DIARY DATES
EVENTS AROUND THE COUNTRY, PLUS SELECTED ONLINE EVENTS TO ENJOY FROM ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD
Fair Game, ongoing ONLINE EVENTS
A major online exhibition from Shetland Museum and Archives, part of their Between Islands project. Each museum in the group has approached the project theme creatively and used it to produce their own online exhibition which is inspired by each other’s history and collections.
The Shetland exhibition examines three customs that are nowadays seen by some as ‘politically incorrect’: hunting seabirds and eggs, whaling, and harvesting peat. Museum nan Eilean in the Hebrides focuses on unexpected aspects of island culture highlighting some misconceptions about life on the island groups, looking at designers, living traditions and industry,whilst Orkney Museum’s Orkney: Between Islands explores the inspiration and legacy of the islands in arts, crafts and literature.
Visit https://shetland.betweenislands.com
‘By the Power of the Sword’: Orkney and the Carbisdale campaign 1649-50, 12 May
This online talk by Dr Andrew Lind, on the ill-fated Carbisdale campaign of James Graham, has been organised by the UHI Centre for History. Using previously underutilised local records, this paper re-examines the marquis’ failed venture with particular focus on the events which transpired in Orkney. It will comment upon the level of support which Montrose and his men were able to harness over the course of 1649-50, and consider the short- and long-term legacy which the campaign left behind in Orkney.
Starts 5.30pm. For details and how to join, visit https:// familytr.ee/uhi
The home of Miss Agnes Toward, exploring a tenement house, ongoing
As part of its collection of thousands of virtual exhibitions, Google Arts and Culture present The home of Miss Agnes Toward, exploring a middle class Glasgow tenement home built in 1892. Located at 145 Buccleuch Street, this was the home of shortand typist Agnes Toward from 1911 to 1965.
Tour the whole house virtually, seeing Agnes’s personal possessions, furniture and decorating style.
Visit https://familytr.ee/toward
Aberdeen’s Children: Stories of the 1950s birth cohort, until 13 May
An online exhibition about the early lives of children born in 1950s Aberdeen, and the research study that they were part of. A number of the cohort members have come together with researchers at the University of Aberdeen to create an online exhibition that explores the history of the research they’ve enabled, and also tells their own stories of life in 1950s Aberdeen, from childhood games to living conditions and growing up. Visit https://familytr.ee/cohort
Dealing with damp in traditional buildings, 27 May
Have you resigned yourself to living in a damp house? Issues of damp are by no means normal in older buildings, and there are many things you can do to help with this problem.
In this free livestream Inform Friday session, Historic Environment Scotland (HES) experts will talk about solutions to damp to help you understand more about your older building. Join the livestream at the HES YouTube channel: https:// familytr.ee/hesyoutube
Unforgettable, ongoing
This new exhibition celebrates stories of people from marginalised communities whose lives shaped or were shaped by Scotland and showcases their contribution to Scotland’s history.
Individuals featured in the exhibition include Walter Sholto, a trans writer who was the illegitimate child of George Douglas, 16th earl of Morton, and Agnes McDonald, who was executed in 1714 and was the last Scottish gypsy/traveller hanged under anti-gypsy legislation in Scotland.
Blackness Castle, Blackness, Linlithgow EH49 7NH; website: www. historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/blackness-castle
Audobon’s Birds of America, until 8 May
A new exhibition exploring the artistry and legacy of one of the world’s rarest, most coveted and biggest books. See page 46 for a curator preview.
National Museum of Scotland, Exhibition gallery 1, Level 3, Chambers Street, Edinburgh EH1 1JF; website: www.nms.ac.uk
Atholl Gathering and Highland Games, 28 May
The highland games season returns after Covid-19 cancellations, with a traditional games at Blair Castle in Perthshire. The event offers the chance to see a parade of Europe’s only private army – the Atholl Highlanders, personal bodyguard to the duke of Atholl. At the games, strongmen from around Scotland take centre stage to battle it out. Events include tossing the caber, putting the shot and throwing the hammer. For tickets and the full programme, visit https://scot.sh/ atholl Blair Castle, Blair Atholl, Pitlochry PH18 5TL; tel: 01796 481355
Archaeological Research in Progress Conference, 28 May
A one-day conference that looks at the newest findings and best practice in Scottish archaeology. Organised by Archaeology Scotland in partnership with Society of Antiquaries of Scotland. The programme had not been released at the time of going to press, but you can find out more and register at www.abdn. ac.uk/events/conferences/arp University of Aberdeen, Kings College, Aberdeen AB24 3FX
Seven portraits, Surviving the Holocaust, until 6 June
This special display pays tribute to the stories of seven Holocaust survivors, each of whom has in recent years been honoured for services to Holocaust awareness and education. The portraits, which were commissioned by the duke of Rothesay (HRH Prince Charles), will become part of the Royal Collection and stand as a testament to the resilience and courage of those who survived. Palace of Holyroodhouse, Canongate, Edinburgh EH8 8DX; tel: 0300 123 7306; website: www.rct.uk/collection/ themes/exhibitions
The Leviathan of Highland and Emigration History: A conference in honour of Eric Richards, 10 and 11 June
This two-day conference, in honour of the late Professor Eric Richards, begins with a keynote lecture by Professor John M. Mackenzie: ‘Eric Richards: migrant scholar, personal experience and profound histories’. This will be followed by sessions from scholars of the highlands and islands. Attendance is free, preregister at https://familytr.ee/richards Highland Archive Centre, Bught Road, Inverness IV3 5SS
Cult, church city: medieval St Andrews, until 3 July
This exhibition brings together unique artworks, artefacts, manuscripts and books in St Andrews for the first time in 500 years, telling the story of a time that can now only be glimpsed. Created by Professor Michael Brown and Dr Bess Rhodes, it is complemented by virtual reconstructions of the town. Wardlaw Museum, 7 The Scores, St Andrews KY16 9AR; tel: 01334 461660; website: https://medieval-standrews.wp.standrews.ac.uk
Please check with event organisers before travelling, as events may be changed at short notice.