15 Nov 2007 - "Caladonian MacBrayne"

Almost 60 members and visitors were privileged to appreciate a presentation on the history of Caledonian MacBrayne by the company archivist, Ian McCrorie. A former Depute Head of Greenock Academy and a well-known choirmaster, Ian was already a kent face to many and there was a real feeling of camaraderie and shared interests among the audience even before the start of the meeting. A knowledgeable enthusiast of the MacBrayne and later Caledonian MacBrayne shipping line as well as a born raconteur, Ian painted a vivid picture of the travel of our youth and earlier between mainland and islands on the west coast of the country. It was that rare experience when a comment by the Speaker or a particular picture shown induced members of the audience to add their own comments and stories, and where the Speaker on occasion suddenly branched of into a tangential tale carrying the audience along with him and restoring them with aplomb to the mainstream of his presentation.

An evening to relish and to applaud.

Sheila Dinwoodie