Graeme Murdoch is delighted at the independent spirit of the curlers who organised their own informal events Continue reading
Tag Archives: Homecoming 2009
2009 For Argyll Awards: get ready
This is advance warning on the award categories, timetable and procedure Continue reading
Fiddlefolk international concert at Strachur
You get two great international trios for the price of one – musicians from Scotland, USA, Sweden and Denmark Continue reading
Rhapsody on Rhapsody
We’ve had several warmly positive responses to the Argyll Rhapsody, Continue reading
The Cowalfest conundrum
The Black Prince, a curvy yellow vase, walking, an Argyll car, the founder of the science of ballistics, Continue reading
Cowal artists’ Studio Trail
There has long been a tremendous talent pool of visual artists in Cowal, but until the inauguration of the Cowal Open Studios last year there was only informal cooperation between the artists. Many work from a studio at home, often in the most beautiful, and sometimes apparently inaccessible places, so encouraging visitors – local and tourists – is not always an easy task.
Last year a group of 29 artists got together to promote an artists’ trail around Cowal. Incorporating workshops, exhibitions and artist talks, with the ability to visit artists’ studios, the events were clearly a great success with more than 1300 visitors over the weekend – and quadrupled their email mailing list.
A Homecoming 2009 grant means that Cowal Open Studios (COS) will be able to continue the project this year and greatly expand the marketing of Cowal outside the area. Jean Donaldson, Chair of Cowal Open Studios says: ‘Last year half of the visitors over the weekend lived outside Cowal, so the weekend clearly had a positive impact on local tourism and business, quite apart from being of benefit to the artists involved.
‘The grant we have received from Argyll and Bute Council and Leader as part of their investment in Homecoming 2009 will make all the difference. We will be able to produce more directories and programmes of events that can be more widely distributed through tourist offices, hotels and so on. But the grant will also buy us some time to look at expanding the potential for further workshops and exhibitions, and maybe even artists’ conferences and networking events.’
By linking visits to studios with Cowal’s outstanding landscape, COS believe that Open Studios offers a very worthwhile addition to the Cowal events calendar. ‘So many of our artists take their inspiration from what they see around them, so the paintings and photographs we display help to promote the area in themselves,’ says Jean.
Like most artists, this group is clearly not all about business or making a fast buck. There is a genuine enthusiasm that emanates from Jean – a keenness clearly shared by the other artists to demystify art; to make it more accessible and non elitist. Seeing art in its place of origin and not in a ‘museum’ setting adds to the power and to the appreciation of the work.
What may be less obvious to the public is the value of such a co-operative venture to the artists themselves. Working alone in a studio can be quite isolating, both on the business and personal front. Regular get-togethers for the studios involved in COS provides a good social and fun base for mutual self-help.
In an informal environment, the artists share ideas and visions for the future. The fact that ten more local artists and galleries have come on board for the 2009 programme is testament to the perception that this idea’s time has come and that collaboration is the way forward.
When Jean was asked to summarise last year’s events, it was not a business result she emphasised. While admitting the hard work and time commitment involved, what shone out was the fact that ‘it was a fabulous, joyful weekend. We have had tremendous feedback from artists, locals and tourists. So many people have told us that they want to come again and visit more studios that we are quietly confident about 2009 and beyond’.
If all the results of Argyll and Bute’s investment in Homecoming 2009 are as positive as this, we could be at a tipping point in people’s idea of what this area is all about.
Cowal Open Studios runs from September 25th to 28th but there will be an informal meeting and Burn’s Supper on 24th January at the Creggans Inn, Strachur. Those interested in being involved will get more details from Jean Donaldson:
- by email at: info@cowalopenstudios.co.uk
- or by phone on: 01369 860099.
Reporter: Mark Morpurgo
The images accompanying this feature are, from the top:
- Phillipa Elliott, photographer: Boat Reflections
- Pam Glennie: work in progress
- Tom Butcher, ceramicist: Square Mugs
Put your Burns Supper on the map – your village, Mount Aconcagua or Ben Nevis
A new website – BurnsSupper2009 – has been created to capture everyone’s plans for celebrating this landmark Burns Night and establish a new World Record for the greatest number of Burns suppers ever held. So far more than 670 suppers have been registered so if you have not recorded your event – now is the time to do it.
Every supper registered will be flagged on an interactive world map – demonstrating the global reach of Burns today. The site provides a range of Burns material: a step by step guide to hosting a Burns supper complete with menu ideas from some of Scotland’s leading chefs, invitation templates, poems, songs, film clips and music downloads.
Paul Bush, of Event Scotland says they are also looking for some zany responses: ‘We hope to hear of a vast array of different celebrations including the largest ever Burns supper and perhaps the highest, such as one held on the top of Mount Aconcagua in Argentina last year.” This odd record was created by Chris Dunlop from Paisley (pictured), who will eat his haggis on the top of Ben Nevis this year.
Haggis sales world-wide have soared as an unexpected by-product of Homecoming 2009, as a record number of sometimes weird and wonderful Burns suppers are taking place. Haggis producers Stahley’s and Macsween have benefited from the launch of a Homecoming campaign to create the world’s biggest Burns Supper Celebration, and the launch of a new website. Ken Stahley says: ‘We are seeing record sales of our Burns supper pack, particularly in Canada’.
If you are involved in a Burns Supper anywhere this one is for you. The World Famous Burns Supper Celebration intends to unite both experienced Burnsians and Burns novices around the world encouraging them to come together online, registering their celebrations – big, small, traditional or unusual. The aim is to show the world that Burns’ legacy is still alive and kicking today and that his message of friendship and Auld Lang Syne lives on, joining people all over the world.
Reporter: Mark Morpurgo
Jim Mather, Argyll’s MSP, will support and campaign for Pilgrim Way from Iona to St Andrews
Argyll’s MSP, Jim Mather, Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism, has sent For Argyll a note on his personal support for Roseanna Cunningham’s proposal for a Pilgrim Way walking route from Iona to St Andrews. We carried news on this proposal yesterday.
Mr Mather says: ‘This is a timely idea on the threshold of 2009 and the Year of the Homecoming. Walking is an increasingly popular pastime. The establishment of this route would do a great deal to encourage people into a healthy lifestyle and a greater knowledge and appreciation of the magnificent countryside that Scotland has to offer to visitor and native alike.
‘St Andrews was a massive medieval centre for pilgrimage and has played a huge part in the past and present history of the nation while Iona and its association with St Columba is of immense iconic significance in the story of Scotland.
‘The linking of such sites through some of the most attractive scenery of the country has very obvious attraction and would compare favourably with and complement other long distance walks already in place.
‘These walking trails attract excellent numbers of tourists and there is no doubt that this offers an attractive means of supporting tourism, building on B&B and other businesses and boosting the economy of villages en route.
‘This Pilgrims’ Way is already favoured by several sections of walkways and proposed walkways in place along with lengths of public footpaths at various points along its route. I am sure that with goodwill and co-operation between the various local authorities good progress can be made in taking matters forward during the Year of Homecoming.
‘The campaign has already attracted important support and backing from many sources not least from Cameron McNeish, the leading Scottish mountaineer, trail walker and countryside guru who has enthusiastically endorsed the idea.
‘I will certainly do what I can to maintain the momentum for this concept and I will be contacting other likely supporters to add weight to the campaign’.
Oban’s Homecoming Hogmanay rockfest. Fantastic gig. Wrong venue.
Yes, it’ll be the start of the Year of Homecoming and Oban plans to get it moving big time with an estimated audience of 8,000 for a genuinely exciting Hogmanay gig.
The headline act is the Red Hot Chilli Pipers who chose Oban in preference to requests from Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Stirling and Perth. Hard to think of a hotter band to rock Argyll into 2009.
Then there will be last year’s headliners, Tiree’s Skerryvore, this time with the addition of the brass section featured in their new CD, On the Road.
And one of the top bands on the Scottish rock circuit in the 1980s, local band, The Works, is reforming exclusively for the night, contributing a mix of energy and nostalgia.
The Gaelic culture will have a strong part to play with the Oban Homecoming Gaelic Choir and the Oban High School Pipe Band, taught by former world champion piper, Angus McColl.
Literally topping it all off will be a massive fireworks display fired on the stroke of midnight from McCaig’s Tower by Oban Fireworks Team. From this crown of Oban, the fireworks will light up the sky in celebration of the incoming Homecoming year. The boats in the harbour hoot their horns and the entire experience can be quite magical.
The big downside to the galvanic programme is the location. It’s held in a cordoned off arena in the local Tesco supermarket car park at the back of the town. This is an uninspiring location which is blindsided to the town, McCaig’s Tower and the Bay. Unless there’s a good wind blowing in the right direction, the boats in the harbour can hoot all they like and only the people on the Prom and not at the party will hear them.
This event needs to be on the streets, embraced by this soaring, wraparound town, in sight of the Bay with its sheltering island of Kerrera on the far side – imagine an answering fireworks display from there? Why not use the car parks and streets around the Corran Hall, the Esplanade and the North Pier where there would be a great view of McCaig’s Tower, the town and the Bay? Tesco Car Park just doesn’t cut it.
It will still be a good night but it’s not going to be the memory of a lifetime – which it could have been. As an event, it’s not setting the benchmark for ambition which Argyll needs – and it could have done.
Event Director & local Councillor Neil Mackay says: ‘Last year’s inaugural Oban Hogmanay was an amazing success and Oban are again delighted to be joined by such wonderful acts at this year’s event. As the event will launch the Argyll & Bute Year of Homecoming Scotland 2009, we invite Scots & ex-pats from all over the UK and the world to come home to Oban to join in the Hogmanay celebrations’.
The Oban Hogmanay Homecoming Street Party is a fully licensed event, catering for families with a food area where visitors can try some local delicacies and a small family fun fair. Tickets are £11.50 for adults; £6.50 for children from 5 -12 years-old; and under-5s go free. Go to the website for all information and tickets.
Argyll’s Spirit of the West event gets a spirited launch for Homecoming 2009
May 2009 is Whisky Month in the Homecoming Scotland 2009 programme. Over two days – Saturday 16th & Sunday 17th May – 6,000 people are expected at the Spirit of the West event, showcasing Scotland’s west coast culture, whisky and food.
Celebrity chef Nick Nairn, Scottish band Ceilidh Minogue, Food from Argyll – and all 16 distilleries on the west coast, are already confirmed for the event. The audience will be packed with culture vultures, whisky lovers, foodies, family tree explorers, tartan fashion followers and Scottish music fans – or those who simply love Scotland.
The Duke of Argyll hosted the Press launch at his family home, Inveraray Castle, which will be the venue. He was joined by local people from various industries and together they raised a glass to invite Scots and would-be Scots from all over the world to join the celebration next year.
The Whisky Coast, the team behind Spirit of the West, plan six themed marquees for the event: Whisky, Hospitality, Food & Drink, Music & Fashion, History & Heritage and a Crafts Village. Open air activities including golf and historical trails with Cowal’s innovative Walking Theatre are also lined up for the big weekend. The first night, Saturday 16th, will see – or hear – a grand Whisky Coast Ceilidh, from 7.00pm till the witching hour. This will celebrate the well known spirit of the west with a Rabbie Burns Supper, charity auction, after dinner music from Ceilidh Minogue and traditional ceilidh dancing.
The Whisky Coast Marquee, is hosting the over 18s Whisky Theatre; the Spirit of Dram(a) marquee, hosting art, fashion and music; The Taste of the West marquee on Sunday 17th May, with celebrity chef Nick Nairn showcasing west coast food and drink; The Play, Stay & Enjoy marquees headlining Scotland’s hospitality industry; The Spirits of the Past Marquee will bring the history, heritage and genealogy of the west coast; and The Crafts Village Marquee will feature arts and crafts of all kinds, unique to the west coast of Scotland,
Spirit of the West tickets are now available to buy via See Tickets or Homecoming Scotland 2009. Standard adult ticket prices are £14 per day or £22 for the weekend. Family, concession and children tickets are also available. Whisky masterclasses cost an extra £10 per class. Ceilidh tickets cost £65 per person. Both must be booked in advance.
The photograph above, which we have permission to use, shows the Duke of Argyll at Inveraray Castle with some of the food, drink, hospitality and entertainment specialists in the programme for the event.