Here you will find information on the activities of the Section – its objectives, meetings and events, as well as information on how to join.
These pages also aim to give a flavour of the unique and fascinating history of horology in Scotland – a tradition parallel to, but distinct from that of England.
The Scottish Section of the Antiquarian Horological Society (AHS) was founded in 1985 at the initiative of a group of Scottish AHS members, led by the well-known Scottish horologist Felix Hudson. The section celebrated its 20th anniversary in October of 2005.
The section draws its members from all parts of Scotland and beyond. Members include professional clock and watchmakers, restorers, dealers, hobbyists and other enthusiasts. A welcome is extended to prospective members of all ages, backgrounds and experience - whether their interest is professional or recreational..
Membership of the Scottish Section is open to any person who is a member of the Antiquarian Horological Society. AHS Members may then elect to be affiliated with one or more regional or national sections or the specialist groups.
Full details of how to become an AHS member are given in the main AHS website, here.
The Section meets monthly from September to June, in the Huntly House Museum on Edinburgh's historic Canongate. The meetings are in the form of lectures from invited speakers, or visits to properties with a horological interest. Past speakers have included well-known horologists such as Jonathan Betts, Kenneth Roberts, Tom Robinson, Beresford Huchinson, Frances Tennant, Rita Shenton, A.R. Somerville, Michel Dareau, The Viscount Midleton and John Robey. As well as lectures on items of historical interest, meetings of a practical nature are held. These typically comprise demonstrations by practicing craftsmen and women of specific clock and watchmaking skills, or on aspects of practical restoration and conservation.
In addition to the monthly meetings the Section also organizes longer horological tours. These have included trips to the Black Forest, the Swiss Jura, Vienna and Ireland. More widely, the Section is active in promoting the cause of antiquarian horology, and is particularly keen that Scotland’s own notable horological heritage should be properly appreciated, valued and understood. In 1997 the Section organized a major month-long exhibition entitled '500 Years of Scottish Clockmaking'. Based at Callendar House in Falkirk, the exhibition featured an unprecedented assembly of over 100 Scottish clocks, tracing the history and development of Scottish horology over the last five centuries. The section has also been privileged to welcome visits to Scotland from other international horological societies such as the North American Watch and Clock Collectors’ Association (NAWCC), American Watchmakers’ Institute (AWI) and the Deutsche Geschellschaft fur Chronometrie.
If you are interested in finding out more about the AHS Scottish Section you can contact the Scottish Section Secretary via e-mail at the main AHS office. Prospective members are also very welcome to attend any of the Section’s Huntly House meetings without obligation.
Please note that the Antiquarian Horological Society is a registered charity, and is restricted by its constitution to the promotion of the non-commercial aspects of horology. Consequently the Section is unable to respond to queries relating to the valuation of clocks and watches, nor does it act as a forum for the purchase or sale of horological items.