VISITORS coming to Dunkeld can now more easily find out more about the deep history of the town, thanks to the clever resourcefulness of two young schoolgirls turning a great idea into a brilliant reality.

In a case of old-meets-digital, Makayla McCabe and Scarlett Tosetti, both 13, dug deep into the Dunkeld and District Heritage Museum’s information troves to find information about the 27 sites on the Dunkeld Heritage Trail.

They wrote up what they found, created webpages and linked each one to QR codes they placed at each historical site.

Each location already has its own plaque and description, but Makayla and Scarlett went the extra mile to uncover the stories of the residents who built their lives around these sites.

“Some of them there was no information at all so we had to figure it all out on our own,” Makayla said.

“Scarlett loves history, and because the museum has mostly old stuff it would be good to add newer technology because that would bring more people to the museum.”

The codes were added to the trail plaques on December 23, and many travellers have since clicked in, according to Makayla’s grandmother and museum secretary, Joyce Gordon.

The Royal Mail Hotel has been the most popular at close to 40 scans in less than two weeks.

Mrs Gordon said her granddaughter and her friends were so handy with their phones that she asked if they could develop QR codes to help the museum reach a new audience.

“We said we want a QR code at each of those, there’s the plaques, here’s the museum, go for it and do your own research,” Mrs Gordon said.

Makayla and Scarlett both said they felt excited about the challenge.

 “I always used to drive past Dunkeld,” Scarlett said.

“I thought it was small but it is pretty big compared to what I used to think it was.”

She said she loved learning about the town – shocking to her was the discovery of a shooting that occurred at the old Family Inn, a two-story bluestone that burned down on the corner where the visitor centre now stands.

“We have got an archive of family history and history of most of the buildings throughout the time of the town and the district,” Mrs Gordon said.

“Plus, about seven to eight thousand photos.

“I would not mind putting my money on half of the people in this town not having been in here.”

As you work your way through the museum, each era of Dunkeld’s evolution is captured in detail – the First People, Major Mitchell’s arrival, industry and agriculture, wartime, racing and today.

“Everything in here has got a story behind it,” Mrs Gordon said.

“Makayla has been around with a few bunches of tourists and she is at the stage now where she can go around and tell you a lot.”

Makayla accepted the compliment but credited her grandmother for being the one to grow her love of the museum and Dunkeld’s heritage.

“That’s only because I’ve heard her say it so many times, the first time I came here I was blown away because I had never seen anything like this,” Makayla said.

“I have always grown up around Dunkeld, I think it’s a lovely place.”

“But I didn’t know anything about it and it was really fun and interesting to learn all the different things.”

The Dunkeld and District Historical Museum will be hosting a market on Saturday January 20 with around 20 crafts and heritage stalls.

The museum’s rare Preston Victoria Automatic Knitting Machine will be displayed in action.

Refreshments will be available and the museum will be open for visit by donation.