A FORFAR antiques dealer has recently completed a course that attracted interest from as far afield as the US and Russia.

The three-day course, run by Jeremy Gow of Gow Antiques, gave eight people an insight into dating furniture, recognising fakes, understanding the different materials used and recognising adapted and transformed furniture.

The group was made up of Cathy Otto, from Texas, and a young Russian called Albert with business dealings in Scotland. Other participants were from Dunblane, Arbroath, Peebles, Edinburgh and Braemar.

Jeremy said, “We looked at furniture being restored for Scone Palace before it reopens to the public and we also had a look round the work at Glamis Castle.

“The last course I ran was attended by someone from Japan. This time there were two international people—an appraiser from America and a Russian who trades with Scotland.

“The course attracts a good mix of people in the antiques business and also people who are just interested in antiques. I am now looking to make the course longer for next year so it is more worthwhile for people attending from abroad.”

Cathy, from Dallas, said, “I found Jeremy’s website in 2004 when I was doing my appraisal course in the States. We do a lot of importing of Continental furniture and this is given me more knowledge of what to look for.”

There are still places for Jeremy’s next courses, which run on June 6-8 and November 6-8.