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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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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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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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Find Out Fridays

Selected dates between 15th August 2025 - 19th December 2025

Explore a different theme each week on Friday afternoons, during school term-time, with our Learning team at the National Museum of Scotland.

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Coffee & French Conversation

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

Want to practice your French in an informal setting? Join us at the Institut français d’Écosse for a relaxed morning chat – over a cup of coffee or tea and a croissant or pain au chocolat!

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Beneath the Surface: King’s Gallery Short Talks

Selected dates between 23rd October 2025 - 26th February 2026

Join our team at the Palace of Holyroodhouse for weekly gallery talks as part of the exhibition Drawing the Italian Renaissance!

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Weekly Tours at St Cecilia’s Hall

Selected dates between 25th October 2025 - 28th November 2025

Join our team of volunteers at St Cecilia's Hall for a FREE weekly tour of the collection!

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Scotland’s Opium Secrets

5th November 2025

Join Professor Jim Mills on 11th November at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh as he traces the consumption of opium-based substances in Scotland in the early modern period!

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Jamie Ramsay: Running The Americas

6th November 2025

Hear about Jamie Ramsay's most iconic journey: a solo, unsupported run spanning 17,000 kilometres from Vancouver to Buenos Aires.

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OOSOOM Uncovered

6th November 2025

OOSOOM Uncovered is a unique opportunity to engage with the Out of Sight Out of Mind exhibition’s Planning Group and volunteers. Everyone is welcome to join!

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Pierre Boulez and His Cultural Legacy

6th November 2025 - 7th November 2025

Discover the legacy of Pierre Boulez (1925-2016), one of the most influential figures in post-war European music and culture, through a series of conferences and concerts.

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The Oor Vyce Gaitherin

7th November 2025

Jyne us on 7th November for a powerful day where the Scots-speaking community comes thegither at Edinburgh’s Scottish Storytelling Centre.

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Rugby Q&A

8th November 2025

Join us at Brewhemia on Saturday 8th November for an exclusive Rugby Q&A Session ahead of the big game at Murrayfield!

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READ WRITE HEAR

9th November 2025

Led by Dr Elspeth Jajdelska, READ WRITE HEAR is a live, hands-on event exploring how reading has been shared, spoken, and shaped by setting, voice, and gesture across time.

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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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Talk and book signing with Nina Six

11th November 2025

Come along to the Institut français d’Écosse on 11th November when Nina Six will be discussing her work and signing copies of her graphic novels.

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Meet the author Arnaud de La Grange

12th November 2025

Come along to the Institut français d'Écosse on Wednesday 12th November and meet author Arnaud de La Grange - journalist, UK and Ireland correspondent for Le Figaro, and a writer!

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When Madame de Pompadour met Bonnie Prince Charlie: A Tragedy in Three Acts

12th November 2025

Join Michael Nevin for this presentation at Institut français d'Ecosse as he discusses the end of the Auld Alliance, set up in 1295 for the mutual defence against their shared adversary, England.

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The Science of AuDHD

13th November 2025

Join Seed Talks at the Assembly Roxy on Thursday 13th November to explore the hidden similarities of ADHD & Autism and discover how to manage your symptoms effectively. Followed by Q+A.

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Where There Is Love, There Is No Darkness + Q&A

13th November 2025

This is an understated film about economic migration, told in a straightforward and powerful style, a meditation on faith, connection and resilience in an increasingly fragmented world.

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Annual Hamish Henderson Memorial Lecture

15th November 2025

This year’s Hamish Henderson Memorial Lecture at the Scottish Storytelling Centre is presented by David Francis and hosted by TRACS on Saturday 15th November.

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‘Minstrel Boy, The Metamorphoses of Bob Dylan’ Book Promotion

15th November 2025

Chris Gregory is one of the top Bob Dylan authorities and he will be hosting a Book Presentation in Edinburgh at the Fraser Centre on Saturday 15th November.

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Scottish Traditional Music Hall of Fame 20th Anniversary Celebration

18th November 2025

Join Hands Up for Trad on 18th November for an intimate celebration marking two decades of the Scottish Traditional Music Hall of Fame, with David Francis and Louis DeCarlo!

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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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Stephen Venables: South Georgia: The Last Unclimbed Summits

19th November 2025

Stephen Venables has returned 11 times to the wild, sub-Antarctic island of South Georgia, a place as rich in history as it is brutal in climate.

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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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Iron Ladies Film screening + Q&A

21st November 2025

IRON LADIS is the inspirational story of the iron-willed, working-class women who, during the 1984–85 Miners’ Strike, found themselves at the forefront of a battle against the British state.

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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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Talk and book signing with comics legend Bryan Talbot

22nd November 2025

Come along and meet British comics artist and writer Bryan Talbot at the Institut français d’Écosse on Saturday 22nd November.

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Afternoon Tea with Chiya & Chai - The History of Afternoon Tea

23rd November 2025

Enjoy a storytelling talk delivered during our traditional Afternoon Tea service in partnership with Chiya and Chai, on Sunday 23rd November at Marine North Berwick!

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Am I really home? A Journey Through the Literary Voices of Italian Scottish Women

25th November 2025

Through storytelling poetry and prose, four widely published Italian Scottish women writers will describe their diverse journeys of navigating, rooting and belonging.

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Am I really home? A Journey Through the Literary Voices of Italian Scottish Women

25th November 2025

Through storytelling, poetry and prose, four widely published Italian Scottish women writers will describe their diverse journeys of navigating, rooting and belonging.

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Malala Yousafzai - Finding My Way Book Tour

30th November 2025

Join the youngest-ever Nobel Peace Prize laureate and bestselling author Malala Yousafzai as she takes audiences through her deeply personal new memoir, Finding My Way.

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Adrian Hall: Scenery & Science: A Highland Odyssey

4th December 2025

Join Earth Scientist and presenter Dr Adrian Hall as he explores the scenery of the Scottish Highlands.

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Christmas Lecture: Dr Benji Waterhouse

4th December 2025

Join us at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh for our annual Christmas Lecture with speaker Dr Benji Waterhouse on Thursday 4th December!

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Drawing The Italian Renaissance: A Gallery Late

5th December 2025

Step into the world of Renaissance artistry for a special evening event at our exhibition Drawing the Italian Renaissance.

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Drawing the Italian Renaissance: Curator’s Introduction

Selected dates between 5th December 2025 - 29th January 2026

Join exhibition curator Lauren Porter at The King's Gallery, Palace of Holyroodhouse as she discusses works from Drawing the Italian Renaissance!

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Rick Stein’s Countdown To Christmas

8th December 2025

Get into the festive spirit with Rick Stein, the multi-award-winning chef, restaurateur and author, as he embarks on a brand-new UK tour: Rick Stein’s Countdown to Christmas!

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Public Lecture by Sir Steven Cowley

6th January 2026
Edinburgh South

Join the School of Physics and Astronomy at 50 George Square on Tuesday 6th January for a drinks reception followed by a lecture from Sir Steven Cowley!

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Dan O’Neill: Snow Leopards In the Mountains of Kyrgyzstan

15th January 2026

Follow Dan O'Neill as he leads an extreme conservation mission through the mountains of Kyrgyzstan and Mongolia, exploring snow leopard behavioural and spatial ecology using video camera traps.

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Derek Fabel: Nuclear Fallout Exposes Fake ‘Antique’ Whisky

21st January 2026

The Scotch whisky industry faces a growing problem: fake vintage whiskies. Some bottles sold as rare single malts from the 1800s or early 1900s are actually much younger.

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Justin Hawkins Rides Again... Again

24th January 2026

Justin Hawkins brings his YouTube show “Justin Hawkins Rides Again” to The Queen's Hall Edinburgh on Saturday 24th January!

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Celebrating Burns

25th January 2026

Come along to Edinburgh Castle on 25th January to find out more about the bard and some of his works!

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Laura Young: Talking Science and Taking Action

5th February 2026

Environmental scientist Laura Young shares what she's learned about bridging the gap between research and public understanding.

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Conservator Talk: Conserving the Campi Cartoon

6th February 2026

Victoria Button, Royal Collection Trust’s Head of Paper Conservation, discusses her work in preparing drawings for presentation in Drawing The Italian Renaissance, on display at The King's Gallery.

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Jen Stout: Night Train to Odesa: A Scottish Journalist In Ukraine

18th February 2026

Over the last three years of Russia's war against Ukraine, journalist and writer Jen Stout has brought the conflict home to readers in Scotland with her evocative firsthand reporting.

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Curatorial Talk: The Patrons of the Renaissance

27th February 2026

Join Martin Clayton, Head of Prints and Drawings at Royal Collection Trust, for this lunchtime lecture as he discusses the vital role of patrons in the creation of Italian Renaissance art.

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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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Kate Bradbury: Gardening for Biodiversity

5th March 2026

Award winning writer and wildlife gardening expert Kate Bradbury shares inspiring ideas to transform your garden into a haven for biodiversity.

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Jason Fox: Embrace The Chaos

7th April 2026

Challenge your limits, change your habits, and transform your life with this brand-new show from Jason Fox at The Queen's Hall Edinburgh on Tuesday April 7th!

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An Evening with David Sedaris

4th July 2026

David Sedaris returns to the Usher Hall on Saturday 4th July to read new and unpublished stories, take questions, sign books and meet his audience!

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Professor Brian Cox: Emergence World Tour

7th October 2026 - 8th October 2026

After performing his smash-hit show 'Horizons' to nearly half a million people across the world, Professor Brian Cox is back with his new tour world tour Emergence!

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An Evening with Michael Portillo

5th November 2026

Secretary of State. Traveller. TV superstar. The inimitable Michael Portillo joins us live on stage to share funny, insightful, and poignant stories from his extraordinarily rich and varied life.

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Noel Fitzpatrick – Medicine & Music

22nd May 2027

Professor Noel Fitzpatrick is hitting the road with a completely new show, combining his passion for both animals and music and he brings it to The Queen's Hall Edinburgh on Saturday 22nd May 2027!

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Sponsored Links

Hilton Glasgow
Mowgli
Tea Green
Escape The Past
Murrayfield Experience
Children's Classic Concerts
Fayre Play

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 Allan Gaw

An Evening With Allan Gaw

13th January 2026

Waterstones Newton Mearns are thrilled to be joined by Allan Gaw on Tuesday 13th January to celebrate the paperback release of his newest book, The Shadows and the Dust.

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An Evening with Martin O’Neill

An Evening with Martin O’Neill

7th November 2025

Eastwood Park Theatre will welcome former footballer and celebrated Celtic manager, Martin O'Neill, for a special event on Friday 7th November!

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Damian Hall - Running Forever

Damian Hall - Running Forever

6th May 2026

In his first theatre tour, Damian Hall will deliver stories of breaking long-distance running records and representing Great Britain, to running marathons dressed as a​ toilet and near-fatal mishaps

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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:

Conversations on the Coast: The East Neuk Literary Festival

Conversations on the Coast: The East Neuk Literary Festival

Selected dates between 6th November 2025 - 27th November 2025

With a series of events over November, come in out of the cold, dark night, enjoy a drink from Edinburgh Gin of soft drink, and hear from celebrated and award-winning Scottish authors!

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Derek Fabel: Nuclear Fallout Exposes Fake ‘Antique’ Whisky

Derek Fabel: Nuclear Fallout Exposes Fake ‘Antique’ Whisky

19th January 2026

The Scotch whisky industry faces a growing problem: fake vintage whiskies. Some bottles sold as rare single malts from the 1800s or early 1900s are actually much younger.

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Anster Nicht: Cambo, How To Run An Estate in the 21st Century

Anster Nicht: Cambo, How To Run An Estate in the 21st Century

15th January 2026

The Erskine family has lived at Cambo since the seventeenth century, but how does a new generation run the estate in the modern world? Hear from James Erskine, who took over the reins in 2020.

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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:

Glasgow Toastmasters Meetings

Glasgow Toastmasters Meetings

Selected dates between 4th February 2025 - 30th December 2025

If you want to enhance your public speaking skills or learn from seasoned speakers, join Glasgow Toastmasters at their next meeting!

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Aye Write: How to Kill a Witch and Witches: Zoe Venditozzi & Claire Mitchell and Steven Veerapen with Ruth Wishart

Aye Write: How to Kill a Witch and Witches: Zoe Venditozzi & Claire Mitchell and Steven Veerapen with Ruth Wishart

9th November 2025

Steven Veerapen traces witches, witchcraft, and witch-hunters from the explosion of mass-trials under King James VI and I in the late sixteenth century to the death of the witch-hunting phenomenon.

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Bez In Conversation

Bez In Conversation

13th December 2025

Join 'Madchester' legend Bez as he discusses his unbelievable scrapes with mortality, periods of financial ruin, and narcotic-strewn hi-jinks at this in conversation event at Oran Mor Glasgow!

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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:

Strange, But True Crime

Strange, But True Crime

27th February 2026

Strange, but True Crime invites you into the world of real-life cases that defy belief - where truth proves more astonishing than fiction.

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John Power - Cast, The La’s, and Me

John Power - Cast, The La’s, and Me

24th April 2026

Liverpool singer-songwriter John Power will explore his extraordinary career in this acoustic-based show featuring hits alongside tales of the band's wild and successful Britpop years!

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An Audience with Charlie Lawson

An Audience with Charlie Lawson

16th December 2025

Exciting news for Coronation Street fans! Charlie Lawson the star actor that played Jim McDonald is bringing his brand new show to Cumbernauld New Town Hall on Tuesday 16th December!

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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:

An Evening with Jeff Stelling

An Evening with Jeff Stelling

10th February 2026

Paisley Town Hall hosts an exclusive evening of football nostalgia, fun and entertainment with Sky Sports legend Jeff Stelling anchor man of Sky Sports Gillette Soccer Saturday for over 30 years!

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An Evening with Sally Magnusson in Conversation with Laura Maxwell

An Evening with Sally Magnusson in Conversation with Laura Maxwell

22nd November 2025

Sally Magnusson will be discussing her newest novel, The Shapeshifter's Daughter, in conversation with BBC Scotland's Laura Maxwell at the Carrick Centre in Houston on Saturday 22nd November.

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The Witches Of Renfrewshire - Book Launch & Talk

The Witches Of Renfrewshire - Book Launch & Talk

Selected dates between 29th October 2025 - 12th November 2025

Join Brian Hannan, author of The Witches Of Renfrewshire as he launches the book with two special events at Skirlies Cafe on Wednesday 29th October and Wednesday 12th November.

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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:

Leo Houlding - Exposed

Leo Houlding - Exposed

6th February 2026

Join legendary climber Leo Houlding for his next new show, Exposed, a gripping live experience with stunning visuals, film, and storytelling from the world’s wildest places.

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Gordon Buchanan - Lions and Tigers and Bears

Gordon Buchanan - Lions and Tigers and Bears

4th March 2026

Due to phenomenal demand, award winning wildlife photographer and filmmaker Gordon Buchanan will hit the road again in 2026. Join him at Macrobert Arts Centre on Wednesday 4th March!

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Adriana Brownlee - Death Zone

Adriana Brownlee - Death Zone

12th June 2026

Adriana Brownlee will take you on a journey through one of the most hostile environments in the world, and share stories of the highs and lows of her mountaineering journey.

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Events in Other Areas

Highlight Talks

Highlight Talks

Selected dates between 8th October 2025 - 24th June 2026

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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Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival

Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival

20th October 2025 - 9th November 2025
Nationwide

The Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival (SMHAF) is back from 20th October to 9th November 2025, exploring the theme of Comfort & Disturb.

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Book Week Scotland

Book Week Scotland

17th November 2025 - 23rd November 2025
Nationwide

Book Week Scotland is an annual celebration of books and reading that takes place across Scotland, the 2025 festival will be held between between the 17th and 23rd November!

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Luisa Hendry: The Geology of Scotland

Luisa Hendry: The Geology of Scotland

26th November 2025

Geologist Luisa Hendry spends her time sharing this world in an understandable way through social media platforms and her geology tour company.

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Dawn Hollis: Mountains Before Mountaineering

Dawn Hollis: Mountains Before Mountaineering

28th January 2026

Dawn Hollis' talk tells a different story of intrepid travellers who climbed peaks and passes with fear and delight.

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John Goodlad: The Salt Roads

John Goodlad: The Salt Roads

25th February 2026

Based on his best-selling book The Salt Roads, John Goodlad tells the extraordinary story of how salt fish from Shetland became one of Europe's staple foods.

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Jack Capener: Living with the Last Inca

Jack Capener: Living with the Last Inca

25th March 2026

High in the Peruvian Andes, in a spectacular high-altitude landscape, earth worship and subsistence farming intermingle and the essence of an ancient way of living persists.

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Sponsored Links

Go Ape
WST
MNB
Renfrewshire Council
Salvation Army
Hilton Glasgow
Edinburgh Dungeon

Sponsored Links

Hilton Glasgow
Mowgli
Tea Green
Escape The Past
Murrayfield Experience
Children's Classic Concerts
Fayre Play
Go Ape
WST
MNB
Renfrewshire Council
Salvation Army
Hilton Glasgow
Edinburgh Dungeon

Popular Events

Deacon Blue
Scottish pop rock titans Deacon Blue have announced a huge run of outdoor shows for summer 2026, including a date at Edinburgh Castle on Friday 17th July!
Ronnie Rusack Flotilla of Lights
The ever popular annual Ronnie Rusack Flotilla of Light, organised by the Lowland Canals Association, will return on Saturday 8th November to Edinburgh's Union Canal!
Panto 2025: Jack and the Beanstalk
Join Allan Stewart, Grant Stott and Jordan Young for the GIANT of a pantomime we've all BEAN waiting for!
Edinburgh Summer Sessions: The Prodigy
The Prodigy will bring their huge headline performance to Edinburgh Summer Sessions at the Royal Highland Showgrounds on Saturday 29th August!
Edinburgh’s Christmas: Christmas Market
One of the most iconic Christmas Markets in Europe, Edinburgh's Christmas Market returns to East Princes Street Gardens showcasing the best in artisan festive products and goods from local makers!

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