DUNBLANE LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY – TALKS 2023-24

Sept 19, 2023             ARE WE NEARLY THERE YET?,

Scotlands Milestones, Way Markers and journeys from medieval pilgrimages, the Jacobite cause and early tourists.
Bruce Keith
Retired Rural Chartered Surveyor.
Bridge and Road Historian

Following up his enjoyable talk on bridges to the Society in 2019, Bruce Keith returns to talk about Scottish milestones, distance measurement, old maps and much else.

Oct 17, 2023               CAMBUS – A HIDDEN HARBOUR.

Murray Dickie
Clackmannanshire Local Historian.

In his presentation Murray Dickie will look at the development and decline of the two harbours that once existed at Cambus and the brewing and distilling industries which supported them. The story started in the seventeeth century when Cambus was one of a series of small ports in the Upper Forth Estuary. It would have served the estate and village of Tullibody. Close to the port were two grain mills and by the beginning of the nineteenth century a brewery and a distillery had opened. These industries created a considerable market for grain and to help facilitate this a new harbour was cut into the river bank to allow bulk delivery in large barges. Once Cambus had been connected to the national railway network the harbours slowly fell into disuse but grain distilling expanded, eventually being rationalized by Diagoe with the site becoming a large cooperage and bonded warehouse.

Nov 21, 2023              KILLING OF ST KILDA

Kath Hay
Illustrated talks presenter. 
One time Dunblane resident.

After thousands of years of thriving traditions and way of life how come the St Kilda community came to an end? The story is told by Kath Hay, one time Dunbane resident and regular presenter of illustrated talks to clubs and associations.

Jan 16, 2024               RESTORATION OF THE OLD SPA WELL HOUSE, BRIDGE OF ALLAN.

Chris Calder  & Dave Walsh
Bridge of Allan Well House Restoration Project.

In this very locally focused talk Chris Calder and Dave Walsh will present the story of how the well house and access shaft serving the Bridge of Allan Copper Mine has been re explored and restored.

Feb 20, 2024               THE LOWLAND CANALS

Ian Scott
Falkirk Area Historian.

Ian Scott gave us an excellent talk on James Watt and Kinneil in January 2019 and will return to  describe the fascinating history of the Scottish central belt canals with a prime focus on the Forth and Clyde Canal and the Union Canal.

March ?? 2024           DUNBLANE ANNUAL LECTURE

Jointly with the Civic Society
TBA

Apr 16 2024                WITCHCRAFT AND THE WITCH TRIALS IN STIRLINGSHIRE.

Pam McNicol
Council Archivist
Stirling Council

Pam will explain in her talk how evidence about those accused of witchcraft appears in the records of the Church of Scotland, most notably those of the Stirling Presbytery. The talk will focus on cases in the records held at the Stirling Archives.