The exhibition begins at the dawn of time, some five hundred million years ago, with models showing volcanoes, ice ages and the formation of local landscapes which are as varied as they are important in terms of the economics of the area.
A collection of rocks and fossils helps to explain the natural history which has been exploited by people since they first arrived 6000 years ago. Stone axes and other tools used by the first local farmers in the Neolithic period are the earliest evidence of people using their environment for necessities, but local rocks were later quarried to make curling stones.
Water is not normally considered to be an economic mineral but most of the central belt of Scotland is supplied from the surrounding hills, far outweighing the value of all the gold, lead and building gravels which have been extracted over the centuries.
The portrait of Adam Sim of Coultermains, a local antiquarian of distinction, painted by Sir Daniel Macnee, PRSA, in 1867, introduces the visitor to the pre-historic periods, monuments and artefacts of the area, especially his important collection of stone and bronze objects which were generously bequeathed to the Nation and are now to be seen in the National Museum.
| Moat Park Heritage CentreBiggar's most recent museum deals with all aspects of the upper part of Clydesdale and Tweeddale.
The building was formerly the Moat Park church built in 1865 and it has been converted by the addition of an upper gallery, stores, toilets and a shop reception area. The Heritage Centre was opened by HRH The Princess Royal on 29th June, 1988.
Special openings,parties welcome.Contact:phone 01899 221050 Email:margaret@bmtrust.freeserve.co.uk Museum open daily, May – October, Monday – Saturday 11a.m – 4.30 p.m. Sunday 2 – 4.30 p.m.
|
Adam Sim
This portrait in oils, by the artist Macnee, was presented to Adam Sim of Coulter Maynes by a number of friends at a dinner in Biggar Corn Exchange on 5th. day of December, 1867. Described in lines written by the Rev. Mr. Proudfoot of Coulter and read by Rev. John Christison, minister of Biggar, "the perfect counter part of Mr. Sim". The portrait now hangs in Moat Park Heritage Centre.
| Tour through Moat Park
Have a quick preview of what you can see when you visit the Moat Park Heritage Centre.
|
