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.

Antiquarians assist with Kirkintilloch's Cowgate Gateway Markers Project

On Friday, 25th November 2016, five of the Antiquarians attended what they thought was a seminar to discuss the Cowgate Gateway Markers Project proposed for Kirkintilloch. Faced with a workshop to demonstrate how to design in clay, although rather diffident at first, Les Jenkins, Shirley Cowan, Ros McMeekin, Liz Corroon and David Graham together with representatives from other groups rolled up their sleeves and got 'stuck in'. With assistance from the tutor, Marion Smith - a sculptor from Largo who has been commissioned to design the Gateway Markers, we spent an interesting couple of hours working with clay, seaside shells and fabrics to design and cast plaques in plaster of Paris.

 

While waiting for our work to dry and enjoying a much needed cuppa, Marion asked us for knowledge of the history of Kirkintilloch and what we considered might make suitable markers for the Gateway Project. Ideas ranged from the Roman era to Tom Johnston. Marion noted these suggestions and indicated that she would be interested in others before the end of 2016 and can be contacted via m.smithsculptor@greenbee.net. Marion showed the group examples of previous commissions in stone, metal and wood which can be found in towns throughout Scotland including Keith and Anstruther.

 

Further information on the Cowgate Gateway Markers can be obtained from Iain Brodie (07990-775116, iain.brodie@eastdunbarton.go.uk)

 

 

 

Contributed by Elizabeth Corroon and Rosalind McMeekin

The Antiquaries on social media and in the press

The Society is now on social media via a Twitter account created and maintained by Valerie McClure. The intention is that as time goes on, "following" and "retweeting" will spread information on its activities.

Reports of Antiquaries meetings will also be available from time to time in the Kirkintilloch Herald courtesy of. Les Jenkins. The first to be published was a summary of the first meeting of the session - "Boundary Stones of Baldernock Parish" - Niall Logan's talk on Thursday 6th October.

It is hoped that both of these initiatives will increase our public profile.

Reid Harrison and Paul Bishop: Tomatoes, Tulips and Chrysanths at Temple Farm near Allander Toll: Thursday 1st December 2016

The last Antiquaries talk for 2016 will be held on Thursday 1st December when Reid Harrison and Paul Bishop will deliver a presentation on 'Tomatoes, Tulips and Chrysanths at Temple Farm near Allander Toll'. The talk will be illustrated by a truly stunning set of coloured images of activities at the farm during the 1950s and early 1960s, taken by members of the Harrison family, the farm's owners. As a member of the family Reid Harrison remembers these activities very well - indeed he features in several of the slides. So he will present the material with some authority, ably supported by Antiquaries member, Professor Paul Bishop. Temple Farm was on the site of what is now Dobbies Garden Centre.

Reid Harrison driving the tractor at Temple Farm. (© Reid Harrison) 

Tulips under glass at Temple Farm. (© Reid Harrison)

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

Don Martin: Tom Johnston in Kirkintilloch: Thursday 3rd November 2016

The next Antiquaries talk, on 3rd November, will be entitled ‘Tom Johnston in Kirkintilloch'. Don Martin, the Society's Secretary, will describe Tom Johnston’s remarkable spell on Kirkintilloch Town Council during the period 1913-1922, when at his suggestion the Council introduced an impressive range of new services, including municipal pictures (cinema), municipal kitchen, municipal restaurant, municipal shower baths, municipal bank, municipal farming, municipal piggery and a municipal goat-herd. Some of these were approved unanimously by the Council, but it is fair to state that some had a somewhat chequered history. Don will show how lessons learned by Johnston in Kirkintilloch during World War I were put to good use when he later served as Secretary of State for Scotland, during Wold War II.