Members of Cousland Local History Project were invited to 'cross the border' into East Lothian and took part in the EL Heritage Gathering on Saturday 25th February at Haddginton Town Hall. Cousland was once in Haddingtonshire so we are pleased to be considered honorary East Lothianers!

We were delighted to welcome twenty five 2nd year product design students and their lecturer from Napier University, to the smiddy today. The students are embarking on a project which will see each one design a hand forged companion set, along with costing & marketing it as a unique craft product. The final designs and submissions will be part of their course work, with some of the designs potentially being put into production and made available for sale. Truly one off's!   

Thanks to all who came along and visited our stand in the Craft Fair
on Saturday. 

Lots of folks shared memories of Cousland and the smiddy, bought some of Sean's forgework, made enquiries about commissions and took away leaflets - hope to have lots of visitors at the smiddy.

The next Open event is this Saturday the 16th July from 12 - 4pm.

Midlothian Doors Open Day on 10th September is when we will be open for the whole day, with stalls & refreshments.

Cousland Smiddy & Heritage Hub with Sean Cockburn Blacksmith will be at the Dalkeith Show on Saturday 9th July. Look out for our stand in the Craft Marquee, come and say hello and find out about us.

Sean will have some of his lovely forgework for sale on the day. 

It's a great day out at Dalkeith Palace. www.dalkeithshow.co.uk/

Spotted at Eskbank Station yesterday - Visit Midlothian website linking to all the attractions - including Cousland Smiddy!

Today Cousland Smiddy Trust and Sean Cockburn made their own contribution to the new Botanic Cottage in the Botanic Gardens Edinburgh by gifting a bootscraper................
“During the archaeological investigations on the Botanic Cottage site in Leith Walk, a stone was uncovered, with 2 holes which clearly contained metal shafts. The conclusion was that this may have been the fixing of a boot scraper, set outside the cottage, for the gardeners to clean their boots on. 
Cousland Smiddy Trust, owners of Cousland Smiddy thought that to re-create that boot scraper in the forge of the 300 year old smiddy, might be a fitting way to represent a trade that would have been a traditional craft used in the original building……………so here it is our gift to the gardeners at Inverleith, long may it clean your boots!” We are very proud to have contributed to such an historical and important project.
It was received by Sutherland & Gerry of RBGE and will be located at the boot room entrance for the garden volunteers to clean their boots on before entering the fabulously re-constructed building.
Some of the furniture was also produced by Jo Black at Airfield workshops so Cousland is well represented.