Five Heritage Hubs assemble for a mega-Saturday celebrating Galloway’s past
Location of the five Heritage Hubs
Saturday 16th September is a special day for anyone interested in the local heritage and history of Galloway, with five heritage offerings in the Ken/Dee valley coming together to celebrate a community-led approach to local history and records. Visitors that make it to all five sites on the day will have fun, learn lots about Galloway’s past and will receive a Galloway Glens Goodie Bundle to commemorate the experience!
The venues are all open 10-3pm on the day, and are as follows:
Crossmichael Heritage Centre, in Crossmichael Church Hall
Crossmichael heritage Group have had a busy few years, with new exhibits about the history of Crossmichael and surrounding parish. Key topics include Roman, farming and generally life through the years. Exhibition in the Church Hall, and nearby Hearse Hoose.
John Nelson from the Crossmichael Heritage Group, said:
“We look forward to welcoming you to Crossmichael, the gateway to the Glenkens. Visit our Heritage Centre in the Church Hall and the adjacent Timeline in the Old Hearse-Hoose. Note what happened in Crossmichael & the rest of the world in the last 10,000 years. Join our Graveyard Tours and find fascinating stones, from Captain Hook’s grave, details of a local trooper killed in the Charge of the Light Brigade at Balaclava or pay your respects at the grave of a Covenanter martyr, murdered nearby. You might walk to our Wee Book Hoose, the smallest library in Scotland. After your visit we can recommend the nearby Thistle Inn (01556670203) for a light lunch or refreshment before you continue to your next heritage venue!”
St John’s Town of Dalry Town Hall
The Town Hall committee have been exploring the region’s Covenanter history and will be open with a range of exhibits.
The highlight is the recently produced short film exploring how 1666’s Pentland Rising might be better termed the ‘Glenkens Rising’.
Carsphairn Heritage Centre
Currently running the ‘Homes in the Hills’ exhibition, visitors can experience the sights, sounds – and if you are feeling brave - the smells of a traditional shepherd’s hill cottage! Includes children’s quiz, gifts and souvenirs.
Balmaclellan Heritage Hub, in the Hall
The Balmaclellan heritage Group will be showing off the records and articles held from historic Balmaclellan, highlighting what has been achieved over the last couple of years and looking forward to next year’s centennial celebrations exhibition. Refreshments (tea, coffee & cake) are also available!
Julia Higgins from the Balmaclellan Heritage Group said:
“Heritage Hub Day on 16 September is a great opportunity for everyone to see the wide historical and cultural wealth of our local area, with many different aspects on display!”
New Galloway Town Hall
The New Galloway Town Hall has been undergoing a total refurbishment since being taken on by the community. This could be one of the first opportunities to visit it after major works are complete, with ‘The New Galloway Story’ exhibition on display, showcasing photos, stories and items from New Galloway’s recent and not so recent past!
Ann Glaister, from Local Initiatives in New Galloway (LiNG), said:
“Come and see us on 16th September - we’ll have ‘The New Galloway Story’ exhibition on display in the main hall, giving you a chance to learn some great stories from New Galloway’s yesteryear, and also see the new building!”
To claim your Galloway Glens Goodie Bundle, simply visit all 5 sites, picking up a voucher from each, and present them to the Galloway Glens offices in Castle Douglas between 18th and 22nd September. For any queries, contact info@gallowayglens.org.
All five venues taking part have received support from the Galloway Glens Scheme in recent years. An initiative of Dumfries & Galloway Council’s Environment Team, the Galloway Glens Scheme is funded by a range of partners including the National Lottery Heritage Fund. The Galloway Glens Scheme aims to connect people to their heritage and to support modern rural communities www.gallowayglens.org.