We are delighted to announce the return of the Trust’s series of winter talks for 2024, starting with Mairi Shiels on the Tay Bridge Disaster.

The Tay Rail Bridge Disaster

The first Tay Rail Bridge was seen as one of the wonders of the Victorian world, and its collapse during the great storm of 28th December 1879 sent shock waves through society. This talk will provide an explanation of the events leading up to the disaster, examine what actually happened on that night, and give a brief account of the aftermath.

About Mairi Shiels

Born on the Isle of Harris, grew up in Clackmannan and has lived in Newport for 40 years, Mairi started her career as a history teacher in Bell Baxter High School, Cupar. She retired rather a lot of years ago and now enjoys time for own interests, especially local and family history:

• has written four local history books, three on Newport and one on Tayport.
• has co-produced five huge local history exhibitions over 30 years!
• After the last major exhibition in 2016, established the Newport History Group. Has been Chairperson for seven years. There are now almost 400 members, and the group continues to mount exhibitions, lead guided historical walks, produce books, calendars, gift cards, and even created a 30 panel tapestry depicting places of historical importance in Newport and Wormit. During Covid the group created the Newport History website and online archive, and members are now working on creation of a physical archive housed in the Blyth Hall. The group actively encourages liaison with the local primary schools, fostering an interest among the pupils in their local heritage.
• has traced family tree back to mid-1700s and enjoys research for others too.