Our buildings remain closed for events due to coronavirus (COVID-19), but you can take part in an online talk or workshop. Update on Library opening
Page updated: 24 September.
Online events
See also: Online workshops, Edinburgh Doors Open Day
Riders on the Storm: The Climate Crisis and the Survival of Being
Writer, broadcaster and activist Alastair McIntosh hosts this webinar discussing his new book on climate change, the issue that is the greatest challenge to humankind today.
While the coronavirus sheds a light on the vulnerability of our interconnected world, the effects of global warming will be permanent, indeed catastrophic, without a massive shift in human behaviour. Alastair speaks about actions we can take to become riders on the storm.
Tuesday 22 September
17.00-17.45
Free. Book 'Riders on the Storm' via
Eventbrite.
When you book, you will receive a link to join the session, delivered on the Zoom video conferencing service. Your personal information will be held and used by the National Library of Scotland and Zoom for the purposes of allowing you to join the event. For full information about how the Library will hold and use your personal information, see our privacy pages, in particular our event booking privacy notice.
Maps, myths and other misrepresentations
Not so long ago, the impressive Benchichins Mountains lay between Deeside and Angus, until their sudden obliteration in the hands of mapmakers.
In this fully illustrated online talk, Maps Curator Chris Fleet looks at various other things on maps that might never have been really out there, as well as considering how maps lie, distort the truth and miss things out. How far should we trust the map, and is this a good idea?
Thursday 24 September
17.00-17.45
This event is fully booked.
Revolution: A short, sharp history of Scottish wind power
Learn about Scottish wind power at the forefront of the renewable energy revolution, in this webinar with journalist Todd Westbrook.
Todd's new book is entitled 'Revolution: A short, sharp history of Scottish wind power — and where it goes in the future'. It provides insight from industry experts, and dispels some of the common myths and misconceptions associated with wind power.
Tuesday 29 September
17.00-17.45
Free. Book 'Revolution: A short, sharp
history of Scottish wind power' via Eventbrite.
When you book, you will receive a link to join the session, delivered on the Zoom video conferencing service. Your personal information will be held and used by the National Library of Scotland and Zoom for the purposes of allowing you to join the event. For full information about how the Library will hold and use your personal information, see our privacy pages, in particular our event booking privacy notice.
Autumn teatime tales
As the days shorten and turn colder, coorie in for a warming teatime treat of traditional tales and tunes.
Storytellers Anne Hunter and Beverley Casebow share favourite stories for the harvest home. Suitable for families and story lovers of all ages.
Tuesday 6 October
15.00-15.45
Free. Book 'Autumn Teatime Tales' via
Eventbrite.
When you book, you will receive a link to join the session, delivered on the Zoom video conferencing service. Your personal information will be held and used by the National Library of Scotland and Zoom for the purposes of allowing you to join the event. For full information about how the Library will hold and use your personal information, see our privacy pages, in particular our event booking privacy notice.
Reading the Gaelic landscape
Iain Moireach, Neach-Dàimh Urramach aig Oilthigh Dhùn Èideann, a' bruidhinn air an leabhar aige 'Reading the Gaelic Landscape' — a' cur chruthan-tìre agus eachdraidh na h-Alba fo phrosbaig Ghàidhlig. Tachartas air loidhne, ann an Gàidhlig agus Beurla.
Barrachd air 'Reading the Gaelic Landscape'
John Murray, an Honorary Fellow at the University of Edinburgh, discusses his book 'Reading the Gaelic landscape', in which he applies a Gaelic lens to the study of Scotland's landscapes and history. This online event is in Gaelic and English.
More about 'Reading the Gaelic landscape'
Beekeeping for beginners: A personal journey
Gael Wilkinson shares insights and lessons learned from her first foray into beekeeping in this virtual event.
Gael has her own growing apiary with four active hives, and produces small batch artisan honey and beeswax products throughout the year. Take a break from your busy day to learn more about beekeeping.
Thursday 22 October
17.00-17.30
Free. Book 'Beekeeping for beginners' via
Eventbrite.
When you book, you will receive a link to join the session, delivered on the Zoom video conferencing service. Your personal information will be held and used by the National Library of Scotland and Zoom for the purposes of allowing you to join the event. For full information about how the Library will hold and use your personal information, see our privacy pages, in particular our event booking privacy notice.
A Spell in the Wild
In this webinar and her new book, A Spell in the Wild, Alice Tarbuck explores what it means to be a witch today.
Where 'witch' was once a dangerous — and often deadly — accusation, it is now a proud self-definition. As the world becomes ever more complicated and we face ecological, political, social and global health crises, witchcraft is experiencing a resurgence. Magic is back.
Friday 30 October
14.00-14.45
Free. Book 'A Spell in the Wild' via
Eventbrite.
When you book, you will receive a link to join the session, delivered on the Zoom video conferencing service. Your personal information will be held and used by the National Library of Scotland and Zoom for the purposes of allowing you to join the event. For full information about how the Library will hold and use your personal information, see our privacy pages, in particular our event booking privacy notice.
Huts: A Place Beyond with Lesley Riddoch
Join broadcaster and journalist Lesley Riddoch as she discusses her new book and innovative ways to reconnect with nature.
Lesley suggests that thousands of woodland huts would give Scots a vital post-COVID connection with nature and affordable, low-impact holidays in their own beautiful land — at last.
Tuesday 3 November
17.00-17.45
Free. Book 'Huts: A Place Beyond' via
Eventbrite.
When you book, you will receive a link to join the session, delivered on the Zoom video conferencing service. Your personal information will be held and used by the National Library of Scotland and Zoom for the purposes of allowing you to join the event. For full information about how the Library will hold and use your personal information, see our privacy pages, in particular our event booking privacy notice.
Discover the Northern Lighthouse Board with Mike Bullock
Mike Bullock, Chief Executive of the Northern Lighthouse Board, discusses the mission and history of this remarkable organisation in this online talk.
Tuesday 10 November
17.00-17.45
Free. Book 'Northern Lighthouse Board' via
Eventbrite.
When you book, you will receive a link to join the session, delivered on the Zoom video conferencing service. Your personal information will be held and used by the National Library of Scotland and Zoom for the purposes of allowing you to join the event. For full information about how the Library will hold and use your personal information, see our privacy pages, in particular our event booking privacy notice.
Muriel Spark: Finding her form
Join us for the annual Muriel Spark lecture with poet and writer Fiona Sampson.
Muriel Spark's fiction emerged when she had already distinguished herself as a poet, editor and biographer. This catholic formation is relatively unusual for a British novelist, and tells us something about British culture in the 1940s and '50s.
It also sheds fascinating light on Spark's exceptional literary intelligence.
Thursday 12 November
17.00-17.45
Free. Book 'Muriel Spark' via
Eventbrite.
When you book, you will receive a link to join the session, delivered on the Zoom video conferencing service. Your personal information will be held and used by the National Library of Scotland and Zoom for the purposes of allowing you to join the event. For full information about how the Library will hold and use your personal information, see our privacy pages, in particular our event booking privacy notice.
Treasure Islands by Alec Crawford
Join Alec on Robert Louis Stevenson Day to hear his fascinating story of dramatic deep sea dives, historic shipwrecks, and more.
Alec Crawford has dived countless wrecks and is one of the pioneers of deep-water recovery, from galleons and container ships to trawlers and ocean liners.
Friday 13 November
14.00-14.45
Free. Book 'Treasure Islands by Alec
Crawford' via Eventbrite.
When you book, you will receive a link to join the session, delivered on the Zoom video conferencing service. Your personal information will be held and used by the National Library of Scotland and Zoom for the purposes of allowing you to join the event. For full information about how the Library will hold and use your personal information, see our privacy pages, in particular our event booking privacy notice.
Mary Cameron: Life in paint
Dr Helen Scott of the City Art Centre shares the story of Edinburgh born painter, Mary Cameron, in this webinar.
Thursday 19 November
17.00-17.45
Free. Book 'Mary Cameron' via
Eventbrite.
When you book, you will receive a link to join the session, delivered on the Zoom video conferencing service. Your personal information will be held and used by the National Library of Scotland and Zoom for the purposes of allowing you to join the event. For full information about how the Library will hold and use your personal information, see our privacy pages, in particular our event booking privacy notice.
A Tomb with a View: Peter Ross in conversation with Dani Garavelli
Join Peter Ross in conversation to hear about his new book, 'A Tomb with a View', a celebration of remarkable graveyards and the stories within.
'A Tomb With A View' is an account of a year spent travelling around Britain and beyond, seeking out the stories and glories of graveyards.
Tuesday 24 November
17.00-17.45
Free. Book 'A Tomb with a View' via
Eventbrite.
When you book, you will receive a link to join the session, delivered on the Zoom video conferencing service. Your personal information will be held and used by the National Library of Scotland and Zoom for the purposes of allowing you to join the event. For full information about how the Library will hold and use your personal information, see our privacy pages, in particular our event booking privacy notice.
Thomas Muir of Huntershill on slavery: A rediscovered legal thesis
Learn about Thomas Muir's thesis and views on slavery in the 3rd Annual Thomas Muir Lecture.
Led by Professor Gerard Carruthers and Martyn Jones.
This online talk asks how Muir viewed the legality of slavery and how did his perspective on the topic relate to his political ideas more generally?
Thursday 26 November
17.00-17.45
Free. Book 'Thomas Muir of Huntershill' via
Eventbrite.
When you book, you will receive a link to join the session, delivered on the Zoom video conferencing service. Your personal information will be held and used by the National Library of Scotland and Zoom for the purposes of allowing you to join the event. For full information about how the Library will hold and use your personal information, see our privacy pages, in particular our event booking privacy notice.
Scotland the Braw with photographer Alan McCredie
Alan McCredie introduces his new book, Scotland the Braw, a collection of photographs documenting his travels around this bonnie land.
In addition to sharing beautiful images from his journey across Scotland, Alan will share stories from his trip, such as when he risked his life for his art running from grumpy sheep in Dumfries and Galloway.
Monday 30 November
17.00-17.45
Free. Book 'Scotland the Braw' via
Eventbrite.
When you book, you will receive a link to join the session, delivered on the Zoom video conferencing service. Your personal information will be held and used by the National Library of Scotland and Zoom for the purposes of allowing you to join the event. For full information about how the Library will hold and use your personal information, see our privacy pages, in particular our event booking privacy notice.
