Pride Month at the National Trust for Scotland
June is Pride Month – a chance for us to celebrate the LGBT+ community, talk about the stories of LGBT+ people in our places and the objects in our collections, and highlight how we support our LGBT+ employees and volunteers.
We’re delighted to join other heritage organisations, including Historic Environment Scotland and the National Library of Scotland, at this year’s Pride in Edinburgh. Colleagues from our Pride Workforce Group will be attending the march on Saturday 24 June, in what promises to be a wonderful celebration of the LGBT+ community.
We’re also excited to reveal some new tours that we have developed in Edinburgh, which encourage visitors to think about our objects in a new light, relating to the histories of the LGBT+ community.
The Georgian House
During your visit, keep an eye out for an engraving titled ‘Classical Scene with Sappho’, in the bedroom, next to the fireplace. It shows Artemis (the goddess of the hunt) and Atlanta (the hunter) embracing.
Fridays 9, 16, 23 and 30 June
- LGBT+ themed tours of the Georgian House
These hour-long tours will focus on LGBT+ people and experiences during the Georgian period (1714–1830).
Friday 23 June
- Pride and Prejudice: a queer-inspired historical dance workshop and tour
On the eve of Edinburgh Pride, join us at the Georgian House for a night of dancing and storytelling, celebrating diverse lives in the Georgian period. The evening will include an introduction to LGBT+ life in Georgian Edinburgh, a guided historical dance workshop and a specialist tour of the house after-hours. Wear your best historically inspired drag look or bring some glamorous accessories to pair with an outfit from our collection!
Wednesday 4 October
- LGBT+ histories connected to Raeburn’s Edinburgh
From a trans doctor to a lady laird, this talk will highlight queer histories connected to the Raeburn’s Edinburgh exhibition and the Trust’s collection. It will be presented by Indigo Dunphy-Smith, Visitor Services Assistant at the Georgian House.
Gladstone’s Land
During your visit, keep an eye out for the figures on the 17th-century bed. These mythological creatures are harpies, which have beards, breasts, wings and goat legs.
Friday 23 June
- Intimate Lives: The History of Sex and Desire in Edinburgh’s Old Town (16+)
This in-depth tour of Gladstone’s Land looks at the history of sex in Edinburgh, covering topics including LGBT+ relationships. It includes some very crude (but historically correct) language.
Featured Places
The Georgian House
An Edinburgh New Town house restored to reflect the lives of those who lived and worked here in the late 18th and early 19th century.
Gladstone’s Land
One of the oldest buildings on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile
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Why we love the Georgian House
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Why we love Gladstone’s Land
Join our property team for a glimpse behind the scenes of the newly refurbished Gladstone’s Land.
Miss Fraser and Miss Bristow of Castle Fraser
Exploring the stories of women and girls preserved in our historical collections in the north of Scotland.