Wemyss School of Needlework: stitching since 1877

Incredibly, The Wemyss School of Needlework in Coaltown-of-Wemyss dates back to 1877. It was founded by Dora Wemyss, a wealthy philanthropist and great-grand-daughter of a relationship between King William IV and his mistress the actress Dora Jordan. Wemyss had been inspired by the opening of the Royal School of Needlework in London five years earlier and set up the Wemyss School to offer girls six-month apprenticeships. If they were particularly good they