Local History Month: 'The Old Aisle Cemetery - some people of note': The Park Centre, 2 pm Wednesday 20th March 2024

Kirkintilloch and District Society of Antiquaries will be holding a special open meeting for the annual Local History Month 2024 at 2pm on Wednesday 20th March in the Park Centre, 45 Kerr Street, Kirkintilloch G66 1LF. 

The presentation will be based on the exhibition and guided walk on the same theme held by the Antiquaries for Doors Open Day in September 2023. After an introduction to the Old Aisle cemetery and its history, sketches will be presented of eight or nine individuals who are buried there. Some of these will be people who were very well-known in their day and who made a mark on the fabric and development of the burgh and, in some cases the nation. Others will be less well-known but who illustrate aspects of the life and times of Kirkintilloch. 

The participants in 2003's Doors Open Day guided walk in the
Old Aisle Cemetery hearing about the history of the site
and the belfry. (© I.S.Ruddock)

The guided walk group at the monument to Father James Bonnyman,

the first Roman Catholic priest appointed to Kirkintilloch for an

extended period and who was responsible for the building of

St Ninian's. (© I.S.Ruddock)

The speakers will be Don Martin MBE, well-known local historian and former Secretary of the Antiquaries, Dr Murray Reid, the current Secretary, and Dr Ivan Ruddock, President of the Antiquaries. We hope that this sample of the personalities buried in the Old Aisle will encourage others to enquire into the history of other 'residents' and learn more about their history and that of the community.

All welcome, with no booking required. 

James Mearns: ''What the Romans did for Glasgow Archaeological Society': Thursday 7th March 2004

Jim Mearn's presentation will relate the history of Glasgow Archaeological Society (GAS) from its foundation in December 1856 to the present day. It will mention some of the interesting people who have been members of the Society, such as Miss Cranston of tea room fame; William Blackie the publisher; Lord Kelvin, several Lord Provosts of Glasgow, a Confederate General and a Kirkintilloch native, James Dalrymple Gray Dalrymple. Particular attention will be paid to the legacy of Dalrymple and his impact on the Society. His family plot is in Old Aisle Cemetery but his work in archaeology is not well known locally. Some further links between GAS and the Kirkintilloch and District Society of Antiquaries will be explored.

The Society's activities, including lectures, excursions, campaigns and publications, will be described along with its leading role in the excavation of sites along the Antonine Wall such as forts in the neighbourhood of Kirkintilloch, especially Bar Hill Fort at Twechar. GAS has played a leading role in excavating, researching and publishing material on the Romans in Scotland, and its various reports on the Antonine Wall and the creation of its handbook to the monument will be covered.

Bar Hill Fort: headquarters building excavation.
(Image supplied by J Mearns)

Jim was born in Glasgow and graduated with a BSc honours degree in archaeology from the University of Glasgow. His subsequent career was mainly in public administration as a civil servant in the Department of Transport in London, followed by various senior roles within Glasgow City Council. Outside of his career, he has been active in Glasgow's trade guilds, been Chair of Glasgow Humane Society, and is a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland. Within the Archaeological Society of Glasgow, he was President in 2006, its Sesquicentennial year, and for the last 10 years has been its archivist and editor of its publication, Scottish Archaeological Journal.

Some publications of Glasgow Archaeological Society on the Antonine Wall. 

(Image supplied by J Mearns)

The meeting will be held in the Park Centre, 45 Kerr Street, Kirkintilloch, G66 1LF at 7.30 pm. The annual membership subscription is £10 and visitors are welcome at all of the Society's evening events without charge as a 'taster'.

Members' Night 2024: 'A new lease of life': Thursday 15th February 2024

The Society's annual Members’ Night will be held on Thursday 15th February 2024, and this year the theme will be 'A new lease of life'. Seven members will contribute this year and it is anticipated that the theme will be interpreted differently by all concerned with subjects including the restoration of buildings, motor cars and railways. This meeting has always been a highlight of the Society's programme and is expected to be again this year. 

The event will be held in the Park Centre, 45 Kerr Street, Kirkintilloch, G66 1LF at 7.30 pm. The annual membership subscription is £10 and visitors are welcome at all of the Society's evening events without charge as a 'taster'.