Woodland Arts Project Reaches Out to Special People

ROSIE SOMERVILLE reports on the Kinloch Hills oakwoods project, part of the Aig An Oir (At The Edge) initiative to bring together art and Scotland’s woodlands.

AN INNOVATIVE European-funded art project focusing on the Atlantic oakwoods of the Kinloch Hills of Skye gave a unique experience to people with special needs this week. (w/b 11 November 04)

Aig An Oir (At The Edge) was launched early this year to bring renowned wildlife artists from throughout Britain together with local artists and community groups to use art to promote understanding and respect for the Atlantic oakwoods – Scotland’s own rainforests – of Scotland’s western seaboard. The Kinloch Hills are one of three focal areas for the project [the others are in West Argyll (Taynish and Knapdale Woods) and Ardnamurchan (Loch Sunart and Morvern oakwoods) – Ed.]

On Monday and Tuesday there were woodland art workshops for various special needs and disability groups in Skye & Lochalsh, who went into the woods with top wildlife artist Brin Edwards, from Sudbury in England, who worked with them to produce images and designs.

Among those taking part were an already accomplished mouth artist from North Skye, while several others came from Lochalsh and as far afield as Glenelg.

Aig An Oir Kinloch Hills project officer Rosie Somerville explained,

“We were trying to give folk who would not normally get an opportunity to visit the woods a chance to get in there and enjoy the habitat and work with a wildlife artist who could help them to produce some quality images and designs.

“Some of the people who took part are already involved in art and craft, and I’m sure this event was inspirational as well as raising their awareness of this unique area. For some of the group it was a chance to rediscover old skills and a reminder of the pleasure that can be gained from spending time in these special places.”

The group and their helpers set up a camp shelter as a base for the day. They began by listening to a short talk on the woodland habitat from Forestry Commission Scotland forester Chris Marsh, who is the project officer for the Kinloch Hills native woodland restoration project being carried out through the BP-supported Scottish Forest Alliance.

The first day was spent in the woods at Sleat, where Brin Edwards, a member of the Society of Wildlife Artists, worked with them on ideas and sketches. The second day was spent in the Kyleakin village hall, developing the previous day’s ideas and sketches into works of art, designs and patterns.

“Like the Gaelic culture and language, the oakwoods have suffered erosion over the centuries, and the restoration of the oakwoods is happening alongside the restoration of the Gaelic language and culture.”

Other local events planned as part of Aig An Oir include a number of alternative workshops and a formal exhibition at the An Tuireann arts centre in Portree next spring.

Aig an Oir is a partnership of Forestry Commission Scotland, the Society of Wildlife Artists, and HI-Arts. The project will also include master classes, ‘walk and wildlife’ sketching days, and schools competitions. It is being funded and supported by the European Community WHELK and North Highland LEADER+ 2000-2006 programmes, Lochaber Enterprise, Highlands & Islands Enterprise and Scottish Natural Heritage.

Aig An Oir (At the Edge) takes its title from the situation of Scotland’s western seaboard at the edge of Europe. It is an area where the people, the Gaelic language, art, the land and nature have been intertwined, and where the land has shaped the people as much as the people have shaped the land.

Like the Gaelic culture and language, the oakwoods have suffered erosion over the centuries, and the restoration of the oakwoods is happening alongside the restoration of the Gaelic language and culture. The project seeks to reinforce the resonance of the Gaelic heritage, describing in art a sense of place that is embodied in the woodlands and the local community.

Aig an Oir also aims to increase public awareness of the range, history, nature and uses of the woods; attract greater numbers of visitors to the areas; encourage interest and involvement by local people in the conservation and management of the woods; demonstrate ways in which conservation management can bring economic benefits; promote wildlife art and artists, including promising young talent.

In addition, the projects seeks to boost community-based cultural activity in communities that do not often have access to such activity of this quality; provide an opportunity for local people to get involved in wildlife art; encourage the wider development of art and natural heritage projects; and develop an evolutionary approach to interpretation of the woodlands, bringing to life concepts such as biodiversity, sustainability and cultural landscapes.

Further information about Aig An Oir at Kinloch is available from Rosie Somerville, 01470 532436. The Project Officer for West Argyll  is Mags Russell, (07747 499260), and for Ardnamurchan, Jamie McIntyre (01967 402165).

© HI-Arts, 2004