Our Culturality project team has just returned from hosting the very first of nine European rural events on the Isle of Lewis. Applied Arts Scotland’s (AAS) board advisor Carol Sinclair, along with board members Netty Sopata and Clare Waddle, hosted this ambitious international initiative.

What is Culturality?

Culturality (Cultural Heritage in Rural Remote Areas for Creative Tourism and Sustainability) is an innovative research project bringing together 12 EU partners. AAS stands as one of two Scottish partners, alongside the University of St Andrews (USTAN). This 48-month project aims to contribute to the research and promotion of non-seasonal cultural creative tourism as a sustainable development form, supporting our creative sector and encouraging industry-related job creation and population settlement.

What makes our approach unique is its multi-faceted nature. We’re exploring both tangible and intangible cultural heritage – from material culture, techniques, and decorative elements to music, oral knowledge, and culinary traditions. This in-depth exchange of knowledge, advice, traditions, and hands-on experiences will help enrich our collective understanding.

Our Week on Lewis

Our intensive week began at the wonderful Grinneabhat in North Bragar – a friendly, community-owned and run meeting place where Gaelic is the living language of the community. Here, nature and the elements are ever-present, and the indigenous population is deeply rooted in place. The center boasts a fantastic exhibition space that welcomes both open call and invited artists.

The journey included a visit to the iconic Callanish Stones before heading to our basecamp in Stornoway. At An Lanntair, USTAN presented their developing Virtual craft museum platform Open Virtual Worlds – an exciting digital initiative for the project.

The Main Event

The heart of our visit took place at the Clan MacQuarrie Community Centre, where we brought together stakeholders, local makers, and community members to join our consortium team. This rural event serves as vital research and a springboard for future activities. All attendees are now part of an international network of individuals, organisations, and academic institutions, with access to a database of international contacts.

We were fortunate to hear from several distinguished speakers:

• Lorna Macaulay, chief executive of the Harris Tweed Authority, who spoke about authenticity, storytelling, place, and branding
• Mark Davis and Marianne Campbell from the Calanais stones development project
• Sarah Maclean from Outer Hebrides tourism, who shared invaluable insights

Special thanks go to established Hebridean creative practitioners Calum Angus Mackay, Jon Macloud, and Paul Moray for their invaluable input. We were also privileged to have Sue Blair from Borgh Pottery and Mark Stockl present their work, representing two of our four research disciplines: wood and ceramics.

Looking Forward

For AAS members, exciting opportunities are on the horizon in textiles, wood, ceramics, and metal. If you’re a rural or remote-based member interested in getting involved, please email us at aasculturality@gmail.com.

Our event concluded at the Ness social club with their infamous Hebridean bingo, locally produced fare from the Hebridean catering company, and a traditional Ceilidh led by Lewis-based Jane Hepburn Macmillan – a fitting end to a week that highlighted the value of in-person learning both locally and nationally.

The Culturality project is funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme (with Scottish funding from UKRI).

Next stop Slovenia in May 2025! Stay tuned for more updates as this exciting project develops. Read the CULTURALITY blog series.

Want to exhibit at Grinneabhat? Send your CV/biography, experience summary, and exhibition proposal to info@bragararnol.org