A letter from the School of Scottish Studies

  A letter from the School of Scottish Studies, Edinburgh, 1955   This is a letter from Stewart Sanderson to Dr Kissling about his work for the School of Scottish Studies. The letter thanks Dr Kissling for sending photographs to the school and offers him a further £100 for upcoming research costs.   From 1952-1961 Dr Kissling received money from The School of Scottish Studies at the University of Edinburgh to allow him to carry out photographic research. He used this money to fund more research in the Western Isles as well as taking photographs in other parts of Scotland.   A more informal handwritten note at the bottom of the letter reads:   'P.S Can Calum and I lunch with you in Melrose on Friday 20th? A sober lunch, because we must go at 2.30 to Yarrowford.'   This note refers to well-known Scottish folklorist Calum Maclean whom Dr Kissling knew through his research in the Western Isles. It also hints at Dr Kissling's fondness for a dram of whisky with his meals.   Dr Werner Kissling (1895-1988) was a German photographer and ethnographer who spent most of his life documenting Scottish crafts, architecture, and agricultural practices. He was associated with Dumfries Museum from the mid-1950s until his death in 1988.