Robert the Bruce centre opens in Renton

Apr 2 2010 by Amanda Mckendrick, Lennox Herald (main ed)

DESCENDANTS of Scotland’s greatest king were in Renton at the weekend to officially open the country’s first Robert the Bruce Heritage Centre.

Lord and Lady Elgin along with their son Lord Bruce were guests of honour at the event on Saturday to mark the transformation of the former Renton train station into a facility to celebrate the life of the Bruce.

The centre – launched on the anniversary of Bruce being crowned King of Scots – was the brainchild of historical arts and craft group Strathleven Artizans who hope it will become a major attraction for residents as well as the hundreds of tourists who bypass the station every year.

The Artizans, who were dressed as lords and ladies of Bruce’s time, kicked off a day of celebrations with a march from Tontine Park along to the station where they were greeted by Lord Elgin, who is patron of the group.

Lord Elgin’s grandson performed the honour of officially opening the history centre. The group later gathered at the Carman Centre for an afternoon of music, dancing and celebrations followed by a ceilidh in Renton Masonic.

The group will use the centre to promote and share the area’s proud links with the Bruce who lived and died on land near Renton.

Duncan Thomson, of the Artizans, said: “Our hope is that the centre will attract tourists on their way to Balloch to get off the train at Renton and get information on Robert the Bruce living and dying at Renton.

“We’ve worked with Scotrail, who own the building, to refurbish it and I know they are delighted with what we have done.

“In fact they have nominated us for an award for our efforts.”

The centre has been transformed inside and out with displays, art and information on Bruce, his manor house and his life at Pillanflatt in Renton.

There are also artefacts, donated by historian Stuart Smith, collected from the area including pieces of pottery and jewellery which have been dated to around the time the king of Scots would have roamed the land.

The ceiling has been adorned with artworks created and donated by artist Duncan Brown depicting four generals who fought alongside Bruce against King Edward II of England in the famous 1314 battle.

And Artizans member Paul Hunter has created visionary paintings depicting his dreams of Bruce including a piece showing the hero’s manor house.

Duncan added: “Our plan is that the centre will be a stepping stone towards rebuilding the king’s manor house on land as close as possible to the original site near Dalquhurn.

“It would create jobs and attract tourists as well as ensuring that the king’s links with this area are known across the world. This should be an area of special significance.

“The next stage would be to find a piece of land for our development but with the current climate we realise that won’t happen overnight. We have waited 700 years for this so we’re really not in any hurry.”