The theme of "Horses to Horse-Power" looked at travel around Earlston in times past and drew a large audience throughout the two days. Visitors had the chance to browse through information panels and vintage photographs of horses, bicycles, motor bikes, cars, vans, buses, trains, vehicles in industry and farming, roads, bridges and even planes, plus read some travellers' tales and see further material from the Auld Earlston collection. .
Throughout the event, four slide shows were held and attracted capacity audiences who enjoyed a tour around "Earlston West to East", with the history and anecdotes commentary sparking lively discussion.
Chairman David Lothian said "We were very encouraged by the favorable comments we received. Many people stayed several hours looking around, spotting relatives and friends in the photographs and exchanging reminiscences. We would like to thank everyone involved for helping our group keep Earlston's past alive for future generations".
For further information
telephone: 01896 848240 or e-mail: auldearlston@aol.com
telephone: 01896 848240 or e-mail: auldearlston@aol.com
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Looks like a most interesting exhibit. My family came from Earlston but left in the early 1800's (for Edinburgh and eventually Canada). Can anyone tell me how someone would have travelled from Earlston to Edinburgh in the 1810-1820 era? It would have been well before the railway, so I assume there must have been a regular coach, is that so? Any sense of how long a journey by coach it would have been? Thanks
ReplyDeleteCE Pringle, Ottawa, Canada
Thank you for your query on travelling from Earlston to Edinburgh in the early decades of the 19th century. The facts below are taken from the book "Border Highways" by John James MacKay:
ReplyDelete1795 The first regular coach service introduced between Kelso and Edinburgh, via Smailholm and Lauder, with a later stop at Earlston for changing horses. The journey initially took 10 hours!
1830's The "Tweedside" coach between Kelso and Edinburgh offered a daily service, leaving Edinburgh 8am. Lauder 12.30pm, Earlston 1.30pm and arriving at Kelso 2pm - a six hour journey.
You may also be interested in the story of Robert Carter (see blog posts July 12th and August 6th 2017). In 1831 he walked form Earlston, via Peebles and Edinburgh to Greenock to sail to New York. I imagine that he would probably have taken advantage of lifts from passing farmers and carters. Please do not hesitate to e-mail auldearlston@aol.com if you have any further queries. We would also be interested in finding out more about your Earlston ancestors.