The archives of the National Trust for Scotland

I was privileged to hear a most interesting talk at the Galloway Family History Fair yesterday, it was regarding the archives of the National Trust for Scotland (NTS).

Ian Riches, the Trust’s archivist, began the talk by outlining the history of the NTS. He quoted Sir John Stirling Maxwell, a founder member of the NTS, who said; “The National Trust for Scotland serves the nation as a cabinet into which it can put some of its valuable things, where they will be perfectly safe for all time, and where they are open to be seen and enjoyed by everyone.”

This has certainly proved true, the NTS has large estates, stately homes, castles, large gardens, small gardens, tenement houses, paintings, furniture and, of interest to all of us, archives!

A large component of the NTS archive are the papers relating to properties whilst they have been in the care of the NTS, the business of the Trust if you like. It takes 400 boxes to contain the minutes of the NTS! These will certainly be of great interest to anybody researching the history of a property in the care of the NTS.

Haddo House

As well as paperwork relating to the organisation they also have estate papers for some properties. Ian told us about how 18th and 19th century estate papers were found in a coal bunker at Haddo House! If your ancestor worked on the estate these could be really useful. Thanks to the work of the Trust these have been preserved for the benefit of everybody who needs to access them. Note however that not every property has an archive, the papers may still be with the family or they could have been deposited at the National Records of Scotland.

One of their great archives is on the Scottish island of Canna where, amongst other things, they hold sound recordings dating from the 1930’s that were collected by John Lorne Campbell. Thanks to the work of the NTS you can hear these recording online. If your ancestors lived on Canna or a neighbouring island you may be privileged to find a recording made by them, but even if this is not the case, still take time to listen to the voices of the past and imagine the lives your ancestors led.

To round off this fascinating talk, Ian showed us some true treasures from the NTS archive. One was a journal written by John Ross, a supply teacher on St. Kilda, and the other was a diary kept by Alice MacLachlan, a school teacher on St. Kilda and the wife of Peter MacLachlan, the minister there in 1909. These firsthand accounts were fascinating to read and we were delighted to hear that the trust plans to digitise these treasures and make them available online in the near future. You can see a wee glimpse into the diary contained on the first page of this PDF from the NTS.

Perhaps reading this you think it would be useful to your research to investigate what theTrust holds which could help you. Work is underway to create an online catalogue, a mammoth task! In the meantime contact Ian Riches and he will do what he can to help you. 

Come in, no need to knock...

On Saturday I visited Allan Bank, a National Trust Georgian villa, once lived in by William Wordsworth. I knew a little of its history before I visited but I had not done any extensive research so I didn’t really know what to expect.

As we approached the house I saw a very welcoming sign, ‘Come in, no need to knock’ so we did…

 

Inside we were greeted warmly, however I must admit my eyes started glancing around this most unusual National Trust property. As I glanced I saw on my right a kitchen, ahead of me I could hear a piano and I could see the peeling paint in the hall. The doors of the hall were all open, people were happily mingling around, touching things, sitting on National Trust furniture, reading books on sofas, writing on walls, and a child was allowed to play the piano! What was going on, had I walked into some kind of alternate universe?

It was now explained to us about the history of the house. Built in the early days of the nineteenth century it was lived in by William Wordsworth for a time. Later it was occupied by one of the co-founders of the National Trust but since the 1950s it has been let to private individuals. Tragedy stuck, though, in March 2011 when the tranquil building was devastated by fire. Since then the National Trust has repaired the structure of the building and now they would like your help in deciding what to do with Wordsworth’s former home.

This is why we were offered coffee and invited to take our coffee anywhere. We could sit on furniture, read the books in the shelves, write our thoughts on the black painted walls. It was truly remarkable to observe what people do with the space when the rope barriers and little acorns on seats are removed. Don’t get me wrong, much of the furniture and property owned by the National Trust needs to be protected, it would be stupidity to allow people to walk round Lyme Park bouncing on the beds, for example. But it was refreshing, for a change, to be allowed to go anywhere, touch anything and just relax.

What then should happen next? Should the building be restored to its former glory, perhaps a pair of Wordsworth’s reading glasses on a desk next to an open book? Personally I feel there are plenty properties of that kind, and it would be better to use this opportunity to inspire interest in all things historical.

What seemed so pleasant about Allan Bank was the warmth, the welcome and the freedom. You know the expression, ‘You can’t see the wood for the trees’? Well it strikes me that that is what happens in so many properties. You can’t see the building for the furnishings. You can’t see the views for the curtains! You can’t see the history for the little plaques loaded with detailed information.

 

My vote would be to use the house to demonstrate decay, to teach people what happens over time. Also to allow people to experience what it was like to sit in an armchair in the early nineteenth centaury. Allow people to feel heritage, touch it and experience it, not just see it. In particular it’s a great opportunity to have a place of historic interest that children want to visit.

That’s just me, you may have a better idea. Visit Allan Bank for yourself and tell the National Trust what you think.

To see more photos visit my Flickr photostream.