Galloway seen through its people
A new study is aiming to produce an account of life through the ages in Dumfries and Galloway by recording the spoken word of its people and looking at personal collections including diaries and memoirs.
Dumfries and Galloway: A Regional Ethnology is being conducted by the European Ethnological Research Centre at the University of Edinburgh, in partnership with the people of Dumfries and Galloway, with the financial support of the Scotland Inheritance Fund charity.
The study aims to explore the everyday lives and culture of the people of Dumfries and Galloway, past and present.
An important and exciting aspect of this study is the collection of primary source material including recording the spoken memories of people. transcribing and contextualising historical documents, including diaries, account books and memoirs
Written work on topics relevant to the ethnology of the region is also being encouraged. This will result in a range of scholarly publications, from journal articles to books. Altogether, these publications will provide an engaging and lucid account of life in Dumfries and Galloway through time.
In October and November 2016, the EERC is holding a series of three events to share with the people of Dumfries and Galloway the results of our joint endeavours. At these events there will be presentations by those who have participated in the Study as well as by staff of the EERC and Dumfries and Galloway Libraries, Information and Archives. Those attending will gain an insight into what the written and oral records tell us about the places and people of Dumfries and Galloway.
There will also be an opportunity for those attending to ask questions. Attendance is free and refreshments will be provided on the day.
The events will be held in the Duncan Rooms, Easterbrook Hall, Dumfries on Saturday 1 October 2016, 1-5pm; North West Castle Hotel, Stranraer on Saturday 5 November 2016, 1-5pm; St John’s Hall, Castle Douglas on Saturday 19 November 2016, 1-5pm.
The Dumfries programme includes Lynne Longmore on Curling in Lochmaben, John Burnett on Dumfries at the time of Burns and Ted Cowan on Dumfriesshire identity.
The Stranraer programme includes John Pickin on Mining, Jack Hunter on Social Life and Ted Cowan on Shire identity.
There’s also Robert McQuistan on Shops and townlife, Julia Muir Watt on Farmlife of Whithorn, Nancy McLucas, Donnie Nelson & Caroline Milligan on Stranraer voices.
The Castle Douglas programme includes David Devereux on Community life in Kirkcudbright, Willie Waugh on Droving, Peter Didsbury on The Craigs of Syllodioch, Robert McQuistan on Voice and Language of Carsluith and Creetown and Julia Muir Watt: The Burgh of Whithorn and Tania Gardner, David Devereux and Julian Watson: Voices and Views from Kirkcudbright.