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We are now open for the 2025 season – Every Sunday between 2pm and 4pm.
We look forward to welcoming you to the Dunscore Heritage Centre.
You will hear the incredible story of Jane Haining’s life through her words, letters and possessions. You will find out about how her love and dedication for her charges resulted in her death at Auschwitz.
Our church building has a long and fascinating history. You will learn about The Disruption, the Covenanters and the role of the church in the community through the centuries.
You will discover what makes our village special and how it has changed through the years find out about the famous people that lived in and around Dunscore including Jane Haining, Thomas Carlyle and Robert Burns.
Jane Haining
Hear the truly inspirational story of Jane Haining through videos, memorabilia and informative talks. Jane was born in Dunscore in 1897 and refused to leave Hungary when the Nazis arrived and died in Auschwitz in July 1944. Find out why and how. Enjoy the stunning Cairn Valley scenery round the village as you see where Jane was born, went to church and see the Auschwitz Oak on the Jane Haining Trail.
The Church
Learn about the story of Dunscore Church stretching back to the 12th century and how it has been influenced throughout its history by national events. Find out about the building designed by a renowned local architect and built in 1823 on the site of an even older church. Take the Dunscore Church Trail and discover which parts of two earlier Dunscore churches can still be seen even to this day.
The Village
Explore the richness of Dunscore village life through the years. Take a stroll along the Dunscore Memory Trail and see where Scotland’s National Bard, Robert Burns, helped create one of the first village libraries and the building where the village hearse was kept. Listen to audio recordings and read stories of people who lived around the village, some of whom influenced the nation’s history.
The Heritage Centre is located in Dunscore Parish Church.
When visiting the centre you can:
- Discover more about Jane Haining, the church and the village
- See items relating to Jane Haining’s life including her “Heroes of the Holocaust” medal, a prize awarded to her at school, a copy of her will and much more
- Walk, drive or cycle the Jane Haining trail in the lovely lanes around the village taking in the stunning Cairn Valley scenery and visiting the farm where she was born and brought up, her school and church
- Delve into information, videos and surprising facts using the touch-screen computer
- Follow the Memory Trail round Dunscore seeing where the library started by Robert Burns was located, the oak tree from an acorn collected from Auschwitz and one of very few hearse houses in the country
- Take a guided walk around the church or, for the younger visitors, the Dunscore Church Detective Trail
This is all in the historic setting of Dunscore Church with a knowledgeable guide on hand to answer any questions that you may have and to offer you a Fairtrade tea, coffee or juice.
Where to find us
Dunscore Parish Church
Kirkgate
Dunscore
DG2 0SZ
Give us a call
(01387) 820455 or 820236
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