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 2025-26.
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 in speaker due to unforeseen circumstances.
2025
Tuesday 7th October:
Simenon – l’homme qui n’était pas Maigret
Talk by David Leitch – former editor of the Franco-Scottish Society Bulletin
Tuesday 11th November:
Charlemagne; l’homme, la légende, le mythe
Talk by Prof. Emeritus Philip Bennett, Hon. Gen. Secretary of the FSSS
Tuesday 9th 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
2026
Tuesday 13th January:
L’Aventure d’un an à la voile en famille
Talk by Marion Laudet
Tuesday 17th February:
La Francophonie – une langue et des cultures
Talk by Julie Redo, Director of the French School, Aberdeen
Tuesday 17th March:
Le Courroies de transmission? De Gaulle’s Ambassadors in the United States, 1943-46 and 1958-61
Talk by Andrew Williams, Emeritus Professor, St Andrews University
Tuesday 14th April:
Molière, acteur de son époque
Talk by Catherine Guiat, Librarian, Institut Francais, Edinburgh
Tuesday 19th May:
AGM starting at 7 pm., followed by; From Airdrie to Burundi
Talk by Margaret Henderson.
Venue; Totalenergies, Total House, Tarland Road, Westhill AB32 6JZ
Annual Outing May / June:
Further details to be announced later.
Spare room / interest in French language and culture?
Do you have a spare room? Do you have an interest in French language and culture? Then get in touch!
We place French students with caring, supportive families across Aberdeenshire giving them a slice of Scottish life and helping them with their language skills. Students come for short stays of 4 to 6 nights or longer stays of up to 9 months. They come from France, Spain and all over the world, so it’s a good opportunity to meet people from other cultures.
If you are interested in welcoming a student into your home or becoming a host teacher, please call Clare on 01561 378218 or 07787 858368. For more information or to read what families and students are saying, please visit our Facebook page; website link noted below.
We look forward to hearing from you!
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 2025-2026
Chairman: Simon Oladjins
Honorary Secretary: Rhona Bean
Honorary Treasurer: Andy Gordon
Committee Members 2025-2026
Christine Angus
Jenny Smith
Gorjana Grbac
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
