One hundred senior history pupils from across Scotland enjoyed a series of educational and interactive sessions at the WW100 Scotland annual Educational Event, held at the Mitchell Library yesterday.
Delivered with support from Education Scotland, the event opened with speeches from Duncan Dornan, Head of Museums and Collections for Glasgow, Dr Alasdair Allan, Minister for International Development and Europe, and guest speaker Susan Morrison.
The theme was the vital role of industry during the war, with attendees experiencing four separate workshops led by contributing organisations relating to the war’s key supporting industries. Fairfield Heritage presented on the shipbuilding boom and the output of Glasgow’s most iconic shipyard, whilst Montrose Air Station Heritage Centre taught students about wartime aviation and identifying objects from WW1.
Students learn to identify objects from the war
The Devil’s Porridge Museum workshop explored the important role played by women in the UK’s largest WW1 munitions and explosives factory, whilst a hands on session with Forestry Commission Scotland focused on meeting the increasing demand for timber for warfare uses such as the construction of trenches on the front line.
Dr Irene O’Brien, senior archivist at Glasgow City Archives, led Dr Allan and Chair of the Scottish Commemorations Panel, Professor Norman Drummond, through a special display highlighting the impact of the war on Glasgow featuring old newspapers, letters and records from the Mitchell Library collections.
Devised to inform young people and inspire them to further engage with the centenary of the war and its lasting impact on life in Scotland today, the event was the second in a series set to run until 1918. By balancing remembrance with encouraging a spirit of research and inquiry through education and genealogy, the aim is to leave a lasting legacy. Last year’s event, which focused on recruitment and conscription, was held at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh.
