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X-WR-CALNAME:East Lothian Antiquarian &amp; Field Naturalists&#039; Society
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X-WR-CALDESC:Events for East Lothian Antiquarian &amp; Field Naturalists&#039; Society
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DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20241019T143000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20241019T170000
DTSTAMP:20260409T231923
CREATED:20240923T102057Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241016T111744Z
UID:2573-1729348200-1729357200@eastlothianantiquarians.org.uk
SUMMARY:Meetings with Moths
DESCRIPTION:A Hundred Years of Moth Recording in East Lothian\n\n\n\nThe Society is delighted to present this talk by ecologist Katty Baird at 2.30 PM\, Saturday 19th October\, 2024. \n\n\n\nPlease note that the venue will be at Holy Trinity Church\, Church Street\, HaddingtonNearly a hundred years ago\, Alice Blanche Balfour\, the Society’s first vice President\, published a detailed account of the butterflies and moths of East Lothian in the Transactions. Today\, Katty Baird\, an ecologist and local expert on moths continues to record and document these important insects. \n\n\n\nIn this talk Katty will introduce us to the fascinating world of moths and some of the notable species that live locally. She will also look back across the last hundred years to consider how our moths\, and the way people record them\, have changed since Alice Balfour’s pioneering work. \n\n\n\nSigned copies of Katty’s book “Meetings with Moths” will be available to purchase afterwards for £10. \n\n\n\nFor any enquiries contact Elaine Whewell at info@eastlothianantiquarians.org.uk \n\n\n\nNon members welcome with a modest cash donation appreciated \n\n\n\nChurch parking is very limited and is restricted to the event lead\, speaker\, Blue Badge holders (priority) plus otherwise mobility compromised \n\n\n\nScottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation No: SC0052295
URL:https://eastlothianantiquarians.org.uk/event/meetings-with-moths/
LOCATION:Holy Trinity Episcopal Church\, Church Street\, Haddington\, East Lothian\, EH41 3EX\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Lectures & Talks
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://eastlothianantiquarians.org.uk/files/2024/09/Moth.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="ELAFNS":MAILTO:events@eastlothianantiquarians.org.uk
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20241109T143000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20241109T170000
DTSTAMP:20260409T231923
CREATED:20241015T102354Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241020T090710Z
UID:2674-1731162600-1731171600@eastlothianantiquarians.org.uk
SUMMARY:Catherine Blair’s life story: founder of “the rural” and most active suffragette.
DESCRIPTION:The Society is delighted to present this talk by Dr Hanita Ritchie at 2.30 PM\, Saturday 9th November\, 2024.Please note that the venue will be at Holy Trinity Church\, Church Street\, HaddingtonDr. Hanita Ritchie is the Local History Officer with East Lothian Council’s Library Service. She provides consultation for genealogy\, house history\, and local heritage research projects. Hanita is a committee member of the Local Studies Scotland professionals and is part of Imperial War Museum’s Subject Specialist Network. Hanita also produces the ‘Haddingtonshire Histories’ podcast. Her favourite topics are women’s history\, old cinemas\, and ethnic minorities in Scotland.Catherine Blair is not a very well-known figure in Scottish women’s history of the early 20th century. Born in 1972 in Bathgate\, she married farmer Thomas Blair of Hoprig Mains Farm\, near Gladsmuir. Whilst not a particularly militant suffragette\, with the support of her husband\, she turned Hoprig Mains Farm into a clandestine refuge for Scottish suffragette prisoners once released.This talk will highlight Catherine Blair’s family background\, activities as suffragist\, and how she founded the SWRI. Attendees are also welcome to share their experiences or connections to the “Rural”. \n\n\n\nFor any enquiries contact Elaine Whewell at info@eastlothianantiquarians.org.uk \n\n\n\nNon members welcome with a modest cash donation appreciated
URL:https://eastlothianantiquarians.org.uk/event/catherine-blairs-life-story-founder-of-the-rural-and-most-active-suffragette/
LOCATION:Holy Trinity Episcopal Church\, Church Street\, Haddington\, East Lothian\, EH41 3EX\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Lectures & Talks
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://eastlothianantiquarians.org.uk/files/2024/10/image.png
ORGANIZER;CN="ELAFNS":MAILTO:events@eastlothianantiquarians.org.uk
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20241214T023000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20241214T163000
DTSTAMP:20260409T231923
CREATED:20241016T102007Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241120T160832Z
UID:2689-1734143400-1734193800@eastlothianantiquarians.org.uk
SUMMARY:Sugar\, Slaves and High Society: the Grants of Kilgraston”\, a talk by Richard Blake
DESCRIPTION:The Society is delighted to present this talk by Richard P J Blake at 2.30 PM\, Saturday 14th December\, 2024. Please note that the venue will be at Holy Trinity Church\, Church Street\, Haddington.Richard Blake was brought up in Gifford\, and\, having read Law at Edinburgh University\, practised as a rural law solicitor in Perth for 35 years. As a part-time\, mature student\, he was awarded a MSc in The Origins\, History and Contemporary Impact of Globalisation from the University of Dundee. On retirement\, he moved with his wife\, Mary\, to south-east Scotland. He is a Past President of the Berwickshire Naturalists’ Club\, a Writer to His Majesty’s Signet and a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland.Sugar\, Slaves and High Society is\, above all\, a book about one Scottish family but it is also a story of opportunism\, wealth\, good fortune\, and tragedies set against the background of slavery in Jamaica. Many of the defining moments and characters of the nineteenth century touched the Grants of Kilgraston: the Elgin marbles; the White Rajahs of Sarawak; Queen Victoria; Napoleon Bonaparte; the abolition of slavery; the Crimean War; the Relief of Lucknow; and the sacking of the Chinese Imperial Palace. The Grants had close connections with East Lothian\, including Archerfield\, Biel and the golf courses at North Berwick\, Muirfield and Gullane\, while the last Grant of Kilgraston was an early President of the East Lothian Antiquarians and Field Naturalists’ Society.For any enquiries contact: info@eastlothianantiquarians.org.ukNon members welcome with a modest cash donation appreciatedChurch parking is limited to Blue Badge holders plus otherwise mobility compromisedScottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation No: SC0052295
URL:https://eastlothianantiquarians.org.uk/event/the-grants-of-kilgraston-a-talk-by-richard-blake/
LOCATION:Holy Trinity Episcopal Church\, Church Street\, Haddington\, East Lothian\, EH41 3EX\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Lectures & Talks
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://eastlothianantiquarians.org.uk/files/2024/11/RPG-Blake.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="ELAFNS":MAILTO:events@eastlothianantiquarians.org.uk
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250125T143000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250125T163000
DTSTAMP:20260409T231923
CREATED:20241016T102315Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241228T121417Z
UID:2693-1737815400-1737822600@eastlothianantiquarians.org.uk
SUMMARY:Brickworks in East Lothian - Ian Suddaby
DESCRIPTION:The Society is delighted to present this talk by Ian Suddaby at 2.30 PM\, Saturday 25th January\, 2025. \n\n\n\nPlease note that the venue will be at Holy Trinity Church\, Church Street\, Haddington \n\n\n\nIan Suddaby\, who lives in New Winton\, studied archaeology at the University of Edinburgh and is currently a field archaeologist with CFA Archaeology. \n\n\n\nEast Lothian’s Brick and Tileworks: expect a wide-ranging account of the history and importance of bricks\, much underrated and overlooked. In fact the word “brick” is a generic term and includes a whole variety of clay products\, not least field drainage tiles that were so crucial for East Lothian’s agricultural revolution\, this area being an early adopter of field drainage. In the past East Lothian had many brick works such as those at Bark Park and Preston. \n\n\n\nMaybe you saw a recent BBC Scotland feature on his bricks collection that he has built up with his fellow enthusiast Mark Cranston: about 6\,000 to date! The search is on to find a museum home for them. \n\n\n\nFor any enquiries contact:  info@eastlothianantiquarians.org.uk  \n\n\n\nNon members welcome with a modest cash donation appreciated \n\n\n\nChurch parking is limited to Blue Badge holders plus otherwise mobility compromised \n\n\n\n                                  Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation No: SC0052295
URL:https://eastlothianantiquarians.org.uk/event/brickworks-in-east-lothian-ian-suddaby/
LOCATION:Holy Trinity Episcopal Church\, Church Street\, Haddington\, East Lothian\, EH41 3EX\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Lectures & Talks
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://eastlothianantiquarians.org.uk/files/2024/12/Bricks-full-res-scaled.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="ELAFNS":MAILTO:events@eastlothianantiquarians.org.uk
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250222T143000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250222T163000
DTSTAMP:20260409T231923
CREATED:20241016T102653Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250126T144858Z
UID:2695-1740234600-1740241800@eastlothianantiquarians.org.uk
SUMMARY:My reid kirtill\, my hois of broun’the clothes and accoutrements of Scots women from 1470 to 1560
DESCRIPTION:Talk by Jenn Scott about the clothes and accoutrements worn by Scots women in times past. “I suld put on my russet gowne\, My reid kirtill\, my hois of broun’ – the clothes and accoutrements of Scots women from 1470 to 1560”. \n\n\n\nJenn is an historian\, writer and researcher who lives in Edinburgh. She is primarily interested in the period from the mid-fifteenth to the Jacobite Risings. She is a trustee of the Scottish Battlefields Trust and a keen re-enactor. She has written three books for Helion in addition contributing to edited collections of work on the Jacobite conflicts. She has spent the past twenty years developing her knowledge of the material culture of Scotland and has always been particularly interested in the history of clothing.She is currently working on a book about Scotland’s involvement in the wars of the Roses and another on the clothes of the Scots from 1470-1560. The talk will feature the latter with a focus on the earlier part of this period.
URL:https://eastlothianantiquarians.org.uk/event/my-reid-kirtill-my-hois-of-brounthe-clothes-and-accoutrements-of-scots-women-from-1470-to-1560/
LOCATION:Holy Trinity Episcopal Church\, Church Street\, Haddington\, East Lothian\, EH41 3EX\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Lectures & Talks
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://eastlothianantiquarians.org.uk/files/2025/01/Jenn-Scott-2.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="ELAFNS":MAILTO:events@eastlothianantiquarians.org.uk
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250322T143000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250322T163000
DTSTAMP:20260409T231923
CREATED:20241016T102849Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250317T151229Z
UID:2697-1742653800-1742661000@eastlothianantiquarians.org.uk
SUMMARY:The 1296 Battle of Dunbar by Arran Johnston
DESCRIPTION:Note: A replacement for the talk originally scheduled \n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\nFor any enquiries contact:  info@eastlothianantiquarians.org.uk  \n\n\n\nNon members welcome with a modest cash donation appreciated \n\n\n\nChurch parking is limited to Blue Badge holders plus otherwise mobility compromised \n\n\n\n                                  Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation No: SC052295
URL:https://eastlothianantiquarians.org.uk/event/material-landscapes-of-scotlands-jewellery-craft-1780-1914-dr-sarah-laurenson/
LOCATION:Holy Trinity Episcopal Church\, Church Street\, Haddington\, East Lothian\, EH41 3EX\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Lectures & Talks
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://eastlothianantiquarians.org.uk/files/2024/02/elaafns-logo-trans.png
ORGANIZER;CN="ELAFNS":MAILTO:events@eastlothianantiquarians.org.uk
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250607T143000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250607T170000
DTSTAMP:20260409T231923
CREATED:20250329T082059Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250503T074624Z
UID:2889-1749306600-1749315600@eastlothianantiquarians.org.uk
SUMMARY:Guided Tour of Balgone House 7th June 2025
DESCRIPTION:Society visit \n\n\n\nIn the 20th century the house became ruinous but was lovingly restored as their home in the 1990’s by Alan and Fidelity Dean. Our visit is by their kind invitation. \n\n\n\nBalgone House history \n\n\n\nBalgone House has the appearance of an 18th Century house with quadrant walls linking it\, in the Palladian manner\, to two service pavilions; but the house has a very complex early history\, much of which was only revealed during the major restoration project carried out by the present owners.  It may have started as an L plan tower house which was enlarged and extensively altered in the 18th Century\, but there is convincing evidence that most of the present house predates the 18th Century remodelling and that the early house had many of the features of a courtyard house. \n\n\n\nThe house was greatly enlarged in the 19th Century but it was abandoned in the 1950’s\, left to decay and used as a source of building material for the estate. The aim of the restoration project was to remove the 19th Century additions which were in a very bad state\, riddled with dry rot. This revealed the old house\, virtually intact\, with many early features surviving. Of particular interest is a large fireplace of characteristic 15th Century appearance which had been  hidden behind lath and plaster.  The garden\, too\, had been abandoned and was completely overgrown but contains a number of fine trees. A new garden has been designed round them\, mainly lawns\, hedges and shrubs; a small orchard in the 18th Century walled garden\, and a new walled garden on the south side of the house.          \n\n\n\nVisit plan \n\n\n\nBalgone House is about 2 miles south east of North Berwick\, reached by minor roads south of the A198 or alternatively from Haddington\, about 8 miles\, take the A199\, B1347 and B1377 and then onto minor roads. Also access from East Linton by initially taking the B1377 north\, about 4 miles.  Grid Reference NT 56651 82366. “What3words” inventors.tuxedos.coughed. Full directions will be sent to confirmed attendees. \n\n\n\nThere will be two groups of 12. One group will have a tour of the house\, with the other group viewing the extensive policies\, and then vice versa. This visit will end with a chat over a cup of tea. \n\n\n\nRequest to consider donations to Leuchie House \n\n\n\nThere will be no charge for the visit to Balgone House\, but attendees are asked to consider a cash donation towards the North Berwick charity Leuchie House. \n\n\n\nPlaces will understandably be limited so please register your interest by contacting Elaine Whewell at info@eastlothianantiquarians.org.uk   \n\n\n\n                                  Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation No: SC0052295
URL:https://eastlothianantiquarians.org.uk/event/visit-to-balgone-house-7th-june-2025/
CATEGORIES:Excursions
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://eastlothianantiquarians.org.uk/files/2025/03/Balgone-House.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250705T140000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250705T160000
DTSTAMP:20260409T231923
CREATED:20250329T082551Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250612T142952Z
UID:2891-1751724000-1751731200@eastlothianantiquarians.org.uk
SUMMARY:Dunbar Harbour Visit 5th July 2025
DESCRIPTION:Society visit            MEMBERS ONLY \n\n\n\nDunbar Harbour is a working harbour\, owned and run by a charity\, Dunbar Harbour Trust. Our visit will be hosted by Alasdair Swan\, a most knowledgeable expert on the harbour having served the maximum term of twelve years as a trustee of Dunbar Harbour Trust\, most of them as Chair of the Trust. He is currently a trustee of Dunbar Dementia Network and Belhaven Surf Centre\, and is the Treasurer for Dunbar Community Council and Dunbar History Society. He lives near to Dunbar’s East Beach\, close to the harbour. \n\n\n\nDunbar Harbour history \n\n\n\nAttendees will be introduced to Dunbar’s three harbours\, all of which have been packed with history\, with tales of Black Agnes\, Mary Queen of Scots\, poor Johnny Cope\, and American/French pirates. \n\n\n\nFor many centuries Dunbar was a town of great significance in the seemingly endless wars between the Scots and the English. It was seen as a key supply point on the road to Edinburgh\, and its castle was never easy to capture. Some of what remains of the castle you will be able to see on our visit\, although much of its stonework is less obvious as it has long since been incorporated into the buildings in the town. \n\n\n\nDunbar Battery holds a prominent position at the harbour and has had several re-incarnations since it was first built. It is now an open-air arena\, available for public performances and civic occasions. \n\n\n\nThe harbours are home to a large kittiwake population\, and it is probable that our tour will need to compete with the sound of the birds\, circling round the harbour rock. Local seabird enthusiast and kittiwake warden Chris Martin will be present to describe their activities. \n\n\n\nFishing has always been an important part of the town’s economy\, and we will have a chance to hear some of the current challenges that face our fishing families\, hopefully first hand from local fishermen if they are not out fishing! \n\n\n\nVisit plan \n\n\n\nDunbar Harbour is at the foot of Victoria Street\, EH42 1HW.  Walkers should go straight down to the old Cromwell Harbour. All cars should drive down to the foot of this street and spaces will be made available for those with mobility issues. Others will be guided to suitable nearby on-street parking. \n\n\n\nWe will meet at the white building called McArthur’s Store at the foot of the street. (The white building in the photo). \n\n\n\nThe visit will be tailored according to the weather for\, ideally\, it will involve a fair amount of walking in the open air. This is not such a good idea when the rain is lashing down and the wind is whipping in from the North Sea\, so there will be a contingency plan if the weather forecast is truly awful. \n\n\n\nAt the end of the visit there will be a chance to have a cup of tea or coffee together in McArthur’s Store. \n\n\n\nRequest to consider donations to Dunbar Harbour Trust \n\n\n\nThere will be no charge for the visit to Dunbar Harbour but attendees are asked to consider a cash donation on the day towards the charity or\, better still\, a gift aid donation at: \n\n\n\n\nhttps://cafdonate.cafonline.org/19527#!/DonationDetails\n\n\n\n\nBooking: there is not need to formally book but it would be useful to convey your intent to come\, no least to help the Dunbar Harbour\, by contacting Elaine Whewell at info@eastlothianantiquarians.org.uk   \n\n\n\n                                  Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation No: SC0052295
URL:https://eastlothianantiquarians.org.uk/event/dunbar-harbour-visit-5th-july-2025/
CATEGORIES:Excursions
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://eastlothianantiquarians.org.uk/files/2025/03/Dunbar-Harbour.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250918T140000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250918T160000
DTSTAMP:20260409T231923
CREATED:20250329T082839Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250329T085236Z
UID:2893-1758204000-1758211200@eastlothianantiquarians.org.uk
SUMMARY:Newbattle Abbey Visit 18 Sep 2025
DESCRIPTION:A private tour of the Abbey and it’s wonderful gardens. Founded as a Cistercian Monastery in 1140 by King David 1st. It then became the Kerr family home in the 16th century and an adult residential college in 1937. The army requisitioned it during World War 2 but opened its doors to a college again in 1950. It has a fascinating history which will be described during the tour. It was her that a Council of Nobles met here in Spring 1320. They drafted a letter asking the Pope to recognise Scotland’s independence and acknowledge Robert Bruce as the lawful king. This letter became The Declaration of Arbroath ! \n\n\n\nThere will also be an opportunity to explore the beautiful Italian Garden. \n\n\n\nThe cost will be approximately £10\, to include tea and biscuits. \n\n\n\nLikely numbers limit two groups of 15.
URL:https://eastlothianantiquarians.org.uk/event/newbattle-abbey-visit-18-sep-2025/
CATEGORIES:Excursions
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://eastlothianantiquarians.org.uk/files/2025/03/Newbattle-Abbey.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20251018T140000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20251018T163000
DTSTAMP:20260409T231923
CREATED:20250329T083230Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250925T125921Z
UID:2895-1760796000-1760805000@eastlothianantiquarians.org.uk
SUMMARY:Preston Tower Visit 18 Oct 2025
DESCRIPTION:The Society is delighted to offer Members an opportunity for a private tour of Preston Tower\, Doocot and Garden on Saturday 18th October\, 2025\, 2.00 PM for 2.30 PM. Our visit will be hosted by Friends of Preston Tower\, a local group of community-focused volunteers. \n\n\n\nPreston Tower is a Scheduled Monument consisting of a partially ruined Tower House\, Doocot and Garden nestling in the heart of the town of Prestonpans.  The lower storeys of the tower are of 15th century origin whilst the upper mini Renaissance Palace  (and probably the Doocot) was added in the early 17th century. There are two documented burnings of the Tower\, firstly in 1544 during the Rough Wooing and again in 1650 by Oliver Cromwell’s forces.  The Tower remained in use as a home until around 1700 when it was permanently abandoned by the Hamilton family.  From the mid-19th century the Tower functioned as the centrepiece of a commercial market garden and in the late 1960s passed into the ownership of the National Trust for Scotland.  Currently access is limited to the first floor great hall reached via a new external staircase\, the ground floor vaulted chamber with its own entrance\, and the nearby doocot which was substantially repaired at the same time the tower was being renovated.  \n\n\n\nVisit plan \n\n\n\nAddress: 30 Cross Cottages\, Prestonpans\, EH32 9EJ. \n\n\n\nThere will be two groups that will alternate between the Tower and Doocot & Garden. \n\n\n\nThere will be no charge for the visit but attendees are asked to consider donations towards the running costs of the Friends of Preston Tower: either in cash or on-line via a QR code. \n\n\n\nPlease note that there is no dedicated parking at the Tower. The adjacent car park is private for the housing association. However there is ample on-street parking as well as at the nearby community centre close to the Mercat cross. The nearest public toilets are on Ayres Wynd\, just off the High Street: follow West Loan north. \n\n\n\nPlaces will understandably be limited so to reserve a place please contact Elaine Whewell at info@eastlothianantiquarians.org.uk  
URL:https://eastlothianantiquarians.org.uk/event/preston-tower-visit-18-oct-2025/
CATEGORIES:Excursions
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://eastlothianantiquarians.org.uk/files/2025/09/Preston-Tower-and-gardens-OK-resolution.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20251101T143000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20251101T170000
DTSTAMP:20260409T231923
CREATED:20250914T084754Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251002T072559Z
UID:2951-1762007400-1762016400@eastlothianantiquarians.org.uk
SUMMARY:“The material landscapes of Scotland’s jewellery craft.” Saturday 1st November 2025
DESCRIPTION:The Society is delighted to present this talk by Dr Sarah Laurenson at 2.30 PM\, Saturday\, 1st November\, 2025. \n\n\n\nThe venue will be at Holy Trinity Church\, Church Street\, Haddington \n\n\n\nDr Sarah Laurenson is Principal Curator and Head of Modern and Contemporary History at National Museums Scotland. This talk will be based on her recent extensively researched and beautifully illustrated book entitled as above. \n\n\n\nDuring the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries\, jewellers sourced and used a range of materials from Scotland’s varied natural landscape: precious gold and silver\, sparkling crystals and colourful agates\, freshwater pearls and shells. This talk traces these materials on their journey from hill and shore to the jewellers bench and explores how these materials shaped new ways of working with and thinking about the natural world during the age of industry. \n\n\n\nMembers can expect a most interesting and colourful journey into the world of Scottish jewellery. \n\n\n\nFor any enquiries contact Elaine Whewell:  info@eastlothianantiquarians.org.uk  \n\n\n\nNon members welcome with a modest cash donation appreciated \n\n\n\nChurch parking is limited to Blue Badge holders plus otherwise mobility compromised \n\n\n\n                                  Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation No: SC052295
URL:https://eastlothianantiquarians.org.uk/event/the-material-landscapes-of-scotlands-jewellery-craft-saturday-1st-november-2025/
CATEGORIES:Lectures & Talks
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://eastlothianantiquarians.org.uk/files/2024/02/elaafns-logo-trans.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20251122T143000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20251122T170000
DTSTAMP:20260409T231923
CREATED:20250914T085055Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251030T154114Z
UID:2953-1763821800-1763830800@eastlothianantiquarians.org.uk
SUMMARY:“New looks at old pasts: the impact of LiDAR on our understanding of the landscape in the Border counties.”
DESCRIPTION:Stratford Halliday LIDAR FINAL PDFDownload
URL:https://eastlothianantiquarians.org.uk/event/new-looks-at-old-pasts-the-impact-of-lidar-on-our-understanding-of-the-landscape-in-the-border-counties/
CATEGORIES:Lectures & Talks
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20251213T143000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20251213T170000
DTSTAMP:20260409T231923
CREATED:20250914T085329Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251123T142900Z
UID:2955-1765636200-1765645200@eastlothianantiquarians.org.uk
SUMMARY:“An Eighteenth Century North Berwick Love Story” 
DESCRIPTION:a personal family account  \n\n\n\n    by Sir Hew Dalrymple  \n\n\n\nSir Hew and Margaret Sainthill article- lectureDownload\n\n\n\n\n\nThe Society is delighted to present this talk by Sir Hew Dalrymple at 2.30 PM\, Saturday\, December 13th\, 2025. Sir Hew and his family have been involved in the Society since its inception and in North Berwick and East Lothian life for more than 300 years. Sir Hew was a founding trustee of the Scottish Seabird Centre and is a Deputy Lieutenant of the county. He is also president of North Berwick RNLI and North Berwick Yacht Club.  His family home\, Leuchie House\, is well known as the National Respite Centre.  Sir Hew’s family archives are deposited in the National Record Office and are the source for this talk.   \n\n\n\nSir Hew will take us back to the year 1744 and will paint a picture of life in North Berwick and London at that time.  The talk is based on an intimate & delightful correspondence between Hew and Margaret Dalrymple\, who were newly married but separated for four months when he left her in London to attend to his business affairs in Scotland. What emerges is a fascinating picture of a life very different to our own and yet the emotions\, ambitions and anxieties that they exhibit are completely relatable to us today.  \n\n\n\nThe venue will be at Holy Trinity Church\, Church Street\, Haddington \n\n\n\nJoin us for refreshments afterwards. \n\n\n\nFor any enquiries contact Elaine Whewell:  info@eastlothianantiquarians.org.uk   \n\n\n\nNon members welcome with a modest cash donation appreciated \n\n\n\nChurch parking is limited to Blue Badge holders plus otherwise mobility compromised  \n\n\n\n                                  Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation No: SC052295
URL:https://eastlothianantiquarians.org.uk/event/the-travels-of-the-2nd-sir-hew-dalrymple-and-his-wife/
CATEGORIES:Lectures & Talks
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://eastlothianantiquarians.org.uk/files/2024/02/elaafns-logo-trans.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260131T143000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260131T170000
DTSTAMP:20260409T231923
CREATED:20250914T085649Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260106T123248Z
UID:2957-1769869800-1769878800@eastlothianantiquarians.org.uk
SUMMARY:Unearthing and conserving the Peebles Hoard
DESCRIPTION:    by Dr Matthew Knight and Ms Bethan Bryan    \n\n\n\n The Society is delighted to present this talk by Matthew Knight and Bethan Bryan at 2.30 PM\, Saturday 31st\, January\, 2026.  \n\n\n\nThe venue will be at Holy Trinity Church\, Church Street\, Haddington\, EH41 3EX \n\n\n\n\n\nMatt Knight is Senior Curator of the Chalcolithic and Bronze Age collections at National Museums Scotland\, specialising in the production\, use\, and deposition of Bronze Age metalwork. His active research interests include the treatment of metalwork as well as the inclusion of older objects in later deposits. He is also Project Lead on the AHRC-funded Scotland’s Archaeological Human Remains Collection project. \n\n\n\nBethan Bryan is Peebles Hoard Conservator and Artefact Conservator at National Museums Scotland. She holds degrees in Celtic Archaeology and Medieval History from the University of Edinburgh and worked for five years at the National Trust for Scotland\, before completing the MA Conservation of Archaeological and Museum Objects at the University of Durham.  \n\n\n\nTalk summary \n\n\n\nThe Peebles Hoard is one of the most remarkable hoards ever found in Scotland. Dating to the Late Bronze Age\, it contains several hundred elements from a complex set of bronze and organic objects\, as well as a complete sword in a scabbard. The hoard includes highly decorated bronze fittings\, studs and buttons\, as well as organic straps that linked multiple objects. Many of these objects have never been found before in Scotland\, such as jingle plates that would have hung from horses; others have no clear parallels. This talk will present the discovery and excavation of the hoard as well as highlighting some of the ongoing conservation work\, which is revealing intriguing insights into how the objects were made and used. \n\n\n\nJoin us for refreshments afterwards. \n\n\n\nFor any enquiries contact Elaine Whewell:  info@eastlothianantiquarians.org.uk   \n\n\n\nNon members welcome with a modest cash donation appreciated \n\n\n\nChurch parking is limited to Blue Badge holders plus otherwise mobility compromised 
URL:https://eastlothianantiquarians.org.uk/event/peebles-hoard/
CATEGORIES:Lectures & Talks
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://eastlothianantiquarians.org.uk/files/2024/02/elaafns-logo-trans.png
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260221T143000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260221T170000
DTSTAMP:20260409T231923
CREATED:20250914T090001Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260201T143928Z
UID:2959-1771684200-1771693200@eastlothianantiquarians.org.uk
SUMMARY:“Farm servants of South East Scotland between 1750 and 1914”
DESCRIPTION:David McLean will give a talk on the farm servants of South East Scotland between 1750 and 1914. This will describe the lives of thousands of farm servants and bondagers who worked on the improved farms of Berwickshire\, Roxburghshire and East Lothian through the years of the great agricultural revolution. \n\n\n\nThe Society is delighted to present this talk by David McLean at 2.30 PM\, Saturday\, 21st February\, 2026.  \n\n\n\nPlease note that the venue will be at Holy Trinity Church\, Church Street\, Haddington\, EH41 3EX \n\n\n\nDavid McLean \n\n\n\nAfter graduating in history at Edinburgh University\, our speaker began a professional career in education which eventually spanned 38 years\, teaching history and modern studies. Posts included principal teacher of History at Berwickshire High School and depute headteacher at Earlston High School. After retirement in 2010\, he found more time for deeper historical research into both Scottish and American history which has led on to giving a variety of talks to various clubs and societies across the Borders. In more recent years\, he has added a new project: researching the stories of the old Duns houses and the families who lived in them\, work which has not been done before. \n\n\n\nTalk summary \n\n\n\nThe talk will look at the lives of those thousands of farm-servants and bondagers who worked on the improved farms of Berwickshire\, Roxburghshire and East Lothian through the years of the great agricultural revolution. It will explain the rural hierarchy from ploughmen downwards\, the main tasks of the farming year\, how farm-servants were paid\, their living conditions and relationships with employers. Attempts to promote trade unionism in the countryside will be explored before reaching the watershed of the Great War. \n\n\n\nMembers can expect a moving historical journey into past agricultural times. \n\n\n\nFor any enquiries contact:  info@eastlothianantiquarians.org.uk   \n\n\n\nNon members welcome with a modest cash donation appreciated \n\n\n\nChurch parking is limited to Blue Badge holders plus otherwise mobility compromised  \n\n\n\n                                  Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation No: SC052295
URL:https://eastlothianantiquarians.org.uk/event/farm-servants-of-south-east-scotland-between-1750-and-1914/
CATEGORIES:Lectures & Talks
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260321T143000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260321T170000
DTSTAMP:20260409T231923
CREATED:20250914T090229Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260313T132154Z
UID:2961-1774103400-1774112400@eastlothianantiquarians.org.uk
SUMMARY:Lord Kelvin Talk Postponed to a later date
DESCRIPTION:The Society is delighted to present this talk by Professor Javier Martin-Torres at 2.30 PM\, Saturday\, 21st March\, 2026.  \n\n\n\nPlease note that the venue will be at Holy Trinity Church\, Church Street\, Haddington\, EH41 3EX \n\n\n\nProfessor Javier Martin-Torres\, Chair Professor of Planetary Sciences and Astrobiology\, Northumbria University \n\n\n\nProfessor Martín-Torres is a NASA award-winning theoretical physicist with interdisciplinary research interests\, including astrobiology\, planetary sciences\, the emergence of life\, as well as space and weather hardware development. He has 25 years of experience working on space missions. He is the Principal Investigator of the HABIT instrument to produce liquid water on Mars and co-Investigator of the Curiosity and ExoMars missions. He boasts an extensive international career\, including NASA\, Jet Propulsion Laboratory\, the California Institute of Technology and the Lunar and Planetary Institute.  \n\n\n\nTalk summary \n\n\n\nNearly 202 years after his birth on 26 June 1824\, William Thomson\, aka Lord Kelvin\, remains one of the most luminous figures in the history of science. The talk will trace his extraordinary journey from a ten-year-old university student in Glasgow to the Second Wrangler at Cambridge\, and ultimately to the Chair of Natural Philosophy at the University of Glasgow\, which he held for an astonishing 53 years. Kelvin’s revolutionary contributions to thermodynamics\, the dissipation of energy\, vortex motion\, and countless other fields fundamentally reshaped our understanding of the physical world and laid the foundations of modern physics and engineering. \n\n\n\nAt the heart of the story lies his profound\, lifelong relationship with the Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE). Elected as a Fellow in 1847 and subsequently serving three terms as President\, Kelvin used the Society as his primary platform for presenting seminal papers: from his 1849 exposition of Carnot’s theory to groundbreaking work on heat (establishing the Kelvin scale)\, capillary action\, and spherical harmonics. Additionally he greatly elevated the RSE’s standing in areas of government liaison\, publication standards and public engagement. \n\n\n\nKnighted in 1866 and elevated to the peerage in 1892\, Lord Kelvin’s influence extended far beyond academia. After his death in 1907\, the Society’s enduring gratitude was and still is remembered. \n\n\n\nThrough archival insights\, rare images\, and personal anecdotes\, this talk celebrates the perfect symbiosis of individual genius and institutional prestige – showing how one man’s brilliance and one Society’s support together advanced science and humanity for generations to come. \n\n\n\nMembers can expect a remarkable story of a remarkable man. \n\n\n\nFor any enquiries contact:  info@eastlothianantiquarians.org.uk   \n\n\n\nNon members welcome with a modest cash donation appreciated \n\n\n\nChurch parking is limited to Blue Badge holders plus otherwise mobility compromised  \n\n\n\n                                  Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation No: SC052295
URL:https://eastlothianantiquarians.org.uk/event/the-incredible-scientific-pioneering-life-of-lord-kelvin/
LOCATION:Holy Trinity Church\, Haddington\, 6A Church Street\, Haddington EH41 3EX ·
CATEGORIES:Lectures & Talks
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260321T143000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260321T170000
DTSTAMP:20260409T231923
CREATED:20260313T133026Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260313T133028Z
UID:3162-1774103400-1774112400@eastlothianantiquarians.org.uk
SUMMARY:The Yester Papers: all human life is here
DESCRIPTION:The Society is delighted to present this talk by Eric Glendinning at 2.30 PM\, Saturday\, 21st March\, 2026.  \n\n\n\nPlease note that the venue will be at Holy Trinity Church\, Church Street\, Haddington\, EH41 3EX \n\n\n\nEric Glendinning  \n\n\n\nOur speaker was born and schooled in Hawick\, a former pupil of our late President Stephen Bunyan. He studied history at Edinburgh. His professional life was in education\, working in Tanzania\, Norway and Nepal.  For the 20 years leading to retirement he was Director of the Institute for Applied Language Studies at the University of Edinburgh.  He is currently working with colleagues from Haddington’s History Society on the 800 year history of Gimmers Mills\, Haddington. \n\n\n\nTalk summary \n\n\n\nThe Yester papers are the archives of the Marquises of Tweeddale\, formerly held at Yester House but now in the National Library of Scotland.  They cover a period roughly from 1600 to 1914.  The collection is vast.  It includes documents on matters of state\, local affairs\, the management of the estate\, family events and day to day living through the centuries. Letters from an Eton schoolboy\, a fragment of autobiography\, a bill for prodigious quantities of alcohol\, and much more feature. \n\n\n\nThis lecture will include brief extracts under the headings:  Events\, Women (their place in the archive)\, Porridge (the role of oatmeal in the Scottish economy)\, Innovation\, Letters home\, A troublesome priest\, and Celebrations. \n\n\n\nMembers can expect a fascinating exploration into life on the Yester estate over the centuries. \n\n\n\nFor any enquiries contact:  info@eastlothianantiquarians.org.uk   \n\n\n\nNon members welcome with a modest cash donation appreciated \n\n\n\nChurch parking is limited to Blue Badge holders plus otherwise mobility compromised                                    \n\n\n\nScottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation No: SC052295
URL:https://eastlothianantiquarians.org.uk/event/the-yester-papers-all-human-life-is-here/
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