Thomas Muir in the Twenty-First Century
Join us for a fascinating afternoon of talks and music, exploring of the life and legacy of Thomas Muir in the modern era.
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This years speakers include:
Professor John Curtice (University of Strathclyde)
Sir John Curtice is Senior Research Fellow at the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen), Professor of Politics at Strathclyde University, and Chief Commentator on the ‘What UK Thinks: EU’ and ‘What Scotland Thinks’ websites.
Professor Colin Kidd (University of St Andrews)
Colin Kidd is Wardlaw Professor of Modern History at the University of St Andrews
and a fellow of All Souls College at the University of Oxford.
Jane O'Donnell (Chief Executive of CoSLA)
With decades of experience spanning local councils, national reform roles, and COSLA itself, she now heads Scotland's principal local government body.
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Thomas Muir was an eighteenth-century Scottish champion of political democracy who took a worldwide view of the idea, believing it would eventually prevail in all corners of the globe.
The Friends of Thomas Muir is a twenty-first century organisation that promotes the life and works of Muir in a variety of different ways.
In particular, it organises annual symposia to examine different aspects of Muir's ideas and how people have been inspired by them since his death in 1799.
This year, we will examine the different ways in which democracy is viewed in the world today, followed by a focus on how democracy is interpreted in the United Kingdom and its consequent impact on national and local government.
Three papers:
1. Differing Views of Democracy in the World Today.
2. Political Democracy and the UK and Scottish Governments.
3. Political Democracy at Local Level.
Discover how his ideas and actions resonate in the twenty-first century and continue to inspire change.
Venue:
Lenzie Academy
Myrtle Ave,
Lenzie,
Glasgow
G66 4HR
Wednesday 5th November 2025
Time: 12.45pm - 4.15pm
Tea and coffee provided
Travel Details
Car - Spaces available for the event (Please let Don know if you plan to use car park).
Train - Lenzie Station: Lenzie Academy is 1km from Lenzie Train Station (approx. 12 to 15 minute walk).
Bus - Regular service to Lenzie & Kirkintilloch from Glasgow (Buchanan Bus Station)
