PSNS - Perthshire Society of Natural Science

18/10/2026

🌿 Upcoming Nature section talk: Alien Invasion! 🌺

Invasive non-native species (INNS) are a significant threat to our environment, our native wildlife, our economy and even to our health.
Douglas Traynor from the Scottish Invasive Species Initiative project will tell us about the work he does tackling five key invasive species, focusing on the River Earn.
When - Wednesday 28th October
Time - doors open 7pm for 7.30pm start.
Where - AK Bell Library, Perth. Enter via Soutar Theatre doors to the right of main library entrance.
🌺 Both members and non-members are welcome 🌺

12/10/2026

Our next Curious Minds talk is on October 23rd. James Hutton is widely recognised as the founder of modern geology. He revolutionised the science with his meticulous observations, measurements and deductions about the Earth and its enormous age. He was much more than this. He was a farmer, an entrepreneur and a leading figure of the Scottish Enlightenment. 2026 marks the 300th anniversary of his birth. Alan McKirdy will tell us about his fascinating life and discoveries as well as the unique role played by Scotland in the emergence of modern thinking. Soutar Theatre. AK Bell Library. Perth. Friday 23rd October. 7:30pm. Tickets via Perthshire Box Office.

The founder of modern geology was a Scot, from Edinburgh. James Hutton revolutionised geology with his meticulous observations, measurements and deductions about the Earth and its age. He was also much more than this. He was a farmer, an entrepreneur and a leading figure of the Scottish Enlightenmen...

11/10/2026

The Archaeology & History Section winter season kicks off on Wed 14th Oct 2026 at 7.30pm with the return visit of Dr Andrew Tibbs to the Soutar Theatre, AK Bell Library, giving us
"A short guide to Roman London" Non-members welcome.
Founded by the Romans in about AD 50, Londinium quickly became the most important city in Britannia. In this lecture, archaeologist and author Dr Andrew Tibbs takes his audience on a tour of Roman London — uncovering its hidden history and revealing the traces of the ancient city still concealed beneath the modern one.
Jamzze, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

10/10/2026

Our Curious Minds season got off to a great start last night with Dr Graham Bruce from St Andrews University talking about his scientific detective work measuring chemical fingerprints of samples in sealed containers. We heard about identifying fake wh**ky in Scotland and counterfeit pharmaceuticals in Africa as well as his "Arsenic in old books" project. A fascinating insight into serious scientific research applied to real-world problems.

The video of the talk can be seen on our Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rf7wjEfdw_4

Here's a link to an article mentioning his work in the Observer Magazine. https://observer.co.uk/style/features/article/fakes-and-how-to-spot-the-difference

07/10/2026

+++++ PSNS Nature section talk TONIGHT +++++

Nature section's new season of winter talks begins this evening at 7.30pm with "Through the Microscope".

As the Council of PSNS investigates whether to create a Microscopy Section, Carlos Wigderowitz offers a taste of what this could mean. You may well have used a microscope at some stage in your education or career but there could be more to the use of this tool than first meets the eye. An opportunity to learn about the techniques of using a microscope and to look closely at the minute, otherwise invisible to the naked eye.

Talk starts 7.30pm at AK Bell Library in Perth. Enter from the courtyard to the right of the main entrance that faces York Place, by the door signed Soutar Theatre.
Open to all so hope to see you tonight!

04/10/2026

Don't miss our Curious Minds talk on Friday!!

The first Curious Minds Lecture for 2026-27, presented by Culture Perth & Kinross and PSNS - Perthshire Society of Natural Science, will be “Drink, drugs & toxic books: thrills in spectroscopic imaging."

Dr Graham Bruce of the University of St Andrews uses light-based techniques to uncover the hidden chemistry of materials. His work has helped detect counterfeit wh**ky in Scotland, identify falsified medicines in West Africa, and reveal toxic pigments in Victorian book covers. Discover how light can solve real-world mysteries and learn why some bright green old books may contain arsenic.

📍 Soutar Theatre, AK Bell Library
🗓 Friday 9 October
⌚ 7.30pm
👛 PSNS Members & Students: £4.50, Non-members: £8
🎟 Tickets via Perthshire Box Office: https://buff.ly/IxbnuAb

25/09/2026

Our first CURIOUS MINDS talk of the season is on Friday 9th October. Dr Graham Bruce from St Andrews University is going to tell us some Chemical detective stories! How can you tell if the contents of a rare bottle of wh**ky is genuine - without opening it? How do you check rare books for poisonous dyes, like Arsenic, without damaging them? Come along and learn about the fascinating world of Spectroscopic Imaging. Links to more information and tickets are in the comments.

23/09/2026

20/09/2026

Doors Open Days 2026 is finally here! 🚪

We have venues and experiences taking part across Perth and Kinross today and tomorrow, and each one of them is free to access.

If you're visiting anywhere for Doors Open Days this weekend remember to take photos and tag us in any posts you put up! We love to see what you guys are up to.

Which venue are you most excited to visit this weekend?

https://www.pkht.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Doors-Open-Days-2026-Digital-Brochure-3.pdf

17/09/2026

PSNS is taking part in Doors Open Days 2026! Come along to see us at the PSNS Library off the foyer of Perth Art Gallery, George St on Sat 19th Sept 11am - 4pm and Sun 20th Sept 11am - 3.30pm