History Events in Edinburgh in May 2025
Scroll down to view the events taking place in Edinburgh during May 2025, 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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Shining a Light: A History of Nursing Support Workers: Exhibition
Discover the fascinating history of nursing support work and celebrate the contribution that nursing support workers continue to make today.
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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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The Scottish Colourists: Radical Perspectives
Discover this groundbreaking exhibition in partnership with the Fleming Collection, which for the first time showcases the Scottish Colourists in the context of their European contemporaries.
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Royal Portraits: A Century of Photography
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
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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Snapshots: Gallery Short Talks
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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Edinburgh Street Historians LGBTQ Free Walking Tour
This walking tour of Edinburgh focuses on LGBTQ history from the battle of legalisation to the modern issues faced by the community in the current day!
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Policebox Museum
Discover what life was like as a police officer in the past. Drop in and join the Edinburgh, Lothian and Border police historical society for a fascinating look back at policing!
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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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The World of King James VI and I
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
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
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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A Dram of History
Venture beneath the Royal Mile and raise a glass to Scotland’s most iconic drink with this exclusive experience at The Real Mary King’s Close.
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Royal Portraits in the Press
Spanning portraits of Queen Victoria to King Charles III, this lecture taking place at the Abbey Strand Centre, discusses how iconic images are published and remembered.
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Edinburgh Tradfest: An Introduction to Gaelic Storytelling
Join Gaelic storyteller Martin MacIntyre for an introductory session exploring the history, importance and joy in Gaelic storytelling culture in Scotland.
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Scottish Bottle Show
The Scottish Bottle Show returns to the Queen Margaret Hall, Linlithgow on Saturday 3rd May.
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The Science of Intergenerational Trauma with Dr Jane Mulcahy
Discover the mechanisms of trauma transmission and the impact of inherited experiences, from families to entire communities in this talk given by Dr Jane Mulcahy at the Assembly Roxy on 6th May.
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Henri Bergson: Philosophy and Ghosts
In this talk on 7th May at the Institut français d'Ecosse, Bruno Clément discusses two lectures Henri Bergson wrote in 1913, both of which talk about ghosts.
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Fireside Stories: Herbal Histories
Join artist and storyteller Amanda Edmiston for an evening of botanical storytelling inspired by the Physic Garden at the Palace of Holyroodhouse on 9th May!
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Yotties’ Week
Step aboard this Yotties’ Week, Monday 12th to Thursday 15th May, to see the former Royal Yachtsmen don their white overalls once again and return to their beloved Britannia.
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Underground Unlocked at The Real Mary King’s Close
For one night only on Thursday 15th May, step beneath the Royal Mile and experience The Real Mary King’s Close like never before!
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The Musical Instrument Collection through the Years
Join St Cecilia’s Hall Curator Dr Sarah Deters on 17th May for this free guided tour to celebrate International Museum Day!
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Gretna 110 Exhibition
Curated by the Royal Scots Regimental Museum, the exhibition is designed to raise awareness of the 110th anniversary of the Quintinshill Rail Disaster where 216 members of the 7th Battalion died.
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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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The Port Road Railway: A Talk by Alan McLellan
Join Alan McLellan to walk the old Port Road railway line from Dumfries to Stranraer, with vintage film clips and photos illustrating his journey into the past at the Scottish Storytelling Centre.
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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:
Heritage Course: 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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Heritage Talk: Digging Up East Renfrewshire’s Past
Join Susan Hunter to hear the highlights of her long journey into local archaeology at Eastwood House on Tuesday 20th May.
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Heritage Course: 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.
READ MOREHistory Events in Fife
Here's a selection of History Events you can find over on our sister site, What's On Fife:
The Japanese Garden that Ella Grew
Markinch Heritage Group are delighted to welcome Nicola Dibley on 1st May to regail us with the history of the Japanese Garden in Dollar.
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Classic Car Meet & Greet
Join Fife Classic Car Group for these monthly classic car meet and greet events at Fife Heritage Railway in Leven!
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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!
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 Vintage Vehicle Trust Guided Tours
On selected dates Glasgow Vintage Vehicle Trust are opening Bridgeton Garage for pre-booked guided tours!
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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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Hidden Histories Tours
Curators at The Burrell Collection hold monthly Hidden Histories Tours exploring different aspects of the museum's magnificent collection!
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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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Summerlee Museum Model Railway Show
The annual Summerlee Model Railway Show is being held on Saturday 31st May and Sunday 1st June, come along and see model railway layouts, model vehicles and more!
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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!
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Here's a selection of History Events you can find over on our sister site, What's On Renfrewshire:
Family History Cafe
Join Renfrewshire Ancestors, from The Urban Historian, for the Family History Cafe and talk about discovering ancestors in Paisley and Renfrewshire!
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Paisley Heritage Event: Group Tour of Donald Malcolm Heritage Centre, Linwood - CANCELLED
On Saturday 3rd May, join Paisley Heritage Group for an introductory talk and walk around of the Donald Malcolm Heritage Centre, Linwood.
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Sma’ Shot Cottages
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!
READ MOREHistory Events in Stirling
Here's a selection of History Events you can find over on our sister site, What's On Stirling:
Talks at The Smith: Photography: A Victorian Sensation
Dr Morrison-Low will explore the nineteenth-century photographic collections held by the National Museums of Scotland and the impact photography had on the general public.
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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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George Buchanan, Pedagogue and ‘Prince of Poets’
Come along to Legends at The Monument on 8th May for this lecture exploring George Buchanan’s dual legacy as a humanist poet and teacher, tracing his career and influence across 16th-c Europe!
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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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