After 5pm, Talks & lectures

The mountainous Abruzzo region has less than half the vineyard land of Tuscany, and yet it produces nearly twice as much wine, thanks to the dry Adriatic breezes that blow in from the East. The most famous wine of the region is Montepulciano, but here's a chance to try some others.

Get together with the society to discuss a variety of space-related topics.

Award-winning traditional African acrobats from Ghana, West Africa. A breathtaking performance, not to be missed. A family friendly event (i.e. suitable for all ages).

Mary Brennan, Dance Critic of The Herald, chairs a discussion with Scottish Ballet Artistic Director Christopher Hampson, Scottish Dance Theatre Artistic Director Fleur Darkin and Dance Base Artistic Director Morag Deyes.

Come hear the results of a multidisciplinary project between two geneticists, two poets, a design artist and a photographer, initiated by the ESRC Genomics Policy and Research Forum. With Pippa Goldschmidt, Lisa Matthews and Matthias Wienroth in discussion.

Robert Powell and Liza Goddard explore the first hundred years of cinema, starting with the Lumiere Brothers, making their way through Mickey Mouse, Clark Gable and Groucho Marx, and ending with Bond 22. Clive Conway and Christine Croshaw provide musical accompaniment.

Peter Abrahams, Professor of Clinical Anatomy at Warwick University, explores the value of Leonardo’s anatomical drawings as a tool for understanding the human body, and how closely the artist anticipated the range of imagery used by the medical profession today.

Graphic design as an extreme sport. Andie Airfix talks about the challenges working with music’s ‘megastars’ including Metallica, Thompson Twins, Stones, Doa, Leppard, Zeppelin and more. Talk dates: May 10/11; (Def Leppard). 17/18; (Metallica). 12/19/24; (Music design; Early Days). 8/15/22/25; (Music design; Latter Days).

Learn the story of William Wallace and his compatriots as costumed actors bring the Battle of Stirling Bridge to life.

Composer Tod Machover, conductor Peter Oundjian and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra take us through the creation of a new piece of music celebrating the City of Edinburgh and its Festival and co-created by members of the public.

Author Ian Mitchell talks about the Highlands back in the days when bandits, poachers and illicit distillers camped out in the mountains.

A look at how one's approach to relationships reflect oneself, followed up by a meditation session.

Prof Peter Abrahams gives this Heritage Society Festival Lecture about the original Renaissance man's career as an anatomist and his extremely detailed drawings, which came from the study of 23 corpses that the artist personally dissected. Prof Abrahams discusses how the unique concepts found in these ancient renderings…

Lionel Shriver, the Orange Prize-winning author of 'We Need to Talk About Kevin', returns to Southbank Centre to discuss her new novel 'Big Brother'. This matter-of-fact, moving and masterful novel explores the arenas of our most complex relationships - food and family. Lionel Shriver appears in association with…

Record-breaking endurance cyclist, rower and adventurer Mark Beaumont discusses his incredible experiences.

These loveable scruffians inexplicably change vocations from comedy to cookery. A culinary masterclass that'll stir-fry your brains and oven-melt your heart. ‘Weird and wonderful and really, really funny’ ★★★★ (The Skinny). Suitable for ages 18+.

Christopher Hampson and Jane Pritchard discuss this seminal work.

A series of seminars looking at how the 'voice of the people' has manifested in Scotland, from medieval times to today, presented by a variety of scholars in disciplines ranging from literature to politics. All welcome.

We launch the London Literature Festival with a glorious night of readings from some of the nominees for the Man Booker International Prize 2013. The Man Booker International Prize highlights one writer's continued creativity, development and overall contribution to fiction on the world stage. Of the ten authors in…

Rebecca Goldstein ponders the conflict between literature and moral philosophy and whether or not literature is more adept at engendering moral advances than dear old Plato might have imagined.

One of Britain's leading intellectuals, AC Grayling makes his case against Religion and for Humanism. He gives a talk which asks, what is the alternative to religion as a view of the world and a foundation for morality? Is there a world-view and a code of life for thoughtful people who wish to live with intellectual…

Professor of politics Christina Boswell talks about her research into the motivations behind the formulation of public policies.