Brodick Castle offers 800 years of history and a staff of Rangers and Education Guides who are used to dealing with school groups both on a formal and informal basis. From Vikings to Victorians, we provide a unique opportunity to expand on the topics covered at various levels in the curriculum.
History
History
History tells stories about people, places and things to help explain to young people of any age why the world is as it is as they grow up and begin to question it.
Schools will choose different periods and settings and topics to cove during different Key Stages, but all of them are pretty well guaranteed to be rooted in actual places that can be visited, explored and enjoyed.
It has been a curious fact that for many years primary classes have studied the Roman, Anglo-Saxon and medieval periods, while secondary school syllabuses have been more engaged in post-medieval periods. For a while secondary courses involved a great deal of ‘topic work’. While this discipline still exists, the recent examination syllabuses have returned to an emphasis on historical periods and links.
But all periods and topics provide fantastic opportunities for school visits. We are so lucky that so many general and specialist museums and visitor centres exist in the UK. The problem is not a shortage of possibilities but how one sifts through the available opportunities to make choices.
The Historical Association website carries information about course, conferences, study tours, and the Association has published ‘The Historian’ magazine for many years. Handsam is also happy to help, please contact us on 03332 070737 or email [email protected].
Most venues will have teaching materials and activities geared to students’ different ages and aptitudes whether at primary or secondary level. All of them will set out to develop students’ ability to understand, analyse and evaluate key features and characteristics of historical periods and events studied.
Some venues will be easy to identify because they fit neatly with the period and topic being studied but others may offer new possibilities, not least to the teachers themselves. Teachers need and deserve their own stimulation.
Over the next four years there will be an upsurge in visits to the First World War battlefields. Because of this there will be an increase in companies offering visits and requirement for battlefield guides, especially in northern France and Belgium. There are bound to be discrepancies in guides’ knowledge and experience. Close research into the credentials of the company you are contracting with, and the company’s guarantees about guides, will ensure that your group will not be disappointed.
Main organisations:
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Inclusion: NASEN
Thought of visiting?
Roman Vindolanda and Roman Army Museum at Hadrian’s Wall
Viriconium, Wroxeter, Shropshire
The Jorvik Viking Centre, York
Offa’s Dyke Trail and Chirk Castle
The National Trust for Scotland
Clan Donald Visitor Centre, Isle of Skye
Bosworth Battlefield Visitor Centre
Haus am Checkpoint Charlie, Berlin
Exeter Cathedral Education Centre
The National Maritime Museum, Greenwich
The Mary Rose Museum, Portsmouth
East Anglia Railway Museum, Colchester
The National Tramway Museum, Matlock
Venues for this Curriculum
A mansion located 2 miles (3 km) south southwest of Montrose, the present Dunninald Castle was built in the Gothic-revival style to the designs of architect James Gillespie Graham (1776 - 1855) for Peter Arklay in 1824.
One of the finest country houses in Scotland
Originally founded in the mid-13th century as a leprosy and plague hospice, it was remodelled and expanded in the mid-19th century by Patrick Allan-Fraser (1813-90), who served as his own architect. The building draws on mediaeval domestic architecture, resulting in a curious arrangement of Scottish Gothic, yet functional and with spendid, well-preserved interiors.
The beauty of Edzell was a statement of the prestige of its owners, the Lindsays.
The stylised walled garden was created around 1604. Adorned with heraldic sculptures and carved panels, the architectural framework surrounding the garden is unique in Britain.
The garden also includes walled flower and nesting boxes and a delightful summer house.
Come and visit the finest castle in Scotland - Winner Best Attraction 2015
Glamis Castle has been the family home of the Earls of Strathmore and Kinghorne, and a royal residence, since 1372. It was the childhood home of Queen Elizabeth the late Queen Mother and the birthplace of Princess Margaret, as well as the legendary setting for Shakespeare´s famous play Macbeth.
In 1898, Lieutenant Colonel Robert William Inglis gifted the Inglis Memorial Hall and its library to Edzell. The former library, which is considered to be one of the best preserved examples of a Victorian public library in the United Kingdom, has recently been restored and opened as a visitor centre.
An unexpected treasure in its modern urban setting
All that remains of a mediaeval hospital and alms house, the Maison Dieu Chapel lies on Maisondieu Lane in central Brechin.
Restenneth is noted for its ruined priory, with its square tower with octagonal spire forming a prominent landmark.
Angus Archives is the storehouse for 800 years of the area's written and photographic heritage. These records can be used for researching Scottish history, local history, family history, house history and social history. Also available are the records of the seven Angus Burghs of Arbroath, Brechin, Carnoustie, Forfar, Kirriemuir, Montrose and Monifieth and also of Angus County Council.
The Royal Burgh of Brechin is famous for its tall 11th century round tower which is one of only two such towers surviving in Scotland. The tower originally stood alone but it now part of
One of the Seven Wonders of the Industrial World
The Bell Rock Lighthouse is the oldest surviving sea-washed lighthouse and is an outstanding feat of nineteenth century engineering.
The Balmashanner War Memorial was built 1920-1 to a design by architect Thomas R. Soutar to commemorate those fallen in the First World War. Known locally as Boammie, the monument offers fine views over Forfar, the Valley of Strathmore and to the Braes of Angus beyond.
Arbroath Abbey was originally founded for the grey-clad monks of the order of Tiron in 1178 by King William the Lion. It was St Thomas of Canterbury's apparent supernatural intervention in the capture of King William at Alnwick in 1174 that prompted him to establish the abbey after his return from imprisonment in Normandy.
The Club is dedicated to the preservation and restoration of historic vehicles, researching and sharing their history and enabling everyone to develop their related interets. The Club welcomes new members and visitors.
Visitors are welcome daily from 1 April to
30 September, 10am to 2pm. Entry is by donaton.
A fascinating and very important collection of over 30 Pictish carved stones housed in a cottage in the charming village of St Vigeans. Access can be arranged by phoning 01241 878 756.
Based at Ninewells Hospital & Medical School, the collections of the Tayside Medical History Museum are among the finest in Scotland, showcasing the extraordinary history of pioneering medical research and practice in Dundee and the surrounding region.
Extraordinary collections of animals, birds, fish and reptiles from around the world, plus models, charts and other teaching equipment
The University's Zoology Museum houses many fascinating specimens from around the world. Most of them were collected by the celebrated Sir D'Arcy Wentworth Thompson, the first Professor of Biology at Dundee.
A wide range of objects of artistic, historical and scientific interest
The University has over 30,000 historic artefacts, artworks and specimens acquired during the 134 years of the institution's existence. These are cared for by Museum Services, which has been awarded Full Accreditation as a public museum service.
Exhibitions and Displays
Eight stunning galleries and a changing programme of exhibitions and events
The McManus: Dundee’s Art Gallery & Museum is a splendid Gothic Revival-style building housing Dundee’s main collection. McManus’ displays offer a fascinating insight into Dundee, through exhibitions of Art, History and the Environment.
There are 8 galleries within The McManus, which are laid out on two floors.
RFC/RAF and wartime artefacts, pictures, memories and memorabilia housed in the wartime RAF Montrose HQ, depicting the story of the historic aerodrome which opened in February 1913, and various aircraft on display outside. Also recently opened to the public is a wartime pillbox with working field telephone.
History
The museum holds significant Neolithic and bronze age artefacts, and from Montrose’s later history the collection includes examples of Montrose silver and Dryleys pottery.
A lively art gallery and museum
The Meffan Museum and Art Gallery collects objects, photographs and archive material relating to the history of Forfar together with the work of past and contemporary artists reflecting the rich art heritage of Angus.
The collection consists of several thousand objects, paintings and drawings gifted or bequeathed to the museum.
Located in the old Town House in Kirriemuir, the museum describes the social, architectural and political history of the town and the Angus glens, using touch screen technology and CD-ROMS.
This beautiful Georgian house was built in the 18th century for David Erskine, a judge of the Scottish Court of Session.
House of Dun is just 3 miles from Montrose and its picturesque unspoilt beaches and around 45 minutes' drive from Aberdeen.
A richly diverse collection forms an encyclopaedic view of past Glen life: a kitchen; dairy and farming equipment; a parlour; costume display; children’s room; bothy; and superb archives covering every aspect of the Glen’s social history.
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