Talks & lectures

Taking over the West End of Glasgow each year, the festival treats the ears to a great musical line-up, tantalises all the senses with a carnival and delves into the creative depths of local studios and exhibitions with the Hidden Lane Festival.

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

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.

Music since recording is a new art form, which bears only as much resemblance to traditional, performed music as cinema does to theatre. What are the special characteristics of this new art? How did it evolve? Where might it be going? Brian Eno shares his thoughts.

The amiable bushcraft expert shares stories from his three decades roughing it in the bush.

Fiona Bruce and the BBC's team of experts descend on Scone Palace for this valuation day. Take along your heirlooms and car boot discoveries to see if you have a dusty treasure on your hands.

The vibrant community of Leith shows off its festival skills with a fun-packed programme of events. Among the line-up of exhibitions, concerts, walks, talks and films is the anticipated Leith Festival Gala Day on Leith Links.

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.

A guided tour, discussion and drawing event intended to spark debate about the social issues and ethics surrounding the medical improvements that can be made to the human body (think: super powers). A family friendly event.

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).

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

How much have our attitudes to abortion moved on in the last century, and what is literature's role in the debate? We hear from two novelists who address this subject in their work. Kate Manning is the author of My Notorious Life by Madame X, a novel based on the true story of an infamous midwife in New York at the…

Learn more about a specific component of Glasgow Museums' vast collection from an expert on the subject. Booking is essential.

Come take a look behind the scenes at the research facility, meet staff and try out the interactive stands at this doors open day event. Please drop a line beforehand to let them know you'll be popping by. Booking is essential.

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.

Writer, perfume expert and jogger Alex Musgrave talks about his life in poetry and scent (he's Business Manager of Penhaligon's), with a chance to smell the perfumes he mentions. Ages 16+. Booking is essential.

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.

Ever thought about keeping bees? Come along and meet members of the Borders Beekeepers Association and discover why so many people are taking up this ancient and rewarding activity.

Hands-on advice from the experts about using binoculars and telescopes to watch wildlife. Also a chance to buy some (binoculars and/or telescopes, that is, not wildlife). All proceeds go back into the RSPB to continue conservation efforts.

A free, local literature festival run by West Dunbartonshire Libraries that nevertheless manages to book some big name authors for its programme of talks, signings and more unusual events. This 11th edition sees Alasdair Gray, William McIlvanney and Allan Massie join non-fiction writers Margaret Evison, Tom Devine and DA…

Members of New York City’s Bang on a Can All-Stars discuss making music new with Edinburgh-based composer John Harris.

Members of Grid Iron talk about Leaving Planet Earth in the company of journalist and critic Robert Dawson Scott.