Monday 24th to Wednesday 26th August 2026 LAST FEW PLACES
Stirling Court Hotel, University of Stirling, Airthrey Road, Stirling, FK9 4LA
Bookings are now open.
Courses that are available are :-
The Picts Full - waiting list only
This course will be a series of illustrated talks covering the history and archaeology relating to the Picts, the native people of the Highlands of Scotland in the first millennium CE.
We will look at their origins and the historical sources that are available to Pictish Studies, and what they tell us. Particularly in recent years, archaeology has filled in a lot of the blanks in the historical record and we will look at the most significant excavations and their findings.
Topics covered will include ethnicity, art, religion, language, material culture, genetics, warfare, burial practices and the Picts’ ultimate fate as a people.
I studied archaeology at London University’s Institute of Archaeology in the early 1970s but had a working career with a leading bank (but not as a banker). Since retirement in 2007, I have been a director, employee, volunteer and trustee of Groam House Museum in Rosemarkie, Black Isle which cares for a unique collection of fine Pictish sculpture as well as the archive of artist and art teacher George Bain (1881-1968), a leading ‘influencer’ in the Celtic Art Revival of the 19/20th centuries.
Positive Psychology Full. -Waiting list only.
Have you ever become engrossed in something, emerged after half an hour, only tdiscover that it has actually been two hours - which have been hugely productive, and you have experienced a great sense of enjoyment and satisfaction?
This is FLOW - one of many positive emotions, states or situations we will study on this course; not just to understand them, but how to identify, manage and develop them. Positive Psychology is the study and practice of understanding and improving one’s sense of Subjective Well-Being (SWB). Sometime referred to (erroneously I feel) as ‘Happiness’. Cue for discussion…
We will study the emergence of Positive Psychology in the 1990s, as a counter to earlier psychoanalytical approaches which addressed troubled or depressed mental states. Frameworks for modelling and measuring SWB will be briefly discussed, but the focus of the course will be to study - and practise - aspects of Positive Psychology to improve our SWB. These include but are not limited to: empathy and compassion - especially self-compassion; gratitude; flow; mindfulness and meditation; and positive relationships. We will also study aspects of resilience - adapting and coping in the face of adversity, tragedy, threats, or stress.
We will touch on how our physiology impacts our emotions - exercise; breathing and relaxation; the vagus nerve; and gut health - yes, you really do have a gut instinct!
The course includes a mix of short lectures, videos, group discussion and exercises. Some of the discussion might become a little personal, so come prepared to leave your ego behind!
Course Leader, George Cleland is a former Chair of Edinburgh u3a and is currently a u3a Council Representatives for Scotland. As well as Positive Psychology, he leads Qi Gong and Philosophy of Sciences Groups. With a PhD in Nuclear Physics, he was originally sceptical about the scientific basis of psychology. Eight years of study, however, have turned him into an enthusiastic advocate, both for the intellectual
challenge, and the life-changing practices.
Introduction to Sign Language with Stephen Balmer - last few places
This course introduces British Sign Language to members who have done either no Sign Language or a little Sign Language.
Topics covered will include the following:
- The letters of the alphabet (known as 'fingerspelling'), numbers and colours.
- How the signs relate to their meanings which makes them easier to remember.
- How the language is holistic: although we'll focus on our hands, we'll learn and practise the role of lips, facial expressions, gestures and body language.
- How to ask and answer each other's questions.
- How to sign a little about ourselves.
- The order of signs in a sentence.
The pace will be slow and methodical with lots of repetition. We'll be sitting down throughout.
Participants should end the course knowing if Sign Language is interesting, if it can be fun and, importantly, if it is for them. Of all the things we can learn as u3a members, Sign Language might be useful. Even simply knowing the twenty six letters of the alphabet allows us to communicate with our hands and eyes without paper and pen; we would be slow but we would communicate.
The tutor is an enthusiastic advancing learner of British Sign Language. Active since 2021 in u3a Interest Groups Online, now he leads two online Learn Sign Language groups, a French conversation group, the Penpals group and the Group Leaders Informal group. In Edinburgh u3a, from 2017 to date he has led the Explore the Museum group for which he prepares and gives series of one-hour guided tours of the National Museum of Scotland. With the exception of the Group Leaders Informal group, he formed all of those groups.
Enhancing Your Photography: Workshop | Facilitated by Neil Shaw last few places
This interactive workshop takes a fresh look at the art of producing outstanding pictures. We will analyse a range of images – the good, the bad and the great – and explore not just how you can take more impactful photos, but also how you can start thinking more like a photographer. Covering the ‘what’ and ‘why’; as well the ‘how’ of photography, the workshop will provide multiple practical tips designed to help you take better pictures and undertake more satisfying photographic projects.
Neil Shaw is a seven-times-exhibited photographer and an experienced workshop facilitator. He specialises in documentary and landscape photography and has published two photo books.
Exploring Artificial Intelligence: Understanding and Experiencing the Future - two spaces left
Curious about Artificial Intelligence but not sure where to start?
This course will introduce the world of AI in simple, accessible terms — no technical background needed. We will explore what AI is, how it’s already part of everyday life, and what it might mean for the future. Participants will have the chance to try out AI tools themselves, see how machines “learn,” how it can help you with work in the u3a and discuss the social and ethical questions AI raises by considering the opportunities and challenges it brings for the future.
The sessions are led by Jenny Brogden who has a background in IT and European innovation projects, including work on the RACE programme and on bringing early internet technologies to rural areas. With years of experience helping local and national governments across the UK and Ireland make the most of digital tools, she brings a practical, people-focused perspective on how new technologies — like AI today — can serve communities including u3as.
Creative Crafts last few spaces
This course is intended for anyone interested in hand sewing whether they are a beginner or experienced sewer.
We will explore the Japanese quilting technique of Sashiko (pronounced Sash-ko). This ancient method of stitching was used to decorate kimonos and with Boro stitching to create decorative repairs to clothing and textile items.
We will look at traditional patterns and how using geometric shapes you can create your own interesting designs.
By the end of the workshop it is hoped that everyone will have completed a Japanese rice bag (originally used to carry offerings to the gods) but now makes beautiful bags for gifts or keeping jewellery or small items in.
We will be using denim for the quilting and thin quilting cotton. I will be supplying all fabrics and threads needed to complete the bag at no cost and providing stencils and geometric shapes for designing. All members need to bring is a basic sewing kit.
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