Arcadia Scotland

We are pleased to host our spring 2014 edition of Caledonian Connections.  This term, we have a very accomplished set of speakers, discussing topics which include Scotland's green initiatives, politics, business, literature and traditional music.

The talks will be held in the evenings at the Edinburgh Center (34 Buccleuch Place, 3rd Floor).

Please see the descriptions below for more information and we hope you will join us!

The Greenest Company in Scotland?: Mackie’s of Scotland Chairman Maitland Mackie: Thursday 20 February, 5.15pm

Dr Maitland Mackie is the Chair of Mackie’s of Scotland, which produces high quality ice cream and crisps.  As the chairman of one of Scotland’s most successful companies, Maitland has employed innovative technologies to maintain a self-sufficient farm and business through renewable energies.  The farm, which is based in Aberdeenshire, uses solar and wind power, natural fertilizer and zero-waste water.  In addition to embracing environmentally friendly methods of operation, Dr Mackie is a vocal advocate for renewables and pursuing green policies throughout Scotland.

Dr Mackie will discuss aspects of Mackie’s of Scotland’s green business model and will also explain how renewable energy can be developed and used throughout Scottish industry.

An Independent Scotland? A Greener Future: Meet MSP Alison Johnstone: Tuesday 25 March, 6pm

Alison Johnstone is the Scottish Green Party MSP for the Lothian region, which includes Edinburgh, West Lothian, most of Midlothian and Musselburgh.  She is a member of the Scottish Parliament’s Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee and serves and the Green Party’s spokesperson on sport, rural affairs, environment, culture and education.  Her interests in these aspects of the Green agenda stem from her passion for running.  Alison is a former East of Scotland 800m and 1500m title holder and continues to run for pleasure. Throughout the course of her athletic career, Alison has noticed a decline in accessible green space for residents and the rise in organized and elite sport which excludes many.

Alison will discuss her role in leading Green initiatives in Scotland and her take on issues related to the environment, energy, education, athletics and culture.  She will also detail her position on Scottish independence, detailing how Scotland’s departure from the United Kingdom would impact Green policies.

And the Land Lay Still: Reading and Talk by Author, James Robertson: Thursday 3 April, 5.15pm

We are pleased to welcome award winning author and poet, James Robertson to discuss and read from his novel, And the Land Lay Still.  Robertson was born in Bridge of Allan, just outside of Stirling, and earned his PhD at the University of Edinburgh on the novels of Walter Scott. His Scottish upbringing and education have filtered into his writing, where he frequently draws upon Scottish history, politics, society and culture. In particular, And the Land Lay Still, which won the 2010 Scottish Book of the Year Award and was long-listed for the 2011 Creative Scotland Book of the Year Awards, addresses prominent pros and cons within modern Scottish society

Robertson has written five novels, including the Testament of Gideon Mack, which was nominated to the 2006 Man Booker Prize.  Additionally, he runs an independent publishing company, Kettilonnia and is the general editor of the Scots language imprint, Itchy Coo, which publishes Scots books for children and young people.