Elphinstone Institute

Celebrating 30 Years of the Elphinstone Institute in 2025–2026

Programmes of Study

Study culture in context at the Elphinstone Institute's MLitt, MLitt Res, and PhD programmes.

Toulmin Prize

Marka Rifat, 2025 Toulmin Prizewinner, pictured second left, with l to r Sheila Reid, Richard Bennett, and Richard, Martin and Steven Reid.

Field School

The Field School is a week-long, cross-country immersion in Scottish tradition and culture, during which students are introduced to the theoretical and practical aspects of fieldwork.

Public Engagement

The Elphinstone Institute is committed to promoting and celebrating culture and traditions in the North and North-East of Scotland.

Elphinstone Sessions

The Elphinstone Sessions are a series of videos highlighting the culture and living traditions of the North-East of Scotland.

Research

The Institute's research in Ethnology, Folklore, and Ethnomusicology is designated as 'world-leading and internationally excellent' by the Research Excellence Framework (REF).

Buchan Library

The Buchan Library is the Elphinstone Institute's reference library, open to students, staff, and the general public from Monday to Friday during term time.