Over the past few months, the (ReACH) team has been out and about across Scotland, visiting churches, recording their heritage and meeting the people who know and care for these special places. As our work grows, so does the range of experience and expertise we bring to the project – and we’re excited to see how these different perspectives are enriching our approach.
At the start of September, we welcomed Rebecca to the team. She’s hit the ground running, getting involved across our case studies and helping us build on the work already underway. ReACH is a collaborative project, and bringing together different knowledge, skills and perspectives is helping us explore church heritage in new ways, from the physical details of buildings and their contents to the memories, experiences and meanings that connect people to them.
Out and About
September into October has been a particularly busy few weeks, with visits to several of our case study churches. Each brought its own character, questions and opportunities to learn, and, above all, the chance to work alongside people who already have a deep connection to these places.
Burntisland Old Parish Church
We began September in Fife, with a day of heritage recording at Burntisland Old Parish Church followed by an open day that welcomed visitors to explore the church and share their memories. Our volunteers helped us investigate the building and its contents, recording fascinating details in the process. Just as valuable were the conversations with people who shared personal stories, family connections and memories of the church’s place in local life.
Portnahaven Church
Later in the month, we visited Portnahaven Church on Islay, where we were warmly welcomed by the Friends of Portnahaven Church and the local community. We spent time learning more about the church’s place in the community. The open day offered another opportunity to listen to local knowledge and experiences, and to reflect on the many ways people connect with a church. We’re grateful to everyone who shared their time, memories and insights with us.
The Gillis Centre, Edinburgh
At the Gillis Centre in Edinburgh, we had the opportunity to record the beautiful St Margaret’s Chapel and some of its associated spaces, within a site with a fascinating, layered history as a convent and school. We were delighted to explore its features and help document its heritage, while recognising that the story of a place extends beyond what can be seen in the building itself. Many thanks to the Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh for facilitating our visit – we are looking forward to beginning the social value recording as part of our project.
Brechin Cathedral
We rounded off this busy period at Brechin Cathedral, carrying out heritage recording before welcoming visitors to an open day. Our volunteers helped us look closely at the fabric, fixtures and fittings of the cathedral and document its heritage, while the open day brought people together to explore the site, hear more about its history and share their own memories. It was wonderful to see so much enthusiasm for the cathedral and to learn from those with their own knowledge and connections to the place.
Across all four sites, we’ve been struck by the generosity with which people have welcomed us and shared what they know. Communities have their own histories, memories and understandings of these places, often built up over many years. Our work is an opportunity to listen and learn, and to build on that knowledge as we document Scotland’s church heritage.
What Happens Next?
After such a busy period of visits and events, we’re looking forward to entering a quieter phase of the project. Quieter doesn’t mean less work, though! There is a wealth of material to collate and process, from heritage recording notes and photographs to the memories, stories and other contributions gathered along the way.
We’ll also be making return visits to some of our case studies to complete recording where needed, follow up on questions that have emerged, and continue conversations with local communities. Collecting memories and experiences is an ongoing process, and we want to make sure there are opportunities for people to contribute beyond a single visit or event.
Over the coming months, we’ll be sharing more about each of our case study churches, highlighting the features, stories and community connections that make them special. We’re excited to begin bringing together what we’ve recorded and learned so far, while continuing to work with the people who know these places best.
A huge thank you to everyone who has welcomed the ReACH team, volunteered their time, shared their knowledge and helped us along the way. Your generosity is an essential part of this project, and we look forward to continuing the work together.
Written by Emily Johnston, Project Manager