ABOUT THE PROJECT

The year 2007 saw Newbattle Abbey College, Scotland’s only adult residential college, celebrating 70 years of providing life changing educational opportunities for adults from all over the world.

The college secured funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund to set up an exhibition, oral history project and multi-media exhibition which tracks the social, economic and cultural journey of staff and students since opening in 1937.  The exhibition allows local community groups to get involved and learn about the college’s rich history, as well as demonstrating the unique educational opportunities available there.

Volunteers were recruited from local groups to undertake a variety of roles in ICT, oral history interviewing, researching and tour guiding.  This blend of skilled volunteers has created a Heritage Group who will update the exhibitions on a regular basis.

Local schools and community groups also contributed to the project in a variety of different ways.  For example, St David’s Primary School presented a project which shows how their school has a connection to Newbattle Abbey.  Community art group, Artists in the Field, displayed magnificent paintings which they had developed over a period of time under the guidance of tutor Hilary Buchanan.  Dalkeith Writers’ Group contributed pieces of research and text to illuminate the history of Newbattle Abbey and one writer’s experience of undertaking a course there which was life-changing.

If you would like to learn more about the project, become part of the Heritage Group or even have a story to tell about the College, then please contact Rae McGhee on 0131 663 1921
e-mail: raem@newbattleabbeycollege.ac.uk.

To find out more about Scotland’s Life Changing College, just click here.