Thank you to Colin Houston for a most interesting talk (7th June 2023) about his Great Grandfather’s time spent in Japan in the mid-19th century. Colin Alexander McVean’s tremendous contribution to the development and modernisation of Japan during that period, was immense and Colin Houston highlighted this with well documented photographs of the projects he was involved with and the people he met, as well as the lifestyle he led.
It was most interesting to note the important part his Great Grandmother, Mary McVean also made. Colin’s powerpoint presentation included photographs taken at the time, of the notable Japanese and Scottish people he worked with and befriended. On the lighter side of social interaction, the “Bill of Fare” and “Toasts” at the St Andrew’s Day celebration, made for interesting reading.
