Winter Talks
Meetings start at 7.30p.m. in Falkirk Trinity Church on the 3rd Wednesday of winter months. ALL WELCOME.
| DATE | TOPIC | SPEAKER |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | ||
| 17 September | “The Battle of Falkirk Muir” – The New Book | Geoff Bailey |
| 15 October | A Bronze Age burial at Williamson Street, Falkirk. | CFA |
| 19 November | The Cemeteries of the Falkirk District. | Ian Edwards |
| THURSDAY 18 December | John Reid Memorial Lecture – The Third Battle of Falkirk, 1881 | Jim Summers |
| 2026 | ||
| 21 January | Recent Archaeological Discoveries – 2024-25 | Geoff Bailey |
| 18 February | Airthrey Castle | Craig Mair |
| 18 March | The Unknown Hero of Telemark Read more here: https://www.alliedairforceresearch.com/post/operation-freshman-project | Bruce Tocher |
| 15 April | AGM The Work of Falkirk Local History Society | Ian Scott, Carol Boyd, Geoff Bailey, Jessie Young |
Summer Walks
In the summer months, during June, July and August, there will be at least three guided historical walks around local areas of interest. Everyone is welcome and there is no charge. Please email flhs.secretary@yahoo.co.uk for details of meeting point if you want to join us.
| DATE | LOCATION | LEADER |
|---|---|---|
| Sun 22 June, 2025: 2p.m. | Dunmore Park There will be an introduction to the walled garden and the 1761 Pineapple (Scotland’s most bizarre building) and then head into Dunmore Woods to the Hermit’s Cave. From thence to the Stable Block and Dunmore Park House of 1822 which featured in an episode of Outlander as a bombed-out hospital. Following the return path, we call in at Elphinstone Tower and St Andrews Churchyard. The 15th century tower house was the birthplace of Admiral Keith at a time when the Jacobites occupied it in advance of the Second Battle of Falkirk (book available). Return by the avenue of Redwoods, leaping the ha-ha. Distance – 2 miles Paths – well-worn paths, can be muddy in places. Some slopes. | Geoff Bailey |
| Sun 20 July, 2025: 2p.m. | Kinningars Park Introduction to the park and the landmarks. Examine the 1773 steam engine house which was later converted into a doocot for Grange House. Just north of this are the remains of a Bronze Age cist burial. Proceeding east pass the rabbit warren which gives the park its name and then east in the shadow of the cliff which is said to have contained covenanters’ caves. And on to the two Carriden churches – the old one dating to 1766 and the new one to 1916. The return leg will be along Bridgeness Road which once represented the coastline – passing a listed building built for the headmaster of Grange School. At Harbour Road we will glance at the 1870 “replica” Bridgeness Tablet and walk across the Roman harbour. From here there will be a closer view of the windmill of 1750. Distance – 1.2 miles Paths – parkland and asphalt paths, relatively level. | Geoff Bailey |
| Sun 24 Aug, 2025: 2p.m. | Bridge of Allan | Bill Kidd |
Annual Outing
Our last outing was on the weekend of 21/22 April 2024. We visited: the Verdant Works in Dundee; the House of Dun; Cultybraggan Camp, Comrie and Dunblane. Regrettably, due to changes complicating transport and hospitality services since covid, we are suspending the outing in the form of a weekend away. We reserve the possibility of making alternative arrangements and are open to suggestions.
Previously:
Here are some photographs from our penultimate trip, when our itinerary included: Blair Castle and Gardens, The Highland Folk Museum, Fort George and Dunkeld.
During the weekend of 27/28 April 2019, we visited : Glamis Castle; Montrose Air Heritage Centre; Arbroath Abbey; Hospitalfield House & Mortuary; V&A Museum, Dundee
On the weekend of 21/22 April 2018, we visited : Scottish Crannog Centre ; Ruthven Barracks; Cawdor Castle ; Brodie Castle
Falkirk Local History Society 