Official Opening of The 1745 Association Collection at the AK Bell Library, 2-8 York Place, Perth, PH2 8EP – Friday, September 9th, 2022 

Friday, September 9th, 2022, marks the official launch of The 1745 Association Collection within the AK Bell Library in Perth. The Collection comprises over 500 books on the Jacobite era, papers of F. Peter Lole, a leading authority on Jacobite glass, and other printed and manuscript material relating to all aspects of Jacobite heritage.  

We hope it will become a leading public collection of Jacobite history and materials, not just in Scotland but anywhere in the world,” commented the Chair of The 1745 Association SCIO, Mr Michael Nevin.  “It is particularly appropriate that the Collection is in Perth, not just because the AK Bell Library is a wonderful, open and airy modern facility well designed for the post-Covid era, but also because Perth was the only city visited by both James Francis Edward Stuart during the Fifteen and his son Charles Edward Stuart during the Forty-Five, and is easily accessible to scholars from anywhere in the central region.”    

While many of the books in the Collection are accessible elsewhere, the 1745 Association Collection is unique because it offers a ‘one-stop shop’ where students of the Jacobite era can pursue their research in a comfortable location and be able to cross-reference different sources quickly and easily.  “In addition, we plan to collaborate with our friends and colleagues at the AK Bell Library and other local history societies in Perth to host regular talks and events there,” said Mr Nevin.  

Ishbel MacKinnon, Archivist for Culture Perth and Kinross, said, “The 1745 Association Collection is a splendid addition to Culture Perth and Kinross’ Archive and Local & Family History Collections, which include many complementary resources for the study of Jacobite history.  We look forward to collaborating with the 1745 Association at future events and activities to bring together people with a shared interest in this important aspect of Scotland’s cultural heritage.” 

The launch will be marked by a day-long conference, including a presentation of important artefacts from the Jacobite era and talks on aspects of Jacobite heritage.  The complete programme and tickets are available here.  Please note, the deadline for bookings is 1 September. 

For further information, contact Michael Nevin, Chair of The 1745 Association SCIO, at mike@nevinassociates.co.uk or on 0782-4829-445.