Kith and Kin – Borders Family History Society
OUR local museums around the Borders have been opening up for the summer season with new and interesting exhibitions. Alongside the Bill McLaren Centenary exhibition, held in Hawick Museum until June 17, is a celebration of the 150th anniversary of Hawick Rugby Club. Both exhibitions have reconstructed rooms – Bill McLaren’s study and the Hawick team’s changing room. Hawick Museum showcases more sporting memories in the Jimmie Guthrie and Steve Hislop collections.
In 1874, William Lyle and Walter Scott started production of their knitted underwear in Hawick and the 150th anniversary is marked by an exhibition of garments with memorabilia, images and documents in the Borders Textile Towerhouse.
In Selkirk, Sir Walter Scott’s Courtroom hosts an exhibition celebrating the 200th anniversary of the publication of James Hogg’s novel, The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a Justified Sinner. The Courtroom will be hosting monthly “Rantin’ Rovin’ Romantics” themed talks throughout the summer.
Coldstream museum’s permanent exhibitions include the history of the Coldstream Regiment of Foot Guards at home and away, from the 17th century to the present day and the stories of the burgh. Sporting memorabilia will feature in a summer exhibition “The Winning Edge: Sport in Berwickshire”.
For anyone interested in motorsports or photography, the Jim Clark Motorsport museum in Duns hosts the work of Joe Honda who captured many behind the scenes moments in his 45-year career covering motorsports around the world.
Jedburgh Castle Jail reminds us of the conditions that faced our criminal ancestors. They may not have been able to pay their fines so had to spend a few days or more in the cell block accommodation there.
Other historic gems may be found in the Peebles Museum, Mary Queen of Scots’ Visitor Centre and the Great Tapestry of Scotland.
More information on opening times and exhibitions may be found online at www.liveborders. org.uk/culture/museums/our-museums.
Eyemouth museum, in the Auld Kirk, Manse Road, has permanent displays of local life in the town and surrounding countryside. Their donated collections include many previously unseen items which will be featured in their opening exhibition “East Coast Threads” covering the period 1870 – 1920.
If you are travelling westwards, visit the Liddesdale Heritage Centre and Museum in the old Townfoot Kirk. There is much to discover about the people of the area, their working lives and the Waverly Route which came through Newcastleton.
Both Eyemouth and Liddesdale have locally crafted tapestries which celebrate their histories.
Volunteers play an important part in running our local museums – dedicated, skilled and knowledgeable. It’s always worth having a wee blether with them to find out more about their collections and their home town.
In Edinburgh, the Society of Antiquaries have announced their Scotland’s Heritage Hub project which they describe as “a new meeting place for people, ideas and cultural heritage”. Still in the planning stage, they will be holding in-person and online events from April to June and will start to refurbish their new home in Bristo Place, Edinburgh, just off George IV Bridge.
More info at www.heritagehub.socantscot.org.