What is the minimum age for this event?

This event is for adults only—minimum age is 18; you will be asked to present valid ID at the door.

Is the venue accessible?

Yes. The event is listed as fully accessible; staff can assist with seating and mobility needs—contact the venue ahead of your visit.

How long is the performance?

The performance runs about two hours with a mid-show interval. Doors open at 6:15pm and the show begins at 7:00pm.

Can I get a refund if I can’t attend?

Tickets are non-refundable according to the event policy, so check your plans before booking.

Is there a bar or refreshments?

Yes. The museum bar opens with doors at 6:15pm—arriving early gives time to buy a drink before the show.

How do I buy tickets?

Tickets are available through the booking link provided on the event listing; bring confirmation and ID to check in at the door.

Once Upon a Time in Newtongrange: Live Storytelling at the Mining Museum

Eric Davidson brings his evening of live storytelling to the Mining Museum in Newtongrange, a former coal-mining village roughly 12 miles south of Edinburgh in Midlothian. The show, 'Once Upon a Time in Newtongrange,' opens doors and the museum bar at 6:15 p.m., with the performance beginning at 7:00 p.m. and a mid-show interval; it's an adults-only event (18+). Set inside a building where mining history frames every creak—banners, miners' lamps, and display cabinets charting the extraction of Carboniferous coal—the performance reads like a living oral history. Davidson stitches personal memory and local legend into short, sharp scenes about 'auld Nitten': the village life, the rhythms of shift work, the sound of pit ponies and winding engines that shaped the town. The museum itself is part of the experience; its exhibits, engine-room artifacts and the bar create a communal, hearth-like atmosphere that makes storytelling feel both intimate and civic. Why this matters: Newtongrange's mining past is not a backdrop but a character. The geology of Midlothian—coal measures worn into ridges and cut by narrow burns—produced the industry that built the community, and tonight you sit where that history is curated. For visitors who want culture with context, the evening pairs place-based narrative with the tangible traces of labor: rails, lamp glass, and blackened tools. Practical details that matter to visitors: tickets are £13.50 per adult; the event is non-refundable and strictly for over-18s. The venue is fully accessible, and the relaxed two-hour run time makes it an easy night out. Arrive early to buy a drink from the bar and browse the displays; the interval is a good opportunity to stretch legs and talk to locals. This event is a standout for anyone who wants more than a museum visit. It reanimates oral histories in a room that holds those stories in its timber frames and stone floors. For travelers interested in cultural evenings, local history, or an authentic taste of Scottish working-class life, Davidson’s performance is a compact, moving window into a world shaped by coal, community, and storytelling craft. Book a ticket, bring a curiosity for small-place histories, and prepare for an evening where the lights dim and voices keep alive the textures of a place called Nitten—its jokes, losses, and stubborn warmth. Practical travel notes: Newtongrange is an easy 25–40 minute trip from central Edinburgh by car or rail, making it an attractive evening for visitors based in the city. Allow time to check your tickets at the door and to show valid ID for age verification. Museum staff are experienced with groups and accessibility needs; if you have mobility or seating requests, contact the venue ahead. The small-scale format rewards attentive listening—arrive ready to lean in.

About National Mining Museum Scotland

National Mining Museum Scotland, located in Newtongrange, Scotland, preserves and interprets the nation’s coal-mining heritage at the former Lady Victoria Colliery site. The museum offers multiple ways to explore mining history: guided tours led by former miners, a 16-stop audio tour, exhibition galleries with interactive displays, and a chance to descend into recreated underground tunnels. Visitors can see the museum’s giant winding engine, explore the Power House setting, and view artifacts and personal stories that reveal miners’ lives and the region’s industrial community.

Seasonal and specialist events complement regular tours. Family-focused experiences include Halloween Family Ghost Tours, Santa’s Grotto visits, and the Snow Queen pantomime. Adults-only and evening events range from ghost tours with live actors to craft and social workshops such as festive wreath making, Paint & Prosecco painting sessions, and live storytelling evenings like An Evening with Eric Davidson. The museum’s programming blends history, hands-on activities, and community performance in purpose-built industrial spaces.

Practical visitor information is delivered alongside interpretation: friendly expert guides, accessible exhibition galleries, and curated audio content provide layered options for different interests and mobility needs. The museum emphasizes authentic voices through former miner guides and tangible artifacts. Group bookings, family visits, seasonal events, and educational visits are supported by staff experienced in heritage presentation. National Mining Museum Scotland presents coal-mining history with immersive exhibits and events designed to engage visitors of all ages, preserving local memory while offering meaningful, educational experiences. Accessible facilities, a museum shop, and on-site parking support visitors throughout the year comfortably.