Some snapshots from us using the Wordsmith Crafts CIC studio to develop skills.
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Research and development
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A Viking Holiday
Cluaran has argued that the sea is a means to travel rather than a boundary. So, when not visiting Scottish Schools to introduce Scots to the Norwegian heritage of Scotland, our members sometimes go to Norway.
This year was a special year, as the west coast of Norway was celebrating the “Rikssamlingen” or “Forging of the Nation” by Harald Fairhair.
It is said that some of those who were not over keen on this left in their longships to find new places to settle, like Scotland, Iceland and anywhere else the sea reaches.
You can read more here in an article we were kindly sent by a Norwegian friend:
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Whithorn !
As part of the year of Scotland’s stories celebrations, Kråkå and Cathbad ‘moved in’ to the roundhouse at Whithorn. During the day they worked at textile and metal working tasks, as well as the ongoing necessities of simply living
Then in the afternoon and evening they told stories…
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Welcome to the new site!
Welcome to our new WordPress site. Historical entries from the Skippers log will be uploaded here – as well as all the new things which are happening.
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Winter 2021
We have had a pretty good summer! It was great to get out and about, although our usual regular big shows did not return.
We worked in a new site at Crosmichael. This was an opportunity to interpret the Viking era hoard discovered just accross the river from where we were camping. We also were able to get two of our boats out onto the water – and sail. Both the Catkin curragh we built and the Cluaran yole rowed around the loch. We built a jetty and told stories to the crown from it.
We managed to visit two of our regular Edinburgh schools (George Watson Junior and Cargilfield) although with a reduced crew as the regulations and changes in peoples lives have made everything just that little bit more tricky.
In the Autimn we were funded by Galloway Glens to visit more primary schools. With new recruit Hrefna, we have brought history to life for hundreds of primary school pupills. We have turned their lunch halls into maps of the world, watched their villages develop from settlements into Jarls offs as they play story games.
Tales from the Longhouse are back! We started in November and have guests booked until March. We have also been booked for the “Big Burns Supper. This is an international event held in Dumfries. We are hoping to have an “In person” Tales from the Longhouse session – but lets see what omicron turns out like. At least the Floating Monastery exists both online and in the physical world! we are well placed to navigate whatever comes.
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Summer 2021
As Lockdown eases we adapt again. Some people are still restricted from travelling. We all need to continue to be cautious, as the plague needs people to travel. However, some events that were postponed last year are preparing to happen. This has meant a lot of things have come at a rush. Our equipment has been repurposed, networks scattered and some people are still isolating. It is good to be taking part in events though…
Tales from the Longhouse has been running throughout Lockdown. With a good solid attendance and two skilled resident storytellers this has been a highlight of the month for all involved. We have also enjoyed the company of guest storytellers with a wide range of stories – but all told in a way which woudldn’t be out of place in an actual longhouse on the shores fo Galloway. The summer of 2021 is going to be needed to recover from lockdown last year, and work out what we can do next year. It’s alsomes as if someone has shouted “Ready About!” and now we are trying to remember which sheets need to be held, and which let go. When we tack though, we look forward to an exciting new course!