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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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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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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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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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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Women’s History Tour
Join Roisin Kenny Caird on this unique walking tour of Edinburgh's bold and gallus women this Easter weekend!
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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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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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Stories from Hospitals Back Home during the First World War
Join the Royal College of Nursing for an evening exploring how in the First World War, volunteers provided nurses with vital support as they cared for sick and wounded soldiers in hospitals back home.
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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:
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.
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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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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:
Glasgow Necropolis Walking Tours
The Friends of Glasgow Necropolis run regular friendly and informal walking tours of the Glasgow Necropolis!
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Maryhill Remembers: WW1 Plaque Unveiling and Commemoration
Join Maryhill Burgh Halls for a special commemorative ceremony as they unveil the Maryhill WWI Memorial Plaque on Friday 25th April.
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Historic Tours of Glasgow University
Join a historic walking tour of the University of Glasgow the fourth oldest university in the English-speaking world!
READ MOREHistory Events in Lanarkshire
Here's a selection of History Events you can find over on our sister site, What's On Lanarkshire:
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!
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Classic Car Show
Get ready for a day full of family fun when Summerlee Museum's annual Classic Car Show returns on Sunday 27th April!
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Ship Ahoy!
Ship Ahoy! is an exciting and unique Scottish Maritime Heritage Exhibition including displays of model ships, ship photographs and historic video footage, as well as displays of working model ships.
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Here's a selection of History Events you can find over on our sister site, What's On Renfrewshire:
World War II Talk and Artefacts
Paisley Heritage are joined by Pete Scally at Whitehaugh Barracks on Wednesday 23rd April for a talk on World War II.
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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:
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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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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