Thomas Muir Symposium: "Past, Present and Future": 22nd October 2019

This year's Thomas Muir Symposium - "Commemorating Thomas Muir: Past, Present and Future" - will be held in St Ninians High School, Kirkintilloch on Wednesday 22nd October, 12.45 - 4.30pm. Further information including booking arrangements along with details of other events in 2019's Thomas Muir Festival may be found here.

Launch of "Thomas Muir of Huntershill: Essays for the Twenty First Century"

A new addition to the field of Thomas Muir was marked with the publication of "Thomas Muir of Huntershill: Essays for the Twenty First Century". The collection is edited by Prof. Gerard Carruthers of the University of Glasgow and Don Martin, Secretary of Kirkintilloch and District Society of Antiquaries and contains fifteen essays by a range of authors including the editors, Sir Tom Devine of the University of Edinburgh and Alex Salmond. The  launch on Thursday 15th December 2016 at the Kelvin Hall featured contributions from the editors, and Sir Tom Devine who gave his personal view of the position and role of Thomas Muir in the development of radical thought in the British Isles.

Don Martin holding a copy of "Thomas Muir of
Huntershill: Essays for the Twenty First Century" at the launch.

Further information on the book can be obtained at the Thomas Muir website by following this link.

Review: Thomas Muir Symposium: Scottish and Irish Radicals: Thursday 13th October 2016

The seventh annual Thomas Muir Symposium was held in Bishopbriggs Academy on 13th October. It was organised by the Friends of Thomas Muir and its Chair, Jimmy Watson. Provost Una Walker welcomed the delegates as did Mark Hanniffy, Consulate General of Ireland in Scotland. This year’s theme was Scottish and Irish Radicals. As usual there were contributions from academics and school pupils.

Professor Gerard Carruthers of Glasgow University spoke about Alexander Geddes and the Scottish Radicals. Geddes was a Roman Catholic priest who was sympathetic to the American and French Revolutions. An early supporter of women’s rights, he translated the Bible into English for Catholics. He was anti Henry Dundas and pro Thomas Muir. Geddes was a very liberal, enlightened Scot who saw good things in John Knox. He died in 1802. Professor Carruthers spoke with his usual authority and brought a rather bizarre man to life.

Dr Carol Baraniuk (also of Glasgow University) then spoke about Radicalisation in 1790s Ulster with an emphasis on the Scottish connection. Newspapers in Ulster spread the word about what was being said and done across the North Channel. In September 1793 the Belfast Newsletter published a report of Thomas Muir’s trial. The content of Dr Baraniuk’s paper was excellent but it was delivered in a very monotonous tone. It would have been an impressive essay but was an indifferent speech.

After the interval Brian Skillen spoke couthily about radicalism in Ireland and Scotland, having lived in both places. Bishopbriggs Academy pupils then played Scottish music, and acted out a short drama about the Declaration of Arbroath of 1320. The latter was performed by the school’s Advanced Higher history class who are studying the Scottish Wars of Independence.

Don Martin informed us about future Friends of Thomas Muir events. A book, Thomas Muir of Huntershill: Essays for the twenty-first century will be published in December. 

A short question and answer session brought an interesting afternoon to a close. 

Les Jenkins

Thomas Muir 1765-1799

Jimmy Watson and Don Martin: "Thomas Muir 250 - celebrating a local hero": Thursday 1st October 2015

Jimmy Watson is Chair of the Friends of Thomas Muir, a Bishopbriggs-based group that has been leading the celebrations to commemorate the 250th Anniversary of the birth of 'The Father of Scottish Democracy' this year. He will describe the programme of events that is being organised and will also talk about some key events in Thomas Muir's life, especially the great significance of his trial, on charge of 'Sedition', in August 1793. Don Martin will complement this with an account of the circumstances that provided context for Muir's campaigns. Jimmy Watson is a haulage contractor with the Watson family firm in Bishopbriggs. His office is at Huntershill, just across the road from Thomas Muir's former home.

Jimmy Watson speaking on Thomas Muir.

This is the first meeting in the Society's 2015-16 session. Please note that meetings will once again be held on Thursdays and, although the Society is remaining in The Park Centre, it is moving to the MacKay Hall, i.e. the former church. Entrance to this hall is via the door on the right hand side of the premises. The programme for the year can be previewed here and an application form to join the Society can be downloaded from the Membership page.

Please be aware that parking in the Regent Centre (Tesco) car park is limited to two hours and that this restriction is now being enforced 24 hours a day by the company managing it.

Ivan Ruddock

Thomas Miur Festival: 13th -24th November 2014

The Thomas Muir Festival of local history, art and culture takes place in various locations in East Dunbartonshire during 13th - 24th November. The festival's programme may be accessed by clicking here.