Society spotlight: Tullibody History Group

We take a look at the activities of Tullibody History Group, based in the Lowlands town of Tullibody.

Tullibody is one of Scotland’s smallest villages, with a rich history that dates back to at least 4000BC, as demonstrated by the discovery of one of the few shell middens to the north of the Forth on the village golf course. 

The group exists to share the area’s history with both local people and visitors, exploring the village’s past from the Neolithic era, through the coming of Christianity in the fifth century and on to the Industrial Revolution, when local industries included brewing, tanning, distilling and coal mining.

Tullibody has several well-known ‘sons’, including botanist & geologist Robert Dick, Dr William Burns Paterson, who founded Alabama State University, and soldier & politician Sir Ralph Abercromby.

The Group’s heritage centre is open on Saturdays from April to October 2pm to 4pm (other times by arrangement) and is home to archive and family history material to help visitors find out more about local families, trades and village life. Anyone tracing their family tree is welcome to explore the A-Z file of births, deaths and marriages, and most of the gravestones from the Auld Kirkyard have been transcribed by volunteers, with the records available to consult. 

Meetings are held monthly from January to May, and members also get together at a summer outing and Christmas party. Annual membership is £7 (free for children) and entry to the heritage centre is by donation. For more information, visit the website.