Lanarkshire Philatelic Society

"The Two Good Doctors"

Drs. B. C. Dow & K. Liddell

"Perthshire"

The Lanarkshire Philatelic Society enjoyed viewing two wonderful displays on Friday evening (17^th) presented by "The Two Good Doctors" – aka Dr Ken Liddell and Dr Brian Dow – both members of the Society. 

Their theme was "Perthshire" and Ken Liddell gave members a fascinating tour of Aberfeldy. There were many historic postcards showing: Aberfeldy Station on the branch line from Ballinluig (closed 1965); many streets around the town; hotels; cinemas, Haggarts Woollen Manufacturers – tweed weavers; Aberfeldy Motor Coaches; many of these now gone – and much change to streets and shops.

Ken continued from there to venture further afield and showed views of the Birks of Aberfeldy, the Black Watch Memorial beside General Wade’s Bridge; also views of villages – Dull, Keltneyburn, Coshieville, and Fortingall.  Also views of Sir Donald Currie, the Founder of the Union Castle Shipping Line – sailing between the UK and South Africa – who bought the Glen Lyon and Garth Estates and was known as a generous landlord and philanthropist. A most interesting display.

Dr Brian Dow began with a display of Handstamps; People; Views; Locomotives; Flowers – all pertaining to Perthshire and appeared on various covers throughout the years.

He then gave a great display of the history of the Black Watch. They were formed by General Wade after the Jacobite Rebellion of 1715 to keep a watch in the Highlands. Many views presented of the different and historic uniforms worn through the years in peacetime and in Battle. Views of members in various Battles – including the Crimean War, Lucknow, India, the Boer War, in Longueval in 1916.  

Memorials – in the National War Museum, Edinburgh; Dunkeld Cathedral; the Mound, Edinburgh, beside Wade’s Bridge, Aberfeldy. Illustrations on cigarette cards. 

Views of Balhousie Castle, Perth – the Black Watch Castle - the Regimental Headquarters and Museum.

Stamps of Canada with illustrations of Black Watch soldiers were shown.

A further display showed John Dewar who began the Whisky business in Perth in 1846 – views of advertising  postcards with cartoons; paintings; views. 

Vice President Bob Forrest gave warm thanks for such a wonderfully interesting and informative evening presented by the "Two Good Doctors".

Our next meeting in the Caledonian Bowling Club, Motherwell Road, Hamilton, is on Friday, 31^st March, 2023, at 7:30pm when members will present 8 sheets on any subject – or – pay 50p!  Anyone with an interest in stamps, postal history, postcards etc is very welcome to attend.