Cluaran Heritage Project
The third Thursday in February is the 15th.
We will be starting a bit later from now on, moving the gathering time to 7pm
Last month there were some hilarious moments when we played an improvised storytelling game.
This month features a mix of music and story led by Simon and Kate. What would you like to hear?
Here are some of the stories we collected at this years Nithraid as people responded to the online form and our time travelling crew.
We asked the questions:
Oswy Shinnelson is from Tynron Doon, British Hill Fort. The river links me to the wider world. The Shinnel is a tributary of the River Nith which connects as a sea road to the Solway and the Irish Sea. He Navigates the River Nith to the sea and beyond Teh connection he feels to Caerlaverock is that the Wardlaw is a British Hill Fort allied to Tynron Doon in the Rheged Celtic Kingdom. The River is one of the roads to the world and beyond to God.
Otter came from Mull and lives near the river. Clean water is important and they love the Caeverlock Castle Magic.
Alexander Alison is a Renaissance man who lives in Carsethorne. He loves the way the Nith links him to the wider world, A gateway to the new world and the republic.
It represents Freedom from tyranny and The men they couldn’t hang. He believes we need to be free from the past and that the river could do with dredging as it is a mediocre port.
Davey is from Dumfries. He lives near the river. It is important to him as it reminds him, daily, of the insignificance of our time amidst the natural world around us. He enourages you to take a walk up and down the rivers course, and reflect on how Caerlaverock Castle and Wardlaw allowed powerful people to monitor and control movement in and out of the river. It is an important and overlooked natural resource that requires our attention and imaginations.
Trulnanvar is part of all that is beyond and before, the great nothingness. I use it, it flows in me, around me, through me … it is sound, unending force, reflected light, still darkness … dip a toe in the river, they have been and shall be again
River drip, River ice, River stream, vast expanse, trickle damp mist …
As well as telling stories in the pub, floating a boat on the time-streams and making things with wind, fire, water and earth Cluaran also is the vessel we use to give school pupils hands on experiences of history.
This Thursday (the 16th of November) we will load up the boat to head to “Tales from the Tap” – hopefully avoiding any flooding. Once the tales are told Cathbad and Toma the Vikings will be driving north and east to Dunedin. Friday will be spent in the 10th century with Cargilfield School in Edinburgh.
All these activities mesh together and with Quartz. Making heritage accessible hands on – even the aspects of heritage you need to practice #SensingSpirituality to become aware of.
If you are interested in working in schools bringing history to life please get in touch. Sometimes we use costumes and characters, sometimes science and crafts. There is training, formal volunteering opportunities, and even the chance to develop it into a paying job.
Autumn is here and plans are germinating. Here is a selection of current activities planned.
The 19th of October will see the return of Simon and Kate to the Riverside Tap. Turn up from 6pm for a blether, and stories with music will start at 6.30.
The Tap doesn’t serve food, but doesn’t object if you bring a pizza in either. They are also experimenting with stocking some mead.
How often do you get the opportunty to listen to Sami stories and music? instead of craft club, and as it’s the school holidays, we are going to “Northern Tales” at the Stove instead.
Northern Tales & Tunes
Date: Thu, Oct 26 • 19:30 BST
Location: 100 High Street, Dumfries, DG1 2BJ
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/northern-tales-tunes-tickets-679979917237?aff=ebdsshother
Craft Club will be back on Thursday the 2nd of November. Finish your S-Hook or start another project.
And if you are interested in mead, this is Simons favourite supplier at the moment.
At Nithraid in 2023 Cluaran had a crew gathered from a variety of times and places. They are all connected by the river Nith, but may have very different opinions about it. Over the coming months we will introduce you to them.
First up from the future we have Ola…
Meet Ola
She is from 3033 and time travels back in time when the tide comes in up the river Nith.
In her future there is no land, and everyone lives under water. Due to micro plastics in our current timeline Ola’s people have developed scales on their legs (which are multi coloured) and a neoprene type skin that covers their feet. This helps them swim in their underwater world.
A chemical created (in her timeline) to dissolve micro plastics in the sea mutated and humans started to develop ability to breath underwater. This is how their skin and scales developed.
In Ola’s world the currency they use are pelican foot shells. These shells are prised highly with her people and can only be collected from some beaches along the coast of Dumfries and Galloway up to the end of the 21st century. None exist in her time, and this is usually why she comes back to our time. There she can collect them and walk along beaches that no longer exist in 3033.
Her cloak has a bright purple lining and gold and blue panels with floral designs. These have been inspired by the banks of the river Nith.
Ola has not yet spoken about how her world came to be under the sea, but she likes to talk to people about looking after our world in 2023.
— Ola, time traveller
More stories to follow! After craft club though. We will probably be casting playing pieces for early medieval games this evening.
What stories would you like to hear?
Thursday the 28th of October, 7pm
This will be a general craft club, try something new or get round to finishing a project with friends!
Back by popular demand we will be telling some tales at the tap this Thursday evening. There are fine ales from around the world, and other drinks to try including those that are non alcoholic. The Riverside tap doesn’t serve food, but they are OK with you bringing some in with you.
So gather round, find a slice of pizza and 2/3rd of something dark, and listen to stories of Cú Chulainn, Jötunn who fling huge rocks like they are pebbles, or perhaps Assispattle facing the Giant Stoorworm.
Live music from Kate accompanies the stories, and if we are really fortunate she will sing too.
Can’t wait? Here are some stories from “The Floating Monastery”
Anyone want to try and had craft while they listen? Leave a comment.
Kate and Simon are back with some more music and stories this Thursday evening.
There are excellent ales on offer so you can sit back and enjoy.
The evening starts at 6pm when you can gather for a blether about tales and their telling. The first story will start at about 18.30.
This evening is free thanks to our hosts – The riverside tap – and performers from Wordsmith Crafts CIC (the Cluaran project).
Turn up at 6 for some chat and we get going by 6.30.
You will be able to sit back in the comfy sofa and simply listen, or get involved in some chat about the tales.
Thanks to Kate we have music at the evening.
There are excellent ales from around the world on tap too.
The Stories we use are the ancient legends and myths that share names with hills and geography of the landscape we live in. Some of the stories are local, and some have travelled from the other side of the globe.
Do you have a favourite story? Get in touch.
(… and if you want to eat a wee snack you can bring it in. You can also enjoy a wide variety of alcohol free drinks that are available as well as beer)
