Heritage project plugs into Oban power-house

A man who started his own museum of Mayan music 5,000 miles away in Guatamala is coming to Oban to inspire others, writes Kathie Griffiths.

Samuel Franco will be at the Rockfield Centre on Saturday, September 15, to talk about his work and join in a discussion about different ways communities can celebrate and manage their own heritage.

Organisers are hoping the event, which is free, will attract craftspeople as well as groups, clubs and volunteers from the area and islands, who will bring along examples of their work as well as their voices, views and ideas on what could be achieved.

National project Community Heritage Scotland is co-hosting the day with CHArts which is delivering a major networking initiative to link up all aspects of culture in Argyll.

Catherine Gillies of Community Heritage Scotland, also a former director of Dunollie museum and castle, said: ‘A huge percentage of Scottish heritage is managed by volunteers and small independent organisations – in Argyll and Bute it’s most of it. They are doing an incredible job of feeding into the tourism package of Argyll but it’s not appreciated enough just what a gift the contribution of volunteers’ time is to the economic well-being of Argyll and we need to start measuring just what that in-put is.

‘What we know is that there is huge energy and huge enthusaism in communities but it is hard work for them looking after local heritage and people are concerned about sustaining it.

‘By organising these discussion days we are collecting ideas on how we can collectively help and move forward. Community heritage is multi-faceted.’

‘We are all in it for the love of it,’ she added. ‘The fact our second day is coming to Oban is very much a reflection on what we have here on the west coast. It’s a power-house of community heritage and, including its islands, is at the forefront of social enterprise. I think we are going to have a great day, capturing ideas.’

A team from the University of St Andrews looking at international community heritage, particularly in Latin America, will also be at the Rockfield event, along with Mr Franco who is a member of the International Council of Museums Latin American and Caribbean Regional Alliance.

The day is free and runs from 10am to 4pm, with workshops and presentations.

Interested? Email Catherine Gillies at catherine@ergadiaheritage.com or call 07833 133928.