The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Youngsters praised for Cutty Sark research
Pupils play part in memorial event for Hercules Linton
Mearns youngsters have been praised for their “huge” contribution to the celebration of local heritage at a memorial event for one of the area’s famous sons.
At a graveside ceremony in Inverbervie’s old kirkyard, Kincardineshire’s Lord Lieutenant laid flowers on the 117th anniversary of the death of Cutty Sark designer Hercules Linton, and paid tribute to the efforts of youngsters from three local schools whose research has put the wind in the sails of a virtual museum project for the famous clipper.
Bervie, Auchenblae and Glenbervie schools have been working on the Cutty Sark project since August, an initiative which will also highlight Robert Burns’ ties to the area, which the bard’s family originally farmed.
After plans fell through to site a museum in the Bervie building where Linton once sat as a member of the burgh council, Mearns Heritage Services, under director Dave Ramsay, took on the idea of creating the virtual Cutty Sark museum.
It is now in the final stages of development and scheduled for launch on November 22 to coincide with the launching of the Cutty Sark in Dumbarton on that date in 1869.
Themes were identified for each school and the youngsters’ detailed research has unearthed previously unknown information about the characters and their local.
The project received vital backing from Gourdon firm Fotheringham Property Developments and the youngsters have also been assisted by Aberdeenshire Council museum services, local historian Nigel Simpson and Arbroath researcher David Fyffe.
The Lord Lieutenant of Kincardineshire, Carol Kinghorn said: “Schools have a huge part to play in their own local heritage, and I know that this project could never have happened if it had not been for the willingness and enthusiasm of the head teachers, class teachers and most of all the pupils.”
Mr Ramsay added: “I have previously worked with all three schools on various projects, but this one, due to direct local involvement with visiting local specialists, and the integrated approach in telling so many strands of the Cutty Sark story in the Scottish dimension, has been an absolute winner.
“Head teachers, class teachers and pupils all had a really positive can-do attitude and this has produced an enormous amount of work and detail to populate the website.”
In August, Ronan Littlejohn and a friend from the Anchor Hotel in Johnshaven will be tackling a sponsored cycle ride from Inverbervie to Dumbarton to celebrate the connection and raise funds for the museum project.
“Schools have a huge part to play in their own local heritage... CAROL KINGHORN LORD LIEUTENANT KINCARDINESHIRE