Recently, P4 gained a taste of what life was like in Dumfries in Jacobite times when Mark and Lesley from Solway Tours led them on a Jacobite Jaunt.
P4 split into two groups, with one group following Mark to discuss landmarks in Dumfries, and the other visiting Cruck Cottage in Torthorwald with Lesley, the groups then swapped over.
This trip really helped the children compare daily life back then, to the present day. The children had some excellent (and sometimes disgusting!) conversations about what hygiene was like then, they learned how important the Nith was in bring supplies to the town, the 3D map of Dumfries helped them see exactly where the Jacobite camp had been, and when they heard how children were punished for misbehaving back then – well let’s just say the behaviour during the trip was excellent!😀
At Cruck Cottage the children were welcomed in by the “two Bills” and sat by a roaring peat fire, as they heard stories of families of 13 living together in the small room that they were sitting in. They learned about children at the same age, cutting the peat, working in the fields and tending the vegetable garden from sometimes 6am till 10pm – however, the most shocking fact was “that there was no WIFI!!!” Imagine that!!!
It was wonderful to explore history that happened on our doorstep, and retrace the steps that Bonnie Prince Charlie and his Jacobite followers would have taken.
Massive thanks to Solway Tours, The Two Bills, Mrs Davidson, Mrs Graham and the parent helpers, who made this trip possible.
More photos to follow!
