New Clearances project marks 200th anniversary
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
A major new project about the ‘Clearances’ which it is hoped will interest communities in the local area and attract visitors from all over the world, has been launched at Timespan in Helmsdale.
Museum Without Walls will use new media to open the door to the landscape and people of the Clearances – venturing beyond the walls of the museum to begin an exciting journey of discovery and reflection.
For many visitors who have ancestors who were involved in the Clearances it will be like going home!
The project has received grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund and Museums Galleries Scotland.
Timespan Director, Nicola Henderson said "We are delighted to receive this funding from Museums Galleries Scotland and Heritage Lottery Fund as this means we can now open up the story of the Strath of Kildonan to a whole new audience.
"For us, this two and a half year project is a unique opportunity to engage our local community with the research on the Kildonan Clearances – linking the stories of the past with our lives today."
2013 marks the 200th anniversary of the instigation of the large scale removal of the native population in the Strath of Kildonan by the landowners and the establishment of large sheep and arable farms.
The sequence of historical events that followed changed the lives of the people and the landscape forever.
In the run up to 2013, Timespan will use cutting edge digital technologies to develop a Clearances trail in the Strath of Kildonan in the form of software applications on smart phones and tablets.
The trail will start in the museum with a new interactive display that will lead visitors along the Strath road to learn about its history and the events that took place there nearly 200 years ago. The trail will be completed and ready for use by May 2012.
There will be new local training initiatives for people interested in learning how to use digital technologies and how to become more confident using online social media tools.
A programme of workshops will explore all aspects of life in the Strath before, during and after the Clearances. There will be opportunities to work alongside film and audio artists as content for the trial is gathered through community participation.
Timespan welcomes the involvement of the Centre for History in Dornoch, which is part of the University of the Highlands and Islands, as advisers, lecturers and the potential development of an internship for a student to work alongside volunteers in Timespan.
Recent UK research has shown that 1 in 3 adults use a smart phone and this is due to increase rapidly in the next few years. Timespan will be leading the field in utilising this technology to reach out to new audiences and developing more creative ways of interpreting the past for all ages.
Newly appointed project manager, Jacquie Aitken said "I see the real potential in using this form of technology to drive the interpretation of the new Clearances Trail and allow visitors to have the freedom to download the app as and when the desire, as well as making it a more accessible and interactive medium for visitor to leave feedback and photos on Facebook and Twitter - this is truly an interactive resource from start to finish!"
There are plans to put the trail online and there will be a unique opportunity for people to get involved in discussions and debates on the project blog, Twitter and Facebook.
Jacquie said "There is already interest from Canada and we hope that the forum will be a way that people can trace ancestors in our area, discuss views about the historical events surrounding the Clearances and find useful information they can download - I look forward to facilitating a lively international discussion forum."
The first year of the project will focus on the development of the trail and making connections with the Sutherland diaspora and related organisations and all over the globe, e.g. Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
Timespan knows that there will be an influx of overseas visitors to the area that will coincide with the 2013 anniversary and it will be ready to celebrate their return and the culture of the area – both past and present.
Timespan welcomes suggestions for ways in which the local community can get together to organise a festival of events throughout 2013.
