Speaker - L Bruce Keith

Tue, Nov 21st 2023 at 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm

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An excellent talk was given to West Fife Rotarians this week by L. Bruce Keith. The retired surveyor recounted the evolution of measuring distances from Roman milestones through to the measure described in Robert Burns’s Tam-o’Shanter - the “lang Scot’s mile” which measures 1984 yards. He went on to reveal the need for milestones after the introduction of turnpikes and tolls.

Bruce entertained his audience with humour and interspersing his many interesting facts on milestones and mileposts with a sprinkling of Scottish history.

Bruce was pulling his information and images from his latest book “Are We Nearly There Yet?” which he wrote during lockdown.

Are We Nearly There Yet? A journey celebrating Scotland’s milestones, inspired by The Road and the Miles to Dundee (Hardback) is available from the author.

Bruce Keith is a surveyor and environmentalist, having started his professional career working on several Aberdeenshire estates and in Edinburgh with the Department of Agriculture. Bruce moved to England in 1996 as Chief Surveyor with English Nature, but kept his Scottish connections, retiring five years ago as Head of Property at SSE. Bruce's interest in bridges stems from his childhood. His passion for Scottish history, geography and landscape is a recurring theme, captured in "Bridgescapes"

In addition to completing his book, Bruce has spent his retirement as an ambassador for the sustainable use of water resources globally, and, as President of his professional institution last year, (The Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM)), has travelled extensively from New Zealand to Finland via Africa. This has left little time for golf, which is evidenced by his handicap.

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Primary Schools linked to Rotary Club of West Fife:- Blairhall, Cairneyhill, Carnock, Crossford, Camdean, Culross, Inzievar, Holy Name, Limekilns, Milesmark, St Serfs, Saline, Torryburn, Tulliallan. Secondary Schools:- Queen Anne and Woodmill