The Western Front Association is delighted to announce its second Scottish National Conference, taking place at Discovery Point, Dundee on Saturday 20th September 2025. This full-day conference brings together leading historians and researchers to explore fresh perspectives on Scotland's role in the Great War and beyond.
With an outstanding line-up of speakers including Professor Sir Hew Strachan on 'The Scottish Soldier in the Great War', Professor Peter Doyle examining the British use of gas at Loos in 1915, and Richard van Emden presenting new evidence on boy soldiers, this conference promises to deliver compelling insights into lesser-known aspects of the conflict. The programme also features Nick Hewitt on the Grand Fleet at Scapa Flow 1916-18 and Phyllida Shaw discussing the creation of the Scottish National War Memorial.
A venue steeped in history
Discovery Point, Dundee, 20 September 2025.
The venue for the conference is Discovery Point, Dundee. Berthed right outside the visitor centre and meeting rooms is the RRS Discovery. Built in 1900, in Dundee, the ship is famous for taking both Scott and Shackleton to Antarctica but after its Antarctic voyages the ship was sold to the Hudsons Bay Company as a trading vessel. At the start of the Great War she had been laid up for several years but the HBC had secured huge contracts to supply France with food and materiel. In Spring 1915 Discovery was refitted and sailed to New York. In autumn of 1915 she carried munitions to Archangel returning to Le Havre with a cargo of highly inflammable wood alcohol.
In August 1916 she returned to the south Atlantic to relieve the crew of the Endurance which had been crushed by ice. Shackleton had rescued himself and his crew had been picked up before Discovery arrived. Through 1917 she plied a coastal trade between the Atlantic ports of France. She sailed to Hudsons Bay and returned from northern seas at the end of 1918. She took up her old role as a research vessel in the 20s and 30s before becoming the London-based HQ for the Sea Scouts. In 1986 she returned to her home port of Dundee.
Delegates to the conference can access this remarkable ship as part of their conference booking.
Conference details and booking
The conference runs from 10.00 to 16.30 (doors open 9.30) and costs £35, including coffee on arrival and a sandwich lunch. Your ticket also grants access to the displays at Discovery Point and the RRS Discovery herself – a unique opportunity to explore a vessel that played its own vital role in the Great War.
Booking is available through three convenient methods:
- Online at www.westernfrontassociation/shop
- By phone on 0207 118 1914
- By email to membership@westernfrontassociation.com
This promises to be an exceptional day of scholarship and discovery in a truly historic setting.
We look forward to welcoming members and guests to Dundee.