Liddesdale Heritage Centre
Volunteer-run local history museum in the former Townfoot Kirk in Newcastleton, covering the Liddesdale valley, the Waverley Route railway and local trades.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Liddesdale Heritage Centre tells the story of Newcastleton and the wider Liddesdale valley in the Scottish Borders. It is housed in the Old Townfoot Kirk, a former church on South Hermitage Street, and is run by local volunteers. It presents the history and culture of the valley and its people.
Newcastleton itself was founded as a planned village in 1793 by the Duke of Buccleuch. A tapestry made, designed and sewn by people with Liddesdale connections to mark the village's bicentenary shows its history. The displays also cover the Waverley Route railway, which served the village until it closed in 1969, together with the village shops and the local trades of farming, clogging, shoemaking, weaving and joinery. The valley was a centre of Border Reiver activity, and some displays look at the families and the raids of that period.
A family history area holds old parish registers, census returns and graveyard records that visitors can use for research. Each year the centre mounts a different display or exhibition. Past topics have included the Embroiderers' Guild, the churches of Liddesdale, street life in Borders towns, and the Border Reivers and the Debateable Lands.
Highlights
- Housed in the former Townfoot Kirk
- Tapestry marking the village's bicentenary
- Displays on the Waverley Route railway
- Local trades: farming, clogging, shoemaking, weaving and joinery
- Family history area with parish registers and census returns
Permanent exhibition
- Liddesdale history displays – Displays on the Waverley Route, village shops and trades, the founding of Newcastleton in 1793 and a bicentenary tapestry, plus a family history research area.
- Founded
- 1989
Admission & discounts
| Adults | £2.50 |
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| Reduced | £1Children aged 5 to 16 and students |
| Children & teens | £1free up to age 4 · Ages 5 to 16 pay £1. |
| Students & apprentices | £1 |
Residents of Liddesdale enter free. These prices come from the Visit Newcastleton listing.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
The centre is in the Old Townfoot Kirk on South Hermitage Street, at the south end of Newcastleton village.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Good to know | Private viewings outside the published season can be arranged by telephone. |
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