Events are online only at present due to coronavirus (COVID-19).
Page updated: 12 January.
Online events
See also: Online workshops | 'Living Proof' film tour
'Living Proof' film online
'Living Proof' frames Scotland's history through the lens of the current climate change debate and spans the geography of Scotland. A feature-length documentary made with archive footage from the National Library of Scotland.
You can view the film online for free until 31 January. More about watching 'Living Proof' online.
'No Ruined Stone': Robert Burns and Jamaica
Jamaican-born poet Shara McCallum talks to Lisa Williams from the Edinburgh Caribbean Association about her sixth book, 'No Ruined Stone'.
This speculative book of poetry explores the question of what might have happened if beloved Scottish bard Robert Burns had followed through with his intention of becoming an overseer on a slave plantation in Jamaica in 1786.
Anchored in meticulous research and freed by McCallum's imaginative enquiry, the story sees Burns reflecting on and reckoning with his compromised life in Jamaica. McCallum imagines Burns' fictive mixed-race granddaughter exchanging a life of enslavement in Jamaica for one 'passing' as white in Edinburgh.
Thursday 27 January
17.00-18.00
Free. Book 'No Ruined Stone' 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. We also use some of the information for audience research purposes. We expect attendees to behave respectfully towards presenters, guests and other audience members. 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, Queen of Scots and France
Join Dr Amy Blakeway, lecturer in Scottish history, in this talk on Mary, Queen of Scots and her relationship with France.
Mary, Queen of Scots, was sent to live in France when she was four years old. Twenty years later, she was deposed. How did her supporters try to leverage the connections she made as a child in the fight to regain the adult Queen's throne?
Drawing on primary sources held in the National Library of Scotland, as well as in London and Paris, we will see how history and myth were skilfully combined in the service of urgent dynastic politics.
Tuesday 8 February
17.00-18.00
Free. Book 'Mary, Queen of Scots' 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. We also use some of the information for audience research purposes. We expect attendees to behave respectfully towards presenters, guests and other audience members. 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.
Finding LGBT+ materials in Special Collections
This webinar will highlight and delve into the history of some of the National Library of Scotland's LGBT+ themed items.
Attendees will have the opportunity to find out more about these fascinating items, and explore the challenges and rewards of locating these materials in Library catalogues.
The Library will also share and explain some of the important work it is currently undertaking to preserve LGBT+ histories in the National Library of Scotland.
Thursday 10 February
17.00-18.00
Free. Book 'LGBT+ materials' 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. We also use some of the information for audience research purposes. We expect attendees to behave respectfully towards presenters, guests and other audience members. 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 guide to vegan ethics
and Eva J Charalambides.
The rise in plant-based foods shows no sign of stopping. Co-authors Emilia A Leese and Eva J Charalambides will talk about their book, 'Think Like a Vegan: What everyone can learn from vegan ethics'.
The book explores how vegan ethics can be applied to every area of our daily lives and what non-vegans can learn from its practice. It also examines a variety of contemporary topics related to animal use: from the basics of vegan logic to politics, economics, love, environment and other aspects of being human.
Emilia and Eva will draw you into a thought-provoking conversation about daily ethical decisions.
Thursday 24 February
17.00-18.00
Free. Book 'Vegan ethics' 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. We also use some of the information for audience research purposes. We expect attendees to behave respectfully towards presenters, guests and other audience members. 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.
Kirsty Logan: 'The Sound at the End'
Photo by Simone Falk.
Award-winning author Kirsty Logan shares her experiences of creating and researching her highly anticipated new audio-novel, 'The Sound at the End'.
The story follows the eclectic crew of an Arctic research base and the newcomer who may uncover the secrets they are each desperate to outrun.
Logan will share tales from the Arctic and the inexplicable sounds of the deepest seas. She will also discuss her experience of creating this audio piece, revealing some of her fascinating research and stories behind the audio-novel.
Tuesday 1 March
17.00-18.00
Free. Book 'The Sound at the End' 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. We also use some of the information for audience research purposes. We expect attendees to behave respectfully towards presenters, guests and other audience members. 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.
Additional
Watch recorded events
Online events and filmed talks are available on the Library Player