Exploring 5,000 years of history over 19 days, Previously ...

Scotland's History Festival will take place in venues across the country from November 12-30. The programme is packed with walks, talks, lectures, exhibitions, workshops and a wealth of tips on topics such as how to trace your family tree.

Guided Walk: Hawes Inn, South Queensferry to Corstorphine

November 13

Following the coastal route to Cramond that Robert Louis Stevenson himself once used, this guided walk then takes in the statue of David Balfour and Alan Breck Stewart at Corstorphine. The first stage of the walk is approximately four miles (7km) and the full walk is nine miles (15km). Free.

War Poets Collection Guided Tours, Edinburgh Napier University, Craiglockhart Campus

Various dates from November 13

Poets Siegfried Sassoon and Wilfred Owen met at Craiglockhart military hospital in the summer of 1917. This fascinating tour reveals the many interesting characters to have spent time there. Free.

Ghosts and Ghouls, Royal Mile, Edinburgh

Various dates from November 13

The Blair Street Underground Vaults and Megget's Cellar on the Royal Mile provide the spine-tingling backdrop for ghostly tales. Tickets £14 (£7).

A Brief History of... Frankie Boyle, Mitchell Library, Glasgow

November 14

Comedian Bruce Morton and senior archivist Irene O'Brien trace the family tree of Frankie Boyle. Free.

The Kaiser's Spy in Scotland, General Register House, Edinburgh

Various dates from November 14

Drawing on previously unseen documents, this exhibition explores a gripping story of espionage which began in 1912 when a German spy was sent to seek out Britain's naval secrets. Free.

Merlin & Moffat: Count Nikolai Tolstoy, Moffat Town Hall

November 20

Nikolai Tolstoy, author of The Quest for Merlin, will show evidence that the famed wizard was a Dark Ages figure who later lived in a cave above Moffat. Entry £7.50, includes cream tea.

For more information, visit historyfest.co.uk

SUSAN SWARBRICK