A week ago today myself and Jane Osborne were setting off with expectation and apprehension to our first Scottish UFO and paranormal conference.
Jane specialises in Past Life Regression and Alien Encounters so we hoped to meet some kindred spirits, those hopes were realised in spades.
Glasgow is a magnificent place , the University imposing, and the atmosphere in the city was bouncing with the national football team opening the Euros in Munich, what a treat it was to watch the game in the Merchant Quarter.
The Queen Margaret Union auditorium worked particularly well, the University setting casting a welcome air of credibility upon proceedings. The roster of speakers was continuous from 10am onwards, with the stands at the back offering plenty of background material and information.
In Shakespeare’s “As You Like it”, Duke Senior declares: “Sweet are the uses of adversity”. The first speaker, Karen Strang embraced that principle. Karen is a visual artist and painter whose opening slot was hamstrung initially by the visual display screens, and microphones, not functioning. With time slipping away because of the delayed start Karen eschewed the need for visuals and amplification by simply launching into an impassioned talk on her subject- and triumphed.
The audience wanted her to succeed, and succeed she did with a brilliant, engaging, informative and humorous talk on her work and interest in the Scottish Witchcraft Trials. Her studio is by the Cunninghar in Alloa and is well worth exploring further.
Polymath Rev Alyson Dunlop Shanes was a delight. The technical issues had been resolved and her first hand experience of Psychic attack was compelling.
Gordon Rutter somehow managed to interweave the Day of the Triffids, the Invasion of the Body Snatchers and the myths and legends of plants and trees into a fascinating cohesive package.
I particularly enjoyed Ron Halliday’s trip to Ancient Aliens, a talk which could easily have had double the time allocated to it. Doyen of ghosthunters, Linda Whiteford, took us to the Ghosts of Culross, a talk neatly complimented by Alan Murdie’s fascinating exploration of the ubiquitous white lady tradition.
Founder of SPI Malcom Robinson was the star of the show delivering a riveting examination of Scottish UFO encounters. His geographical pointers to us Anglo’s in the audience as to where some of these locations were was much appreciated, as was the detail of his subject matter.
It was a wonderful day, and well worth the ten hour round trip drive from the English Midlands. We were made to feel so welcome by the fellow audience attendees and the presenters who gave freely of their time when not performing . Their website with further information is:
Garyswordz 