Skip to main content
Category

News

A dog peering around a garden wall.

Dog Friendly Days

By News

Following our Dog Friendly Trial Week we have an announcement to make…

Back at the end of June to the start of July we hosted a Dog Friendly Trial Week. A huge thank you to everyone who visited us as part of this. Over the course of the week we were delighted to be visited by eleven well behaved dogs (and their humans)!

As the week went so well, we will be having a couple of Dog Friendly Days at The Devil’s Porridge Museum every week!

Dog Friendly Days

On Thursdays and Sundays, well-behaved, dry, dogs on leads will be welcome into our museum with their humans!

Only guide and assistance dogs are allowed inside The Devil’s Porridge Museum’s Café, but you continue to be welcome to sit outside our Café with a pet dog, or even in our Anderson shelter.

Guide and assistances dogs will continue to be welcome into The Devil’s Porridge Museum and our Cafe every day.

If you’d rather visit us at a time when there is less likely to be dogs in our museum we ask that you please avoid Thursdays and Sundays, or if you’re planning to visit us with a dog we’d ask that you please come on a Thursday or a Sunday.

You’d be welcome to contact us if you have any further questions or concerns about this prior to your visit. You can email us on info@devilsporridge.org.uk or call 01461 700021.

Visiting With a Dog? Here’s What to Do…

To help everyone enjoys their visit and look after our museum we do ask that you keep your dog on a lead at all times, keep all paws on the ground throughout your visit (no climbing on artifacts, people, or furniture please!) and if your dog makes a mess you clean it up. Please be mindful of other visitors and respect our museum artifacts. If your dog is barking or disturbing other visitors, you will politely be asked to leave or have a break from your visit.

Many of our museum’s team our dog-lovers and understand that our furry friends may need a break from time to time. Therefore, we would like to remind you that you are allowed in and out of The Devil’s Porridge Museum as many times as you would like on the day you have paid to visit us.

Things to be Aware of…

  • Our dog friendly days will be on Thursday and Sunday every week.
  • On Thursday and Sunday, well-behaved, dry dogs on a lead will be welcome into The Devil’s Porridge Museum with their human(s).
  • Dogs must be kept on a lead throughout their visit.
  • Guide and assistance dogs will continue to be welcome into our museum every day.
  • Only guide and assistance dogs inside our Café.
  • Pet dogs are welcome to sit outside our Café or in the Anderson shelter with their human(s), but not inside the Café please.
  • Paws must be kept on the ground throughout your visit (no climbing on people, artifacts, or furniture please).
  • If your dog makes a mess, you clean it up.
  • Please be mindful of other visitors and museum artifacts.
  • If your dog is barking or disturbing other visitors, you will be politely asked to leave or take a break.
  • Usual admission prices and opening hours apply.

 

Some young people sat around a table painting Warhammer miniatures. A volunteer is stood up at the end of the table and another is sat painting.

We’re Looking For Young Volunteers!

By News

We’re looking for young people (aged 15 to 25) who would like to bring their viewpoints, creativity, ideas, and enthusiasm to our work at the museum.  We have new opportunities for volunteers who would like to work on projects, such as developing an exciting events programme, caring for and researching our fascinating artefacts and archives, podcasting and making videos, or creating new exhibitions and making our displays even more engaging.

This is a great way to get experience of the world of museums, with lots of skills being transferable to other fields of work.  We offer full support and mentoring too.  We can be flexible to find days and times for volunteering to suit you and we can often help with your expenses in getting to the museum to volunteer.  All of this is possible thanks to generous support from Young Start and The Holywood Trust who help create exciting opportunities for young people.

So, if you’d like to find out more, email our Youth and Community Engagement Officer, Tom Hughes, at education@devilsporridge.org.uk or call 01461 700021

 

A wooden cut out of Sherlock Holmes holding a pipe and wearing a hat

A Busy Week at The Devils Porridge Museum

By News

I have been lucky enough to enjoy a weeks work experience at the Devils Porridge museum, where I have been able to work with many people who have been extremely kind and enthusiastic about the museum, who have also helped me to learn a lot about working in a museum.

I started my week with helping to photograph and log some of the museums collection of medals from both World War One and World War Two. This was particularly interesting as I was able to see these parts of history up close.

Another exciting activity I was able to be involved in was painting a wooden cut out of Sherlock Holmes. Now, you might be thinking, what does Sherlock Holmes have to do with a museum about local munitions factories and the World Wars? Well, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was a war correspondent and had visited the HM Factory in Gretna during the first World War. This led him to coin the phrase “devils porridge” to describe the material that the people at the factory worked with to make cordite and has been a widely used nickname for the the mixture since then.

I have also really enjoyed working in customer service areas of the Museum such as on the front desk or in the café, where I have been able to talk to many lovely customers and friendly staff. I’ve also learnt so much about the marketing and social media aspect of the museum, and have been able to see how clubs such as the Cordite Club run.  This was extremely fascinating to see how hard-working the staff here are to deliver the best possible activities, posts and events.

There is so much you can learn from just one visit to The Devil’s Porridge Museum, so I think its safe to say I will be leaving my week of work experience with heaps of new knowledge and a much greater understanding of the history of the area and about the behind the scenes of a museum.

A red flower growing in The Devil's Porridge Museum's Dig For Victory garden. The Devil's Porridge Museum is in the background.

Gardening Volunteer Needed

By News

Would you like to help develop and maintain our ‘Dig for Victory’ garden at the Devil’s Porridge Museum?  We’re looking for new volunteers to join the team and help care for our vegetable patches and flower planters.

The Devil’s Porridge Museum tells wartime stories from the local area and the growing of vegetables to supplement rations is part of this, these days the produce is used in our Café.  We also have large pans from the munitions factory which are now re-used as planters for flowers.  Visitors enjoy exploring the large artefacts in the museum grounds and discovering the wartime garden, so there’s chance to chat to people in this work, along with support from other museum volunteers and staff.

Working in the museum gardens can be arranged to suit volunteer availability and needs.  This volunteer role is suitable for anyone aged 15 or over, but no upper age limit.  Tools and materials are provided and we’ll support you with a friendly introduction to get you started.  There’s no complicated application form needed, just get in touch with our Youth and Community Engagement Officer, Tom Hughes to arrange an informal chat by emailing education@devilsporridge.org.uk or call 01461 700021.

Currently we are searching for a Gardening Volunteer, but we are also looking for Front of House and Café volunteers.

Find out more about our volunteering opportunities at The Devil’s Porridge Museum by clicking here> 

 

A map for Scotland's Porridge Tour held up inside The Devil's Porridge Museum. A large clock, the Mossband clock can be seen in the background.

Porridge Map of Scotland

By News
Fancy going on a porridge tour of Scotland? 🥣
 
We’re proud to be featured in Visit Scotland’s Porridge Map of Scotland!
 
Our ‘devil’s porridge’ may be too explosive for breakfast (Sir Arthur Conan Doyle described the dangerous materials he saw World War One munitions workers mixing in large pans to make cordite as ‘devil’s porridge’), but you’ll find some interesting places on this map were you can find a
perfectly non-explosive, bowl of porridge oats to tuck into too.
 
Graphic, which features the Tripadvisor logo and reads "Tripadvisor Travellers' Choice Award 2025 Thanks for your support!"

Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Award 2025

By News
We’re delighted to share that The Devil’s Porridge Museum has been awarded a Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Award for 2025!

This means that we are ranked within the top 10% of places on Tripadvisor, thanks to the reviews left by our visitors.

After receiving a TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Award in 2024 and 2023 previously, this makes us all the more proud and determined to continue to provide an excellent visitor experience. It always means a lot to us to have the efforts of our volunteers and the explosive, local, history we focus on acknowledged!

We would like to say a huge thank you to  everyone who have taken the time to leave a review. Our team of volunteers and staff at The Devil’s Porridge Museum always hugely apricate your support!

A postcard with shields representing Canada, South Africa, India, Scotland, Australia and New Zealand from the past. There is a Burns quote which reads "an' man tae man, the world o'er, We'll brithers be for a' that."

Exploring the Commonwealth, Migration and Home.

By Events, News

Join our Project: Exploring the Commonwealth, Migration and Home.

Are you from a Commonwealth country or have Commonwealth heritage? Have you or your family migrated within or beyond the Commonwealth? We want to hear your story!

About our Project:

We are researching the historical and contemporary factors that drive migration within the Commonwealth nations, exploring personal narratives of migration, and examining the meaning of home. Our project seeks to foster empathy and awareness of the varied experiences of migration and home across different communities.

What we Aim to Achieve:

  •  Understanding the historical and present-day reasons behind migration within and beyond Commonwealth countries.
  • Explore personal migration stories and different interpretations of “home.”
  • Critically, examine the Commonwealth’s legacy, including its colonial history and its impact on migration and identity.
  • Address challenges related to colonialism, inequality, and diverse migration experiences.

What we Are Looking For:

  • Individuals from Commonwealth countries or with Commonwealth heritage.
  • Personal stories of migration and how you define “home.”
  • Perspectives on the impact of the Commonwealth on migration and identity.
  • Insights on socio-political issues related to migration and the Commonwealth.

Why Participate?

By sharing your experiences, you will help create a deeper understanding of migration, identity and home, while contributing to a project that highlights diverse voices and histories.

How to Get Involved:

If you are interested in sharing your story or learning more please contact us at:

Thank you

We look forward to hearing from you and exploring these important themes together!
A huge thank you to our funders The Holywood Trust for their support of this project!
""
Nursey children holding up the artwork they made in Sewing Hope workshops at The Devil's Porridge Museum.

Sewing Hope: A Month of Creativity and Connection

By Climate Change & Museums Blog, News

 

By

Bohdan Bozhenko*

Volunteer at The Devil’s Porridge Museum

 

A Month of Creativity and Collaboration

This month, Sewing Hope has been bursting with energy, creativity, and a strong sense of community. Each workshop has brought together people of all ages, proving that sewing is not just about fabric and thread—it’s about learning, sharing, and building meaningful connections. More importantly, it has shown how creativity can unite different generations in a truly inspiring way.

Bringing Generations Together

Children from Eastriggs Nursery and Eastriggs Primary School eagerly picked up their needles, excited to create something with their own hands. At the same time, the Lockerbie Brownies joined in with enthusiasm, carefully stitching their pieces while enjoying the process. Meanwhile, young artists from the Arts and Crafts Club added their own creative flair, making each session even more vibrant and engaging.

On the other hand, the senior ladies from the Cordite Club brought their wealth of experience, offering patient guidance and sharing heartfelt messages in their creations.

Moving Toward the Final Stage

As the workshops near completion, an exciting new phase is about to begin. Soon, all the individually stitched pieces will come together to form beautiful quilts. This transition from personal efforts to a shared masterpiece symbolizes the dedication and teamwork that have defined Sewing Hope. Moreover, it marks a significant milestone in the project, bringing everyone one step closer to seeing their collective work take shape.

Stay Tuned for More Updates

With so much progress already made, the journey is far from over. We’ll continue to share updates as the final quilts take shape, ensuring that everyone remains involved in this wonderful initiative. In the meantime, we encourage you to stay tuned for more news and heartwarming stories. Finally, a heartfelt thank you goes out to everyone who has contributed to this inspiring project—you have made a real difference!

 

 

YoungStart-TNLCF

*Bohdan Bozhenko is a young volunteer and a valued member of our Youth Empowerment Programme.

National Museums Scotland LogoThe Holywood Trust Logo.

Sewing Hope Workshop

By Climate Change & Museums Blog, News

Pieces of artwork young people at The Devil's Porridge Museum have made on quilts for the Sewing Hope: Quilts for Climate Change Project.

By

Bohdan Bozhenko*

Volunteer at The Devil’s Porridge Museum

 

We’re excited to share the launch of our first Sewing Hope workshop with the community, marking an important step in this inspiring project.

images

During the session, we shared with older children and adults some of the objects from our collection, such as deactivated bombs, shells, and other historical artefacts, encouraging reflection on the devastating impact of wars across the globe.

trees painting

This week, we’ve welcomed pupils from Eastriggs Primary School to The Devil’s Porridge Museum to take part in our workshop, where we’re working together to create a Quilt of Hope. Next week, the senior ladies from the Cordite Club will be writing messages of hope for the youngest generations. We’ll be posting pictures of the workshop later on, stay tuned!

introduction to quilting

This initiative is part of Climate Change for All, funded by the Scottish Government’s Climate Engagement Fund and led by National Museums Scotland, highlighting the power of creativity in fostering awareness and action.

 

Photo Credits

All images are credited to: ©Andy Catlin

For images of the hanging quilts from the Toolkit, credit: National Museums Scotland

YoungStart-TNLCF

*Bohdan Bozhenko is a young volunteer and a valued member of our Youth Empowerment Programme.

National Museums Scotland LogoThe Holywood Trust Logo.

Quilts hung on a wall.

Sewing Hope: Quilts for Climate Change

By Climate Change & Museums Blog, News

By

Bohdan Bozhenko*

Volunteer at The Devil’s Porridge Museum

 

Climate change is one of the most pressing challenges of our time, affecting communities worldwide. To raise awareness and inspire action, National Museums Scotland has launched an initiative called Sewing Hope: Quilts for Climate Change as part of Climate Change for All. This public engagement project, funded by the Scottish Government’s Climate Engagement Fund, explores environmental sustainability through the art of quilting. The Devil’s Porridge Museum is proud to participate in this initiative, running workshops with local community groups, including Eastriggs Primary School, to craft meaningful quilts that symbolize hope in the face of the climate emergency.

 

The Goals of the Project

The Sewing Hope project aims to use quilting as a creative medium to foster dialogue about climate change and encourage community participation. By engaging with schools and local groups, the project seeks to:

– promote environmental awareness and sustainability.

– inspire individuals to reflect on their relationship with nature.

– provide a hands-on, artistic approach to climate education.

– encourage collaborative work within the community.

 

This project brings together the expertise of a scientist and an artist, merging scientific knowledge with creative expression. Their collaboration helps participants translate their concerns, hopes, and solutions regarding climate change into visual storytelling through quilt-making.

quilts

The Art of Quilting

Quilting is a centuries-old craft that involves sewing together layers of fabric to create intricate designs. Beyond being a form of artistic expression, quilting has long been used to tell stories, document history, and bring communities together. Within the Sewing Hope project, quilting becomes a tool for advocacy—each piece of fabric represents the collective vision of a more sustainable future.

Participants in the workshops could learn quilting techniques while discussing the impacts of climate change and ways to address it. The final quilts will be more than just beautiful works of art—they will serve as powerful symbols of resilience, unity, and hope.

scaled

Looking Ahead

The finished quilt will be displayed at The Devil’s Porridge Museum, offering visitors an opportunity to witness the powerful message woven into its fabric. Next year, it will also be exhibited at National Museums Scotland, reaching a broader audience and continuing to spark conversations about climate action.

kids scaled

Acknowledgments

We would like to extend our gratitude to National Museums Scotland and the Scottish Government’s Climate Engagement Fund for making this initiative possible. Special thanks to the participants, volunteers, and educators who contributed to the creation of these quilts.

Photo Credits

All images are credited to: ©Andy Catlin

For images of the hanging quilts from the Toolkit, credit: National Museums Scotland

YoungStart-TNLCF

*Bohdan Bozhenko is a young volunteer and a valued member of our Youth Empowerment Programme.

National Museums Scotland LogoHOLYWOOD-TRUST-LOGO

Translate »
BOOK NOW