Topics: Author Interview & Maps at the National Library of Scotland

Our first meeting of 2026 welcomes Dr Karen Brooks, Australian author of The Good Wife of Bath, The Chocolate Maker’s Wife, and The Darkest Shore, to name but a few of her historical novels. She will be in conversation with Ruth Graham about her latest novel, The Whisky Widow, set in the highlands of Scotland in the 1780s, where several themes will be explored, including social history research, unearthing hidden heroines, and women’s voices in history.

We are also pleased that Chris Fleet, Map Curator, National Library of Scotland will be live from Edinburgh and will give us an insight into the expansive map collection that is held within the NLS. This includes old maps, ordinance maps and much more which will be of interest to anyone with ancestors in Scotland, England, Wales, Ireland and beyond. Some of the maps date back to the 1580s and these can help you understand where your ancestors lived as well as the social, physical, and human landscape in which they lived.

Come along and join us as we research our Scottish ancestors in a collaborative, friendly and engaging research group. Make sure you have your questions ready and also be ready to assist others if you are able to as this is the basis of what all SAG Groups are about - people helping other people with ideas and suggestions about their family research.

Skill level:  All - Beginners welcome

Leads: Diana Pecar, Elizabeth Gordon and Sally Skulte