We’ve had another successful and varied programme.  This year, more than half of our lectures have been delivered by our members.  We are indebted to Jane Verburg, Ross Couper, Ro Scott and David Alston for sharing their knowledge and enthusiasm for their chosen subjects with us. Perhaps this may encourage others to come forward to tell us about their interests at future meetings.
In addition, a local GP Dr Miles Mack, reminded us about the 100th anniversary of the Dewar Report, which had a significant impact not only for health services in the Highlands and Islands but also influenced the development of the NHS. Mary Miers, a renowned author on historical architecture, offered us a fascinating history of the Western Seaboard region through its built heritage. We had a return visit from Graham Clark who this time talked about his fascination with the development of cartography and looked at maps of Scotland and how the Black Isle had been represented.
All of our meetings have been well attended; in fact our average audience has been in the mid-thirties, including a significant number of visitors.  We hope you agree that there has been something for everyone in the wide-ranging programme of talks.
 
We have been able to make a further financial contribution to the Cromarty Courthouse this year. This as a positive way of showing our continued support for the museum and it has enabled trustees to purchase lighting for display cabinets there.
Our website continues to be maintained by Sandy Thomson and he reports a steady increase in visits to this site. Any enquiries that come via this site are dealt with by Sandy or he will pass on to an appropriate person. It seems that one summer visitor to Cromarty last year was an American theology professor and was a direct result of an enquiry for information via our website.
Finally, this society would be unable to operate without a hard-working committee and thanks are due to all serving committee members for their continued efforts.
Mary Bowers
3th April 2013