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History Events in Edinburgh in May 2025

Scroll down to view the events taking place in Edinburgh during May 2025, or use the filters to narrow down the results.

Events in Edinburgh

Curious About Edinburgh - Quirky Heritage Walks for the Curious!

1st January 2024 - 31st December 2025
Various Locations Edinburgh

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

9th March 2024 - 26th January 2026

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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Cold War Scotland

13th July 2024 - 4th January 2026

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

12th November 2024 - 12th November 2025

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

20th November 2024 - 29th May 2025

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

1st December 2024 - 31st December 2025

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

12th December 2024 - 31st December 2025

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

18th January 2025 - 27th November 2025

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

7th February 2025 - 28th June 2025

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

28th February 2025 - 7th September 2025

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

Selected dates between 1st March 2025 - 28th December 2025

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

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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Edinburgh Street Historians LGBTQ Free Walking Tour

Selected dates between 14th March 2025 - 6th June 2025
Edinburgh Old Town

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

Selected dates between 19th March 2025 - 18th June 2025

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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The World of King James VI and I

26th April 2025 - 14th September 2025

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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Royal Portraits in the Press

2nd May 2025

Spanning portraits of Queen Victoria to King Charles III, this lecture taking place at the Abbey Strand Centre, discusses how iconic images are published and remembered.

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Scottish Bottle Show

3rd May 2025

The Scottish Bottle Show returns to the Queen Margaret Hall, Linlithgow on Saturday 3rd May.

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Henri Bergson: Philosophy and Ghosts

7th May 2025

In this talk on 7th May at the Institut français d'Ecosse, Bruno Clément discusses two lectures Henri Bergson wrote in 1913, both of which talk about ghosts.

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Fireside Stories: Herbal Histories

9th May 2025

Join artist and storyteller Amanda Edmiston for an evening of botanical storytelling inspired by the Physic Garden at the Palace of Holyroodhouse on 9th May!

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Yotties’ Week

12th May 2025 - 15th May 2025

Step aboard this Yotties’ Week, Monday 12th to Thurs 15th May, to see the former Royal Yachtsmen don their white overalls once again and return to their beloved Britannia.

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Underground Unlocked at The Real Mary King’s Close

15th May 2025

For one night only on Thursday 15th May, step beneath the Royal Mile and experience The Real Mary King’s Close like never before!

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Ghosts - Tales of Terror at Lauriston Castle

Selected dates between 24th May 2025 - 27th September 2025

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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Sponsored Links

RSPB
Kevin Quantum
Renfrewshire Council
Escape The Past
One Ren
xfire

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 Course: House History: Delving Deeper

Heritage Course: House History: Delving Deeper

13th May 2025

This half day course is ideal for those who have completed House History for Beginners, or who already have some experience in house history research but would like to learn more.

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Heritage Talk: Digging Up East Renfrewshire’s Past

Heritage Talk: Digging Up East Renfrewshire’s Past

20th May 2025

Join Susan Hunter to hear the highlights of her long journey into local archaeology at Eastwood House on Tuesday 20th May.

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Heritage Course: Family History: Delving Deeper

Heritage Course: Family History: Delving Deeper

13th May 2025

This half day course is ideal for those who have completed Family History for Beginners, or who already have some experience in family history research but would like to learn more.

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History Events in Fife

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

Classic Car Meet & Greet

Classic Car Meet & Greet

Selected dates between 13th April 2025 - 12th October 2025

Join Fife Classic Car Group for these monthly classic car meet and greet events at Fife Heritage Railway in Leven!

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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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History Events in Glasgow

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

Historic Tours of Glasgow University

Historic Tours of Glasgow University

Selected dates between 7th January 2025 - 18th December 2025

Join a historic walking tour of the University of Glasgow the fourth oldest university in the English-speaking world!

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Charles Rennie Mackintosh Walking Tour

Charles Rennie Mackintosh Walking Tour

Selected dates between 10th May 2025 - 25th October 2025

Join Walking Tours in Glasgow to explore the streets of Mackintosh's home city to experience and witness his lasting legacy!

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Carmunnock Heritage Trail

Carmunnock Heritage Trail

1st January 2025 - 31st December 2025

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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History Events in Lanarkshire

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

Hamilton Mausoleum Tour

Hamilton Mausoleum Tour

Selected dates between 8th February 2025 - 22nd November 2025

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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Lanark Medieval Celebration

Lanark Medieval Celebration

3rd May 2025

Head to Lanark on Saturday 3rd May as the town hosts a fabulous free family day out with the return of their annual Medieval Celebration!

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History 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

Sma’ Shot Cottages

Selected dates between 2nd April 2025 - 27th September 2025

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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Paisley Heritage Event: Group Tour of Donald Malcolm Heritage Centre, Linwood - CANCELLED

Paisley Heritage Event: Group Tour of Donald Malcolm Heritage Centre, Linwood - CANCELLED

3rd May 2025

On Saturday 3rd May, join Paisley Heritage Group for an introductory talk and walk around of the Donald Malcolm Heritage Centre, Linwood.

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History Events in Stirling

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

Scotland’s National Hero

Scotland’s National Hero

8th February 2025 - 26th October 2025

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

Stirling Ghostwalk

3rd January 2025 - 27th December 2025

Take a tour of the strange tales and stranger characters of Stirling's Old Town on the Stirling Ghostwalk... comedy, drama, fact and fable - fun for boys & ghouls of all ages!

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VE Day 80

VE Day 80

3rd May 2025 - 4th May 2025

Come along to Stirling Castle on 3rd and 4th May to celebrate the 80th anniversary of VE Day!

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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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Sponsored Links

Goldups Lane
Fayre Play
Wedding Unconvention
Support The Makers
Edinburgh Dungeon
ATG
Hostelworld

Sponsored Links

RSPB
Kevin Quantum
Renfrewshire Council
Escape The Past
One Ren
xfire
Goldups Lane
Fayre Play
Wedding Unconvention
Support The Makers
Edinburgh Dungeon
ATG
Hostelworld

Popular Events

Mysteries: A Close-Up Magic Experience
Step into the magical world of Wonder & Co. - Scotland's only magic shop - and experience an intimate evening of extraordinary close-up magic!
Forth 50 - Live! - CANCELLED
Forth 1 is celebrating it's first 50 years with an incredible live gig at The Royal Highland Centre on Saturday 31st May!
Sparks
Now into their sixth decade of making music, don't miss Sparks live at the Edinburgh Playhouse on Friday 18th July!
XGenerationX
Celebrated original Generation X drummer Mark Laff returns with XGENERATIONX for a UK tour in November, don't miss them live at The Voodoo Rooms on Sunday 16th!
Steeleye Span
Steeleye Span return with Conflict, their first full studio album in over five years, and a supporting tour which will see them play The Queens Hall Edinburgh on Sunday 16th November!

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