A large audience enjoyed a most interesting presentation by Alison Burgess, Dumfries and Galloway Local Studies and Information Officer at our first meeting of the new session. Her subject was John Copland, Artist, Photographer and Illustrator who had a strong affinity and love for Galloway
A collection of Copland’s photographic plates, illustrations, paintings, cameras and memorabilia was purchased for the Regional Archive. This is a project in progress and Alison is hoping to have help in adding content to the images in identifying people and places.
Alison gave the background she had acquired from “The Gallovidian” and “Tales of Kirkcudbright Artists” detailing John Copland’s life from his birth at Laurieston his work in Lancashire and London and his many travels throughout the UK before settling in Dundrennan.
John Copland was most interested in mechanics and originally planned a career in marine engineering but his love of art won through. When he settled in Dundrennan he photographed, painted and made illustrations of the people and places in the area.
Alison showed many images of people, places and events from the region which she hopes to make available to the public for investigation and identification in the near future, perhaps in the Stewartry Museum and eventually on the internet. Alison thanked all the volunteers who had helped so far in recording the collection
It was wonderful to have a great nephew of John Copland in the audience who was able to add to Alison’s presentation. Other members of the audience were able to identify places shown.
This was a most useful, interesting and thought provoking meeting. An excellent start to the new session.
The next meeting is titled “Jim Gordon and his Galloway Ancestry” and will be held in Kirkcudbright Parish Hall on Wednesday 9th November at 7.30.
Non members welcome.
Further to the meeting can you help with these images? We would like to know what house it is and any information at all about the men in the photograph and what they were doing in Dundrennan. (to enlarge the photograph, please click/tap on it)
It is intended, in future, to include more photographs with which we would like your help .