History project connects past with the future

A FIVE-YEAR project exploring how heritage sites can foster deep connections with communities culminates next week.

The ‘Creative Caerlaverock’ project has been a joint effort between the Stove Network, the Imaginarium, and Historic Environment Scotland, focussing on understanding links to the past in order to understand and connect with the future.

A highlight of the project is ‘Our Land, Our Stories,’ created with long-standing farming families of the Caerlaverock Estate.

Led by DJ McDowall of The Imaginarium, alongside Dumfries and Galloway Heritage Services, this initiative used intergenerational story-gathering to trace tales of labour, loss, and love. These shared memories served as the foundation for four new songs, and accompanying 360 VR videos.

It will all culminate next Thursday with a finale event within the castle grounds bringing together partners, contributors who shaped the project, and featuring a live performance by The Bookshop Band. Attendees will also gain a preview of the ‘Our Future Histories Oracle Deck’—an in-development resource, designed to initiate new conversations between site staff and the communities they serve.

Craig Fletcher, head of learning and inclusion at Historic Environment Scotland, said: “Turning 750 years old next year, Caerlaverock Castle is an integral part of the heritage of Dumfries and Galloway. It’s wonderful to come together and celebrate the Creative Caerlaverock project and all that’s been achieved over the last five years.

“This innovative project has demonstrated how a heritage site be used creatively to support learning and inclusion in a community.”

n For more information visit https://thestove.org/creative-caerlaverock.