MEMBERS of the Luss branch of the Scottish Women's Institute will celebrate the group's 90th birthday later this month.

Members are celebrating this exciting milestone with an evening at Lodge on Loch Lomond this Friday, November 17.

The event will be attended by members and invited guests from sister Institutes of the Dunbartonshire Federation, as well as the Scottish Women’s Institutes’ national chairman, Linda Retson.

The night will give members the opportunity to reflect, and recollect, memories of Luss SWI.

From its first meeting in 1927, attended by 42 members, the Luss Women’s Rural Institute has enabled country women to come together, and socialise while learning life skills.

Initial demonstrations at the fledgling group included glove making, shortbread baking, artificial flower making and sick nursing.

Doneil Munn from Luss SWI said: "The Institute has faced many changes and challenges over the years; falling numbers in membership, resulted in the merging of neighbouring Institutes and ultimately removing the ‘Rural’ moniker, in order to encourage women of many diverse backgrounds and interests, to join.

"Luss, however, with its 40 strong membership has shown itself to be a significantly dynamic Institute, which seeks to preserve the traditional skills while strongly embracing modern trends.

"Monthly meetings for the Luss SWI have been diverse and inclusive; members have enjoyed cocktail mixing demonstrations, Christmas wreath design, soap making and line dancing. Attendees have also had the honour of meeting and recognising members of the public, who are working at raising an awareness of significant issues.

"Throughout the year members have been encouraged to participate in a plethora of activities, held by the Federation, from golfing and curling to singing competitions. All are invited to display their individual skills in the annual Federation Show, a fantastic showcase for various talents, including baking, sewing, painting and photography.

"While personal satisfaction can be achieved through competition, Luss SWI continues to flourish by the promotion of skill sharing and friendship for all women, leading to their unofficial motto 'We blether, nae bother'."