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Talks And Lectures events in Edinburgh

Scroll down to view the upcoming Talks And Lectures events taking place throughout Edinburgh or use the filters to narrow down the results.

Events in Edinburgh

Guided Looking: An Artwork Audio Described

Selected dates between 20th February 2025 - 18th December 2025

Join Fiona Johnston, audio describer, as she describes various artwork and objects from the Royal Collection at the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

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Palace Page Turners

Selected dates between 7th March 2025 - 5th December 2025

Many authors have been inspired to pick up their pen to write about the Palace of Holyroodhouse. These sessions will explore these literary works followed by a hearty discussion!

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Snapshots: Gallery Short Talks

Selected dates between 13th March 2025 - 4th September 2025

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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Information Lecture: Help and Healing on the Spiritual Path through the teaching of Bruno Groening

Selected dates between 23rd March 2025 - 21st December 2025

A lecture about spiritual healing and help through the teaching of Bruno Groening is taking place at The Open Door Community Centre, Edinburgh on various dates throughout the year.

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Chocolate Love Match - Fort Kinnaird

Selected dates between 29th March 2025 - 5th July 2025

Ready to meet your Chocolate Love Match? Book now to secure one of the limited number of spaces available for our guided chocolate tasting experiences at Hotel Chocolat, Fort Kinnaird!

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Conservation Hangar Talks

1st April 2025 - 29th March 2026

See behind the scenes of the work carried out in the museum’s Conservation hangar with these free talks.

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Ice Cream Breakfast Mornings

Selected dates between 8th June 2025 - 14th September 2025

Fancy a wee treat? Join Ms Crème De La Cream's breakfast ice cream taster sessions at Stockbridge market.

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Refugee Festival Scotland

13th June 2025 - 22nd June 2025
Nationwide

Refugee Festival Scotland is back between the 13th and 22nd of June with a packed programme of events showcasing refugee arts and culture!

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Tim Key: L.A. Baby! Book Tour

17th June 2025

TIM KEY embarks on a low-grade book tour to celebrate the publication of his latest anthology of poems: L.A. Baby! Catch him at Monkey Barrel Comedy on Tuesday 17th June!

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Chris Hadfield: A Journey into the Cosmos

18th June 2025

Join Colonel Chris Hadfield for a captivating journey into the majesty of our planet and the vast universe beyond at Edinburgh's Usher Hall on Wednesday 18th June!

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The Story of Champagne with Arthur Motley

18th June 2025

Enjoy a tasting of 5 champagnes, and a talk by Arthur Motley on the fascinating place in global commerce and culture that Champagne holds, at Drinkmonger on Wednesday 18th June!

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Andy Murray - Centre Stage

19th June 2025

Join Andy Murray in conversation with sports broadcaster Andrew Cotter, where they’ll recount intimate and untold moments from Andy’s career in this unforgettable live experience!

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The Neuroscience of Music with Dr Helen Nuttall

19th June 2025

What happens in your brain & body when you listen to music? Explore how it shapes our identities and future therapeutic uses at this talk on Thursday 19th June at the Assembly Roxy!

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Balfour Reparations 2025-2045

21st June 2025

Inspired by archival materials, Farah Saleh’s unique and powerful performance lecture investigates ways of confronting the United Kingdom’s colonial legacy in Palestine.

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Summer Solstice Feast

21st June 2025

Celebrate the season with a delicious foraged tasting feast and guest wines at our Summer Solstice Feast at Rising Tide Cafe on 21st June!

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The Future of French en Écosse: The Way Ahead

23rd June 2025

Following last year’s inaugural Future of French en Écosse conference, this years event will take place at Institut francais d'Ecosse on Monday 23rd June.

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Miss Pirie and Miss Woods

24th June 2025

Join us at The Georgian House on 24th June as we mark Pride with a powerful true story from Edinburgh's 19th Century!

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Mara Spanish Wine & Tapas Night

26th June 2025

Join us at Mara in Leith for an unforgettable evening celebrating the rich flavours of Spain on Thursday 26th June!

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The question of the public space in today’s society

26th June 2025

Join Professors Sandra Laugier and Richard Rechtman who will be speaking on the shifting notion of public space at the Institut français d'Ecosse on 26th June.

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The Night Sky Show

28th June 2025

The Night Sky Show comes to Edinburgh Playhouse to take you on an epic journey from our celestial back yard and across the cosmos!

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A Tea Party with Anna James

29th June 2025

Join bestselling author, Anna James on Sunday 29th June at 2pm, as we celebrate the publication of her enchanting reimagining of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, Alice With a Why.

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The Scottish Colourists with The Fleming Collection

29th June 2025

Meet Theo Albano, Director of the Fleming Collection, at Dovecot on Sunday 29th June, as we say farewell to the Scottish Colourists.

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An Evening with V.E. Schwab

30th June 2025

Join The Portobello Bookshop in welcoming V.E. Schwab to the Traverse Theatre to celebrate the launch of Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil.

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An Evening with Lindsey Kelk and Julie Soto

3rd July 2025

Waterstones Edinburgh West End is delighted to be joined by Lindsey Kelk and Julie Soto on Thursday 3rd July, as they talk about their sensationally spellbinding works.

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An evening with Noraly Schoenmaker

8th July 2025

Join Noraly Schoenmaker on Tuesday 8th July at Waterstones Edinburgh West End, as she talks about her truly inspiring story, Free Ride!

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William Dalrymple - How Ancient India Transformed the World

8th July 2025

Don't miss this chance to hear William Dalrymple tell the story of how India became the great intellectual and philosophical superpower of ancient Asia.

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Glengoyne, Tamdhu and Rosebank with Ian Macleod

9th July 2025

Join Alan Wardrop as he presents the new spirit from Tamdhu, Glengoyne and Rosebank alongside 3 well-aged and rather fancy expressions at Drinkmonger on Wednesday 9th July!

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The History & Endurance of Witchcraft with Dr Julia Phillips

9th July 2025

Join Dr Phillips in this enchanting talk at the Assembly Roxy on 9th July to examine beliefs about witchcraft from the witch trials of medieval Europe to its modern expression in the 21st century!

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Forefowk, Mind Me

10th July 2025

Join us at the Scottish Storytelling Centre on Thursday 10th July for the premiere of a short film made as part of the Forefowk, Mind Me project by Scots singer Quinie!

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Scottish Colour Floristry

12th July 2025

Join Florist Lottie Longman to discover how colour and the landscape of East Lothian inform her work.

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Scottish Memories Live - with Ross King and Jay Crawford

12th July 2025

Popular podcast Scottish Memories is back at the Scottish Storytelling Centre with its second live event on 12th July, featuring two Scottish broadcasting legends in Ross King and Jay Crawford!

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An Evening with Andrew Raymond

17th July 2025

Join Andrew Raymond at Waterstones Edinburgh West End on Thursday 17th July as he chats about his explosive Scottish crime thriller The Bonnie Dead!

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Watt Whisky Tasting With Mark & Kate Watt

23rd July 2025

Join much-loved ex-employee, Mark Watt and his wife Kate at Drinkmonger for a Watt Whisky Tasting on Wednesday 23rd July!

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The Underground Lectures: Sex Sells: The Dirty History of Musical Instrument Advertising

6th August 2025

Sex sells, or so the saying goes, but when did it start selling musical instruments? Join Dr Sarah Deters for this lecture on 6th August!

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Letters From Exes

7th August 2025 - 8th August 2025

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 Underground Lectures: Bookshop Theatre: The Literary Roots of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe

7th August 2025

Come and discover how notoriously bad coffee, book stacks and a Glasgow group were ignitors of today’s Edinburgh Fringe and International Book Festivals.

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Edinburgh International Book Festival

9th August 2025 - 24th August 2025

The 2025 Edinburgh International Book Festival returns from Saturday 9th to Sunday 24th August with the Theme 'Repair'.

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Royal Portraits: A Century of Photography - BSL Tour

12th August 2025

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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The Underground Lectures: No Sex Please, We’re Professionals: Career Depictions in Spicy Novels

13th August 2025

In this lively and revealing discussion on 13th August, let us dissect how accurately professions are portrayed in romance and erotica .

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The Underground Lectures: The Healing Power of Alchemy

14th August 2025

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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The Underground Lectures: Trouble in the Tin: Victorian Tinned Foods, Scandal, and Sales-tactics

15th August 2025

Join food historian Dr Lindsay Middleton as she explores why the 19th-century reception of tinned foods was tainted by worries about poisoning, foreignness, and taste.

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Meet the author Laurent Binet

19th August 2025

Meet multi-award-winning French writer Laurent Binet at the Institut francais d'Ecosse on 19th August for a talk on his books! 

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The Underground Lectures: Mary Somerville: a Love for Mathematics, Science and Orange Marmalade

20th August 2025

Join historian Ruth Boreham to discover how Mary’s Somerville thirst for knowledge never dimmed, no matter what her age!

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The Underground Lectures: Adventures in Banking: The Turbulent Tales of the Original Bank of Scotland Investors

21st August 2025

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!

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The Underground Lectures: Sex and the Second World War

22nd August 2025

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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Shaping a sustainable future: Health care and the climate crisis

28th August 2025

Join Royal College of Nursing's panel on 28th August to discover measures to tackle climate change and explore planetary health.

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An Evening with Boris Johnson

2nd September 2025

Join us at the Usher Hall on Tuesday 2nd September for An Evening with Boris Johnson!

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An Evening with Ocean Vuong - The Emperor of Gladness

8th September 2025

The Portobello Bookshop team are hosting an event with Ocean Vuong at the Assembly Rooms on Monday 8th September, for an evening of conversation about his second novel.

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Hold Fast, An Evening with Catherine Simpson

18th September 2025

Join Catherine Simpson on Thursday 18th September at Waterstones Edinburgh West End as she shares her unforgettable story, Hold Fast!

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An Evening with Racing Icons Mika Häkkinen & David Coulthard

25th September 2025

Don’t miss this unique chance to see Mika Häkkinen and David Coulthard as they take the stage for an uncensored, no-holds-barred conversation about their careers and the 2025 season so far!

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Lulu - If Only You Knew

1st October 2025

To celebrate the launch of If Only You Knew, her official autobiography, Lulu is inviting her fans to join her for an intimate conversation with songs and stories at the Usher Hall.

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SPF Annual Dinner 2025

2nd October 2025

Dine, engage and network with over 400 industry professionals from leading companies in Scottish real estate at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre on 2nd October.

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An Evening with Nicola Sturgeon

7th October 2025

Come along to an exclusive evening with Nicola Sturgeon – Scotland’s former First Minister and one of the most influential political figures of our time.

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Nigel Planer – Young Once LIVE

7th October 2025

Nigel Planer, beloved as Neil the hippy from The Young Ones and a founding figure of the 80s alternative comedy scene, brings his memoir Young Once to life to the Assembly Rooms on 7th October!

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High Performance Live

8th October 2025

Join one of Britain's best-respected sports broadcasters, Jake Humphrey, and Psychologist Professor Damian Hughes, as they turn lived experiences of high performers into your life lessons!

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Uncharmed, An Evening with Lucy Jane Wood

9th October 2025

Join Sunday Times bestselling author Lucy Jane Wood on Thursday 9th October at The Parish Church of St. Cuthbert as we celebrate her spellbinding new cosy fantasy, Uncharmed!

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An Evening with Ben Elton

13th October 2025

The Portobello Bookshop present An Evening with Ben Elton at Edinburgh's Assembly Rooms on Monday 13th October.

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Jean-Yves Laurichesse: Writing between memory and fiction

14th October 2025

Join us for an evening of readings and conversation with Jean-Yves Laurichesse at the Institut francais d'Ecosse on Tuesday 14th October!

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The Society of Unknowable Objects, An Evening with Gareth Brown

16th October 2025

Join Gareth Brown on Thursday 16th October at Waterstones Edinburgh West End as we celebrate the publication on his A fast-paced flight of magic and mystery, The Society of Unknowable Objects.

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Explorers – The Age of Discovery with James May

17th October 2025

From Ice Age migrations to space travel, the stories of famous, infamous and unknown explorers will come to life, presented by British television presenter and award-winning journalist James May!

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An Evening with Mary Beard

18th October 2025

Step into the world of Ancient Rome with renowned historian Mary Beard as she uncovers the stories that history forgot.

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The air we breathe: Air pollution and health past and present

23rd October 2025

Join the Royal College of Nursing on 23rd October, in person or online, for this talk exploring historical and current action to address air pollution effects on health.

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Adam Frost

26th October 2025

Award-winning British garden designer and BBC Gardeners’ World presenter, Adam Frost, is leaving the garden and heading back out on tour, with a date at Assembly Rooms!

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An Evening with Heart Of Midlothian Legends

2nd November 2025

An Evening with Heart of Midlothian legends comes to the Assembly halls in Edinburgh starring legends: John Robertson, Gary Locke, Ryan Stevenson and hosted by Iain Ferguson.

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Stewart Copeland - Have I Said Too Much

9th November 2025

In this fascinating "Evening With", Stewart Copeland will talk about his incredible life as a performer, musician, entertainer, and writer!

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DOMINATION: The Fall and Rise of an Empire with Alice Roberts

10th November 2025

Join Professor Alice Roberts as she takes us on an investigative journey to establish who spread Christianity, how and why; the story of the fall of an Empire – and the rise of another!

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Digital Scotland 2025

19th November 2025

Digital Scotland is Scotland’s largest digital transformation summit for public sector policy and technology leaders, taking place at Edinburgh International Conference Centre on 19th November.

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Bez In Conversation

21st November 2025

Bez is back with his 'In Conversation Tour - The Nine Lives of a Happy Monday' and brings it to La Belle Angele on Friday 21st November!

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David Olusoga: A Gun Through Time

22nd November 2025

Join David Olusoga at the Assembly Rooms on Saturday 22nd November as he uncovers the story of three firearms that changed the world and the lives of our ancestors!

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Gordon Buchanan - Lions and Tigers and Bears

1st March 2026

Award winning wildlife photographer and filmmaker Gordon Buchanan will hit the road again in 2026, with his live tour - Lions and Tigers and Bears. Join him at Assembly Rooms on Sunday 1st March!

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Sponsored Links

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Fayre Play
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Renfrewshire Council

Talks And Lectures Events in East Renfrewshire

Here's a selection of Talks And Lectures Events you can find over on our sister site, What's On East Renfrewshire:

An Evening With Liam McIlvanney

An Evening With Liam McIlvanney

15th July 2025

Waterstones Newton Mearns are thrilled to be joined by Liam McIlvanney on Tuesday 15th July in The Primavera Bistro to celebrate the release of his newest book, The Good Father.

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Catherine Cranston: The Unknown Mrs Cochrane

Catherine Cranston: The Unknown Mrs Cochrane

23rd September 2025

Find out more about the life of the pioneering lady entrepreneur Catherine Cranston, who spent many happy years in Barrhead, from Historian Lorraine Murray.

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Waterstones Presents Skandar Q&A Event with A.F. Steadman

Waterstones Presents Skandar Q&A Event with A.F. Steadman

30th August 2025

Waterstones Newton Mearns presents a Q&A event with internationally bestselling author A.F. Steadman to celebrate the release of the fifth and final book in the blockbuster Skandar series!

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Talks And Lectures Events in Fife

Here's a selection of Talks And Lectures Events you can find over on our sister site, What's On Fife:

Crail Castaways with Billy Sloan

Crail Castaways with Billy Sloan

21st July 2025

Join us at Crail Community Hall on 21st July for an unforgettable evening of music and stories as we welcome Billy Sloan, the legendary radio host, author, and music journalist!

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St Andrews Memories

St Andrews Memories

Selected dates between 4th February 2025 - 2nd December 2025

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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Composted: A festival of biodegradable ideas

Composted: A festival of biodegradable ideas

31st May 2025 - 26th July 2025

Cambo Gardens in Fife is excited to announce Composted – a festival of biodegradable ideas, a unique six-week event happening from 31 May to 26 July.

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Talks And Lectures Events in Glasgow

Here's a selection of Talks And Lectures Events you can find over on our sister site, What's On Glasgow:

An Audience with Airline’s Jane Boulton

An Audience with Airline’s Jane Boulton

12th October 2025

An intimate evening filled with honest conversations, hilarious anecdotes, and plenty of surprises when Airline's Jane Boulton comes to Slay Glasgow on Sunday 12th October!

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Art of Possible: From X-ray Scans to AI Plans - Glasgow’s Health and Life Sciences Journey

Art of Possible: From X-ray Scans to AI Plans - Glasgow’s Health and Life Sciences Journey

19th June 2025

As part of the Glasgow 850 celebrations, this special Art of Possible session explores how the Glasgow City Region is redefining healthcare through innovation.

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Celtic Connections

Celtic Connections

15th January 2026 - 1st February 2026

The January blues are set to be well and truly banished as Glasgow comes alive when Celtic Connections returns for 2026 between Thursday 15th January and Sunday 1st February!

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Talks And Lectures Events in Lanarkshire

Here's a selection of Talks And Lectures Events you can find over on our sister site, What's On Lanarkshire:

The Makings Of A Murderer 2 - The Real Manhunter

The Makings Of A Murderer 2 - The Real Manhunter

27th September 2025

Following sell-out shows nationwide, the UK's top true crime theatre tour returns to The Town House Hamilton with a brand-new lineup featuring Senior Investigating officer Colin Sutton!

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An Evening With Ricky Tomlinson

An Evening With Ricky Tomlinson

18th July 2025

Royle Family and Brookside star Ricky Tomlinson is coming to Airdrie Working Mens Social Club for a fantastic event... An Evening With Ricky Tomlinson hosted by Asa Murphy!

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Scotland’s ACEs Journey Gala Day

Scotland’s ACEs Journey Gala Day

21st June 2025

Come and hear the creative ways in which people have acted on their knowledge of relationships, trauma, ACEs and connection at Scotland’s ACEs Journey Gala Day on Saturday 21st June!

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Talks And Lectures Events in Renfrewshire and Inverclyde

Here's a selection of Talks And Lectures Events you can find over on our sister site, What's On Renfrewshire:

Poetry & Music with Polly Bee and Bobby Motherwell

Poetry & Music with Polly Bee and Bobby Motherwell

20th June 2025

Local writers Polly Bee and Bobby Motherwell will introduce their new books, perform some music and chat about all things creativity at Erskine Arts latest literary event on Friday 20th June!

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History Cafe: The Archaeology of Paisley

History Cafe: The Archaeology of Paisley

21st June 2025

Join Renfrewshire Heritage in Blend Coffee Lounge at Paisley Arts Centre on Saturday 21st June for their in-person History Cafe discussing The Archaeology of Paisley.

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Talks And Lectures Events in Stirling

Here's a selection of Talks And Lectures Events you can find over on our sister site, What's On Stirling:

Brett Tippie – The Right Line

Brett Tippie – The Right Line

5th November 2025

Join Brett Tippie at The Albert Halls, Stirling on 5th November and hear stories of his wild and inspiring roller-coaster of a career!

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Lucy Lapinska & Jo Callaghan In Conversation

Lucy Lapinska & Jo Callaghan In Conversation

10th August 2025

Waterstones Stirling is delighted to be joined by Lucy Lapinska and Jo Callaghan on Sunday 10th August for a discussion about AI in fiction.

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Bevanda & Co Presents InchDairnie Distillery at The Bawbee

Bevanda & Co Presents InchDairnie Distillery at The Bawbee

26th June 2025

Join Bevanda & Co with the incredible InchDairnie Distillery at The Bawbee in Bridge of Allan for an amazing Ryelaw Whisky Bar Takeover on Thursday 26th June!

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Events in Other Areas

Highlight Talks

Highlight Talks

Selected dates between 11th September 2024 - 18th June 2025

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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A Blether O Books: Scotland Through Literature

A Blether O Books: Scotland Through Literature

1st November 2025 - 2nd November 2025

Join the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum this November as they welcome a selection of authors in this celebration of Scottish literature!

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Sponsored Links

MNB
Scottish Refugee Council
ChangeWorks
ATG
Hostelworld
Edinburgh Dungeon

Sponsored Links

St Mary's Music School
Fayre Play
Escape The Past
Escape The Past
Renfrewshire Council
MNB
Scottish Refugee Council
ChangeWorks
ATG
Hostelworld
Edinburgh Dungeon

Popular Events

Hidden Door Festival 2025
Hidden Door is taking over The Paper Factory, the biggest venue to date, featuring five full nights of music, visual art, dance, spoken word and everything in between.
Square Cinema
Prep your picnic blankets and get ready to enjoy a FREE outdoor cinema experience from 13th - 15th June 2025, in the heart of Edinburgh City Centre.
Kiki - Pride Never Dies
KIKI is back and this time we are celebrating PRIDE. Join us on the 27th of June at Leith Arches! ️
Thunderbirds Tabletop Taster
Play through a daring rescue mission, roll the dice, make decisions and save the world at this taster session on 21st June at Ancient Robot Games! Parents can come along and grab a coffee.
How to draw your dragon
Discover a wealth of dragons from around the world in this fun family workshop at the National Library of Scotland on Saturday 19th July!

Popular Listings

Corn Exchange Haddington Edinburgh Playhouse Festival Theatre Edinburgh Howden Park Centre Livingston Kings Theatre Edinburgh National Museum of Scotland O2 Academy Edinburgh The Brunton Theatre, Musselburgh Traverse Theatre Usher Hall