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What our visitors said:
Fantastic exhibition – the boards were interesting and very attractive. The talks were fascinating and fun. |
The Exhibition opened on Saturday 19th February 2022
The welcome was given by Professor Peter Reid of Robert Gordon University, before the Earl of Moray, officially opened the exhibition and published the website to launch the digital version. Earl John spoke about connections between Darnaway Castle and Culbin, and his own fascination with the stories. He spoke descriptions of Culbin from 1829, and how, immediately afterwards Moray |
John Stuart, 21st Earl of Moray
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faced its other great environmental disaster the Muckle Spate floods of that year. He reminded us all about the power of nature and humankind's impact on our environment, as well as how damage to the environment can be repaired if we have the will. We were delighted that Earl John could open the exhibition.
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What our visitors said:
Hope this leads on to even more stories of Culbin, especially more recent times of the creation of the forest |
Peter's welcome
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What our visitors said:
I can’t wait to write a blog + social media post. I always loved the stories of Culbin and can’t wait to share them with people from all over the world – well done to the whole #YS2022 team – absolutely fab! |
Dr Rachael Ironside, John, Earl of Moray, Professor Peter Reid, and Major-General Hon. Seymour Monro, Lord Lieutenant of Morayshire.
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Dr Rachael Ironside, Mrs Angela Monro, Major-General Hon. Seymour Monro, and Professor Peter Reid.
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Being a Saturday morning in the North-East of Scotland, it was then obligatory for guests to have coffee, butteries and fine pieces.....
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What our visitors said:
This was absolutely terrific and I am very keen to follow up on Culbin specifically, and other events in the series |
Storytelling and craftingThis was followed by the first of our storytelling sessions with renowned North-East storyteller Jackie Ross who used a mixture of Doric and English to tell a series of tales about Culbin. Little baby Jamie made all the right noises at just the right time!Library staff then lead a really popular crafting workshop, where children used felt to reimagine the village of Culbin. |
Jackie Ross
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What our visitors said:
Superb storytelling to fit in well with facts. |
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What our visitors said:
The exhibition is fascinating and beautifully presented |
'Meet the Creatives'
The 'Meet the Creatives' session over lunchtime was an opportunity to meet and speak with Izzy Thomson, Fiona Percy and Annie Macdonald who have been inspired by the stories of Culbin to produce their own artistic work.
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An second storytelling session with Jackie and crafting workshop was held after lunchtime.
The afternoon concluded with two fascinating local history talks
The first by Andrew Wright OBE spoke about the demise of Culbin, the cartography of the area, the context of the Scotland's failed harvests in the reign of King William III, and the description of the Barony of Culbin in the Old Statistical Account.
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The second talk was by Annie MacDonald and Jenny Johnstone (two of our creative practitioners) who spoke about the stories of folklore, witchcraft, fairies and elves associated with Culbin. This features in the podcast series on the Barony of Culbin |
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What our visitors said:
Both talks were informative and entertaining |
Throughout the day, visitors browsing the exhibition left postcards with their reminiscences of Culbin. This one is from the Lord Lieutenant, Seymour Monro. |
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What our visitors said:
Fit a rare event! I fair enjoyed masel and so did ma man. It wis a joy. Fabulous local information. Well researched and put together. Thanks! We could do with paintings of the likes of Izzy Thomson! Good to see Fiona Percy’s work on display. A thoughtful, reflective student of Moray College. My father (born 1901) was involved when working with the forestry commission along with other men. He was planting the young plants, after the branches were stabilising the sands. He was known as the crofter, living just a few miles from Nairn. Thoroughly enjoyed this great display especially the storytelling, poem and story of the witch. Travelled from Aberdeen to visit exhibition – very worthwhile. |
