History Events in Edinburgh in April 2025
Scroll down to view the events taking place in Edinburgh during April 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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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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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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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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Contagion & Carnage: The Plague Tour
The Real Mary King’s Close is pulling back the curtain on one of Edinburgh’s most harrowing historical events with its chilling new immersive experience, Contagion & Carnage: The Plague Tour!
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Easter @ ‘The Anatomist’ Escape Room
Easter is the perfect time to gather your team of family and friends to take on 'The Anatomist' - Edinburgh’s award winning historical escape room!
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Easter at ‘The Deacon’s Cabinet’ Escape Room
This Easter, in addition to the usual mind-bending puzzles at The Deacon's Cabinet, there’s a little something extra to discover, a number of small chocolate eggs… will your team find them?
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Hop aboard The Royal Yacht Britannia this Easter
Hop aboard The Royal Yacht Britannia for an egg-cellent day out this Easter holiday and experience the UK's Best Attraction!
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Tartan Day – The history and future of the famous celebration of Scottish heritage in the US
Join the Scottish Arts and Humanities Alliance (SAHA) and the US Consulate General in Edinburgh for Tartan Day and learn all about the history and future of this famous Scottish celebration!
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Curator’s Introduction to Royal Portraits: A Century of Photography
Join Senior Curator of Photographs and exhibition curator Alessandro Nasini as he discusses his personal highlights from our current exhibition, Royal Portraits: A Century of Photography!
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John Roy Stuart - Latha Chuilodair - Culloden Day
In this play, the ghost of John Roy Stuart, poet, partisan and Colonel of the Jacobite Edinburgh Regiment, returns to Scotland to recall his life, times and final battle.
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Hopetoun House and Grounds: 2025 Opening Weekend
From Friday 18th April 2025, Hopetoun House & Grounds welcomes you for another season of history, nature and exploration.
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McGonagall Night
Join the International Ghost Society for an evening in celebration of the poet William Topaz McGonagall - a man commonly known as the worst poet ever to have lived.
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A Century of Scottish Colourists with Alice Strang
Join Alice Strang, Curator of the National Galleries of Scotland’s Scottish Colourist series of exhibitions, for this talk on 22nd April.
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The History of Witchcraft and Feminism
Uncover the fascinating history of witchcraft and how patriarchal ideas shaped the image of a witch at the Assembly Roxy on Wednesday 23rd April! Followed by Q&A.
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Drama, Dynamism and Detail: Italian Baroque Paintings in the Royal Collection
Join Assistant Curator of Paintings Dr Amy Parrish on 24th April to delve into some of the extraordinary works of Italian Baroque painting contained within the Royal Collection.
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South Asian Coins in Museums and Proactive Repatriation and Justice-Seeking
Join the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland on 24th April at Augustine United Church for two special history talks and our Spring Election event!
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An Afternoon with Esther Inglis (c. 1571-1624)
Join author Sara Sheridan & experts to explore the life and work of calligrapher Esther Inglis, with live Renaissance music and spoken word poetry inspired by her exquisite manuscripts!
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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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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:
Back To The Windfarm: History-themed Bus Tour
On Sunday 13th April, hop aboard the Whitelee Windfarm Tour Bus and journey back in time with local historian and author Susan Hunter!
READ MOREHistory Events in Fife
Here's a selection of History Events you can find over on our sister site, What's On Fife:
Above my Station - A Railwayman’s Guide to the Railways.
Join Markinch Heritage Group on 3rd April for a fascinating, interesting and informative talk by Jim Summers, a man who was at the heart of Scotland's railways!
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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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Bus Bundle
Come along to Fife Heritage Railway for the Bus Bundle, an event created by our youth members where visitors can enjoy the best of both worlds, train and bus.
READ MOREHistory Events in Glasgow
Here's a selection of History Events you can find over on our sister site, What's On Glasgow:
Behind The Scenes Tour of GMRC
Glasgow Museums Resource Centre is home to over a million treasures, come and see for yourself on one of their regular Behind the Scenes Tours!
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Twilight Tour: Three Lost Buildings of Glasgow
Hunterian curator Joseph Sharples will lead a Twilight Tour of a new Hunterian display in the Kelvin Hall Avenue, looking at three demolished Glasgow buildings and how we remember them.
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Carmunnock Heritage Trail
Take a unique, free, self-guided, multi-media tour around Glasgow's last village - Carmunnock by following the Carmunnock Heritage Trail!
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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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Spring Heritage Festival
New Lanark's Spring Heritage Festival is all about showcasing Lanarkshire's fascinating history and bringing to life some of the amazing stories and objects that make up their community's heritage!
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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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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History Cafe
Join Renfrewshire Heritage in Blend Coffee Lounge at Paisley Arts Centre for their in-person History Cafe on Saturday 12th April.
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: Great Scottish Writers: Lavinia Derwent
Writer Adrian Ross gives this talk on children’s author and broadcaster Lavinia Derwent, who found huge success late in life, with memoirs about growing up on a farm in the Borders.
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Free Guided tours: Burns, Byron and Bridgerton
Join us at Dunblane Cathedral on Sunday 20th April for a fascinating journey through history at our graveyard and discover the intriguing stories that lie beneath!
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AGT150 ‘Greek’ Thomson Exhibition - with Cottier Colour Section
Balfron Heritage Group are delighted to present this exhibition displaying the life and work of Balfron-born Victorian architect Alexander 'Greek' Thomson an accompanying exhibit of Cottier Colours.
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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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