Re-imagining heritage challenge
Published 16th January 2022
Inverkeithing’s 14th century Friary remains are well known to some but not all of the town’s residents. What remains of an extensive complex is the Hospitium – where medieval travellers could stay the night. The gardens, with traces of the older buildings, occupy a magnificent site with spectacular views over Inverkeithing harbour and bay.
In 2022, some High School pupils took part in a Friary Gardens “Re-imagining challenge”. They worked with conservation professionals, including archaeologists, a planner and to understand the site, the remaining buildings and buried archaeology, and how such significant architectural assets are protected by listing and conservation areas. Some archaeological concepts, such as stratification were explained, and the pupils all learned to make measured drawings on site, of a previously unrecorded feature. The pupils also learned about the hopes for the Friary to become once again a place for travellers to stay and both local and visitors to enjoy good food.
In the afternoon, pupils worked in groups to come up with ideas for how the gardens might be similarly re-purposed, and then presented their ideas and sketches. Inverkeithing Trust representatives joined the small audience of conservation professionals to hear the pupil presentations. Pupils feedback was overwhelmingly positive– they loved learning about their town, working with the professionals, finding out about their jobs, and the opportunity to take part. I learned a lot, usually I walk past these sort of buildings and thinking nothing of them, now, I think my attitude will change I will look at things differently. It has made me a lot more aware of the history of my immediate environment and made me feel prouder to come from Inverkeithing
The audience involved were incredibly impressed by the pupil behaviour, their skills and talents, quick learning, creativity and effective collaborations. Their ideas included income generating activities including heritage tours and markets, a café, zoned play areas, and an outdoor cinema. The pupils were an absolute credit to themselves, their school, and historic Inverkeithing has every reason to be optimistic about the future, with these outstanding young residents. The activity was one of several for Inverkeithing High School pupils delivered by Fife Historic Buildings Trust, as part of Fife Council’s Inverkeithing Heritage Regeneration project, generously co-funded by Historic Environment Scotland and the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
