Social Events
The 3Ls Social Programme provides opportunities for all 3Ls members to get out and about, visiting places of interest in and around Glasgow and further afield.
Look out for more information about upcoming events in our News section.
Paisley Abbey
30 January 2025
Our group of 25 dined in Il Pescatore, a local seafood restaurant specialising in Italian cuisine. We then walked across to the iconic Paisley Abbey which looked spectacular in the winter sunshine. Three excellent and enthusiastic volunteer guides led our groups through the magnificent interior of the Abbey which was founded in the 12th Century and which has strong links with royal lineage.
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Glengoyne Distillery
13 November 2024
Our second outing was to the Glengoyne Distillery, near Killearn. Established in 1883 the distillery, situated below Dumgoyne Hill, has one of the slowest stills in Scotland, resulting in a range of fine single malt whiskies which have matured over many years.
Our tour started with a light lunch at the Old Mill Restaurant and Pub. A former weaving mill in a charming 18th century setting, the Old Mill is now a welcoming haven which retains a rustic atmosphere with open log fires.
After lunch, the bus took us to the distillery, where we were met by the Distillery Ambassador Magdalena and taken on a most informative tour, culminating in a tutored tasting of two Glengoyne Highland Single Malt Whiskies.
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Falkland Palace
23 October 2024
Our first 3Ls Social outing of the new session was a visit to Falkland Palace and Gardens in the Kingdom of Fife. Set in the heart of Falkland conservation village, this fine Renaissance Palace was a favourite of Mary Queen of Scots who took refuge there from the political and religious turmoil of the times.
The Royal Palace was built by James IV and James V between 1450 and 1541 as a country retreat for the pursuit of leisure activities. For the Stuart Kings and Queens, the main recreational pastime would have been hunting wild boar and deer.
One of the unusual features to be seen is the Royal Tennis Court, the world’s oldest tennis court of its kind still in play. In 1541 tennis was known by the Scottish word “caich” derived from the Flemish meaning “a game of chases”. Maybe this early pursuit of our ancestors helped to inspire Andy Murray, Gordon Reid and others?
Lunch was enjoyed by our group at The Covenanter Hotel which is just across the road from the Palace. The hotel featured in the TV hit series “Outlander “and has a long and dramatic past with records suggesting trade started there in 1880.
Stirling Castle
and Old High School Observatory
Wednesday 27 March 2024
Our trip to Stirling began with an excellent guided tour of Stirling Castle with tales of historic battles that took place around the castle and stories of the lives of different royal residents. The castle website explains that many generations of Scottish monarchs enlarged, adapted and embellished the Castle.
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After a tour around the castle walls and courtyard, we visited the Great Hall, the largest medieval banqueting hall ever built in Scotland and the Chapel Royal, elaborately redecorated for the coronation visit of Charles I in 1633.
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We were able to explore the castle's three main enclosures and admire the refurbished Royal Palace – childhood home of Mary Queen of Scots. The palace’s lavish design drew on European Renaissance fashions to show off James V’s power and good taste.
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James V’s majestic palace interiors have been recreated as they may have looked when the king’s grand scheme was complete. Costumed characters mingled with visitors, bringing the royal Stewart Court to life. The palace hosts one of Scotland’s great art treasures in the Stirling Heads Gallery. The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Museum and the Great Kitchens were also open to visitors.
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We then travelled downhill to enjoy lunch at the Stirling Highland Hotel, formerly the High School of Stirling where several of the rooms are still named after class subjects and we learned that the Scholar's restaurant was where Latin and English were taught. The Hotel rooftop is home to an Observatory, gifted in 1889 by Sir Henry Campbell Bannerman (who became Prime Minister in 1905). The Old Telescope in the Observatory was designed, constructed and installed by William Peck, who was City Astronomer of Edinburgh and a prolific inventor. The telescope was gifted to the school in 1889, by Mr Laurence Pullar, a member of the well-known firm of Pullars of Perth. We were treated to a guided tour of the Observatory by Douglas Cooper from the Sirling Astronomical Society.
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All in all, a thoroughly enjoyable day with lots to learn about the Stirling's history and a chance to enjoy the surrounding views towards the southern Highlands and the Ochil Hills.
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Burns Lunch at the Piping Centre
Thursday 18 January 2024
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The National Piping Centre was the venue for a very enjoyable Burns Lunch when we were treated to entertainment from a variety of talented 3Ls members and friends. On arrival, guests were greeted at the door by our very own piper, Donald Grant.
Upstairs in the Blue room, a glass of fizz was on offer while we chatted to the background accompaniment of a set of traditional music played by Acoustic Music Club members.
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3Ls President Winnie Mallon welcomed everyone to our largest 3Ls social gathering since our 30th Anniversary celebrations in 2018. To start proceedings, the Haggis was piped in by Donald and safely delivered by former President John Parkhill. Our Vice President, Dorothy Sim then entertained us with a lively rendition of the Address to a Haggis.
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The Selkirk Grace was sung by Ann Firth who prompted everyone to join her. We then enjoyed a hearty lunch while chatting with old and new friends at our tables, which were all named after Scottish islands.
Musical entertainment continued as Ann sang two lovely Burns songs - John Anderson My Jo and The Winter of Life.
Our Admin Assistant Lesley King and her friends, Helen, Karen and Lynn then delighted us with renditions of more Burns classics before leading the audience in some hearty communal singing.
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Auld Lang Syne and a chorus of “We’re no Awa’ Tae Bide Awa’” signalled the end of our afternoon in celebration of the Bard. Many thanks to all involved in the planning of this event, those who provided the excellent entertainment and 3Ls members for their support.
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Museum of Flight
5 October 2023
Members enjoyed an autumn outing to the Museum of Flight, Scotland's national aviation museum, located on the site of the UK's best preserved Second World War airfield and with a collection of over 50 aircraft. The Museum exhibits are housed in the hangars and nissen huts of the original airfield, including the Concorde hangar.
After exploring the museum, we headed off to Haddington for a hearty lunch at the Tyneside Tavern.
"Connie meets Robert Burns"
Dumfries House
24 September 2023
In the lovely setting of the Tapestry Room at Dumfries House, our group enjoyed a show about Rabbie Burns with a difference!
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"Unemployed Connie, visiting the local library to keep warm, discovers the poems and songs of Rabbie. Later, visiting the Robert Burns Information Centre to learn more, her forthright questions and views on Burns are often amusing, especially when it comes to women!"
Written and directed by Ayrshire playwright Dave Dewar, the show included well known Burns’ poems and songs. The professional cast comprised two actors and two singers/musicians, on cello, accordion, keyboards and voice, with Andy Morton former President of Dundonald Burns Club on voice.
We were also treated to a guided tour of Dumfries House or the chance to explore the grounds at the House ahead of the show.
Devil's Porridge Museum
24 August 2023
Our group visited the Devil’s Porridge Museum which commemorates HM Factory Gretna, the largest munitions factory in the world during the First World War and explores the stories of the Solway Military Coast during the Second World War and beyond. The museum uses artefacts, information panels, film and audio, photographs and oral histories to bring the fascinating history of this Border area to life.
After a tasty lunch provided by Brodies Restaurant in Moffat we were free to explore the various independent shops and volunteer-led local museum or to stretch our legs on a circuit of this handsome town.
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A Panto, a Pie and a Pint
12 July 2023
We had a fun afternoon at the Summer Panto, "Jack and the Bean Pie" at Oran Mor - Oh Yes, we did!
Following the show, we retired to Fonn Mor restaurant next door where we enjoyed a lovely lunch and began to plan our next Social outings - maybe another Christmas Panto.
Watch out for more news!
Rosslyn Chapel
27 May 2023
Forty 3Ls members enjoyed an outing to Rosslyn Chapel on 27th April. Guides in the Chapel gave a very informative and entertaining talk and there was plenty of time to look around and admire the wonderful architecture. Our group then went on to the Paper Mill restaurant in Lasswade for a light lunch and lots of chat.
Royal Yacht Britannia 16 March 2023​
Our first Social outing this year was a visit to the Royal Yacht Britannia at Leith.​
The Britannia sailed over 1,000,000 nautical miles on 968 state visits with the Royal Family where they entertained prime ministers and presidents. Our group was free to explore the yacht using a free audio guide, including the Bridge, the State Apartments, the late Queen’s favourite room, the Crew’s quarters, Engine Room and the Royal Sailing Exhibition.
Traquair House, Peebles
10 October 2022
Our first Social outing of the new session saw a group of 3Ls members and friends head off for a sunny drive from the Graham Hill Building for the first time since 2020. We visited Traquair House at Innerleithen, Scotland's oldest inhabited house, with an impressive history of visitors, including Mary Queen of Scots. A group of hospitable guides helped us explore the House, its Gardens and Maze, with an chance to pop into the Brewery and Craft shop and also enjoy a cuppa at the cafe.​Then we continued on to visit Peebles where we opted to have lunch or stroll through the town which offers a great range of independent shops and a variety of cafes and restaurants, or a riverside walk before our coach returned to Glasgow.
