Speaker – Dr Katherine McHale. Robert Adam referred to himself as ‘Bob the Roman’ in letters from Italy to his family, reflecting his fascination with Italian culture. His British clients would commission Italian painters living in Britain to provide historical and mythological scenes to adorn their new Adam rooms. Though little known today, these artists were among the finest of the era, and included founding members of the Royal Academy. A closer look at their works reveals their valuable contributions to Adam’s interiors. Tickets: £6 (students £2) and should be booked in advance for both live and streamed events.

Explore the strategies and philosophies governing architectural conservation in Scotland. We will examine the nature of traditional Scottish building materials and outline how international standards of good conservation practice can be applied to offset or adapt to the impact of climate change on our historic built environment.

Are we making the most of the social media appeal of our iconic buildings? Edinburgh knows the pressures of overtourism, driven in part by social media, but the same tools can educate and engage, reaching new audiences near and far. This event forms part of Scottish Historic Building Trust’s 2026-27 lecture series, titled Heritage in Evolution: Folk, Work and Place in the 21st Century.