Come and join local historian Ailsa Fortune on Thursday 26 January for a fascinating talk about the life of Mary Wyndham, Countess of Wemyss.

Ailsa will be looking into the life of Mary Wyndham (1863-1937) wife of Hugo, 10th Earl of Wemyss, set against the background of the Wemyss’ Scottish country home at Gosford, near Aberlady. Mary’s life was hugely privileged, but at times burdened with sadness and tragedy. She was a leading member of the ‘Souls’, a loosely-knit, socially elite group of friends, who revelled in the pursuit of intellectual and cultural excellence.

She was a vivacious hostess, a devoted mother, had a keen interest in politics and in her own way was a feminist. Her marriage was turbulent, but she found solace in an enigmatic, lifelong friendship with Prime Minister A. J Balfour. 

Ailsa’s talk will begin at 7 for 7.30pm in St Andrew’s Blackadder Chapel area, doors open at 6.30pm.