A message from the Founder and Trustee
Christopher Markwell
In 2010 we were very pleased to honour the centenary of Bute’s own Andrew Baird’s contribution to Scottish aviation history with our establishment of the Baird events now held each September on Bute. Subsequently the formation of the Baird of Bute Society has allowed us to use his example to work to enrich the communty and inspire generations of young people across Scotland. It is our mission “to inspire to aspire.”
Our Inspiration
A Scottish registered charity established to proudly celebrate the achievements of Andrew Blain Baird, a son of Bute who historically achieved the “First Attempted All-Scottish heavier-than-air powered flight” in September 1910 in a flying machine of his own construction.
Click Below to Watch a video about Andrew Blain Baird’s life
Our Patron
Sir Stephen Hillier
“I’m proud to be the Patron of the Baird of Bute Society, which celebrates and promotes the rich history of the aerospace endeavour in Scotland and to be able to help support its vitally important mission of inspiring young people to aspire to achievement in their lives through its many scholarships, awards and school programmes”
“The Baird Attempt” by Dugald Cameron OBE
What We Do
The Society employs the example of Andrew Baird to inspire the youth of Scotland to aspire to achievement in their own lives, through a series of inspiring programmes, scholarships and activities, including:
- The Scottish Aviation Award
- The Scottish Innovation Award
- STEM scholarships for Young Scots
- Lord Smith of Kelvin Lecture
- Inspiring Science Programme
- In-School Programmes
Why We Do It
The Daily Mail May 18, 2011
“Young Give up on Life”
“One in five young Scots has given up on fulfilling their goals in life, new research reveals. Thousands of 16 to 24 year olds have abandoned all hope for their future – with many believing they will end up living on state benefits. Others say they can only look forward to dead-end jobs, illustrating the rising despair among jobless Scots amid soaring long-term youth unemployment”.
Who We Are
Patron
Sir Steven Hillier GCB CBE DFC
Board of Trustees
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Prof Eleanor Campbell FRS FRSE – Chair
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Prof Dugald Cameron OBE DSc DA – Trustee
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Craig Clark MBE – Trustee
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Prof Sir Iain Gray CBE FRSE – Trustee
- Christopher Markwell – Trustee
- Scott Kerr – Trustee
- Stella MacInnes – Trustee
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Isobel Strong – Trustee
Baird of Bute Society Scottish Awards
Monoplane presented over a slate relief of the Isle of Bute
Presented annually to a Scot who has made a significant contribution to either aviation or innovation and in so doing can provide inspiration to the youth of Scotland to aspire to better realise their dreams.
2026 Recipients
Scottish Aviation Award
Scottish Innovation Award
Inspiring Bute
2025 Recipients
Scottish Aviation Award
Scottish Innovation Award
Inspiring Bute
Inspiring Bute
Gallery of Previous Recipients
Galbraith-2024
Wright-2024
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june-almeida-banner
2022 – Inspiring Scot – June Almeida
Richard Henderson Banner crop
2019 Innovation Award – Richard Henderson
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2019 Aviation Award – Sir Stuart Atha
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2018 Aviation Award – Dr Gordon Watson
sheila-rowan
2018 Innovation Award – Dr Sheila Rowan
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2017 Aviation Award – Sir Stephen Hillier
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2017 – Sir Fraser Stoddart
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2016 Aviation Award – Iain Gray
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2015 Aviation Award – Gordon McConnel
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2015 Innovation Award – Dr Eleanor Campbell
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2014 Innovation Award – Craig Clark
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2014 Aviation Award – Amanda MacMillan
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2013 Aviation Award – Dugald Cameron
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2013 Innovation Award – Dr Patrick Gunning
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2012 Aviation Award – Scott Grier
Programmes
Lord Smith of Kelvin Lecture
Annual open lectures with a Scottish perspective of interest on aviation and innovation topics delivered at the Winter Gardens on the Isle of Bute by noted Scots who have received a Baird of Bute Society Scottish Award. They were established by the Society to honour Lord Smith of Kelvin who was the inaugural Patron of the Society.
STEM Scholarships for Young Scots
The Society financially and logistically supports Young Scots from Argyll and Bute who have been accepted to participate in STEM Summer Schools run by Scottish Universities such as the “Engineering the Future for Girls” and “Scottish Space School” at the University of Strathclyde. This programme makes these exciting opportunities available to pupils from relatively remote areas that are normally unable to attend such non-residential opportunities.
Baird of Bute STEM Talks
A series of talks throughout the winter months held at the Bute Natural History Museum.
Aimed at senior school pupils and the general public, the topics are chosen to highlight exciting new developments in science and technology and inspire young people to follow STEM careers.
Dugald Cameron / Baird of Bute Medal for Design Engineering
The Society supports the award of the annual Dugald Cameron Medal for Design Engineering to a graduate of the University of Strathclyde Department of Design, Manufacturing and Engineering Management. The medal is named in honour of Society Trustee Prof Dugald Cameron, renowned artist and educator, who pioneered education in product design engineering.
Our New Look
We are pleased to present our new mark and identity. Based on the Scottish St Andrews cross, the yellow represents the golden sands of Ettrick Bay and the blue the sky over the Isle of. Bute. Not only does it reflect Baird’s historic event in aviation in September 1910; but is symbolic of the Society’s mission to inspire the youth of Scotland to aspire to achievement in their lives – to reach for the sky.
Contribute to Baird of Bute Society
Please support our mission to Inspire the youth of Scotland to Aspire to achievement in their lives.
Please contact our Secretary Treasurer at bairdcontribution@bairdofbute.co.uk for bank transfer information.
The Baird of Bute Society is registered as a charity (SC055214) by the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR)
