The theatre in Carrubber's Close provides a case study of the history of theatre and censorship in Edinburgh before 1750.

Bert Kerr (1933-2020) is a key figure in the evolution of table tennis in Edinburgh. This is the story about his playing days and influence.

This talk focuses on Parliament Close and Square as the centre of elite power and influence in Edinburgh, considering the juxtaposition, within a tiny area, of the institutions of church, city, state…

Your donation helps keep doors open!

History talk on the General Strike of 1926 framed within an Edinburgh context

[Tionndadh Gàidhlig] Our new bilingual book A’ Ghàidhlig ann an Dùn Èideann Tro na Linntean / Gaelic in Edinburgh Through the Centuries is now available. Challenging the common misconception that G…

This is a guide to researching your Edinburgh home, intended to meet interest generated by David Olusoga's BBC series, A House Through Time.

The BBC Scotland radio program 'Digging Up Your Roots' featured the story of my great-great grandmother, Margaret McEwan and a letter that was written to her by Andrew Carnegie awarding her a pension…

Edinburgh's Lincoln Monument and its background story, a post published to mark the 160th anniversary of the end of the American Civil War

David delves into the archives to tell the personal histories of one Edinburgh house.

A lecture exploring Edinburgh's medical communities and colonial legacies.

The Royal High School buildings on Calton Hill have their bicentenary in July 2025. This post provides the history.

The 'Canal's End' guide leads you around the lost eastern terminus of the Union Canal between Edinburgh and Falkirk and what remains today.

Open Days We usually open the second Sunday afternoon of each month throughout the year and our trained guides offer […]

Explore the OEC Bibliography of Edinburgh History, covering social, cultural, economic and architectural heritage in books, articles and dissertations

Box Office 0131 529 6000 Mon to Sat, 11am to 3pm Groups (8+ tickets) 0131 529 6005 Mon to Fri, 11am to 3pm Stage door, Admin and Lost property 0131 662 1112 Mon to Sat, 10am to 6pm (voicemail…

Discover hidden places, shared stories and new perspectives this September

The story of the Maiden, a guillotine-like device introduced to Edinburgh in the 16th century as a form of public punishment.

Jill Harrison announces her Reviving the Trinity Stones Exhibition at the Edinburgh Museum and Outreach programme for 2026

19th century Morningside Masons, Medieval Stones and the Slater Family: an April 2026 project update from Jill Powlett-Brown

A series of daytime talks and Q&As exploring the legacy of James Hutton, a founding Fellow of the RSE.

The Business Archives Council of Scotland is pleased to announce a Micro Grants Programme for 2026/27.

Edinburgh and Slavery Abolition in the 19th Century - French Connections, a video introducing OEC-supported research by Lisa Williams

Join us for an afternoon of talks showcasing the incredible work of Scotland’s graveyard volunteers

The winner is announced of the Great Debate of 2026: Roddy McLuskey a student at Gillespie's High School, Edinburgh

This time I'm going to show you a place which has been lost for three hundred years. Prepare to step back into the 1700s...The Luckenbooths were lockable booths. Some nestled against the bulk of St…

This lecture by Andy Arthur was given to the Old Edinburgh Club on 16th October 2024 at the Augustine United Church. 00:30 Introduction 02:15 Tunnel Vision: How the railways dug their way into the…

The 'Canal's End' guide leads you around the lost eastern terminus of the Union Canal between Edinburgh and Falkirk and what remains today.

The story of the Maiden, a guillotine-like device introduced to Edinburgh in the 16th century as a form of public punishment.

Did John Bayne take a secret to his grave?  Join us on Saturday 18 April as we aim to lift the lid on a secret centuries in the making:does a broken gravestone in John Bayne’s mausoleum hide a secr…