The first in our traditional series of Winter Talks got underway on Tuesday 12 February.
From Castletown lass to Australian pioneer - Muriel Murray will reveal the fascinating story of the life and times of Frances Purves from Thurdistoft.
An evening talk by F/Lt Don Mason RAF RV(Ret) BEM entitled Evade and Escape. Don Mason is a WWII veteran who took part in the war as a pilot and navigator, racking up almost 5,000 flying hours in operations over Europe. Ninety-eight year old Don has a fascinating story to tell about an operatives duty to evade capture, and then escape if the worst happened. He will focus in particular on the escape lines developed from Belgium through Spain and across the Pyrenees. Not to be missed!
Artist and basketmaker Tim Johnson will be visiting Castletown Heritage Centre for the fourth time over the Easter weekend for a special reason! On a previous visit he discovered this special basket in the little Thurso museum 'The Way it Was'.With a little research and comparing the basket to others in museums and collections around Europe it seems this basket is very special and it's weaving technique is not normally thought of as Scottish or British.
Made from locally harvested rushes the basket was perhaps used for gathering eggs or to take on a fishing trip to carry bait - have you seen one similar? Do you know anyone who used to make them? Have you got any old photographs of similar baskets in use? Can you tell us anything about them? We would love to hear from you.
Tim will be making and demonstrating at Castletown Heritage Centre on Saturday and Sunday 20th and 21st April 2019 - all welcome.
If you have any information please contact Muriel Murray at the Castletown Heritage Centre: castletown.heritage@talk21.com or Tim Johnson: boatbaskets@gmail.com for assistance. [Photo copyright T Johnston]
Our third talk will be on Tuesday 23rd April as part of our AGM and will be given by Kenneth McElroy on the Caithness Broch Project, which aims to construct a replica Broch structure to help interpret the county's rich Iron Age history. More details to follow.
The Annual General Meeting of the Castletown Heritage Society will be held in Castlehill Heritage Centre on Tuesday 23 April at 7.30pm.
The guest speaker for the evening will be Kenneth McElroy who will talk about the Caithness Broch Project, which aims to build a replica Broch structure to promote the county's rich Iron Age history.
All members, friends and associates welcome.
See NEWS page for report of AGM
Our Formidable Females exhibition featuring a selection of inspiring local women from our past is proving extremely popular. Our exhibition features stories and portraits of matriarchs, women pioneers, women in business, in farming, in education, in military and civil service, all revealing the inner strength of northern females, whatever their station in life.
Following the highly successful pottery workshops held last year a further series of three hands-on traditional skills pottery workshops will be held in May 2019.
These highly popular workshops are quickly fully booked - advance booking and payment of £30 in full for the three sessions is essential.
If sufficient interest is shown we may organise a further workshop for those new to pottery later in the year. To find out more and register interest please click HERE.
The theme for the latest exhibition is 'Pastimes from Past Times' and explores how local people spent their leisure hours in times gone by. From sport to music, handicrafts, and everything in between, the exhibition features articles, photographs and artefacts from recent times to a bygone age.
McIvor & Allan, Wood Chip Carvers
were based in Castletown. Their skill and craftsmanship is brought to life through this fascinating display, which includes examples of their exquisite, locally made products, the quality and popularity of which led to exports all around the world.
A series of three hands-on workshops led by Lindsay Broomfield on the design and production of hats and headwear, with a focus on local vernacular skills.
Advance booking and payment of £30 in full for the three sessions is essential.
A truly fascinating display and slide show presentation by ninety-eight year old F/Lt D Mason RAFVR (Ret) BEM, about his experiences and exploits as a bomber pilot and navigator during WWll.
Learn the craft of metal working using traditional skills. Hands-on, full day workshop. Following the popularity of the two highly successful smithing workshops held in 2018, this workshop is suitable for beginners and more experienced practitioners.
Returning by popular demand, on every Sunday in August we will be serving Cream 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. £3.50 per person.
The North Highland Woodturners Association will be holding their annual Open Day at Castlehill Heritage Centre on Sunday 25 August. Come along and learn about the craft and have a go under supervision, making your own small item to take home with you. Entry free!
The North Highland Woodturners Association will be holding their annual summer demonstration at Castlehill Heritage Centre on Saturday 7 September. The event will feature two highly talented local woodturners - Mick O'Donnell and Fred Haughton - who will demonstrate their advanced skills in a live woodturning session.
Admission £3.00. Tea/coffee and biscuits supplied.
Learn the craft of metal working using traditional skills. Hands-on, full day workshop - suitable for beginners and more experienced practitioners.
Cost: £20 - payable on booking. Includes instruction, materials and protective equipment.Bring own packed lunch - tea/coffee provided.
The dates for any future smithing workshops will be announced on this website, and advertised locally.
Returning by popular demand! Castlehill Heritage Centre invites you to Christmas themed pottery workshop, taking place over three two-hour sessions. Under the guidance of a local potter, you will learn to make and finish five unique Christmas decorations.
Our highly popular pottery workshops are quickly fully booked - advance booking and payment of £30 in full for the three sessions is essential.
Cost: £30.00 payable on booking. This included tuition, tools and materials. Tea/coffee & biscuits provided.
A hands-on workshop for beginners led by Ruan Peat exploring the skills and techniques of crochet. You will learn the basic stitch and how to make "granny squares" from which it is possible to create a blanket, hat, pot holder, purse, tote bag and much more.
Cost: £10.00 payable on booking. This included tuition, tools, materials and patterns. Bring a packed lunch, tea/coffee & biscuits provided.
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.
A small, but fascinating exhibition exploring our local maritime heritage, including artefacts, stories, charts and models, from the 16th century to the modern day.
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!
Getting the Message Across explores how we have communicated through the ages - from symbols and letters to the rapid technological changes in the 20th Century. On display are artefacts, photographs and stories exploring the fascinating technical and social history of communication in Caithness, including local Post Office memorabilia and military communication equipment. Try out our WWII field telephones! Has technology has improved the art of communication? Come along and judge for yourself!
Watch this space for confirmed dates and further details, alternatively:
CONTACT US by email or phone 01847 821120
To book a place on an event, email or phone as above
Please ensure you make it clear which event you wish to book!
