The charm of Fyvie ranges from its 13th-century origins to its stunning Edwardian interiors. The castle is home to a superb collection of arms, armour and paintings, including works by Raeburn and Gainsborough.
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 info@schooltripsadvisor.org.uk.
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
Step back in time through centuries of history at Fraserburgh Heritage Centre
Step back in time through centuries of history at Fraserburgh Heritage Centre. From the bustling quayside in the age of sail to the haute couture of dress designer Bill Gibb and the exciting adventure of Antarctic exploration, the 4 star visitor attraction offers a wealth of exhibits and a fascinating experience for all the family.
Discover the importance of the rural carpenter to the local community in the days before mass-produced goods, with displays of early tools and an audiovisual presentation. See a craftsman working in wood; relax in a Victorian-style garden; view early workshop machinery.
Founded in 1871, the Falconer Museum is one of the oldest in the district. The museum houses a wealth of Moray’s heritage and features displays on local history, social history, geology and archaeology.
Elgin Museum is owned and managed by The Moray Society and is Scotland’s oldest independent museum. It is housed in a Grade A listed building, designed as a museum by local architect Thomas Mackenzie, and built in the Italianate style in the golden local sandstone. It opened in 1843.
The Museum of Scotland's Catholic Heritage
Blairs Museum contains spectacular collections spanning more than 500 years while the beauty of St. Mary’s Chapel never fails to make an impression.
Blairs Museum is home to a magnificent collection of paintings, church textiles, sacred and domestic silver and Jacobite memorabilia belonging to the Scottish Roman Catholic Church.
Schools
A local museum with material relating to the social and natural history of the town
A local museum with material relating to the social and natural history of the town and immediate district. Collections include scientific instruments which belonged to the astronomer James Ferguson and the natural history collection of Thomas Edward.
Gateway to Royal Deeside
Learn about the history of Banchory and its most famous son, musician and composer, J. Scott Skinner, the "Strathspey King".
In our permanent collection you will also see:
Discover the wealth of Peterhead's maritime history in one of Aberdeenshire's oldest museums. See models showing the development of Peterhead fishing boats and find out about:
A purpose-built storage unit housing up to 35,000 historic objects and 60,000 photographic images
Aberdeenshire Museum Service HQ (AMS) is the first publicly accessible store for the county’s museum service, and was built with a substantial grant from Heritage Lottery Fund.
Access Aberdeen's shipbuilding history through the collections of Aberdeen Maritime Museum
Aberdeen Maritime Museum tells the story of the city's long relationship with the Sea. This award-winning museum is located on the historic Shiprow and incorporates Provost Ross's House, which was built in 1593. The Maritime Museum houses a unique collection covering shipbuilding, fast sailing ships, fishing and port history.
Nestling beneath Stirling Castle, in the King’s Park, the ancient hunting grounds of the Stuart monarchs, is the Stirling Smith Art Gallery and Museum.
Museum relating to the history of the region. Includes geneaological resources, documentation on local issues, maps and information relating to the Ross of Mull.
Set in a renovated cottage next to a 17th Century corn mill in the village of Bunessan with parking for up to 6 cars and disabled access.
Oban War & Peace Museum contains a fascinating collection of artefacts and photographs depicting the rich cultural history of the busy port town and its people.
This award-winning museum is situated in the conservation village of Port Charlotte. The exhibitions illustrate life and work on the island from pre-historic times to the early part of the 20th century, together with items from the many shipwrecks found around Islay’s shores.
Small museum crammed with informtation about the history of Mull and its people – geology, standing stones, castles, Spanish Armada galleon, crofting emigrants, schools and World War II naval base. Open Easter to October. Library and archive by appointment.
The Collection tells the story of working and domestic life in the Highlands and Islands
Miss Hope MacDougall, daughter, sister and aunt to three successive chiefs of the Clan MacDougall started her collection with a single wooden spoon in the 1950s and amassed thousands of items before her death in 1998.
A stunning ecologically friendly building, opened in March 2007, housing a museum charting island life throughout the ages
Experience Gaelic culture at the award winning Lismore Gaelic Heritage Centre’s museum, library and historical archive.
Come visit our fascinating new exhibition about the Life and Work of the Women on Lismore throughout the ages, which opens on the 29th of March 2015.
We have a unique gift shop with local crafts & a café with beautiful panoramic views. Free WiFi.
Kinneil Museum is located in the 17th century stable block of Kinneil House and acts as an interpretative centre for Kinneil Estate.
The exhibition 2,000 Years of History tells the story of the park from Roman times to the present day.
Antoninus Pius, St Serf, Mary, Queen of Scots and James Watt are among the many historical characters associated with the estate.
Kilmartin Glen, in the heart of Mid Argyll, is one of Scotland’s richest prehistoric landscapes. Over 800 historic monuments, cairns, standing stones, stone circles and rock art dating back over 5000 years have been recorded within this area.
Witness History at Scotland's Living 19th Century Prison
Experience the atmosphere, brought vividly to life by the warders,matron and prisoners as you wander through this unique location. Interest and excitement for all ages.
The Trust has a comprehensive range of photographs and artefacts from Grangemouth's past
The Trust has a comprehensive range of photographs and artefacts from Grangemouth’s past. There is a 12 × 8 ft model of Grangemouth Airport with facts and books of World War II. Slide shows are arranged by the Trust historian for local organisations.
Castle House Museum, a B-listed building, displays the story of Cowal through geology, archaeology and artefacts
Castle House Museum, a B-listed building, displays the story of Cowal through geology, archaeology, Celts and clans. There are special displays of Clyde steamers and the Clyde in two World Wars. Four rooms, parlour, kitchen, study and nursery show life in Victorian times. Video area. Full disabled access.
A charming, small museum with a warm welcome
A charming, small museum with a warm welcome. Opened in 1943 and run entirely by volunteers, the original museum was known as the Cathedral Museum and was housed in the Deans House (built in 1624). Now extending into 8 small rooms, the museum has an eclectic mix of artefacts relating to the history of Dunblane and its Cathedral.
This small local history museum has a comprehensive collection of photographs of the Devon Valley...
This small local history museum has a comprehensive collection of photographs of the Devon Valley Railway, and much reference material on Dollar Academy and on Lavinia Malcolm who was the first Lady Provost in Scotland. Free entry.
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