News
2025/26 Programme
The first of this season's talks got off to a flying start with an enthusiastic talk in support of Scotland's rare and native breeds of livestock by the Alice Lennox, Scottish co-ordinator of the Rare Breeds Survival Trust. Having grown up on her family's rare breed farm near Aberdeen, Alice's passion for the sheep and cattle that have shaped Scotland's landscapes and history was clear to see. A good crowd of folk turned up on the day and it was great to see members old and new and have a catch up after the talks over tea and a surprisingly apt Orio biscuit!
Our talk in October saw keen hill climber and member of the Dewar Project team, Ken Wardrop, give a fascinating account of the caves in Appin which feature in the Dewar stories and the people who hid in them. The location of some of the caves is still unknown, and help from the floor was greatly appreciated in trying to peice together the puzzle. The Dewar manuscripts offer a vital record of the history of Appin along with many other parts of the country. The transcribed Appin stories may be some way off publication, but anyone interested in reading more about the project, or supporting it in some way, should visit the website: https://www.dewarproject.com/
In November we were treated to enthusiastic account of the formation of the Blantyre Mission in Malawi in the 1800s by historian and History teacher Dave Clarke. This fascinating, and often harrowing story was story, was backed up by an extraodinary number of images from the time. Having Lismore connections himself, he was also able to introduce the island's link with the Mission in the past.
We had another good turn out for our December talk – a fascinating and personal account of the history of Airds House given by Sophie Dundas. The house, so much a part of Port Appin, has changed little over the years and it was wonderful to be able to see interior images of it. The talk was followed by a delicious array of festive food and mulled wine which helped to add cheer to the rather gloomy wet day!
The January talk had to change dates at the last minute, but a good number braved very poor weather to hear a inspiring talk by Derek Alexander, Head Archaeologist with the National Trust for Scotland. Derek told us about Pioneering Spirit – a project to find and map illicit whisky stills, initially on NTS land. Derek coped supremely well when a torrential hail storm attempted to interupt his flow at one point! It is hoped there may be some local spin-off for this subject.
