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November-December 2004
March-April 2004
January-February 2004
November-December 2003
June-October 2003
Conference on Gaelic Scotland
RANNSACHADH NA GIDHLIG 3
University of Edinburgh
21-23 July 2004
This interdisciplinary conference will showcase the breadth and diversity of the
current research in and on Gaelic in Scotland, including history, literature of
all periods, linguistics, folklore, socio-linguistics and language planning, and
Gaelic education/learning. There will be more than 60 papers in all, of which
approximately one-third will be delivered in Gaelic.
The conference will be held in the David Hume Tower, George Square, Edinburgh.
Conference website: http://www.celtscot.ed.ac.uk/rannsachadh_na_gaidhlig.htm
For additional information, please contact Dr Wilson McLeod, w.mcleod@ed.ac.uk
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New Home for Museum of Communication
Burntisland in Fife is to be the permanent home of the Museum of Communication, following its purchase of a former ex-servicemens club in the towns High Street. The Museum developed from a private wireless collection started in 1973 by the late Harry Matthews of Edinburgh University. Over the next 20 years, it grew to such an extent that a support organisation was required. Harry Matthews and a group of dedicated supporters therefore set up the Museum of Communication Foundation Trust in 1993. There followed a decade of themed exhibitions in public halls, libraries, schools and universities but these could feature only a tiny proportion of the whole collection.
The move to Burntisland will allow the Museum to bring its vast collection of communication-related equipment - ranging from semaphore to satellite and telegraph to television under one roof for the first time, as well as providing a base for members.
For further information, please contact Dorothy Brankin, Trust Secretary e-mail mocf@fish.co.uk
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Eskdale Prehistoric trail
Illustrated interpretive panels, finger posts and a trail leaflet, link several outstanding prehistoric sites and bring to life this new way-marked trail in the parishes of Westerkirk and Eskdalemuir. The trail requires a modest amount of walking and is accessible to motorists or cyclists. It links 9 outstanding sites of archaeological interest in Eskdale and two sites in the Meggat Valley. The sites range from 3,500 year-old stone circles to Iron Age hill forts and have been chosen for varying reasons: because of their accessibility, because some have been excavated so that their place in prehistory is reasonably established, and in other cases the sites are simply unique.
Visitors are guided around the trail with the help of a colour leaflet and the community website http://www.langholm-online.co.uk/ provides further information or alternatively the help of an experienced guide is available by prior arrangement. Other places of interest around the trail are well signed or indicated in the leaflet, which contains also information on the numerous accommodation providers within the valley.
The Prehistoric trail has been funded from Making Tracks, Scottish Natural Heritage, Historic Scotland, Dumfries & Galloway Council and local trusts.
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Orcadian Crannogs project
Crannogs are small, artificial islands found in many of Scotland's lochs and inland waters. They are a class of monument not usually associated with Orkney. From the shore, most crannogs look like rocky mounds or low grassy islets, accessible to only the most dedicated explorer. This inaccessibility may be part of the reason Orkney's crannogs have remained firmly in the shadow of the county's grander monuments. The role of Crannogs varies with some incorporating dwellings while others were status symbols, fishing platforms or even refuges. A crannog was a way of utilising the wetter land for structures that didn't encroach onto good farming land.
Although there are only four or so crannogs listed in the official records, this is now thought to be the tip of the iceberg and this lost chapter in Orkney's archaeological record is about to take centre stage with a new project in Rousay and at Voy in Sandwick. A team of divers will do some basic survey work - a preliminary 'look see' how the sites 'fit in' and where they come in the vast archaeological timescale of the areas. If they can generate enough interest in this, it is hoped that the survey can be expanded to get a better view of the entire loch and the area surrounding it. For example, a paleo-archaeological core of the loch bottom to see how the Stenness Loch itself has changed since glacial times.
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New Scottish Ironworking web-site
This website is a new resource that provides information for those interested in wrought and cast ironwork manufactured or found in Scotland. On this site you will find historical information on Scottish Foundries and ironworkers, a searchable online database, a discussion forum, technical information area and a special features page. The database currently houses information on 450 cast and wrought iron structures (bandstands, gates, buildings, fountains etc.) manufactured or found in Scotland, and found within the UK, Ireland, Australia, South America and India to name a few.
http://www.scottishironwork.org
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Portrait Secured for Stirling Smith
The Stirling Smith Art Gallery and Museum has been successful in raising funds to secure a portrait of William Wallace painted for the house of Sir John Wauchope of Niddrie Marshall, near Portobello. It was part of a scheme of interior decoration, created in 1661 to mark the Restoration of King Charles II in which Sir John had played a significant part. It was engraved and widely used for book illustrations in the 19th century. Of the 20,000 raised, 7,154 came from the Friends of the Smith, 5,000 from the National Art Collections Fund, and the remainder from businesses and the private donations of 208 individuals.
http://www.smithartgallery.demon.co.uk
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Museum services in jeopardy from tax changes.
The Inland Revenue is proposing changes to the regulations on Gift Aid that would mean that museums operating the scheme on admissions would lose the income generated by tax recovery. At present, qualifying museums can ask for a recommended donation in lieu of an admission fee and can reclaim 28% tax but the Treasury intends to close this loophole concession. Although the changes in the Finance Bill will go on to the statute book this year, the legislation will not be enforced until April 2005 and the Inland Revenue has indicated that annual membership offering unlimited visits over a year may still be eligible for Gift Aid. Although the number of museums that could be affected is small, it will be a significant loss of income for some, with a serious impact on service provision.
The Association of Independent Museums quotes an estimated loss of 3.75m for the independent sector in 2004 if Gift Aid on admissions is withdrawn, a reduction in gross income of between 5 and 15% for leading independents.
The Scottish Executive asked Scottish Museums Council to quantify how many Scottish museums will be affected by the proposed change.
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June Baker Trust Awards 2004
June Baker had a great sense of visual style. She collected, refurbished and arranged an amazing collection of artefacts that became her domestic environment. When she died in 1988, her friends formed a trust to remember her and to help those she would have taken great pleasure in supporting.
Applications are now invited for the 2004 round of the June Baker Trust Awards. The trust supports individuals involved in the conservation of heritage artefacts in Scotland, or training with the intention of doing so. Grants will be available for travel, for attendance at conferences and on short courses, for purchase of equipment or for other suitable projects. The usual award is in the region of 100-300. Application forms are available from Priscilla Ramsey, Chairman, June Baker Trust, Goose Croft House, Kintore, Aberdeenshire, AB51 0US.
The closing date for applications is 31 May.
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Gulbenkian Prize
The prestigious Gulbenkian Prize of 100,000 has been won by the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art for Landform by Charles Jencks. This part sculpture, part garden, part land-art located at the entrance of the museum was praised for its innovative design and for providing a major work for the gallerys already outstanding collection of sculpture in an outdoor location.
There were 13 museum and gallery entries long listed by the judges. These included the Gallery of Modern Art, Glasgow, for the Sanctuary project which aimed to engage the power of contemporary art to explore and address issues relating to human rights and the plight of asylum seekers.
For details of all the museums http://www.thegulbenkianprize.org.uk
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