Stirling Local History Society - Blog

Forth Naturalist and Historian Conference 11 Nov

29/9/2023

This annual event is at Stirling University on Saturday 11th November 2023.
This year's theme is 'Aspects of Extractive Industries –History, Impact and Recovery'. There is a wide diversity of papers through the day covering historical, archaeological, environmental and wildlife issues related to the theme - something for everyone. Whilst the speakers are often specialists, the target audience is the wider public with a more general interest. The new edition of the journal ('Forth Naturalist and Historian') will be launched.
Click here for further details and to link to the Booking Form.

Public Lecture 13 Oct at Universitty

21/9/2023

You are invited to a public lecture at Sttirling University (Room CC3.04) by Prof Erica Fudge).
Event details:

Title: What were the animals thinking? The differences between theory and practice in early modern ideas
Date: Friday, 13th October 2023
Time: 6pm – 8pm
Location: Campus Central (CC.3.04)
Speaker: Prof Erica Fudge
Topic: Animal intelligence in the modern world, history, philosophy
About the Lecture: In early modern thought a philosophical orthodoxy, emerging out of Aristotelian and Christian ideas, held that animals were incapable of thinking like humans; that they lacked the crucial immaterial essence, the rational soul, that gave ‘mankind’ (it was definitely men who were the assumed focus) its special status. The beasts, so the argument went, responded only instinctively to sensory prompts, whereas humans could go beyond those prompts into the realm of the abstract, and could imagine, reason, remember. At the same time as this set of assumptions about animal (lack of) reason was so dominant in printed discussions, however, there was an alternative perspective. When we turn from the library to the field – from theory to practice – something very different can be found. James VI and I, for example, was convinced his hunting hounds could perform abstract calculations; and the great horse trainer William Cavendish knew his horses were capable of acts of memory, and that, in fact, training was premised on that capacity. And then there were the cows. This talk will trace these different perspectives, and show how far theoretical discussion missed out ideas of animal capacity that were so visible, and vital, to those who worked and lived closely with them. It will make the case that the early modern past was not only the site of beast-machines and human exceptionalism, but was also home to conceptions and experiences of animal thinking and skill that was crucial to successful cross-species collaboration.

Attendance is free of charge, and we encourage your association members to take advantage of this unique opportunity to expand their knowledge and connect with like-minded individuals.

Galloway Hoard

17/9/2023

On Tuesday 14 Nov we will hold at joint meeting with the Stirling Field and Archaeological Society in the Smith Museum (19.30-2130).
The speaker will be Dr Martin Goldberg, curator of medieval history and archaeology at Natonal Museum of Scotland and lead investigator since the discovery of the hoard in 2014.
Though not the largest Viking find, the range of its contents, drawn from all parts of the known world, makes it one of hte most interesting to be found for a long time. Research is ongoing but the talk will describe the current state of knowledge.
We hope that our members and others will support this important and fascinating event.
https://www.nms.ac.uk/explore-our-collections/stories/scottish-history-and-archaeology/galloway-hoard/

Stirling's Railways - 27 April 2023

7/4/2023

The final meeting of this season will be on 27 April 2023 in the Smith Art Gallery and Museum at 7.30p.

There is no membership fee this year and no charge for visitors - but donations are not refused.

The meeting will start with a (short) AGM.

The speaker will be Andy McEwan on the ever-popular topic of Stirling's Railways.

See the attached flyer.

30 March 2023 Legacies of Slavery in Stirlingshire and Perthshire

9/3/2023

The March meeting will take place on Thursday, 30 March in the Smith Art Gallery and Museum at 7.30 pm

The Speaker will be Tara Leishman and the topic Legacies of Slavery in Stirlingshire and Perthshire.

The meeting starts at 7.30 pm and will finish before 9pm.

All are welcome. There is no admission fee this year - but donations are not refused.

Attached is a flyer for the meeting.

February 2023 Meeting

14/2/2023

Meeting: Thursday 23 rd February 2023 at 7.30pm
Guest Speaker : Chris Calder and Dave Walsh, and the topic 'Bridge of Allan Well House restoration project'.

All are welcome. There is no membership fee or admission charge this year - though donations are not refused.

Following some issues earlier in the season, the sound system has been updated and is much better.

The flyer with further details is attached here.

Scottish Churches Trust Survey

29/11/2022

Scotland's churches are closing at an unprecedented rate. Whilst the buildings will often be converted to other uses and so preserved, the contents are at risk of loss, dispersal or destruction.

The Scottish Churches Trust in conjunction with Historic Environment Scotland, is endeavoring to record the diverse contents for posterity and is asking for volunteers to help with this rescue work. Further details can be found at
https://scotlandschurchestrust.org.uk/

Sir John Murray and the Challenger Expedition on BBC Radio 4

22/11/2022

Sir John Murray (1841-1914) completed his schooling at Stirling High School. He was appointed as naturalist to the Challenger Expedition (1872-6), one of the most important scientific expeditions ever, which effectively established the science of oceanography. Murray later edited the more than 50 volumes of Reports of the expdition and he later conducted other, important researches. He was, for a time, honorary president of our predecessor, Stirling Field and Archaeological Society.
The Challenger Expedition is the subject of In Our Time with Melvyn Bragg on Radio 4 and will be available via the BBC Radio 4 website https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001fcvd

November Meeting - Cowane's Hospital

4/11/2022

The meeting this month will be on Thursday 24th November 2022 at 7.30pm in Smith Art Gallery and Museum

Guest Speaker : Benjamin Tindall, architect

John Cowane’s Hospital, the finest Guildhall in Scotland; proposals, repairs and alterations over the last twelve years.

This important 17th century building was in urgent need of restoration work. Ben Tindall, the well-known conservation architect, was involved with the project over many years.

Members and Guests admission FREE but DONATIONS ARE NOT REFUSED!

For further details click here or contact Stirling-lhs@outlook.com

Forth Naturalist and Historian Conference

16/10/2022

Forth Naturalist and Historian Conference 2022
Conservation in Central Scotland: Past, Present and Future
Saturday 12th November 2022

We are delighted to invite you to the conference this year, the 47th in the series. It will be held at Stirling University once again but, for those of you who enjoyed the option of attending online last year or who are unable to be there in person, we will also try to offer a 'blended' day via Microsoft Teams.

Journal Volume 45 will be launched and available at the conference, so do let us know if you would like a copy. You may recall that membership status is conferred (if you wish) by purchasing the journal for £12; conversely, becoming a member or renewing membership will result in a journal being sent to you.

There will be a brief AGM before the lunchtime break.

The detailed programme and booking form are here.