Cathy Shankland 2007

Cathy Shankland, Highland 2007 Arts and Heritage Manager, has a long pedigree in working in the arts, yet she is bowled over by the way things are looking for Scotland’s Year of Highland Culture.  “There is so much on - from flagship projects with national profiles to smaller community events. The quality and variety is astonishing.”

Cathy has worked for many years with The Highland Council in an exhibitions capacity, and though based in Inverness she wants to make sure that the celebrations go right through the Highlands and Islands. “Take the Fonn ‘s Duthchas (Land and Legacy) Exhibition – although it starts in Inverness, it will be taking in Glasgow and Edinburgh, before returning North to Stornoway.’ In addition, there is small satellite version – without the precious objects - for smaller venues called “Duthchas – Legacy”, recently on display in the Eastgate Centre, Inverness.

Acting as a taster for the bigger exhibition, it offers free standing interpretation panels outlining the 10 themes of the main exhibition. In addition there is a case of thematically linked craft items. These can all be borrowed, or the case can be filled with other objects from the venue’s own collection or even borrowed directly from NMS. This is booked up until May at present but is now taking bookings for thereafter.  Says Cathy,  "True to the original inception of the 2007 idea, it will be helping Scotland celebrate Highland culture."

Tourism will also benefit, as people will travel to the area to see events like the Moray Firth Flotilla of small heritage craft, as it sails from Wick to Portsoy, calling in at different ports on the way, or the Big Willow or any number of world class events that are happening all over the Highlands

Cathy recommends the Highland 2007 website, www.highland2007.com , as being the best way to keep abreast of all that is going on. “There are hundreds of things happening, and more coming on board all the time. Even though the funding has all been allocated, it is important that the heritage sector realises that there are benefits still to be had. The website will help your event reach thousands of people, and we are here to offer advice, and can help with contacts between different agencies, including national ones, who might be able to help each other. Some of the projects are quite inspirational and we hope that people will be encouraged to be just as ambitious in their aspirations for future years. People are thinking in broader way about projects and bringing together different strands of culture - like science, arts and heritage - which can have all sorts of benefits, including funding.’

For example, an exciting project is being done with the Royal Observatory in Edinburgh with a writer- an artist- and a bookbinder-in-residence (funded through the SAC Partners Fund). In the Highland Constellation Project the participating schools across the Highlands will pick important dates from their area’s past which will be plotted in light years from the earth , a star chosen and the story written, making up an 8-star constellation. So the light that we see this year from those stars was generated on those years in history! Contact Cathy if you wish to discuss a project.

The real legacy, though, will be in the people, in their increasing awareness of the vitality, importance, and beauty of the cultures of the Highlands and Islands. To do that, as they say, catch them early. Children feature strongly in the plans for 2007, not least in the Highland Promise. This initiative, funded by the Scottish Executive, The Highland Council, HIE, Lifescan and Leader + is a pilot project which aims to provide access to a range of cultural activities for Highland school children which they may not have had the opportunity to try before. ‘ We have developed a menu of over 100 offers from national agencies and local providers to help schools develop their plans. For example, the BBC has provided equipment and training which will allow schoolchildren to make their own radio programmes. This is only one of a number of exciting opportunities which are available. We hope that pupils will also be involved in recording the year from a youth perspective which will be part of our legacy for the future.

‘Highland artists and makers will also be re-interpreting their heritage in exploring the traditional materials, techniques and artefacts of the Highlands and Islands and recreating them in a contemporary way for the 21st Century. The results will be showcased at different events and venues throughout the year. How exciting is that?”

This is the first of the Scottish Executive’s themed years. The next is in 2009, the year of Homecoming 2009, when Scotland, as a whole, opens its doors to the world. The Scottish diaspora are being invited back, to see how things have changed in the old country.

So for Cathy, it seems this busy year has just begun, and that it shows no signs of slackening off in the near future!

Cathy Shankland
Highland 2007,
Abertarff House,
Church Street,
Inverness.
IV1 1EU

T: 01463 702007
E: info@highland2007.com