The Golden Mountain, Research, Alec Finlay

Hielan’ Way

Hielan’ way is our year long project Glenbuchat where Alexander that sees the artist Simone Kenyon, in Davidson, "Last of the Gentleman Spring 2014 collaboration with musician and Poachers" died. composer Paul Anderson, artist Gill Some personalities around the Hielan’ Russell, poet Alec Finlay and local Way include Macbeth's stepson, Lulach , printing historian Ron Brander responding to the the Fatuous, who was killed in the presses, fantasy food ancient drover’s roads commonly Rhynie Gap and Jane Mellis of photography, open skies, called the Hielan’ Way. who took a shortcut across the ice on Olympians, new books, In the past this route connected the River Deveron, near , when Huntly inhabitants with the communities she was reportedly almost dragged in survival kits & Marrakech of Glenlivet, Glenbuchat, Rhynie and by a water kelpie… then it changed the Cabrach. Step by step Simone is shape into a black horse! rediscovering the life and experiences An interesting way to get to church in of people around the area, simply by Avonside near Tomintoul, people used and speaking with local folks. to cross the river on stilts! Ron Brander has uncovered some The Healing Well on top of Ben Newe in interesting facts about the Hielan’ Way Glenbuchat is famous for Marvelous and its history: Cures for the Vulgar. Between Kirkmichael and Lettoch in Finally a historic fact that may Glenlivet the Timmer Road was also fascinate you: in September 1939, known as the Funeral Road. Rhynie and district had to find There is a burial cairn on a hillside in emergency accommodation, food Walking Institute andHielan’ clothing Way continued... The Great Outside (Super) Slow Marathon for 380 children and mothers who were Deveron Arts' Slow Marathon returns on wartime "evacuees" from Greater 10th May 2014. If you are unable to at- Glasgow. This is only the beginning, tend, find the actual marathon a bit more interesting facts to come! daunting or would like to train for the event we are bringing back our mile- Walking and listening... age counter which can be found on In February we were joined by our website at www.deveron-arts.com/ BBC Radio Out of Doors presenter Mark about/mileage-counter Stephen for a walk around Glenlivet. You can use the mileage counter to On the day we explored the route past log your walks and add up your miles Scallan seminary, reminding ourselves Outdoor adventure hobbies have their to complete a marathon in your own to listen to our surroundings. In March roots in a past way of life, when there time. In groups or individually, count composer Ross Whyte joined a group was a need to survive in remote the miles you walk everyday (walking of ten youngsters who worked on their wildernesses. Pursuers of leisure have the dog or going to the shops) and listening skills by simply walking about since adopted these traditional achieve a marathon simply by going town and recording it’s sounds. Our methods of food gathering and working about your daily business! To keep an usual community and sharing as a source of weekend entertainment. accurate measure of the distance experiences this season included the Our Cultural Health Visitor, Catrin has you’ve walked, submit the number of homage to Robert Burns and Nan worked with the Huntly Brownies to miles you have walked along with your Shepherd lunch, which featured identify the different outdoor hobbies name (or group name) into the online readings of their writing and musical practiced within the Hielan' Way mileage counter – this will keep your responses by Paul Anderson and Jake landscape. They started by discussing track record! Williams, during our haggis lunch what they liked to do outside and how If you want to clock up your miles together. Much more to come; watch in the past some of these hobbies were Deveron Arts are organising walks in this space! used as ways of living in the wilderness. and around Huntly. Please join us in the They then went on to undergo activities Square every Wednesday at 5:30pm for on animal tracking, map-making, a 30min to an hour walk at medium camouflaging, snowshoe making, level. fly-fishing and . The Brownies then created and tested a range of prototypes for a ‘recreationally surviving’ kit. These prototypes were used as part of an exhibition at the Collective Gallery in Edinburgh. In return for all their hard work the Brownies earned a new ‘Recreationally Surviving’ badge to add to their sash. www.collectivegallery.net The path travelled

Hop Luganda sermons and Sanaa’s MacKay of Uganda Ways unique paper bead fashion and In April, Ugandan artists Sanaa Gateja At the end of 2013 we travelled around jewellery making skills. The artists will and Xenson will arrive in Huntly for their Aberdeenshire with artists Jacques investigate the spiritual and communal project based on Rhynie missionary Coetzer and the Caravan Gallery condition of the area from which Alexander MacKay. Studying his (Jan Williams and Chris Teasdale), MacKay was sent; questioning why in father’s map in the Rhynie rectory, discovering local identity and the sense Uganda everybody knows MacKay, MacKay become enamoured with the of place of our shire. 18 towns were and nobody does here? And why their mysterious continent of Africa. He was visited and 1200 people were met churches are full while ours not? sent as a missionary to Uganda, taking along the way. Jacques was cycling two years to travel to the kingdom of and meeting people while Jan and Buganda, where he stayed till his Chris stopped in the towns, opening the death. On his journey he carried a doors of their yellow caravan to gather boat, a printing press on which he was information, photos, comments and to produce the first Lugandan bible, stories from local folks. Outcomes were and cloths to barter with. The artists a map, a collection and a concept propose to re-enact, re-discover and that reflects the exploration of re-trace the Mackay journey. A Aberdeenshire’s identity through the ‘service’ of sorts will be held, voice of the people. The map has been incorporating Xenson’s unique Afro Hip the place and space for people to leave their comments, transforming Marrakech Biennial them into a running commentary that In February Claudia and Kate joined engaged people from all walks of life. the Marrakech Biennale to seek out Aberdeenshire, it was felt, is a good artists for our future programming from place to live; it has great outdoors, across the African continent. astonishing landscapes and great Interested in more details? walking routes as well as good employment prospects. It is a place Their report can be found at where children can be raised in a safe deveronarts.wordpress.com or read and healthy environment, with good MBEREKO more about the biennale here schools and facilities which offer a high www.marrakechbiennale.org standard of education. By travelling at National Gallery of Zimbabwe through Aberdeenshire we also 2013 artist in residence Nancy Mteki understood the true meaning of exhibited her photos, taken in Huntly, community. People’s ability to organise at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe in themselves in local and social groups is January/February. The show was one of the great aspects of the region. complimented by a mother and Through them the heritage and toddler group which took place inside traditions of these small towns are kept the museum walls; recreating Nancy’s alive with new ideas and enthusiasm. experiences with her daughter Kayla in Even the ecological and environmental . A great example of how issues are a community concern and socially engaged art can create a the discussion about how to preserve network with people and places. natural resources is always an important matter. A shared experience is also the tradition of the coffee mornings a ritual Cultural Fund Winners Update Huntly at the Winter Olympics which gathers people around a cup of The Huntly Cultural Fund was set up Congratulations to the Huntly Cross coffee or tea and simply chat together. from Huntly’s 2013 Creative Place Country Skiing Olympians Andrew These features are not things that are award. 40 local artists and cultural Musgrave, Posy Musgrave, Calum only local, as through the physical groups were awarded money for Smith and Andrew Young who all position, the economic activities of the projects ranging from a tweed design trained at the Huntly Nordic Ski Centre, region and the open minded approach to the creation of an events website; and skiied in Sochi this year. They of it’s people, Aberdeenshire looks from a local pedicab to a new sound showed, once again, that our small always to the international context. system for the Stewarts Hall. The town can compete with the rest of the Cultural Fund Winners are in full flow world. The crowds gathered back with preparing and delivering their home to watch and wish them support projects; expect festivals, brochure at the Deveron Arts office, where launches, plays performances in the public Sochi screenings were set up. coming months! To assist the Cultural The Huntly Skiers received many men- Fund Winners with their projects, tions on the BBC coverage, which were Deveron Arts and Huntly Development welcomed with loud cheers from the Trust are running a series of workshops home support. A great effort to make on basic design, fundraising and event this wee town proud. A big applaud planning. Visit www.visithuntly.net for also to coach Roy Young for many upcoming events! years of dedication. Be Aberdeenshire... The Path Ahead

Jules Verne + connection with myth and historical Oaks and Amity the Scottish Archetypes context, like the Grand Tour or the Deveron Arts will commemorate the Eden Garden. Gayle not only explores 100 year anniversary of the start of the There it is! the medium of photography, but also Eh, my good friend? First World War with a project that performance and installation considers the legacy of one of the My very first mountain. combined with socially engaged Indeed! deadliest conflicts in history and what collaborations in her practice. ‘The it means for people in Scotland and May I borrow it? I promise to give it myth’ plays an important role in her back! elsewhere today. Throughout Europe work and here it will be represented by the oak tree has been held in high Jules Verne, Backward to Britain French adventure writer Jules Verne esteem. Greeks, Romans, Celts and On and off till the summer Deveron and his Scottish archetypes. Teutonic tribes worshiped the oak and Arts will host London based Jules Verne, fell in love with Scotland its long lived potential. This project is photographer Gayle Chong Kwan. during his first visit in 1859, he mostly inspired by war victim, pacifist Gayle was awarded with a scholarship travelled around Edinburgh, Glasgow environmentalist and artist Joseph from the RSA to develop a residency and the Highlands. From that point Beuys whose vision for ‘City forestation here, in partnership with the Stills onwards Scotland started to populate rather than city administration’ during Gallery in Edinburgh. Gayle gained her his stories and many characters his ‘7000 Oaks’ planting, was recognition creating fantasy and recalled what he experienced in this undertaken in the devastated post visionary landscapes and country. Working with local food WW2 city of Kassel in 1982. The project environments with waste food. Gayle producers, Gayle will analyse what invited citizens of the city to collect has a particular ability to Verne defined as the Scottish and plant a tree next to a celtic decontextualise objects and transform Archetype and will connect them to basalt block around the city. them into fascinating landscapes, hills her food waste concept. Last year Deveron Arts collected 70 and trees. What is distinct is a constant acorns from Beuys’ oaks in Kassel and fostered a collection of One is never too young! Rhynie Woman oaklings in a communal Huntly garden that are ready to plant in Over the 18 months of her Cultural Deborah Beeson and Daisy Williamson November 2014. We are inviting Health Visitor role Catrin is adopting – aka Rhynie Woman - are a group of French artist Caroline Wendling to various health practitioners’ artists from Rhynie, a village just south respond to this project. She is coming approaches. One of which is Early of Huntly. In keeping with Deveron Arts’ for a research visit this month, which Interventions: engaging mums-to-be, notion of hospitality, they explore the will coincide with new babies and families in activities social history of the area taking into marking their 175th anniversary by and new experiences so that children account locally sourced food, holding a town parade. The parade are exposed to culture and art at an traditional recipes and local events. remembers all the wars that have early stage of their lives. Over the Hospitality is a notion of great taken place over the lifetime of the coming months Catrin will run a series of importance to Deveron Arts, and this school and the pupils who lost their events including hosting evening often includes food and eating. lives fighting in them. sessions for expectant mums as a Deborah and Daisy will be looking at chance for them to get together and On the day, oak wreathes made in the heritage of food in the Huntly area share their experiences, and a collaboration with Huntly Cubs and and other common denominators ‘bring-your-own-baby club’, which will residents from the James Presley between local projects and journeys. include film afternoons, outings and DIY Sheltered Housing court were laid Rhynie Woman will look into aspects of sensory play! down at our war memorial. Rhynie food source, longevity and Woman handed out ration food preservation as well as portable This will all connect to London-based boxes. We also started our methods of food preparation and walking artist Clare Qualmann’s project recruitment drive for people to help delivery that need to be considered Perambulator who we will welcome in plant the Beuys oaklings, in autumn when on a journey. May with her new baby, Ruby and when Caroline returns to complete toddler Ernest. Clare is going to hold Food and "pop-up" hubs in Huntly, her residency. We are seeking 148 organised pram walks, where mums Rhynie and elsewhere will be crafted people to represent the number of (and dads are invited to take to the alongside Deveron Arts’ curated men who did not return in 1918. To streets and walk together with their projects through intuitive reaction, join in call Catrin: 01466 794494. babies. collaboration and partnership.

Noticeboard

Ask our Cultural Health Visitor Our Guests Events In this spring’s newsletter Catrin Jeans Wednesday 16 April, 7pm recommends creative ways of dealing Gray’s School of Art 3-day visit Fundraising Workshop with a nasty wee problem common to Artist Tim Knowles with Claudia Zeiske and Donald Boyd the idyllic Huntly streets. Claire Cochrane from STILLS at the Brander Library Visit Scotland Delegation The dilemma: Huntly is a beautiful place Rogaland County Council, Norway Wednesday 23 April to live in with its picturesque square, leafy Huntly’s 1913 cookbook reviver Janet Archer CEO of Creative avenues, historic castle and easy access Janet Starkey Scotland will join us for a walk along to the surrounding countryside. The one SSW’s emerging artists in residence the Deveron and a lunch talk. At and only thing to spoil it is the constant Haste ye back soon to Huntly toon HNOC. Booking essential. defacing of our public pavements! Many dog owners let their dogs do their Saturday 3 May, 1pm business and neglect to clean it up. I’m Hello & Welcome Slow Marathon Training at my wits end, what am I to do? Walk up the Clashmach, leaving from Project Intern the Square Catrin answers: Ah yes, this is a Amy Cowie concern of many. When the Caravan Saturday 10 May Gallery conducted their survey about Goodbye & Thank you Slow Marathon 2014 from Glenkindie Huntly last summer, dog fouling was to Huntly found to be one of the most common Walking Project Intern Sunday 11 May perceived weaknesses of the town. The Alexander Twig Champion Slow Day, featuring on site screening Council advise you to report problems of Two Years at Sea at Bogenclough, with dog fouling in your neighbourhood with film producer Ben Rivers to the Environmental Health Department. Digital Detox Otherwise you could take inspiration from 24 and 25 May This lent the Deveron Arts team are fouling vigilantes and creatively shame Coast Festival, Banff people for their (lack-of) actions over resisting the digital temptation! We are trying out internet-free Fridays until their pet’s excrements. In the UK shaming Saturday 31 May Easter Sunday. Fancy testing this too? techniques have included covering the Clare Qualmann's left mess with flour or by fluorescent See how much else you get done during your detox. Perambulator Parade paint-bombing, surrounding ‘the scene of the crime’ with warning tape or crowning Saturday 14 June ‘the incident’ with flags displaying MacKay of Uganda Weekend accusing messages. The idea is to guilt Shop Wednesday 18 June, 12.15pm the owners into cleaning up after their MBEREKO Lunchtime Lecture on Pilgrimage dogs! If you decide to adopt a creative Christ Church approach please send in a picture of Pack of 4 cards for Baby’s arrival: £5 Texts by Jay Griffiths how you dealt with it for the next Thursday 19 June & Christine Eyene: newsletter. Jake Williams and Paul Anderson Walk Catrin solves problems sent in by you. If Singing the Deveron to Source of Deveron and Music you have a cultural dilemma send an Songbook by Jake Williams: £7 Session. Grouse Inn, Cabrach email [email protected] With and Against the Flow Friday 27 June Map by Anne Murray with Deveron North East Touring present Walking on Song book: £10 the Edge of the World in Huntly

FACELOOP More details: By Celia-Yunior: £10 www.deveron-arts.com HAPPY Available from www.deveron-arts.com Contact Us: EASTER Deveron Arts Follow us: The Studio, Brander Building twitter.com/DeveronArts The Square, Huntly facebook.com/thetownisthevenue AB54 8BR, Scotland facebook.com/WalkingInstitute T: 01466 794494

Deveron Arts works with the context and identity of the town of Huntly in Aberdeenshire. Here, the town is the venue, research base, studio, gallery and stage for artists of all fields and from all over the world. Engaging local people and community in topics of both local + global concern, Deveron Arts works through a 50/50 motto, bringing together artistic and social relationships in a world wide network that extends throughout and beyond the geo-boundaries of Huntly.