Events at NLS
Browse the list below to find out about talks, workshops and more, organised by the National Library of Scotland.
Book online or phone 0131 623 3734. Places are limited, so we recommend that you book in advance. For more information, or to join the events mailing list, email events@nls.uk.
List updated: 2 October.
Go to events in October | November | December
- October: Inspirations at NLS: Emun Elliot
- 3 October: NLS National Poetry Day with Ron Butlin
- 7 October: Tricolour: NLS poetry night
- 8 October: Thomas Baines, the artist who accompanied Livingstone
- 14 October: Scottish Chamber Orchestra and NLS: 'The pity of war'
- 15 October: Scotland's health: It's not what you think!
- 17 October: Lesley Riddoch: 'Blossom: What Scotland needs to flourish'
- 21 October: Teaching the deaf: Records of Donaldson's School
- 21 October: Storytelling Festival workshop: African journeys
- 21 October: Livingstone and the ordeal of the Congo
- 22 October: John Witherspoon: An Enlightenment journey
- 22 October: Rowing after the white whale
- 23, 30 October: Exhibition tour for visually impaired people
- 24 October: Exclusive preview: 'Poisoned arrows'
- 24 October: John Murray Archive Lecture: 'Patrick Leigh Fermor'
- 25, 29 October: Exhibition tour for people who are hard of hearing
- 25 October: Toto Tales: 'I knew a man called Livingstone'
- 27 October: The light of the world'
- 28 October: Sex, sin and spirituality
- 29 October: Arts of Independence with Sandy Moffat and Alan Riach
- 31 October: Scottish witchcraft
- 5 November: Muriel Spark Society Lecture: Alexander McCall Smith
- 6 November: Tricolour: NLS poetry night
- 7 November: Craig Mathieson: Polar explorer
- 11 November: MCICH RSA: Swords into ploughshares
- 12 November: RSA: Science as integral to culture
- 13 November: Robert Louis Stevenson and his pirates of the Caribbean
- 14 November: The Great Tapestry of Scotland: Scotland in stitches
- 18 November: Slavery and Britain
- 19 November: The rise and fall of the banks of Scotland
- 21 November: Scotland's shame — Why Lockerbie still matters
- 25 November: Conservation at the National Library of Scotland
- 26 November: Petticoats and pinnacles
- 26 November: The great atlases of Scotland
- 27 November: Jane Austen's Scottish sisters
- 28 November: Sara Sheridan in conversation
- 2 December: Tricolour: NLS poetry night
- 3 December: NLS Christmas Fair
- 6 December: Pop-up book workshop for people with a visual impairment
- 7 December: Pop-up book workshop for adults
- 10 December: If books grew on trees …
- 11 December: Callum Macdonald Poetry Pamphlet Fair
- 12 December: Scots abroad
- 17 December: Tannahill Lecture: Scottish literature and medicine
Events take place in our George IV Bridge Building, unless we state otherwise.
October events
Inspirations at NLS: Emun Elliot
Book now to hear Portobello-born actor Emun Elliot discuss what has inspired him during his life.
More about 'Inspirations at NLS: Emun Elliot'
30 October (please note change of date)
18.00
Tickets: £10. Refreshments included. To book for this event, phone
0131 623 3734.
NLS National Poetry Day with Ron Butlin: 'From Model to Makar'
Ron Butlin, who has an international reputation as a prize-winning novelist, is a highly entertaining after-dinner speaker. Between short readings from his poetry and fiction, Ron will talk about how he became a writer after a few rather unusual false starts, and about his current post as Edinburgh's Makar / Poet Laureate. He will be joined by the poet and 2013 Callum Macdonald Memorial Award winner Rachel McCrumb and musician and Creative Director at Birlinn Jim Hutcheson.
3 October
18.00
Free. Book online or
phone 0131 623 3734.
Tricolour: NLS poetry night
The monthly night showcasing three different poetry and spoken word talents. Three different voices, three different styles, three different takes on life.
This month: Norma Allan, Kevin Cadwallender and Theresa Munoz.
7 October
18.30
Free. Book online or
phone 0131 623 3734.
Picturing Africa: Thomas Baines, the artist who accompanied Livingstone
David McClay, who curated the 'Picturing Africa' exhibition, will introduce us to overlooked artist Thomas Baines. Remarkably prolific and talented, Baines often had his pencil or brush to hand as he explored Africa, with David Livingstone and others. Perhaps his greatest achievements were the detailed, accurate depictions of the mighty Victoria Falls. However his story is also one of disappointment: he was thrown off Livingstone's Zambesi Expedition, and his work was under-regarded during his lifetime.
8 October
18.00
Free. Book online or
phone 0131 623 3734.
Scottish Chamber Orchestra and NLS joint event: 'The pity of war'
Composer Sally Beamish will talk about her new work 'Flodden', in conversation with Lady Judy Steele. The work was commissioned by the Scottish Chamber Orchestra to commemorate the Battle of Flodden 500 years ago. On display will be 'The pity of war' by Iona Leishman (resident artist for Historic Scotland at Stirling Castle 2011-2012), part of a body of paintings commemorating the battle. The SCO will perform 'Flodden' at Edinburgh Queen's Hall on 24 October.
14 October
18.00
Free. Book online or
phone 0131 623 3734.
Scotland's health: It's not what you think!
Scotland's Chief Medical Officer Sir Harry Burns has spent a lifetime investigating the causes of ill health. He trained in surgery in Glasgow and developed a research interest in the metabolic consequences of illness and injury. Working with patients in the east end of Glasgow gave him an insight into the complex inter-relationships between socio economic status and illness. He will explode some of the myths surrounding Scotland’s health and give a refreshing new perspective.
15 October
18.00
This event is now fully booked.
Blossom: What Scotland needs to flourish
Lesley Riddoch in conversation with Tom Bee
Writer and broadcaster Lesley Riddoch will discuss culture, health, language and housing. She will also look at the way in which Scots identify themselves and how this needs to change in order for the country to blossom – as an independent nation or a strongly devolved one. Arguing that limited access to security and wealth has left Scots feeling like outsiders in their own country, Lesley will tackle fundamental and personal issues of identity that matter to ordinary Scots.
17 October
18.00
This event is now fully booked.
Teaching the deaf: Records of Donaldson's School
Here is an opportunity to find out more about the records of Donaldson's School for the Deaf with NLS Senior Manuscripts Curator Olive Geddes. We will be looking at 19th-century material from the archive, including school log books, timetables, and applications for admission.
21 October
18.00
This event is now fully booked.
Storytelling Festival workshop — African journeys
Storytellers from Botswana and Scotland will offer creative pathways for educators into the culture and history of southern Africa. A workshop for teachers, educators and artists in education, led by Ewan McVicar and Kelone Khudu-Petersen. Learn how stories, images and artefacts facilitate rich learning activities and build bridges between different parts of our diverse global world.
21 October
13.00-15.15
Book via the Scottish Storytelling Centre, or by
email to reception@scottishstorytellingcentre.com
or by phone at 0131 556 9579.
Livingstone and the ordeal of the Congo
Slavery has remained a byword for human misery, appalling heat and tropical disease ever since David Livingstone revealed the full horror of it in the Congo in the 19th century. When circumstances forced hardened travel writer Patrick Richardson to follow in the footsteps of Stanley and the great Scottish explorer, he was completely unprepared for what was to come.
21 October
18.00
Free. Book online or
phone 0131 623 3734.
John Witherspoon: An Enlightenment journey
Discover the links between Scotland and the founding of the United States of America. Actor Stephen Duffy, film-maker Alan Hendry and author J Walter McGinty will combine to throw light on the world of intellectual pioneer John Witherspoon.
22 October
14.30
This event is now fully booked.
Rowing after the white whale: A crossing of the Indian Ocean by hand
One boozy Sunday, flatmates James Adair and Ben Stenning made a promise to row across an ocean, despite having no rowing experience whatsoever. Their epic 16-day voyage across the Indian Ocian is a tale of moonglows and meteor showers, eerie calms and dangerous capsizes, lurking sharks and giant squid. This evening James will explain what happens when two friends follow Ernest Hemingway's advice to 'always do sober what you said you'd do drunk'.
22 October
18.00
Free. Book online or
phone 0131 623 3734.
'Picturing Africa' exhibition tour for visually impaired people
Mcintosh
NLS Manuscripts Curator David McClay will lead an audio-described free guided tour of the exhibition 'Picturing Africa: Illustrating Livingstone's travels' for people who have visual impairment. The tour lasts around 90 minutes.
Please meet by the entrance to the exhibition gallery. Places are limited and booking is essential.
23 October, 30 October
14.00
Free. Book online or
phone 0131 623 3734.
Exclusive preview: 'Poisoned arrows'
Go on a journey through Africa with John Kirk, David Livingstone's botanist, meeting some unexpected hazards, as well as some local farmers and storytellers! This event previews 'Poisoned arrows' at Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. With storytellers Kelone Khudu-Petersen and Mara Menzies, and actors in the roles of Kirk and Hutton Balfour, the garden's then Regius Keeper. Supported by David Livingstone 200.
24 October
14.30
Free. Book online or
phone 0131 623 3734.
Annual John Murray Archive Lecture: 'Patrick Leigh Fermor, an adventure in his archives'
Artemis Cooper
Acclaimed author Artemis Cooper will discuss Patrick Leigh Fermor (1915-2011), considered by many to be the greatest of 20th-century travel writers. Artemis used archives and her extensive personal knowledge of Paddy to produce a widely praised biography. Further meticulous archival research with Colin Thubron produced 'Broken road' (2013), the much anticipated conclusion to Paddy's famous youthful journey through pre-war Europe.
The annual John Murray Archive Lecture is sponsored by the Edinburgh Bibliographical Society and NLS.
24 October
18.00
This event is now fully booked.
'Picturing Africa' exhibition tour for people who are hard of hearing
Mcintosh
NLS Manuscripts Curator David McClay will lead a free guided tour of the exhibition 'Picturing Africa: Illustrating Livingstone's travels' for people who are hard of hearing. Portable loop available. The tour lasts around one hour.
Please meet by the entrance to the exhibition gallery. Places are limited and booking is essential.
25 October, 29 October
14.00
Free. Book online or
phone 0131 623 3734.
'I knew a man called Livingstone'
Toto Tales
To celebrate the bicentenary of David Livingstone, one of Scotland's greatest explorers, Toto Tales has created a beautiful, powerful, investigative storytelling performance. This is Livingstone's life from the perspective of some of the African people who knew him best. Why was he so loved? What was it that made him so different to other European explorers of the time? Travel in the footsteps of this remarkable man. Coincides with the vibrant Livingstone exhibition at NLS.
25 October
14.30
Book via the Scottish Storytelling Centre, or by
email to reception@scottishstorytellingcentre.com
or by phone at 0131 556 9579.
The light of the world
A storytelling, traditional song and magic lantern slide account of David Livingstone and his best friend and supporter, James ('Paraffin') Young. The Scots were poor students together — one became famous, the other rich. Their lives, plans and hopes were intertwined even after Livingstone's death. Suitable for families, this session will be led by storyteller Ewan McVicar and traditional singer Christine Kydd.
27 October
14.30
Free. Book online or
phone 0131 623 3734.
Sex, sin and spirituality: The lives of women in 19th century Scotland
Linda Fleming, Karly Kehoe and Lesley Orr are co-editors of 'Scottish women: A documentary history, 1780-1914'. Drawing on women's own words and writing, they will illustrate the varied experiences of Scottish women in the 19th century. They will explore matters intimate and personal, from sexuality to religious belief, and women’s public behaviour, from infringing laws and transgressing norms to campaigning for change.
28 October
18.00
This event is now fully booked.
Arts of independence with Sandy Moffat and Alan Riach
Prepare for the contentious. In their new book, 'Arts of independence', Alexander Moffat and Alan Riach take a hard look at the most neglected aspect of the argument for Scotland's distinctive national identity — the arts. Their proposition is that music, painting, architecture and, pre-eminently, literature are the fuel and fire that make imagination possible. 'There is only one argument for Scottish independence: the cultural argument'. Come and take part in this vital debate.
29 October
18.00
This event is now fully booked.
Scottish witchcraft
Witch-hunting was intense in Scotland in the 16th and 17th centuries. Julian Goodare will discuss what people believed about witches at the time of the Reformation, when the authorities were keen to eradicate ungodly practices. Beliefs about the Devil, and about fairies and other folkloric beings, combined to create a deadly threat to society. Julian is Reader in History, University of Edinburgh. He was the Director of the online Survey of Scottish Witchcraft, and has edited 'Scottish witches and witch-hunters'.
31 October
18.00
This event is now fully booked.
November events
Annual Muriel Spark Society Lecture: Alexander McCall Smith
Edinburgh is no stranger to literary description. It has been viewed through very different glasses, including those of romanticism and of social realism, but the city does not readily submit to such perspectives. Edinburgh is a complex and elusive place, composed of meandering dreams. As a backdrop for fiction it is far from simple territory. Join bestselling author Alexander McCall Smith as he delivers this year's Muriel Spark Lecture.
5 November
18.00
This event is now fully booked.
Tricolour: NLS poetry night
The monthly night showcasing three different poetry and spoken word talents. Three different voices, three different styles, three different takes on life.
This month: Morag Edward, Anita Govan and Richard Medrington.
6 November
18.30
Free. Book online or
phone 0131 623 3734.
Craig Mathieson: Polar explorer
In his youth Craig Mathieson dreamed of following 'Captain Scott of Antarctica' to the South Pole. In December 2004, dream became reality, and Craig's was the first Scottish expedition to reach the South Pole. In 2006 he and a newly trained and inexperienced trekker, 16-year-old Christopher, reached the North Pole. Since then, Craig has embarked on a storytelling journey to inspire others. His vision is to carry out annual expeditions to Greenland with young adults to give them confidence.
7 November
18.00
This event is now fully booked.
Swords into ploughshares
MCICH RSA 'Advancing cultural relations' event
Major General David Shaw and Benjamin Carey of Dunira Strategy give two Armistice Day perspectives. Soft power and the recent British Council report 'Influence and attraction: Culture and the race for soft power in the 21st century' form the background to this lecture. Benjamin Carey is a founding member of UNESCO Scotland and a member of the UN World Tourism Organisation Panel of Experts. Major General Shaw, a Visiting Professor at RGU Aberdeen, is a former General Officer Commanding 2nd Division and Governor of Edinburgh Castle.
11 November
18.00
Free. Registration for 'Swords into
ploughshares' is exclusively via Eventbrite
Those without internet access can book via the Hon MCICH Chairman on Mondays 28 October and 4 November only — phone: 0131 556 2052.
Science as integral to culture
RSA 'Advancing cultural relations' event
Professor Aubrey Manning's record of interest in public engagement in science is well established and well respected both within Scotland and far beyond. He was Professor of Natural History, Division of Biological Sciences at the University of Edinburgh from 1973-1997. He has been a member of many significant organisations, including the Scottish Earth Education Science Forum, the British Association for the Advancement of Science, and the Wellcome Trust Population Studies Panel. He has also made films and television programmes. He was Goodwill Ambassador, UN International Year for Planet Earth, and has won various prestigious prizes and awards.
12 November
18.00
Free. Registration for the RSA science lecture
is exclusively via Eventbrite
Those without internet access can book via the Hon MCICH Chairman on Mondays 21 and 28 October and 4 November only — phone: 0131 556 2052.
Robert Louis Stevenson and his pirates of the Caribbean
On Robert Louis Stevenson Day we celebrate the enduring appeal of 'Treasure Island'. First published in book form130 years ago, Stevenson's exciting yarn of buried treasure, danger, and memorable characters, continues to enthral. Andrew Martin, NLS Curator of Modern Scottish Collections, will explore the success and impact of the novel, with illustrations from material in the Library's archives.
13 November
18.00
Free. Book online or
phone 0131 623 3734.
The Great Tapestry of Scotland: 'Scotland in stitches'
The Great Tapestry of Scotland is one of the country's largest ever community arts projects. For two years over 1,000 stitchers embroidered the history of Scotland on to the longest tapestry in the world, their depictions ranging from the forming of the land to Dolly the Sheep. Tonight some of the key people behind its production will reveal the stories, characters, joys and disasters from behind the scenes of this incredible artwork.
14 November
18.00
This event is now fully booked.
Slavery and Britain
Historians James Walvin and Eric Graham will examine vital unanswered questions on slavery history, such as 'How did a system which the Western world had come to regard with distaste manage to survive for so long'? This talk will make use of major new developments in research, rendering them available to a broad audience for the first time. They offer a new understanding of one of the most important, and tragic, episodes in world history.
18 November
18.00
This event is now fully booked.
The rise and fall of the banks of Scotland
Chaos at the Royal Bank of Scotland and HBOS during the global financial meltdown proved that even the most powerful institutions can collapse when the simple rules of banking are ignored. Financial journalists Ray Perman, author of 'Hubris: How HBOS wrecked the best bank in Britain', and Ian Fraser, author of 'Shredded: The rise and fall of the Bank of Scotland' will discuss how such calamities came to pass and ask whether these institutions can ever regain the public's trust.
19 November
18.00
This event is now fully booked.
Scotland's shame — Why Lockerbie still matters
25th anniversary event
The bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie in December 1988 was one of the most notorious acts of terrorism in recent history. Its political and foreign policy repercussions have been enormous, and 25 years later debate still rages over the conviction of Abdelbaset al-Megrahi. John Ashton, a researcher on Megrahi’s legal team, will consider the guilty verdict, and will highlight critical problems within our criminal justice system.
21 November
18.00
This event is now fully booked.
Conservation at the National Library of Scotland
A Book Week Scotland event
In this talk several of the National Library of Scotland's Conservators will discuss interesting aspects of their work. Topics will range from repairing Byron manuscripts and preparing large maps for an exhibition to conserving the head bands on rare books. They will also give an overview of the Library’s loans programme. Discover the challenges involved in taking Library material to venues that can be anything from small local museums in the UK to huge institutions in America and China.
25 November
11.30-12.30
Free. Book online or
phone 0131 623 3734.
Petticoats and pinnacles
A Book Week Scotland event
Scottish women mountaineers, as artists, writers, explorers and climbers, have pushed frontiers and challenged and changed social attitudes. This illustrated talk will explore the National Library of Scotland's collections to uncover their hidden history. Using extracts from their own books, as well as newspapers and film, NLS Curator Paula Williams will show how Scottish women have picked up their skirts and scaled the heights.
26 November
11.00-12.00
Free. Book online or
phone 0131 623 3734.
The great atlases of Scotland: Four centuries of representing the country
A Book Week Scotland event
Scotland's great atlases provide a key insight into the country at particular moments in time. Derived variously from patriotism, hubris, military conquest, and the progress of science and geography, they chart political, economic and social fortunes from the 17th to the 20th centuries. Birlinn and NLS have collaborated together in the Great Atlas of Scotland publishing project, and this fully illustrated talk by NLS Curator Chris Fleet will celebrate these splendid publications and look at the people and politics behind the cartography.
26 November
18.00
This event is now fully booked.
Jane Austen's Scottish sisters
A Book Week Scotland event
Jane Austen is one of the best-loved writers in the world today, but her Scottish sisters are sadly neglected. NLS Senior Rare Books Curator Helen Vincent will introduce us to Scottish women writers who were Austen's contemporaries. There are bestselling novelists who far outsold Austen during her lifetime, writers whose books she read and those who were influenced by her, and those who gave a Scottish twist to the themes and stories found in Austen's own novels.
27 November
11.00-12.00
This event is now fully booked.
Sara Sheridan in conversation with Jenny Brown
A Book Week Scotland event
Sara Sheridan will talk to Jenny Brown about her fascination with the 1950s, her connection to history, her love of words and her obsession with a rollicking good story. The bestselling creator of the Mirabelle Bevan Mysteries will offer a wry and intelligent glimpse into the world of a Scottish writer. Sara's specialisms are diverse, and include the history of being a lady and British explorers of the late Georgian and early Victorian period.
28 November
18.00
Free. Book online or
phone 0131 623 3734.
December events
Tricolour: NLS poetry night
The monthly night showcasing three different poetry and spoken word talents. Three different voices, three different styles, three different takes on life.
This month: Maggie Rabatski, Sheila Templeton and A C Clarke.
2 December
18.30
Free. Book online or
phone 0131 623 3734.
Christmas Fair
Our annual Christmas Fair, with yuletide bargains and festive treats galore should have something for everyone. Enjoy a 15% discount on everything in the NLS shop, from exhibition prints, mugs and t-shirts to those hard-to-find books and children's favourites. Once you've shopped, relax with our tasty refreshments and festive entertainment. A delightful way to see in the Christmas season!
The shop is part of the Visitor Centre in our George IV Bridge Building.
3 December
18.00-20.00
Free. No need to book.
Pop-up book workshop for people with a visual impairment
An opportunity to explore some pop-up books from the national collections with NLS Curator Andrew Martin, followed by a practical art session led by book artist Rachel Hazell. Refreshments will be provided.
6 December
10.00-12.30
Free. Book online or
phone 0131 623 3734.
Pop-up book workshop for adults
Taking inspiration from our display of pop-up books, book artist Rachel Hazell will help you to create some Christmas-themed pop-ups of your own. Refreshments will be provided.
7 December
10.00-12.00
This event is now fully booked.
If books grew on trees …
Reading a pop-up book is an event! Lucy Roscoe is an illustrator who works with paper, print-making and traditional bookbinding skills to create books that are sculptural and interactive. In this talk she will discuss her own practice, inspirations and highlights some of her favourite pop-up books in the NLS 'Treasures' exhibition.
10 December
18.00
Free. Book online or
phone 0131 623 3734.
Callum Macdonald Poetry Pamphlet Fair
2011
Independent Scottish poetry publishing is going from strength to strength. This annual festive fair at NLS is always a popular event. Come along for a glass of wine, and meet the publishers, hear the poems and buy the pamphlets. A Callum Macdonald Memorial Award event, supported by the Michael Marks Charitable Trust.
11 December
18.00-20.00
Free. No need to book to attend, but to book a stall, please
contact Graeme Hawley: email g.hawley@nls.uk.
Scots abroad
Jenni Calder, author of 'Scots in Canada', 'Frontier Scots' and 'Scots in the USA', will discuss heritage, origins and homeland. Find out why people left Scotland, where they went and what they did when they got there, from a leading expert in diaspora studies.
12 December
18.00
This event is now fully booked.
Tannahill Lecture: 'Scottish literature and medicine: As ithers see us'
Sir Kenneth Calman
What can doctors, patients, the public and politicians learn from the portrayal of medicine in Scottish literature? In a work as ancient as 'Ane Satyre of the Thrie Estatis', John the Common Weal offers a political prescription for a good life from which politicians in the 21st century could learn a great deal. Professor Sir Kenneth Calman will speak on this, the subject of his forthcoming book, 'The poet and the doctor: As ithers see us'.
17 December
18.00
This event is now fully booked.
See also:
David Livingstone exhibition
See iconic images of Africa in our major exhibition — 'Picturing Africa: Illustrating Livingstone's travels'. Open daily until 3 November.
A tiny universe
Little Bibles, a tiny Qur'an and a record-breaking book less than 0.9mm tall are among the remarkable items in our display on miniature books in Scotland. Open daily until 17 November.