‘Mining for Knowledge’
A one-day celebration for the 270th anniversary of the Wanlockhead Miners’ Library to be held in Edinburgh.
Nine talks related to the library between 09-45 and 17-30 on 4th June 2026
Timeline for the day:
9.00 – 9.45 Registration: Libraries’ leaflets available.
9.45 – 10.00 Anne Buddle Welcome to programme & Wanlockhead Library (1756)
10.05 – 10.40 Dr Craig Thomas 5th Duke of Buccleuch and Wanlockhead Library
10.45 – 11.20 Anna Campbell The Lost Library at Woodhead Leadmine (near Carsphairn)
11.20 – 11.40 Coffee/Tea/biscuits: adjacent room.
11.45 – 12.20 Lara Haggerty ‘Yes you may touch/turn the pages.’ Introduction to Innerpeffray Library (1680) and visitor policy today
12.25 – 1.00 Jacqueline Little ‘Yes: you may borrow.’ Introduction to Westerkirk Library, (1793) including Thomas Telford and visitor policy today
1.00 – 2.10/15 LUNCH – Lunch is not included. There are many options outside.
2.15 – 2.50 Dr Crispin Powell William Sancho , Librarian to Duchess Elizabeth, wife of 3rd Duke of Buccleuch
2.55 – 3.30 Anne Buddle William Hastie: From Wanlockhead to Calcutta and back
3.35 – 4.10 Leahills Miners’ Library speaker The first Miners’ Subscription Library (Leadhills,1741) and James Stirling
4.15 – 4.35 Questions, comments and any next steps
4.40 – 5.15 The Ballad of Wanlock Ingot: Writing a book to be sung
5.20 – 5.30 Closing words. End of event
