National Library of Scotland events are free and take place in our George IV Bridge Building, unless we state otherwise.
October events | November events | December events
List updated: 10 October.
October events
See also:
Workshops and tours
Kelvin Hall events
Taisbeanadh na Gàidhlig aig a’ Mhòd
Rùraich cruinneachaidhean Gàidhlig an Leabharlainn Nàiseanta
Bòrd fiosrachaidh a’ taisbeanadh nan làmh-sgrìobhainnean, leabhraichean tearc agus stuthan ùra ann an cruinneachaidhean Leabharlann Nàiseanta na h-Alba, fear de na cruinneachaidhean Gàidhlig as motha air an t-saoghal. Thig air chèilidh oirnn gus ionnsachadh mu na rudan seo agus mu na goireasan Gàidhlig air-loidhne againn a tha freagarrach dhan a h-uile duine bho luchd-ionnsachaidh na Gàidhlig gu fileantaich.
Mòd showcase
Explore the National Library's Gaelic collections
Our information stand at the Mòd highlights the Gaelic manuscripts, rare books and modern material held in the National Library of Scotland collections, one of the largest Gaelic collections in the world. Visit us to learn more about these and our Gaelic online resources suitable for everyone from Gaelic learners to fluent speakers.
Monday 15 October — Friday 19 October
Venue: Queen's Hall, Dunoon, PH23 7HH.
Free. No need to book.
'Dunoon Occasions'
Òraid saor ’s an-asgaidh le filmichean is dealbhan
Coimhead air ais air seann Dùn Omhain tro dhealbhan is filmichean bho chruinneachaidhean Leabharlann Nàiseanta na h-Alba. Bho thursan rìoghail gu spòrs air an uisge, gu còmhlan pìoba agus stiomairean, cuimhnich ar mar a bhiodh daoine a’ gabhail tlachd à Dùn Omhain agus Comhghall agus às na rudan rin dèanamh ann san àm a dh’fhalbh. Cò aig a tha fios, dh’fhaodte gum faic thu thu fhèin no cuideigin as aithne dhut!
'Dunoon Occasions'
Free talk illustrated with film and images
Explore memories of Dunoon through film and images from the National Library of Scotland collections. From royal visits to fun on the water, to pipe bands and steamers, remember how people enjoyed the attractions of Dunoon and the Cowal peninsula in the not so distant past. You never know, you might spot yourself or someone you know!
Wednesday 17 October
18.00
Venue: Queens Hall, Dunoon, PH23 7HH.
Free. No need to book. Please note this event will be held in English.
Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2018
Celtic traditions is at the heart of this year's annual festival, celebrating the art of storytelling. We are hosting varied events including talks, a play, a walking tour and a special viewing of some of our Gaelic manuscripts.
Monday 22 October to Monday 29 October
Please note there is a charge for some of these events. Read more about Scottish International Storytelling Festival at the Library.
Everything you can do with online maps
We now have over 200,000 online maps, and a very wide range of ways of using them. This talk by Chris Fleet, Map Curator, aims to illustrate the potential as well as the future direction of the maps website. Chris speaks about the main map collections, how to find them, and the value of georeferencing. He also takes a behind-the-scenes look at map digitisation, and reveals the programmes we use to put maps online.
Tuesday 23 October
14.00
This event is now fully booked.
Northern Lighthouse Board
Northern Lighthouse Board (NLB) has provided a vital safety service to mariners since 1786. They currently operate and maintain 206 lighthouses and 167 buoys, making a significant contribution to preventing accidents and incidents around the coastline. Not only do they safeguard lives and property, they also protect the marine environment which is crucial to the economy of Scotland and the Isle of Man. Find out more about NLB's rich heritage and the work they carry out today in this engaging and informative talk.
Tuesday 30 October
14.00
This event is now fully booked.
November events
See also:
Workshops and tours
Kelvin Hall events
Presidential power and midterm loss
On 6 November, Americans will vote in the midterm elections, a chance to give their verdict on the Trump administration's record so far. Over the past 150 years, the president's party has lost seats in Congress at midterm on all but three occasions. But in an era when so many political constants have been upended, will that 'law' still hold? In this talk, Andrew Rudalevige tracks the history of midterm elections and discusses their importance for presidents and their policy agendas. Dr Rudalevige, from Bowdoin College, is a leading scholar of the US presidency, and author of 'The New Imperial Presidency'.
Thursday 1 November
14.00
This event is now fully booked.
Battle of Ideas — Edinburgh
Join us for a day of lively, thought-provoking debate organised by the Academy of Ideas and hosted by the National Library of Scotland. Topics for this day-long event will range from political protest, suffragettes, education and military service. Speakers include: lecturer in public policy at the University of Edinburgh, Dr Oliver Escobar, Commonspace founder, Angela Haggerty and Moneyweek editor-in-chief, Merryn Somerset Webb. Further details available at the Battle of Ideas website.
Saturday 3 November
11.00-16.00
£12 adults, £7.50 concessions. Book 'Battle of Ideas' on Eventbrite (no phone bookings).
The only home they knew
Join author Anne Black as she takes us on an illustrated journey through her book 'The Only Home They Knew'. The book chronicles the First World War through the experiences of the staff and boys of the Aberlour Orphanage, as recounted in their diaries and letters. Reading from staff diaries, and old boys' letters (sent back as they fought across Europe and beyond), Anne shares some of the situations they faced throughout the First World War.
Monday 5 November
14.00
Free. Book 'The only home they knew' on Eventbrite or phone 0131 623 3734.
The 51st (Highland) Division 1914-1919
An illustrated talk by author Colin Campbell about the 51st (Highland) Division in the First World War. The Division recruited from the counties above the Forth and Clyde canal and Renfrewshire, but also incorporated the Royal Scots battalions from Edinburgh and Lothian. It began as a Territorial Force with a home defence role, and rose to world fame as a first class assault division. Ahead of the reprinting of his book: 'The 51st (Highland) Division in the Great War. Engine of Destruction, by Pen and Sword', Colin charts this division's remarkable story.
Tuesday 6 November
14.00
Free. Book 'The 51st (Highland) Division 1914-1919' on Eventbrite or phone 0131 623 3734.
Motherhood, loss and legacy
Join artist and storyteller Jan Bee Brown for an afternoon of stories, poetry, and song exploring the legacy of 'loss' following the First World War. Jan will be joined by fellow storytellers and two local choirs as they explore the theme of motherhood and loss. You are also invited to bring along your own family stories, letters, images, or artwork to share over tea and coffee. Event sponsored by Big Ideas Project.
Saturday 10 November
14.00-16.00
Free. Book 'Motherhood, loss and legacy' on Eventbrite or phone 0131 623 3734.
Annual Muriel Spark lecture
Time, ballads and homicidal hilarity: Muriel Spark: poet
Muriel Spark began writing poetry before prose and considered herself to be a poet. But what sort of poet was she? Could her novels be read as poems? Few novels beside Spark's capture that sense of what Norman MacCaig once called 'the homicidal hilarity of a laugh in a ballad'. In this talk, Professor Alan Riach looks at Spark's work and considers how the meanings and ambiguities of poetry versus literature might be interpreted.
Tuesday 13 November
17.30
This event is now fully booked.
The Fulbright Lecture
The current Fulbright-National Library of Scotland Scholar is Gregory Baldi, an associate professor of political science at Western Illinois University. His research focuses on the development of political and social institutions in Western Europe. Greg's lecture explores US, German and British relations in the run up to, and reunification of, Germany considering the legacy of reunification and the fall of the Berlin Wall.
Tuesday 20 November
14.00
Free. Book 'The Fulbright Lecture' on Eventbrite or phone 0131 623 3734.
Walk this way
Travel writer Gary Sutherland could never fathom hillwalkers and had always managed to ignore the West Highland Way despite living on the doorstep of Scotland's most famous trail. Then one day he decided to tackle it, along with the Great Glen Way and Speyside Way. Join the intrepid author for an illustrated and humour-filled talk about his adventures. He describes his journey from Loch Lomond to the Devil's Staircase, the Caledonian Canal to Loch Ness and Malt Whisky Country to the mouth of the River Spey.
Thursday 29 November
17.30
This event is now fully booked.
December events
See also:
Workshops and tours
Kelvin Hall events
Christmas shopping day
Join us for our annual Christmas shopping day, with yuletide bargains and festive treats galore; we're sure we'll have something for everyone. Enjoy a 15% discount on everything in our shop. Once you’ve shopped, relax with our festive entertainment. A delightful way to see in the Christmas season.
Thursday 6 December
09.30-19.00
No need to book, just drop in.
250 years of the Encyclopaedia Britannica
Joint Edinburgh Bibliographical Society and National Library lecture
10 December 2018 marks the 250th anniversary of the publication of the first edition of the Encyclopaedia Britannica. In this lecture, Professor Stephen Brown will discuss the origins of the encyclopaedia under the editorship of William Smellie. He considers Britannica's 'accidental authority' and the unlikelihood of it attaining success and iconic status.
Thursday 13 December
17.30
This event is now fully booked.
