Historic Environment Scotland to set up independent governance review following publication of Auditor General's report

The Scottish Government's heritage body, Historic Environment Scotland (https://www.historicenvironment.scot), is to set up an independent review into its governance in the new year, after the Auditor General labelled its performace as 'unacceptable', with allegations of a toxic workplace, racism, and financial management weaknesses. The review will look into HES's structure, efficiency and culture.

For more on the story visit https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cgqzgj1v2yqo. The Auditor General's report is available at https://audit.scot/news/unacceptable-governance-at-historic-environment-scotland.

Chris 

Order Researching Ancestral Crisis in Ireland in the UK at https://bit.ly/4jJWSEh. Also available -Tracing Your Belfast Ancestors, Tracing Your Irish Ancestors Through Land Records, Sharing Your Family History Online, Tracing Your Scottish Family History on the Internet, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet (2nd ed), and Tracing Your Scottish Ancestry Through Church and State Records - to purchase, please visit https://bit.ly/ChrisPatonPSbooks. To purchase in the USA visit https://www.penandswordbooks.com. Further news published daily on The Scottish GENES Facebook page.

Historic Environment Scotland encourages applications to its grants programme

Historic Environment Scotland is encouraging individuals and organisations to apply to its grants programme, with grants of up to £500,000 available for projects dealing with Scotland's historic environment. You can find more about the initiative at https://www.historicenvironment.scot/grants-and-funding/our-grants/historic-environment-grants-programme/. The priority will be for not-for-profit initiatives, so predatory multinational corporations should probably look away now.

From the website:

We will be running an online information session on Wednesday 12 November, from 11am to 12.15pm, to talk about the HEG programme and the application process and there will also be the opportunity to ask questions.

If you would like to come along, please email us at grants@hes.scot and provide us with your name, organisation (if applicable) and contact email so we can add you to the invitation list.

Good luck if you or your organisation is planning to make an application!

Chris 

Order Researching Ancestral Crisis in Ireland in the UK at https://bit.ly/4jJWSEh. Also available -Tracing Your Belfast Ancestors, Tracing Your Irish Ancestors Through Land Records, Sharing Your Family History Online, Tracing Your Scottish Family History on the Internet, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet (2nd ed), and Tracing Your Scottish Ancestry Through Church and State Records - to purchase, please visit https://bit.ly/ChrisPatonPSbooks. For purchase in tthe USA visit https://www.penandswordbooks.com. Further news published daily on The Scottish GENES Facebook page.

Newmilns Heritage App

The recently launched Newmilns Heritage App has been commissioned by the Newmilns Heritage Association. Developed by the Newmilns Heritage Group, it has been funded from the Heritage Lottery Fund. The app was launched on Saturday, 10th May 2025, at a Heritage event in Newmilns Church Hall.

The impressive app includes a self-guided one-hour walking tour around the East Ayrshire town, a treasure hunt at Loudon Parish Church graveyard, eye spy challenges around the town, audio and video media content, maps, and more. 

The app is free to access via Google Play Store or Apple's App Store. For further details visit https://www.lovenewmilns.org/newmilns-heritage-app.

Chris   

Order Tracing Your Belfast Ancestors in the UK at https://bit.ly/BelfastAncestors. Also available - Tracing Your Irish Ancestors Through Land Records, Sharing Your Family History Online, Tracing Your Scottish Family History on the Internet, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet (2nd ed), and Tracing Your Scottish Ancestry Through Church and State Records - to purchase, please visit https://bit.ly/ChrisPatonPSbooks. For purchase in tthe USA visit https://www.penandswordbooks.com. Further news published daily on The Scottish GENES Facebook page, on Threads at @scottishgenesblog and via Mastodon at https://mastodon.scot/@ScottishGENES.

North Ayrshire Council’s Genealogy and Local History Library to move

From North Ayrshire Council (https://www.facebook.com/NacHeritage):

Currently located at the Irvine Townhouse (pictured below), the Council’s Genealogy and Local History Library will soon be relocating to within Irvine Library.

As part of North Ayrshire Heritage and Cultural Services, the Genealogy and Local History Library consists of a wide range of resources relating to the rich history of North Ayrshire and beyond.  

The resources available include valuable information via books, maps, photographs, old newspapers, genealogy resources and accessing the family history site, Scotland’s People.

Rhonda Leith, Head of Service for Connected Communities shares: “Work is currently underway to accommodate this welcome move.  

“Having the Genealogy and Local History Library based within the busy Irvine Library will make our unique resources more accessible to the people of North Ayrshire. 

“So, whether you are tracing your family tree, want to look-up old newspapers, or see old photographs, the staff will be delighted to welcome you, whatever your interest. 

“The move is a positive step as part of a wider project to align our services in the heart of our communities and will reduce carbon emissions across the Council’s estate.” 

The Genealogy and Local History Library will close its doors at the Townhouse on Wednesday, 4 September, and will reopen within Irvine Library on Monday, 7 October.

Comment: The Townhouse and the Library are literally about two minutes walk away from each other.

(With thanks to Lorraine Scott)

Chris 

Order Tracing Your Belfast Ancestors in the UK at https://bit.ly/BelfastAncestors. Also available - Tracing Your Irish Ancestors Through Land Records, Sharing Your Family History Online, Tracing Your Scottish Family History on the Internet, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet (2nd ed), and Tracing Your Scottish Ancestry Through Church and State Records - to purchase, please visit https://bit.ly/ChrisPatonPSbooks. For purchase in tthe USA visit https://www.penandswordbooks.com. Further news published daily on The Scottish GENES Facebook page, on Threads at @scottishgenesblog and via Mastodon at https://mastodon.scot/@ScottishGENES.

Disruption to Historic Environment Scotland platforms, including Canmore and ScotlandsPlaces

From Historic Environment Scotland (www.historicenvironment.scot):

Early last week we noticed some unusual activity on a server that supports Canmore, PastMap, Buildings at Risk Register and Scotland's Places. As a precaution, we took this and related services offline to investigate further and prevent additional risk to our systems.

At this time, we have found no evidence that any information was stolen or accessed.

We're currently working on moving these services to a new and more secure platform. Rather than bringing the old systems back online first, we've decided to move everything to the new one as soon as possible. This means the websites will be impacted a bit longer, but they will be safer in the long run.

We appreciate your patience as we make this important switch. We'll continue to update you on our progress through this webpage. We expect to have a clearer timeline for when the websites will be back up and running soon.

In the meantime, our teams are ready to help. Contact us on the following email addresses depending on your query:

    Enquiries relating to our archives or archival services: archives@hes.scot
    Enquiries about Canmore and PastMap: archives@hes.scot
    Enquiries about the Buildings at Risk Register: barr@hes.scot

Several of our datasets, including Canmore point data, are still available to download from https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/, which is unaffected.

Thank you for your understanding! 

(Source: https://www.historicenvironment.scot/about-us/news/system-outage/ - with thanks to Andrew Armstrong, via the Scottish Genealogy Network)

On the ScotlandsPlaces site the following note is at the top of the page, with searches on the site returning no data:

Chris

Order Tracing Your Belfast Ancestors in the UK at https://bit.ly/BelfastAncestors. Also available - Tracing Your Irish Ancestors Through Land Records, Sharing Your Family History Online, Tracing Your Scottish Family History on the Internet, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet (2nd ed), and Tracing Your Scottish Ancestry Through Church and State Records - to purchase, please visit https://bit.ly/ChrisPatonPSbooks. For purchase in tthe USA visit https://www.penandswordbooks.com. Further news published daily on The Scottish GENES Facebook page, on Threads at @scottishgenesblog and via Mastodon at https://mastodon.scot/@ScottishGENES.

Historic Environment Scotland seeks Gaelic Outreach Officer

Historic Environment Scotland (https://www.historicenvironment.scot) is seeking to hire a Gaelic Outeach Officer:

Oifigear Adhartachaidh na Gàidhlig (Gaelic Outreach Officer)
Historic Environment Scotland  3.5 3.5/5 rating - Scotland
Hybrid remote
£30,539 - £37,131 a year
Tapadh leat airson ùidh a nochdadh ann an dreuchd Oifigear Adhartachaidh na Gàidhlig (Gaelic Outreach Officer) aig Àrainneachd Eachdraidheil Alba (HES).

Further details can be found here.

Chris

Order Tracing Your Belfast Ancestors in the UK at https://bit.ly/BelfastAncestors. Also available - Tracing Your Irish Ancestors Through Land Records, Sharing Your Family History Online, Tracing Your Scottish Family History on the Internet, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet (2nd ed), and Tracing Your Scottish Ancestry Through Church and State Records - to purchase, please visit https://bit.ly/ChrisPatonPSbooks. For purchase in tthe USA visit https://www.penandswordbooks.com. Further news published daily on The Scottish GENES Facebook page, on Threads at @scottishgenesblog and via Mastodon at https://mastodon.scot/@ScottishGENES.

New heritage centre for Brora in 2024

A new £4.5 million heritage centre is planned in 2024 for the village of Brora in Sutherland by the Clyne Heritage Society (http://clyneheritage.com), to be created at the former school in the village.

For more on the story visit https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cqe1yv3gl9mo - agus sa Ghàidhlig aig https://www.bbc.co.uk/naidheachdan/sgeulachdan/cv24ezdvl96o.

Chris

Order Tracing Your Belfast Ancestors in the UK at https://bit.ly/BelfastAncestors. Also available - Tracing Your Irish Ancestors Through Land Records, Sharing Your Family History Online, Tracing Your Scottish Family History on the Internet, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet (2nd ed), and Tracing Your Scottish Ancestry Through Church and State Records - to purchase, please visit https://bit.ly/ChrisPatonPSbooks. For purchase in tthe USA visit https://www.penandswordbooks.com. Further news published daily on The Scottish GENES Facebook page, on Threads at @scottishgenesblog and via Mastodon at https://mastodon.scot/@ScottishGENES.

Stirling Council demolishes 117 year old Christie Clock Tower

This one has caused a bit of anger in Stirling. Citing structural concerns, the local council has destroyed the 117 year old Christie Clock Tower, built to commemorate a former provost of the royal burgh, in an overnight operation beyond the gaze of the public. It's possible the council might have been asleep for 117 years, and hence why they haven't previously addressed the issue.

The council noted the following in comments made to the BBC:

"Contractors tried valiantly for five hours to remove the crown of this well-loved landmark but, unfortunately, due to the lack of stability within the clock structure, the pillar also had to be removed from site.

"Sections of the clock have been removed intact and all stonework associated with the clock tower has been removed from site and stored to allow further investigation and work."

"Repair work on the base will commence over the next two weeks and we will shortly begin a review of a restoration project on the pillar, crown and clock."

The full story is available at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-66695251

Chris

Order Tracing Your Belfast Ancestors in the UK at https://bit.ly/BelfastAncestors. Also available - Tracing Your Irish Ancestors Through Land Records, Sharing Your Family History Online, Tracing Your Scottish Family History on the Internet, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet (2nd ed), and Tracing Your Scottish Ancestry Through Church and State Records - to purchase, please visit https://bit.ly/ChrisPatonPSbooks. For purchase in tthe USA visit https://www.penandswordbooks.com. Further news published daily on The Scottish GENES Facebook page, on Threads at @scottishgenesblog and via Mastodon at https://mastodon.scot/@ScottishGENES.

Newbridge (County) Library, to be extended to become Kildare County Library, Archives and Cultural Centre

Kildare County Council has posted details of work to be carried out to refurbish and extend the existing Newbridge (County) Library, which is a Protected Structure, to create the new Kildare County Library, Archives and Cultural Centre.

Plans and particulars of the proposed development (see below for a CGI impression of the new facility) will be available for consultation at the council for 6 weeks, from Wednesday,10 May, to Wednesday, 21 June 2023 (inclusive). They will alson be available for viewing in Newbridge Library during opening hours from Wednesday, 10 May, to Wednesday, 21 June 2023, and online at https://kildarecoco.ie/AllServices/Planning/Part8Schemes/StrategicProjectsandPublicRealm/P8202221Part8-ProposedCountyLibraryArchivesandCulturalCentreNewbridge/.

Chris

Order Tracing Your Belfast Ancestors in the UK at https://bit.ly/BelfastAncestors. Also available - Tracing Your Irish Ancestors Through Land Records, Sharing Your Family History Online, Tracing Your Scottish Family History on the Internet, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet (2nd ed), and Tracing Your Scottish Ancestry Through Church and State Records - to purchase, please visit https://bit.ly/ChrisPatonPSbooks. For the USA visit https://www.penandswordbooks.com. Further news published daily on The Scottish GENES Facebook page, and on Twitter @genesblog.

New historic panoramic view of Dundee from 1901 unveiled

A new 360 degree animated recreation of Dundee showcasing how it appeared in the year 1901 has been unveiled at the city's Discovery Point, with its installation in the previously inacessible dome of the building. The CGI recreation has been narrated by actor Alan Cumming.

For more on the story visit https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-63075010, with a sample of the new animated feature also available at https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/dundee/3754147/discovery-point-dundee-dome-experience-video/.

Chris

My new book Tracing Your Irish Ancestors Through Land Records is now available to buy at https://bit.ly/IrishLandRecords. Also available - Sharing Your Family History Online, Tracing Your Scottish Family History on the Internet, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet (2nd ed), and Tracing Your Scottish Ancestry Through Church and State Records - to purchase, please visit https://bit.ly/ChrisPatonPSbooks. Further news published daily on The Scottish GENES Facebook page, and on Twitter @genesblog.

The story of Woodhead lead mine

If your ancestors lived at Woodhead lead mine, in the parish of Carsphairn, Kikrcudbrightshire, where mining took place from 1838-1873, you may be interested to read an article on the BBC website entitled Unearthing the story of Scotland's industrial ghost village - you'll find it at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-south-scotland-62036220.

Chris

My new book Tracing Your Irish Ancestors Through Land Records is now available to buy at https://bit.ly/IrishLandRecords. Also available - Sharing Your Family History Online, Tracing Your Scottish Family History on the Internet, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet (2nd ed), and Tracing Your Scottish Ancestry Through Church and State Records - to purchase, please visit https://bit.ly/ChrisPatonPSbooks. Further news published daily on The Scottish GENES Facebook page, and on Twitter @genesblog.

Historic Environment Scotland's annual report 2020-21

From Historic Environment Scotland (www.historicenvironment.scot):

Today (23 November 2021) we published our Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020-21 & Properties in the Care (PiC) of Scottish Ministers Annual Report 2020-21.

The reports highlight how HES is delivering on its Corporate Plan - ‘Heritage For All’ and commitments, as well as providing an overview of the contribution that the organisation makes.

While the COVID-19 pandemic and associated restrictions had a major impact on finances for the financial year and called for an immediate and comprehensive response, HES continued to make a strong impact across a number of key areas and agendas, including climate change, communities and widening opportunities for digital engagement.

Key statistics from the year include:

• Invested over £13 million through the HES grants programme, helping communities to restore their built heritage and improve their understanding of the past, including the launch of the Historic Environment Recovery Fund.
• Commercial income during this period was hit by the impact of COVID-19 and fell [87%] to £8.2 million.
• HES welcomed 246,000 visitors to the staffed sites which were able to reopen in 2020- 2021.
• A total of £25.3 million, inclusive of staff costs, was invested in conservation, maintenance and management of the PiCs.
• More than 80,000 digitised items were added to Canmore, our online archive site, bringing the total available to 1.1 million.
• We continued to make a positive contribution to net zero, with carbon emissions reduced by 34.8%, bringing the total reduction over 2014 - 2021 to 54.6%.
• Around £16.1 million generated into the Scottish economy from heritage tourism.

The full period of this Annual Report took place during the COVID-19 pandemic and the various lockdowns imposed to contain the outbreak. All staffed visitor sites were closed for the majority of the reporting period, with the re-opening of over 70% of staffed and free to access sites last summer followed just a few months later by their re-closure over the winter lockdown.

For more on the story read the full press announcement at https://www.historicenvironment.scot/about-us/news/our-annual-report-2020-21/ and the report itself at https://www.historicenvironment.scot/archives-and-research/publications/publication/?publicationId=7ccaad05-36eb-476b-a622-ade200f6989e

Comment: In terms of online resources, the report notes the following:

DIGITISED AND MADE AVAILABLE MORE THAN 80,000 images and files, bringing the total available to over 1.1 MILLION
((2019–20: 170,000 (1 million total), down 53%))

The HES also notes that "We revised our Digital Strategy, which redefines the place of digital in the future of our services, and the implementation plan was approved by HES Board in March 2021."

Chris

My new book Tracing Your Irish Ancestors Through Land Records is now available to buy at https://bit.ly/IrishLandRecords. Also available - Sharing Your Family History Online, Tracing Your Scottish Family History on the Internet, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet (2nd ed), and Tracing Your Scottish Ancestry Through Church and State Records - to purchase, please visit https://bit.ly/ChrisPatonPSbooks. Further news published daily on The Scottish GENES Facebook page, and on Twitter @genesblog.

Digital walkthrough of Perth from the year 1440

This has been doing the rounds this morning on social media - a digital reconstruction of the city of Perth, Scotland, from the year 1440, as featured in History Scotland magazine, and created by a partnership between Perth and Kinross Heritage Trust, Smart History Ltd and the Open Virtual Worlds group at the University of St Andrews. 

 

(Also available via https://vimeo.com/455716281)

This is a little bit before my Paton lot reached the city (in the 1780s!). You can read more about the project at https://www.historyscotland.com/history/explore-15th-century-perth/, and on medieval Perth at https://medievalperth.org.

(Thanks to Janet Few, Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd, and others!)

Chris

Just out, Sharing Your Family History Online is on sale at https://bit.ly/SharingFamHist. Tracing Your Scottish Family History on the Internet, at http://bit.ly/ChrisPaton-Scottish2 is also out, as are Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet (2nd ed) at http://bit.ly/ChrisPaton-Irish1 and Tracing Your Scottish Ancestry Through Church and State Records at http://bit.ly/ChrisPaton-Scotland1. Further news published daily on The Scottish GENES Facebook page, and on Twitter @genesblog.

Co Leis Thu? on Harris awarded National Lottery Heritage Fund grant

The Isle of Harris based genealogy service, Co Leis Thu?, has been awarded £98,700 by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. The new funds will see an upgrade to the Hebrides People website (www.hebridespeople.com), whilst a new Heritage Officer has been appointed to the Northton Heritage Trust to assist genealogist Bill Lawson in completing work on the online presentation of records for Barra and Uist.

Co Leis Thu? and Hebrides people were established by genealogist Bill Lawson, who was recently the subject of a BBC Alba documentary, concerning his life's work (http://scottishgenes.blogspot.com/2021/05/bbc-alba-documentary-on-genealogist.html).

For more on the funding announcement visit https://www.welovestornoway.com/index.php/articles-auto-3/21524-lottery-award-for-northton-trust.

Chris

Just out, Sharing Your Family History Online is on sale at https://bit.ly/SharingFamHist. Tracing Your Scottish Family History on the Internet, at http://bit.ly/ChrisPaton-Scottish2 is also out, as are Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet (2nd ed) at http://bit.ly/ChrisPaton-Irish1 and Tracing Your Scottish Ancestry Through Church and State Records at http://bit.ly/ChrisPaton-Scotland1. Further news published daily on The Scottish GENES Facebook page, and on Twitter @genesblog.

Historic Environment Scotland archives to re-open from April 27th

From Historic Environment Scotland (www.historicenvironment.scot), news that it will re-opening from April 27th:

We're delighted to welcome you back to the HES Archive and Library from Tuesday 27 April.

We will be providing a limited service for visitors who need access to original material for their research. To help keep everyone safe, we have introduced some changes, including:

- our reduced opening hours are 11am until 3pm, Tuesday to Friday
- visitors must pre-book their visit five working days in advance
- all the material you want to research, including books and photographs, must be requested in advance so that we can ensure appropriate quarantining

Pre-booking via archives@hes.scot is essential. Please do not travel if you have not made an appointment.

HES Archives Coronavirus Visitor Charter

Before your visit, please read and agree to our Coronavirus Visitor Charter to do your bit to help us ensure everyone’s safety.

As a visitor to HES Search Room, we ask you to:

- pre-book your visit at least five working days in advance
- only travel to John Sinclair House after receiving confirmation of your booking
- request the material you want to consult in advance, including any material normally on open access, such as books
- delay your visit if you are experiencing any Covid-19 symptoms
- respect the Government guidance on physical distancing and hygiene, including wearing a face covering unless you have a legitimate reason not to do so
- observe the safety measures that we have put in place
- be patient and polite with our staff while you visit, and understand our services are limited at this time
- notify us in advance, where possible, if you are delayed or unable to visit

Further details at https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/hes-archives-and-library/

(With thanks to Andrew Nicoll)

Chris

Just out, Sharing Your Family History Online is on sale at https://bit.ly/SharingFamHist. Tracing Your Scottish Family History on the Internet, at http://bit.ly/ChrisPaton-Scottish2 is also out, as are Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet (2nd ed) at http://bit.ly/ChrisPaton-Irish1 and Tracing Your Scottish Ancestry Through Church and State Records at http://bit.ly/ChrisPaton-Scotland1. Further news published daily on The Scottish GENES Facebook page, and on Twitter @genesblog.

Forthcoming PRONI and Northern Irish heritage events online

The following events will be hosted online by the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (www.nidirect.gov.uk/proni) and partners:

February 2021

Irish Women and the Great War 

Wolfe Tone and the Hibernian Catch Club: Sociability in Revolutionary Ireland

The Golden Age of Steam
 

March 2021

German combat motivation on the Eastern Front during the Second World War

Lost Potential? The Rejection of the 1923 Education Act

For further details, and to sign up, visit https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/talks-and-events-proni

In addition, PRONI is also organising the following:

Key Sources for Genealogy – Census Records
16 February, 2pm
We invite you to join us for the first in a series of talks by PRONI staff on using key resources for family history. This talk will show you how to search, and get the best out of online census records.

To register, visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/key-sources-for-genealogy-census-records-tickets-137600489769


Getting Started Workshops
3 & 17 March, 12.30pm

Join us on zoom for a workshop that will show you how to get started doing research online. Whether you are trying to do your own family tree online, researching for study or planning to visit PRONI when we re-open and want to know how to find your references in advance - these workshops will have something for you!

To register, visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/getting-started-workshop-using-online-resources-tickets-137600911029


And the heritage based HERoNI Lecture Series 2020-2021 is also still underway via Zoom:

The Topography of a Tall Tale: local history and folklore sources for the topographic aspects of Táin Bó Cúailnge
Friday 15 January 2021, 1pm
Speaker: Paul Gosling, an archaeologist who lectures part-time in the Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology.

Burials and Society in Early Bronze Age Ireland
Friday 12 February 2021, 1pm
Speaker: Dr Cormac McSparron, Department of Archaeology and Palaeoecology, Queen’s University Belfast

The 18th and 19th century fanlight families of Northern Ireland
Friday 23 April 2021, 1pm
Speaker: Nessa Roche, Architectural Historian

Celtic Crosses, Identity and Symbolism in late 19th and early 20th Century Belfast
Friday 4 June 2021, 1pm
Speaker: Bronagh Patricia Murray, Archaeologist

Further details at https://www.communities-ni.gov.uk/articles/heroni-lecture-series-202021

(With thanks to the PRONI Express, via email)

Chris 

Pre-order my next book, Sharing Your Family History Online, at https://bit.ly/SharingFamHist. My book Tracing Your Scottish Family History on the Internet, at http://bit.ly/ChrisPaton-Scottish2 is also out, as are Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet (2nd ed) at http://bit.ly/ChrisPaton-Irish1 and Tracing Your Scottish Ancestry Through Church and State Records at http://bit.ly/ChrisPaton-Scotland1. Further news published daily on The Scottish GENES Facebook page, and on Twitter @genesblog.

Paisley Heritage Centre to re-open on appointments only basis

Paisley's Heritage Centre (https://www.renfrewshireleisure.com/heritage-centre/) is to re-open next week, with visits by appointment only:

I am delighted to share with you the news that Renfrewshire’s Heritage Centre in Paisley will reopen from Thursday, September 17th.

We are pleased to be able to announce this latest step in Renfrewshire Leisure’s journey out of lockdown as the charity plays its part in the region’s wider recovery from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

All visits will be by appointment only. Bookings can be arranged from today (September 10th). Details of how to do so are below.

Great work has taken place by the Centre’s vastly experienced team digitally and over the phone since March, but we know you are keen to return to seeing some items from our collection physically to carry out your research.

As you would expect, we have had to put a number of measures in place to ensure the operation of the Centre - temporarily housed at the Abbey Mill Business Centre on Seedhill Road as the transformation of Paisley Museum takes place - to safeguard our staff and visitors, which is our absolute priority.

Full details on the operation of the Centre can be found at www.renfrewshireleisure.com/coronavirus. But, for your immediate information, mitigation measures include:

• An appointment-only entrance system. Bookings, which are in two-hour slots, the first starting at 10am and the last finishing at 4pm, must be arranged by emailing heritage@renfrewshire.gov.uk or by calling 0141 618 5375. Entry will not be granted without proof of prior booking.
• The discussion of research requirements ahead of arrival to ensure we have everything in place for you when you arrive and to maximise your research time on site.
• Specific table use. Tables will be two metres apart. Resources required will be placed on these tables prior to arrival.
• Mandatory use of face coverings, as outlined by the Scottish Government.
• Hand hygiene measures to protect both staff and visitors, as well as the items in the collection.
• The quarantining of resources for 72 hours after each use for your safety.
• Taking your contact details to comply with the Government’s Test and Protect procedures.

Arrangements may, of course, have to be adapted at any time to comply with any change in guidance from the Scottish Government.

My colleagues and I are looking forward to welcoming you back to the Centre in the safest way we can and thank you in advance for your cooperation in adhering to the guidelines we have put in place in the interests of everyone.

Should you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact the Heritage Team at the address above.

Kind regards,

Christine McLean
Heritage Manager

(With thanks to Jack Davis)

Chris

My next 5 week Scottish Research Online course starts August 31st - see https://www.pharostutors.com/details.php?coursenumber=102. My book Tracing Your Scottish Family History on the Internet, at http://bit.ly/ChrisPaton-Scottish2 is now out, also available are Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet (2nd ed) at http://bit.ly/ChrisPaton-Irish1 and Tracing Your Scottish Ancestry Through Church and State Records at http://bit.ly/ChrisPaton-Scotland1. Further news published daily on The Scottish GENES Facebook page, and on Twitter @genesblog.

Scotland's Brick and Tile Manufacturing Industry website

This is a website that I have not come across - www.scottishbrickhistory.co.uk - concerning the history of the Scottish brick and tile manufacturing industry.

It's a real labour of love put together by Mark Cranston, from Jedburgh, who won a Scottish Heritage Angel Award for his endeavour in 2016 (see www.scottishbrickhistory.co.uk/scottish-heritage-angel-awards-2016/), and carries sections detailing different manufactured bricks from across the country, as well as various articles on the history of the industry and those who worked in it (see www.scottishbrickhistory.co.uk/scottish-uncategorised-information/ for a list iof brickmakers).

If your ancestors were brickmakers, builders, or if you just fancy a read through some fascinating related subjects, it's well worth a vist!

(With thanks to @Dave_Lifelines and @oldscotbooks via Twitter)

Chris

My next 5 week Scottish Research Online course starts August 31st - see https://www.pharostutors.com/details.php?coursenumber=102. My book Tracing Your Scottish Family History on the Internet, at http://bit.ly/ChrisPaton-Scottish2 is now out, also available are Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet (2nd ed) at http://bit.ly/ChrisPaton-Irish1 and Tracing Your Scottish Ancestry Through Church and State Records at http://bit.ly/ChrisPaton-Scotland1. Further news published daily on The Scottish GENES Facebook page, and on Twitter @genesblog.

A visit to Portencross Castle in Ayrshire

I turn 50 in a few weeks, and so am now in a 'bucket list' mode! I have lived in North Ayrshire for 18 years, but despite constantly saying I want to see the inside of Portencross Castle, and despite many, many visits for walks beside it, I never somehow managed to accomplish that - until today!

Portencross Castle is situated close to the village of West Kilbride, and faces out towards Little Cumbrae on the Firth of Clyde - there is in fact a similar castle on the island (Little Cumbrae Castle), and between the two, the main approach to the Ayrshire north coast was guarded for centuries.

Portencross Castle was built in the 14th century (although it is believed there was an earlier fortification there from the 11th century), and is said to be where King Robert II, grandson of Robert The Bruce, signed some fifteen royal charters, with the castle also located at the caput of the historic barony of Ardneil.

Much of the building is now in ruin, but a great deal of restoration work by the Friends of Portencross Castle (FOPC) charitable trust has transformed the building, making it stable and safe for visitors. You can find out more about the history of the castle, and how to contribute to the work of the trust, at www.portencrosscastle.org.uk.

The castle has just re-opened to visitors, and the following is an announcement from the FOPC team about its current plans, if you fancy a visit:

Portencross Castle has re-opened

• Our supporters and all our volunteers and staff are delighted to share the news that Portencross Castle has now reopened.
• We will be open every day from 11.00am to 4.00pm until the end of August and then weekends until the end of September, including holiday Mondays when these occur. We will keep these times and dates under review in case government guidance imposes future restrictions due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
• We have put in place Covid-secure measures including additional volunteers and stewards in attendance, social distancing indicators and hand santisers. We have masks available if you haven’t brought one and simply ask for a voluntary contribution to cover the cost so that we can keep a stock available for our visitors.
• We have postponed our tenth anniversary of the opening the Castle as a public attraction and community educational resource until 2021. Watch this space.
• We have kept in touch with those who booked weddings and other events in advance and will be dealing with each booking individually.
• The FOPC Board is very grateful for the continuing support of our Guardians. If you would like to become a Castle Guardian by giving regular contributions, no matter how small, please download the Guardian leaflet from our website (http://www.portencrosscastle.org.uk/help.htm). You can also contact Ann on 01294 823799 or by email at fopc@portencrosscastle.org.uk.
• Friends of Portencross Castle (FOPC) is an entirely voluntary enterprise and is dependent on raising funds to keep the visitor centre open and to pay for maintenance, repairs and development. We are grateful for the Covid-19 government funding that we received via North Ayrshire Council which will go some way to see us through till next year.
• Once more, the FOPC Board would like to thank our supporters and benefactors including our stewards, volunteers, Guardians, visitors and all those who help at or attend our fund-raising events. Thank you.

It's a small building, but a truly wonderful place to visit, with a great view from the top and with great walks in the grounds on the shore also (somewhere where I have regularly had picnics in the past), so it was great to finally see the interior. It was especially nice also as it turned out that one of the team greeting us at the door was someone who I actually know, and who has been working there for a couple of seasons now, so a friendly face on hand as well!

Some further pics to set the scene...

And to show you how much I adore the place, this is a painting that my friend Martin Devlin did a couple of years ago, which I purchased from him, and which proudly adorns one of my sitting room walls:

Why not add Portencross to your list of places to visit also?!

Chris

My next 5 week Scottish Research Online course starts August 31st - see https://www.pharostutors.com/details.php?coursenumber=102. My book Tracing Your Scottish Family History on the Internet, at http://bit.ly/ChrisPaton-Scottish2 is now out, also available are Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet (2nd ed) at http://bit.ly/ChrisPaton-Irish1 and Tracing Your Scottish Ancestry Through Church and State Records at http://bit.ly/ChrisPaton-Scotland1. Further news published daily on The Scottish GENES Facebook page, and on Twitter @genesblog.