Kirkcudbright History Society’s season of lectures got off to a stirring start in October with a talk entitled ‘Simply Heraldry – Cheerfully Illustrated.’ As Gordon Casely from Aberdeen delivered his talk it became abundantly clear just how appropriate the title was. Using a colourful array of slides depicting coats of arms from all round Scotland and employing his pawky north-east humour, Gordon captivated the audience with an engrossing study of the many diverse aspects of heraldry. Although he briefly covered the history of heraldry, his focus was very much on 21st century heraldry and its important function in the cultural life of Scotland. In particular he stressed the egalitarian nature of heraldry in Scotland, unique in the world, where everyone from a ‘duke to a dustman’ could apply for a coat of arms.
Reports
Annual Report 2008
In response to the growing numbers attending the programme of talks the Kirkcudbright History Society chose the Parish Church Hall as the new venue for the 2007/8 programme. The winter session opened with an informative and wide-ranging talk entitled ‘Aspects of Tongland.’ The speaker Donald Henry wove a fascinating tableau of the contrast between the decline in the spiritual life of Tongland Parish and the rise of commercial activity over a period of eight hundred years. Founded in the middle of the twelfth century by Fergus, Lord of Galloway, Tongland Abbey was the focus of attention from the most powerful political and military figures in the land. Donald pointed out that its decline was best illustrated by the antics of its last abbot, Father Damian, who, in the presence of King James IV, attempted to fly to France from the ramparts of Stirling Castle. Unfortunately for his ego, but fortunately for his well-being, he landed in a midden and escaped with only a fractured thigh bone and put his failure down to the use of hen’s rather than hawk’s feathers. Just as the spiritual life was declining, however, Donald outlined the way in which many diverse commercial activities were springing up to continue Tongland’s prominent part in the region’s history. Dick Carter completed the evening’s talk by provided a more modern aspect of Tongland’s history through his well-researched talk on the evolution of the railway link to Kirkcudbright through Tongland.
Annual Report 2007
The season of lectures of the Kirkcudbright History Society opened with Tommy Henderson providing a highly entertaining and informative talk entitled “Past Times in Dalbeattie and Area”. Timed to coincide with a display at the Stewartry Museum focussing on Dalbeattie, the talk highlighted many connections between the two towns. With his intimate knowledge of the area, Tommy wove a fascinating tableau of the ups and downs of Dalbeattie from its time as the “capital of Scotland” in the days of King John Balliol to the modern day.