A unique research project exploring the culture and traditions of the Travelling community in Scotland will culminate with a series of celebratory events on Friday (March 11).
The three-year project, entitled, The Oral and Cultural Traditions of Scottish Travellers, has been co-ordinated by Dr Ian Russell, Director of the Elphinstone Institute, University of Aberdeen since 2002, and led by Stanley Robertson.
Funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, the initiative was the first of its kind in the UK, and focussed on the lives of Scottish Gypsy Travellers, in particular their ballad singing, instrumental playing, and storytelling.
This Friday a special programme of events will mark the climax of the Traveller’s project with music, song, crafts, film, stories, and presentations with most of the contributions from members of the Travelling community.
A Boorach an’ a Barrie Nicht will be held in Marischal College, Ground Floor (the Debater) from 9.30am – 10.00pm.
Scottish Travellers number between 3000 and 14,000 out of a total population of 5.1million. The vagueness surrounding their numbers is indicative of the fact that many Travellers when faced with official surveys and investigations such as the 10-yearly census, choose to conceal their background.
Over the duration of the Traveller’s project, leading North East storyteller Stanley Robertson has led the initiative in his role as Keyworker. On Friday Stanley, who is a member of the Scottish Travelling community, will deliver a welcome address and synopsis of the project before a series of workshops begins.
Dr Russell said: “In Scotland, for a member of this ethnic group to lead such a project is unusual as funding is difficult to achieve. Secondly, the perception of Travellers by mainstream Scottish society is generally a negative one, especially the way they are portrayed by the media.”
The University of Aberdeen’s Elphinstone Institute seeks to research, record and promote, within a North/North East Scottish context, the oral and cultural heritage, including language, history and tradition.
Dr Russell continued: “A significant part of the project has involved Stanley visiting schools to share the heritage, leading song and story workshops, and thereby raising awareness of the importance of such traditions.
“By demonstrating the richness of the cultural tradition of Scottish Travellers to a new generation, it is intended that negative stereotyping is challenged and that there is an increased awareness of the contribution that Travelling people have made and continue to make to Scottish culture.”
A showing of Tim Neat’s classic film The Summer Walkers will also be held on Friday. The events of the day will be followed by an evening of song, music and stories by Carmen Higgins, Robert Knight, John Mackay, Simon Robertson, Jess Smith, and Elizabeth Stewart, introduced by Stanley Robertson. A Barrie Nicht will run from 7.00pm until 10.00pm.
There is no charge for the day, but places must be booked through the Elphinstone Institute.
Tickets for the evening cost £4.00 (Concession £3.00) each and are available by contacting the Elphinstone Institute, University of Aberdeen, 24 High Street, Aberdeen, AB24 3EB, tel: (01224) 272996 or email: elphinstone@abdn.ac.uk Further information on Friday’s events are available by visiting www.abdn.ac.uk/elphinstone