Talks & lectures, History within 5 miles of Edinburgh

A talk, on the 98th anniversary, about the worst rail disaster in the UK, involving a troop train carrying soldiers from Letih and resulting in 220 casualties.

A series of discussions examining various aspects of cinema.

A panel event as part of University of Edinburgh's 'Women in Warfare' conference, featuring novelist Sue Reid Sexton, lecturer and critic Faith Pullin and historian Yvonne McEwen and chaired by historian Jenni Calder.

An annual lecture that looks at the study of Natural Theology in broad terms, with the goal to advance modern theological thought.

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

Learn more about the library's collections with this special tour and talk.

Banknote designer and collector Iain Harrison talks about the designs that have graced Scotland's money, including the £5 note featuring Jack Nicklaus, the most successful of all commemorative banknotes.

Dr Michael Ward's maps of Everest speak to the modern history of exploration of the mighty tall mountain. Curator Paula Williams takes a look at them on the 60th anniversary of the Everest conquest of Hillary and Norgay.

An illustrated talk by George Dalgleish, Keeper of Scottish History & Archaeology, on the work and lives of some of Scotland's historic goldsmiths from the 16th century to the present.

Just as it's about to return home, Ed Hodge explores the history of the Ryder Cup from 1921 to the present day.

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…

The modern piano is as different from Mozart’s piano as a Mercedes from a horsedrawn carriage. But what effect did changes in the instrument have on the music written for it? Concert pianist Kenneth Hamilton, Professor of Music at Cardiff University, offers insights into three centuries of music at the keyboard. Chaired…

A look at the iconic photographs, engravings and illustrations that helped to capture Livingstone's time in Africa.

Previously brings Scotland's history to life in a packed programme of talks, walks, tours, teas, activities, debates, exhibitions, theatre, comedy, art, photography, family history, film, open days and much, much more that will appeal to all ages. 2013 begins with a day devoted to Robert Louis Stevenson.

Dr Andrew Ross, the curator of the Amazing Amber exhibition, reveals the nitty gritty about the substance, looking to science, stories and even ways to spot a fake.

Learn more about some of the key objects in the exhibition from George Dalgleish, Keeper of Scottish History and Archaeology.

Learn how to tell your battalions from your bridges and your companies from your corps at this illustrated talk centring on WWI.