SCHOOLKIDS in East Renfrewshire are being served up unusual history lessons on how the Scots’ diet has developed over the past 400 years.

The lessons are a spin-off from a new exhibition launched by the National Library of Scotland.

Lifting the Lid is a touring display that offers people the chance to dig a little deeper and discover how eating habits have changed over the centuries.

Hailed as ‘less Sawney Bean and more runner beans,’ the tour aims to help people understand what their ancestors ate and how they lived.

Debuting at Barrhead Library, aspiring historians from St John’s Primary were amongst the first to take in the exhibition.
Pupils from primary five and seven classes at the Barrhead school took part in an interactive lesson.

Local historian Amanda Robb, of East Renfrewshire Culture and Leisure, said: “It was fantastic to see how enthusiastic our local pupils are about exploring history, reviewing evidence and making observations.

“They were also introduced to the new Lifting the Lid display, which is a history lesson centred around food and drink in Scotland and traditions.

“The exhibit is being enjoyed by everyone from school pupils and library users to those using our fitness facilities.

“We’re also looking forward to welcoming curator Olive Geddes to Giffnock Library next month to explore Scotland’s changing relationship with food and drink and the myths and traditions associated with peoples’ diets over the last 400 years.”

Entry to Lifting the Lid is free and the exhibition will tour East Renfrewshire libraries from now until July.

Ms Geddes said: “We hope that, through this touring exhibition, people can learn more about food in Scotland and how tastes have changed.”

People can find out more about the exhibition by attending a talk by Ms Geddes at Giffnock Library on Friday, May 17, from 1.30pm to 3pm.

Tickets are free and can be booked in advance at www.eastwoodparktheatre.co.uk/Curators-Talk or by calling 0141 577 4956.