The programme details the many events happening during Angus Heritage Week, which is from 2-9 September and includes a series of Doors Open Days events over the weekend of 3/4 September. “Every year, Angus Heritage Week uncovers fascinating stories of our county’s people and places,” said Cllr Lynne Devine, Angus Council tourism spokesperson, who attended the launch.
“This year’s event programme promises a week of events that will shine the spotlight on the Angus of days gone by and which will be of great interest to people from near and far.”
Angus Heritage Week’s opening event will be Kirriemuir Festival of Music and Song. This annual event will take place over the weekend of September 2-4 and features traditional Scottish entertainment in venues throughout the town, including performances of bothy ballads, impromptu gigs and toe-tapping ceilidhs.
The Autumn Open Weekend at Hospitalfield House is another key event in Angus Heritage Week. As well as providing opportunities to explore one of the finest country houses in Scotland, Hospitalfield’s Open Weekend on 3/4 September will feature a series of arts and heritage events celebrating writing in Angus, including the bicentenary of the publication of ‘The Antiquary’ by Sir Walter Scott, which was inspired by the novelist’s visits to Arbroath, and the launch of new artwork by highly-acclaimed ceramic artist James Rigler.
“Hospitalfield is like nowhere else,” said James Rigler at the launch of Angus Heritage Week’s event programme. “It’s a fantastical, remarkable building which provides artists with a unique set of opportunities and influences. And although it feels far removed from everyday life, it’s actually only a few minutes from the life – and delicious fish – of Arbroath.”
James got to know Hospitalfield during a recent residency and has been commissioned to make a new artwork which will be part of Scotland’s Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design. “I\'m working with a quote from \'The Antiquary\' where Scott describes the haphazard arrangement of buildings and styles as being ‘as though a hamlet had been frozen mid-dance’,” said James. “The image of those dancing stones provided me with the basis for new furniture and garden sculpture that visitors to Hospitalfield can discover - and use.”
Among the many events taking place during Angus Heritage Week will be two talks by Senior Archivist Fiona Scharlau, who will be discussing Arbroath in days gone-by on September 6 and, on the evening of September 7, will be sharing the stories of Forfar’s infamous witches on a guided walk around their haunts. Other highlights include tours of House of Dun’s collections and gardens with the staff members who know them best and a tour of St Rules Churchyard, where the Monifieth Pictish Stones, which are now in the safekeeping of the National Museum of Scotland, were found.
“This September, Angus Heritage Week will, once again, provide visitors and locals alike with a host of enthralling opportunities to find out more about our wonderful county,” added Cllr Devine. “This week is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the fascinating history, heritage, traditions and culture of our county.”
For more information about Angus Heritage Week, and the full programme of other events happening in Angus during 2016, visit www.visitangus.com/heritageweek.
Angus Council
Angus Council works to create strong secure communities, an enterprising workforce, and sustainable development over the range of public services for which it has responsibility. We are a customer and citizen focused organisation and work to deliver accessible, effective and efficient services for the county\'s population.
