39 steps to Peebles
Published 3 Feb 2012 09:30
2 Comments
TWEEDDALE'S most famous author is on his way back to Peebles.
We can reveal that the threatened John Buchan Centre in Broughton is being lined up for a move to the Chambers Institution.
Negotiations are ongoing between the management committee of the John Buchan Trust and Scottish Borders Council.
And the plans are winning favour with representatives on both sides as well as fans from across the world.
The 39 Steps author once practised law in the town and a commemorative plaque is displayed on the front of his former High Street home.
However, for the past 30 years a former church in the village of Broughton, where Buchan was a regular worshipper, has housed a vast collection of photographs, letters and other memorabilia relating to the writer.
Notice was given last year by the building's owner of her intention to withdraw from a token lease agreement with the Trust - who pay £1 a year for its use.
Buchan's granddaughter, Lady Deborah Stewartby, chairs the Trust.
She said: "We are currently in negotiations with the council about taking up a lease and I would hope to have good news on the matter soon. This arrangement would suit all concerned."
Last year's bombshell left the Trust with hundreds of thousands of pounds to raise in a bid to buy the church building.
Lady Stewartby added: "It would be terribly sad if the centre had to close but we just can't raise the money to buy its present home here in Broughton.
"Moving it to Peebles High Street and the Chambers Institution would be fantastic, as my grandfather had very strong connections with the town. The central location would also mean we would attract a lot more tourists.
"It would be really lovely if we were ready for opening on my grandfather's birthday of August 26."
Buchan enjoyed a prolific career as an author - penning over 100 books as well as editing The Spectator magazine, acting as a war correspondent for The Times, becoming a director of news agency Reuters and being appointed Governor General of Canada five years before his death in 1940.
The father-of-four, who became the first Lord Tweedsmuir, was amongst the best selling authors of his generation with The Thirty-Nine Steps and Greenmantle grabbing the pre-war public's imagination.
Parks and schools across Canada still carry the Tweedsmuir name in honour of the former Governor General.
And recent television adaptations of his work have added to his modern-day appeal.
Peebles Community Council chair David Pye welcomes the planned move. He said: "I think this is a great idea and we are very supportive of it.
"John Buchan has strong links with Peebles.
"This would be a great use of the former contact centre which is just sitting there empty. The added tourism element must not be ignored either."
This article appeared in Peeblesshire News 03 Feb 12
Have your say. Post a comment on this article.
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Dunedin
Unregistered User
Feb 4, 11:50
Report commentThere is a perfectly good village hall in Drumelzier which is seldom used and would make an ideal venue for the John Buchan Centre.
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keen
Unregistered User
Feb 17, 21:04
Report commentI am all for having the John Buchan Centre moved to The Chambers Institution in Peebles, and surely the majority of Peebles folk would take pride in the fact that they can help to ensure that John Buchan's many achievements could be appreciated and enjoyed not only by them but by all the tourists who visit the town, indeed I think the Centre itself would bring visitors throughout the year.
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