NEIL GUNN LECTURE - 2009

Burns, Gunn and the Scottish Wider World

EDEN COURT, INVERNESS
Wednesday 7th October 2009 at 7pm



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L to R - Robert Davidson of Sandstone Press, Owen Dudley Edwards, this year's Lecturer and Ann Yule - Convenor of the Neil Gunn Trust



This year's Neil Gunn Lecture took place in the One Touch Theatre in Eden Court on Wednesday the 7th October at 7pm, as part of the Inverness Book Festival. It was given by Owen Dudley Edwards, historian, author, radio personality and orator.

Although Owen Dudley Edwards claims to have lived in Scotland for nigh on 30 years, he is an Irishman through and through. He moved seamlessly from Robert Burns to Neil Gunn, to Maurice Walsh, to Lord Byron, to John Steinbeck and many more, quoting poetry and excerpts as he went without any need to glance at his many pages of fountain pen, hand written notes. The audience was enthralled. He is such a pleasant, friendly man with an old-fashioned courtesy and charm. His knowledge is extensive and very comprehensive, yet it flows so effortlessly from him that it is not overpowering.

This was the 3rd Lecture undertaken by the Neil Gunn Trust in partnership with Eden Court Theatre, who provide the Venue, and the Inverness Book Festival, who allow the Trust a slot in their programme. The IBF also include the Neil Gunn Lecture in their publicity, which is of such value to the Trust.

The Lecture was sponsored by SANDSTONE PRESS, a Dingwall based publishing company, and funding was also provided by the Highland Culture Programme.

The Trustees are now looking forward to the Launch of the 2010 Neil Gunn Writing Competition, which hopefully will take place in the Autumn of next year. Already we are also turning our thoughts to who our next Lecturer might be.