During the winter months, The Society organises evening lectures, which are held in the Brora Community Centre, at the rear of Brora Primary School. All talks begin at 7.30pm and most are held on a Thursday. Lectures are open to all and there is usually a raffle (donations always welcome) - refreshments and admission are free. Anyone wishing to join the Society will be made particularly welcome.

This season’s programme is as follows:

Thursday, September 16th 2010 Now that’s what I call an excavation! - the underground WW2 oil tanks at Inchindown, near Invergordon - Allan Kilpatrick, RCAHMS. A truly fascinating talk, giving a glimpse into ordinary and military life in those dark days of the 1940s.  Allan Kilpatrick, a native of Conon Bridge, went to Dingwall Academy, before graduating from Glasgow University in 1990 with an honours degree in Archaeology.  He has worked for the Royal Commission since he graduated.  His passion is for WW2 military remains and he has investigated the little-known, immense and long since forgotten secret underground oil tanks above Invergordon.

Thursday, October 21st 2010 Growing up during the War - John Fleming Now a resident of Inver, John Fleming was born and brought up in Yorkshire.  Having reached a certain age, he recalls his childhood wartime memories when excitement ran high with little boys, even though times were hard and often dangerous.

Thursday, November 18th 2010 The Clearances in Sutherland - Rod Houston Rod Houston, of Golspie, well known former teacher of Geography in Golspie High School and now Development Manager of the Highland Football Academy in Dingwall, studied the Sutherland Clearances for his Ph.D from Edinburgh University. He will present many of its findings and much of its detail, in what will be a truly local, fascinating and stimulating talk.

Thursday, February 17th 2011 Following the Silver Darlings: the herring gutters of North East Scotland, 1850-1950 - Anne Coombes, Heritage Scotland Anne Coombes is currently the local Monument Warden for Historic Scotland.  In her spare time, she has researched much about the fascinating herring fishing industry, which was so important to the local economy at its height 150 years ago. She will explore the role played by the hardy womenfolk who followed the fleets to all of the east coast ports.

Thursday, March 17th 2011 Brora’s 17th Century Salt Pans: the 2010 Excavation - Jacquie Aitken Jacquie Aitken has become so synonomous with Brora’s Salt Pans that she hardly needs an introduction!  She has been passionate about the Salt Pans since she first wondered what the building remains on the Back Beach were, when she played there as a child.  Last Summer saw the 4th year of excavation, which revealed the remains of a quite spectacular building, which had been buried in the sand dunes for several centuries.  Tonight, she will present the results of this fascinating, unique archaeological site which is now nationally important.

Thursday, April 21st 2011 The Fishing Heritage of Wick - Malcolm Bremner. Following closely on the heels of Anne Coombes’ talk on the herring gutting girls of the east coast, Malcolm Bremner brings his wealth of knowledge about the herring fishing industry from the world’s busiest herring fishing port of the 19th Century - Wick.  In 1860, there were 1100 fishing boats working out of the harbour.  Fascinating facts and stories will abound tonight from our very enthusiastic and knowledgeable speaker.

Thursday, May 19th 2011 Photographic Archives - Jacquie Aitken A great evening which allows locals to dwell over nostalgic images of years gone by and incomers to gain a glimpse into the village life of yesteryear. An informal event, where members of the audience are invited to chip in with stories and questions about the images on display.

Thursday, June 16th 2011 Society Open Night