Mak Merry: Friendship, crafting and Scottish Women’s Institutes

What can a women's craft group achieve when it spans generations, traditions, and over 50,000 members?

Founded in 1917 by farmer and suffrage supporter Catherine Blair, the Scottish Women’s Institutes (SWI) – known locally as the Rural – quickly became the largest women’s movement in Scotland. At a time when many rural women faced social isolation and limited opportunities, the SWI offered practical education, community support, and creative expression. From food preservation to fine knitting, SWI supported peer-to-peer learning and lifelong skills. Blair’s own Mak Merry pottery trained women in ways to support themselves financially – long before such ideas were commonplace.

This event, led by Valentina Bold and May Maccormick, explores the history and legacy of the SWI through:

• A presentation from the SWI’s Heritage Manager on the Institute’s origins and its current HLF-supported project, which is digitising archives and capturing oral histories.

• A live demonstration from tutor May Maccormick, who has helped document and teach Sanquhar’s distinctive knitting traditions.

• A closing tea party in the spirit of SWI meetings, offering time for reflection and conversation.

Part celebration and part rediscovery, this session offers a rare look at how crafting and community shaped the lives of thousands of Scottish women.

Extra information: Full details on locating the venue can be found here.

This event is an interactive group discussion/workshop/session so may involve talking in groups, hands-on activities, small individual or group tasks and self-reflection. You can be as involved as you feel comfortable doing so and will never be required to take part in an activity if you do not wish to do so. Pens and notepads will be provided.

Important points to note

• This event is suitable for age 16+

• Filming: Livestreaming and photography may take place at this event. Please let a member of the RSE Public Engagement team know if you do not want to be photographed. Recorded events will be made available on the RSE YouTube channel.
• Covid-19: If you would like to wear a face mask, please feel comfortable to do so at our events. Please be mindful of other participants and stay at home if you have Covid symptoms or have tested positive for Covid-19.

SPEAKER

Dr Valentina Bold FSA (Scot)

Heritage Manager, Scottish Women’s Institutes

Valentina joined Scottish Women’s Institutes in 2025. After a distinguished academic career, she has decided to use her skills in applied cultural heritage, including as Heritage Officer for the Crichton Trust. In Dumfries, she co-created performances based on the memories of staff and patients of the Crichton Royal Institution: ‘Up the Middle Road’, for Year of Stories 2022. Valentina has published extensively bon Scottish cultural heritage, from James Hogg to A Women’s History of Winchburgh. She edits ‘Review of Scottish Culture’, and a series on Scottish culture for Peter Lang.

Workshop lead

May Maccormick

Acclaimed expert on the distinctive tradition of Sanquhar knitting, and a member of Scottish Women’s Institutes.

May is a highly respected tradition bearer from Sanquhar, and a long-standing member of Scottish Women’s Institutes. She is widely recognised for her extensive knowledge of the unique heritage craft of Sanquhar knitting. May has passed on her skills and knowledge to generations of knitters, in Scotland and internationally, including presenting her traditions to 1.2 million visitors at 2003’s ‘Scotland at the Smithsonian’.

About the Curious festival

The RSE’s free Curious festival of knowledge is back, from Saturday 6 − Saturday 14 September 2025!

Curious is a festival of ideas – open to all and driven by connection, conversation, and discovery. It’s a chance to explore ideas and questions that matter with some of Scotland’s leading thinkers – and with people who bring their own lived experiences, insights, and curiosity to the table.

From science and society to arts and innovation, the programme spans a wide range of topics – with each event designed to spark dialogue, invite different perspectives, and encourage knowledge exchange.

Curious is an opportunity to meet like-minded individuals, plus those who see the world differently, and be part of discussions where everyone is welcome to share, learn, and be inspired. Full programme of events here.

Accessibility

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