Page updated: 2 February.
Our workshops run regularly throughout the year. You can find future events advertised on this page a few weeks in advance.
When you book an event, your personal information will be held and used by the National Library of Scotland and our third-party suppliers for the purposes of allowing you to attend the event and for audience research. See our privacy pages, in particular our events privacy notice, for more information.
We expect attendees to behave respectfully towards presenters, guests and other audience members.
See also: Events
Gaelic Bookbug at the National Library of Scotland
Join us for Gaelic Bookbug at the National Library of Scotland.
We'll share songs, rhymes, and stories for children aged five and under. No Gaelic experience required.
Every second and fourth Thursday of the month
10:30am to 11:30am
George IV Bridge
Free. Book 'Gaelic Bookbug' via Eventbrite
Around the world: Family storytelling and crafts
Image by JESHOOTS on Unsplash.
Relaxed family-fun sessions with crafts and stories, suitable for children aged six to 11. Younger siblings welcome.
Enjoy stories and songs from around the world, as well as creating your own crafts to take home.
Fridays 17 February and 17 March
2:30pm to 4pm
George IV Bridge
Free. Book 'Around the World' via Eventbrite
Creative writing workshops with Marjorie Lotfi Gill
A series of three informal and relaxed creative writing sessions based on the Library's collections of ephemera, with poet Marjorie Lotfi Gill.
Open to all aspiring writers. No experience required.
Tuesdays 21 February and 21 March
3pm to 5pm
George IV Bridge
Free. Book 'Creative Writing' via Eventbrite
Introduction to family history
Our family history workshop will introduce you to digital and physical genealogy resources in the Library and beyond.
If you already know the outline of your family tree, find out how you can add details to the story.
Followed by a question and answer session.
Wednesday 1 February
3pm to 4pm
Online via Zoom.
Free. Book 'Family history' via Eventbrite
Researching your house history
Learn about how the Library's resources can tell you the history of your house.
We will show you how maps can shed light on the built history of your house and the local area. Then we will look at how digital and physical resources can fill in the narrative.
There will be a question and answer session at the end.
Wednesday 8 February
3pm to 4pm
Online via Zoom.
Free. Book 'Researching your house history' via Eventbrite
Navigating the Maps Website
The Map Images Website is a wonderful resource, with over 250,000 historical maps available to view. Learn how it works in an interactive workshop, guided by an experienced member of the maps team. Discover how to find specific maps and use our geo-referenced and side-by-side viewers.
You will also gain tips on the print function, measurement tools, gazetteers, and lots more. There will be a question and answer session at the end.
This online workshop is hands-on, so be ready to visit the maps website and build your skills.
Thursday 16 February
3pm to 4pm
Online via Zoom.
Free. Book 'Navigating the Maps Website' via Eventbrite
Exploring the climate crisis at the National Library of Scotland
Are you interested in finding out more about the climate crisis, getting ideas on how to plan a campaign or wanting to discover climate fiction?
Join us for this virtual session where we will introduce you to the Library collections and explain how you can access them, both online and in person.
There will the opportunity to ask questions at the end.
Wednesday 22 February
3pm to 4pm
Online via Zoom.
Free. Book 'Exploring Our Climate Resources' via Eventbrite
Gaelic Week: Bilingual Family Workshop
A fun bilingual session of songs, games, crafts, and play for 3-5 year olds and their grown ups.
Suitable for English and Gaelic speakers. Younger siblings welcome.
Thursday 23 February
10:30am - 11:30am
George IV Bridge
Free. Book 'Bilingual Family Workshop' via Eventbrite.
Introduction to family history
Our family history workshop will introduce you to digital and physical genealogy resources in the Library and beyond.
If you already know the outline of your family tree, find out how you can add details to the story.
Followed by a question and answer session.
Wednesday 8 March
3pm to 4pm
Online via Zoom.
Free. Book 'Family history' via Eventbrite
Additional
Watch recorded events
Online events and filmed talks are available on the Library Player
Visitor Centre Edinburgh
A café, our shop, and our exhibitions are open to everyone who visits our George IV Bridge building in Edinburgh
Library Social programme 2023
Photo by Centre for Aging Better.
Library Social is a series of relaxed events with music, stories, poems, crafts and more.
This programme is for people living with dementia, and their families, carers and supporters.
Join us on the second Friday of each month, from 10:30am to 12 noon at our George IV Bridge building, Edinburgh.
Find out about upcoming events in the series on the Library Social programme 2023 page.