Andrew Pettegree’s latest book explores the many roles books play in wartime. We mourn their destruction and turn to them for comfort during dark days, but in the total wars of the last century books also became essential weapons in the conflict.
Richard will talk about the boatbuilders of the East Neuk and the contribution they made to fishing communities across Scotland and beyond.
Kathleen Jamie is an award-winning writer whose work is rooted in the landscape and culture of Scotland. Her subjects include nature, travel and archaeology. In 2021 she became Scotland’s ‘Makar’, or National Poet.
Professor O’Brien is an American historian whose work focuses on conflict, politics, war and strategy. His analysis of the Russo-Ukraine War is published regularly in major international newspapers and journals.
What did Scottish Geographers have to do with the border between Lithuania and Latvia, exploration in Africa, and the rights of women in London? Jo Sharp will talk about the history of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society, Scotland’s Geographers Royal, and why the study of Geography is still so important to Scotland in the 21st century.
Stephen will be discussing his book Nation to Nation – Scotland's Place in the World, which looks at Scotland's international footprint today and throughout history. Stephen Gethins is Professor of Practice in International Relations, University of St Andrews. He worked in EU institutions and the international NGO sector in Eastern Europe before serving as MP for North East Fife from 2015 to 2019.
Balcaskie has been a neighbour and part of the communities around Pittenweem for centuries. Now we are changing the way we manage our farmland, buildings and the landscape. This is our opportunity to explain why we are making these changes, and discuss our ambitions and plans for the future
How the Crail community is turning wasteland into wildlife and tackling the biodiversity crisis one small piece at a time
Derek will be talking about his new book, From the Bird’s Mouth, which illustrates species of animals and plants that have become established in Scotland so recently that they did not have Gaelic names – until now. It tells the story of human agency, climate change and a shifting environment.
Drawing on his writing life, his love of Bach and his recently published memoir, this promises to be a heart-warming evening with James Runcie, the well-known author of the Grantchester novels which became a prime-time series on ITV.