Featured Events in Edinburgh in March, 2025 (April Updated)

The exhibition sheds light on behind-the-scenes processes, from photographers’ handwritten annotations to correspondence with members of the Royal Family and their staff, revealing the stories behind some of the most celebrated photographs ever taken of the Royal Family.

The centenary of celebrated Scottish artist Ian Hamilton Finlay (1925-2006) will be marked by a new, free display of his work at Modern Two. Sculptor, poet, printmaker, gardener and provocateur, he achieved international renown from the 1970s.Rarely leaving his home in the Pentland Hills, he created a garden of sculptures that attracts visitors from all over the world. Occupying the ground floor rooms of Modern Two, the display includes sculptures, prints and a room-size installation as well as extensive archival material.

Explore the creation and use of maps during the Second World War. Discover their use through personal stories, photography, and memorabilia. Between 1939 and 1945 over 3 billion maps were produced for the Allied, Soviet and German forces. Used to navigate the jungles of south-east Asia or for devising an escape plan, the maps on display are now mementoes. Maps kept alongside medals and photographs to say ‘I was there.’ You'll find aerial photography, war diaries, and even a fashionable dress made from escape and evasion maps. The exhibition introduces us to a Prisoner of War, an RAF pilot, a Brigadier and an army chaplain through the maps they kept as a memory of their war service.

The exhibition sheds light on behind-the-scenes processes, from photographers’ handwritten annotations to correspondence with members of the Royal Family and their staff, revealing the stories behind some of the most celebrated photographs ever taken of the Royal Family.

The exhibition sheds light on behind-the-scenes processes, from photographers’ handwritten annotations to correspondence with members of the Royal Family and their staff, revealing the stories behind some of the most celebrated photographs ever taken of the Royal Family.

The centenary of celebrated Scottish artist Ian Hamilton Finlay (1925-2006) will be marked by a new, free display of his work at Modern Two. Sculptor, poet, printmaker, gardener and provocateur, he achieved international renown from the 1970s.Rarely leaving his home in the Pentland Hills, he created a garden of sculptures that attracts visitors from all over the world. Occupying the ground floor rooms of Modern Two, the display includes sculptures, prints and a room-size installation as well as extensive archival material.

The centenary of celebrated Scottish artist Ian Hamilton Finlay (1925-2006) will be marked by a new, free display of his work at Modern Two. Sculptor, poet, printmaker, gardener and provocateur, he achieved international renown from the 1970s.Rarely leaving his home in the Pentland Hills, he created a garden of sculptures that attracts visitors from all over the world. Occupying the ground floor rooms of Modern Two, the display includes sculptures, prints and a room-size installation as well as extensive archival material.

The centenary of celebrated Scottish artist Ian Hamilton Finlay (1925-2006) will be marked by a new, free display of his work at Modern Two. Sculptor, poet, printmaker, gardener and provocateur, he achieved international renown from the 1970s.Rarely leaving his home in the Pentland Hills, he created a garden of sculptures that attracts visitors from all over the world. Occupying the ground floor rooms of Modern Two, the display includes sculptures, prints and a room-size installation as well as extensive archival material.

Explore the creation and use of maps during the Second World War. Discover their use through personal stories, photography, and memorabilia. Between 1939 and 1945 over 3 billion maps were produced for the Allied, Soviet and German forces. Used to navigate the jungles of south-east Asia or for devising an escape plan, the maps on display are now mementoes. Maps kept alongside medals and photographs to say ‘I was there.’ You'll find aerial photography, war diaries, and even a fashionable dress made from escape and evasion maps. The exhibition introduces us to a Prisoner of War, an RAF pilot, a Brigadier and an army chaplain through the maps they kept as a memory of their war service.

Explore the creation and use of maps during the Second World War. Discover their use through personal stories, photography, and memorabilia. Between 1939 and 1945 over 3 billion maps were produced for the Allied, Soviet and German forces. Used to navigate the jungles of south-east Asia or for devising an escape plan, the maps on display are now mementoes. Maps kept alongside medals and photographs to say ‘I was there.’ You'll find aerial photography, war diaries, and even a fashionable dress made from escape and evasion maps. The exhibition introduces us to a Prisoner of War, an RAF pilot, a Brigadier and an army chaplain through the maps they kept as a memory of their war service.

You know them, we know gifting... Join us in-store on Saturday 29th March bateween 14:00 - 16:00 for a special FREE event, where Magenta Ink Calligraphy will be on-hand to personalise the perfect Mother's Day gifts for that special person in your life! After a personalised fragrance consultation and a complimentary glass of fizz*, you will be able to choose the perfect scent for your special gift, which will then be personalised even further, and of course complete with our complimentary gift wrapping service. Terms & Conditions *Alcohol is not included in the ticket price. No alcohol will be provided to anyone under the age of 18 without ID. Information Source: Molton Brown | eventbrite

This thought-provoking display charts the history and influence of the Theravāda Buddhist tradition across the world, including its role in Scotland today. The Theravāda tradition is one of the oldest forms of Buddhism. As one of the two main branches of the faith, it remains strong in Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia. The display includes a Buddha on loan from The Dhammapadipa Temple in Edinburgh. The Buddha was designed and made in Thailand in 2013, then later gifted to Temple where it is now used in their garden meditation room. The image takes inspiration from the Phra Phuttha Chinnarat (Great Victorious Buddha), one of the most revered Buddha images in Thailand. Alongside the loan are 40 objects from the South and Southeast Asian collection, dating from the 2nd century AD to the present day. They include amulets, relics, statues, and votive offerings, all of which were and are used by Buddhists in their everyday religious practice. A set of 19th century spinning gongs from Myanmar are also on display. Audio recordings of the gongs provide visitors with a sensory experience, representative of the sound of visiting a temple. The gongs are played by Ewan Millar, percussion student at The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.

This thought-provoking display charts the history and influence of the Theravāda Buddhist tradition across the world, including its role in Scotland today. The Theravāda tradition is one of the oldest forms of Buddhism. As one of the two main branches of the faith, it remains strong in Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia. The display includes a Buddha on loan from The Dhammapadipa Temple in Edinburgh. The Buddha was designed and made in Thailand in 2013, then later gifted to Temple where it is now used in their garden meditation room. The image takes inspiration from the Phra Phuttha Chinnarat (Great Victorious Buddha), one of the most revered Buddha images in Thailand. Alongside the loan are 40 objects from the South and Southeast Asian collection, dating from the 2nd century AD to the present day. They include amulets, relics, statues, and votive offerings, all of which were and are used by Buddhists in their everyday religious practice. A set of 19th century spinning gongs from Myanmar are also on display. Audio recordings of the gongs provide visitors with a sensory experience, representative of the sound of visiting a temple. The gongs are played by Ewan Millar, percussion student at The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.

This thought-provoking display charts the history and influence of the Theravāda Buddhist tradition across the world, including its role in Scotland today. The Theravāda tradition is one of the oldest forms of Buddhism. As one of the two main branches of the faith, it remains strong in Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia. The display includes a Buddha on loan from The Dhammapadipa Temple in Edinburgh. The Buddha was designed and made in Thailand in 2013, then later gifted to Temple where it is now used in their garden meditation room. The image takes inspiration from the Phra Phuttha Chinnarat (Great Victorious Buddha), one of the most revered Buddha images in Thailand. Alongside the loan are 40 objects from the South and Southeast Asian collection, dating from the 2nd century AD to the present day. They include amulets, relics, statues, and votive offerings, all of which were and are used by Buddhists in their everyday religious practice. A set of 19th century spinning gongs from Myanmar are also on display. Audio recordings of the gongs provide visitors with a sensory experience, representative of the sound of visiting a temple. The gongs are played by Ewan Millar, percussion student at The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.

Geek Musica at Music on the Mezzanine: A Journey Through Middle Earth is an event you won't want to miss! Join us at Edinburgh Central Library for a musical adventure like no other. Immerse yourself in the enchanting sounds inspired by Middle Earth, brought to life by talented musicians. Whether you're a die-hard fan or just curious, this event promises to be a magical experience for all. Mark your calendars and get ready to embark on a journey through the realms of fantasy and music! Information Source: Muse en Lystrala | eventbrite

Experimental Life Drawing hosted by Strongman Collective Join us for an afternoon exploring the intersection of dance and drawing, featuring a live movement artist as model. Tickets are free but capacity is limited—please register below. Artists of any skill level are welcome, however the session will be largely self-guided. We will have a small selection of materials on hand, but please BYO sketchbook and preferred art supplies. ESHC is an accessible venue. Please note that the model will be fully clothed throughout the session. Strongman Collective is a group of people drawing, dancing, and creating in Edinburgh. Follow us on Instagram for more information at @strongmancollective Information Source: Strongman Collective | eventbrite

Welcome to An evening with TT legend John McGuinness! Join us on Thursday, March 6, 2025 at 6:00 PM at Two Wheels Edinburgh Honda for an unforgettable experience with the racing superstar himself. Get ready to hear thrilling stories, ask burning questions, and maybe even snag an autograph or two. Don't miss out on this exclusive opportunity to meet one of the greatest motorcycle racers of all time. See you there! All proceeds from donations go to the Scottish Charity Air Ambulance. Information Source: Two Wheels Edinburgh Honda | eventbrite

AI Kaidan: Yūrei (Ghost) of the AI Empire Come join us at our premiere in Edinburgh! AI Kaidan: Yūrei (Ghost) of the AI Empire invites you to a pioneering immersive chamber opera that reimagines the future of live arts by blending interactive technology with gamified audience engagement. Step into the year 2100, where Japan has embraced its medieval traditions amidst cutting-edge AI advancements. In a world ruled by powerful lords, human ambition and artificial intelligence intertwine. Follow the story of a British entrepreneur striving to reshape the future of AI, his enigmatic wife, and the secrets that could redefine the boundaries between life, technology, and vengeance. Prepare for a thrilling adventure where the past meets the future in ways you never imagined. Drawing inspiration from the iconic Japanese ghost story Yotsuya Kaidan, this opera adds a science-fiction twist while incorporating traditional Japanese Kabuki theatre and the elegant court music of Gagaku into a Western operatic framework. What makes this performance truly unique is its incorporation of real-time audience interaction. Using smartphones, you will become an active participant in the co-creation of this hauntingly beautiful and innovative live art experience. Join us for a mesmerising journey that fuses cutting-edge technology, rich cultural traditions and the timeless themes of love and betrayal. Read more about the project here: https://alexandrahuangkokina.com/operai/ Recommended for audiences aged 10 and above due to mature themes presented in a traditional and artistic manner. Information Source: Operactive Arts | eventbrite

The Humour Mill presents THE MATERIAL MILL - an open comedy writing session for everyone. Come along to network, get feedback, make pals, write new jokes, and refine your material. Drop-in any time from 7pm until 9pm. All welcome - from complete beginners to seasoned pros and all styles of comedy. Contact @humourmill on Instagram for more information. Information Source: The Humour Mill | eventbrite

🎟️ £ FREE | Limited Seats |OPEN DAYS: HOW TO DRAW COMICS| 2H ✨ Why You Can’t Miss This:HANDS-ON LEARNING: the best way to memorise new concepts and to experience the full process of creating a comics strip! LEARNING BY DOING!ENHANCING YOUR DRAWING SKILL: we will explore tips and tecniques to get rid of the references and free up your imagination!EMPOWERING YOUR STORYLTELLING: storyboards will help you to test your story before being RELEASED.📖 The TOPIC of the OPEN DAY (In 10 Seconds): We will draw a full comic strip, exploring the different phases: from scripting, to the character design, to storyboards, to the final result.🎭 What Makes This Unique:NO CLASSICAL DRAWING CLASSES: we will aim to fully understand all the different forms of art that comics tackle (photografy, writing, colouring, inking, directing etc.).CULTURAL BRIDGE: a unique occasion to connect like-minded people with new explorers, to connect Art with its niches.EDINBURGH EXCLUSIVE: A one-of-a-kind class in Edinburgh!🔍 Practical Info: Dates: 12-15-26 March, 9 AprilTime: 6-8 pm \2-4 pmVenue: INLET LEITH, Print Studio, 99 Ferry Road, Edinburgh, EH6 4ETDuration: 2 hoursAccessibility:no lifts or ramp.⚠️ Limited Capacity Make sure you secure your seat! 💡 Perfect For: Gamers, filmakers, boardgamers who needs an holistic approach to their projectCreatives itching for something newComics fans eager to create their own comic book!PS – The Print Studio has no accessible entrance and facilities at the moment. Sorry for the incovenience. All the material will be provided but feel free to bring your own favs. There would be tea and snacks! Information Source: Schiraldi Arts Comics & Classes | eventbrite

F or Student and Senior discount tickets enter Code: Student_SeniorSCUTTLERSby RONA MUNRO A thrillingly fast-paced play about youthful disaffection, protest and violence, drawing on the history of the Scuttlers, the youth gangs of nineteenth-century Manchester. It's 1882 and the streets of Manchester are crackling with energy, youth and violence. As workers pour into Ancoats to power the Industrial Revolution, 50,000 people are crammed into one square mile. The mills rumble thunderously day and night. The air is thick with smoke. Life is lived large and lived on the street. This is the world's very first industrial suburb and the young mill workers form the very first urban gangs, fighting over their territory with belts, fists and knives. Invisible in history, their lives, deaths, loves, lusts and defiant energy tell stories that will repeat and repeat over the decades that follow. Performed by 4th year BA (Hons) Stage and Screen Acting students. Contains adult themes For Student and Senior discount tickets enter Code: Student_Senior Information Source: Edinburgh Napier Univerity | eventbrite

About the eventClaudia Piñeiro is a hugely successful Argentinian novelist, as well as a prominent public figure in Argentinian campaigns relating to gender violence, reproductive rights and education. She is the author of ten novels - many of which have been adapted for the screen – as well as several plays and short stories. Her novel Elena sabe was shortlisted for the International Booker Prize and she has won the Premio Clarín de Novela (2005), Premio Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz (2010), Premio Pepe Carvalho de novela Negra (2018) and the Premio Konex (2024) de Novela 2014-17. At this event, you can hear Claudia read from her most recent novel, El tiempo de las moscas, and discuss about her writing and activism. Please note that the event will be in Spanish. Image credit: By Secretaría de Cultura de la Nación - Entrevista Claudia Piñeiro, CC BY-SA 2.0 Information Source: School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures | eventbrite

We are delighted to invite you to our very first opening reception of 2025, for the launch of our brand-new exhibitionsWalker & Bromwich / Searching for a Change of ConsciousnessandTrading Zone 2025. This event is part of our 50th anniversary celebrations, marking five decades of exhibitions at Talbot Rice Gallery, open to everyone and always free. Walker & Bromwich / Searching for a Change of Consciousness highlights the duo’s pioneering socially engaged practice, bridging labour movements, Indigenous struggles, capitalism, and extractivism. Their work integrates utopian, socialist, and animist ideals, creating spaces for communities to unite and engage in critical dialogue on environmental and social justice. Trading Zone 2025 is Talbot Rice Gallery’s interdisciplinary student exhibition and showcases work from Edinburgh College of Art and University of Edinburgh students, including PhD researchers in Design, Art and Creative Writing, and students in Fine Arts (MA), Contemporary Art Practice (MA), Painting BA (Hons), Illustration (BA Hons), Sculpture BA (Hons) and Fine Art (BA Hons). Exhibition preview and reception schedule 6pm – Exhibition preview begins in Talbot Rice Gallery 6:30pm – Reception begins in Playfair Library (access through Talbot Rice Gallery) 7:15pm – Speeches in Playfair Library 8pm – Exhibition preview and reception ends Please enter through Talbot Rice Gallery via the West College Street entrance or the South Bridge entrance across the Old College Quad. Due to current issues with the lift that services Talbot Rice Gallery, please contact us in advance of this event if you require lift access, as it is currently awaiting urgent repairs. To ensure artwork safety, we ask that you do not bring any large bags or items with you. There will be a coat check at the downstairs entrance of the gallery for bags, coats and other large items if necessary. Thank you for your understanding. Image: Walker & Bromwich, Llechi A Llafur // Slate or State, 2017. Photograph: Mark Pinder Information Source: Talbot Rice Gallery | eventbrite

Contemporary authors such as Vajra Chandrasekera (The Saint of Bright Doors), Aliya Whiteley (Three Eight One) and Marlon James (Dark Star trilogy) are using science fiction and fantasy as a creative approach to reflecting on faith and myth. Join speculative author, Oliver K. Langmead, as he discusses faith and myth in his own work and beyond it – and invites you to creative speculations of your own. Featuring Oliver K. Langmead Oliver K. Langmead writes speculative fiction. His new verse-novel, Calypso, was named one of the best Science Fiction books of 2024 by the Guardian and Esquire magazine. His previous novel, Glitterati, was shortlisted for a British Fantasy Award, and named one of New Scientist’s best Science Fiction books of 2022. His new novel, City of All Seasons, co-written with Aliya Whiteley, will be published by Titan Books in 2025. He is a Lecturer in Creative Writing at the University of Lancaster, and in late 2018 he was the writer in residence at the European Space Agency’s Astronaut Centre in Cologne. Information Source: School of Divinity | eventbrite

Play On - Read Through Rehearsal Following the success of 'Waiting for Champagne' Fringe 2023, Writer and Director Erin Boulter is bringing a sneak peek of their new work: a script in hand reading of 'Play On' at Nicolson Square Venues: 25 Nicolson Square! Join the Wright siblings as they navigate an escape room to find their recently passed mother's last will and testament. A dark comedy with a Shakespearian twist; the siblings face the challenges of the room as well as their relationship, revealing that their upbringing was not as black and white as they had thought. This script in hand reading is a preview for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe run at Paradise in the Vault from August 13-24 (no show on the 17). All proceeds will go to the artists involved and towards fees for the festival. Grab your friends and come 'Play On' with us! Information Source: Play On Fringe | eventbrite

For Student and Senior discount tickets enter Code: Student_SeniorLOVE AND INFORMATIONBy Caryl Churchill Someone sneezes. Someone can't get a signal. Someone shares a secret. Someone won't answer the door. Someone put an elephant on the stairs. Someone's not ready to talk. Someone is her brother's mother. Someone hates irrational numbers. Someone told the police. Someone got a message from the traffic light. Someone's never felt like this before. In this fast moving kaleidoscope more than a hundred characters try to make sense of what they know. Performed by 4th year BA (Hons) Stage and Screen Acting students. Contains adult themes For Student and Senior discount tickets enter Code: Student_Senior Information Source: Edinburgh Napier Univerity | eventbrite

Upstairs at the Waverley Bar has a performance space and toilets. Drinks are available from the down stairs bar. The bar will be open after the end of the reading. You are welcome to stay and enjoy a drink. This is a celebration of fiction and prose, so there will be no poetry. Information Source: Maggie | eventbrite

In 1925, Scotland played their first ever game at Murrayfield Stadium. They opened their new home with a landmark result, defeating England for the Grand Slam. This was the first in a long line of epic encounters that would take place on that hallowed turf over the next century. In this event, Peter Burns and Rob Robertson share some of the most memorable, significant and sometimes quirky fixtures that have been played at Murrayfield over the past 100 years. This will be an insightful, fun and fascinating account of some of the greatest moments in Scottish rugby. About the speakers Peter Burns is the co-author of ‘This is Murrayfield: 100 years of history in 100 matches’. Peter has been a sports editor for nearly twenty years. He is the author of eleven critically-acclaimed books on rugby and golf and is co-host of ‘The Offside Line’ podcast. Rob Robertson is the co-author of ‘This is Murrayfield: 100 years of history in 100 matches’. Rob is an award-winning Scottish journalist, author and playwright. He has covered the last five rugby World Cups and is old enough to have been in the Murrayfield crowd for the 1984 Grand Slam home games and all the ones in 1990. When you book an event, your personal information will be held and used by the National Library of Scotland and our third-party suppliers for the purposes of allowing you to attend the event and for audience research. For more information, visit the National Library of Scotland privacy pages, in particular the events notice and feedback and complaints notice. We expect attendees to behave respectfully towards presenters, guests and other audience members. Information Source: National Library of Scotland | eventbrite

We are delighted to be welcoming artist and debut novelist, Seth Insua, to the shop on Thursday 20th March, at 7pm, as we celebrate the publication of his blisteringly emotional, searingly powerful novel, Human, Animal, about one family's struggle to understand each other in a rapidly changing world. Dairy farmer George Calvert is fighting to keep the family business afloat. Worried about the future but resistant to change, he refuses to face the reality of his failing farm, his elderly mother's declining health and his troubled relationship with his youngest son, Tom. Newly returned from university, Tom isolates himself in his childhood bedroom, guarding the truth of his burgeoning identity. When animal rights activists break into the cowshed one morning and Tom appears to side with the protesters, father and son lock horns. As the Calverts begin to unravel, a decades-old secret surfaces - one that might rip them apart completely, or finally unite them. Seth will be in conversation with our Event Manager, Matthew Land, who grew up on a dairy farm in Wales. - Doors: 6.30pm, event starts: 7pm, please arrive early to secure a good seat. Tickets are £3and there is a Ticket & Book option which includes a signed copy of Human, Animal. The bookshop has level access, events are seated and speakers use microphones. If you have any concerns about accessibility, please do get in touch and we will do our best to accommodate your needs. Refunds are reviewed on a case-by-case basis, we are unable to offer a refund after the event. For more information or if you would like a signed copy because you can't make it to the event, please contact the Blackwell's events team on 0131 622 8222 or matthew.land@blackwell.co.uk Information Source: Blackwell's Edinburgh South Bridge | eventbrite

About the eventThe Edition Spring Lecture will be given jointly by Katherine Halsey, Professor of English Studies at the University of Stirling, and Matthew Sangster, Professor of Romantic Studies, Fantasy and Cultural History at the University of Glasgow. It is titled 'Towards a True History of Reading Lives: Borrowing in Scotland, 1747-1837', and will include a discussion chaired by Professor Penny Fielding (University of Edinburgh). It will be held in the Project Room 1.06, 50 George Square at 4pm to 5:30pm. The lecture will be preceded from 2pm until 3pm by an optional workshop at the Centre for Research Collections (located on the sixth floor of the Main Library on George Square). This workshop is titled 'Edinburgh University Library’s Borrowing Registers'. Capacity for this workshop is limited, so please book separately for it and the Autumn lecture below. About the lecture - 'Towards a True History of Reading Lives: Borrowing in Scotland, 1747-1837'Histories of reading have often relied by necessity on anecdotal accounts by relatively elite readers. However, the affordances of digital technologies allow us to interpret previously intractable institutional manuscripts to provide a far richer evidentiary basis. Structuring their lecture around two key reading concepts from the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, ‘instruction’ and ‘amusement’, Professors Halsey and Sangster will explore how readers in Scotland engaged with library books as pupils, students, professionals, members of communities and leisure readers. They will demonstrate how library borrowing records reveal rich, complex, idiosyncratic readers, liberated rather than bound by the libraries with which they interacted, ranging far beyond the ostensible purposes of their institutions in their diverse engagements with print. About the workshop - 'Edinburgh University Library’s Borrowing Registers'This workshop will introduce participants to the borrowing registers of Edinburgh University Library, one of the largest surviving collections of eighteenth- and nineteenth-century borrowing records in Scotland. It will explore the borrowings of the students, professors and townspeople who used the library for a wide range of intellectual (and less intellectual) purposes. During the workshop, attendees will examine the content and material form of the registers, discussing the ways in which ideological assumptions are encoded in the institutional practices represented. They will also trace some of the rich reading lives revealed in the registers’ pages. If you choose to attend the workshop, please remember to provide your name as you enter the Main Library so you can be admitted. About EditionEdition (formerly the Centre for the History of the Book) is a collaborative initiative at the University of Edinburgh supporting new research in all aspects of the history of the book, from traditional forms of bibliography, codicology and textual editing to the latest theoretical and digital innovations. Access and recording Please note that this lecture is a free, in-person event held on the University of Edinburgh campus. It will not be live streamed - tickets are for access to the venue. However, the lecture may be photographed and/or recorded and added to the University website afterwards. If you would prefer not to appear in any recordings, please contact us in advance or speak to us on the day. It's not a problem. After the event We may like to contact you in the future to hear what you thought of the lecture and invite you to other Edition events. Please tell us at the time of booking if you are happy for us to do that. Information Source: School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures | eventbrite