Edinburgh's local history society
The Old Edinburgh Club is the city’s local history society, concerned with all aspects of the capital’s history and development.
For more than one hundred years we have encouraged interest through lectures, visits and projects. Join us and take advantage of these and our other activities, exploring Edinburgh through history.
Our Publications
We publish the Book of the Old Edinburgh Club, renowned as an authoritative source for residents, researchers alike or, indeed, anyone who shares our delight in the city’s rich heritage. The latest edition – Volume 20 – is now available and has been sent to our members.
Earlier editions from 1908 are available to download, and we recently added volumes up to 2019.
Please browse our Bibliography of Edinburgh History too – it’s an essential starting point for exploring your interests.
Lectures & Visits
We hold our events in the Augustine United Church, 41 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1EL, with live streaming for anyone who cannot be there in person.
All talks start at 7pm. Non-members may attend or view each event on request. Please contact events@oldedinburghclub.org.uk.
The final lecture in our Winter Programme is coming soon.
Second Generation Women Doctors, 1877-1914
Eighteenth Century Music in Edinburgh
Edinburgh and the Cockburn Association in the Inter-War Years
Members Evening 2024
Castles in the Sky: Identity, Social and Home Life in Wester Hailes, 1967-1990
Tunnel Vision: How the railways dug their way into Victorian Edinburgh
News & Views
What’s new in the world of the Old Edinburgh Club: events, publications, projects and our blog.
By: Graeme Cruikshank
The year 2022 saw a double commemoration in the history of canals in Edinburgh. It marked the bicentenary of the opening of the Edinburgh and
Eachdraidh Na Gàidhlig ann an Dùn Èideann: The History of Gaelic in Edinburgh James Gillespie’s High School are delighted to share that their “Eachdraidh Na
By: Edward Duvall
Alexander Monteith: his petition for a ‘gift of bodies’ On 24 October 1694 Alexander Monteith petitioned Edinburgh Town Council for ‘a gift of the bodies
Explore our website
We hope our website will help you to explore the fascinating past of Scotland’s capital.
For more on Edinburgh’s rich history, explore our detailed resource of useful websites and links to local history and heritage organisations.