History Events in Edinburgh in August 2025
Scroll down to view the events taking place in Edinburgh during August 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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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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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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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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Innovations & Inventions Tour
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
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
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
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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Dear Library
To mark our 100th birthday, the National Library of Scotland presents a special exhibition, 'Dear Library'.
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Resistance
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!
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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Costume at court: Family dressing up
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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Family Physic Garden Tours
Join us in the Physic Garden this summer for free family history tours designed specially for children!
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Highlight Tours of St Cecilia’s Hall
Join us at St Cecilia’s Hall during the Fringe for a guided tour of the musical treasures on display. Topics and guides vary daily!
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Great Kilt Demonstration
This August, ScotlandShop is thrilled to introduce Great Kilt Demonstrations in our Edinburgh store happening daily throughout the month!
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Letters From Exes
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
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
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
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
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!
READ MOREThe Underground Lectures: The Healing Power of Alchemy
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
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.
READ MOREThe Underground Lectures: Mary Somerville: a Love for Mathematics, Science and Orange Marmalade
Join historian Ruth Boreham to discover how Mary’s Somerville thirst for knowledge never dimmed, no matter what her age!
READ MOREThe Underground Lectures: Adventures in Banking: The Turbulent Tales of the Original Bank of Scotland Investors
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!
READ MOREThe Underground Lectures: Sex and the Second World War
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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History Events in East Renfrewshire
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
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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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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Creative Coven: Voices & Visions of the WITCH
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.
READ MOREHistory Events in Glasgow
Here's a selection of History Events you can find over on our sister site, What's On Glasgow:
From Pit To Pitch: A Story Of Coal Seams & Football Dreams
From Pit To Pitch: A Story Of Coal Seams & Football Dreams at the Scottish Football Museum explores the links between mining and football in Scotland.
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Time Travel Day: Medieval and Rennaisance Glasgow
With trails and craft activities for kids, and herbal recipe demonstrations in the historic vaulted kitchen, this is a chance to discover a truly special building!
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Glasgow Music City Tours: Music Mile Walking Tour
Feel the beat of Glasgow's vibrant music scene with this entertaining, guided walking tour of the city centre with Glasgow Music City Tours!
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Here's a selection of History Events you can find over on our sister site, What's On Lanarkshire:
Everything Flows: Music in North Lanarkshire
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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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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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!
READ MOREHistory Events in Renfrewshire and Inverclyde
Here's a selection of History Events you can find over on our sister site, What's On Renfrewshire:
Paisley Rediscovered: The Recovery Series - Paisley Rediscovered
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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Family History Cafe: Paisley Poor Relief
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 - The Bargarran Witchhunt
Paisley Rediscovered: The Recovery Series is a set of Heritage talks looking at the town of Paisley, this talk takes a fresh look at The Bargarran Witchhunt.
READ MOREHistory Events in Stirling
Here's a selection of History Events you can find over on our sister site, What's On Stirling:
The Mysterious world of Runes
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
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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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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