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On Saturday 21st January 2017, Dunfermline YAC members Kathryn and Olivia, and club leader Mark, represented Dunfermline YAC at the official launch the Heritage Hero Awards at the amazing Argyll’s Lodging just below Stirling Castle. The Awards are run by Archaeology Scotland.
Kathryn and Olivia told YAC more about their day...
We began our day by exploring the house. Argyll's Lodging is recognised as Scotland’s finest 17th-century townhouse. It was built as the home for a great nobleman serving the royal court at the nearby Stirling Castle.
We best remember the barrel-vaulted kitchen, with its massive fire-place. It had been rebuilt of stone in the 16th century after the original, wooden kitchen had burnt to the ground. It is kitted out with replica jugs and bowls and other kitchen equipment to give an idea of what it had looked like in the past. Olivia was disappointed not to be able to pick up the knives that had been glued to the chopping boards!
There were people from all over Scotland at the launch who had helped to pilot the Heritage Hero Awards. Some folk talked about the projects they had run. They included a cool project in Kilmarnock. Seven school children had researched the lives of men from the local railway-works who had fought in the First World War. The research was used in museum displays and even to produce a book.
Mark talked a bit about the Dunfermline Abbey graveyard project, which you can read about on the YAC website in a series of blog posts. He also talked about a school project he had helped with at a local primary school. Olivia had participated in both projects. She talked about how she had come to join YAC as a result of getting involved with the school project. Olivia was cheered when we realised that she is probably the first person in the world to get two Heritage Hero awards!
We rounded things off by first cutting,and then eating, large amounts of a celebration cake. Olivia found the fondant covering a little too sweet and thick, but enjoyed the sponge. Kathryn just ate and enjoyed it. Mark, inconsiderately, spent so much time, gassing that Kathryn and Olivia had to drag him off without even trying the cake. What a shame!
However, we had good soup in the castle café, enjoyed the fog and had a look round the gift shop. Olivia bought postcards and soap for her mum while Kathryn bought a fancy, medieval catapult pencil sharpener so she can ping things at her siblings. It works well. Mark wasn’t allowed to buy anything!
Blog by Olivia and Kathryn, Dunfermline YAC members
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