Books and Borrowing 1750-1830
Access the new Books and Borrowing Database The Books and Borrowing Database, containing borrowing records covering eighteen different Scottish libraries active in the period between 1750 and 1830, is now available. Using formerly unexplored and underexplored borrowing records, the Books and Borrowing project has created a new resource that reveals hidden histories of book use, […]
Winner of Great Debate 2024: Emma Crow
National debate for schools The Historical Association recently announced the winner of the Great Debate 2024: Emma Crow from Broxburn Academy, Broxburn, West Lothian. The Old Edinburgh Club was asked to provide a judge for the Scottish Finals and we were represented by Jo Chapman. Jo and her fellow judges selected Emma and we are absolutely delighted to be able […]
Reviving the Trinity Stones: Easter update
Last week Jill Harrison was out and about in Edinburgh looking for more pieces of her Trinity Stones jigsaw puzzle and gives us her Easter update. “I had been alerted to an exciting new fragment in a secret location and it would indeed appear to be another example of a fascinating medieval stone. A […]
Launch of Volume 19 of ‘The Book’
The latest issue of the Book of the Old Edinburgh Club The latest edition of ‘The Book’, the Book of the Old Edinburgh Club, Volume 19 is out now. As ever it contains an absorbing collection of original articles on Edinburgh’s rich history. Wilson Smith, the Editor of the Book of the Old Edinburgh Club […]
Old Edinburgh Reborn
Creating virtual photographs of Edinburgh in the 1700s Introducing ‘Old Edinburgh Reborn’ Photography came to Edinburgh in the early 1840s and the city has been meticulously documented through paintings, prints, maps and plans for centuries before. A new project, Old Edinburgh Reborn, takes cutting-edge techniques of 3D modelling and CGI (Computer Generated Imaging) to build […]
OEC Bibliography updated
A rich resource of Edinburgh’s past The Bibliography of Edinburgh History has been updated by the Old Edinburgh Club, forming an extensive collection of nearly 3,000 items. These books, chapters, journal articles and dissertations illuminate the rich heritage of the city, dating from William Maitland’s 1753 History of Edinburgh and Leith. Easily searchable online, the Bibliography covers prehistory to […]
George Heriot, 400th Anniversary
12th February 2024 marks the 400th anniversary of the death of George Heriot. His name is well known in Edinburgh for the extraordinary legacy he left to the city and its people after his death, whereby so many orphans and children have benefited from his kindness. Remembered in buildings and streets names of Edinburgh, his […]
Get up-to-date on Edinburgh Archaeology
Videos of talks given at the 2023 Edinburgh, Lothians and Borders Archaeology Conference are now online. This is always a popular event, held at Queen Margaret University. It was supported by the local authorities, AOC Archaeology, GUARD Archaeology and Historic Environment Scotland. The Edinburgh sites that featured were: Dunsapie Fort, Holyrood Park West Craigs – […]
Jean Guild Grants: first awardees
We have announced the first successful applicants for the Jean Guild Grants programme, which offers small awards for projects and research which expand what we know about the city and bring our history to life. The successful projects are: James Gillespie’s High School: Gaelic in Edinburgh – A History Northlight Productions: Visiting 1700s Edinburgh through virtual […]
Making historical research more accessible
We are pleased to announce the completion of a project to digitise nearly 70 articles first published between 1991 and 2008. These authoritative articles appeared in the Book of the Old Edinburgh Club, the Club’s journal which was launched in 1908. There is an eclectic mix of topics featuring Edinburgh people, places, culture and society. […]