MORE than 300 stories gathered during lockdown by 32 story gatherers from the west coast of Scotland will be presented in a series of exhibitions throughout this summer as part of Scotland’s Year of Stories.
Launching this month throughout the west coast of Scotland, with an opening in Oban yesterday, are four interactive exhibitions, a website, and an innovative app exploring the role of this coastline in shaping the world – and how the world is shaping it now.
Coast is a community-led project coordinated by the University of the Highlands and Islands, with project partners NatureScot, Centre for Recreation and Tourism Research, CalMac Ferries, Lateral North, ruralDimensions and Whereverly.
The project is part of a £5 million investment in a Scottish programme of projects to promote and develop the outstanding natural and cultural heritage of the Highlands and Islands in a way that conserves and protects them.
Eileen Stuart, deputy director of nature and climate change at NatureScot, said: “We are delighted to support the Coast project, through funding from the Natural and Cultural Heritage Fund, which has brought together wonderful stories from the west coast to share with visitors. These stories save and share the history of this unique area, bringing this remote and rural part of Scotland to life for us all.
“Working with communities across the west coast during lockdown, the project gathered stories of community, heritage, myths, legends, architecture, culture and migrations.
“It provided an outlet for people to tell the stories less told and highlight gems that are often missed by visitors to communities throughout Scotland and locals alike.”
Malcolm Roughead, chief executive of VisitScotland, said: “As we emerge from the pandemic, our research suggests that visitors want to have authentic experiences and there is no better way to really understand a destination and its community than to hear its stories.”
