Arts, culture and heritage

Iron Age Artisan Village: Celts, Crannogs & Crafts

This prehistoric extravaganza represents our Signature Event to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Scottish Crannog Centre with expert demonstrations of metalworking, prehistoric pot-making, textiles, basketry, cooking, beads, jewellery, adornment, dug-out canoes trips and much more. Our celebratory Artisan Village will also feature a Market Place where you can purchase many ‘one-of-a-kind’ hand-made craft items.

Iron Age Gourmet Day

Artefact of the month - Cooking Pot

The Iron Age Gourmet day is one of our most popular events of the year. Totally unique and inspired by discoveries at the 2,500 year old Oakbank Crannog, you won’t find a menu like this anywhere else. Come sample tasty, nutritious and healthy foods prepared and cooked as our ancient ancestors did.

No fast food here; we respect the ancients and enter into the spirit of slow cooking over campfires, in clay ovens and experimental turf-covered pits to produce tender meats, tasty fish and aromatic and herb-filled breads.

Midsummer Music (evening event)

Artefact of the month - Wooden Whistle

Celebrate Midsummer listening to traditional Scottish music while sitting around a log fire in the magical and evocative atmosphere of the Crannog Roundhouse.

Blend the most unique and intimate venue with the mystical Summer Solstice and you have an event not to be missed. Fill your senses with the music; the crackling fire; the gentle sound of the water and the atmosphere and ambience of the Crannog.

Iron Age Ingenuity

Ancient crafts and technologies are showcased at this extraordinary day featuring bronze-casting, wood-turning and all the amazing skills learned and implemented by our ancient ancestors. Hands-on, enlightening and exciting – let our experts guide you through the Iron Age and all that makes it so special.

Beltane Celebration

Artefact of the month – Wooden Tapers (Fir candles)

Beltane marks a time when livestock were put out to pasture. Rituals were performed to protect cattle, crops and people from harm and to encourage growth during the summer months. Bonfires were lit, feasts prepared and offerings made. Flowers were used to decorate homes, cattle and byres.

Easter Egg-Stravaganza

Artefacts of the month - Spelt wheat grains and a wooden colander with butter remains

Help us kick start our 20th anniversary year by joining us to celebrate Easter with pancakes cooked over an open fire; freshly baked bread and butter - kneaded and churned by you!

All day time events include museum exhibits, talks around a log-fire in the authentic Crannog roundhouse, demonstrations and hands-on experience of ancient crafts.

Skiffs, trails and augmented reality. You might ask what these three things have in common.  Well, they were among the many ideas discussed at the LEADER Cooperation Exchange event on 15 and 16 March in Ayrshire. 

DD8 Music
Name of organisation/business: 
DD8 Music
Funding: 
Rural Tayside LEADER 2007-13: £31,333

DG Unlimited, an organisation that promotes and supports the creative industries across Dumfries and Galloway has just launched it’s new ‘Get Involved, Get Inspired’ fund.

Aimed at supporting a wide range of cultural and creative events and activities in local communities, the £8,000 fund can make awards of up to £500 to support events and activities that offer greater opportunities for participation in high quality arts experiences for people who would not normally get involved.

David McDonald, Arts Development Director said:

The Agri-Environment and Climate Scheme (AECS) has opened for applications today (30 January 2017).

AECS is part of the Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP). The AECS scheme promotes land management practices which protect and enhance Scotland’s magnificent natural heritage, improve water quality, manage flood risk and mitigate and adapt to climate change. It will also help to improve public access and preserve historic sites.

Pages