The Inaugural Meeting

The first meeting of the fledgling Sherlock Holmes Society of Scotland was held in a little room off the bar in the Boswell Hotel in Mansionhouse Road in Glasgow's southside on Wednesday September 29th, 2010.
Present were Noelle Carroll, Amy Ferguson, Simone Hughes, Andy Lombardini, Gemma MacDonald, Elaine Mcleary, Louise Murray, Allan Rae, Jeanie Rae, Scott Stevenson and Barry Young.
Amy was along from BBC Radio Scotland's Book Cafe programme, which broadcast a short feature on the meeting the following Monday afternoon.
It was agreed that Barry should take the chair, and that the society should focus on the books, or "Sacred Writings" rather than the movies, TV series or other spin-offs, although discussion about anything and everything is positively encouraged. The traditional "Great Game" where Holmes and Watson are treated as real people and Conan Doyle as the Literary Agent was felt to be a bit too rarified for the members at present.
We are also looking for a less formal, more Holmesian name for the Society. Traditionally, names are chosen from the titles or contents of the Holmes stories, prefereably with a geographical appropriateness. However, despite Sir Arthur being a native of Edinburgh, there are few references to Scotland in the canon, and none that have an obvious use. Suggestions were invited for the next meeting.
Some members have a wide knowledge of the books, others haven't read any of them, so it was decided that for our next meeting we should read A Study in Scarlet, the first Holmes novel.
We will meet once a month, with the last Monday of the month being the least problematic day for the majority of people, at 7.30pm. A city centre venue was suggested, with Jeanie proposing the Arts Club, of which she is a member. However, as we were unsure of the availablility of the club, Gemma proposed her partner's photographic studio in the Merchant City, which she will confirm.
Scott offered to put together some ideas for a logo for the society, one result of which is on our home page, and Louise volunteered the help of a family member to set up a website.
It was a very enjoyable meeting, which could have continued for much longer, and everyone agreed that the society has made an excellent start.