Some of Scotland’s leading figures in engineering and space technology will share their work with the public in Rothesay this month as part of the Baird of Bute Society’s annual awards celebrations.
Three distinguished award recipients will give talks and answer questions about their careers and research at the Winter Garden cinema in Rothesay on Friday, September 11.
The free public event, running from 1.30pm until 3.30pm, will take place ahead of the Baird of Bute Society SCIO’s annual Awards Dinner later that day.
Among the speakers will be Professor Margaret Lucas FRSE FREng, Regius Chair of Civil Engineering and Mechanics and Professor of Ultrasonics at the University of Glasgow.
Professor Lucas is the recipient of the Baird of Bute Scottish Award for Innovation 2026 and will discuss her research in power ultrasonics, with applications ranging from space exploration to robotic surgery.
She will be joined by Professor Colin McInnes MBE FRSE FREng, James Watt Chair and Professor of Engineering Science at the University of Glasgow.
The recipient of this year’s Baird of Bute Scottish Award for Aviation, Professor McInnes is internationally recognised for his work on future space technologies, including solar sails and asteroid capture.
Completing the trio is Professor Craig Clark MBE FRSE FREng, Professor of Practice for Space at the University of Strathclyde and a previous recipient of the Baird of Bute Scottish Award for Innovation.
Professor Clark, who received the award in 2014, is known for his work in the commercial development of small satellites and has been inducted into the Scottish Engineering Hall of Fame.
His Rothesay talk will focus on Scotland’s growing space sector.
The Baird of Bute Society said all three speakers had risen from humble Scottish backgrounds to build remarkable careers and hoped their achievements could provide inspiration to young people.
The awards celebrations will also recognise society founders Chris and Hazel Markwell for their contribution to the people of Bute and beyond.
The couple helped revive awareness of Bute’s pioneering ‘flying blacksmith’ Andrew Blain Baird, marking the centenary of his historic 1910 flight attempt with celebrations which developed into the island’s annual Baird Day.
Inspired by Baird’s example, Chris and Hazel went on to establish the Baird of Bute Society with the aim of encouraging young people across Scotland to aspire to achievement.
The free talks will take place at the Winter Garden cinema in Rothesay from 1.30pm to 3.30pm on Friday, September 11, with no booking or admission charge indicated by organisers.
