SPECIAL PROJECTS
Scotland's Rural Past Project (in Association with RCAHMS)
Over the past year or so, a small group of members has been involved in this Royal Commission on Ancient and Historic Monuments Scotland national initiative. After some initial training sessions on researching, surveying and recording rural archaeological sites, the group has recently been engaged on a survey of Walden Farmhouse to the south-east of Gifford. This ruined farmstead dates from the late 17th Century and was originally part of the Tweedale estates. The group have produced measured drawings of a plan and elevation of the ruin. Members have also researched estate records of the house and farm as well as establishing the history of occupancy through looking at the census records. Talks and exhibitions based on this work are planned.
If suitable and safe access can be arranged, the group hope next to survey and record a collection of ruined and ruinous farm-buildings near Abbey Bridge, Haddington - a location once known as Abbey Village.
Haddington Festival Exhibitions
For the past three years or so, some members have assisted Jack Tully-Jackson in staging a series of special exhibitions in St Mary's Kirk, Haddington, during Festival Week. Past exhibits have dealt with Haddington's Industrial Heritage and the 'Balfours' Bairns' on the Farm School for refugee jewish children at Whittingehame.
This year will see us staging an event focused on commonwealth and RAF airmen and women commemorated on the WWII war graves in St Martin's Cemetry, Haddington.