Lectures presented by Kira K. Johnson

Historian, St. Andrew Society of Colorado

Kira Johnson brings both personal passion and scholarly expertise to her role as historian for the St. Andrew Society of Colorado. Her journey into Scottish history began during a transformative semester abroad at the University of Edinburgh in 2011, but it was a genealogy pilgrimage to the Isle of Lewis that truly changed her life's direction.

Standing on the very spot where her great-grandparents and grandmother departed for Canada aboard the Canada in 1924, Kira experienced what she describes as "homecoming for my ancestors" This profound connection to her Lewis heritage sparked a complete academic transformation—from business marketing student to enthusiastic Scottish historian with a mission to preserve and share the stories of Scottish emigrants and their descendants.

Witch Hunting in Early-Modern Scotland

Watch the first lecture of 2025 on this riveting topic of witch hunts and how it affected Scotland in the early-modern era.

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Education & Expertise

Kira's unique educational journey spans both sides of the Atlantic. After completing her undergraduate degree in Marketing at the University of Colorado Boulder (2012), her passion for Scottish history led her back to CU for an Honors degree in History (2021). She is currently completing her Masters (MLitt) in Scottish History at the University of Dundee in Scotland, where she is researching early 20th century emigration from the Isle of Lewis to North America and the vital role of Scottish associationalism in immigrant communities.

Her areas of expertise include Scottish emigration patterns, Scottish-North American connections, the Scottish Enlightenment period, and Hebridean history. In 2017, she completed an undergraduate honors thesis examining Canadian advertising and settlement schemes that influenced mass migrations from Scotland to Canada between the wars, titled "Demographic Engineering: Post-War Canadian Advertising and Scottish Migration, 1919-1929."

Bringing History to Life
As the Society's historian, Kira is passionate about making Scottish history accessible and relevant to modern audiences. Her lectures blend rigorous academic research with engaging storytelling, helping members connect with their heritage in meaningful ways. Recent and upcoming presentations include:

"Witch-hunting in Early Modern Scotland" (March 2025)
"Jacobite Scotland" (November 2025)
"Mary, Queen of Scots" (December 2025)

A Personal Mission

Nearly a century after her great-grandparents left the Isle of Lewis and never returned, Kira sees her work as both academic pursuit and personal calling. She is dedicated to helping others reconnect with their Scottish heritage, understanding that the stories of emigration and settlement are not just historical facts, but deeply personal narratives that continue to shape Scottish diaspora communities today.

Through her research, lectures, and work with the St. Andrew Society, Kira bridges the gap between Scotland's past and its vibrant community in Colorado, ensuring that the rich tapestry of Scottish history remains alive for future generations.

Jacobite Scotland Date Coming Soon

Mary, Queen of Scots December 13th