The 5th Duke of Buccleuch and railways

Speaker: Dr Craig Thomas

The 5th Duke of Buccleuch was one of Scotland’s grandest and wealthiest landed aristocrats. He transformed his estates in Scotland to include industry, with railways being a crucial part of this.

Initially constructed as a means of transporting produce from his developing industrial interests, the railways came to be a crucial source of revenue through land sales. However, his personal involvement in their development meant that one individual had substantial influence over where these new railway lines would go.

This presentation will chart the involvement of 5th Duke of Buccleuch in the development of Scotland’s Victorian railways, many of which we still use today.

For those with accessibility requirements, please contact education@nrscotland.gov.uk in advance of your visit.

Dr Craig Thomas:

Dr Craig Thomas was an AHRC Northern Bridge CDA PhD student who examined the 5th Duke of Buccleuch’s industrial, social and political interests in Scotland from c.1820-c.1884. Craig is now the Assistant Archivist at the Buccleuch Living Heritage Trust.