Community Exhibitions

The community exhibition is an important part of Timespan’s visitor attractions and has been for many years. This is where community groups can present their own stories, show their old photographs and the results of local history research – there is something to interest all. There is a wealth of information in community exhibitions and a real sense of place – you feel linked to the past in a special local way.

People can identify with many of the community themes, i.e. schooldays, bygone shops and trades, village life, the Forces etc. Many of us can relate to the recent past when milk was sold in glass bottles and children used slates to write on in school – all these memories and more are explored in our community exhibitions.

There are currently two community exhibitions running in Timespan.

The Streets Where We Live: A Family History Perspective

The Streets Where We Live project involved six months of research into the history of the houses and past occupants of the following areas, i.e. East Helmsdale, Helmsdale, West Helmsdale, Portgower, Navidale and Gartymore. The research was undertaken by local people with an interest in where they live and wanted to know more! The investigations included a trip to the archive in Inverness to explore their records, as well as chatting with local inhabitants and walks along the streets looking at the different houses.

All this information has been painstakingly collated into albums along with a wonderful selection of old and new photos.  The local school children have put together a display of house drawings under the expert guidance of artist, Joan Baxter. The display will run throughout June and afterwards the albums can be viewed at any time in the public archive.

For more information please visit  http://timespanthestreets.blogspot.com/

Our Past Our Future

An intergenerational community heritage project that shared knowledge and skills across communities in Sutherland, Scotland and beyond.

• Bygone shops & trades
• Parish schooldays
• What happened to the Sutherland emigrants?
• Field walking to find objects from the past
• Place name survey of Kildonan and Loth
• Wartime memories
• Heritage publications for sale

Bound for Manitoba (A’ Traill gu Manitoba)
(An animated film currently showing in the exhibition)

The animation is told using the children’s own words narrated by storyteller, Lorna Jappy. It is an explosion of colour and you can feel the drama as it is played out on the screen!