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.
Look out for details of our 2025-26 programme beginning in October.
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.
Progress on ‘Reviving the Trinity Stones’ (Jean Guild Grant project) Enthusiastic stone spotters, Alison Macdonald, Hetty Lancaster, Jill Harrison, Jill Powlett-Brown and Matthew Nicholas from
By: Jo Chapman
The story of The Maiden The Maiden, a guillotine-like device introduced to Edinburgh in the 16th century, remains a grim symbol of Scotland’s history of
By: Derrick Johnstone
New digital access to articles in the Book of the Old Edinburgh Club We have made it easier to find content in the Book of
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.