Pan Celtic activities
at Newbattle Abbey College
 Newbattle Abbey College founded in the Twelfth Century sits on the River South Esk, a few miles outside of Edinburgh. |
By HARRY McGRATH
Newbattle Abbey College sits in sylvan splendour by the banks of the River South Esk a few miles outside of Edinburgh. The abbey was founded in the Twelfth Century by Cistercian monks when Melrose Abbey in the Scottish Borders became overcrowded.
Over the centuries it has been attacked during Scotland’s Wars of Independence, produced bishops, hosted kings, and been rebuilt and remodelled by some of Scotland’s most renowned architects.
After the Reformation, the abbey was granted to the Earl of Lothian and in the 1930s the 11th Marquis of Lothian, inspired by his Christian Scientist beliefs, gave it to the people of Scotland for use as a college of education.
Today, as Newbattle Abbey College, it is Scotland’s only adult residential college and specialises in offering “life transforming” courses to those with few or no qualifications.
The College has a tradition of promoting Scottish literature (poet Edwin Morgan was college warden in the 1950s), culture, history and politics. Its latest initiative in “Pan Celtic” programming builds on this tradition by promoting traditional music and dance, storytelling, genealogy, woodland heritage and biodiversity.
The Pan Celtic programme includes a Celtic Festival (May 29), Battlefield Band’s Tryst (September 17-19), short courses (September 2010 to June 2011), Celtic Festival (May 2011) and three day Celtic Festival (August 2011).
All courses and programmes are open to Celts from near and far. If you would like any more information on Newbattle Abbey College and its Pan Celtic programme, contact Deputy Principal Marian Docherty at mariand@newbattleabbeycollege.ac.uk.
| 
