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Nesbitt Nisbet Edinburgh & Boarders Gathering 10/11th Sept 2022 |
2022 Gathering group outside Nisbet House
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This was a gathering that will live long in everyone’s mind, not only for the sunny late summer weather, historic sights, and general sense of bonhomie, but also by the passing of Queen Elizabeth II on the Thursday afternoon before we met. A much-postponed meeting, we were sad to lose some attendees because of continuing concerns over Covid. Two attendees succumbed in Edinburgh, leaving 16 of us. We started by meeting on the Friday evening at the Côte restaurant and were glad to welcome a significant presence from N/A.
On Saturday we met at the New Club, our base for the day. We started with introductions – about ourselves and our family histories followed by an hour with Jean Skar for an update on DNA results, the NN DNA project and WikiTree. After lunch, arrangements were complicated, by the need to close St Giles Cathedral for Her Majesty The Queen's Lying at Rest. As we walked across the Royal Mile, Mark described what we had hoped to see inside the Cathedral. We then made the short walk to Greyfriars Kirk, which now became our main afternoon visit. Today, the church was only open for contemplation and the museum which contains a copy of the National Covenant was closed. Venturing quietly inside, we were able to appreciate the attractive interior, and large brass plaque to Alexander Nisbet, the great expert on Scottish heraldry, erected by Mark’s great-grandfather and unveiled by the author John Buchan in 1934.
The Kirkyard of Greyfriars is a picturesque spot, overlooking the Old Town of Edinburgh. We know that many Nisbets were buried here, as the grave diggers registers survive. The location of the Nisbet tomb is no longer known, though there may be clues in the published registers, currently under study by Jean. We were unable to find the standing headstone to John Nisbet of Hardhill (1627–1685), a covenanter who was executed at the Grassmarket, where we headed next, in the heart of the Old Town. The Grassmarket was the site of the public gallows where many Covenanters were executed . A circular memorial, erected by public subscription in 1937, marks the site, and an adjoining plaque lists the names of the many Covenanters who were hanged there, including John Nisbet.
We gathered back at the New Club for dinner beginning with a moment’s silence to remember the Queen, followed by a short salute to the Queen by Sheilagh. Later in the meal Peter proposed the loyal toast, to The King, and said some words to welcome the group, while Dave responded on behalf of the North American Society, proposing a toast to Nesbitts and Nisbets everywhere.
An important moment of business was a presentation to Graham, our long-time newsletter editor, of some very fine Italian silver cufflinks (need I say, of boars’ heads), and a large and handsome magnifying glass.
At 9 am sharp Sunday morning, we boarded a small coach and headed to Edrom Kirk, the parish church of Nisbet House and the place of rest of Major David Nisbet, who with his wife Sue, organised so many successful meetings for the Society. This tranquil place has an unusual design of 1737, replacing a 12th century building.
After a snack at the White Swan in Duns we went onto the tour highlight of Nisbet House. We met Georgie and Magnus Laird, owners since 2000, who gave us a warm welcome, and allowed us to spend an hour exploring the grounds.
We had excellent views both of the 18th century stone tower, and the white harled 17th century tower house built by Sir Alexander Nisbet c. 1610. The thicker walls visible on the plan of the eastern end of Nisbet house suggest that an earlier square peel tower may have been incorporated into the 17th century building.
After a filling lunch at Heather’s restaurant, at Eyemouth Golf Club, we made the short drive to Gunsgreen House. This handsome Adam house dominates Eyemouth Harbour, and was built c. 1753 for John Nisbet, merchant and tea smuggler. The House has had a rough two years, with water damage from storm Arwen closing the smuggling museum. Derek Janes, former curator, kindly joined us to explain the house’s smuggling history, based on his PhD research, and we were then able to explore the ground floor rooms, including the lower end of the hidden chute from which smuggled tea was dispensed.
At 5pm, replete with historic sites, and food we headed back to Edinburgh to say our goodbyes.
On Saturday we met at the New Club, our base for the day. We started with introductions – about ourselves and our family histories followed by an hour with Jean Skar for an update on DNA results, the NN DNA project and WikiTree. After lunch, arrangements were complicated, by the need to close St Giles Cathedral for Her Majesty The Queen's Lying at Rest. As we walked across the Royal Mile, Mark described what we had hoped to see inside the Cathedral. We then made the short walk to Greyfriars Kirk, which now became our main afternoon visit. Today, the church was only open for contemplation and the museum which contains a copy of the National Covenant was closed. Venturing quietly inside, we were able to appreciate the attractive interior, and large brass plaque to Alexander Nisbet, the great expert on Scottish heraldry, erected by Mark’s great-grandfather and unveiled by the author John Buchan in 1934.
The Kirkyard of Greyfriars is a picturesque spot, overlooking the Old Town of Edinburgh. We know that many Nisbets were buried here, as the grave diggers registers survive. The location of the Nisbet tomb is no longer known, though there may be clues in the published registers, currently under study by Jean. We were unable to find the standing headstone to John Nisbet of Hardhill (1627–1685), a covenanter who was executed at the Grassmarket, where we headed next, in the heart of the Old Town. The Grassmarket was the site of the public gallows where many Covenanters were executed . A circular memorial, erected by public subscription in 1937, marks the site, and an adjoining plaque lists the names of the many Covenanters who were hanged there, including John Nisbet.
We gathered back at the New Club for dinner beginning with a moment’s silence to remember the Queen, followed by a short salute to the Queen by Sheilagh. Later in the meal Peter proposed the loyal toast, to The King, and said some words to welcome the group, while Dave responded on behalf of the North American Society, proposing a toast to Nesbitts and Nisbets everywhere.
An important moment of business was a presentation to Graham, our long-time newsletter editor, of some very fine Italian silver cufflinks (need I say, of boars’ heads), and a large and handsome magnifying glass.
At 9 am sharp Sunday morning, we boarded a small coach and headed to Edrom Kirk, the parish church of Nisbet House and the place of rest of Major David Nisbet, who with his wife Sue, organised so many successful meetings for the Society. This tranquil place has an unusual design of 1737, replacing a 12th century building.
After a snack at the White Swan in Duns we went onto the tour highlight of Nisbet House. We met Georgie and Magnus Laird, owners since 2000, who gave us a warm welcome, and allowed us to spend an hour exploring the grounds.
We had excellent views both of the 18th century stone tower, and the white harled 17th century tower house built by Sir Alexander Nisbet c. 1610. The thicker walls visible on the plan of the eastern end of Nisbet house suggest that an earlier square peel tower may have been incorporated into the 17th century building.
After a filling lunch at Heather’s restaurant, at Eyemouth Golf Club, we made the short drive to Gunsgreen House. This handsome Adam house dominates Eyemouth Harbour, and was built c. 1753 for John Nisbet, merchant and tea smuggler. The House has had a rough two years, with water damage from storm Arwen closing the smuggling museum. Derek Janes, former curator, kindly joined us to explain the house’s smuggling history, based on his PhD research, and we were then able to explore the ground floor rooms, including the lower end of the hidden chute from which smuggled tea was dispensed.
At 5pm, replete with historic sites, and food we headed back to Edinburgh to say our goodbyes.
Some of the attendees meet on the Friday evening at the Côte restaurant
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We gathered back at the New Club for dinner
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The Grassmarket, site of the public gallows where Covenanters were executed
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Inside Edrom Kirk
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Edrom kirk churchyard
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Front entrance to Nisbet House
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View of Eyemouth harbour and Gunsgreen House from the golf club
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Gunsgreen House
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