Fairs, Fetes & Festivals

How did people in Scotland in the past enjoy their leisure time? How did these traditions start? Why have some of these events continued to the present day and others are long forgotten? We will explore the history of a selection of Scottish bazaars, pageants, fairs and festivals to discover their local origins and the legacies that they have left in Scotland’s local communities.

Programme

09.45-10.15 COFFEE & REGISTRATION

10.15-12.45 MORNING SESSION

Chairman's Welcome
SLHF President — Professor Chris Whatley, OBE

NMS Gala Day Collections
Dr Dorothy Kidd, National Museums of Scotland

Dainty Dishes from Dunoon: Bazaars and benevolence, 1880-1939
Dr Douglas Lockhart, Scottish Local History Forum

Performing the Past: when local history took centre stage in 20th century Scotland
Dr Linda Fleming, University of Glasgow

The Children’s Day Movement in SE & Central Scotland
Alan McLaren, Loanhead Children’s Sport & Gala Day Association

12.45-14.00 LUNCH

12.50-13.15 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

14.00-16.30 AFTERNOON SESSION

The Clavie Fire Festival at Burghead
Graeme Cruickshank, Edinburgh Historical Enterprises

Dundee Fairs Excursions
Ian McCraw

All the Fun of the Fairground: Challenges representing the intangible cultural heritage of Scotland’s travelling show people
Dr Tara Beall, University of Glasgow and Heather Robertson, Riverside Museum

16.15 GENERAL QUESTIONS & VOTE OF THANKS

Tickets

Book and pay online (see link at the top of this page).
Or download and complete the booking form in the leaflet below and send, together with a cheque to:

Doris Williamson, SLHF Administrator, Box 103, 12 South Bridge, Edinburgh EH10 1DD