Scottish artistic roots underpinned his engagement with French art and continental ideas.
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Lecture: Victorian Spiritualism: The Fox Sisters and the World they Created
Ash Pryce is a stage mentalist and founder of the Edinburgh Skeptics society. In his first traditional lecture in more than a decade, he will be looking at the world of the Victorian Occult.
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Lecture: Addressing slavery and Empire at the National Trust for Scotland
Join Jennifer Melville, Head of Curatorial & Conservation Services at the National Trust for Scotland, for this lecture at Lauriston Castle!
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Lecture: With the Royal Scots in Gallipoli
This lecture explores the journey of The Dardenelles - Edinburgh's Royal Scots Territorials - who were the first waves of the seaborne offensive that aimed to end WW1.
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Lecture: Playing with the Past
What can Archaeology tell us about the world’s most popular sport? Archaeology Scotland will discuss some of its and others recent work on the archaeology and history of Football.
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BSL Interpreted Tour of Charles H. Mackie: Colour and Light
Join us for a tour of our Charles H. Mackie exhibition which will have a BSL interpreter present.
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Lecture: Murder, Power and … Pineapples?
Come along for a talk from archaeologist Doug Rocks-Macqueen about recent excavations of pineries in the Lothians and Falkirk!
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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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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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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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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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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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Events in East Renfrewshire
Events in Fife
Scotland’s Coasts
This exhibition, drawn from Historic Environment Scotland's archives, explores Scotland's relationship to the sea and its impact on everyday life.
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 2.5-3 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!
Merchant City Music Past and Present
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!
Historic Tours of Glasgow University
Join a Historic Tour of the University of Glasgow the fourth oldest university in the English-speaking world!
Glasgow Central Station Tours
Glasgow Central Tours offer you the chance to explore behind the scenes of Glasgow's most iconic and busiest landmarks, Central Station!
Holmwood House Re-opening
Alexander 'Greek' Thomson's finest domestic creation, Holmwood House, will reopen on Saturdays from 12th September until the end of October!
Glasgow Necropolis Walking Tours
The Friends of Glasgow Necropolis run regular friendly and informal walking tours of the Glasgow Necropolis!
GVVT Annual Open Weekend - CANCELLED
Glasgow Vintage Vehicle Trust's Annual Open Weekend returns for 2020 on Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th October!
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!
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!
Events in Lanarkshire
Tenement Through Time
Tenement Through Time is a new, innovative and interactive exhibition which explores tenement life in New Lanark between 1881-1971!
Shop Local Exhibition
Visitors to the Tolbooth Lanark will be able to enjoy a 'blast from the past' with the 'Shop Local' exhibition, a display of advertising material from former Lanark Shops!
Hamilton Mausoleum Tour - CANCELLED
Take a tour of one of the finest private tombs in the country and the town's most striking historic landmark, Hamilton Mausoleum.
Events in Renfrewshire and Inverclyde
Guided Tours of Paisley Abbey
Built in the 12th century and steeped in history, Paisley Abbey is a fascinating building to visit, find out more on one of the regular guided tours!
Events in Stirling and Falkirk
Remembering Empire
Are you interested in recent history? Researchers in French studies at the University of Stirling have launched a new free online course called ‘Remembering Empire' and it's open to everyone.
Guided Building Tours - CANCELLED
Join us for a free guided tour of The Engine Shed, Scotland’s dedicated building conservation centre, and learn all about our traditional building!
Scotland’s National Hero - POSTPONED
Who was William Wallace? Listen as a costumed actor gives you an insight into the life of Scotland’s National Hero.
Wallace & Europe: The Lübeck Letter - Online Presentation
Join The National Wallace Monument on Sunday 11th October as it marks the Anniversary of the Lübeck Letter with an online presentation by Liane Cumming and Michael Cooper!
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