History
Harburn Hall, which celebrates its centenary in 2023, was a “Thank you gift from the King” to the Harburn Community for the work the community did producing munitions for the World War One (WW1) war effort at the Camilty Gunpowder factory.
Prior to the war the factory produced dynamite for use in the many local coal and shale mines, but responded to Kitchener’s call to help produce armaments for the front.
The structure itself is a WW1 former military barrack hut which saw service at the gigantic Milton Bridge Barracks near Penicuik.
In the years following the Armistice soldiers were demobbed back to home and the barracks were dispersed. The offer of the gift of the hut to serve as “a Men’s Reading and Recreation Room” came with the caveat that the local community had to raise the funds to transport it from Penicuik to Harburn.
History
Harburn Hall, which celebrates its centenary in 2023, was a “Thank you gift from the King” to the Harburn Community for the work the community did producing munitions for the World War One (WW1) war effort at the Camilty Gunpowder factory.
Prior to the war the factory produced dynamite for use in the many local coal and shale mines, but responded to Kitchener’s call to help produce armaments for the front.
The structure itself is a WW1 former military barrack hut which saw service at the gigantic Milton Bridge Barracks near Penicuik.
In the years following the Armistice soldiers were demobbed back to home and the barracks were dispersed. The offer of the gift of the hut to serve as “a Men’s Reading and Recreation Room” came with the caveat that the local community had to raise the funds to transport it from Penicuik to Harburn.
The cost of the carriage and erection of the Hut was Fifty Pounds Sterling which was raised by the local community through a variety of appeals for donations and fundraising ventures.
The Hall was located on its present site courtesy of Miss Helen Elder of the Bents Farm (George Duncan’s great aunt) at the rental of five shillings (5/-) per annum payable on Whitsunday.
Over time emancipation eventually arrived in Harburn and the title of the building was adapted to become the now familiar Harburn Village Hall
The cost of the carriage and erection of the Hut was Fifty Pounds Sterling which was raised by the local community through a variety of appeals for donations and fundraising ventures.
The Hall was located on its present site courtesy of Miss Helen Elder of the Bents Farm (George Duncan’s great aunt) at the rental of five shillings (5/-) per annum payable on Whitsunday.
Over time emancipation eventually arrived in Harburn and the title of the building was adapted to become the now familiar Harburn Village Hall
Facilities
The vestibule opens into the bright and spacious main hall. The main Hall measures 18.5m x 6m with windows down one side. We have large, medium and small tables that can be positioned as rows down each side of the hall, as a horseshoe, or groups of tables (cafe style). We also have approximately 100 chairs and Hall hire is subject to maximum occupancy. This will vary according to COVID regulations in place at the time of booking. Please ask about this if you think it will impact your booking
Small conference room that can host 10 to 15 people, available for a separate hire
4 toilets, including one disabled toilet.
Fully fitted and equipped kitchen
A serving hatch that links to the main hall
Free wi-fi access and a hearing loop
Additional recreational area with outdoor seating
Outdoor gazebos available to use or hire
The vestibule opens into the bright and spacious main hall. The main Hall measures 18.5m x 6m with windows down one side. We have large, medium and small tables that can be positioned as rows down each side of the hall, as a horseshoe, or groups of tables (cafe style). We also have approximately 100 chairs and Hall hire is subject to maximum occupancy. This will vary according to COVID regulations in place at the time of booking. Please ask about this if you think it will impact your booking
Small conference room that can host 10 to 15 people, available for a separate hire
4 toilets, including one disabled toilet.
Fully fitted and equipped kitchen
A serving hatch that links to the main hall
Free wi-fi access and a hearing loop
Additional recreational area with outdoor seating
Outdoor gazebos available to use or hire