Our Guest Speakers in 2024 are:-

 

The Immortal Memory – Dr Ian Moir

Ian Moir was born the second oldest son of a farmer in the Buchan area of Aberdeenshire - home of the Doric dialect. He is a keen supporter of Doric and regularly recites Doric poetry.

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Being the second oldest son there was no farm for him and he took the advice of his mum, who was a teacher, to ‘stick in at the school’, as did his younger brother Charlie who became a vet and ultimately a veterinary manager for the Scottish Government based in Inverness.

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Ian went to Aberdeen University where he gained a BSC in geography and then a PhD in agricultural development.

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His working career started in economic development firstly with the North East Scotland Development Authority and latterly Scottish Development Agency before he joined the private sector as managing director of Aberdeen glazing company, Bon Accord Glass - where he learned first-hand that running a business was not as simple as it was portrayed in the textbooks.

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He returned to economic development as managing director of a development project in Peterhead and spent 10 years heading the enterprise trust, Enterprise North East, based in Peterhead.

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In 2001 he started his own company, Business Development Advice, working with businesses mainly in the food industry in Scotland doing business plans, feasibility studies and capital grant applications for food companies, fish processors and harbours throughout Scotland.

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Ian retired - well nearly! in 2022. He and his partner Ingrid stay in an old farmhouse at Gamrie, near Macduff - so you could say that he has gone right round in a circle.

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He has two daughters, Laura and Amy and a granddaughter Kitty who is the apple of his eye.

His hobbies include gardening and DIY - not surprising as he has a large garden and steading to maintain, but he also enjoys exploring in his motor home in the summer.

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Ian has been an organiser of, and speaker at, many Burns Suppers in Aberdeenshire over the past 30 years - a number of which were attended by our own Cliff Sim.

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Toast to the Lasses – Martin Anderson

Born and bred here in Inverness, Martin is a graduate of Edinburgh’s Napier Polytechnic and Aberdeen University (as they were known back then!) Martin worked in IT for many years, working all over Scotland, however shortly after becoming a Dad, wanting to be closer to home and family, Martin changed direction and spent the next dozen or so years specialising in construction management and home energy.

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Now an independent Energy Assessor, he works primarily throughout the Highlands, his company GreenHighland established in 2014 has grown in reputation and success year on year.

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Martin joined Inverness Opera Company (IOC) in 2008 and was fortunate enough to land principal roles in “South Pacific,” “Jekyll & Hyde” and “Calamity Jane.” He also joined the Florians in 2010, his very first role being Corporal Jones in “Dad’s Army,” and has enjoyed playing various characters, highlights being Sir Lancelot/the French Taunter in “Spamalot,” Owen in “The Vicar of Dibley” and Jonathan Brewster in “Arsenic and Old Lace.”

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His late father Tom was Head of Music at Millburn Academy, and onetime Musical Director of IOC. His mother Anel was a dancer with Margaret Firth & the White Heather Club, and was also a member of IOC, so entertainment was very much in the background during his youth! That said, he did not inherit ‘dancing feet’ and has avoided hoofing on-stage, much to the relief of Highland audiences.

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Martin’s son Kyle, a graduate of the University of Stirling, will shortly be embarking upon a teaching contract in Chengdu, China, having previously taught in Spain and Thailand.

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Reply frae the Lasses – Lisa Senior

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Moving to the Highlands at 16, Lisa Senior lives in Inverness with her husband Ben. Together, they have 4 wonderful children and one delightful grandson. She works full time in the renewables sector, heading up the site support teams working on global offshore wind construction projects.

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Outside of work she is currently Vice President of the Florians Drama Club and actively takes part in productions both on and off stage, recently playing the Fairy Godmother in the 2022 Panto, Snow White, and working with Trevor Nicol as Assistant Director on his production of “Arsenic and Old Lace” in June 2023. She is looking forward to directing her first production, “ ‘Allo ‘Allo” in September 2024. She is also currently rehearsing for the upcoming production of “Made in Dagenham” with Inverness Musical Theatre at Eden Court in March 2024, where she is playing the role of Cass.

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Her other passion is American Football, being part of both successful teams in Inverness, The Highland Wildcats (under 16’s) and The Highland Stags (adult). Currently both are reigning Scottish Champions heading into the 2024 season. Her role in the clubs, also gave her the opportunity to be involved in the recent Scotland under 19 team in a management capacity. She also volunteers as part of the competition management team for the governing body BAFA (British American Football Association).

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Annual General Meeting

 

Our AGM was held at Inverness Golf Club on 14th March 2023 at 8pm. The purpose of the meeting was to review our previous Annual Supper and elect new members to the Management Committee.

 

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