The Old Edinburgh Club

Exploring the city through history

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.

Mobile decontamination unit Edinburgh

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.

News & Views

What’s new in the world of the Old Edinburgh Club: events, publications, projects and our blog.

Portobello Pierrot troupe with Willie Wright c1911

By: Derrick Johnstone

Pierrots were troupes who entertained residents, day-trippers and holidaymakers in Portobello and other seaside resorts between the 1890s and 1930s. They offered a hugely popular

David I's stag with a cross between its antlers, mural by Chris Rutterford

By: John N Amoore

Two legends in the Coats of Arms of the Canongate and Edinburgh Unexpected consequences when kings hunt is the theme of two legends represented in

Canongate Kirk & Kirkyard visit Eric Drake (volunteer guide and resident of Canongate) showed us round the graveyard and the kirk. Eric began the visit

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.

Follow us on social media

Follow us to find out even more about our activities and about the history of Edinburgh, including our popular ‘On This Day’ feature on Facebook. Click on the icons in the footer for Facebook, Instagram and X (Twitter). We are also now on Bluesky.