Scotland’s history with UFOs

Did you know? Scotland has a long and surprising history with flying saucers and UFOs, stretching back to the early 1950s.

Setting aside extraordinary explanations, this talk offers a down-to-earth historical view of UFOs in Scotland from the 1950s to the 1990s. It examines the different ways people have experienced, interpreted, and made use of UFOs – and how these stories connect to wider historical themes.

While it will delve into some of the country’s most well-known UFO cases, this talk from Gavin Miller places them in a broader and less familiar context – one shaped by Cold War anxieties, the utopian hopes of flying saucer contactees, the scientific goals of UFO investigators, and the realities of Scotland’s post-industrial economy.

Important points to note

• This event is suitable for age 16+
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SPEAKER

Dr Gavin Miller

Reader in Contemporary Literature and Medical Humanities, University of Glasgow

Gavin Miller is Reader in the Department of English Literature, University of Glasgow. Alongside the history and culture of UFOs, his research interests include science fiction, the history of the psychological disciplines, and the history of Penguin Books. He is the author of Science Fiction and Psychology (2020) and Miracles of Healing: Psychotherapy and Religion in Twentieth-Century Scotland (2020). He is also lead editor of The Edinburgh Companion to Science Fiction and the Medical Humanities (2025).

About the Curious festival

The RSE’s free Curious festival of knowledge is back, from Saturday 6 − Saturday 14 September 2025!

Curious is a festival of ideas – open to all and driven by connection, conversation, and discovery. It’s a chance to explore ideas and questions that matter with some of Scotland’s leading thinkers – and with people who bring their own lived experiences, insights, and curiosity to the table.

From science and society to arts and innovation, the programme spans a wide range of topics – with each event designed to spark dialogue, invite different perspectives, and encourage knowledge exchange.

Curious is an opportunity to meet like-minded individuals, plus those who see the world differently, and be part of discussions where everyone is welcome to share, learn, and be inspired. Full programme of events here.

Accessibility

We aim to make events as accessible as possible. If you have any accessibility requirements or have any questions related to how we can support this event, please contact public_engagement@theRSE.org.uk. Accessibility information for the RSE building can be found on our website: Accessibility - Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE) : Royal Society of Edinburgh

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