Events

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: 7 October.

Online events

See also: Online workshops | 'Living Proof' film tour

'Blood and Gold': A journey of shadows

Let performance storyteller Mara Menzies take you on a journey of tragedy, wonder and magic.

Her new novel, 'Blood and Gold', explores themes of loss and oppression, while asking us to examine our own identities, attitudes, and humanity.

Menzies will perform stories from her book, exploring African ancestry through tales of slavery, cruelty and colonisation, unearthing pride, love and sacrifice along the way. Menzies will also be joined by author Tendai Huchu to discuss her novel.

Thursday 14 October
17.00-18.00
Free. Book 'Blood and Gold' 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.

'The Fair Botanists': A conversation with Sara Sheridan

Sara Sheridan's latest novel 'The Fair Botanists' has been brilliantly received by both readers and critics.

Sheridan used archives at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and the National Library of Scotland to research for her novel. The result is a story deeply embedded in the real life history of the city of Edinburgh. The novel is set in 1822 — a pivotal year for the Botanic Garden and the year of King George IV's famous visit.

In this online event, Sheridan talks to Library curator Dora Petherbridge about bringing this unique slice of Edinburgh's past to life.

Thursday 28 October
17.00-18.00
Free. Book 'The Fair Botanists' 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.

Silenced histories: Scotland and the Caribbean

In his new book, 'Slaves and Highlanders', David Alston presents a major contribution to the debate on reparation by reappraising Scots involvement and complicity in the slave trade.

He explores the prominent role of Highland Scots in exploitation of enslaved Africans and their descendants in the cotton, sugar and coffee plantations of the 18th and 19th centuries.

In this event, David will be joined by Juanita Cox of Guyana SPEAKS and the Institute of Commonwealth Studies to discuss the themes.

Thursday 4 November
17.00-18.00
Free. Book 'Silenced histories' 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.

Carbon choices: Common sense solutions to our climate and nature crisis

'The world has a mix of contradictory policies and actions. Climate change deniers have fought hard to block or delay progress to cut carbon emissions. Human society is not taking climate change or the loss of nature seriously. But we can if we want to.'

It's with this hopeful foreword that author and energy specialist Neil Kitching introduces his new book, Carbon Choices.

At this event, Kitching discusses his practical approach to our world's ever-worsening climate crisis, and the steps that could be taken toward a better, more environmentally friendly, future.

Monday 8 November
17.00-18.00
Free. Book 'Carbon choices' 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.

Mapping Scotland's mountains

In this fully illustrated talk, Map Curator Chris Fleet looks at how Scotland's impressive mountains have been represented by map-makers over time.

From line drawings to LiDAR, the story reflects changing knowledge and survey techniques, as well as map drafting and printing technologies, but it also reflects more significant changes in the perceptions of mountains and their importance over time.

Thursday 18 November
17.00-18.00
Free. Book 'Mapping Scotland's mountains' 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.

More 'Petticoats and Pinnacles'

Women in the mountains were not only fighting against expectations about their gender but also about their class and their own femininity.

Written out of history, ignored by collectors, their stories are hidden deep in the Library’s collections.

This illustrated talk by curator Paula Williams enables more of Scotland's pioneering mountain women to come into the light. Join them as we head once more to the hills.

Thursday 25 November
17.00-18.00
Free. Book 'More "Petticoats and Pinnacles"' 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.