Trust experts to host talks at Highland Cinema
On this page:
- The challenges and incredible finds of a heritage restoration project at Canna House, Sunday 1 December
- St Kilda, a U-boat, and the island’s past military associations, Sunday 26 January
- Robert the Bruce and the Battle of Bannockburn: 1314 and today, Sunday 9 February
- The story of Hugh Miller, Scottish geologist, writer and folklorist, Sunday 23 February
- A canter around some of the less well-known Highlands & Islands properties in image and song, Sunday 9 March
From St Kilda to Ben Lawers, Canna to Bannockburn and more, the event series aims to engage local communities and those passionate about protecting and preserving Scotland’s natural and cultural heritage. Hearing from the Trust’s experts and Alasdair MacEachen, president of the St Kilda Club, the talks will explore the cultural and military history of St Kilda, dive into the impressive heritage restoration efforts at Canna House, cover the Battle of Bannockburn, the legacy of geologist Hugh Miller and take attendees on a journey through lesser-known Highlands and Islands sites through image and sound.
Ali MacLeod, the Trust’s Head of Fundraising said: ’These events help to raise awareness and support of our vital work to protect our natural and cultural heritage. It’s with thanks to Angus MacDonald, owner of the Highland Cinema and long-standing supporter and member of the National Trust for Scotland Patrons’ Club, that we can deliver this series of talks and share the work we do to preserve Scotland’s history and nature. We’re incredibly grateful for Angus’s support and the generous donations of our members, supporters and donors, which is crucial in helping us to continue to care for, protect and share Scotland’s nature, beauty and heritage for everyone to enjoy.
Hamish McIntyre, Marketing & Programming Manager of the Highland Cinema in Fort William, said: ‘Highland Cinema is delighted to continue its relationship with National Trust for Scotland, bringing a new series of fascinating and informative talks from its experts to the local community.’
The Highland Cinema talks will take place on Sunday afternoons from 2.30pm on various dates throughout the winter until spring 2025, from now and running until 9 March 2025.
Tickets can be booked on the Highland Cinema website. 50% of the ticket sale revenue helps to support the Trust’s work to care for and share Scotland’s nature, beauty and heritage for everyone, as outlined in our 10-year strategy, launched in 2022.
Winter talks 2024/25
The challenges and incredible finds of a heritage restoration project at Canna House, Sunday 1 December
Join Clea Warner, the Trust’s Regional Director for the Highlands and Islands, to hear about the Canna House restoration project, which has seen tens of thousands of items painstakingly recorded, packed, stored, and conserved. From a Steinway piano to collections of moths and butterflies and an important international archive of Gaelic culture — all collected by John Lorne Campbell and Margaret Faye Shaw during their lifetime.
St Kilda, a U-boat, and the island’s past military associations, Sunday 26 January
From World War I through the Cold War to today, the remote and enigmatic island of St Kilda has long been host to and associated with various British military operations. Join Susan Bain, the Trust’s Property Manager for St Kilda, for a presentation and talk on this secretive facet of the island — and find out why a German U-boat visited in 1918.
Robert the Bruce and the Battle of Bannockburn: 1314 and today, Sunday 9 February
Join Callum Watson, the Trust’s Battlemaster at Bannockburn, for a unique fact and fiction presentation and talk on Robert the Bruce, the Battle of Bannockburn and the latest findings on this landmark moment in Scottish history.
The story of Hugh Miller, Scottish geologist, writer and folklorist, Sunday 23 February
Join James Ryan, the Trust’s Visitor Services Assistant at Hugh Miller’s Birthplace, for a special presentation and talk on Scottish geologist, writer and folklorist Hugh Miller (1802–1856), who has been acclaimed as the supreme poet of geology and called the ’David Attenborough of his day’.
A canter around some of the less well-known Highlands & Islands properties in image and song, Sunday 9 March
Join Will Boyd Wallis, the Trust’s West Highlands Operations Manager, for a special presentation and talk that will take you on an exciting and informative canter around many of the less well-known Trust properties through images and songs from Torridon to Iona, Staffa to St Kilda and Ben Lawers to Pabbay.
Featured Places
St Kilda
Fragments of the past haunt these islands, now home to the UK’s largest colony of Atlantic puffins
Ben Lawers
Scenic mountains and ridges, and the best collection of rare mountain plants in Britain
Bannockburn
Stand shoulder to shoulder with Robert the Bruce on the site of his greatest victory
Hugh Miller’s Birthplace
Humble abode of inspirational geologist, folklorist and fossil hunter with a Garden of Wonders.
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