Scotland is a land that has a rich, colorful, diverse and long history. Each year, Scotland’s national tourism organization, Visit Scotland, and the Scottish Government put forth a promotional theme, aimed at driving tourism to and throughout Scotland while featuring specific sectors of Scottish industry, culture, history, etc. Recent previous themes have included “The Year of Homecoming," The “Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design," and “The Year of Food and Drink.” 2018 has already been designated "The Year of Young People" but for now 2017 is "The Year of History, Heritage, and Archaeology."
As Visit Scotland puts it, “In Scotland the past seems so close you can almost feel it swirling around you. Epic landscapes were carved out by icy glaciers millennia ago, towering castles have stood for centuries and mesmerizing stories, traditions and legends have been passed down for generations.”
Observation of this special theme will involve more than 100 events, nine major festivals and will include significant dates such as World Heritage Day on 18 April and the entire month of September to be saluted as Archaeology in Scotland month. To paint a tourism picture this sweeping, a broad brush must be used, thus there are many partner organizations taking part in what is most easily referred to as #HHA2017!
One such organization is TRACS - Traditional Arts and Culture Scotland. Based in the Scottish Storytelling Center located on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh, the Center includes the John Knox house. John Knox House dates back to 1470, which makes it and Moubray House which is attached, the only original medieval building surviving on the Royal Mile.
The John Knox House comprises part of the Scottish Storytelling Center on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh. TRACS, Traditional Arts and Culture Scotland is based here. Image credit: Visit Scotland
TRACS hosts two major festivals each year that for 2017 will be wrapped in #HHA2017. The first is Tradfest, a multi-arts program featuring traditional music, dance and storytelling from 26 April to 7 May. The second is the Scottish International Storytelling Festival from 20 to 31 October. Appearing on this episode is Dr. Mairi McFadyen, Storytelling Network Coordinator for TRACS.
Also appearing on this episode is Jeff Sanders, Project Manager for "DigIt2017" which is in itself a year long salute to archaeology in Scotland organized by Archaeology Scotland and the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland.
Together we try to address first just what is history vs heritage and the role that archaeology plays in both, the role of their respective organizations in #HHA2017, special events planned around World Heritage Day and a lot more!
The Forth Rail Bridge is one of six UNESCO World Heritage sites in Scotland to be celebrated on World Heritage Day, 18 April. #ScotlandinSix
The Tradfest will celebrate traditional music, dance, and storytelling.
DigIt2017 will offer opportunities for visitors to Scotland to see and possibly participate in real archaeological digs.
Throughout the year there will be many, many special events, some annual affairs, others one-offs that will allow Scots and tourists alike to see and appreciate various facets of Scotland's history and heritage. The Highland Military Tattoo at Fort George is one example, happening 8-10 September.
To learn more about the wide ranging activities, events, and celebrations that will mark 2017, The Year of History, Heritage, and Archaeology, see the link below to Visit Scotland.
•Tradfest / Storytelling Festival
The Historic Inns Tour offers an easy to follow route through the Scottish Highlands using four historic Inns as anchor points to see many sights along the way.