Members' Centres and
Friends' Groups
EAST LOTHIAN MEMBERS' CENTRE
( Charity Number SC 026085 )
The East Lothian Members' Centre is a registered Scottish Charity (Scottish Charity Number SC026085) and exists to give local NTS members the opportunity to support the Trust by participating in local events and activities. This year is the 21st anniversary of the formation of the Centre.
The Centre has a programme of outings, talks and other events throughout the year. The programme from April to September 2010 is given below.
Programme April to September 2010
- Thursday 22nd April 2010, Day visit to Eyemouth.
Enjoy visiting three different museums and lunch is included at the golf club where the views are outstanding.
The museums include Gunsgreen House that perches incongruously on its castellated mound above Eyemouth harbour. The Adam designed mansion was built on the proceeds of smuggling for John and David Nisbet.
The World of Boats in the Old Eyemouth Fishmarket that has been reconfigured to create the external vision of an 18th century frigate. Inside there is a wonderful display of boats, models and various displays of memorabilia and relics that smugglers and their pursuers - The Revenue - would have used. Across the road is the town's own museum where the Eyemouth Tapestry is held. Dedicated to Black Friday, the 14th October, 1881 when 189 lives lost in the worst disaster on the East Coast.
- Thursday 27th May 2010, Day visit to Stanley Mills & Branklyn Garden.
An ambitious £4.6 million project to breathe new life into the Stanley Mills complex, on the banks of the River Tay, is now complete.
The Bell Mill and Mid Mill have been converted into a new visitor attraction and education centre that examine the history of the people, products and power of the mills. This exciting new development features displays, interactives, exhibits and video footage that unravel an important part of Scotland's industrial heritage. With hands-on science and technology interactives allowing you to get to the heart of Stanley Mills.
Lunch will be available at the Perthshire Visitor Centre.
Branklyn Garden is a two acre garden containing rare and unusual plants, set on the side of Kinnoull Hill overlooking Perth. Gravel paths, some on a slope require sensible shoes to be worn at all times.
The garden contains rock gardens and scree beds, the National collections of Cassiope and Lilium as well as Peat-wall gardening. In Springtime the Rhododendrons and early flowering alpines make Branklyn an inspiration for the keen gardener. Many of the rhododendrons have been raised from seeds collected in the wild.
- Wednesday 23rd June 2010, Day visit to Alnwick.
This visit may cause a problem for you as a difficult decision has to be made.
Which one will I go to, and how many visits can I manage? Or where to eat, too many decisions.
Choose from the castle, garden, bus tour round the town, the famous Barter Books 2nd hand bookshop, or the Bailiffgate museum. What is your interest?
Alnwick Castle and The Alnwick Garden, Barter Books, one of the largest second-hand bookshops in Europe, Dreadnought Coaches give unrivalled views of this historic town including Alnwick Garden, Castle, Cheviot Hills, Town Centre, River Aln and much more. Bailiffgate Museum presents a history of Alnwick and District with six engaging themes such as Fishing and History, the Railways, and the Reivers.- Saturday 21st August 2010, Day visit to Dumfries House.
One of Britain's most beautiful stately homes and best kept heritage secrets. Built between 1754 and 1760 by the Adam brothers for the 5th Earl of Dumfries, with a unique collection of Chippendale furniture, the House has been described as an 18th century time-capsule since the principal rooms and their contents have remained virtually unchanged for 250 years.
We will enjoy lunch in Cumnock, before travelling over to Dumfries House.
- Wednesday 15th September 2010, Day visit to Castle Menzies & the Crannog Centre.
This spectacular 16th century castle, restored by the Menzies Clan Society and seat of the clan for over 400 years.
Castle Menzies is an impressive stone Z-plan tower house with a large 19th century wing. The main block has three storeys and an attic, with the two projecting square towers having five storeys. Architecturally fascinating, it is a splendid example of the transition between earlier rugged fortress and later mansion house.
Lunch will be available at the Kenmore Hotel or own picnic.
The Scottish Crannog Centre on the shores of Loch Tay.
Access to this unique thatched roundhouse on stilts is via a timber walkway of round alder logs. Inside there is "rustic" seating and all the comforts of an early Celtic home. The woven hazel walls are stuffed with wool, goat fibre and bracken to help keep out the draft while the animal pen is fenced off near the door and the rest of the house is partitioned into sleeping and storage areas.
Please contact our Visit's Secretary, Kenneth Guthrie, or the Centre's Secretary, Rod Russell for further details.
East Lothian Members' Centre of The National Trust for Scotland is a registered Scottish charity number SC026085.