Local history in Lego... On this day in 1306, Robert the Bruce slays John Comyn, his rival for the throne, at the high altar of Greyfriars monastery in Dumfries before declaring himself King of Scots.
A screen with the title slide 'The Folklore of Protecting the Home'.
A selection of folklore artefacts including a witch bottle, elf shot, and hag stones.
Just about to start a talk to Collin SWI about folklore and the @cruckcottage.bsky.social
Museums and hauntings, two of my favourite things!
Two munitions workers mixing cordite in large nitrating pans inside H.M. Factory Gretna. This is a black and white archive photo from the past.
Hello. We're new here. 👋
Wondering what devil's porridge is? Sir Arthur Conan Doyle coined the phrase to describe the explosive materials he saw munitions workers at H.M. Factory Gretna mixing in large pans. They were making cordite.
Please don't eat devil's porridge. 💥
#DevilsPorridge #WW1history
I spent much of Christmas day reading this. A powerful book which I really enjoyed, if that's the right word for something dealing with oppression and colonial violence.
A photograph of standing stones in the Twelve Apostles stone circle. The grass has been clipped short by the sheep and there is a layer of frost. The sun is dazzling in a cool blue sky.
A photograph of some of the standing stones in the circle with hills on the horizon.
A photograph of one of the largest standing stones in the circle with the sun shining out from behind the tip of the stone.
The Twelve Apostles on a frosty morning.
A photograph of a standing stone within a circle, with the sun rising over a tree lined horizon.
Winter solstice sunrise at the Twelve Apostles, Holywood, Dumfries
Photo showing white condensation trails from planes forming a saltire shape in the blue sky over the ruins of Lincluden Abbey.
Happy St Andrew's Day.
Saltire over Lincluden Abbey, Dumfries
A picture of a group of visitors handling folklore items in Dumfries Museum at the start of a history of witchcraft tour.
A photograph of Ukrainian families standing on steps outside Dumfries Museum following a tour of the building.
A photograph of a group of schoolchildren touring the churchyard at St Michael's in Dumfries. It is raining and they have umbrellas and coat hoods up.
Reflecting on some of the fantastic community projects I've been lucky to be involved in during my time with D&G Museums. It's been a pleasure to introduce young people to their local heritage, work with our Ukrainian community settling in the region, help families learn together, and lots more.
Just thinking how grateful I am to the @museumsassociation.org for all their support when I needed it, the learning opportunities, and the chance to be part of a wonderful network of inspiring and progressive people.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RNq...
Yes, lovely to see you there. Such a great gathering and very useful too.
That seems very wise. I might find it difficult to put into practice, but a list is a good place to start.
A photograph of people looking at artworks in the round gallery of Birmingham Museum.
A photograph of the Ozzy Osbourne exhibition at Birmingham Museum.
A photograph of people exploring 'The Elephant in the Room' display at Birmingham Museum.
Heading home from an absolutely brilliant day today at the @museumsassociation.org reps meeting in Birmingham. I'm really pleased to be a part of this wonderful organisation and helping to support our members in Scotland. It was great to explore the new Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery too.
A cartoon of a French bagpiper wearing a tricolore cockade and making puppet figures of the church and state dance whilst figures storm the Bastille in the background.
It's that day again... Happy Bastille Day with bagpipes.
Summer solstice sunrise at the Twelve Apostles.
I really enjoy volunteering at the wonderful Cruck Cottage and with Medieval Bruce Heritage Trust, along with preserving and sharing these stories, it's great for wellbeing. A big shout out to all those other museums which operate solely with volunteers - you are amazing!
As it's National Volunteer Week, a big thank you to all who volunteer their time and efforts to make this world a better place. Appreciating you year round, not just this week.
If you're a Museums Association member in Scotland, do try to join us for a @museumsassociation.org members gathering at The Hunterian in Glasgow on Monday 30th June. You can get details and book a free place here... www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/museums-as...
A photograph of two bagpipers wearing medieval clothing in a churchyard. There is a medieval style tent in the background.
Just realised this was 15 years ago today, at the lovely medieval church beside Hailes Abbey with my friend Richard York. Sometimes I forget how long I have been sharing medieval pilgrimage living history, piping and storytelling.
A photograph of the AHI journal open on the page of the article. There is a picture of Tom Hughes in Victorian costume holding the a "witch bottle" and talking to a group gathering for a guided tour.
Thrilled to have my article on using objects in live interpretation featured in the new Journal of the Association for Heritage Interpretation especially as the AHI celebrate their 50th anniversary.
A photograph of seven people standing on a conference stage ready to receive their Associateship of the Museums Association certificates.
I've just been sent the pictures of me and fellow AMA awardees as we received our certificates at last year's MA conference. I'm already looking forward to this year's conference at the lovely St Fagan’s National History Museum. Hope to see you there! www.museumsassociation.org/events/confe...
An engraving of a bagpiper playing for dancing outside an inn. The original caption says St Patrick's Day
Happy St Patrick's Day with bagpipes.
A montage of medieval pictures of pigs playing bagpipes. Including a wall painting, pewter badge, painted glass, stone carving, manuscript illustrations, and wood carving. Text reads Happy International Pig Bagpipe Day, with the word pig crossed out.
Happy International Bagpipe Day!
A photograph of a clipping from the Museums Journal with a headset photograph of Tom Hughes and a quote, "Working with colleagues across the sector has helped develop my understanding of the profession. The sense of fellowship and support from peers kept me inspired and motivated. After over two decades in museums, I'd wondered whether it was worth starting the AMA. I needn't have doubted it - it's been one of the highlights of my career."
A wee snippet in the Museums Journal. The AMA was such a fantastic process, really changing my outlook on life as well as developing skills. Totally recommend this to anyone working in museums. The @museumsassociation.org have been so supportive throughout, it's great to work with them.
A photograph of a paperback copy of 'The Guizer' by Alan Garner. It features a fool dressed in animal skins running under a crescent moon.
A photograph of an inscription in the book by Alan Garner reading "More know Tom Fool than Tom Fool knows. From Alan, Blackden, 4.VII.09
A World Book Day reflection. I've always enjoyed tales of fools. This is the only one of Alan Garner's books I remember reading as a child. Many years later, I was honoured to be given an original hardback edition by Alan after we talked about how the book had sowed the seeds of storytelling in me.
Had a brilliant day at the @museumsassociation.org Scotland members gathering in Perth. Lovely to be among so many progressive colleagues and to enjoy lots of inspiring presentations. In difficult times with lots of challenges for the sector, I left feeling positive and hopeful.
A photograph of a long woven corn dolly with red ribbon, hanging from a pair of fallow deer antlers on the wattle-and-daub chimney in the Cruck Cottage.
A clyack or corn dolly by the hanging lum in the cottage. The Scots word clyack is derived from Gaelic cailleach meaning hag. These woven straw figures were thought to keep the spirit of the corn safe through the winter. We're exploring lots of folklore throughout this year at the Cruck Cottage.
Photograph of Ukrainian friends outside the Cruck Cottage.
Photograph of Ukrainian friends inside the Cruck Cottage, as we welcomed them with an evening of Scottish traditions.
We continue to stand with Ukraine. We've been so pleased to welcome Ukrainian friends several times in recent months. We will always be in solidarity.
Ukrainian flag with text I stand with Ukraine.
No to bullies. Always in solidarity. No to appeasement.
A photograph of three people dressed in medieval clothing in front of the ruins of Sweetheart Abbey.
Out at Sweetheart Abbey today, volunteering with the Medieval Bruce Heritage Trust to tell the story of Devorgilla, Lady of Galloway.
