Mackay Country Community Trust Ltd.

Working to shape the future by exploring the past through history, research, active learning and education for young and old. Active across over 2,000 square kilometres of the Highlands. Dedicated to the sustainable development of these communities

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Winter is the time for cutting hazel boughs. Tonight the first proper winter gale is battering the north and west. It is time to set about cutting and setting new boughs while the sap isn't running. These boughs will be used to maintain our bough tent and for making gellies - wee small extra tents for events and activities. In the next four months we shall have events in six wooded corners of the northern Highlands. We shall post details of those events for you in due course. We will help people learn how to cut and set boughs so they take the right shape. We will also be exploring tinsmithing, copper punch work and travellers' tales with traveller Essie Stewart and tinsmith Arthur Dutch. Recycling has always been part of the traveller and tinsmithing life - using metals old and new to make things; using renewable resources like hazel to supply the basics of life. In several languages - Gaelic, English and Beurla Reagaird. We shall be learning how to create the elements needed and how to build a bough tent too. We are delighted to be able to undertake this new set of activities - funded by Voluntary Arts Scotland's Make a Splash grant scheme - part of Making Waves, co-ordinated by Volunteer Development Scotland. People Making Waves is part of The Scottish Project, which will create a cultural legacy from the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Scotland. It is supported by Legacy Trust UK and by the National Lottery through Creative Scotland.

25 November 2011 at 00:14

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