An important feature of membership of the WS Society is the opportunity to share and learn with one another. To increase the opportunities to do this, we’re introducing a Lightning Talk series of lunchtime online sessions — an ideal time to meet and engage online.
To launch the series, Kim Leslie WS will share her tips on ‘How to Build a Powerful Network’ on Wednesday 16 September, 12.30 – 13.30 pm.
Open to our members in all categories, we warmly encourage you to attend.
SIG ROUND UP
book club
The next Book Club will meet on Tuesday 14 July, 6.00 - 7.00 pm, to discuss March Violets by Philip Kerr.
Philip Kerr was born in Edinburgh and read Law at university. This novel is the first in a series of fourteen, set in Hitler’s Germany of the 1930s, featuring Bernhard Gunther, a private eye and former cop. Described as stylishly written and powerfully evocative, Kerr's crime classic transports readers to the rotten heart of Nazi Berlin, and introduces a private eye in the great tradition of Hammett and Chandler.
Register for the Zoom meeting here.
performing arts
We are delighted to announce the launch of our Performance Arts Special Interest Group, open to all WS members.
The purpose of the group is to arrange theatre/musical/arts outings generally based around Edinburgh with a social element attached.
If you are keen to know more, please confirm a mobile number to be added to the WhatsApp Group. Please email membership@wssociety.co.uk to confirm you would like to be added to the Performing Arts SIG WhatsApp group.
The hope is members will come forward with their own suggestions and plan an event.
In the meantime, if you would like to attend any of the following events, please complete this form. Please complete this at your earliest convenience, so tickets can be purchased. A social event (meal/drink etc) will be added once numbers are known.
Friday 2 October 2026 - Shostakovich Fives -The Usher Hall-Talk at 6.45pm followed by a concert at 7.30 pm.
Tuesday 13 October or Wednesday 14 October 2026 - The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie - The Royal Lyceum Theatre at 7.30 pm
Tuesday 26, Wednesday 27 or Thursday 28 November 2026 - A Man For All Seasons - Festival Theatre at 7.30 pm (featuring Martin Shaw as Sir Thomas More).
Please keep an eye on our dedicated Special Interest Group page for upcoming AI, Charity and Third Sector, Golf, Performance Arts and Student events.
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT — CAROLINE DOCHERTY OBE WS
Caroline pictured with Lord Mackay of Clashfern during their tenor as Deputy Keeper of the Signet and Keeper of the Signet.
In our latest Member Spotlight, we sit down with Caroline Docherty OBE WS, the first female Deputy Keeper of the Signet and former commercial property legal partner.
Caroline reflects on her inspiring journey from trainee to partner in commercial property law, highlighting the pivotal role that female mentors played in shaping her career. She recounts her unconventional path to discovering the WS Society, a connection that led to her historic appointment as the first female Deputy Keeper of the Signet wherein she oversaw a period of significant change and modernisation.
Alongside her professional achievements, Caroline also offers a glimpse into her personal interests beyond the law that continue to enrich her life.
INVITATION TO ABBOTSFORD
“The storyteller, the collector, the host. Discover the man who filled his home with imagination. ”
The WS Society invites you to Abbotsford, the extraordinary historic estate of Sir Walter Scott, on Saturday 1 August.
The tour has been organised by the Society’s History Special Interest Group and will take in the public areas of the house, gardens and the Visitor Centre. Abbotsford is also planning to show the WS party unique manuscripts not usually on show to the public, as well as our own Signet Library manuscript of Sir Walter Scott's “The Eve of St. John”.
Spaces are limited.
Contact membership@wssociety.co.uk for further details.
MEMBERSHIP SUBSCRIPTIONS
We will shortly issue subscriptions notices for the membership year 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027. We remind you that your subscription can be paid by monthly direct debit.
For details on annual subscription rates, please visit our website.
If you have moved firms or house recently, or just changed email address, let us know. Please send updates to membership@wssociety.co.uk.
VACANCY FOR A TRUSTEE — JOHN WATSON'S TRUST
A vacancy for a Writer to the Signet as a Trustee for John Watson’s Trust will open up in the late autumn and we would like to hear from interested candidates.
The Trust awards grants for educational purposes to children and young people up to and including the age of 21 who have a physical or learning disability or who are socially disadvantaged. The vacancy exists on the Grants Committee which allocates the Trust’s grants and will involve five in-person meetings annually held at the Signet Library.
Please contact James Hamilton to express interest.
CATALOGUING THE TINCKLARIAN DOCTOR
Dr Kit Baston has just completed an important project recataloguing the Signet Library’s collection of pamphlets and publications by the Georgian Edinburgh eccentric William Mitchel. Mitchel, known as the “Tincklarian Doctor” was a remarkable autodidact and self-publisher of some of the most extraordinary tracts, sermons and ephemera ever issued by an individual.
The Signet Library holds what is almost certainly the largest collection of Mitchel material outwith national or university collections, and we believe ten of our Mitchel pamphlets are unique.
KAISER VOLENS: LORD GUTHRIE AND AN AUTHOR OF THE 1745
Currently on show in the Upper West Library is an exhibition of book cover art from the late Victorian and Edwardian golden age of popular literature. Some of the items on show, chosen by Dr. Kit Baston and Jo Hockey, include first editions of Kipling’s Just So Stories and Oscar Wilde’s The Happy Prince.
One item, Frederick Watson’s 1914 novel Muckle John, is special in that the Signet Library copy once belonged to the Senator of the College of Justice Lord Guthrie, and he was interested enough in the book (an adventure for boys about the 1745 Rebellion) to write to Watson with his comments and criticisms (which included a comment about the absence of women amongst the characters and worries about the use of modern language). He inserted the text of his letter into the book, alongside Watson’s reply, which read:
I am so glad that you found the story enlivening, but as it is for boys between 12 and 17 I have to leave out the heroine. It is difficult to say how the book will go at such a fearsome time, but as a Christmas present it may not fall quite flat.
Your shrapnel at my twentieth century phrases is I feel sure, deserved. I make no defence historically — my defence must lie in another channel, and here I would like your opinion. .... The modern fiction reader loathes dialect in expressions that sound fantastic today. .... I will not ask you to reply to this, but we can discuss it in the Spring (Kaiser Volens).
SIG ROUND UP
book club
The next Book Club will be on Tuesday 2 June, 6.00 - 7.00 pm. 180 years since the publication of Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights and in the midst of the publicity surrounding Emerald Fennell's film adaptation of the book, starring Margot Robbie, the group (which alternates classic and contemporary works) has chosen the novel as its next for discussion.
To register for the Zoom meeting, click here.
Please keep an eye on our dedicated Special Interest Group page for upcoming AI, Charity and Third Sector, Golf, Performance Arts and Student events.
UPCOMING CPD
Agricultural Law Conference
There is still time to book for our annual conference returning on Friday 5 June 2026 in the historic surroundings of the Signet Library.
The programme brings together leading legal practitioners, government specialists and policy voices to provide updates on key developments in agricultural law. The conference will be chaired by Heather Bruce, Turcan Connell, and the sit-down lunch will be hosted by this year by The Honourable Lord Duthie, Chair of The Scottish Land Court.
Professional Negligence
The PNLA and WS Society have partnered to host a joint conference on Professional Negligence Law, designed to address the latest issues for professional negligence litigators in Scotland. The keynote address will be given by Lord Ericht WS. The conference will be jointly chaired by Ashley Jones WS of Burness Paull and Tim Edward WS of BTO. Join us on 29 October 2026 for a full day conference.
Private Client
STEP Scotland and the WS Society invite you to save the date for our annual conference on 30 September 2026 9 am - 1 pm. More details to follow!
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT — CAROLINE ERENTZ
In our latest Member Spotlight, we sit down with Caroline Erentz, a Trainee Solicitor at the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service and a recent winner at the BWS Women in Law Awards 2026.
Caroline reflects on her journey from the Emma Ritch Law Clinic at the University of Glasgow to her current work in public service, sharing the personal motivations that drive her advocacy for victim-survivors. Beyond the courtroom, Caroline discusses how she balances the demands of a high-stakes legal career with her passion for social justice, offering a candid look at the challenges and triumphs of being a new voice in the Scottish legal profession.
AGM DATE
The next WS Annual General Meeting will take place at the Signet Library on Tuesday 23 June at 5.30 pm. All WS Members are welcome.
Meeting papers will be emailed to Members shortly.
If you plan to attend or would like to submit any questions, please contact membership@wssociety.co.uk.
MAY IN PICTURES
Spring Reception
Members and guests gathered at the Signet Library for a convivial evening of conversation and making connections. A wonderful opportunity to socialise in the beautiful surroundings. Look out for future social gatherings.
Kirking of the Scottish Parliament
On 13 May, the Signet Library played its usual part for the Kirking of the Scottish Parliament represented by Lynn McMahon WS, Robert Pirrie WS and Sophie Mills WS who greeted HRH The Duke of Edinburgh in the building after attending the service at St Giles' Cathedral.
General Assembly of the Church of Scotland 2026
Sunday service at St Giles Cathedral attended by Lady Elish LT KC WS as the King’s representative and representatives of the WS Society, Kelly Hardman WS, Stuart Lynch WS and Sophie Mills WS.
WS Art Collection Tour
Members of the Society were hosted by James Hamilton for a guided tour of the Society’s art collection.
Shelley Matheson WS of Archibald Sharp LLP, Glasgow reported on the tour:
“A lovely way to spend Sunday being shown round the WS Art Collection at the Signet Library, followed by lunch at The Colonnades.
Art, architecture and Scottish legal history in one very beautiful setting.
James Hamilton, Researcher Principal at the Signet Library, led us through a fascinating exploration of the collection, including portraits in oils, busts and prints by artists including Allan Ramsay, Sir Henry Raeburn, Sir George Reid, Sir John de Medina and David Scougall.
What I loved most was that the collection is not just about the history of the WS Society. It also reflects the evolution of Scottish art, bringing together early commissioned works, gifts and bequests, and a significant collection of prints and engravings.
There were some brilliant details throughout, with every picture telling a story, including some striking legal-historical material among the prints and documents, and, best of all, Sir Walter Scott’s chaise longue.
My favourite painting of the morning was George Watson’s portrait of Sibella Boswell with her granddaughter — a beautiful and unusually tender piece among the more formal legal and civic portraits.
A real hidden treasure in plain sight, and a reminder of how much history sits quietly behind Scotland’s legal institutions.”
RECORD ADMISSIONS TO SOCIETY
The WS Society welcomed 55 new members across all categories at its May Diet of Admission, including 17 new Writers to the Signet. Keeper of the Signet Lady Elish Angiolini presided and mingled with new members and their guests in the Signet Library. Surprise guest Professor Charlie Rose from the USA gave a mock opening statement to the jury as an insight into US trial advocacy.
At the ceremony, Society Treasurer Tony Jones KC WS said the WS Society stood for honour, integrity and loyalty to the rule of law. Chief Executive Robert Pirrie WS added: ‘Professional and person interaction outside of office life is so important for lawyers. It broadens the mind and fosters the human touch’.
Read more from our new members below.
SIGNET MAGAZINE - ANGIOLINI INQUIRY
At the end of 2025, our Keeper Lady Elish Angiolini released the First Report of Part 2 of the Angiolini Inquiry on “Prevention of sexually motivated crimes against women in public”. Calling for a fundamental shift in the focus of activity to prevent such crimes, the report recommends an emphasis on early intervention in targeting and identifying predatory men.
ROBERT PIRRIE WS explores the vital work the landmark Angiolini Inquiry. Five years on from the tragedy that sparked the investigation, Lady Elish remains a vocal advocate for systemic reform in police vetting and culture. Her latest findings serve as a stark reminder that ensuring women’s safety requires a coordinated, 'whole-society' approach and a 'laser focus' on perpetrator behaviour. As a trailblazer in the Scottish legal world, Lady Elish’s work continues to define the profession’s commitment to justice and public safety.
This article was originally published in Signet magazine issue 18 (March 2026).
MEMBERSHIP
If you have moved firms or house recently, or just changed email address, let us know. We don’t want to lose touch!
Email membership@wssociety.co.uk.
AGRICULTURAL LAW CONFERENCE 2026
The WS Society and The Agricultural Law Association are delighted to invite you to our 29th Joint Agricultural Law Conference, returning on Friday 5 June 2026 in the historic surroundings of the Signet Library.
The programme brings together leading legal practitioners, government specialists and policy voices to provide updates on key developments in agricultural law. The conference will be chaired by Heather Bruce, Turcan Connell, and the sit-down lunch will be hosted by this year by The Honourable Lord Duthie, Chair of The Scottish Land Court.
ROYAL PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY VISIT
The Signet Library was privileged to share with the National Portrait Gallery the hosting of the Royal Photographic Society’s Historical Group on its Edinburgh visit this month. A special exhibition was put together for the Group, who also enjoyed a tour of the building.
Although the Library has never collected photography for its own sake, much important work was acquired under other headings, and material purchased to be part of an important topographical collection has with the passage of time gained an interest of its own. The Library is especially rich in the work of the great Glaswegians Thomas Annan and his son James Craig Annan, with some unique examples of Thomas Annan’s work recently placed on loan with us through the kindness of member Calum Ross WS.
Also on show were glass negatives from Penicuik House, whose donation was brokered by conservator Jo Hockey, who also built the light box for their display. Amongst these is the only known view of Penicuik House before its destruction by fire in 1899.
The Signet Library was one of the first Edinburgh interiors to be photographed for its own sake, and a range of early examples by George Washington Wilson was on view. The law was represented by examples of trial evidence photography from the collection bequeathed by the great WS crime writer William Roughead with the WS was represented by an album of rare early Francis Frith images of Europe and the Middle East once owned by Alexander Mitchell WS (1833-1902) and some unique landscape works by Elmslie William Dallas, the son-in-law of a WS.
We are grateful to Dr Ella Ravilious of the Victoria and Albert Museum for her permission to show her short film of the 1871 Dossetter photographic copy of the Bayeux Tapestry. Over two hundred feet long and displayed on a pair of rotating wooden stands, Dossetter’s hand-coloured photograph of the tapestry remains one of the largest panoramic images ever taken. Our former copy, acquired at the end of the Second World War, later passed through the ownership of Rolling Stone Charlie Watts before its recent acquisition by the Bayeux Tapestry Museum. It will be a key exhibit at the new museum premises now under construction.
WS ART COLLECTION
Join a guided tour of the building’s art treasures in the company of the inimitable James Hamilton followed by an informal lunch in Colonnades. Sunday, 24 May, 10.30 am to 12 noon for the tour.
Every picture tells a story. Featured on the left is the great historian and Writer to the Signet, James Anderson. Misattributed to John Vanderbank (c. 1694-1739), the portrait was displayed in the Signet Library for almost ten years. It shows Anderson as the proud antiquary, surrounded by the books and ancient documents that consumed his life. There is something odd about the picture’s frame, which was originally considerably larger but has been cut down to fit the portrait. Other than it not being Vanderbank, we do not know the artist, although the picture bears features in common with works coming from the studio of Sir Godfrey Kneller, whose Kit-cat Club portraits also date from this period and who would paint Harley himself in the year of Lockhart’s account.
Read more about James Anderson WS here.
RSVP to membership@wssociety.co.uk.
SIG ROUND UP
art
On Saturday 25 April, the Art SIG met at the Glasgow Art Club for Tour of the Annual Paisley Art Institute (PAI) Exhibition, the Mackintosh designed Gallery and WS SIG ART 'tête à tête' lunch in the Library. The group were joined by Peter Graham ROI, RSW for the tour.
The next Art SIG is on Sunday 24 May at the Signet Library. Please see more details here.
golf
The next WS Beginners Golf SIG six-week session starts on Saturday 2 May, at 10.00 am. The lessons take place at Dalmahoy Golf Club, with Pro Scott Dixon. Clubs can be provided and no special clothing is required.
The price is £150 for the six-week session. WS members can contact membership@wssociety.co.uk, to note interest.
book club
Book Club met on Tuesday 21 April, for discussion on The Lost Daughter by Elena Ferrante.
The next Book Club will be on Tuesday 2 June, 6.00 - 7.00 pm. 180 years since the publication of Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights and in the midst of the publicity surrounding Emerald Fennell's film adaptation of the book, starring Margot Robbie, the group (which alternates classic and contemporary works) has chosen the novel as its next for discussion.
To register for the Zoom meeting, click here.