Awards to help keep Scotland’s diverse Intangible Cultural Heritage alive announced

Protection Through Connection has been developed by the Intangible Cultural Heritage Partnership in Scotland, which includes Museums Galleries Scotland (MGS), TRACS (Traditional Arts & Culture Scotland), Historic Environment Scotland (HES) and Creative Scotland. The project is funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, thanks to National Lottery players. The aim of the project is to create long-lasting, collaborative connections between communities that practice Intangible Cultural Heritage and culture and heritage organisations. Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) is a tradition, practice, or living expression of a group or community. This can include oral traditions, performing arts, social practices, rituals, festive events, and traditional crafts. ICH is a very important part of our cultural heritage, a living form of heritage which continues to evolve as communities adapt their practices and traditions in response to their environment.

The partnerships that have been awarded funding consist of an ‘ICH Community’, a group or individual who is the tradition bearer of a cultural practice, and a culture/heritage organisation. Together, they will develop a project that benefits them both. The project must raise the visibility and help safeguard the ICH Community’s culture.

The awarded partnerships show the diversity of ICH in Scotland. They range from the Hindu festival of Makar Sankranti, which will be recorded by the Aberdeen Hindu Temple Trust, to ANGUSalive helping to preserve the culinary tradition of Arbroath Smokies through demonstrations and traditional songs, and stories.

A number of the awarded projects reflect on the relationship between place and ICH practices in Scotland, whilst others will record traditional skills, or create welcoming spaces for communities and their tradition bearers.

Peter Hewitt, ICH Project Co-ordinator said:

“We were impressed by the breadth and quality of applications to this opportunity. The seven funded projects represent a significant cross-section of living heritage traditions and communities across Scotland, demonstrating the vibrancy of ICH in Scotland and the demand for safeguarding relationships between cultural organisations and tradition bearers.”

Fiona Mackenzie, Strathnaver Museum Manager said:

“Within our communities there exists a wealth of knowledge and skills that are at risk of being lost in our fast-changing world. Our pilot project At home in Mackay Country 20 years on: the carrying stream flows on will see our Tradition Bearer in Residence, Ronnie Lansley, work with apprentice Tradition Bearer, Sophie Clark, to explore, record, share and importantly safeguard this valuable body of knowledge and skills.  Collaborating with Northwest2045 and the many tradition bearers within our communities we will specifically explore how our intangible cultural heritage contributes to placemaking and what we can learn from our heritage to create a more sustainable future for all of us.”

Colin McPherson, professional documentary photographer and member of the Document Scotland photography collective said:

“I am absolutely delighted that Catching the Tide has been awarded Protection Through Connection funding. I have spent the last 30 years documenting net fishing for Atlantic salmon and sea trout around Scotland’s coast using photography and film, which has allowed me to develop a deep understanding of the way the practice works. This award is a wonderful opportunity to collaborate with practitioners and their local communities to safeguard many of the best aspects of this once thriving industry and create a legacy for current and future generations to better understand the importance of net fishing in the context of our heritage environment.”