Events

Mountbatten Lecture 2026, delivered by Major General Alastair Bruce of Crionach - 11th March 2026 (Mediahopper)

Major General Alastair Bruce of Crionaich CB OBE TD DL VR, British television journalist and former Governor of Edinburgh Castle delivered the 2026 Mountbatten Lecture, titled "Inspiration and its Effect: a soldier motivated into film, broadcasting and telling stories."

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International Women's Day 2025, delivered by Naeema Yaqoob Sajid - 7th March 2025 (YouTube)

In her lecture for International Women's Day 2025 titled “Only a day, a theme and an initiative?”, EDI campaigner, founder of Diversity+ and co-founder of the Scottish Ethnic Minorities Lawyers Association, Naeema Yaqoob Sajid explored purpose of International Women’s Day, the relevance of the themes, and why now more than ever, we must keep pushing for change.

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Welcome Ceremony - 8th September 2025

Click above to view the recording of this year's afternoon ceremony.

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University of Edinburgh Carol Service - 7th December 2025

Click above to view the recording of this year's annual Carol Service. 

Principal’s Welcome Ceremony (morning) – 9th September 2024 (Mediahopper)

Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir Peter Mathieson, welcomed all new students to the University at the Principal's Welcome Ceremony on 9th September 2024.

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A recording is also available of the afternoon ceremony: Principal’s Welcome Ceremony (afternoon) – 9th September 2024 (Mediahopper)

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Race, Slavery, and the University of Edinburgh – 12th June 2024 (Mediahopper)

In this session, we hear from Professor Tommy J. Curry about the University’s approach to the Race Review and learn first-hand about some of the emerging research from our researchers, Dr Simon Buck and Dr Ian Stewart. 

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Iceland the Brave: The Power and Pitfalls of Patriotism in a Globalised World – 16th April 2024 (Mediahopper)

The University of Edinburgh was delighted to welcome His Excellency Guðni Th. Jóhannesson, President of Iceland, to deliver a lecture in the Playfair Library.

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Mountbatten Lecture, delivered by Quentin Sommerville – 22nd March 2024 (Mediahopper)

The 2024 Mountbatten Lecture was delivered by Senior BBC Correspondent Quentin Sommerville on the topic “Not close enough: The reality of war, eyewitness reporting, and the effort to keep journalists out”.

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International Women's Day Lecture, delivered by Amina Shah – 8th March 2024 (Mediahopper)

The International Women's Day Lecture, titled “50 Ways”, was delivered by Amina Shah FRSE, National Librarian and Chief Executive of the National Library of Scotland.

Christmas Carol Service – 10th December 2023

The annual Christmas Carol Service led by University of Edinburgh Chaplain Rev. Dr Harriet Harris was held at McEwan Hall.

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Principal’s Welcome Ceremony – 11th September 2023

Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir Peter Mathieson, welcomed all new students to the University at the Principal's Welcome Ceremony on 11th September 2023.

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Rector's Installation 2023 – 21st June 2023 [MediaHopper]

Human rights lawyer Debora Kayembe was officially installed as University Rector at the Playfair Library, Old College on 21st June 2023.

Principal's Welcome Ceremony – 12th September 2022 (Mediahopper)

Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir Peter Mathieson, officially welcomed all new students to the University at the Principal's Welcome Ceremony on 12th September 2022.

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Principal's Welcome Ceremony – 6th September 2021 (Mediahopper)

Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir Peter Mathieson, officially welcomed all new students to the University at the Principal's Welcome Ceremony on 6th September 2021. 

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Remembrance Sunday Service – 8th November 2020 (YouTube)

This short film, including songs, readings, the piper's lament and the laying of wreaths, was produced for Remembrance Sunday in 2020, in lieu of the annual service in Old College, cancelled due to the Covid-19 outbreak. 

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Christmas Tree Lighting 2020 (Mediahopper)

The University Christmas tree lights in the Old College Quadrangle were switched on to celebrate the start of the 2020 festive period. The Principal delivered a short message for all students and staff, with festive cheer provided by A Cappella group Fourtissimo. 

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Dr Andrew Abercrombie: Surviving and Thriving in Extreme Environments – 22nd September 2020 (YouTube)

Dr Andrew Abercromby, University of Edinburgh Mechanical Engineering alum, delivered a talk on Tuesday 22nd September 2020. Dr Abercromby speaks about his life and career, from growing up in a small fishing village in Fife to taking a lead role in space exploration with NASA. The talk is preceded by short talks from Engineering student societies, Asteria and Endeavour whose activities encompasses satellite and rocketry technology.

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Christmas Carol Service – 3rd December 2017 (Mediahopper)

The 2017 Christmas Carol Service was held at St Giles' Cathedral on 3rd December, supported by the Edinburgh University Singers and Edinburgh University Renaissance Singers.

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Christmas Carol Service – 4th December 2016 (Mediahopper)

The 2016 Christmas Carol Service was held at St Giles' Cathedral on 4th December, supported by the Edinburgh University Singers and Edinburgh University Renaissance Singers.

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Christmas Carol Service – 7th December 2014 (Mediahopper)

The 2014 Christmas Carol Service was held at McEwan Hall on 7th December, supported by the Edinburgh University Singers and Edinburgh University Renaissance Singers.