Project to tell story of the Cateran Trail
World in 100 Objects,’ which tells the history of the world through 100 objects curated from the British Museum’s sprawling collections.
“This version will be collecting objects that relate specifically to the Cateran Trail.
“Typically, an object is a material thing that can be seen and touched, but we are broadening that definition to include places, landscapes and people as well as objects relating to them.”
The Ardler-based landscape historian Christopher Dingwall, is also involved with the project.
He said: “Behind the tranquil landscape of Strathmore and the northern glens traversed by the Cateran Trail is a dramatic story, stretching back millions of years, which can be read in the rocks and landforms through which trail passes.
“We are looking forward to hearing the views of local people and visitors as to which landscapes or objects relating to landscapes, such as plants or animals or particular geological forms they would like to see included.”
Peter McNiven, who is undertaking new research on the history of the place-names around the Trail added: “Placenames have the potential to tell us a great deal about how people in the past used and viewed the landscape.
“They can tell us about past land use, especially in terms of agriculture, hunting, authority and justice, archaeology, and myths and legends and can inform us of important aspects of past religious and social organisation that would otherwise have gone unrecorded.”
The third theme is about people. Clare said: “The story of any place is also the story of its people, and equally, the story of a people is also in part the story of their place. From the ghillies and gamies and the fishermen, farmers and firefighters - some of whom are all three - to the singers, musicians and artists, they all have a story to tell.
“The Cateran Trail area has many historical and contemporary figures that have made it what it is today and the panel are expecting to be spoiled for choice in relation to people or objects relating to certain individuals that are proposed for inclusion.”
Organisers are keen to stress that they are as interested in everyday objects as they are in the more famous and wellknown objects such as the Silver Ball of Rattray, Cargill’s Leap or Diarmuid’s tomb.
Local artist Frances Law’s art and archaeology project on the Coupar Burn threw up many such examples, including Victorian spoons, knives and clay pipes, plastic toys, glass bottles, mobile phones, bolts and fixings from railway sleepers, tins and jewellery from a hundred years ago to the fairly recent past.
If you have an idea of something or somebody that should be included in the 100 objects that relate to any of the three themes of people, places and landscapes, go to the project website, www.cateranstory.org. uk and upload an image and some text about your proposal, why you or your family or friends value it and why you think it should be included in the final 100 objects chosen.
You can also find the project on Facebook and on Twitter by searching ‘@CateransCommon’