The Centre made arrangements and opened early for us as a base from which to start the walk. It has an amazing collection of material about the life, times and work of John Buchan. Sadly our time was limited but it's certainly a venue that deserves a visit when you have the time to do it justice.
The great man's father had preached in the Centre (formerly a United Free Church) and Buchan spent many summers in the area. One of the stained glass windows is a tribute to a Hannay and this locals suspect is where Buchan got the name for the hero of his most famous book, The 39 Steps.
There's a marvelous little account of the church in bygone years which records that the congregation had so many shepherds and countrymen that dogs were allowed into services and that when the words "And lastly" were spoken a great shuffling of claws on wood could be heard mingled with dog yawning!
We were welcomed to the Centre by the Chairperson Mary Reid and Arthur Lucas, Treasurer of the Museum Committee and they proved to be excellent hosts.
John Buchan's grand-daughter Lady Deborah Stewartby is President of the John Buchan Society this year and she addressed us from the pulpit on the history of the Centre and the many interwoven aspects of Buchan's life - as a soldier, writer and politician - before wishing us good luck for the walk ahead.
Thanks to Peebles Rugby Club for the use of their club rooms at the end of the walk for feeding the walkers.
THE JOHN BUCHAN CENTRE
The centre is open Easter Weekend and every day from 1st of May to the 15th of October daily from 2 - 5 p.m. - but Mary stressed that it can be opened earlier or later by prior arrangement.
http://www.johnbuchansociety.co.uk/jbcentre.htm
THE JOHN BUCHAN SOCIETY
Membership of the Society is £15 a year, please support their work.
http://www.johnbuchansociety.co.uk/membership.htm
JOHN BUCHAN'S LIFE AND CAREER
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Buchan,_1st_Baron_Tweedsmuir
Thanks to Peebles Rugby Club for the use of their club rooms at the end of the walk for feeding the walkers.
THE JOHN BUCHAN CENTRE
The centre is open Easter Weekend and every day from 1st of May to the 15th of October daily from 2 - 5 p.m. - but Mary stressed that it can be opened earlier or later by prior arrangement.
http://www.johnbuchansociety.co.uk/jbcentre.htm
THE JOHN BUCHAN SOCIETY
Membership of the Society is £15 a year, please support their work.
http://www.johnbuchansociety.co.uk/membership.htm
JOHN BUCHAN'S LIFE AND CAREER
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Buchan,_1st_Baron_Tweedsmuir