Edinburgh Fortean Society 2023

gordonrutter

gordonrutter

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The first meeting if the Edinburgh Fortean Society of 2023

Scott Lyall will be speaking on:

Do The Hills Really Have Eyes: The Emergent Folklore Of Cannibals In US National Parks

Tales of strange disappearances and sightings of wild, primitive looking people within national parks in the US have become more common on social media in the last couple of years. In this talk, I'll look at the content of these reports and look at what the origins of these beliefs are, and whether there's anything to them. This will take in native folklore, horror movies, the Missing 411 mythos, bigfoot, and take us from the Galloway coast to the Smokey Mountains.
Is this purely a cultural phenomenon, or do the hills really have eyes?

Wednesday 11th January
Beehive Inn
Grassmarket
Edinburgh
7.30pm, £1
 
gordonrutter said:
The first meeting if the Edinburgh Fortean Society of 2023

Scott Lyall will be speaking on:

Do The Hills Really Have Eyes: The Emergent Folklore Of Cannibals In US National Parks

Tales of strange disappearances and sightings of wild, primitive looking people within national parks in the US have become more common on social media in the last couple of years. In this talk, I'll look at the content of these reports and look at what the origins of these beliefs are, and whether there's anything to them. This will take in native folklore, horror movies, the Missing 411 mythos, bigfoot, and take us from the Galloway coast to the Smokey Mountains.
Is this purely a cultural phenomenon, or do the hills really have eyes?

Wednesday 11th January
Beehive Inn
Grassmarket
Edinburgh
7.30pm, £1
Click to expand...

Excellent! Will a vid of the proceedings be available afterwards?
 
gordonrutter said:
It's not planned to video it but I have been thinking of doing interviews / chats with speakers as the online ones we have had are so popular. I'll see what can be arranged and will post the relevant information here.
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This is me encouraging you to do this thing! As I get less mobile I appreciate the online stuff :)
 
Hey folks, I was the speaker at this. As Gordon mentioned, we're going to record something in the near future for those that couldn't be there in person, but in meantime, if anyone's particularly keen to find out whether there really are cannibals in US national parks, this talk was based on an article I've published in my zine, which you can get here (print copies) or here (free pdf).
 
WulversStane said:
Hey folks, I was the speaker at this. As Gordon mentioned, we're going to record something in the near future for those that couldn't be there in person, but in meantime, if anyone's particularly keen to find out whether there really are cannibals in US national parks, this talk was based on an article I've published in my zine, which you can get here (print copies) or here (free pdf).
Click to expand...
And an excellent talk it was and I look forward to my zine arriving.
 
WulversStane said:
Hey folks, I was the speaker at this. As Gordon mentioned, we're going to record something in the near future for those that couldn't be there in person, but in meantime, if anyone's particularly keen to find out whether there really are cannibals in US national parks, this talk was based on an article I've published in my zine, which you can get here (print copies) or here (free pdf).
Click to expand...

Thanks!
 
WulversStane said:
Hey folks, I was the speaker at this. As Gordon mentioned, we're going to record something in the near future for those that couldn't be there in person, but in meantime, if anyone's particularly keen to find out whether there really are cannibals in US national parks, this talk was based on an article I've published in my zine, which you can get here (print copies) or here (free pdf).
Click to expand...
I really liked the content of the zine. I'd suggest you might wish to format it as a Substack newsletter. Each article or book review would be a post. I would subscribe! You might be able to generate a little more revenue that way. I don't imagine people are going to pay for a PDF these days.
 
Thanks! I'd never really thought about a substack, but I'll have a think about it. The print zine is the main priority (as I'm a big fan of zines). Doing an electronic version only came about as an afterthought as a few people asked about it, so I just made it free as the print version is more or less self sustaining.
 
Next meeting of the Edinburgh Fortean Society

Wednesday the 8th of March
7.30pm
The Comedy Attic
The Beehive,
Grassmarket
Edinburgh

An EdFort Social

This will be our birthday event this year (actual birthday of the group is April). It will be a social with a chance to chat to people. But there will also be an auction of books etc to raise group funds, donations gratefully accepted.

This will also be an opportunity to hear about some of the planned events for next year which will mark 25 years since the group was founded. And also a chance to throw suggestions into the mix as well.

And as its our birthday celebration there may be cake...
 
The next meeting of the Edinburgh Fortean Society

Wednesday the 12th of April
Upstairs in the Beehive, Grassmarket
7.30pm
£1 entrance

Richard Freeman will be talking on
Carry On Up The Jungle: The Continuing Search For Orang-Pendek.

In September of 2022 Richard Freeman visited the jungles of Sumatra for the 6th time. Searching for the orang-pendek or 'short-man', an unknown species of ape he, Karl Marshall and Gordie Jackson ventured into jungle areas they had not visited before and turned up new information on not only the orang-pendek but other mysteries and caught something amazing on camera.
 
The next meeting of the Edinburgh Fortean Society

Wednesday the 10th of May
Upstiars in The Beehive, Grassmarket
7.30p,m
£1 entrance

Jan Bondeson will be talking on

Greyfriars Bobby, Edinburgh's dog of mystery

The story of that extraordinary dog, Greyfriars Bobby, is much more complicated than has been presumed in the children's books about him. Was there in fact s substitution of dogs, with one Bobby taking over when his predecessor had expired? And was Bobby in fact an unconscious impostor, taking advantage of the sentimental notions of canine faithfulness that were current at the time?
 
Unfortunately Jan Bondeson is not able to give the planned talk this Wednesday. Instead we have Richard Wiseman talking on

An evening wasted with Richard Wiseman
I haven’t spoken to the Edinburgh Fortean Society for years. Come along and find out why. In this meandering talk, I will present a veritable feast of funny stories and fascinating material about magic, psychology and the paranormal. We will explore the surprising science of pop-up illusions, discover how parapsychology changed the world, find out what went wrong when I attempted to launch a book into space, travel back in time to meet an obscure Edinburgh magician who revolutionised magic, learn how to transform a tea towel into a chicken and much more. Sixty two slides, three laughs and a packet of peanuts for the best question.

Richard `Wiseman is a professor of psychology, magician, and author. He has written several best-selling books (including The Luck Factor and 59 Seconds), created illusion-based YouTube videos that have attracted over 500 million views, has worked with the likes of Derren Brown and David Copperfield, and has been described by Elizabeth Loftus (Past President, Association for Psychological Science) as ‘one of the world’s most creative psychologists.’

All other details remain the same.
 
The next talk of the Edinburgh Fortean Society is Wednesday the 14th of June at 7.30pm. £1 entry. Upstairs in the Beehive Pub, Grassmarket

'Tales from an Edinburgh Ghost Tour Guide'

Join author Graeme Milne for an exploration of Edinburgh's love of the paranormal. Using material gathered from over twenty years Graeme will share stories gathered from the numerous investigations he has conducted and from personal experiences. Taken from his two most recent books, Tales from an Edinburgh Tour Guide and Aberdeen's Haunted Heritage, the stories are in part genuinely creepy, sometimes funny and add weight to the argument of continuing life.

Copies of Graeme's books will be available on the night.
 
The next talk of the Edinburgh Fortean Society is Wednesday the 12th of July at 7.30pm. £1 entry. Upstairs in the Beehive Pub, Grassmarket

Ian Robertson will talking on

Mysterious Guatemala

Having visited Guatemala back in February with his wife Vivienne, Ian will share some of their experiences and talk about the places and the people of this fascinating country in central America.

It is a deeply religious country, and also a very superstitious one, which is still influenced by the great Mayan culture of the past.

So during the talk Ian will explore, beautiful landscapes with active volcanoes, beautiful lakes, folk saints and jungles littered with Mayan Temples, some of which appeared in Star Wars!
 
Forward planning. Our September meeting will be on TV of a Fortean nature, factual, fictional, single episodes, series, all up for grabs. If anyone would like to make a contribution send me a PM. I can read out what you want me to say or we can record a segment to be played in on the night.
 
gordonrutter said:
The next talk of the Edinburgh Fortean Society is Wednesday the 12th of July at 7.30pm. £1 entry. Upstairs in the Beehive Pub, Grassmarket

Ian Robertson will talking on

Mysterious Guatemala

Having visited Guatemala back in February with his wife Vivienne, Ian will share some of their experiences and talk about the places and the people of this fascinating country in central America.

It is a deeply religious country, and also a very superstitious one, which is still influenced by the great Mayan culture of the past.

So during the talk Ian will explore, beautiful landscapes with active volcanoes, beautiful lakes, folk saints and jungles littered with Mayan Temples, some of which appeared in Star Wars!
Click to expand...
Dammit, I missed this! (not that I'd have been able to get up to Edinburgh) Guatemala is my favourite destination (I used to live there, a couple of decades ago). For anyone interested in reading or posting about Fortean Guatemala, check out the Guatemala thread.
 
SimonBurchell said:
Dammit, I missed this! (not that I'd have been able to get up to Edinburgh) Guatemala is my favourite destination (I used to live there, a couple of decades ago). For anyone interested in reading or posting about Fortean Guatemala, check out the Guatemala thread.
Click to expand...
Thanks, I've sent a link to that thread to the EdFort speaker.
 
Now that the Fringe has finished we're back

Next meeting of the Edinburgh Fortean Society

Wednesday the 13th of September
7.30pm
The Comedy Attic
The Beehive,
Grassmarket
Edinburgh
£1 entry

Fortean TV
We've had a look at Fortean books and Fortean films so logic dictates we should have a look at Fortean TV shows.
So that is what we're doing.
Factual or fictional.
Documentary or drama.
Single episodes or whole series.
The net is being cast far and wide. Come and hear recommendations, and if you want there's still time for you to get in touch to have your own say!
 
Only noticed today in local library

Borders Witch Hunt

A talk on the 17th century witchcraft trials in the Borders with Mary W. Craig, author and historian.

Friday 1st September
7:30 p.m.
Caddonfoot Hall, Clovenfords.

Public transport: I have checked thoroughly and without going into great detail, there is no guaranteed, late night public transport for a return to Edinburgh - there is a "20 minute walk" involved from Caddonfoot to nearest bus stop at the Clovvenfords hotel and even then, that requires making the bus traveling to Galashiels, to catch last train to Edinburgh.

If it's running and trust myself - not always the case.

And we all know what a "20 minute walk" means, when they neglect to mention "with suitable hiking equipment".

I hope to be there, tomorrow night and if anyone else likewise, please let me know - via a P.M., if preferable. Wish I had known about it sooner and not a late alert.

This is a must, for myself. Although living in the Borders, I only have a cursory knowledge of local witchcraft trials, a subject of interest, despite its macabre nature and zealous religious overtones.

Compress_20230831_215823_3785.jpg
 
Comfortably Numb said:
Only noticed today in local library

Borders Witch Hunt

A talk on the 17th century witchcraft trials in the Borders with Mary W. Craig, author and historian.

Friday 1st September
7:30 p.m.
Caddonfoot Hall, Clovenfords.

Public transport: I have checked thoroughly and without going into great detail, there is no guaranteed, late night public transport for a return to Edinburgh - there is a "20 minute walk" involved from Caddonfoot to nearest bus stop at the Clovvenfords hotel and even then, that requires making the bus traveling to Galashiels, to catch last train to Edinburgh.

If it's running and trust myself - not always the case.

And we all know what a "20 minute walk" means, when they neglect to mention "with suitable hiking equipment".

I hope to be there, tomorrow night and if anyone else likewise, please let me know - via a P.M., if preferable. Wish I had known about it sooner and not a late alert.

This is a must, for myself. Although living in the Borders, I only have a cursory knowledge of local witchcraft trials, a subject of interest, despite its macabre nature and zealous religious overtones.

View attachment 69240
Click to expand...
With more notice, I might've managed to have got to this. It looks really interesting!!
 
Here are the shows that were talked about at the recent EdFort TV event

Supernatural​
Omega Factor​
Quatermass and the Pit​
The Stone Tapes​
Children of the Stones​
Dr Who​
Arthur C Clarke's Mysterious World​
Ghostwatch​
Expedition Bigfoot​
Lonely Water / The Spirit of Dark and Lonely Water​
Fringe​
Lost Hearts​
Dr Who and The Daemons​
 
The next talk of the Edinburgh Fortean Society is Wednesday the 11th of October at 7.30pm upstairs in The Beehive, Grassmarket.

Charles Paxton will be speaking on

Explaining singular Fortean cases?

What is the best explanation for an anomalous experience or event? How can we distinguish between different hypotheses? Here I will explore the approaches and limits of science and ask if other methods are available (with your help!).

Warning: talk will be interactive!
 
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