Millar Hall (Church Café) at Duddingston Kirk Garden, 7.30pm – 8.30pm
We now have the list of next season’s Winter Talks which will take place on the first Thursday of the month from 10 October 2023 – 3 April 2024 (with the exception of January); refreshments afterwards.
The talks are free, but a donation to the Dr Neil’s Garden would be welcomed.
Thursday 10 Oct 2024
The Rise of Rhubarb | Kath Hay
The introduction of rhubarb into Edinburgh by Sir Alexander Dick and links to the arrival of the printing press.
Thursday 7 Nov 2024
A Brief History of Fancy Dress | Kate Stephenson
From 15th century Venetian carnivals, through the pleasure gardens of the 18th century, to the Victorian costume ball, this talk considers the history and enduring popularity of fancy dress in European society. Using original descriptions, images and guides find out who wore what, and why.
Thursday 5 Dec 2024
What grows in your street? The rich and changing urban flora of Scotland. | John Grace
The talk will show the results of a botanical survey of wild flowers in towns and cities throughout Scotland, with emphasis on how the flora is being influenced by climate change and by local and national policies on biodiversity.
Thursday 6 Feb 2025
From Our Archive: Portobello | Margaret Munro
The talk features archive photographs, including buildings and people from Portobello over the last 100 years or so.
Thursday 6 Mar 2025
Delve into Scottish Plant Lore | Greg Kenicer
From the practical to the fantastical, people have used plants in myriad ways through the ages in Scotland. This talk investigates some of these uses and practices – the patterns, connections to other cultures and some of the unique (and sometimes weird) ways plants and people have worked together
Thursday 3 Apr 2025
Whither nature? | Roger Crofts
In this, hopefully thought-provoking, talk, Roger asks his listeners what is nature to you, describes what is happening around the world and in Scotland, asks who is in charge and suggests what needs to be done.
