Pairc Landscape Project
The Pairc Landscape Project is funded by NatureScot and involves exploring what nature and landscape truly mean to the people of Pairc. This is not just a study of terrain, it is a journey into the emotional, cultural, and historical layers that shape our connection to the land.
In this project, ‘landscape’ is understood in its fullest sense. It includes the boundaries, mountains, and geology of Pairc, but also the memories it evokes, the feelings it stirs, and the textures, colours, and stories that make it personal. Landscape is not just something we see, it is something we live, remember, and carry with us.
The conclusion of this project is the creation of a unique publication. This will feature artwork, photography, poetry, and writing inspired by the nature and landscape of Pairc.
We are exploring this via four different ways:
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Pairc as a historic place: exploring the historical features and landmarks of South Lochs.
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Pairc as a changing place: how the landscape has changed over time and will continue to change in the future.
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Pairc as an inspiring place: how the features and landscapes of Pairc inspire people, and how people connect to nature and the landscape.
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Pairc as a new place: tying all of the above together and taking a multifaceted look at Pairc in the present day.
The Trust and other organisations will be running a number of events as we explore the above themes. If you would like to be involved, please email info@pairctrust.co.uk.
Kershader: A Historic Place
The Pairc Trust launched the Pairc Landscape Project via an event in partnership with Pairc Historical Society - Kershader: A Historic Place. This community event saw the launch of ‘A Brief History of Kershader’, a new publication capturing the voices, memories, and milestones of the village, and celebrated the rich heritage of Kershader and its place in the story of Pairc.
The Pairc Historical Society led a walk through the village, highlighting sights of historical and cultural significance and examining how the landscape changed over time, and what these changes meant for the residents of the village. Residents were encouraged to bring their cameras along to help begin the building of a 'then and now' image archive to document these changes.
Afterwards, the group returned to Ravenspoint cafe for well-earned soup and sandwiches along with other members of the community.
Changing Place Short Film
The Pairc Trust worked with Sgoil na Pairc, Climate Hebrides, and local filmmakers to produce a short documentary film about the pupils' relationship with the landscape and environment of South Lochs.
The pupils chose to focus on how climate change is affecting the coastline of Pairc, and, in particular, how seaweed plays a role in this process. Climate Hebrides gave a presentation at the school on how seaweed provides vital habitat, carbon capture, and coastal protection in the seas of the Outer Hebrides, and the pupils also visited Ishga's production facility at Arnish Point to learn more about the different products into which Hebridean seaweed is incorporated.
Inspiring Place Art Workshops
Emma Mackenzie, a local artist, held several art workshops for local residents and Sgoil na Pairc pupils where the attendees experimented with different art forms to capture how the landscape and environment of South Lochs inspired them.
Participants were guided in the the unique batik method of ‘wax resist’, where tjanting tools (pen-like tools that hold hot wax) are used to ‘write with wax’ on fabric and then paints and dyes are laid on top to create unique artwork. Added elements such as stitching, embroidery and collage were also be incorporated into several pieces.
Pairc: A New Place
The project culminated in an event at the Resource Centre which brought together all the work of the previous events and workshops to synthesise a vision of Pairc for the future. The winner of the Then & Now photography competition was announced, as was the best art piece produced in the Inspiring Place workshops, attendees were shown the short film produced by Sgoil na Pairc, and the Trust was delighted to unveil a tapestry depicting a map of Pairc and highlighting villages, wildlife, and other local features, which had been made by the Pairc Craft Club, to whom we are extremely grateful!
The Trust's final contribution was the publication of a booklet: The Pairc Landscape Project | A Journey Through Nature, Memory and Community, which brought together all the work of the previous events and workshops to synthesise a vision of Pairc for the future. It holds the collected thoughts and recollections of the project's participants, and offers a vision of a community deeply woven into the landscape in which it sits.
The Pairc Trust is thankful for the great enthusiasm shown by the community of South Lochs in engaging with this project, and for the time and effort the participants contributed to make it a success.
Pairc: Then & Now
As part of the Pairc Landscape Project, the Pairc Trust has compiled a set of historical photographs of the townships in South Lochs. We are encouraging local residents to see if they can match the perspectives of these historical photos with how they look in the current day, and see how the landscape and our use of it has changed over the years.
Can you match the perspectives in these photos? Send us your pictures via info@pairctrust.co.uk
KERSHADER
GARYVARD & CAVERSTA
Marvig
CALBOST
GRAVIR
LEMREWAY
