Preparing For Another Neil Gunn Weekend At Dunbeath

20th October 2005

Next month Dunbeath Heritage Centre is hosting another weekend of events entitled Light in the North to celebrate the anniversary of Neil M. Gunn's birthday on 8th November.

As part of the same weekend last year, and in consultation with Neil's nephew, Dairmid Gunn, who is executor of the Neil Gunn estate, I led a discussion on two novels chosen for their subordinate but important linked theme of archaeology: Sun Circle and The Silver Bough. Far from a dry, erudite or staid event, it was a chance for anyone with a passion, curiosity or even a distaste for Gunn's writing to chew over opinions, pet theories or prejudices with other lay readers, and to do so in the beautifully inspiring surroundings of Dunbeath Heritage Centre, housed in what was the very school Neil Gunn attended as a boy in Dunbeath.

This year the chosen novels are Butcher's Broom and the lesser known The Key of the Chest. The intention is to have a similar discussion on these books, open to all, with as informal an atmosphere as possible. This year, however, we are lucky to have Dr Marjory McCulloch from Glasgow University as leader of the discussion. She has been invited to deliver a presentation on the two novels on the morning of Saturday 5th November; the discussion will follow in the afternoon, and will be a good opportunity for everyone else to get stuck in. Dairmid Gunn will also participate.

This message is really an early-warning! There is no need to have a detailed knowledge of either book, but folk who are familiar with them would get far more from both the presentation and the discussion. One of the aims of the annual Light in the North weekend is to encourage people to read and consider one of the most important writers of the 20th century Scottish renaissance; someone born on our own patch in Caithness, whose themes and plots are infused with that 'Grey Coast' of his experience and imagination; and someone who suffers something of the 'we kent his faither' syndrome in the very county that should celebrate him. Many readers find Gunn difficult, and cite 'all that mystical stuff' as the problem. Perhaps, as readers, it is us who are the problem? Perhaps we're not prepared to work hard enough to meet readers on their own terms?

Why not come and contribute to a debate on these issues, and more? As I say, I urge you to read at least one of the books, but the weekend offers plenty even if you chose not to.

The programme is varied as ever, starting on Friday 4th November with an evening of poetry written especially for the occasion by Dunbeath & Lybster primary school pupils under the tutelage of poet/playwright George Gunn. This is part of a three-year project with the schools, taking Neil Gunn's novel Butcher's Broom as inspiration, and culminating in a dramatic performance led by Grey Coast Theatre Company.

Writer/storyteller Ian Stephen returns to Caithness to spook and inspire us with more stories that night and the following night.

As described, Marjory McCulloch will talk on the Saturday morning. Tom Bryan, writer and Arts Development Officer will describe the influence Neil Gunn has had on him; and George Gunn will investigate the legacy of Butcher's Broom for himself as a creative artist living and working on the very Grey Coast that was the inspiration for much his namesake's work, and which he adopted as the name for his own theatre company.

The discussion will follow that afternoon, and the evening is given over to a ceilidh in the Dunbeath Inver Arms (left just off the A9 on the drop into Dunbeath from the North), where everyone can indulge in more talk, song and stories (led by Ian Stephen) over a bar supper and a pint. Dancing will command some of your attention...

Sunday 6th is given over to North Highland Forest Trust, and an exploration of Dunbeath Strath as a wooded habitat, displaying evidence of coppiced trees. There will be a chance to participate in building a coppiced dwelling on site.

There will be more information and publicity material about the weekend soon, but I just wanted to give you all a chance to read the two books if you feel inspired.

Hope to see you in Dunbeath!

Christine Russell
Editor, Scotia Review