Jenny the Cob missed her appointment for new shoes, so came to the smiddy to have them done - what an unexpected treat for the visitors!

The Smiddy & Heritage Hub are open to visitors on the following Saturdays from 10am - 1pm when the farrier will be working:

 Sat 7th May                           
 Sat 21st May
 Sat 4th June
 Sat 18th June
 Sat 2nd July
 Sat 16th July
 Sat 6th August
 Sat 20th August
Sat 10th September 10am - 4.00pm - Midlothian Doors Open Day
 Sat 24th September

We are very happy to welcome groups and others via a telephone/email booking on any other date or time between 7th May - 24th September.
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www.couslandsmiddy.co.uk/contact.html

It has taken much longer than planned, as with everything this past year, but our programme of restoration works was completed last September and is all now signed off and paid for. 

Now we hope to be able to get into the smiddy with volunteers to re-display the tools collection and get ready to welcome visitors as soon as we are allowed.

We hope to hold a Doors Open Day event in September which we look forward to very much, and roll on Carols at the Forge in December!  

The image above featured in The Sunday Telegraph recently. Taken by photographer Phil Wilkinson.

We thank everyone who has supported the Trust and volunteers in getting to this point..........................there are still a few wee jobs to do before too long so if anyone feels the urge please get in touch and join our team you'll be very welcome...........Just sayin'!
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  Cousland Smiddy & Heritage Hub are pleased to present this small taster
​of the long & varied history of Cousland Village.

With thanks to our project funders Historic Environments Scotland & Tyne Esk Leader,
                         the smiddy building is currently undergoing some restoration works and we look forward to                                                           May 2021 when we can throw open the doors to visitors again.                                                                   
 

      Hope to see you all then - stay safe!

The 3 biggest events of the year that we usually participate in have been cancelled.

East Lothian Archaeology Festival, Midlothian Doors Open Day and Scottish Archaeology Month will now be 'virtual' with a great selection of talks, films etc to be enjoyed about a huge range of heritage venues
across the county & country.
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Cousland Smiddy Trust is currently producing material for this online 'visiting opportunity'

Links will be provided in the last week of August via all the groups above.
Watch this page for the launch & viewing dates.
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We are sorry that we won't be able to welcome visitors to the Smiddy & Hub for some time to come.  Once the Coronavirus emergency is over we hope that we will be able to show off the completed restoration works  to all. We are hoping that Midlothian Doors Open Day , scheduled for 12th September will still be on at least. Many thanks to all for your support, keep well and safe.
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 Wednesday 8 April 2020 at 7 pm A presentation on the diaries of the Mercer family who farmed at Southfield Farm, Cousland over a century ago. Sheena Irving, editor of the diaries, will take the audience back to the time when agriculture was the major industry in Midlothian. 

When Dalkeith Corn Exchange was the largest and busiest in Scotland and new ideas on husbandry and harvesting were being promoted by forward looking Midlothian farmers who ensured that the people of Dalkeith had a ready supply of fresh local, meat, vegetables and cereals.
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Tickets £5.00 – including a glass of wine and finger buffet – are now available from the Museum.

http://www.dalkeithhistorysociety.co.uk/event/two-diaries-from-southfield-farm-cousland/

By the time this is read, villagers might have already noticed that building works have started at The Smiddy. Funded by Tyne Esk Leader and Historic Environments Scotland the chimney, windows & doors and interior sleeper flooring are amongst the restorations taking place. Over the next 2 months there will be strictly no through route for vehicles past the front of the smiddy buildings. Access to the plots will be advised by Keith.
This is a very exciting project for the Smiddy & Hub, ensuring the survival of the fabric and the viability of the working forge for generations to come.
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The Smiddy & Hub re-open to the public on a programme of Open Days from May – September.
Blacksmith Sean will still be operating at the forge as much as possible throughout but if you need to contact him, his details are on the smiddy website.