Please note different dates from the sheet issued.
Saturday 7th June at 1pm
Conducted Tour of the Pinkie Battle sites, led by a member of the Pinkie Cleuch Battlefield Group. This is a follow up visit to the talk given at the Dinner by Andrew Coulson. Members should assemble by the Roman Bridge opposite Tesco’s to board the minibus. Payment to be made on the day. The Duke of Somerset came upon the Scots army at Pinkie on 10th Sept 1547. He inflicted a resounding defeat on them and was able to continue as far north as Dundee and captured Broughty Ferry. In 1548 he occupied Haddington. He did not succeed in his main aim to arrange a marriage between Edward V1 and Mary Queen of Scots. By the Treaty of Haddington in 1548 the Scots made a treaty with France and agreed to send Mary there to marry the Dauphin.
Saturday 12th July at 2:30 pm
Visit to Whittingehame Estate by invitation of Mr.Michael Brander. Members should park at the Chip store ,close by the walled Garden. [Nb this visit is to the tower and not to Whittingehame House. Entry to the tower is at North Lodge, GR 599 735 ] Michael Brander will speak about the Tower; .John Hunt will lead the group through the woodland and David Affleck will talk at the church and graveyard. John and Christian Lindsay will provide hospitality.
Saturday 9th August at 2:30
Visit to Gosford; Admission will be £6, pay on the day. As the house is open that day members should assemble by the statue in the courtyard. Gosford is a great house built by the Robert Adam for the 7th Earl of Wemyss but it was not completed until 1800 after Adam’s death. Substantial alterations were made by William Young c 1890. Adam’s wings were removed and the new south wing was embellished by the introduction of a grand staircase. The house was requisitioned for the military in 1939 and there was a serious fire in 1940. A lot of restoration has been done in recent years.
Saturday 13th September 2:30
Visit to Crichton Castle led by Chris Tabraham. Historic Scotland charges are Members Free, Adult £4 50,concession £3 60. Members should note that they should allow 15 minutes to walk from the car park by the church.[anyone with a disability problem should inform us in advance]. The church is open on that day. Members may wish to see it before 2 15 There will be an organ demonstration going on until 4pm and some may wish to pop in to that after we have been to the castle. Basic refreshment may be available in the church. Crichton castle is an important structure with building spanning three centuries. The most important work was done for Francis Earl of Bothwell c1585 which included an Italianate range was built which was an unusual feature in Scotland. The Church; Sir William Crichton established a college here in 1449 and this church is its successor. It now has no nave but probably did in the past.
Saturday 25th October at 2:30
Visit to Duns Castle by invitation of Mr & Mrs A Hay Members will have tea and a talk about the castle. There will be a charge of £7 50. The estate was granted to Thomas Randolph c1320 and passed from him to the Earl of Dunbar and Agnes Countess of Dunbar The original tower house can be identified .The castle as we see it , however, is the splendid mansion re modelled by James Gillespie Graham between 1818- 22 for William Hay who had inherited it in 1807. You may wish to consult; Buildings of Scotland Borders; Cruft, Dunbar and Fawcett.
