Isabella’s Footsteps in Keith
Wed 3rd September 2025
ISABELLA’S FOOTSTEPS
A fascinating evening of history, science and music
celebrating Keith born marine biologist
Isabella Gordon O.B.E. (1901-1988)
7pm – 8.30pm
Wed 3rd September
North Church Hall
193 Mid St, Keith, Moray, Scotland AB55 5BL
Tea and Coffee available from 6.45pm
FREE ENTRY
Cash donations towards hall hire welcome
Miranda Lowe C.B.E.
You will hear her extraordinary story sung by Electric Voice Theatre
told by Catherine Booth, retired science curator, National Library of Scotland
with intriguing scientific insights from Isabella’s collections by her successor
Miranda Lowe, C.B.E. Principal Curator of Crustacea, Natural History Museum, London
Join us as we follow Isabella’s Footsteps on her path from Keith to Aberdeen and across the globe, leading us on a voyage of discovery in a wonderous underwater world. Among the crabs, lobsters and soft corals we find the depth of knowledge and skill that propelled Isabella from poverty to a life bathed in honours where she was consulted by many eminent scientists, including the Emperor of Japan. Today, her work is still helping scientists in their fight to save our oceans in the face of climate change.
We reveal a rich ecosystem of arts and sciences underpinning Gordon’s life and work, her meticulous and beautiful watercolours of each specimen and her love of limericks and the Scots language.
Music by Scottish women composers includes:
- “The March of the Women of Science” by Mary Maxwell Campbell 1812-1886 adapted & arranged from “The March of the Cameron Men” by Frances M Lynch & Herbie Clarke for voices and drums
- “Caller Herrin’” by Carolina, Baroness Nairne (1766-1845) arr. from Gow’s tune by FM Lynch for solo and recorded voices
- “The Sea Shell” by Isobel Dunlop (1901 – 1975) for voice & piano
- “Lobsters and Limericks” by Frances M Lynch for mixed voices and instruments, based on published papers by Dr Isabella Gordon (1901-1988), researched by Catherine Booth and with the help of our scientific advisor Miranda Lowe (Natural History Museum, Principle Crustacea Curator)
- “The Grand Old Lady of Carcinology” by Frances M Lynch for Vocal Quartet; limericks by the composer, Dr A.J. Bateman and Dr Isabella Gordon
Okular-Mikrometer, or graticule, which belonged to Isabella Gordon
Specimens first identified by Isabella Gordon at the Natural History Museum
Isabella Gordon thankyou note
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