Showcasing Local Heritage in Glenlivet and Inveravon
An Award of £31,899 from the Dorenell Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund was made in early 2023 to continue to fund the Glenlivet and Inveravon Heritage Ranger for a second year, after a successful initial year of activity and operation.
The post was created in 2022 to develop and deliver a range of heritage events and ranger activity in the Glenlivet, Inveravon and Ballindalloch area. There are a number of key heritage sites in this patch, some of which have considerable community involvement, such as the mills and seminary at Scalan and the area’s Dark Sky status.
The ranger was recruited in May 2022 and had a successful first season developing and delivering heritage events at key local sites. A total of 88 tours and events were held between July and December with a total of 403 attendees, summarised as follows:
- Inveraven Church and Pictish Stones Tour – 16 tours run weekly on Wednesdays
- Blairfindy Castle walk and tour – 22 tours run on Thursdays and Fridays
- Drumin Castle Walk and Tour – 8 tours run on Thursdays and Fridays during Autumn after reopening after renovations
- Scalan Mills and Secret Seminary was open to the public on 45 days between July and November. 45 Heritage tours were run on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and select Saturdays. Two additional half day tours were run on request for groups from Exeter University and Aberlour Church Walking Group.
Three open days were also run at Scalan on Saturdays in July, September, and October. Tours of Inveraven Church and Pictish Stones started up again in January 2023. In addition a programme of Dark Sky events began in November following on from a number of activities held as part of the Star Party in September (also supported by this fund).
These activities are an important part of retaining Dark Sky Park status which has been achieved by local volunteers and partners and is potentially a great asset for visitor promotion in the winter months. In addition the ranger carried out litter picking and a programme of monitoring for maintenance and safety at key local sites such as Scalan, Druimin and Blairfindy.
David Toovey Tomintoul and Glenlivet Development Trust Director and Glenlivet resident said:
The new Glenlivet and Inveravon Heritage Ranger has provided new and exciting opportunities for locals and visitors alike to experience the unique heritage of Glenlivet and Inveraon area. Lydia has designed and developed a range of tours and events catering for everyone and is a great ambassador for our community.