An exciting new multimedia product celebrating the living culture of North-east Scotland will be launched in Fochabers next week.
Northern Folk, which has been produced by the University of Aberdeen’s Elphinstone Institute, will take viewers on a virtual tour from Moray to Montrose through more than a thousand years of North-east life.
Institute Director Dr Ian Russell will officially launch the new CD-ROM at Baxters of Speyside on Saturday, November 27, at 11am. The editors, Dr Valentina Bold and Dr Tom McKean, will be present as will the Fochabers Fiddlers led by James Alexander.
The CD, which features options in Scots, Gaelic and English, explores the crucial role tradition plays in people’s lives and looks at such areas as fishing, farming, storytelling, song, music, belief, custom, domestic life, industry and entertainment.
It also contains video and audio clips, a chance to see rare archive footage, a specially-commissioned soundtrack featuring local musicians, an extensive gallery of photographs and paintings, extracts from books by prominent North-east writers and quotations from over 70 interviews with key individuals. Hot links are provided to articles by leading experts, as well as a Doric dictionary.
Dr Russell said: “Northern Folk is an extraordinary achievement and a delight. It gives a unique insight into the richness of North-east life, language and cultural tradition, full of the vitality and lore of ordinary people.
“Its great strength and attraction is its integrity, It is thoroughly recommended, whether for curiosity, enjoyment or celebration.”
Established in 1995 to mark the Quincentenary of the foundation of the University of Aberdeen, the Elphinstone Institute is dedicated to exploring and celebrating the culture of North-east and Northern Scotland, in collaboration with the communities of the region.
The Institute has recently moved into refurbished premises, officially inaugurated by leading businessman and media executive Dr Calum MacLeod, at 24 High Street, Old Aberdeen last week.
Northern Folk will be available to buy from the Institute at a cost of £20, including post and packaging. To receive a copy, please write to: The Secretary, The Elphinstone Institute, 24 High Street, Old Aberdeen.
MEDIA OPPORTUNITY/PHOTOCALL
You are invited to attend the official launch of the new CD-ROM, Northern Folk, at Baxters of Speyside (Fochabers) Ltd in the restaurant at the Visitor’s Centre on Saturday, November 27, 1999, at 11am. Elphinstone Institute Director Dr Ian Russell and editors Dr Tom McKean and Dr Valentina Bold will be available for interview and photographs.