Ignite your curiosity with this series of fascinating talks. From fashion to furniture and Edinburgh history to pantomime, our eclectic line-up of experts will provide insights, information and the occasional innuendo. Monday 10th August: Redefining The Essex Girl Narrative Lessons and insights from filmmaker Natalie Scarsbrook, as she details the journey of making her first feature documentary that challenges the stale stereotype of the 'Essex Girl' and the hundreds of years of defamation against the women of the county of Essex. Tuesday 11th August: Sex, Shopping and Social Conflict: The Story of South Bridge, Edinburgh South Bridge was opened to the public in 1788, marking the end of a decade-long struggle of political manoeuvring and creative financial planning. However, that was just the start of life and work at Edinburgh's first shopping street. Researched by archaeologist, Naomi Wells, come and discover the people who called South Bridge home. Wednesday 12th August: Dressing For A Concert at St Cecilia's Hall 1763 - 1787 Enlightenment Edinburgh and the Social Season is in full swing. Are you a wealthy landowner in town for the duration? Are you one of Edinburgh's social or intellectual elite? Are you a lady of fashion or a young man in want of a wife? If so, you will certainly be attending the Ladies' Concert at St Cecilia's Hall, Edinburgh's first purpose-built Concert Hall. Everyone who is anyone will be there. There is only one question left to ask, 'What will you wear?'. Thursday 13th August: Tale of Two Cities: How The Betters Use of Historic Buildings Can Unlock Edinburgh and Glasgow's Full Potential Dr Samuel Gallacher, Scottish Historic Buildings Trust Despite their differences, both Edinburgh and Glasgow rely upon their historic buildings to provide their unique identities, but these assets are under-utilised and too often taken for granted. This lecture explores brave new ideas to unlock Scotland's cities' potential through the adaptive reuse of their historic buildings, drawing on the work of Scottish Historic Buildings Trust, other charities, and international examples to illustrate what might be possible Friday 14th August: More Than A Mother:The Political Roles of Mary of Guise 1542 - 1548 Margaret-Ann Neilson Mary of Guise, remembered as the mother of Mary, Queen of Scots, was an active political figure in the early years of her daughter's minority. Margaret-Ann Neilson reflects on the many roles she was expected to perform as a Dowager Queen of Scotland through analysing surviving correspondence from the Scottish nobility. Monday 17th August: Reclaiming Queer History:The Radical Potential of Queer Historical Romance Focusing on the Regency era and the novels of K.J. Charles and Joanna Chambers, this lecture examines how queer romance writers challenge traditional historical narratives shaped by criminalisation, silence and exclusion. By imagining queer lives beyond tragedy and punishment, these stories offer new ways of thinking about gender, sexuality, and belonging in the past. Blending history, literature and popular culture, it asks what happens when romance is embraced as a tool for public history and why imagining joyful queer futures in the past still matters today. Tuesday 18th August: Rival Harlequins:Pantomime Wars of the Eighteenth Century As the eighteenth century promised a new dawn of enlightenment and rationality, a much-needed salve arose in its theatre in the form of trickster harlequins, tumbling acrobats, dancing animals, and pantomime clowns. This talk explores the London theatres' fight for commercial domination, with both sides needing to pitch larger, more elaborate, more ambitious pantomime spectacles to entice their world-weary audiences. Wednesday 19th August: War on the Fashion Front Vicky Garrington, Museums & Galleries Edinburgh An exploration of the art of civilian dressing during wartime. From rationing and restrictions to patriotic clothing and defiant glamour, join Vicky Garrington, History Curator at Museums & Galleries Edinburgh, to discuss how women dressed during a time of turmoil. Thursday 20th August: William Trotter of Edinburgh:Rascal or Role Model? William Trotter, 1772 - 1833, cabinet maker, property tycoon and politician, is Edinburgh's most celebrated maker of furniture. His work both created and mirrored fashion in the capital and he helped construct the image of Edinburgh as 'The Modern Athens' or 'Old Greekie'. This talk will look at his style, illustrating pieces from different commissions, and investigate his contribution to the Edinburgh New Town and properties further afield. It will also look at his reputation and ask: 'Was he a rascal or a role model?' Friday 21st August: Keeping a Greyhound Through History Greyhounds have been around for thousands of years and for much of that time they were the preserve of the wealthy, used for hunting and as an aristocratic symbol of leisure. A well-kept greyhound needed many things, from opulent collars and coats to good, hearty food. This talk investigates how greyhounds' names, kennelling arrangements and clothing reflected their roles in society.

Description supplied by the event organiser.