1918 was the year we nearly lost the Great War but ultimately won it with a young conscript army; a year of continuous fighting in which we lost more casualties than in the years of Passchendaele or the Somme; a year in which at one stage the British Army stood with backs to the wall, a hair’s breadth away from disaster, yet finished the war with 100 days of continuous victories; a year in which both sides made liberal use of gas, as the process of killing reached its finest development. Meet a Highland soldier from 1918 and learn about his experience at the front and his reflections on the Armistice. Should we celebrate victory or the end of the War? Should we commemorate noble sacrifice or waste? What did it mean to him? And why should it matter to you? Included in admission price.
Seven Waves – St Clement’s Church – Through to Sunday 1 September 2019
Seven Waves is a visual art installation by Erlend Brown and Dave Jackson. Suspended from the ceiling, seven beautifully painted canvas waves respond to George Mackay Browns’s poetic cycle Tryst on Egilsay.
The Magnificent Victorian Improvement Project – Holyrood Park – Sunday 1 September 2019
Queen Victoria and Prince Albert loved the Scottish Highlands and they wanted to turn Holyrood Park into a reflection of this, right in the middle of Edinburgh. Their vision involved a great number of ambitious engineering projects and allowed local people to access the park. This guided walk will visit many of the Victorian landscape improvement sites from lochs to roads in Holyrood park.
Monuments in Monuments 2019 – Engine Shed – Monday 2 September 2019 to Wednesday 4 September 2019
Carved stones and objects inside buildings often present significant conservation challenges. Exposure to poor environmental conditions causes the decay and eventual loss of these monuments. Historic Environment Scotland is Scotland’s largest employer of conservation specialists, from traditional craft skills to specialist stone conservators. Our inaugural conference, Monuments in Monuments 2019, brings together conservation practitioners, students and professionals to investigate the challenges facing monument conservation. From Monday 2 – Wednesday 4 September 2019, hear from specialists and experts in the field, and explore how traditional skills, emerging technology and conservation science are helping to overcome these challenges. See monument conservation in action as you enjoy unrivalled access to some of the most iconic sites in Scotland.
Go Bats! (Holyrood Park) – Holyrood Park – Selected dates through to Friday 6 September 2019
Join us for an informative chat about bats before heading out on a night time walk around Holyrood to track down these fascinating nocturnal animals. Bring warm, waterproof clothing and sturdy footwear with good grips and a torch if you have one. Members get a 10% discount.
Powder Sergeant – Fort George – Selected dates from Friday 6 September 2019 to Sunday 22 September 2019
Meet one of the men responsible for the defences of the newly built Fort George, Sgt Ross. Find out about the fort’s mighty arsenal and the amount of gunpowder needed to defend such an important site from attack. Hear how threat of those weapons worked to deter enemy attack and make Fort George one of the most powerful forts anywhere in the world. Stop by and meet Sgt Ross any time between 12pm-4pm. Included in admission price.
Go Bats! (Linlithgow Palace) – Linlithgow Palace – Selected dates through to Saturday 7 September 2019
Join us for a night time walk around the palace Peel as we search for Linlithgow’s nocturnal inhabitants. Bat detectors will be available to help us track down these elusive creatures, but don’t forget to bring a torch! Bring warm, waterproof clothing and sturdy footwear with good grips and a torch if you have one. Meeting point – entrance to the palace. Members get a 10% discount.
Parkaeology – Holyrood Park – Saturday 7 September 2019 to Sunday 8 September 2019
There is so much to explore and investigate in our archaeology zone in Holyrood Park. Chat with archaeologists involved in archaeology across Scotland, learn about some of their exciting projects and have a go at hands-on activities. There’s even an opportunity to visit a dig taking place in the park!
The Loyal Gordons – Huntly Castle – Saturday 7 September 2019 to Sunday 8 September 2019
In the ruins of this much attacked castle meet the Gordons and the royalist defenders. Find out about the Gordon family and hear about the mid-seventeenth century attacks on the castle. Learn more about weapons and tactics, and even get hands on with history by handling weapons of the period.
Celtic Crag – Holyrood Park – Saturday 14 September 2019
Crannogs: Ancient Life on Linlithgow Loch- Linlithgow Palace – Saturday 21 September 2019
Join us and our friends from the Scottish Crannog Centre as we journey back in time 2,500 years. There’ll be a chance to try some iron age crafts as well as a guided walk to learn about the crannogs that were built on Linlithgow Loch. Some activities may not be suitable for children under 8.
British Sign Language Tour – Edinburgh Castle – Select from 2 dates through to Saturday 21 September 2019
Join Edinburgh-born Deaf historian John Hay for a BSL tour of the castle. Explore the Castle with Deaf tour guide John Hay, whose BSL tour will be translated into English by interpreter Linda Duncan. Carers and Historic Scotland Members go free (valid membership card required for each ticket).
