CULROSS kids have designs on the village’s history after helping to create bespoke gates outside two restored homes.

Pupils came up with design ideas and even tried their hand at being blacksmiths after teaming up with conservation charity Little Houses Improvement Scheme (LHIS).

The charity was carrying out extensive repairs to a pair of buildings in the historic burgh that had lain empty for many years but have now been brought back into use and rented out.

As part of the project, LHIS worked with the Royal Commission of Ancient and Historic Monuments of Scotland to put on a series of workshops for Primary 5,6 and 7 pupils at Culross. Project manager Stephen Copp explained, “During the first session, we introduced pupils to traditional materials, how buildings change over time, the history of Culross and what makes this historic burgh special.

“The lesson concluded with a study tour of the town’s Mercat Cross and the pupils prepared a visual scrapbook of those elements of the historic streetscape which give Culross its character.

“It was this scrapbook that provided inspiration for the eventual design of the gates which are being installed at the restored property.” The pupils worked with local blacksmith Jim Whitson and artist Hannah Brackston to develop their design ideas and even visited the forge to see metalworking in action and have the chance to try their hand at this traditional craft.