Shedding light on links to Stevenson

Published on Saturday 10 June 2006 14:11

AN exhibition of Robert Louis Stevenson memorabilia has opened in North Berwick, as part of the inaugural festival for the Edinburgh-born writer.

The Scottish Seabird Centre is holding the exhibition, curated by Kitty Douglas-Hamilton and featuring some items never before seen in public, until June 19.

It aims to acknowledge the link between Stevenson and North Berwick and celebrate the town's connection with one of Scotland's most important literary sons.

The joint venture features works on loan from the City Arts Centre, Edinburgh's Speculative Society and the Writers Museum, as well as works from private collections.

The Stevenson family are well documented as lighthouse engineers. Their presence in North Berwick dates from 1810, when RLS's grandfather Robert Stevenson repaired the harbour.

In 1860 RLS's father Thomas carried out repairs in the harbour and later built Fidra Lighthouse. Photographs of the Stevenson family show the early childhood visits to the town, which helped to form so many of Stevenson's iconic literary images.