The project began with some Research & Development with local cultural heritage experts and enthusiasts, then some archival visits, to uncover lesser known histories associated with Kirkcudbright and MacLellan’s Castle. Bringing in 2 of our emerging young Heritage ReMixers, Morgan Love & Ruaridh ThinSmith as part of our youth engagement strand, who assisted with this part of the project development.

Then we commissioned a new piece of poetry from local Scots Poet & Storyteller Susi Briggs, reflecting these histories and herstories. Earth Tae Sky was born. We then produced this into a video, created by another emerging local creative, Ruari Barber-Fleming. This video was utilised to help engage, inspire, and exemplify what is possible when we creatively engage with local heritage, drawing attention to the community engagement exercise we were about to undertake, with the help of some time travelling Gallovidians.

Through online and physical consultations, in person engagement events using interactive Participatory Appraisal techniques in local community venues, the secondary school, local businesses, street work and community groups we gathered consensus around the type of creative engagement activity the good folk of Kirkcudbright would like Historic Environment Scotland to commission for the next Phase of the project.

See below for images from Phase 1 + Overview of Phase 2: Project Delivery . . .