Because of You

By Rachel Skene, NorthWest2045

Gathering and sharing stories and photographs of our living heritage

Arriving at Strathnaver Museum on March 7^th, for the National Lottery Open Day, I enjoyed retracing the steps I took in my 1^st official employment after graduating from Glasgow School of Art. Up until this Strathnaver Museumm Development Officer role, I worked freelance, mainly from my own studio within the former Burr’s bakehouse, Tongue. I set up this studio thanks to the building being owned by my folks, and a modest grant which enabled me to purchase a Dobby loom, similar to that I trained on, during my Design degree. My studio was a reciprocal arrangement: I worked in the family shop to pay my way. I also went out on the gritter as a 2^nd ‘man’.

Almost simultaneously to me starting with Strathnaver Museum, I was fortunate to also be recruited into The Mackay Country (MC) research team led by Dr Issie MacPhail, who in turn was brought in by the MC leads, principally Ronnie Lansley and Frances Gunn. The years that followed laid down such formative learning, and forged connections that have, now, endured decades.

The Open day on the 7^th was intended to connect the Museum to people from closer and further away communities. To reconnect with folk who long know the Museum, or to help reach those not yet familiar with all held within this former Church at Clachan, Bettyhill.

Living Heritage Treasure Hunt

My part, on the day, involved creatively highlighting aspects of the Museum collection more directly linked to the living heritage of the place and people. Hand printed whirls were hidden in nooks and corners throughout the museum – at the pearl fishing exhibit; under the herbal medicine panels; beside the pipes and music; tucked into the oral histories chair; stashed within the neep slicer. These wee tokens, once found, could be strung onto a ribbon. A fun stream of shapes for children, and hopefully a reminder for us all of the knowledge we carry with us, symbolic of how much flows across our everyday lives.

Inspiring the next generation

As visitors came and went, conversations shared memories prompted by this activity; by each other; by photos from the Mackay Country and Museum archive; and by the collections. Thoughts went to past learnings gained at the knee of Grandparents; or on the peat bank; or at the Fèis; or indeed within the Museum itself and the associated activities of projects like Mackay Country.  

The reciprocity embedded throughout the community is what makes connections and knowledge last. This is where we look now as the new At Home in Mackay Country project begins – to look back, to look forward to what we need to do, to help ensure the carrying stream flows on.