Muriel Spark’s classic novel, ‘The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie’ was published 60 years ago on 5 October 1961, and it would become iconic in the public imagination. Celebrate this milestone with a free talk from the National Library of Scotland. The novel’s title character, ‘Miss Brodie’, was inspired by Spark’s teacher, Christina Kay, at James Gillespie’s School. Norma Allan, …
Renowned Scottish author Sara Sheridan talks to National Library of Scotland Curator Dora Petherbridge about her latest novel, The Fair Botanists. Set in Edinburgh in 1822, Sara’s latest novel The Fair Botanists has been brilliantly received by both readers and critics. Using the Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh’s and the National Library archives for research, she has created a story deeply embedded …
Football programmes have stories to tell about times, places and people, as well as football. They rekindle memories of a match, an awe-inspiring visit to Hampden Park, or standing on the terraces at Tynecastle, Easter Road or some far away field. But programmes also signify broad patterns of social and technological change. Hosted by the National Library of Scotland this …
Chaired by Jocelyn Cunliffe FRIAS, this afternoon seminar will host a series of speakers with presentations covering HES heritage priorities, Glasgow’s re-located structures, an approach to existing building retrofit and the sustainable, low energy refurbishment of traditional and historic buildings supported by case studies, application of the building regulations when considering the conversion of a listed office building to flats …
Scottish tenements, with their high density and location close to useful facilities, could already be considered sustainable. But when it comes to making tenements more sustainable in terms of energy usage, flat owners in a tenement community that work together can achieve so much more than single owners working on their own. Intended specifically for residents of Edinburgh, this special …
Edinburgh Old Town Association will host John Lowrey, Senior Lecturer in Architectural History at the University of Edinburgh, offering us a talk on the recording methods used in 19th Century Edinburgh to capture life within the Old Town. City architects were employed to record crime scenes in Edinburgh and their detailed drawings provide an insight into a type of domestic …
The Edinburgh Old Town Association will host a talk from Henry Sullivan of Edinburgh City Records and Archives who will describe some of the treasures of the City Archives, including some surprising items that throw light on Edinburgh’s past. This online event is free to OTA members. Non-members may attend our events if a donation of at least £5.00 for …
Edinburgh’s townscape reflects a long history of plans, reflecting various visions for the future. This fully illustrated talk by Chris Fleet, Map Curator at the National Library of Scotland, will look specifically at maps associated with plans, blueprints and projected schemes, many of which were either not fully implemented, or altered in significant ways. Chris looks at the background to …
Edinburgh Old Town Association members Fenella Kerr and Eric Drake reveal some of the hidden stories in an intriguing new artwork in Pirrie’s Close off the Canongate. Designed by Astrid Jeakel and Isla Munro, the panels illustrate some of the stories told by the local community and reflect life in this quarter of the Old Town. This online event is …
What do a fireman, a Polish war veteran, a Roman Emperor, a horse from Ancient Macedonia, an African explorer, and a dog called Toby, all have in common? They all have ‘Tall Tales’ to be told about them – come and find out about them on a Tall Tales virtual walking tour by a qualified STGA Blue Badge Guide Partnerning up with the …
