The Franco-Scottish Society of Scotland was founded in Edinburgh in 1895. It is one of three Franco-Scottish Societies, all of which maintain close links with one another. The Association Franco-Écossaise began life in Paris in 1896, and the Franco-Scottish Society of Canada was re-launched one hundred years later.

  The Franco-Scottish Society of Scotland is an independent organisation recognised as a Scottish Charity (No SCO02507). Its members are spread over seven Branches: in Aberdeen, Dumfries and Galloway, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Helensburgh, Perth and St Andrews. National office-bearers and Branch representatives form the Council of the Society which meets twice a year, generally in November and March. The different Branches host the Annual General Meeting in rotation.


National AGM - Saturday 23rd May 2009
will be held at the Headquarters of Total,
TEP UK, Crawpeel Road,
Altens Industrial Estate,
ABERDEEN AB12 3FG



  From the outset the Society aimed to foster contacts between the French and the Scots and to develop their traditional friendship enshrined - since at least 1295 - in the Auld Alliance. Through educational, cultural and social activities, the Society continues to pursue these objectives today, believing that the development of Franco-Scottish relations in the European Union and also in the Commonwealth are as important as they have ever been.

  In Scotland the Society offers a focus for individuals and groups who wish to keep in touch with France, its culture, language, attitudes and current affairs. No specialist knowledge of France or of the French language is necessary, but native speakers of French are of course particularly welcome. Members receive the annual Bulletins of the Scottish and French branches as well as the programme of their local Branch.

  Please click on one of the links to learn more about the Franco-Scottish Society of Scotland, to have details of the current Branch Programmes, or to have information about the annual subscription and how to become a member. The National Secretary and the Branch Secretaries will be happy to answer enquiries made by E-mail, letter or telephone.

Locally, each Branch arranges its own annual programme which typically takes the form of meetings each month from September to April or May. The meetings take the form of talks, films, discussions, visits, music, wine-tastings, social or sporting events, soirées or matinées françaises. Some meetings are in French, some in English, some in a mixture of the two languages.

Nationally, the Society collaborates with bodies such as the Institut Français d'Ecosse (http://www.ifecosse.org.uk) the Alliance Française de Glasgow (http://www.afglasgow.org.uk), the Franco-British Society (http://www.francobritishsociety.org.uk) and the Scottish Universities to organise occasional public exhibitions, concerts, lectures, conferences etc.

Internationally, the Society keeps in regular contact with its sister organisation in France, the Association Franco-écossaise (http://www.franco-ecossaise.asso.fr) which is based in Paris, and also with the Association France Grande-Bretagne (frgb.asso@libertysurf.fr) in Orléans.

Franco-Scottish Relations. The Society promotes exchanges between Scotland and France, for example through twinning, work experience placements, professional links and research contacts.

The Lansdowne Fund owes its beginning to generous gifts from the 8th Marquess of Lansdowne (1912-99), former President and Honorary President of the Society, and has been augmented with the proceeds of a recent appeal in his memory. The Fund meets the costs of the Lansdowne Prize and Lecture.

The Lansdowne Prize is awarded annually to the most outstanding candidate in the Scottish Qualifications Authority's Higher Still French examination.
The winner in 2005 was Kitty Horsey, St Mary's Music School, Edinburgh.
The winner in 2006 was Imogen Whiteside from Robert Gordon's College, Aberdeen.
The winner in 2007 was Emily Frier, George Heriot's School, Edinburgh.

The Lansdowne Lecture.
Every two years an eminent speaker is invited to talk on a theme of Franco-Scottish interest before an audience made up of members, guests and the general public.
The Lansdowne Lecture in 2004 was given by Professor Hew Strachan, All Souls College, Oxford, in Glasgow City Chambers. The subject was "Cemented by war: the Entente Cordiale and the First World War".
In 2006 the Lecture was given by Dr Jamie Reid Baxter in the National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh. The subject was: George Buchanan: Scotland's Voice in France.
This marked the five-hundredth anniversary of the birth of George Buchanan, historian, scholar and teacher.
You may download the text of the lecture by clicking here for Buchanan.doc. Please also click to visit our Document and Digital Resource Archive for mp3 downloads of the psalms.

In 2000 the Lecture was given by Professor Siân Reynolds of the University of Stirling who spoke on "Professor Geddes goes to the Exhibition: Patrick Geddes's international diplomacy at the 1900 Paris World's Fair"; her lecture was published in the 2001 issue of the Society's Bulletin. The 2002 Lecture was given by HE Jean Guéguinou, Ambassadeur de France and Honorary President of the Association Franco-écossaise, who chose as his theme "Cultural Diversity: France's Strategy. Europe's Ambitions"; his lecture appeared in the 2003 Bulletin.

Publications. The annual Bulletin and a series of Occasional Papers.

Visits to France, open to members, take place periodically, and are usually organised in conjunction with the Association Franco-écossaise.

Honorary Presidents: Lord Balfour of Burleigh, HE The French Ambassador.

President: Professor Sir David Edward

Vice-President: Janine Adamson
E-Mail janine.adamson@virgin.net

General Secretary: Françoise Pérombelon
E-Mail mcmperom@tiscali.co.uk

General Treasurer: Mr Angus Stewart,
                          40 Millfield Crescent,
                          Erskine, Renfrewshire PA8 6JE
                          Tel: 0141-812-6894
e-m@il: angusstewart@hotmail.co.uk

Chairman: Jim Suttie 01224 640 225

Vice-Chair: .

Treasurer: Miss Doreen Tyre 01224 322 691
E-mail: doreen@doreentyre.plus.com

Secretary: Rhona Bean 01224 590 903
E-mail: rhonabean@hotmail.com

Committee: Judith Carle   Tel: 01224 648 180
Donald Gowdy                Tel: 01330 833 257
Margaret Murray             Tel: 01224 646 215

Our Aims: Inspired by the historic friendship between France and Scotland, the Society fosters closer ties between the two nations. The Society's activities concentrate on French culture in the widest sense and the influence of France on Scotland's heritage. There is opportunity at the meetings to converse in French and in English.

Library: The Aberdeen Branch has a collection of French books which may be borrowed free of charge by any member. A complete list of the books is available (send a large stamped addressed envelope with one first class and one second class stamp to the Secretary). Members can order books by contacting the Secretary.

Lifts
Members who would like a lift to go to the National AGM at the TEP UK premises at Altens should contact the Secretary or another Committee Member.

All Meetings start at 7.30 p.m.


2008

Tuesday 14th October 2008
Conférence en français et amuses-bouches présentée par le personnel du "Terroir"
Venue: Midstocket Church House, 35 Midstocket Road

Tuesday 11th November 2008
Are the French a Musical Nation?
Talk in English by Mr Donald Hawksworth
Venue: Total French School, Whitehall Place

Tuesday 9th December 2008
Soirée: jeux en français suivis d'amuses-gueules
Venue: The Total French School, Whitehall Place


2009

Tuesday 13th January 2009
Orsay: de la gare au musée
Conférence en français présentée par Mme Janine Adamson
Venue: Total French School, Whitehall Place

Tuesday 10th February 2009
Conférence en français présentée par Jean Roumieux,
Lecteur, University of Aberdeen
Subject to be decided
Venue: Total French School, Whitehall Place

Tuesday 10th March 2009
The Scottish Lighthouses
Talk in English by Mrs Evelyn Hood
Venue: Total French School, Whitehall Place

Tuesday 28th April 2009
The Fifth Republic
Conférence en français présentée par Stephen Tyre,
Lecturer in History, St. Andrews University
Venue: Total French School, Whitehall Place

Preceded by Branch AGM at 7.00 p.m.


Saturday 23rd May 2009
National AGM at TEP UK, Crawpeel Road, Altens


SOCIAL EVENT - Details to be confirmed


Please click here to download the
Aberdeen Branch Programme 2008-2009
as a Word document.

President: Edward Murray Tel: 01387 262246
E-Mail tedjmurray@googlemail.com

Vice-President: Iain Murray Tel 01387 269730
E-Mail iain.murray@johnhendersonandsons.co.uk

Secretary: Margaret Bold Tel 01848 331503.
E-mail MargaretBold05@aol.com

Treasurer: Juliet Crump
Email mcandjcc@tiscali.co.uk

Meetings are held in the Friendship Club, West Morton Street, Thornhill at 7.30 p.m. unless stated otherwise.
Light refreshments are served afterwards.


2008

Saturday 6th September 2008
Conférence en français présentée par Janine Adamson.
"Orsay: de la gare au musée."

Saturday 25th October 2008
Members' Night.
Les jeux de lettres, Scrabble, "Call my Bluff".
Un verre d'amitié.

Saturday 29th November 2008
Conférence en français présentée par Ian Campbell.
"Les chansons de Jacques Douai."


2009

Saturday 21st February 2009
Soirée conviviale. Repas fête.

Saturday 21st March 2009
Conférence en français présentée par Jane Cavani.
Sujet à confirmer.

Saturday 25th April 2009
Conférence en français présentée par Mme Suzanne Stein.
"La Presse."

Saturday 30th May 2009
A.G.M. D&G Branch.

May/June/July 2009         - Date to be confirmed.
Outdoor event to encourage participation of parents and young children. Hosted at Glenswinton, Parton by Janet and Peter Jackson.


Rencontres de bavardage

Ces rencontres animées par Janine Adamson ont lieu:-

2008 - September 27th   7.30 p.m. Thornhill Friendship Club.

2009 - March 7th           2.30 p.m. Thornhill Friendship Club.
2009 - May   16th           2.30 p.m. Waulkmill, Moniaive.
                                            Home of Juliet and Michael Crump.


Please click here to download the
Dumfries and Galloway Branch Programme 2008 - 2009
as a Word document.

Office Bearers 2008 - 2009

Chairman
Rosemary J. Johnston

Honorary Secretary
Stephen Holland
11/7 Roseburn Maltings, Edinburgh, EH12 5LY
Tel: 0131 337 9290
e-m@il: stephen@holland11.plus.com

Honorary Treasurer
June Kean
55 St Albans Road, Edinburgh, EH9 2LS

Committee Members
Dr Arthur Kitchin
David Lowther

Webmaster: Nick Madsen

2008

Wednesday 1st October 2008
Dr Frances Fowle,
Senior Curator of French Art, National Gallery of Scotland
Impressionism and Scotland (English)

Wednesday 22nd October 2008
Mme Aziza Ouardani,
Acting Director, French Institute
Les Développements de la coopération éducative franco-écossaise (French)

Wednesday 12th November 2008
Professor Siân Reynolds,
Emerita Professor of French, Stirling University
Portrait of a Marriage: Monsieur and Madame Roland in the French Revolution (English)

Wednesday 10th December 2008
Fête de Noël


2009

Wednesday 14th January 2009
Dr Mary Breatnach,
Dept of French, Edinburgh University
Reynaldo Hahn: le mélodiste de la Belle Epoque. (English))

Wednesday 4th February 2009
Mrs Jacqueline McNeill,
President, Glasgow Branch, Franco-Scottish Society
Cannes et son festival (French)

Wednesday 25th February 2009             NB start at 7.00 pm
Soirée conviviale

Wednesday 18th March 2009
Mrs Ginette Gervais-MacWilliam,
President, Perth Branch, Franco-Scottish Society
George Sand (French)

Wednesday 22nd April 2009
Very Rev Monsignor Michael B Regan,
Vice-President, Fondation Catholique Ecossaise
Priestly formation - Scots in France 1325-2008 (English)

Wednesday 6th May 2009
Branch AGM


Please click here to download
the Edinburgh Branch Programme 2008-2009 as a Word document.

Branch President: Jacqueline McNeill
E-mail: ferndale@scotland.to

Secretary: Carol Woodward                 Tel: 0141 942 1149
E-Mail: cwoodward3@toucansurf.com

Treasurer: Ian McLennan                     Tel: 0141 942 6754

Branch Vice-President: Dr Willis Marker   Tel: 0141 942 6756

Newsletter Editor: Janine Adamson         Tel: 01292 441469
E-mail: janine.adamson@virgin.net

Membership You may join or renew your subscription using this form. Please click here (glasgowsubs.doc) to download the form as a WORD document. Members of the Glasgow Branch are very welcome to to take part in the matinées françaises, run in conjunction with the Alliance Francaise, at 2-3 Park Circus on the first Wednesday of each month (10 a.m. until noon) except in August. They can also borrow books, videos and tapes from the Alliance Française Médiathèque at 2-3 Park Circus, subscription £9.00 or £3.00 (OAP).

Our season starts on Thursday September 18th 2008 at 7.30.
We are inaugurating our new premises at Kelvinside Hillhead Parish Church, Observatory Road, Glasgow (off Byres Road).
Our first meeting will be, as usual, a social gathering where old and new friends meet and chat while enjoying French delicacies and wine. This year nous ‘pendons la crémaillère’ sous notre nouveau toit.

You will find our program for the season 2008/2009 with its familiar events. However two of our ‘Samedi Rencontres’ will present a new format in the form of an open discussion, in French, around an art form – book, film, painting, play etc. The meeting place is the CCA in Sauchiehall Street at 11.30 am. (See program).

Au plaisir de se rencontrer et de lier et relier toutes nos amitiés dans une atmosphère toute française !

Thursday evening meetings 7.30pm (and Dec. 6th afternoon 2.00pm) at Kelvinside-Hillhead Parish Church, Observatory Road, G12 (just off Byres Road).

Samedis rencontres at 11.30am - see locations below.

2008

Thursday 18th September 2008
Pendre la crémaillère : a sociable evening with refreshments

Saturday 11th October 2008 - 11.30am
Guided tour of the People’s Palace with Jean Tait

Thursday 16th October 2008
Visiting speaker from Marseilles

Saturday 15th November 2008 - 11.30am
Conversation autour d’an art, at the CCA, Sauchiehall Street

Thursday 20th November 2008
Voyage en Franche-Comté, récits avec photos

Saturday 6th December 2008 - 2.00pm
Joyeux Noël, with refreshments and entertainment


2009

Thursday 15th January 2009
Talk by Jérome Richalot, Directeur de l’Alliance Française

Saturday 7th February 2009 - 11.30am
Guided tour of the Hunterian Art Gallery, Glasgow University

Thursday 19th February 2009
Crêpes, Chandeleur, et mardi gras dans le monde

Thursday 19th March 2009
Paris en 37 ponts, avec Janine Adamson

Saturday 28th March 2009 - 11.30am
Conversation autour d’un art, CCA

Thursday 16th April 2009
Jeux et proverbs

Thursday 21st May 2009 - AGM


Summer outing*
Outing to play pétanque at venue to be confirmed


Saturday 23rd May 2009 - National AGM, Aberdeen



*date to be confirmed


Please click here to download the Glasgow Branch Programme 2008-2009 as a Word document.

(You may download the content of the 2007/08 End of Season Report as a Word document by clicking here).

(You may download the East Dunbartonshire Press Release of the 2007/08 Primary Schools Competition won by St Agatha's Primary School by clicking here).

President: Christine Sreeves            Tel: 01436 820350

Honorary Secretary: Ann Anderson   Tel: 01436 674432
E-Mail scandalodge@lineone.net

Honorary Treasurer: Robert Wood     Tel: 01436 673534


Annual Subscription: £15.00 per person, £24.00 per couple

All meetings are held in the Royal Northern Yacht Club, Rhu
at 7.30 p.m. unless otherwise advised.
If you are interested, please come along and join at a meeting or contact the Honorary Secretary.


2008

Wednesday 3rd September 2008
Vin D’Accueil. Wine and Cheese evening

Wednesday 1st October 2008
Françoise Pérombelon –
L’Abbé Pierre – Une grande personnalité française

Wednesday 5th November 2008
I. Gardiner (R.L.S. Club) -
Stevenson’s Travels with a Donkey in the Cévennes
(in English)

Wednesday 3rd December 2008
AGM of Helensburgh Branch and annual dinner - details to be announced later


2009

Wednesday 7th January 2009
Members night with Galette des Rois

Wednesday 4th February 2009
Rolland Man – University of Edinburgh -
Joséphine Baker, Danielle Darrieux, et Jeanne Moreau:
Trois visages du star-système

Wednesday 4th March 2009
Janine Adamson –
“Sous les ponts de Paris – une promenade sur la Seine”

Wednesday 1st April 2009
Aziza Ouardani (Institut Français d’Ecosse) –
La Saline Royale d’Arc-et-Senans et le village de New Lanark: La Cité idéale au siècles des Lumières

Wednesday 1st April 2009
Soirée de Pétanque at Ardencaple Hotel



Please click here to download the
Helensburgh Branch Programme 2008 - 2009
as a Word document.

President: Mrs Ginette Gervais-MacWilliam

Vice-President: Dr Brian Fitzpatrick

Hon Secretary: Ms Averil Mitchell
E-Mail averil.mitchell@blueyonder.co.uk

Hon Treasurer: Mrs Christine Descouts

Perth Branch Committee
Mrs Ginette Gervais-MacWilliam, President,
Dr Brian Fitzpatrick, Vice President,
Ms Averil Mitchell, Hon. Secretary,
Mrs Christine Descouts, Hon. Treasurer,
Mr Douglas Gratton,
Mrs Françoise Pérombelon,
Dr Michel Pérombelon,
Mr William Younger

Subscription Rates:
£15.00 per person, except :-
      - Full-time students aged 18+ (£1.00)
        - Guests and anyone interested in the Society are welcome to             attend one Meeting free of charge without introduction or                 obligation.

60th Perth Branch Celebration - please click to view image

Meetings take place in the St John's Episcopal Church Hall,
Princes Street, Perth on Wednesdays at 7.30 p.m,
with the exception of the Christmas Party.


2008

Wednesday 8th October 2008
Travels without a Donkey and the Pilgrim's Way
Talk in English by Mr Donald Hawksworth on the Cévennes area

Thursday 13th November 2008 (Special Event)
in Perth Concert Hall at 2 p.m.
Lansdowne Lecture
The late Lord Lansdowne endowed funds for a lecture to be given
biennially to the national Franco-Scottish Society by an eminent speaker.
This year members are invited to Perth to hear Mr Philip Long,
Deputy Curator of Edinburgh's Gallery of Modern Art, speak on the Scottish Colourists.
A Civic Reception will be hosted by Provost John Hulbert
in the Foyer of Perth Concert Hall following the Lecture.

Wednesday 10th December 2008
Tunisie: Quatre Civilisations
Une rétrospective en images
Causerie en français par Dr Michel Pérombelon


2009

Sunday 11th January 2009
« Célébration de la Fête de l'Épiphanie » (Fête des Rois)
Lunch at Lovat Hotel, Glasgow Road, Perth
Spéciales Pâtisseries par Christian Merlet

Wednesday 11th February 2009
Joséphine Baker, Danielle Darrieux, et Jeanne Moreau:
Trois visages du star-système
Causerie en français par M. Rolland Man, OLL,
University of Edinburgh

Wednesday 11th March 2009
Unicorns I have known
Talk in English by Ms Charlotte Lythe - French and Scottish connections

Wednesday 22nd April 2009
Annual General Meeting (AGM)
Carcassonne - Causerie illustrée en français par M John Gwynn

Honorary President: Alan Dunlop

Honorary Vice-Presidents: Mary Freeborn and Joy Steele

Chairman: John Dott

Vice-Chairman: Joan Pilling

Secretary: Bunny (Elizabeth) Slack
Telephone: 01334 850 669
E-Mail elizabeth.slack@btinternet.com

Treasurer: Sam Taylor
Telephone: 01334 472 588
E-Mail ssbt@st-andrews.ac.uk

Committee: Hazel Dott, Jean Shanks, Jim Shedden

Meetings are held at 7.30 p.m in the St Rule Club, 12 The Links,
St Andrews.
Tea and coffee are served afterwards.

2008
Friday 2th September 2008 Wine tasting - £1 payable at the meeting

Friday 31st October 2008 Dr David Evans: The Sound of Silence
Music in French Poetry from Lamartine to Mallarme (en français))

Friday 28th November 2008
M. Michael Perombelon: La Tunisie Romane (en français avec diapos)


2009
Friday 30th January 2009
Mme Jacqueline McNeill: Les Français et les Écossais en Franche-Comté (conférence en français, avec diapos)

Friday 27th February 2009         Annual Dinner

Friday 27th March 2009 Lady Balfour: Ma famille et la Resistance
ou
Alan Dunlop et Bunny Slack présentant l'oeuvre d'un chanteur français

Friday 24th April 2009
Lady Balfour
ou
Alan et Bunny

Friday 8th May 2009         Branch AGM
Dégustation de fromages


Please click here to download the
St Andrews Branch Programme 2008 - 2009
as a Word document.