Bernat Klein Studio

It was after attending the special exhibition on Bernat Klein in the Royal Scottish Museum that I learned much more about the man and his home and studio. I subsequently learned that, while his home at High Sunderland was inhabited and well-maintained, the nearby category A-listed studio in which he worked had been lying vacant for several years and its condition had become a cause for concern. It is set close to the road and thus easily seen without any need to trespass and I decided that I'd like to see it before it falls to ruin. We drove down today.

The main photo is taken of the right hand side as approached from the road, i.e., from the south east. Extra 1 is from higher ground, of the opposite side, including the front doorway. Compared with photos from the time of its heyday, it makes for a very sad sight: there are broken panes of glass and some broken fabric of the building.  As you see, it is now surrounded by fencing, partially topped with razor wire and with several warnings against damage by trespassers.  I make it clear that we did not make any damage to the building nor surroundings, following paths and treading carefully outwith paved areas.

But the setting is delightful, with grassy banks with violets and primroses, spruce trees casting shade (and cones) undercast with bluebells and wood sorrel. I found a speckled wood butterfly resting close to a clump of primrose I had selected for a photo (see extra) and opposite a field of sheep and lambs. How much of this is original I can't say but would create a pleasant ambiance should the studio be opened as a visitor centre dedicated to Bernat Klein. 

For the rest of the day we visited Selkirk, calling in on Holmes Glass for a chat with Peter and his son Andrew, and were shown some of the highest quality paperweights besides discussing demonstrations and classes there, which might interest the Flumlet at some time. Then we took the pretty way home but sadly were diverted to an even prettier route following an accident which closed our road ahead, so we had our fill of scenic views with lambs galore on a sunny (though chilly) day.