The Baird of Bute Society recognizes and promotes the historical achievements of Andrew Blain Baird, the Bute blacksmith who on 17 September 1910, at Ettrick Bay on Bute, flew a plane of his own design and manufacture to record the First All-Scottish Heavier-than-air Powered Flight.

The Baird of Bute Society is focused on the advancement of education and information related to Andrew Blain Baird and his aviation and entrepreneurial activity. The Society participates in the advancement of the arts, heritage, culture and science on the Isle of Bute and beyond.

Trustees

Christopher Richard Markwell, Founder & Chair Prof. Eleanor Campbell FRS, Trustee & Vice-Chair Prof. Michael Russell MSP, Trustee Prof. Iain Gray CBE FRSE, Trustee Prof. Dugald Cameron OBE, DSc, DA, Trustee Craig Clark MBE, Trustee Isobel Strong, Trustee Joshua McFadden, Trustee J. S. Thom CA, Independent Examiner of Accounts

Patron Sir Stephen John Hillier KCB, CBE, DFC, ADC, MA

Awards

Baird of Bute Scottish Aviation Award

Year Recipient 2012 Scott Grier OBE 2013 Professor Dugald Cameron OBE 2014 Amanda McMillan OBE 2015 Gordon McConnel OBE 2016 Iain Gray CBE FRSE 2017 Sir Stephen Hillier KCB, CBE, DFC, ADC, MA 2018 Gordon Watson 2019 Sir Stuart Atha KBE CB DSO

Baird of Bute Scottish Innovation Award Year Recipient 2013 Dr Patrick Gunning 2014 Craig Clark MBE 2015 Eleanor Campbell FRS FRSE 2016 William Leitch 2017 Sir Fraser Stoddart FRS FRSE 2018 Sheila Rowan (physicist) MBE FRS FRSE 2019 Richard Henderson (biologist) CH FRS

Scholarships

Baird of Bute Canadian Science Scholarship

This two week Canadian Science Scholarship provides for up to three young people from across Scotland, the opportunity to acquire experiences and skills to allow each to better succeed in their upcoming university studies. Centred in Toronto, the hands on "Bench to Bedside" programme is supported by University of Toronto, Ontario Science Centre, University Health Network, the Scottish Government and mentored by Cancer researcher Professor Patrick Gunning and bio-ethicist Professor Hazel Markwell.

Year Recipient(s) 2014 Bonnie Caldwell (Rothesay Academy, Isle of Bute), Joshua McFadden (Rothesay Academy, Isle of Bute) 2015 Nisha Middleton (Rothesay Academy, Isle of Bute), Euan McGregor (Rothesay Academy, Isle of Bute) 2016 Eilidh Summers (Ullapool High School), Keir Carmichael (Gryffe High School, Houston) 2018 Cara Corman (Tarbert Academy, Isle of Gigha), Lewis Strachan (Cardinal Newman High School, Bellshill) & Zara Henry (Rothesay Academy, Isle of Bute) 2019 Lauren Santandreu (St Thomas of Aquin's High School, Edinburgh), Rebecca Bean (Forrester High School, Edinburgh) & Andrew Middleton (Rothesay Academy, Isle of Bute)

Scottish Young Achiever Award Awarded on occasion to recognise a young Scot. Year Recipient 2017 Jane Ross Scottish International football player

William Leitch Space Scholarship Named in honour of the 19th century Bute born scientist and clergyman, Dr. William Leitch, now credited as first to publish the theory that travel in space was best undertaken with jet propulsion - decades before those earlier credited. Each year one graduate of the Strathclyde University Scottish Space School is selected to spend an internship at Scotland's Clyde Space, one of the world's foremost manufacturers of cube satellites.

Year Recipient 2016 Brooklyn Adkins (St Paul's Secondary, Glasgow) 2018 Ms. Casey (Conn Renfrew High School) 2019 Michael Miller (Graeme High School, Falkirk)

Lectures & Programmes

Lord Smith of Kelvin Lecture This lecture is an annual open event with a Scottish perspective of interest on aviation and innovation topics delivered at University of Strathclyde in Glasgow by noted Scots who have previously been recipients of a Baird of Bute Society Scottish Award. It was established by the Society and the University to honour Lord Smith of Kelvin who was inaugural Patron of the Society and is Chancellor of the University.

Inspiring Science Programme A visiting school programme presented in cooperation with Edinburgh University and led by Baird Society Vice Chair Professor Eleanor Campbell who is Chair of Chemistry at the university. She and a team of staff and graduate students visit secondary schools, in exurban communities, to discuss new scientific research, demonstrates chemistry in action and give students hands-on experience and an opportunity to interact with the team. Its STEM based outreach often extends into the participating local community with mini science fairs and parent involvement.

Events Annual Baird of Bute Festival of Flight The annual "Baird of Bute Festival of Flight" takes place during the third weekend of September.

Date Notes Links 09/2014Baird Festival 2014 09/2013 Baird Festival 2013 09/2012 150th anniversary of the birth of Andrew Blain Baird 09/2011 Glorious sunshine, at Baird Airstrip, Ettrick Bay and Mount Stuart 09/2010 Centenary (17 September 1910)

Baird Society's Tenth Anniversary Celebrations As part of the 2019 Baird Awards and Celebration weekend, the Society was joined by Scotland's First Minister Rt. Honourable Nicola Sturgeon at a Civic Reception in the Ilse of Bute Discovery Centre, honouring the tenth anniversary of Baird of Bute, where she said

Publications

References

External links The Baird of Bute Website The Baird of Bute Society Website