COMPLETED
EVENTS DURING 2017
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Nov - Feb
Open every Wed, Sat and
Sun afternoon from 2pm to 4pm
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Winter
Exhibition -
Life At Home
 A
fascinating exhibition illustrating everyday life at home in Castletown
in by-gone times. Featuring artefacts from the Society's extensive collection
of objects, appliances, tools, furniture, photographs, newspapers and
other domestic ephemera, some of which may be all too familiar…
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Event postponed
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Evening Talk
- Ice and Fire
 An
illustrated talk by Castletown Heritage Society committee members Neil
Buchan and Elspet Chapman exploring the different styles and approaches
to the preservation and presentation of cultural heritage in the diverse
climates and ethnicity of Iceland and Cyprus.
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Sat 11 Feb
7.00pm
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Traditional
Music Workshop - Bothy Night
 A
traditional skills workshops exploring the social history of the bothy,
and in particular the traditional songs and stories of the workers
and farm servants who used to inhabit them. Featuring local artists and
performers.
See News
page for report of this very successful event
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Wed 1 Mar
7.309pm
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Evening Talk
- Highland Railway Memories
 John
Macdonald started his career as a signalman at Georgemas in 1956, later
working at Perth, Blair Athol, Aviemore, Beauly and the Kyle line. John's
illustrated talk will include memories of how the railway worked in the
age of steam and the transition to the first diesel engines. Includes
some rare images taken by an engine driver in Helmsdale on probably the
last goods train under steam.
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Sat 11 Mar
10am - 3pm
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Caithness Chair
Workshop
 We
have received several enquiries over the years for information about the
vernacular Caithness Chair. Fortunately we have a good surviving example
in our artefacts collection, which has prompted us into running a hands-on
traditional skills workshop focused on the manufacture and repair of these
iconic chairs.
The workshop will
be led by experienced furniture maker Catherine Macleod, who will introduce
the iconic Caithness Chair and demonstrate various techniques used in
its manufacture.
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Tue 25 April
7.30pm
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Castletown Heritage
Society AGM
 The
Annual General Meeting of the Castletown Heritage Society will be held
in the Castlehill Heritage Centre on Tuesday 25 April at 7.30pm.
All members, friends
and associates welcome.
Guest speaker for
the evening will be Muriel Murray, who will pose the question - What
ever happened to Janet Oal?
Tea/coffee and biscuits
will be served thereafter.
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Hatches,
Matches and Dispatches
A themed exhibition which explored the rites of passage through life and
features a wide range of artefacts and ephemora from our extensive collection
of items. From christening gowns, wedding dresses and bier stretchers,
to stories of growing up and old in Castletown and Olrig parish.
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Sat 6, 13
and 20 May
10am - 12am
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Pottery Workshops
 A
series of three hands-on traditional skills pottery workshops held in
May.
To find out more
and register interest, click HERE
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Sat 3 June
From 1pm
Official
Opening 2pm
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10th Anniversary
Celebration Open Day
 This
year we celebrated 10 action packed years since we completed the conversion
of some redundant farm buildings at Castlehill into Castlehill Heritage
Centre. From humble beginnings the Centre has gone from strength to strength.
Highlights have included a visit by HRH The Duke of Rothsay!
We held an Open
Day on Sat 3 June, in the middle of a month-long an exhibition showing
the development of the building and garden from a derelict shell to the
present set up. Learn more about our future plans!
The official opening
of the Open Day was conducted by Lord Thurso.
Plus! Displays and
activities from other groups who use the Centre including Astronomers,
Woodturners, Dunnet Forestry Trust, Ornithologists (SOC), Radio hams and
art class. Refreshments available.
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Every Sunday in August
2pm - 4pm
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Afternoon
Teas at Castlehill
 Returning
by popular demand, on every Sunday in August we will be serving afternoon
teas at Castlehill.
Delicious home made
scones and cakes.
Guaranteed to get the taste buds dancing!
A perfect way to
complement a Sunday afternoon stroll round the Flagstone trail or a meander
round the amazing Heritage Garden.
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Sat 26 Aug
10am - 4pm
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Sea Themed Day
 A
day around Dunnet Bay, dedicated to various activities associated with
the sea - such as rope making, pebble painting, sea shell activities,
sea shore treasure hunt, sea birds, and inshore rowing.
Refreshments available
all day at Castlehill Heritage Centre.
Click on poster for
full details.
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Sunday 10
Sept
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Foraging Workshop
 Ever
tried brander bread flavoured with rowan berries and honey cooked in the
embers of a camp fire, washed down with birch needle tea? No? You don't
know what you are missing!
Join us on our hands-on
workshop exploring sources of food occurring naturally within our local
environment. Participants will be guided in the gathering of edible foodstuffs
by an experienced foraging expert, and will then prepare delicious and
nutricious recipies!
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Aug - Sept
Open every Wed, Sat and
Sun afternoon from 2pm to 4pm
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Flagstone
Exhibition
Our very popular summer exhibition returns, featuring themed displays
of artefacts, photographs and stories exploring the fascinating industrial
and social history of the Flagstone Industry in Caithness.
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Tuesday 26
December
1pm to 4pm
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Boxing Day Mulled
Wine & Mince Pies
  Join
us at Castlehill Heritage Centre for mulled wine, mince-meat pies and
a good going chinwag on our traditional festive Boxing Day opening.
Always a popular event!
Featuring Crofting
and Farming exhibition. Plus! Revisit your childhood with our selection
of our traditional children's games!
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Nov - Jan
Open every Wed, Sat and
Sun afternoon from 2pm to 4pm
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Crofting
and Farming Exhibition
Our very popular exhibition on crofting and farming in Caithness returns,
featuring themed displays of artefacts, photographs and stories exploring
life on the croft and changes in the lot of the farmer through time.
To find out more
click HERE
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Monday evenings
7 - 9pm
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Castlehill
Artists
 Our
very popular painting workshop with Helen Moore.
Sessions run from
7pm - 9pm on Monday evenings at a cost of £8 per evening plus materials.
Juniors and OAPs £5. Beginners are especially welcome
To find out more
and register interest, click HERE
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