PANALBA

NEWBATTLE Abbey in Midlothian has an intriguing history in that it was founded as a Cistercian Monastery as long ago as 1140. Today, it houses a college of further education which earlier this year launched an innovative Celtic Culture Programme and a Celtic Festival.

Under the patronage of King David of Scotland, the abbey dates from 1234 but, largely because of its location on the road north, soon became a target for invading English armies which set fire to it in 1385 and again in 1544.

With an average of eighty monks and seventy lay-brothers to call upon, however, the religious community prospered, not least through its exploitation of the abundant coal mines of the area. Then came the Reformation , whereupon the incumbent Commendator, Mark Ker, astutely made a speedy transformation from the Catholic to the Protestant faith. In so doing, he held on to the abbey lands which, in what would nowadays be considered an extremely irregular transaction, were later confirmed upon his heirs male by royal command. Thus began the fortunes of the future earls and marquises of Lothian.

While the remains of the original Newbattle Abbey lie buried to the west and north of the existing country mansion, the building we see today is largely the work of two great Scottish architects, John Mylne (in 1650), and William Burn (in 1836). The drawing room, decorated by Thomas Bonnar in 1870, is considered to be one of the finest rooms in Scotland. The oak-panelled library features a seventeenth century moulded ceiling. The gardens to the rear of the house include a pair of large octagonal 17th century sundials. The main abbey remains, however, lie buried to the west and north of the original house.

But as the Ker(r) family prospered, they acquired other estates, Ferniehurst and Monteviot in Selkirkshire, Melbourne Hall in Derbyshire and Blickling Hall in Norfolk, England, and, in 1937, Philip, eleventh Marquis of Lothian, handed over Newbattle and its surrounding 125 acres to the people of Scotland stipulating that they be used for educational purposes. A Liberal idealist and British politician, Philip Lothian was a much respected, but controversial figure. In 1939, he was appointed Ambassador to America, and in continental circles he is largely credited for having created the concept of post-war European Federalism

In the meantime, Newbattle pursued its destiny as an adult residential college until it was interrupted by Second World War. However, in 1950, the abbey doors re-opened to students with the distinguished writer and poet Edwin Muir becoming Warden, a post he held for five years. Since then, the College has been closely associated with several of Scotland's outstanding writers, notably W.S. Graham, Tom Scott, Archie Hind, and the Orcadian poet, George Mackay Brown.

And largely through the opportunities it has afforded its students, Newbattle Abbey has since emerged as Scotland's "Life Changing College" , running courses on computing, ecology, politics, sociology, psychology and literature, and collaborating with the Scottish Storytelling Centre and actively developing its overseas links. Over 3,000 visitors attended the college's first Celtic Music Festival in May. A second festival is planned for May 2011.

In September, a Celtic Music Weekend featuring the Battlefield Band, a popular Scottish music group, coincides with the launch of a series of short courses such as Genealogy and Gaelic for Beginners.

With funding from both the Heritage Lottery Fun and Tyne & Esk Leader Plus, Newbattle Abbey is working closely with Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, the Gaelic College on Skye, and Oatridge Agricultural College. Building on the tradition of creative writing, for which the college is famous, and its equally respected reputation for ecology research, Principal Ann Southwood, Deputy Principal Marian Docherty, and Project Co-ordinator Ayaah Warren are determined to see Newbattle Abbey emerge as a centre for both Celtic and Rural Studies.

"Our roots and heritage programme is initially targeted at the Edinburgh and Lothians area, " she says, "but the concept is pan-Celtic and has aroused both national and international interest."

To this end, she and Marian will shortly be traveling to the USA for meetings with Gus Noble, President of the distinguished Illinois St Andrew's Society of Chicago, and other contacts in Canada."Never before has the potential for our students to interact globally been so compelling," concludes Ann.

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To find out more: www.newbattleabbeycollege.ac.uk