Cousland Smiddy Trust
Our goal is to conserve and develop the buildings of Cousland Smiddy, keep them relevant in a changing world, interpret their history and enhance their surroundings, build capacity in our community for the stewardship of our heritage resources, providing social and environmental benefits for all of us.
Our exhibitions, our conservation and development projects, our practical volunteering & learning sessions support the fundamental premise that when we understand the key role of the smiddy in the historical life of our rural community, we are far more likely to take care of it.
Key achievements of the Smiddy Trust’s work to date include:
Currently we are working on Phase 3 of our long-term ambitions, to allow villagers and visitors to access our large collections of documents, maps, photos and artefacts that illustrate Cousland's colourful and interesting part in Scotland’s story.
These achievements would not have been possible without grants and donations from a wide range of funders, the dedication of the volunteer members of Cousland Smiddy Trust and help from a large number of “Trustees” and other interested individuals.
Our exhibitions, our conservation and development projects, our practical volunteering & learning sessions support the fundamental premise that when we understand the key role of the smiddy in the historical life of our rural community, we are far more likely to take care of it.
Key achievements of the Smiddy Trust’s work to date include:
- The Smiddy has been retained as a place of employment and the continuation of a traditional country craft in an ancient blacksmith’s workshop has been assured.
- An important building in the industrial heritage of Scotland and its tools and artefacts have been conserved and will be maintained in good condition.
- The environment at the heart of Cousland Village has been improved, providing community space and sustainable organic allotments.
- The smith’s cottage has been refurbished to create a home for village organisations and our local history archive.
Currently we are working on Phase 3 of our long-term ambitions, to allow villagers and visitors to access our large collections of documents, maps, photos and artefacts that illustrate Cousland's colourful and interesting part in Scotland’s story.
These achievements would not have been possible without grants and donations from a wide range of funders, the dedication of the volunteer members of Cousland Smiddy Trust and help from a large number of “Trustees” and other interested individuals.