Jim Walker: The Roman Army and Bar Hill Fort: Barony Chambers, Auld Lirk Museum, 2.00 pm Wednesday 8th March 2017

The Roman Army advanced into central Scotland in AD140 and built a frontier we know today as the Antonine Wall. The frontier was built between the Firths of Forth and Clyde, over a two year period and covered a distance of 40 Roman miles. Bar Hill Fort was the highest on the frontier line and was located strategically above the Kelvin Valley. In this illustrated talk - Kirkintilloch and District Society of Antiquaries contribution to East Dunbartonshire's Local History Week - archaeologist Jim Walker will look at Bar Hill and some of its neighbouring forts on the Antonine Wall. He will also look at what life was like for the soldiers who served here during the 20 year life span of the frontier.

The full programme for Local History Week (4-11 March 2017) can be downloaded here.

Bar Hill Fort, Croy. (© Undiscovered Scotland)

Paul Bishop: Mineral transport on the Forth & Clyde Canal: Thursday 2nd March 2017

In March 2015, Paul Bishop spoke to the Society on the watermills of Milngavie and Baldernock. Since then, he has retired as Professor of Physical Geography at the University of Glasgow and become a member of the Society. This time his topic is directly linked to Kirkintilloch and District; it focuses on mineral transport on the Forth & Clyde Canal arising from its roles as a transport artery for Central Scotland, and as a convenient outlet for mined coal to be exported on account of its strategic location within the Lowland coal field.


Cadder Pit No.17 (© East Dunbartonshire Council)

Report on Members’ Night: A Significant Photograph: Thursday 16th February 2017

The annual Members’ Night is always a highlight of the Society’s programme and once again its members enjoyed an entertaining evening. Based on the theme of “A Significant Photograph”, there were nine varied contributions illustrated by many additional images to provide necessary background. 

In summary these were: Don Martin - an usual occurrence of a local train on the Kirkintilloch branch hauled by a goods locomotive instead of the more normal tank engine; Caroline Brooks - her experiences of an archaeological dig in Chester; Ronnie Forsyth - the roles he has had in life, mainly as an office bearer in various trade bodies; Valerie McClure - the chaotic approach to enforcing building controls in Italy, and specifically the dangerous practice of building on the slopes of Mount Vesuvius, Europe’s most active volcano; Rita Bennie - her memories of hay making in the late 1940s on the family farm now occupied by houses in Westermains; Les Jenkins - reflections on his career as a secondary school history teacher; David Graham - the High Possil meteorite of 1804, the first recorded in Scotland; Donald Macleod - his experiences as a symphony orchestra violinist and the complexity of orchestral scores; Ivan Ruddock - the enjoyment he has had since the 1990s from “Father Ted”, the television comedy series.

The evening was brought to a close by Donald Macleod playing traditional fiddle tunes while members had their tea.

The memorial for the High Possil meteorite of 1804.  (© The Pandora Society)



Summer Outing: Saturday 3rd June 2017

This year the Society's annual Summer Outing on Saturday 3rd June 2017 will be to the Hamilton Mausoleum and Hamilton Museum. The Mausoleum was built in the mid-1800s as the last resting place of the Dukes of Hamilton and their families. It has now been reopened to the public after a period of restoration following concerns due to the effects of mining subsidence. The building is also claimed to possess the world's longest echo.

The coach will leave Sainsbury's car park, Kirkintilloch at 1.00 pm, returning in the evening at about 7.30 pm after a meal. The later start means that there will not be a lunch break but instead we will head straight to the Mausoleum. The ticket price is £30. Please contact the Society through its email address if you are interested in taking part or have any queries.

 

Members' Night: A Significant Photograph: Thursday 16th February 2017

The Society's annual Members’ Night will be held on Thursday 16th February 2017, and this year the theme will be "A Significant Photograph". Eight members will probably contribute this year and it is anticipated that the theme will be interpreted differently by all concerned - i.e. the photograph might represent a place, an event, a person and so on. This meeting has always been a highlight of the Society's programme and is expected to be again this year. 

Ross McGregor: The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow: History & Collections: Thursday 2nd February 2017

The Society is delighted that Ross McGregor, the Librarian and Heritage Manager at the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow (RCP&SG) has accepted the invitation to speak to the Society on "The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow: History and Collections" on Thursday 2nd February, 2017. Ross is a qualified librarian with extensive professional experience in managing and developing, library, museum and cultural services. Previously employed by East Ayrshire Council/East Ayrshire Leisure, he is now the Manager of the Historical Collections of the RCP&SG with additional remits to provide a modern clinical library service and develop access to the College's Heritage.

 

Lister carbolic spray. (© RCP&SG)