A Blether O’ Books with Anna Groundwater

A Blether O’ Books with Anna Groundwater

What was happening elsewhere in the world when Robert the Bruce was outlawed and Mary Queen of Scots lost her head? When Genghis Khan was on the warpath and Ivan the Terrible was the Russian czar, what was happening in Scotland? Connecting Two Millenia of Scotland’s History places events in Scotland in relation to those elsewhere.

This talk will explore how this comparative timeline shows us what is distinctive about Scotland’s historical experiences while also showing how some were part of wider cultural or political change in Europe and beyond. John Knox’s fiery sermons of the 1560s were connected to a wider Protestant Reformation, but they also represented a singularly Scottish version of a European phenomenon.

It will also explore how Connecting Scotland’s histories gives us a history of ‘many Scotlands’, to consider the hybrid nature of a country where multiple peoples have come together in a distinctively Scottish mixture. From the Gaels, Picts and Norse people to more recent influxes from England, Ireland, continental Europe and beyond, Scotland’s history tells us of internal connections as well as connections between Scotland and the wider world.

Dr Anna Groundwater is a cultural and social historian of early modern Scotland, currently Principal Curator of Renaissance and Early Modern History at National Museums Scotland. She is the author of Connecting Scotland’s History: a Scottish history timeline within 2,000 years of world history (Luath Press, 2025).

Check out the A Blether O’ Books 2025 Collection for other events in this series.

Refunds will only be given in the event of cancellation by organisers.

Additional Information

Disabled access
Saturday 1 November 2025
10:30am - 11:30am (Doors at 10:15am)
8.88 - 10.98
Robertson Room, Robert Burns Birthplace Museum, Murdoch's Lone, Alloway KA7 4PQ

Map

You might also like...

Ayr
A person’s hand holding a pen above a blank notepad on a pink background, with a pen cap placed to the side. At the bottom left is a University of Strathclyde Glasgow banner with a QR code and text about booking a class at mycll.strath.ac.uk. The banner also highlights this as part of an ongoing partnership with the University of Strathclyde – Centre for Lifelong Learning.
Thursday 9 October – Thursday 11 December 2025
4.45pm - 6.45pm
168

Creative Writing for Beginners at Carnegie Library

Troon
Image for ‘Room on the Broom Storytelling & Drama Workshop’. Illustration of a smiling witch flying on a broomstick with her cat, holding a wand with a yellow star. Moxie Creative Kids Events logo in the corner.
FULLY BOOKED
Saturday 18 October 2025
10.30am - 11.30am
Free

Room on the Broom Storytelling & Drama Workshop at Troon Library

Ayr
A split image showing a darkroom printmaking setup under red safe lights. The left side displays an enlarger with a pressed leaf arranged on a glass plate, ready for exposure. The right side shows a developing tray with two photograms of plant shapes in the process of being developed, showing high-contrast white outlines against a dark background.
Saturday 18 October 2025
9.30am-12.30pm or 1.30pm-4.30pm
£80

Photogram Printmaking Workshop

Ayr
Purple image with the Hogwarts crest surrounded by sparkles. Text reads: ‘Harry Potter Storytelling & Drama Workshop’. Moxie Creative Kids Events logo in the corner.
Saturday 18 October 2025
2.30pm - 4pm
Free

Harry Potter Storytelling and Drama Workshop at Carnegie Library

Alloway
Silhouette illustration of a person in profile facing right, with a bird flying and another perched nearby. A tree with twisting branches frames the upper right, and a fence sits in the distance. The background is light blue, and the bold white text at the bottom reads 'HIGHLIGHT TALK'.
Wednesday 22 October 2025
2.30pm
Free

Highlight Talk - James Thomson on Tam O' Shanter: The Story of a Tale

Alloway
Promotional poster for a Creative Writing Workshop featuring poet and Carnegie-nominated author Simon Lamb. The design has a turquoise background with a red paint-stroke banner displaying the name 'Simon Lamb' in bold black letters. A grayscale photo of Simon Lamb, smiling and wearing a jacket, appears on the right side.
24 October - 14 November 2025
10.30am - 12pm
Free

Creative Writing Workshop with Simon Lamb

Join our newsletter

Get the latest Destination South Ayrshire news and events delivered straight to your inbox…

Sign up for our newsletter

Get the latest Destination South Ayrshire news and events delivered straight to your inbox…

Copyright © 2025 Destination South Ayrshire. Provided by South Ayrshire Council.

Sign up for our newsletter

Get the latest Destination South Ayrshire news and events delivered straight to your inbox…