The March meeting of the Stewarton & District Historical Society was addressed by Mr Breingan from Ayr, who spoke about Scottish Bank Notes. It was a most interesting evening, as he began with the early founding of the Bank of Scotland around 1700, then showed examples of the notes issued by some of the smaller, less well known, Scottish banks.

He went on to outline the history of the some of the other banks, such as the Clydesdale Bank, the Commercial Bank, the British Linen Bank, (which stood where the Coffee Pot is now situated.)

In response to many questions he went on to explain some of the fascinating legal points regarding what constituted legal tender, and the legal position regarding Scottish bank notes.

Another interesting Stewarton link was that Mr Breingan had worked for the Clydesdale Bank alongside Mr John Campbell whose father John Campbell had put his signature on Clydesdale Bank bank-notes at one time, and Sir John was born and brought up in Stewarton.

The next meeting on Monday 12th April (later than usual because of Easter) will be addressed by Mrs MacLeod from the National Trust for Scotland who will be speaking about the Weavers' Cottage at Kilbarchan, and its history. As usual anyone interested in this subject will be welcome.