Mull Theatre take children time travelling at Duart Castle

Forget Loch Fyne and Ballimore oysters – and forget Dr Who. Try Maclean’s Snails and Mull Theatre at Duart Castle for exotic foodstuff and time travelling.

The theatre company is doing guided trips in the Duart Castle Tardis – MacLean’s Snails & Other Tales! Children’s Drama Workshop with Mull Theatre – at the castle on Argyll’s  Isle of Mull on four days this sumer: July  6th and 20th; and August 3rd and 17th 2010.

This experience carries a host of adventures:

• an exciting ferry ride out of Oban Bay, past the island of Kerrera; with McCaig’s Tower, Dunollie Castle and Ganavan sands behind
• seeing the Isle of Lismore to the north, with the rock where an earlier MacLean chief shackled his wife and left her to drown in the rising tide
• and to the massy Isle of Mull, with, ahead, the great 13th century fortress of Duart Castle, home of Clan MacLean.

The ferry seems to pass almost below the castle where some passengers will shortly be meeting today’s Clan Chief and taking the chance to go back in time.

This is hard to beat as a summer adventure for young folk and for those who can still let their imaginations loose to travel.

The interactive drama workshops dive into some of the greatest legends of the Macleans and of Mull. Participants can become the characters, learn a couple of lines and then perform ‘Maclean’s Snails and Other Tales’ to a select audience of parents, friends and the Clan Chief.

Taking place either indoors in the grand banqueting hall or in the beautiful castle courtyard outdoors, the workshops are set to inspire the imaginations of little ones.

Alasdair McCrone, Artistic Director for Mull Theatre said: “Drama is a fantastic way for young ones to learn, and have fun learning, about our history – and Duart Castle is such an exciting and dramatic place that you can’t help feeling the stories come alive’.

Sir Lachlan Maclean, Chief of the Clan Maclean and who lives in Duart Castle says: ‘We are very much looking forward to welcoming children and families to our new workshops.  It’s a fantastic activity for children this summer, particularly those who are spending their holidays on the island or coming over from Oban for the day’.

The workshops are free with admission to the castle and suitable for ages 8+ (grown ups and Clan Chiefs can also participate!).  No performance experience needed.

They take place from 11.30am -12.30pm on Tuesday 6th & 20th July and Tuesday 3rd & 17th August. Advance booking is recommended as spaces are limited.

There is a whole summer programme of all sorts of events at Duart Castle this summer – from children’s treasure hunts to ceilidhs and historical re-enactments!

For more information – and to book laces at the Mull Theatre drama workshops:

• phone 01680 812 309
• or visit the Castle Duart website..