History Events in Edinburgh in May 2024
Scroll down to view the events taking place in Edinburgh during May 2024, or use the filters to narrow down the results.
Events in Edinburgh
Rosslyn Chapel & Scottish Antiquaries Exhibition
Historic Environment Scotland Archives acquired the Rosslyn Album in 2021 and this exhibition presents images from the archive collections relating to Rosslyn Chapel and the contents of the album.
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Daily Tours at St Giles’ Cathedral
Join a volunteer guide for a 45 min to 1 hour glimpse into the history, heraldry and life of our historic Cathedral and Thistle Chapel!
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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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Treasures of the National Library of Scotland
The National Library of Scotland's permanent exhibition provides a unique insight into Scotland’s history, culture and people and its place in the world.
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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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Arthur’s Adventure
Come along on a more challenging guided walk to learn about Arthur’s Seat’s turbulent past, created by fire and ice!
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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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Robert Fergusson: the simmer o’ his life
This tribute event at Scottish Poetry Library on 1st May presents poetry read by James Robertson, who will be in conversation with Professor Rhona Brown.
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The Epic History of The Lord of the Rings
Journey deep into Tolkien's imagination, from The Lord of the Ring's mythic roots to its enduring legacy. Followed by Q&A.
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Edinburgh Rising from the Ashes: 200 Years of the Scottish Fire Service
Journey through two centuries of firefighting legacy with our special exhibition created in partnership with the Museum of Scottish Fire Heritage.
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Powder and Pomade
Join exhibition curator and Surveyor of The King's Pictures Anna Reynolds for a closer look at 18th-century hairstyles on 3rd May in The King's Gallery, Palace of Holyroodhouse!
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Journey to the Isles - Part of Tradfest 2024
A mesmerising glimpse into the landscapes, folktales and songs that inspired one of Scotland's great early collectors of traditional arts.
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Edinburgh Castle Gun Salutes
Edinburgh Castle hold a number of gun salutes throughout the year to mark various special occasions!
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Lunch Time Talk- Asbestos From Magic Mineral to Deathly Dust
Join Surgeons' Hall Museums Research Fellow Professor Ken Donaldson as he discusses Asbestos in this bite sized talk on 6th May!
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Unicorn Activity Day
The national animal of Scotland can be spotted all over the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Join us on 6th May for a day of activities celebrating the unicorn!
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Esmé Stuart d’Aubigny, 1st Duke of Lennox, portrait of a French courtier who shook James VI’s court
Dr. Elisabeth Rébeillé-Borgella, historian and tour guide, will deliver a talk about Esmé Stuart d’Aubigny (c.1542-1583), 1st Duke of Lennox at Institut Français d'Ecosse on 7th May!
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Jean Bareham: Walking Tour - ‘Women in History: A Disorderly Tale’
Join Edinburgh based guide, researcher and writer Jean Bareham on a walking tour of Collective and Calton Hill, Edinburgh on Thursday 9th May!
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A King’s Visit: George IV in Edinburgh
Join Emma Stead, Curator at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, to learn about George IV’s visit to Edinburgh in 1822.
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Yotties’ Week
Step aboard this Yotties’ Week, Mon 13 May - Thurs 16 May, to see the former Royal Yachtsmen don their white overalls once again and return to their beloved Britannia.
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An Evening with Surgeons’ Hall
Join us for this unique, adult only, after hours event in the historic Museum and Library of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh on 17th May!
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Sea Shanty Workshop
Come along to this workshop in sea shanties on 18th May with Scottish traditional folk singer, Joss Cameron!
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The Georgian House After Dark
Explore The Georgian House by candlelight after hours on 18th May, just as the original residents and servants would have 230 years ago!
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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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Regency Soirée in the Georgian House
Join us on 25th May for an immersive Georgian-inspired experience, including guided historical dance, a special tour of the house and a period dance and music recital!
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Rhind Lectures 2024
In their most anticipated event of the year, the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland's 2024 Rhind Lectures return from 31st May to 2nd June.
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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 Talk: Time Travel Under My Floorboards - Vikings To Victorians
Join Paul Noble on a time travelling journey from the vikings to the Victorians from objects he discovered in the crawl space under his house!
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Heritage Walk: Giffnock - Mines and Mysteries
Led by Dr. Stuart Nisbet this heritage walk will tell the story of how Giffnock's limestone and fireclay were quarried.
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Heritage Walk: Giffnock - Fire and Brimstone
Led by Dr. Stuart Nisbet as well as looking at Giffnock's Sandstone Quarries, this walk will tell the story of the hundreds of miners who worked coal from under much of Giffnock.
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Here's a selection of History Events you can find over on our sister site, What's On Fife:
St Andrews Memories Group at Scottish Fisheries Museum
St Andrews Memories Group invites you to come for a blether and share your memories of Fife fishing communities at the Scottish Fisheries Museum on 7th May.
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200 Years of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution
Join Sheona Smith, who is closely associated with the Kinghorn Lifeboat Station, as she relates the story of the Institution over the 200 years of its history!
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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:
Gothic Glasgow
Join Gothic Glasgow's sinister host Vincent (The Man in the Hat), for a unique evening walking tour uncovering Glasgow's ghostly, strange, supernatural, creepy history!
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A Short Walk down a Long Street: Sauchiehall Street Guided Walk
Join Dominic d'Angelo, Chair of The Alexander Thomson Society, for a guided walk down what has been one of Glasgow's premier shopping precincts from its early days as a marshy lane to today!
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Charles Rennie Mackintosh Walking Tour
Join Walking Tours in Glasgow to explore the streets of Mackintosh's home city to experience and witness his lasting legacy!
READ MOREHistory Events in Lanarkshire
Here's a selection of History Events you can find over on our sister site, What's On Lanarkshire:
Glitz and Glamour The Golden Age of Cinema in Scotland
This colourful exhibition at North Lanarkshire Heritage Centre showcases artefacts from Scotland's largest cinema collection!
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Lanark Medieval Celebration
Head to Lanark on Saturday 4th May as the town hosts a fabulous free family day out with their annual Medieval Celebration!
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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.
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:
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!
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Here's a selection of History Events you can find over on our sister site, What's On Stirling:
Don Roberto & Scotland: International Perspectives
Enjoy a day of talks celebrating the life, travels and vision of Robert Bontine Cunninghame Graham at The Stirling Smith Art Gallery and Museum!
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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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Stirling Ghostwalk
Join Stirling Old Town's most grumblesome Ghoul, the Happy Hangman, Jock Rankin, on a creepy, comic guided ghostwalk!
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History of Prestwick Airport Walking Tour
Prestwick Airport, just 30 miles south west of Glasgow has had a colourful history since aviation activity was first recorded over 110 years ago in 1913, find out more on one of these walking tours!
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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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