Speaker Ian Richardson

In the absence of President Stewart, Sandy Farquharson welcomed members.  There were no visitors. Speaker for the day was our own Dr. Ian Richardson, who offered a “my holiday” talk with a difference – he hasn’t been yet!  Instead and in preparation for the trip, Ian has carried out considerable research into the area he plans to visit, namely the Balkans and shared the results with us.

The Balkans, or Balkan Peninsula, is a cultural area in Eastern and South-eastern Europe with various and disputed borders.   The region takes its name from the Balkan Mountains that stretch from the Serbian-Bulgarian border to the Black Sea.  The Balkan Peninsula is bordered by the Adriatic Sea on the northwest, the Ionian Sea on the southwest, the Mediterranean and Aegean Sea on the south and southeast, and the Black Sea on the east and northeast. The northern border of the peninsula is variously defined. The highest point of the Balkans is Mount Musala 2,925 metres (9,596 ft) in the Rila mountain range.
The position of the region lends itself to trade.  It was part of the Ottoman and subsequently Austro Hungarian empires and, of course, the First World War was touched off by the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife in Sarajevo in 1914.  After the Second World War, Yugoslavia found itself ruled by the Russians , with Marshall Tito assuming control and dispensing his own version of communism.  After Tito’s death there were 10 years of civil war with NATO finally bringing this to an end.  Nowadays the region is at peace, with burgeoning tourism a strong incentive to keep it that way.
Ian’s trip will commence with a flight to Croatia, then a drive into Slovenia, followed by entering Serbia and proceeding East to its capital Belgrade.  The city boasts a lively café culture, overlooked by a citadel high above. The journey continues via Serbian monasteries into Bosnia Herzegovina, then Sarajevo, once an Ottoman stronghold. Next is Mostar and the wine growing areas, followed by Podgorica, capital of Montenegro, which sits on a fjord.
The Vote of Thanks was given by Alex Galloway and well supported. This week’s Speakers Host is Derek Robertson, with Visitors Host Malcolm Cordwell-Smith.  More information on Stirling Rotary Club can be obtained from our website www.stirling.rotary1010.org.


Ranald Ross-Watt
Communications Committee