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: 17 September.
Online events
See also: Online workshops
The Munros: A history
Seasoned hillwalker Andrew Dempster shares his experience of traversing Munros — the mountains in Scotland that are over 3,000 feet high.
In recent years, the act of climbing Munros has leapt from relative obscurity to active notoriety. Thousands of devoted followers now pursue the treasured trophy of completion.
From Munros to the Alps and the Himalayas, Dempster delves into his 40 years of hillwalking experience to trace the history of the Munros. Learn about the art of 'Munro bagging' by early map-makers through to current record-breakers.
Tuesday 21 September
14.00-15.00
Free. Book 'The Munros' 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.
Stories of a lifetime in 2000 football programmes
Football programmes have stories to tell about times, places and people, as well as football. They rekindle memories of a match, an awe-inspiring visit to Hampden Park, or standing on the terraces at Tynecastle, Easter Road or some far away field. But programmes also signify broad patterns of social and technological change.
This conversation with Cliff Hague and Euan Hague focuses on the collection of 2000 programmes built up over two generations in one family. Cliff Hague is the author of the recently published 'Programmes! Programmes! Football and Life from Wartime to Lockdown'.
Thursday September 23
14.00-15.00
Free. Book 'Stories of a lifetime' 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.
Networking Jacobites and 'The Lyon in Mourning' manuscript of Robert Forbes
In this talk, Dr Leith Davis examines the context and content of the manuscript, 'The Lyon in Mourning'. The manuscript is a collection of speeches, letters, poems, written accounts and transcribed conversations. It was compiled between 1746 and 1775 by Bishop Robert Forbes after the Jacobite loss at Culloden in April, 1746.
Dr Davis will also present some results from the ongoing 'Networking Jacobites' project, a Digital Humanities collaboration between Simon Fraser University's Centre for Scottish Studies and the National Library of Scotland.
Tuesday 28 September
17.00-18.00
Free. Book 'The Lyon in Mourning' 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.
Celebrating 60 years of 'The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie'
Celebrate Muriel Spark's 'The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie', 60 years after it first went to print.
The novel's title character, 'Miss Brodie', was inspired by Spark's teacher, Christina Kay, at James Gillespie's School. Norma Allan, a former Gillespie student herself, will delve into the social history behind the myth, as she did in her recent book, 'Box Hats and Blue Stockings: the Golden Era of the Gillespie Girls'.
Tuesday 5 October
17.00-18.00
Free. Book 'The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie' 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.
'100 Favourite Gaelic Poems' on National Poetry Day
Join Peter Mackay and Jo MacDonald, editors of '100 Favourite Gaelic Poems', for a celebration of Gaelic poetry National Poetry Day 2021.
'100 Favourite Gaelic Poems' is a new and dynamic anthology of Scotland's most popular Gaelic poems as voted for by the public. The selection features poets and writers such as Sorley MacLean, Angus Peter Campbell and Meg Bateman. Their Gaelic works are accompanied by English translations.
Alongside other contemporary Gaelic poets, Peter and Jo will present dual language readings of a collection of Gaelic poems and songs — many translated into English for the first time.
Thursday 7 October
14.00-15.00
Free. Book 'Gaelic poems' 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.
'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.
Additional
Watch recorded events
Online events and filmed talks are available on the Library Player