Discover Auchindrain, Highland Evening and Day of Heritage and Home

Auchindrain is hosting three major events in the space of three weeks

24th and 25th July: Open weekend – Discover Auchindrain

With free admission to everyone over this open weekend – 10.00am-5.00pm each day – Auchindrain is offering familiarisation with Scotland’s last highland farming township, barbecues, mystery object competitions and searches for Bell Pol’s kittens.

Th e event is part of London 2012 Open Weekend – and no, this is not one of our legendary typos. This an annual event carrying the 2012 date as part of the countdown to the London Olympics.

The programme includes hundreds of events across the UK – from sport to art, dance to exhibitions. Each event features a special challenge and Auchindain has risen t0 the challenge – as you will find out.

31st July: A Highland Evening

On Saturday 31st July, from 7.00pm to 10.00pm, there is a Highland Evening of music, dancing and Scottish food.

Bring your own bottle and choose between a ticket for the event only (£5) or adding another ticket for a meal (£5). Since the catering is by the former owner of the Rowantree Delicatessen in Lochgilphead, now on staff at Auchindrain, it can be guaranteed to be first class. Tickets for children under 12 are £2.50.

Numbers are limited so booking is essential. Tickets can be bought over the counter at Auchindrain or at Furnace shop; or they can be booked by email at: info@auchindrain.co.uk

15th August: Day of Heritage and Home Life

Then on Sunday 15th August, from 10.30a, to 4.30pm, there is a day-long event – Heritage and Home Life. This just throws an amazing set of experiences at you:

• help rebuild a stone barn – and see dry stone dyking techniques in action
• witness a runrig lotting – the first since 1847
• follow the Walking Theatre, bringing the traditional township back to life
• listen to Scottish storytelling
• waulk the weave – hear the Gaelic Waulkers sing the word of the tweed makers
• try your hand – literally – at some traditional crafts
• hear local choirs and musicians

One of the standout events of th day is the revival of the lotting of the rigs, performed under the aegis of Crofting Connections.

The Duke of Argyll and the Provost of Argyll and Bute Council will conduct the ceremony. This time around, the lotting will feature three local primary schools  – taking the place of families living in the township and taking their chances in which rig they draw to cultivate during the following year.

This was the traditional practice to ensure that the use of the common rigs was fairly distributed amongst the township’s families. Some rigs were more productive than others. The schoolchildren – from the schools in Furnace, Inveraray and Minard – will not cultivate entire rigs but sections of those they draw in the lotting.

This initiative will enable the young people to extend the skills they are learning in their school’s Green Flag projects, growing produce on their rigs over the coming year – and defending it against hungry deer.

Participation for all or part of this  day of reconnecting with the skills and the life of Scotland’s traditional rural townships, is free.