Montrose Natural History & Antiquarian Society

31/08/2026

31/08/2026

Join the Montrose Natural History and Antiquarian Society for our first meeting of the season on Tuesday 8th September for a talk titled, 'Scots Emigrants to East New Jersey'.

This talk will be delivered by Derrick Johnstone, Research Affiliate at University of Glasgow.

In the early 1680s, several hundred Scots left from Aberdeen, Montrose and Edinburgh to establish a colony in New Jersey. They made an unlikely company: merchants and landowners seeking opportunity, families hoping for a new beginning, indentured servants, and Covenanters transported as prisoners. Quakers, Presbyterians and Episcopalians found themselves thrown together in a venture backed by some of Scotland’s most powerful political figures.

Who chose to leave, who was forced to go, and what happened after they arrived? Drawing on his research, Derrick offers a story of ambition, religious conflict, survival and social mobility but also of colonial settlement in the homeland of the Lenape.

The talk will explore why the Scots went, how differently they fared, how they acquired and settled land in an area that was home to the Lenape. It asks not simply whether Scotland’s New Jersey venture succeeded, but what ‘success’ meant, and for whom.

As always, meetings are held at Montrose Museum & Art Gallery and doors open at 7pm with a start time of 7:30pm.

Membership is open to everyone. The annual subscription is £20 and visitors are welcome at £5 per meeting. Those still attending school may attend free of charge.

(Ship departing Leith. Extract from ‘Prospect of Leith’, Greenville Collins 1693. CC-BY (NLS) https://maps.nls.uk/view/216444088 )

03/08/2026

We are pleased to share our programme for year commencing 2026-2027.

Our committee members have truly worked hard behind the scenes to deliver yet another engaging and educational programme.

As always, meetings of the Society are held in Montrose Museum with doors open from 7pm.

Students are welcome to attend these meetings free of charge.

If you have any questions, please contact the secretary on 01674 676783 or [email protected]

Information on the Society can be found at www.montrosehistory.com

14/07/2026

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30/05/2026

Join Morag and Robert for an exciting talk titled 'The Geology of Scotland' at Meffan Museum & Art Gallery on 6th & 7th June 2026.

16/04/2026

On Tuesday, we completed yet another fantastic programme!

Over the years, our committee has been working hard behind the scenes to deliver a wealth of educational, thought-provoking and inspiring talks to the public.

We would like to thank all our followers, attendees, and speakers in supporting us with the delivery of these talks!

We'll be back in September to deliver a new programme for 2026/2027!

As always, should you have any suggestions or are interested in delivering a talk yourself, please contact us either via Facebook, email or our website.

Thank you, and see you in September!