There's plenty to celebrate as Toolbox Talks hit the road in anniversary year

Packed venues and plenty of prizes were the highlights of this year's technical roadshows, sponsored by Aico, with a record number of Members again flocking to venues across Scotland to take part in discussions on four technical topics

The team from East Lothian Council were among those who attended our opening event

The theme of this year’s Toolbox Talks was definitely more - more prizes, more presentations and definitely more Members!

Sponsored by Aico, this year’s technical updates were bigger and better than ever as we hit the road for the association’s 125th anniversary.

For the first time, the presentations were shorter, with four half-hour discussions replacing the traditional two one-hour sessions. This new format seemed to work well, with something for everyone and plenty of questions and comments throughout.

Our Associate Members also upped their game when it came to prizes, donating armfuls of excellent goodies to ensure our lucky winners went home happy from every event.

And of course, it was fantastic to see venues packed with so many familiar faces – and plenty of new ones – as we criss-crossed the country to deliver free technical updates.

It was great to see so many Members out in force at SELECT HQ

A warm welcome

We kicked off this year’s tour at The Walled Garden on 7 May, where our trusty photographer once again recorded proceedings for posterity.

Managing Director Alan Wilson opened this year’s roadshow and acted as host for the day, welcoming Members and thanking both our sponsor and the many exhibitors who set out their stalls at SELECT HQ.

He then handed over to Technical Adviser Robert McGoogan who outlined the recent changes to BS 5839 Part 1 which impact the design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of fire detection and alarm systems in non-domestic premises.

The baton was then passed to fellow Technical Adviser Bruce Findlay for our second presentation of the morning, as he gave an insight into residual current devices (RCDs), based on queries received via our Technical Helpline.

After a quick break, it was back for the second half, with Robert again taking to the stage to discuss earth fault loop impedance – another popular issued regularly raised by Members on the Helpline.

Our final presentation of the day saw Aico National Account Manager Dave Richmond deliver a talk on fire safety and renewables, updating Members on monitoring and evaluation tools and protecting zero carbon technology.

Bruce Findlay delivers his talk on RCDs to Members at The Walled Garden

It's quiz time! 

Of course, no Toolbox Talk is complete without our technical quiz, so once again we put delegates through their paces with some questions on the day’s presentations – with a few electricity-related trivia zingers thrown in for good measure.

Competition was as fierce as ever, with Members answering via their phones and battling to answer quickest to win prizes from Ovia Lighting, Test Instrument Solutions and Dimplex.

A prize draw was also held, with lucky winners going home with a range of goodies courtesy of Aurora Lighting, Flexel and Fluke.

And of course, our Beat the Buzzer game also did a roaring trade, with delegates competing for the chance to win goodies donated by Associate Member Megger.

Judging by the Member and Associate feedback, Edinburgh was a huge success and a great way to start our 2025 roadshow as we packed up and headed off to Peebles, Dundee, Glasgow, Fenwick, Dumfries, Inverness, Aberdeen and Oban.

Donald W Orr, right, shares a joke with fellow Past President John Noble and son Alasdair

Apprentices play their part

As our roadshow criss-crossed the mainland, there were plenty of highlights from our other eight events in May and June.

We were delighted to welcome eight 2nd Stage apprentices from Borders College to the event at the Cardrona Hotel on 8 May, as well as eight 1st Stage apprentices from Dumfries and Galloway College who spent the morning at Easterbrook Hall on 22 May.

Instrument Repairs and Calibration generously donated a Megger MFT1741 multifunction tester worth £1,500 for the prize draw at our Glasgow event on 14 May, with Martin Finnie from M Finnie Electrical going home happy from Hampden.

And Members, staff and Associates got up close with the Scottish Cup at Pittodrie at the Aberdeen event on 29 May, just days after the Dons lifted the world’s oldest national football trophy.

The 2nd Stage apprentices enjoyed their day out at the Borders event