🌳 Aberdeen’s Union Terrace Gardens: a Historical Perspective on Aberdeen’s Second Public Park. Talk by David Oswald. 📅 12 May, 7pm 📍 New King’s, University of Aberdeen Book: [email protected] buff.ly/BMUgtGq

☀️ Summer means study tours, walks, visits and special events with the Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland. Our regional groups host events across Scotland, offering chances to explore historic buildings and places first-hand. Find upcoming events in your area on our website buff.ly/H1hIktV

Aberdeen City Council has confirmed it is prepared to step in and carry out urgent repairs to the B-listed building at 28–32 Marischal Street if needed, with costs recovered from the owner. A welcome step — now the priority is swift action to prevent further damage. 📸 Kenny Elrick/DC Thomson

Reminder: The last event in the AHSS Forth & Borders Group Lecture Series is coming up this Monday, 13th April. We'll be joined by architect Thomas Hamilton and engineer Dominic Echlin, who will discuss building challenges behind the new Scottish Galleries at the National Gallery: buff.ly/Pr3CLaY

Speaker Spotlight: Joining Dominic Echlin as speaker at our next lecture is Thomas Hamilton. Thomas is Director at Hamilton Hay Von Jonker and has designed and directed several high-profile developments across all sectors including museums, galleries, and visitor facilities: buff.ly/Pr3CLaY

Speaker Spotlight: Dominic Echlin is a Chartered Structural Engineer and Director at Narro – Consulting Structural and Civil Engineers. His professional focus lies in architectural engineering, complex building pathology, and conservation engineering. 🎟️ buff.ly/Pr3CLaY

New opinion piece by our Chair, Jocelyn Cunliffe, calling on @edinburghwh.bsky.social to rethink support for a capsule hostel in Edinburgh’s New Town. 🔗 buff.ly/bcVoVdh

AHSS has raised urgent concerns about the condition of the B-listed 28–32 Marischal Street in Aberdeen. A partial roof collapse is allowing water and birds into the building, accelerating damage. buff.ly/gsJWEHA

Our next and final event is coming up soon! Dominic Echlin, structural engineer, and Thomas Hamilton, architect, will share some of the challenges associated with the construction of the new Scottish Galleries at the National Gallery of Scotland: buff.ly/tRkklyx

AHSS has objected to plans to demolish the former Police Scotland HQ in Aberdeen. They highlight a lack of evidence for claims the building has “no merit”, question opaque “soft marketing”, and raise concerns about embodied carbon and policy compliance. Read our letter: buff.ly/NAF6yh4

The last lecture in the AHSS Forth & Borders Group Winter Lecture Series is coming up! Extending the National Gallery of Scotland with Dominic Echlin & Thomas Hamilton 🗓️ 13 April 2026 ⏰️ 6.30- 8.30pm 📍 Augustine United Church, 41 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh, EH1 1EL 🎟️ buff.ly/tRkklyx

🚨 Reminder: Heritage with Purpose: Adaptive Reuse and Community-Centred Design Sarah Jane Storrie will share insights gained from over twenty years of experience in the adaptive reuse of historic structures. 🗓️ Thurs, 19 Mar 📍 St Andrews West Church & Renfield Centre and online 🎟️ buff.ly/ajiDsDJ

🌟 Speaker Spotlight: Sarah Jane Storrie 🌟 Sarah Jane co-founded Studio SJM Architects to elevate people's experience of space, with a goal to create buildings and reimagine spaces to be beneficial, purposeful and a joy to use. Book now for Sarah Jane's upcoming lecture: buff.ly/WarntVh

Following the devastating fire at Union St / Gordon St in Glasgow, AHSS has written to GCC urging them to seek specialist engineering advice and assess whether the remaining street facades can be retained. More on our advocacy for Scotland’s historic buildings: www.ahss.org.uk/news-events/...

Tomorrow! Last chance to book: Architecture and Urbanism in late Georgian Edinburgh with speaker John Lowrey 🗓️ Monday 9 March 2026 📍 Augustine United Church, 41 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh, EH1 1EL and online via Zoom 🎟️ £6 online/in-person | £2 students 🔗 Book now: buff.ly/M3zifhR

🚨 Reminder: Coming up next week! 🏛️ Architecture and Urbanism in late Georgian Edinburgh with speaker John Lowrey 🗓️ Monday 9 March 2026 📍 Augustine United Church, 41 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh, EH1 1EL and online via Zoom 🎟️ £6 online/in-person | £2 students 🔗 Book here: buff.ly/M3zifhR

🌟 Speaker Spotlight 🌟 John Lowrey is a senior lecturer in architectural history. He joins us on 9th March to discuss Architecture and Urbanism in late Georgian Edinburgh: buff.ly/B2tZQZ6 📸 The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh College of Art

Next up in the AHSS Strathclyde Group Winter Lecture Series: Heritage with Purpose: Adaptive Reuse and Community-Centred Design, with Sarah Jane Storrie 🗓️ 19 March 2026 📍 St Andrews West Church & Renfield Centre, Glasgow ⏰️ 7:30 – 9:30pm 🎟️ £6 online/in-person | £2 students: buff.ly/va5EmB8

Coming up next in the AHSS Forth & Borders Group Winter Lecture Series: Architecture and Urbanism in late Georgian Edinburgh with speaker John Lowrey 🗓️ Mon 9 Mar 2026 📍 Augustine United Church, Edinburgh and via Zoom 🎟️ £6 | £2 students 🔗 Book your tickets here: buff.ly/B2tZQZ6

🚨 Don't miss out! The Strathclyde Group Winter Lecture Series continues tomorrow, Thursday 19th February! 📢 Speaker: Gordon Urquhart 🗓️ Topic: The Ironwork of James Sellars, Architect 🎟️ For more info and booking: buff.ly/wWWLQ8A

🚨 Reminder: The Ironwork of James Sellars, Architect Join us to explore the “fertile mind and facile pencil” of Sellars with speaker Gordon Urquhart. 📍 St Andrews West Church & Renfield Centre, Glasgow and online ⏰️ 7.30pm 🎟️ buff.ly/wWWLQ8A

Upcoming event! Gordon R Urquhart joins us to explore the ironwork designs of Victorian architect James Sellars: 🗓️ 19th Feb ⏰️ 7.30pm
 📍 Glasgow & online
 💷 £6 / £2 students 🔗 Book here: buff.ly/wWWLQ8A

⏰ Coming up on Monday! Rescuing Buildings at Risk in Northern Ireland A timely talk on saving historic buildings — and what Scotland can learn from NI’s experience. 📅 Mon 9 Feb | 6.30pm 📍 Edinburgh + online 🎟️ £6 / £2 students 🔗 buff.ly/83mCkYF

The Ironwork of James Sellars, Architect Historian & author Gordon R Urquhart explores the ironwork designs of Victorian Glasgow — and the overlooked relationship between architects and iron foundries. 📅 Thu 19 Feb 2026 | 7.30pm 📍 Glasgow + online 🎟️ £6 / £2 students | £25 series 🔗 buff.ly/IwVIT4i

Karen Latimer OBE has spent 40+ years in architectural heritage and was awarded an OBE for services to heritage. On Monday 9th, Karen joins us to share lessons from rescuing buildings at risk in Northern Ireland — and what Scotland can learn. buff.ly/83mCkYF

We have objected to proposals to demolish the Cat B former Glasite Chapel in Galashiels. Built in 1842, this rare building has been at risk for decades due to neglect & no evidence has been submitted to justify demolition. Demolition here would reward neglect. buff.ly/Egsx1iz

Join us for “Rescuing Buildings at Risk in Northern Ireland” with Karen Latimer OBE (Hearth). 🌍🏛️ 🗓️ 9 Feb 2026, 6:30 pm 📍 Edinburgh + online 🎟️ Book now buff.ly/83mCkYF

Help shape heritage casework in Scotland. AHSS Forth & Borders is recruiting a Cases Panel Secretary & Convener — an impactful voluntary role with training and modest payment. 📧 [email protected] ⏰ 31 Jan 2026 📸 Tom Parnell

An application to list Argyle House, researched by Docomomo Scotland and submitted jointly with Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland and The Twentieth Century Society, has been accepted by Historic Environment Scotland. 📄 View the case: buff.ly/aEiduwj 📸 Tom Parnell

🚨 THIS WEEK! Join us on Thursday 22nd for our next lecture, with Chris Bragg of Sowne of Organe, exploring how 19th-century organ design has shaped modern conservation. 🗓 Thu 22 Jan, 7.30pm 📍 St Andrews West Church, Glasgow 💻 Also via Zoom 🎟 £6 / £2 students 🔗 buff.ly/BnDd92F

AHSS Forth & Borders is seeking a Cases Panel Secretary & Convener. Looking for someone organised, IT-literate, and interested in heritage casework. Training provided + modest monthly payment. 📅 Deadline: 31 January 2026 🔗 buff.ly/GdfIZN7 📸 Tom Parnell

Join us for our next lecture: 'Tensions in visual organ design in the 19th-century UK', with speaker Chris Bragg of Sowne of Organe. 🗓️ Thurs 22nd Jan, 7.30pm 📍 St Andrews West Church, Glasgow 💻 Also streamed live via Zoom 🎟 £6 / £2 students: buff.ly/clPnfb3 📸 Crichton Collegiate Church

Interested in a future career in heritage? AHSS Forth & Borders is recruiting a Cases Panel Secretary & Convener — a valuable learning role with training and real sector experience. Deadline: 31 Jan 2026 🔗 buff.ly/GdfIZN7 📸 Tom Parnell

Explore 19th-century UK organ design with Chris Bragg of Sowne of Organe in our first lecture of 2026: 📅 Thursday 22 January, 7:30pm 📍 St Andrews West Church, Glasgow 💻 Also streamed live via Zoom 🎟 £6 / £2 students: buff.ly/clPnfb3

🎉 Happy New Year from all of us at the AHSS! As we welcome in 2026, we’d like to extend our heartfelt appreciation to our members and supporters for continuing to stand with us in protecting and promoting Scotland’s architectural and cultural heritage.

🎄Merry Christmas from all of us at the AHSS! We’d like to wish our members, supporters, and friends a very happy and restful Christmas. We hope you enjoy a peaceful time spent with loved ones, and have a chance to pause, reflect, and recharge. See you in 2026!

“Ugly” buildings? Or misunderstood ones? Great to see AHSS member Robbie Macfarlane quoted in this Herald piece pushing back against lazy narratives around brutalism — using Edinburgh’s Nuffield Transplantation Unit as a brilliant example of form following function. 🔗 bit.ly/4ahTK1A

📚 Love learning about Scottish architecture? When you join AHSS, you unlock our full magazine archive — decades of articles, research and commentary on Scotland’s built heritage. 👉 Become a member today: buff.ly/mnOFVB1

🪨 Tonight: The Building Stones of Edinburgh with Luis Albornoz-Parra (BGS). 📆 6:30pm 📍 Edinburgh + Zoom 🎟 £6 / £2 students – book: buff.ly/YIOUy36 See you there!

🎁 A gift to yourself this winter… Become a member of the Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland and treat yourself to a whole year of discovery, insight and inspiration. 👉 Join today buff.ly/mnOFVB1

The Building Stones of Edinburgh with Luis Albornoz-Parra. 📆 Mon 8 Dec, 6:30pm 📍 Edinburgh + Zoom 🎟 £6 / £2 students – book: buff.ly/YIOUy36

🎤 Forth & Borders welcomes Luis Albornoz-Parra for their next Winter Lecture Series talk, exploring Edinburgh’s iconic building stones- with real samples to examine. 🗓️ Mon 8 Dec 📍 Augustine United Church, Edinburgh 💻 Also on Zoom 🎟️ £6 / £2 students More info: buff.ly/WwKNzau

Professor Aonghus Mackechnie’s recent AHSS lecture asked: if a landscape ‘speaks’, can we hear it? One member reflected on landscapes that speak to them — from Calton Hill’s Enlightenment legacy to places shaped by conflict, power and identity. 👉 buff.ly/AmKohuj Which landscapes speak to you?

AHSS North East Annual Lunch – 28 Nov We’re meeting this year at the Royal Northern and University Club, one of Aberdeen’s most storied (and best-kept secret!) private clubs. Our speaker: David Oswald, with an illustrated tour of Aberdeen’s historic cinemas. www.ahss.org.uk/news-events/...

Next up in the Strathclyde Group Winter Lecture Series: ‘Greek’ Thomson and the Watson Street Warehouses 📅 Thurs 20 Nov, 7:30pm 📍 St Andrews West Church, Glasgow 💻 Also streamed live via Zoom 🎟 £6 / £2 students Book your ticket now to hear the full story: 👉 buff.ly/i3odUZz

This year marks the 120th anniversary of a tragic fire at Glasgow’s Alexander ‘Greek’ Thomson designed Watson Street warehouses, which claimed the lives of 40 men and injured many more. Dominic d’Angelo will revisit the story in our next lecture: buff.ly/i3odUZz

⏰ Reminder: Join us on Monday for our next lecture, ‘If a landscape ‘speaks’, can we hear it?’, with speaker Professor Aonghus MacKechnie 📅 10 November, 6:30 pm 📍 Augustine United Church, Edinburgh (wheelchair accessible) 💻 Also streamed live via Zoom 🎟 £6 / £2 students: buff.ly/pPDEItf

🎤 Speaker spotlight: Dominic d’Angelo, Chair of the Alexander ‘Greek’ Thomson Society. Dominic explores Thomson’s Watson Street warehouses — from their grand design to the 1905 fire that changed their story. 📆 Thu 20 Nov, 7:30pm 📍 Glasgow + Zoom 🎟 £6 / £2 students | Book: buff.ly/m2zWyXZ

🌄 Scotland’s landscapes are layered with history — from Gaelic medieval society to Romanticism and militarism. Join Prof Aonghus MacKechnie for If a landscape “speaks”, can we hear it? 📆 Mon 10 Nov, 6:30pm 📍 Edinburgh + Zoom 🎟 £6 / £2 students – book: buff.ly/6ZepKtJ

📅 4 more lectures to come in our Strathclyde Winter Series! Greek Thomson, organ design, ironwork, adaptive reuse – all ahead. 🎟 Season ticket £25 (in-person or online) Book now.