Orkney

There was a full house on 26^th November to hear Margaret Anderson talk about the rich archaeological heritage of Orkney. This was her second lecture. The first, earlier this year, was on the Stone Age including Skara Brae and Maes Howe. This second lecture dealt with the Bronze Age, Iron Age and the years up to, and including, the coming of the Vikings. In two well illustrated lectures, she told us of the archaeology which is still being discovered today and which is changing our understanding of Orkney’s past. In thanking Margaret for her talk, Liz Dent also thanked her for the popular walks and talks and tours which she has given to the Friends and said that all had appreciated these.

Visit to Hamilton

Courtesy of Morag Robertson

Friends visited four sites in Hamilton on 2 October 2019. First stop was Chatelherault, a former hunting lodge of the 5^th Duke of Hamilton. Then we went down to the Low Parks and the 10^th Duke of Hamilton’s Mausoleum, inspired by the Pantheon in Rome, with a wonderful cupola. Lunch was taken in the Assembly Hall at the Hamilton Museum. The last stop of the day was Hamilton Old Parish Church built by William Adam in 1732. 

An  enjoyable and excellent day thanks to capable and knowledgeable guides.

South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture

Hamilton Old Parish Church

We Are Seventy Five!

Courtesy of Frances Dryburgh

On the 1^st October Friends celebrated their 75^th Birthday at a reception in Kelvingrove art Gallery and Museum hosted by the Lord Provost, Eva Bolander. 

Courtesy of Frances Dryburgh

 The company were addressed by the Lord Provost, by the Head of Museums, Duncan Dornan and by Liz Dent, Chair of   the Friends. Over birthday cake and drinks, we were serenaded by Jim Hunter on the organ playing his own composition   ”Friends of Glasgow Museums”.

A delightful evening.

National Gallery of Ireland

The lecture on 24^th September transported us to the National Gallery in Dublin. After ensuring that we appreciate the attractions of the city of Dublin, Dr Maureen Park introduced us to the permanent collections in the gallery. There are paintings by European masters, including Rembrandt, Caravaggio and Monet as well as paintings by Irish painters maybe less well known to us. She skilfully interwove stories about the paintings and linked them to paintings in our own collections. The lecture was much appreciated and we look forward to hearing her again.

National Gallery of Ireland

Visit to Culross

Our Tour Guide with members of the party. Courtesy of Frances Dryburgh

  Friends who travelled to Culross on 10 July were blessed with the weather. What we had expected to be a wet, dismal day, was in fact dry and warm. We were also fortunate In Our National Trust Tour Guides who walked us around Culross and into the Palace. What a wealth of information they gave us – relayed with humour! We learned so much about the origins of phrases and expressions which are in common use today.We had an excellent lunch and then time to wander in the afternoon. 

Many thanks to Margaret and Joanne for their careful arrangements .