Our Aims
Inspired by the historic friendship between France and Scotland, the Society fosters closer ties between the two nations. The Society’s activities concentrate on French culture in the widest sense and the influence of France on Scotland’s heritage. There is opportunity at the meetings to converse in French and in English.
Alexander Gray Bequest:
Under its terms, the Committee can offer grants to Scots wishing to go to France to further their studies of the French language and culture. Applications to the Secretary are invited from individuals and educational establishments
Aberdeen Branch Programme 2026-27.
Most meetings start at 7.15 pm in the Mackie Library at Albyn School, 17 – 23 Queens Road, AB15 4PB unless otherwise stated.
There may be a change of speaker due to unforeseen circumstances.
2026
Tuesday 6th October:
Hélène Bertaux, sculptor
Talk in English by Agnes Ness, member of the Edinburgh branch
Tuesday 10th November:
Montaigne et du Bellay: deux écrivains français et leurs voyages en Italie
Talk by David Hartley, retired lecturer, Aberdeen University French department
Tuesday 8th December:
Quiz français et buffet pour Noël. Starting at 7.30 p.m.
Venue: The Garden Lounge of the Fountainhall Church at The Stocket, AB15 5NZ
2027
Tuesday 12th January:
De “L’homme qui plantait des arbres” de Jean Giono à la poésie de Marie-Claire Bancquart: Perspectives environnementales dans la culture française
Talk by Dr. Clémence O’Connor, Lecturer in French and Francophone Studies, University of Aberdeen
Tuesday 16th February:
Madeleine, résistante – la vie incroyable de Madeleine Riffaud en bande dessinée des cultures
Talk by Catherine Guiat, Librarian of the Institut Français in Edinburgh
Tuesday 16th March:
La France en 2027 – quels défis, quels enjeux?
Talk by Professor Helen Drake, Professor of French and European Studies, Loughborough University. FSSS joint speaker for 2027
Tuesday 20th April:
Autour des origines de la FS Society
Talk by Professor Emerita Lorna Milne, President of the Franco-Scottish Society
Tuesday 11th May:
AGM starting at 7 p.m., followed by Les affichistes de la fin du 19e siècle
Talk by Dr. Margot Renard, Ghent University.
Venue: to be announced
Annual Outing May / June 2027:
Further details to be announced later.
Useful Websites
www.abdn.ac.uk/study/international/language-centre for courses in French
www.facebook.com/LanguageTravelTours – for Facebook page on welcoming foreign students and providing a spare room.
Office Bearers 2026-2027
Chairman: Simon Oladjins
Honorary Secretary: Rhona Bean
Honorary Treasurer: Gorjana Grbac
Committee Members 2026-2027
Christine Angus
Jenny Smith
Janet Hosie
Françoise Kunka
Maria Sawaryn
Membership
Annual Subscription:
£20.00 per person
£5.00 for students.
Visitors welcome.
Lifts:
Members who would like a lift to go to meetings should contact one of the Office Bearers.
Find out more
Please feel free to contact us by emailing at the address below
Email: rhonabean@hotmail.com
