Upcoming Talk Events

Archaeologist Peter Yeoman uncovers the forgotten royal lodgings of Edinburgh Castle—where Mary, Queen of Scots gave birth to James VI—revealing how a long-lost palace became the symbolic birthplace of Great Britain.

The story of Traquair's last and most eccentric earl drawn from research in the archives and tracing his life from a childhood in Spain, his education in Cumbria to his life at Traquair where he focussed his energies on improving the estate as well as organising wasp hunts, sharpening razors, promoting the new railway and visiting the Great Exhibition in 1851,19 times!

Demented Cinema features two new films directed by BAFTA winner Ian Bustard, starring Ron Coleman — a creative artist living with dementia who calls himself The Demented Poet. Made over the past two years, the films are now touring across Scotland with an after-show discussion.

Join us for a riotous evening with comics Julie Wilson Nimmo and Greg Hemphill as they discuss their most recent project, the hit BBC television series Jules and Greg’s Wild Swim and its accompanying book – a unique guide to some of their favourite outdoor swimming spots around Scotland.

Edinburgh is a magical city full of wild corners – and wild inhabitants. Join nature writer Keith Broomfield as he explores the wildlife of his childhood city.

What are you scared of? What holds you back – and how do you get through it? In Breathe, record-breaking adventurer Mollie Hughes shares visually spectacular lessons from her own experiences in some of the most forbidding environments on Earth.

Food should be simple, but for many people – whether athletes or not – that's not always so. Join Renee McGregor, one of the country’s leading voices on athlete nutrition, REDs and hormonal health, as she discusses her latest book Fuel for Thought, a practical guide to sports nutrition whether you’re an elite athlete, an every-day one or just someone keen to improve their relationship with food.

In times where fear and worry seem so prevalent, There She Goes brings together 17 female writers in an anthology of travel tales to inspire, encourage and empower women adventuring through the world in different ways and at all stages of life.

In his latest book, former professional cyclist and commentator Michael Hutchinson (known as Dr Hutch to readers of Cycling Weekly) immerses himself in the world of ultra-distance bike racing.

An exploration of how humans shape the lives of plants and animals – and how they in turn shape us – David Farrier takes readers on a profound and mind-bending journey into a natural world that has always found new ways to adapt and thrive.

Not having set foot in a rowing boat prior to 2019, the Maclean brothers went on to row across the Atlantic that same year, breaking multiple world records. In an even bigger challenge, the brothers recently captured hearts around the world when, after 139 days at sea, they completed the fastest non-stop, unsupported, human-powered crossing of the entire Pacific Ocean.

Led by the FNY Collective – a group of local riders passionate about getting more women out on two wheels – this is a fabulous opportunity to enjoy a scenic and easy-going ride together with mountain biking superstar Tracy Moseley.

The desire to walk defines us as human beings, bringing joy, connection and freedom. But what happens to this when women become mothers?

Despite – or perhaps because of – her fear of the dark, Keri Wallace, author, runner and co-founder of Girls on Hills, recently achieved a Fastest Known Time (FKT) when she became the first woman to run the West Highland Way solo and unsupported in winter.

Having retired from full-time racing in 2016 following a stellar career, former World Champion and mountain biking icon Tracy Moseley recently embarked on a film project, 7Stanes in 7Days – a celebration of where she came to ride so often and which now, as mum to a young son with a love of riding, offer so much freedom and opportunity for family adventures.

Join legendary climber Leo Houlding for his next new show, Exposed, a gripping live experience with stunning visuals, film, and storytelling from the world’s wildest places.

Every day is different as a country vet, from vasectomising a ferret, to a caesarean on a cow, lame horses to ferral cats. Some days are fun, some nights are awful, but I still love being a modern-day James Herriot.

Veronica Schreuder is an archivist in the Outreach and Learning team at National Records of Scotland. She researches and writes for the Scotland’s People website, develops exhibitions and welcomes groups of all ages to General Register House, Edinburgh, where they can discover more about the collections held in the archives.

Damian Hall is an ultrarunner, coach, author, climate activist and tea addict. In his first theatre tour, Damian – aka UltraDamo – will deliver stories of breaking long-distance running records and representing Great Britain, to running marathons dressed as a​ toilet and near-fatal mishaps. How to keep running long and strong and how our best years could still be ahead of us.

Adriana will take you on a journey through one of the most hostile environments in the world, where no life can survive, and share stories of near death experiences, highs and lows of her mountaineering journey and everything in between.