Culture goes on show in Blairgowrie
‘Really Interesting Experience’ is a hit
Lachie Rattray (left) and Laurence Blair Oliphant Curious locals had the chance to cast and eye over some fascinating artefacts during a special cultural event in Blairgowrie.
Dubbed ‘The Really Interesting Experience’ by organisers, east Perthshire residents flocked to Blairgowrie Town Hall on November 5 for an inaugural event organised jointly by the committee behind the Brown Street venue and Perth Museum and Art Gallery.
Visitors enjoyed exhibits such as meteorite that crashed near Coupar Angus in 1917, the Rattray Silver Ball and Silver Arrow – thought to be the two oldest silver sporting trophies in the world and displayed together for the first time – the Provost of Blairgowrie’s robes, retro costumes, letters written by Bonnie Prince Charlie, sculptures, a stone Pictish quaich, swords, pistols and cannonballs from Culloden.
Images from the Laing photography collection were also enjoyed. In addition to the displays, those delving into the area’s past were also able to try on some of the clothes and armour, and hold the meteorite.
There were also a number of presentations on the meteorite, which is said to be four-and-a-half billion years old.
Local resident Ann Sim said the event lived up to its name.
She added: “The talk on the meteorite was fascinating, I learned a lot from it, and it was great to be able to hold the meteorite itself as well – it’s a piece of living history.”
Lachy Rattray was at the event with some of Clan Rattray’s artefacts, including the letters written by Bonnie Prince Charlie. Rattray Silver Ball and Arrow, thought to be on display together for the first time
He said: “How wonderful to have been loaned the Rattray Silver Ball and Silver Arrow, which are two of the world’s oldest silver sporting trophies.”
Well-known local landowner Laurence Blair Oliphant said: “I would hope that this might be the first stage in showing that there is an interest in the area for having some sort of permanent museum.
“The relatively small amount of objects gathered here for this afternoon is, I think, indicative of what could potentially be brought together for a more permanent local display.”
Stewart Coupar, senior library assistant for the local and family history department based at the Fair City’s AK Bell Library, said the event provided a good platform for discussion.
He continued: “This event has been very well-supported by the community.
“It is always beneficial for us to get
Mark Simmons (left) senior collection officer at Perth Museum and Gallery, with Graham Reid, holding the famous meteorite
out and visit people and let them know that just because we are based in Perth it is not all Perth artefacts we have.
“We have resources for the whole of the county and everyone is welcome to come along and visit the department, we are always happy to help.”
Graham Reid is convener of the Blairgowrie Town Hall Association, which organised the event in collaboration with museum staff.
He said: “I would like to say a big thank you to everyone who supported this event, members of the community who came along, exhibitors both from Perth and from the local area, and all the helpers who turned out and made sure that the event went well.
“It seems to have been quite successful and we would like to think that this will lead to something more permanent that could be located in the town.”
Rattray’s Innes Robb (12) tries on some armour