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!
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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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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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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Royal Portraits in the Press
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
The Scottish Bottle Show returns to the Queen Margaret Hall, Linlithgow on Saturday 3rd May.
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Henri Bergson: Philosophy and Ghosts
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
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
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
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
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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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: Digging Up East Renfrewshire’s Past
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: House History: Delving Deeper
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 Course: Family History: Delving Deeper
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.
READ MOREHistory 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
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
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:
Empire Live: Booze & Brews
Historians William Dalrymple and Anita Anand are taking their sold-out London live show, Booze & Brews, on a UK TOUR this summer, catch it at the Theatre Royal Glasgow on Friday 30th May!
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Glasgow Museums Resource Centre Specialist Tours
Throughout the year Glasgow Museums Resource Centre holds Specialist Tours where you can join the curators for an in depth look at the collections!
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Hidden Histories Tours
Curators at The Burrell Collection hold monthly Hidden Histories Tours exploring different aspects of the museum's magnificent collection!
READ MOREHistory 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
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
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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Here's a selection of History Events you can find over on our sister site, What's On Renfrewshire:
Paisley Heritage Event: Group Tour of Donald Malcolm Heritage Centre, Linwood - CANCELLED
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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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!
READ MOREHistory 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
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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Talks at The Smith: Photography: A Victorian Sensation
Dr Morrison-Low will explore the nineteenth-century photographic collections held by the National Museums of Scotland and the impact photography had on the general public.
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Stirling Ghostwalk
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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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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