History

It’s So Nice

Irreverent and beguiling history play

Part physical theatre, part clowning about, this bilingual show that takes a look at the relationship between Mary, Queen of Scots and her cousin Elizabeth I is an absolute delight. It takes the form of a history play-cum-lecture-cum-travelogue as…

It’s So Nice explores relationship between Mary Queen of Scots and Elizabeth I

French performers are aiming to throw light on history at Edinburgh Fringe

Talk about coals to Newcastle. Barbara Sylvain and Lula Béry are a French/Belgian double act who thought it’d be a good idea to bring a show about Mary Queen of Scots and Elizabeth I to Scotland. The 16th-century tale of the francophone Mary and her…

Horrible Histories' Barmy Britain comes to 2012 Edinburgh Fringe

Terry Deary praises Birmingham Theatre adaptation of his hit series

Talky Terry Deary is in a brilliantly bolshy mood. For sure, the Horrible Histories creator is excited about the Edinburgh production of Barmy Britain, a new adaptation of some of the true tales from his children’s books. But as for other outposts of…

New historical books round-up

Kate Summerscale, Paul French, Andrew Martin, Sarah Fraser and John Romer all to release new works

How do you follow up a mind-blowing success like The Suspicions of Mr Whicher? Well, if you’re Kate Summerscale, you understandably get right back onto that period saddle with Mrs Robinson’s Disgrace: The Private Diary of a Victorian Lady (Bloomsbury).

Edinburgh Castle and Stirling Castle: Alternative Christmas dining options

Two iconic venues now taking bookings for your Christmas meal

Stuck for somewhere decent to have your Christmas lunch? Need a venue that’ll please a range of tastes but won’t be another run-of-the-mill pub grub standby in the city centre? Have you considered going for something a bit more... iconic?

Festival of Museums set for nationwide celebration of Scotland’s culture in May 2011

Music, storytelling and period fashion among highlights of new festival

From the Groam House Museum in Ross-shire and Portsoy Bothy in Banffshire, to the Annan Museum in Dumfries and Galloway, the Festival of Museums features an eclectic and colourful range of concerts, talks, workshops, performances and exhibitions taking…

World Wars Experience brings flying parade and tank display to National Museum of Flight

Edinburgh exhibition brings history to life over May Day weekend 2011

War and warfare are a constant presence in world news, both now and throughout history. While many of these conflicts take place in far off lands - in countries very different to our own which most of us will never visit - it’s easy to forget our own…

StAnza 2011 - Kevin Young and Gawain Douglas

International poetry guests and a reading of a 20th century classic

One of the international visitors to the 14th edition of the Stanza Poetry festival in St Andrews was Kevin Young, hailing from Georgia, US. His five published collections often take history and blues music as themes, but for this appearance he read…

A guide to the best ghost tours of haunted Edinburgh

The best of the spooky and haunted side of the historic Scottish capital

In the words of Robert Louis Stevenson, one of Edinburgh’s most famous literary sons, ‘Only a few inches separate the living from the dead.’ And nowhere is that more true than in the Old Town. From Burke and Hare to Half-Hangit Maggie, the city has more…

A guide to Edinburgh Castle

The capital's most iconic landmark is a must-see for any visitor

Castle Rock, the plug of an extinct volcano, is estimated to be 350 million years old. Archaeologists say that its grassy shoulders were the site of a settlement at least as early as 900bc, and by ad600 there was probably a feasting hall on the…

The historical events that shaped Edinburgh

An overview of Edinburgh's history provides further insight into Scotland's capital

In prehistoric times, our ancient ancestors hunted and farmed on the plain between the Forth and the Pentland Hills, and settled on the heights of Castle Rock and Arthur’s Seat, strengthening these rocky outcrops with primitive ramparts. Later, in the…

Edinburgh's Royal Mile takes in hundreds of years of history and drama

A haven for tourists and the centrepoint of historic Edinburgh

The Royal Mile begins as you leave the castle. On the right is the Scotch Whisky Experience – the perfect introduction to the history and alchemy of Scotland’s national drink – complete with a dram at the end. On the left, the tower with the…

The best golf courses in Edinburgh

Edinburgh and East Lothian courses include Musselburgh Links, Turnhouse, Gullane and Muirfield

The game of golf got its first written mention in 1457, when King James II was so worried that his subjects were busy playing golf rather than practicing their archery that he issued an act of parliament, banning the game, with severe penalties for all…

Why the best way to discover the beautiful city of Edinburgh is on foot

A guide to the best walking tours of Scotland's capital

Wandering around a city without a map can either turn up serendipitous gems or leave you hopelessly lost and frustrated with none of your must-see list ticked off. That’s when it’s a good idea to enlist the help of a walking tour guide who’ll whisk you…

The National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh

Newly renovated NMS showcases Scottish achievements

A country with as many scientists, inventors and explorers as Scotland needs a place to show off all its achievements – and nowhere does the job better than the newly renovated National Museum

The Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh

Holyroodhouse is to Scotland what Buckingham Palace is to England

Holyroodhouse is to Scotland what Buckingham Palace is to England – but it is much older, dating from a time when England’s kings still lived in the Tower of London. Holyrood Park was originally a royal hunting preserve beneath the towering crags of…

Scottish Parliament building hosts exhibition exploring Jacobites' international legacy

Rare chance to see historic artefacts from University of Aberdeen

The Scottish Parliament building hosts an exhibition of historical pieces from the University of Aberdeen's Jacobite collections for the next month.

Rebels with a Cause

Jacobite-themed weekend of storytelling, live music, tours, exhibitions and a quiz

In the same month as we remember Guy Fawkes’ rather unwelcome trip to the Houses of Parliament, that building’s Scottish counterpart is hoping for some friendlier visitors. Held over the St Andrew’s weekend, Rebels with a Cause is a mix of storytelling…

St Andrew’s Day offers a programme of poetry, song and dance

2010 National Day a far cry from mince and tatties, a malt and the latest Broons annual

Let’s face it. There is no way that St Andrew’s Day celebrations will ever, ever be cool, and no special guest appearances by Amy Macdonald or thon wee laddie fae West Lothian who won the X Factor are ever, ever going to change that. Processed that?

Family weekend: Rebels with a Cause – The Jacobites and the Global Imagination

Traditional music, egg decorating and quiz among highlights of weekend of free children's events

Rebels with a Cause – The Jacobites and the Global Imagination Wednesday 27 October to Saturday 8 January (closed Sundays except Sunday 28 November and 24 - 28, 31 December and 1 - 3 January) Monday and Friday 10:00 - 16.00 (last entry 15:30)…

The events from Scottish history that shaped the nation's character

Jacobites exhibition reveals source of sentimentality in Scottish psyche

Rebels with a Cause: The Jacobites and the Global Imagination exhibition reveals origin of Scottish character’s tendency for the romantic, mournful and sentimental.

(hi)STORY: Viewing the Old Town from Hermione’s window

Art and architecture meet philosophy and psychiatry from Klas Hyllen

Art and architecture meet philosophy and psychiatry in Klas Hyllen’s well-researched body of work, beautifully presented within SCHOP’s small gallery – size is unimportant when the viewer is confronted with complex theories and varying 2D works and…

Scottish history and art lesson at Show Scotland 2010

One of the most unfortunately underrated annual events in the country, Show Scotland is unfurling itself out across the May bank holdiay weekend again, and we advise you to sit up and pay attention. Not so much a festival as a nuanced celebration of…

Kilmarten Glen

Visiting one of Scotland's most important historical sites

The Scots do history pretty well. Perhaps you even learnt a little about it at school? But, if you fell asleep during that lesson, let us give you a little re-cap: Scotland’s history is one of immigration, its people forged through waves of invaders…

Foundation Glasgow – The Growth of a City

A new exhibition is being launched in Glasgow next month, chronicling the history of the city. Foundation Glasgow – The Growth of a City will be a free animated exhibition charting the historic emergence and development of Scotland’s largest city.