Savings bank site is vital, says MSP

SOUTH of Scotland MSP Craig Hoy has visited the Henry Duncan Savings Bank Museum at Ruthwell to learn more about Dumfriesshire’s role in shaping modern saving and personal banking. He spent time at the museum learning about the life and legacy of the Rev. Duncan, the parish minister and writer whose pioneering work laid the foundations for savings banks across the UK and worldwide. Mr Hoy also heard how the museum developed at its current site and the role it plays in preserving financial history and, in addition, explaining an aspect of local newspaper industry. The museum tells the story of the Rev. Duncan who set up the world’s first savings bank in 1810 in the Ruthwell building where the seeds of the global savings bank movement began. He also founded the Dumfries and Galloway Courier, then much later the Dumfries and Galloway Standard and the museum offers insight into this, partly through its working heritage printing press. Mr Hoy said: “I am pleased to visit the Savings Bank Museum to learn more about the fascinating history of Henry Duncan and how his model shapes the modern savings banks. “Mhairi, the museum manager, and the rest of the team, have done a fabulous job curating and further developing the exhibition, some of which is hands on. Visitors and local people alike, who have not yet been, should consider visiting.” Mr Hoy stated the visit also underlined the importance of protecting and promoting tourism across Dumfries and Galloway. He said: “Tourism is vital to this area and I will continue to push the Scottish Government and the council to support the sector and that includes pausing potentially damaging schemes like the visitor levy which could be devastating. “We need visitors to come and spend time and money in the region and I am pleased that there are boutique attractions like the Henry Duncan Savings Bank Museum helping achieve that.” Above: Craig Hoy examines a ledger at Ruthwell’s savings bank museum