Old Edinburgh Club
@oldedinburghclub.bsky.social
The Old Edinburgh Club (OEC) is the city’s local history society, concerned with all aspects of the capital’s history and development.
Good News! The Old Edinburgh Club’s Bibliography site is being updated. It's an online ‘must visit’ to explore Edinburgh’s history, with works from the late 16th century to today. Check it out and tell us if anything else should be included.https://buff.ly/8gAkNs6
OEC Bibliography of Edinburgh History - The Old Edinburgh Club
Explore the OEC Bibliography of Edinburgh History, covering social, cultural, economic and architectural heritage in books, articles and dissertations
oldedinburghclub.org.uk
November 27, 2025 at 1:27 PM
Good News! The Old Edinburgh Club’s Bibliography site is being updated. It's an online ‘must visit’ to explore Edinburgh’s history, with works from the late 16th century to today. Check it out and tell us if anything else should be included.https://buff.ly/8gAkNs6
Edward Hannan's role in founding Hibernian FC 150 years ago this year is relatively well known; less so his wider contribution to his adopted home city. Author Mike Hennessy will speak about Canon Hannan's work in Edinburgh Old Town (1861-1891) at what was St Mary's Street Hall.
Edinburgh's First Hibernian
A talk by author Mike Hennessy on Canon Hannan's contribution to Edinburgh's Old Town 1861 to 1891
buff.ly
November 24, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Edward Hannan's role in founding Hibernian FC 150 years ago this year is relatively well known; less so his wider contribution to his adopted home city. Author Mike Hennessy will speak about Canon Hannan's work in Edinburgh Old Town (1861-1891) at what was St Mary's Street Hall.
The very tall Agave americana, known as the ‘American aloe’ or ‘century plant’, flowered for the first time in Scotland in Dr John Hope’s Botanic Garden on Leith Walk in 1767. We thank Amy Orner for her blog.#botanicgarden #drhope #aloeplant
An American curiosity in Dr Hope's garden - The Old Edinburgh Club
An American curiosity in Dr Hope's Garden in 1767: the flowering of an Agave americana or 'American aloe' in the Botanic Garden on Leith Walk
buff.ly
November 23, 2025 at 10:00 AM
The very tall Agave americana, known as the ‘American aloe’ or ‘century plant’, flowered for the first time in Scotland in Dr John Hope’s Botanic Garden on Leith Walk in 1767. We thank Amy Orner for her blog.#botanicgarden #drhope #aloeplant
Thank you to everyone who attended our recent talk about Chrystal Macmillan, a lesser-known Edinburgh woman, presented by Helen Kay and Rose Pipes. Their new book about Chrystal is published by Edinburgh University Press. #chrystalmacmillan #edinburghcampaigner #suffragist #womenwhoshapedhistory
November 21, 2025 at 10:55 AM
Thank you to everyone who attended our recent talk about Chrystal Macmillan, a lesser-known Edinburgh woman, presented by Helen Kay and Rose Pipes. Their new book about Chrystal is published by Edinburgh University Press. #chrystalmacmillan #edinburghcampaigner #suffragist #womenwhoshapedhistory
The transcription of Edinburgh University Library’s Receipt Book for the Book Borrowing Surgeons project is well underway. Kit Baston gives an update on her project, funded by an OEC Jean Guild Grant. #edinburghsurgeons #edinburghuniversitylibrary #RCSEd
oldedinburghclub.org.uk/kit-baston-t...
oldedinburghclub.org.uk/kit-baston-t...
November 14, 2025 at 10:45 AM
The transcription of Edinburgh University Library’s Receipt Book for the Book Borrowing Surgeons project is well underway. Kit Baston gives an update on her project, funded by an OEC Jean Guild Grant. #edinburghsurgeons #edinburghuniversitylibrary #RCSEd
oldedinburghclub.org.uk/kit-baston-t...
oldedinburghclub.org.uk/kit-baston-t...
Reposted by Old Edinburgh Club
Today marks the 175th anniversary of the birth of Robert Louis Stevenson!
Find out more about his life by taking a virtual wander on Our Town Stories through the Edinburgh he knew as a child and student.
zurl.co/esAjh
#RLSDay2025
Find out more about his life by taking a virtual wander on Our Town Stories through the Edinburgh he knew as a child and student.
zurl.co/esAjh
#RLSDay2025
November 13, 2025 at 11:05 AM
Today marks the 175th anniversary of the birth of Robert Louis Stevenson!
Find out more about his life by taking a virtual wander on Our Town Stories through the Edinburgh he knew as a child and student.
zurl.co/esAjh
#RLSDay2025
Find out more about his life by taking a virtual wander on Our Town Stories through the Edinburgh he knew as a child and student.
zurl.co/esAjh
#RLSDay2025
Reposted by Old Edinburgh Club
For those interested in how the Victorian (and later) city dealt with its refuse, this thread is pure rubbish: 🗑️ threadinburgh.scot/2022/09/02/t...
November 10, 2025 at 9:20 AM
For those interested in how the Victorian (and later) city dealt with its refuse, this thread is pure rubbish: 🗑️ threadinburgh.scot/2022/09/02/t...
A great article from the BBC website about the St Giles Cathedral dig in 1981 and the recent work commissioned by John Lawson, the City's archaeologist. #blackdeath #plagueinedinburgh #stgiles #archaeology #dig
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
First scientific evidence of Black Death in Edinburgh found on skeleton
Plaque on the teenager's teeth contains pathogens of the bacteria for the Bubonic plague.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 8, 2025 at 10:33 AM
A great article from the BBC website about the St Giles Cathedral dig in 1981 and the recent work commissioned by John Lawson, the City's archaeologist. #blackdeath #plagueinedinburgh #stgiles #archaeology #dig
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Slavery Abolition: French and French Caribbean connections, a research project funded by the OEC to Lisa Williams. Her project explores French Caribbean connections to Edinburgh circa 1820's #edinburghandcaribbeanconnections #antislaverymovementinedinburgh
bit.ly/43hJ66C
bit.ly/43hJ66C
November 5, 2025 at 1:47 PM
Slavery Abolition: French and French Caribbean connections, a research project funded by the OEC to Lisa Williams. Her project explores French Caribbean connections to Edinburgh circa 1820's #edinburghandcaribbeanconnections #antislaverymovementinedinburgh
bit.ly/43hJ66C
bit.ly/43hJ66C
Chrystal Macmillan: Equal rights for women in Edinburgh and beyond.
Our next talk for members is on 19th Nov at Augustine Church, George IV Bridge, Edinburgh. Some tickets for non-members are available at £8 each on Eventbrite from today.
bit.ly/3J3MgEc
Our next talk for members is on 19th Nov at Augustine Church, George IV Bridge, Edinburgh. Some tickets for non-members are available at £8 each on Eventbrite from today.
bit.ly/3J3MgEc
Chrystal Macmillan:Equal Rights for Women in Edinburgh and Beyond
A talk by Helen Kay and Rose Pipes about the life and work of Chystal Macmillan, Suffragette and campaigner for human rights and peace.
bit.ly
October 28, 2025 at 11:24 AM
Chrystal Macmillan: Equal rights for women in Edinburgh and beyond.
Our next talk for members is on 19th Nov at Augustine Church, George IV Bridge, Edinburgh. Some tickets for non-members are available at £8 each on Eventbrite from today.
bit.ly/3J3MgEc
Our next talk for members is on 19th Nov at Augustine Church, George IV Bridge, Edinburgh. Some tickets for non-members are available at £8 each on Eventbrite from today.
bit.ly/3J3MgEc
Today (24 October) in 1694, Alexander Monteith petitioned the council for a gift of bodies for medical dissection from among those who died in the Correction House. You can read more about him on the OEC website. #medicaldissection #edinburghmedicalhistory
bit.ly/4qrvRdn
bit.ly/4qrvRdn
Alexander Monteith: Beginnings of Anatomy in Edinburgh, 1694 - The Old Edinburgh Club
Alexander Monteith: the story of the request for 'the gift of bodies' and the rise of the practice of anatomy in Edinburgh from 1694
bit.ly
October 24, 2025 at 11:54 AM
Today (24 October) in 1694, Alexander Monteith petitioned the council for a gift of bodies for medical dissection from among those who died in the Correction House. You can read more about him on the OEC website. #medicaldissection #edinburghmedicalhistory
bit.ly/4qrvRdn
bit.ly/4qrvRdn
Reposted by Old Edinburgh Club
The #FamilyHistory Fair at Edinburgh Central Library is in full swing! Pop by until 4pm today, Friday 24 October to speak to us and representatives from many other archives to learn how our collections and services can help your research!
Full details at zurl.co/NRtOK
Full details at zurl.co/NRtOK
October 24, 2025 at 10:15 AM
The #FamilyHistory Fair at Edinburgh Central Library is in full swing! Pop by until 4pm today, Friday 24 October to speak to us and representatives from many other archives to learn how our collections and services can help your research!
Full details at zurl.co/NRtOK
Full details at zurl.co/NRtOK
The Old Edinburgh Club continues its collaboration with Edinburgh Central Library with the launch of the William Anderson Memorial Prize. Read all about it and how to enter. #lhistorycompetition #edinburghhistory
oldedinburghclub.org.uk/projects/the...
oldedinburghclub.org.uk/projects/the...
William Anderson Memorial Prize - The Old Edinburgh Club
The William Anderson Local History Writing Competition run by Edinburgh Central Library in collaboration with the Old Edinburgh Club.
oldedinburghclub.org.uk
October 21, 2025 at 10:07 AM
The Old Edinburgh Club continues its collaboration with Edinburgh Central Library with the launch of the William Anderson Memorial Prize. Read all about it and how to enter. #lhistorycompetition #edinburghhistory
oldedinburghclub.org.uk/projects/the...
oldedinburghclub.org.uk/projects/the...
Reposted by Old Edinburgh Club
The thread about Dean Public School; “from the Three R’s to transistors”
Part six of the series of posts looking at "Lost Board Schools of Edinburgh" pays a visit to the former Dean Public School. Judging by the crowds of tourists on phones who gather daily in crowds outside, this must be one of…
Part six of the series of posts looking at "Lost Board Schools of Edinburgh" pays a visit to the former Dean Public School. Judging by the crowds of tourists on phones who gather daily in crowds outside, this must be one of…
The thread about Dean Public School; “from the Three R’s to transistors”
Part six of the series of posts looking at "Lost Board Schools of Edinburgh" pays a visit to the former Dean Public School. Judging by the crowds of tourists on phones who gather daily in crowds outside, this must be one of the most Instagrammed of schools. I wonder how many stop for a moment to consider its history and its claim to a unique first in the story of education in the city. So let us take a moment for ourselves to do just that.
threadinburgh.scot
October 13, 2025 at 6:15 AM
The thread about Dean Public School; “from the Three R’s to transistors”
Part six of the series of posts looking at "Lost Board Schools of Edinburgh" pays a visit to the former Dean Public School. Judging by the crowds of tourists on phones who gather daily in crowds outside, this must be one of…
Part six of the series of posts looking at "Lost Board Schools of Edinburgh" pays a visit to the former Dean Public School. Judging by the crowds of tourists on phones who gather daily in crowds outside, this must be one of…
Well thanks @signetlibrary.bsky.social for the mention in this great article in this magazine. It's a great project, adding much to an aspect of social history
The BBC's "Who Do You Think You Are" Magazine new November 2025 issue's "Gem from the Archive" features the Signet Library's @oldedinburghclub.bsky.social funded project on the records of John Watson's Institution, research undertaken by @kgbaston.bsky.social @johockey.bsky.social
October 17, 2025 at 2:54 PM
Well thanks @signetlibrary.bsky.social for the mention in this great article in this magazine. It's a great project, adding much to an aspect of social history
Read the story of the founding of the Old Edinburgh Club in ' Our Town Stories'.
And today, our new President, Steven Robb, who wrote the article, will welcome members to our first talk of the winter lecture series. #oldedinburghhistory #oldedinburghclubs #oldedinburghsocieties #talesofonecity
And today, our new President, Steven Robb, who wrote the article, will welcome members to our first talk of the winter lecture series. #oldedinburghhistory #oldedinburghclubs #oldedinburghsocieties #talesofonecity
The story of the Old Edinburgh Club
In 1908, a group of Edinburgh citizens got together to form a society to make the city’s incredible history accessible to all: the Old Edinburgh Club. In our latest collaboration on Our Town Storie…
talesofonecity.wordpress.com
October 15, 2025 at 12:36 PM
Read the story of the founding of the Old Edinburgh Club in ' Our Town Stories'.
And today, our new President, Steven Robb, who wrote the article, will welcome members to our first talk of the winter lecture series. #oldedinburghhistory #oldedinburghclubs #oldedinburghsocieties #talesofonecity
And today, our new President, Steven Robb, who wrote the article, will welcome members to our first talk of the winter lecture series. #oldedinburghhistory #oldedinburghclubs #oldedinburghsocieties #talesofonecity
A really interesting thread from Andy Arthur about Davie Street School.
threadinburgh.scot/2025/10/09/t...
threadinburgh.scot/2025/10/09/t...
Exploring the History of Davie Street School in Edinburgh
Explore the intriguing history of Davie Street School, from its Lancastrian roots to its modern transformation into the Theatre Art Centre.
threadinburgh.scot
October 13, 2025 at 11:40 AM
A really interesting thread from Andy Arthur about Davie Street School.
threadinburgh.scot/2025/10/09/t...
threadinburgh.scot/2025/10/09/t...
1/2 Details of the Edinburgh, Lothians & Borders Archaeology Conference on the 15th November and how to book a place. The OEC will again be manning a stall at this event during the breakout times. #edinburgharchaeology #edinburghhistory
www.eastlothian.gov.uk/info/210596/...
www.eastlothian.gov.uk/info/210596/...
October 10, 2025 at 9:32 AM
1/2 Details of the Edinburgh, Lothians & Borders Archaeology Conference on the 15th November and how to book a place. The OEC will again be manning a stall at this event during the breakout times. #edinburgharchaeology #edinburghhistory
www.eastlothian.gov.uk/info/210596/...
www.eastlothian.gov.uk/info/210596/...
The latest Capital Collections Exhibition brings together drawings by John Slezer of Edinburgh city and surrounding area. Dating from the late 17th century, they are some of the oldest images in their collections. #johnslezer #edinburghcastleimages
www.capitalcollections.org.uk/current-exhi...
www.capitalcollections.org.uk/current-exhi...
Drawings of John Slezer
In 1693 Queen Mary signed a licence in favour of John Slezer, the Captain of her Artillery Train in Scotland, permitting him to publish the first of a series of volumes which would constitute a comple...
www.capitalcollections.org.uk
October 9, 2025 at 2:01 PM
The latest Capital Collections Exhibition brings together drawings by John Slezer of Edinburgh city and surrounding area. Dating from the late 17th century, they are some of the oldest images in their collections. #johnslezer #edinburghcastleimages
www.capitalcollections.org.uk/current-exhi...
www.capitalcollections.org.uk/current-exhi...
Isabella Hutchison: Convert and Philanthropist. Thank you to #BarclayPrice for this blog on our website today.
A blog in our #womeninedinburghhistoryproject
bit.ly/4gT8cy1
A blog in our #womeninedinburghhistoryproject
bit.ly/4gT8cy1
Isabella Hutchison: convert and philanthropist - The Old Edinburgh Club
Isabella Hutchison was a 19th century philanthropist in Edinburgh, who funded the Sisters of Mercy and the foundation of St Margaret's Convent.
bit.ly
October 5, 2025 at 10:57 AM
Isabella Hutchison: Convert and Philanthropist. Thank you to #BarclayPrice for this blog on our website today.
A blog in our #womeninedinburghhistoryproject
bit.ly/4gT8cy1
A blog in our #womeninedinburghhistoryproject
bit.ly/4gT8cy1
BOOK LAUNCH. This looks interesting - tomorrow night at the Georgian House, Charlotte Square, Edinburgh.
eventbrite.co.uk/e/book-launc...
eventbrite.co.uk/e/book-launc...
October 1, 2025 at 11:09 AM
BOOK LAUNCH. This looks interesting - tomorrow night at the Georgian House, Charlotte Square, Edinburgh.
eventbrite.co.uk/e/book-launc...
eventbrite.co.uk/e/book-launc...
2/2 If you want to see more of Robert Sproul-Cran's wonderful CGI-created images of Parliament Hall and Square, Robert has a small exhibition of his work at the Parliament Hall, #edinburghdoorsopenday, 27th September 2025. buff.ly/0ABfF80
September 25, 2025 at 10:42 AM
2/2 If you want to see more of Robert Sproul-Cran's wonderful CGI-created images of Parliament Hall and Square, Robert has a small exhibition of his work at the Parliament Hall, #edinburghdoorsopenday, 27th September 2025. buff.ly/0ABfF80
1/2 A CLOSE THAT'S VANISHED:. A new blog by Robert Sproul-Cran on his wonderful project to re-create images of Parliament Hall and Square using CGI. A project funded by a Jean Guild Grant from the OEC.#parliamentsquare #stgiles #oldparliamenthall #oldedinburghreborn
buff.ly/rR82hFt
buff.ly/rR82hFt
A close that's vanished
Now that we've re-created Parliament Square we can explore some of its surroundings. There's a really intriguing close beside St Giles...And in this blog we're going to see some dramatic…
buff.ly
September 25, 2025 at 10:25 AM
1/2 A CLOSE THAT'S VANISHED:. A new blog by Robert Sproul-Cran on his wonderful project to re-create images of Parliament Hall and Square using CGI. A project funded by a Jean Guild Grant from the OEC.#parliamentsquare #stgiles #oldparliamenthall #oldedinburghreborn
buff.ly/rR82hFt
buff.ly/rR82hFt
Reposted by Old Edinburgh Club
🗓️ Seeing as we're into the local history societies' talks season, I blew the dust off the Threadinburgh dot Scot events calendar to put my various offerings there.
🤦♂️Somehow I've managed a complete diary car crash of 3 talks in 10 days at the end of this month! threadinburgh.scot/events-calen...
🤦♂️Somehow I've managed a complete diary car crash of 3 talks in 10 days at the end of this month! threadinburgh.scot/events-calen...
Threadinburgh Talks Calendar
Writing about local history inevitably leads to one being invited to talk about local history and I’m fortunate (and always more than a little honour) that local interest and heritage groups …
threadinburgh.scot
September 17, 2025 at 10:13 PM
🗓️ Seeing as we're into the local history societies' talks season, I blew the dust off the Threadinburgh dot Scot events calendar to put my various offerings there.
🤦♂️Somehow I've managed a complete diary car crash of 3 talks in 10 days at the end of this month! threadinburgh.scot/events-calen...
🤦♂️Somehow I've managed a complete diary car crash of 3 talks in 10 days at the end of this month! threadinburgh.scot/events-calen...
Thank you to everyone who came along to our recent AGM and to the Lord Provost for hosting us and addressing the meeting. Thanks to Edward Duvall for being a great President & we welcome Steven Robb, who now takes over. Full details and the President's Report are on our website. bit.ly/4pDSGu4
September 21, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Thank you to everyone who came along to our recent AGM and to the Lord Provost for hosting us and addressing the meeting. Thanks to Edward Duvall for being a great President & we welcome Steven Robb, who now takes over. Full details and the President's Report are on our website. bit.ly/4pDSGu4