The John Buchan Museum in Broughton will be open over the Easter Week-End Fri-Mon 2-5pm. The main season starts on May 1st opening every day from 2-5 pm until Mid October 2006.
Every season there is something new to see and this year amongst the new items are two presentation books for perusal.
HERALDRY The first covers John Buchan’s interest in heraldry. He was very knowledgeable about this and many examples appear in his works, particularly his historical romances. Buchan inherited his grandfather’s coat of arms, and as a peer, was able to add the stag and falcon as supporters to these arms.
STAINED GLASS The second book explains the stained glass windows and wall mounted memorials in the museum building. The museum was previously a Free Church then a United Free Church of Scotland building that closed for worship in 1978. As well as the memorials the museum still houses the pulpit and some of the original pews.
| BUCHAN, BUNYAN, THE BORDERS & BROUGHTON.Blown along in the teeth of a Spring gale, one hundred and fifty people packed Broughton Kirk for a lecture in aid of a new organ for the kirk. The audience heard three distinguished speakers talk about John Buchan, John Bunyan, the Borders and Broughton. Andrew Lownie, author of the Edinburgh Literary Companion and a biographer of John Buchan, spoke about John Buchan's attachment to the Borders of his childhood and how Broughton and the surrounding area influenced so much of his writing. The Rev James Grieg, a Presbyterian scholar and expert on John Buchan's beliefs, enlightened his audience about Calvinism and John Bunyan and HIS influence on the writings of John Buchan, such as Mr Standfast and the Interpreter's House. Finally, the Rev Ron Blakey, a popular locum preacher and George Street stalwart, spoke about the Disruption in the Church of Scotland and marvelled not that Broughton had two churches but that it ONLY had two churches!
Such food for thought was followed by food for the body. A picnic box supper had been arranged in the John Buchan Centre, which commemorates the life and work of Broughton's most famous son and, whilst food and wine were being enjoyed, guests had an opportunity to talk to the speakers. The evening raised £2,100, just over 10% of the money needed to purchase a new electronic digital organ suitable for the needs of a 21st century congregation and was a splendid beginning to the village's fundraising efforts. The Rev Rachel Dobie, Minister of Broughton Kirk, was delighted with the result and thanked everyone involved most warmly for their hard work.
For further information about the Broughton Kirk Organ Appeal or the John Buchan Centre, please contact Deborah Stewartby on 01899830362
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JOHN BUCHAN CENTREIn the old Free Kirk at Broughton, the young supply clerygman, John Buchan met his future wife, Helen Masterton. Now, the kirk houses a display commemorating their eldest son, John: poet,statesman and author of many popular novels. Broughton was his childhood holiday home, held in great affection by himself and his sister Anna, who also wrote some fine novels under the pen name of O.Douglas. John Buchan, 1875 – 1940. 1875, 26th August born at 20, York Place, Perth, Scotland, son of a Free Church minister. 1888, Hutcheson’s Grammar School, Glasgow. 1892, Glasgow University 1895, Brasenose College, Oxford. 1897, Won both Stanhope & Newdigate prizes at Oxford 1898, First in Greats & President of the Oxford Union Society 1901, Called to the Bar. 1901 – 1903, Assistant Private Secretary to Lord Milner in South Africa. 1907, Partner in Edinburgh publishers, Thomas Nelson & Son. 1927 M.P. for Scottish Universities. 1933 - 34, Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. 1935, Governor-General of Canada, created Baron Tweedsmuir of Elsfield. 1940, 11th. February died after an accident in Montreal Greenmantle by John Buchan
During this season to celebrate the 90th. anniversary of its first publication, various editions of his book "Greenmantle" will be on display. "Greenmantle" follows the career & exploits of Major Richard Hannay, hero of "The Thirty Nine Steps", from the point in that novel when he is about to join the British army. After convalescing from wounds received at the Battle of Loos, 1915, Hannay starts off from London, on a top secret mission pursuing German conspirators planning to provoke a Jihad to further German expansionism in the Islamic Near East. With three companions, all embarking independently, he sets off on a thrilling journey through German occupied territory in Europe to rendezvous in Constantinople; from where, having solved the clues 'Kasredin,' 'cancer,' & 'v.I', they travel to the Russo-Turkish border to participate in the novel's exciting climax, the military assault on the fortified town of Erzerum
| Sheila Scott, Author & Local Historian, 1930 – 2006.A plaque in memory of the late Sheila Scott was unveiled by Brian Lambie on 8th.July, 2006 in the John Buchan Centre, Broughton. After the ceremony a rose, aptly named Greenmantle & donated by Mr G. Crouch, was planted by him in the grounds. A fitting tribute to Sheila, reflecting her lifelong interest in the Buchan family. A former trustee of Biggar Museum Trust she was the inspiration behind the establishment, in 1983, of the John Buchan Museum, a lasting memorial to the great writer. She liaised with the Buchan family & other generous donors to acquire enough exhibits to build up a collection for the centre, working tirelessly as custodian for many years, always on the lookout for new acquisitions. 
The rose ‘Greenmantle’ was named by its breeder Lord Penzance for Sir Walter Scott’s girl in the greenmantle in "Redgauntlet". Many of his sweet briar roses were named after characters from Scott novels. Greenmantle is a single, rosy red sweetbriar with golden stamens & fragrant foliage first produced in 1895. Tolerant of poor soils it is suitable for growing as a small climber, a hedge or as a group planting in woodland. Shade tolerant, summer flowering its maximum height is 8’ x 5’. Members of the Buchan Society are able to purchase the ‘Greenmantle’ direct from Peter Beales Roses, Norfolk, using the pro forma below, at a discount to the society of 10% . It currently retails at £8.25 plus p. & p. To: Sales, Peter Beales Roses Ltd., London Road, ATTLEBOROUGH, Norfolk. NR17 1AY I wish to buy ……… Greenmantle Rose(s) at a price of £8.25 plus postage & packing £4.95 (1-3 roses) or £5.95 (4-20 roses). I understand that 10% of the proceeds of the sales of the Greenmantle Rose will go to The John Buchan Society. Despatch will be Nov. – March. Name: …………………………….. Address: ………………………………….. ………………………………….. …………………………………… Post Code …………… Telephone number ………………………………………… E-mail ………………………………………………………… I enclose my postal order/ cheque for £…………… / please charge my credit/debit card Card Type ……………….. Card Number …………….. Expiry Date ………………. If Maestro, issue no………………. or start date……………. Cardholder’s Signature ……………………………………. Date ……………………….. I would like / not like a copy of the Peter Beales Catalogue
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