Baird of Bute Society
Scottish organization
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Baird of Bute Society recognizes and promotes the historical achievements of Andrew Blain Baird, the Bute blacksmith who on 17 September 1910, at Ettrick Bay on Bute, flew a plane of his own design and manufacture to record the First All-Scottish Heavier-than-air Powered Flight.[2]
 Baird of Bute Society logo | |
| Founded | 2011 |
|---|---|
| Location | |
| Website | www |
| The Baird of Bute Society is registered as a charity (#SC042490) by the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR).[1] | |
The Baird of Bute Society is focused on the advancement of education and information related to Andrew Blain Baird and his aviation and entrepreneurial activity. The Society participates in the advancement of the arts, heritage, culture and science on the Isle of Bute and beyond.
Trustees
- Christopher Richard Markwell, Founder & Chair
- Prof. Eleanor Campbell FRS, Trustee & Vice-Chair
- Prof. Michael Russell MSP, Trustee
- Prof. Iain Gray CBE FRSE, Trustee
- Prof. Dugald Cameron OBE, DSc, DA, Trustee
- Craig Clark MBE, Trustee
- Isobel Strong, Trustee
- Joshua McFadden, Trustee
- J. S. Thom CA, Independent Examiner of Accounts
Patron
- Sir Stephen John Hillier KCB, CBE, DFC, ADC, MA
Awards
Baird of Bute Scottish Aviation Award
Baird of Bute Scottish Innovation Award
Scholarships
Baird of Bute Canadian Science Scholarship
This two week Canadian Science Scholarship provides for up to three young people from across Scotland, the opportunity to acquire experiences and skills to allow each to better succeed in their upcoming university studies. Centred in Toronto, the hands on "Bench to Bedside" programme is supported by University of Toronto, Ontario Science Centre, University Health Network, the Scottish Government and mentored by Cancer researcher Professor Patrick Gunning and bio-ethicist Professor Hazel Markwell.[18]
| Year | Recipient(s) |
|---|---|
| 2014 | Bonnie Caldwell (Rothesay Academy, Isle of Bute), Joshua McFadden (Rothesay Academy, Isle of Bute) |
| 2015 | Nisha Middleton (Rothesay Academy, Isle of Bute), Euan McGregor (Rothesay Academy, Isle of Bute) |
| 2016 | Eilidh Summers (Ullapool High School), Keir Carmichael (Gryffe High School, Houston) |
| 2018 | Cara Corman (Tarbert Academy, Isle of Gigha), Lewis Strachan (Cardinal Newman High School, Bellshill) & Zara Henry (Rothesay Academy, Isle of Bute) |
| 2019 | Lauren Santandreu (St Thomas of Aquin's High School, Edinburgh), Rebecca Bean (Forrester High School, Edinburgh) & Andrew Middleton (Rothesay Academy, Isle of Bute) |
Scottish Young Achiever Award
Awarded on occasion to recognise a young Scot.
| Year | Recipient |
|---|---|
| 2017 | Jane Ross Scottish International football player |
William Leitch Space Scholarship
Named in honour of the 19th century Bute born scientist and clergyman, Dr. William Leitch, now credited as first to publish the theory that travel in space was best undertaken with jet propulsion - decades before those earlier credited. Each year one graduate of the Strathclyde University Scottish Space School is selected to spend an internship at Scotland's Clyde Space, one of the world's foremost manufacturers of cube satellites.
| Year | Recipient |
|---|---|
| 2016 | Brooklyn Adkins (St Paul's Secondary, Glasgow) |
| 2018 | Ms. Casey (Conn Renfrew High School)[19] |
| 2019 | Michael Miller (Graeme High School, Falkirk) |
Lectures & Programmes
Lord Smith of Kelvin Lecture
This lecture is an annual open event with a Scottish perspective of interest on aviation and innovation topics delivered at University of Strathclyde in Glasgow by noted Scots who have previously been recipients of a Baird of Bute Society Scottish Award. It was established by the Society and the University to honour Lord Smith of Kelvin who was inaugural Patron of the Society and is Chancellor of the University.
Inspiring Science Programme
A visiting school programme presented in cooperation with Edinburgh University and led by Baird Society Vice Chair Professor Eleanor Campbell who is Chair of Chemistry at the university. She and a team of staff and graduate students visit secondary schools, in exurban communities, to discuss new scientific research, demonstrates chemistry in action and give students hands-on experience and an opportunity to interact with the team. Its STEM based outreach often extends into the participating local community with mini science fairs and parent involvement.
Events
Annual Baird of Bute Festival of Flight
The annual "Baird of Bute Festival of Flight" takes place during the third weekend of September.
| Date | Notes | Links |
|---|---|---|
| 09/2014 | Baird Festival 2014 | |
| 09/2013 | Baird Festival 2013 | |
| 09/2012 | 150th anniversary of the birth of Andrew Blain Baird | Baird Festival 2012[link removed] |
| 09/2011 | Glorious sunshine, at Baird Airstrip, Ettrick Bay and Mount Stuart | Baird Festival 2011 |
| 09/2010 | Centenary (17 September 1910)[20] | Baird Festival 2010[link removed] |
Baird Society's Tenth Anniversary Celebrations
As part of the 2019 Baird Awards and Celebration weekend, the Society was joined by Scotland's First Minister Rt. Honourable Nicola Sturgeon at a Civic Reception in the Ilse of Bute Discovery Centre, honouring the tenth anniversary of Baird of Bute, where she said
Publications
- Markwell, Christopher Richard (2012). Andrew Blain Baird – Aviation Pioneer.[21]