To join as a member, please see our website for details: www.oldedinburghclub.com
We will be coming together with our members to host three ‘mini’ talks with the following speakers:
Pat Jones
A councillor, a Merchant, a Lord Provost and an MP
Much has been written about Duncan McLaren – one of the best known Victorian-era citizens of Edinburgh – but very little has been told about his vision to plan an area on the southside of Edinburgh on land he feued in Newington. With great foresight he laid down conditions in the property title deeds to ensure the unified character of the Waverley Park was maintained. Perhaps next time you pass that way, you will remember him!
Pat Jones set off on an extended ‘gap year’ in 1970, and eventually visited Edinburgh in 1972. So enchanted was she, that she immediately found a job in the Department of Clinical Neurosciences at the Western General Hospital! Ever since, she has worked between the NHS and University of Edinburgh in clinical and research fields, but still gets a thrill on seeing the Castle, the Old Town, the New Town and Arthur’s Seat…and who wouldn’t, having grown up in Australia, where wooden buildings 150 years old were rare!
Alison Moodie
Leith and the Maritime trade
Alison will be taking us on a journey through Leith’s history – focusing on both its Maritime and “independent from Edinburgh!” History with a highlight on the Custom House, which is a fantastic building, now fortunately being saved from ruin by the Scottish Historic Buildings Trust.
A retired Royal Air Force Officer, Alison returned to Edinburgh in 2018, after many years away. In addition to the Old Edinburgh Club, Alison is a Trustee of Veterans Housing Scotland, an RAF Benevolent Fund volunteer, Committee Member of the Royal Scots Club and Chair of 603 (City of Edinburgh) Sqn Association. Originally from Aberdeen, she is passionate about the wonderful history of Leith, where she was raised from the age of 7. Recently she was involved in an oral history project and Citadel Arts Group Fringe play, based on the reminiscences of staff who worked in the wonderful Leith Custom House in the 1960’s and 70’s. The Scottish Historic Buildings Trust’s mission is to save and develop Leith Custom House, and fund raising is constant .
Rosslyn MacPhail
The history of the Scottish Military and Naval Academy
The SNMA was established in 1826, in Edinburgh. It was an original institution educating boys who were aiming to have military careers as well as those planning to have a civilian future. The Duke of Wellington was one of their presidents and it sent over 1000 men into the services. Over 100 past pupils fought in the Crimean War. Prize giving day in July with its military, fencing and gymnastic displays in the Music Hall became a popular social event in Edinburgh’s calendar.
Rosslyn Macphail was born in Hertfordshire. She graduated from Edinburgh University with an MA in mathematics and psychology. She worked for 8 years in Scotland, Iran and in the Bahamas. In 1970, she married Iain Macphail who later became a Senator of the College of Justice. After his death she turned her mind to the family archive in a cabin trunk. She found papers relating to her great great grandfather Captain John Orr and to the Scottish Naval & Military Academy. Her research over the years has resulted in a book: ‘From Fighting Napoleon to the Scottish Military Academy: The Life of Captain John Orr’. It will be published by Pen & Sword in October.
