In 1892 the Reverend Reith, the then minister at the Orchard Rd Presbyterian Church (aka the Scots Church) wrote “A Guidebook to Singapore” aimed at visitors with little time in Singapore, but who would want to see the highlights.

He was clearly as passionate about Singapore – where he worked for seven years – as he was about his native Scotland, as he gave lectures about both countries.

We have recreated one of his suggested routes for getting to know the island – except that we will travel by air conditioned bus rather than by rickshaw as they did in the 19th century!

We’ll start & finish at the National Library, which is currently holding an exhibition – entitled “From the Stacks” – of historical documents, including an original copy of Rev Reith’s handbook. 

Along the way, we’ll see many sights – and sites – and make stops at the Scots Church, Clarke Quay, St Andrew’s Cathedral as well as walking from Raffles Place to the Padang.

We’ll see what still remains intact from that era, what still remains but is used for a very different purpose, and what has disappeared and why.

Saturday, June 11th, 10.00am until 1.00pm
Price: $50
Meeting Place: the National Library