A’ Foillseachadh na h-Alba - Interpret Scotland

and the Association for Heritage Interpretation

International Heritage Interpretation Conference

Aviemore, Scotland
30 September to 3 October 2007

Fàilte - Welcome... Daoine Àiteachan Sgeulachdan

… to this international interpretation conference,

David Green, Chair

Cairngorms
The Vital Spark, and welcome to the Cairngorms National Park.
One of the National Park’s aims is to promote understanding and enjoyment
of the area’s special qualities – interpretation clearly plays a vital role in this.
People Places Stories
National Park Authority We are delighted, therefore, to host this conference in the Park.
 Fàilte - Welcome Iùl - Guide

Iùl sgiobalta
Quick guide
The Vital Spark takes place over
four days and the programme is
packed with activities including
visits and walks on Sunday and
Monday and site tours on Tuesday.

Fàilte do’n Alba We have a buffet supper with music

on Sunday, a buffet supper followed

Welcome to Scotland Fàilte bhlàth oirbh uile by a puppet show on Monday and
the conference dinner on Tuesday
Bu mhath leam meallaibh ur naidheachd a thoirt do bhuidheann stiùiridh A warm welcome to you all with dancing to follow. Key sections
of this conference book include on
na co-labhairt is na buidhnean taic as deidh na h-oidhirpean mhòra na rinn
In 2005, a group of interpretive practitioners saw a great opportunity to the following pages:
iad a-chum gus an tachartas àrd-aigneach seo, ris a tha mi toirt mo làn-taic,
be part of Scotland’s Year of Highland Culture in 2007. Scotland – as does
a chur air doigh. Tha an tuigse agus am meas a bhios sinn a’ faireachdainn 3 The basics
every country – has a rich and diverse heritage, and interpretation has
agus sinn a’ tadhail air àiteachan, coinneachadh ri daoine, agus na sgeulachdan 4-5 Sunday’s programme
a key role in linking this shared inheritance with our communities and
bhios sinn toirt leinn dhachaigh, a’ toirt dhuinne brìgh de thuras taitneach fhèin. 6-9 Monday’s programme
our visitors.
Mar as motha a tha luchd-tadhail faighinn taitneas, sann as dualtaiche a 10 Plan of the resort site
bhitheas iad innse do na càirdean aca, agus sann is motha de daoine bhitheas Interpret Scotland and the Association for Heritage Interpretation have 11 Plan of conference areas
sinn cur fàilte air. Chan eil rìan nach eil seo math do ar n-eaconomaidh, worked together to deliver The Vital Spark – as a celebration of 12 Parallel sessions 1, 2 & 3
gu sgìreil agus aig ìre nàiseanta. interpretation and interpreters in Scotland and beyond. But The Vital Spark 13-14 Tuesday’s programme
would not be possible without the financial and other help of many 15 Parallel sessions 4 & 5
Sann a tha mi guidhe gach soirbheach leibh leis an co-labhairt a tha seo,
organisations and individuals recognised on page 20. We would like to 16-17 Wednesday’s programme
agus deagh thapadh leibh is sibh togail inbhe na Gàidhealtachd leis mar a tha
record our appreciation for all this support and effort. 18 Speakers
sibh cuir ri clar-ama tachartasan Gàidhealtachd 2007.
Our Steering Group wants to ensure that this is a truly memorable 19 Words
I should like to congratulate the conference steering group and the experience for you all. We hope that you will find your time in Aviemore 20 Our supporters
supporting organisations on their endeavours to stage this ambitious exciting, entertaining, stimulating and, above all, an experience that re-
event which has my full support. Understanding and appreciating the places ignites the spark in all of us to create lasting connections between our own,
we visit, the people we meet and the stories we take home form the lifeblood unique heritage, our fellow citizens and our visitors.
of a memorable tourism experience. The more our visitors enjoy themselves,
We know you will renew friendships, make new ones and establish life-long
the more they will tell their friends and the more folk we will welcome.
connections, because that’s what interpreters do. So all we ask is that you
That has to be good for our economy, locally and nationally.
enjoy yourself and leave this event with a new commitment to make that
I wish you every success with the conference and thank you for helping to special difference which interpretation brings to places and people.
promote the Highlands of Scotland through your contribution to the events Our work will then be well rewarded, long after this conference, by your
calendar of Highland 2007. actions in the many countries you represent here at The Vital Spark.

Jim Mather, Ministear airson Iomairt, Lùths agus Turasachd, An Riaghaltas na Bill Taylor & Dr Ruth Taylor, Joint Conference Chairs Bill Taylor & Dr Ruth Taylor
h-Alba / Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism, The Scottish Government

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Na bunasan - The basics
An t-Sradag Bheathail –
na bunasan
The Vital Spark – the basics
Contacts
If you need help, go to conference
reception or ask any of the
conference staff (wearing blue labels).
Resort site and
conference area
See the plans on pages 10 and 11.
All meeting rooms are signposted
with current session details.
Registration
Registration, in the main resort
reception area where you also check
in for your hotel accommodation,
is open on Sunday afternoon from
15.00 to 18.00 and each morning
from 0800 to 0900.
Badges
You will be given your delegate’s
white badge; if you are a speaker,
your badge will be orange.
Conference bags
Your eco-friendly jute conference
bag holds all you need for the
event. You can buy another bag
from conference reception as a
souvenir for a friend.
Vegetarian / special meals
We have included place cards to
match your needs; please put them
on the table at Tuesday’s dinner.
Trip tickets
You’ll find tickets for site visits and
walks in your badge holder. Please
hand in the appropriate ticket as
you board the coach or join the
walk guide.
Parallel sessions
As well as being listed in each day’s
programme, parallel sessions are
shown on pages 12 and 15.
Sign-up sheets
Please use the sheets posted in the
Peregrine Suite to sign up for every
parallel session you want to go to,
except those in the Auditorium.
All other rooms have limits on
their capacity.
Bulletin board
Keep an eye on the bulletin board
beside conference reception for
late news, programme changes and
personal messages. You can leave
a message too.
Broadband
T-mobile wireless broadband
connection is available across the
resort by applying online and
paying by credit card. Ask resort or
conference reception for details.
Photos wanted
We will be producing a video-
montage of delegates’ photographs –
be sure to use your camera!
Banners and leaflets
Take an opportunity to contact the
organisations displaying banners or
including leaflets in your conference
bag. You’ll find them helpful.
Group meetings
If you’d like to arrange a
special-interest meeting,
contact conference reception
who will try and help.
Extra help
We hope we know in advance if you
need assisted access or special diets.
Please ask conference reception for
their help.
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted in any
enclosed public space, anywhere
in Scotland. Drinking, on the
other hand …
Bars
There is a bar next to the Peregrine
Suite and each hotel also has its
own bar.
Luchd-obrach na
co-labhairt
Conference staff
Shona MacLennan
Shona is our
event manager,
ensuring that
all your needs
Fire, first aid and other are met and
safety arrangements liaising with
Resort staff are fully trained the Aviemore
to cope with all fire and other Highland
emergencies. If you need first Resort.
Shona runs Solas Business Services
aid or medical advice, ask at
from the village of Kyle of Lochalsh,
conference reception.
provides a range of consultancy
Checking out services and is a fluent Gaelic speaker.
You must check out of your She is helped by Rachel Phillips.
resort hotel room by 11.00 on
Wednesday morning. Ask at Michael Glen
resort or conference reception Michael is Director of The Vital Spark
for safe storage facilities. as an adjunct
Conference papers to his role as
Administrator
We will publish conference
of AHI, the UK’s
papers on the AHI website later
Association for
this year and will let you know
Heritage
when they are ready. Speakers
Interpretation.
will need to supply a version of
He is helped at
their paper in Word format ready
the conference
for publication, with images
by Debbie Allen, Jenny Brain,
embedded in the document.
Elaine Reid, John Wiewiorka and
all the Steering Group.
How good was it for you?
Please complete the evaluation In his other life, he is Principal of
sheet and ‘post’ it in the box at long-established Touchstone Heritage
conference reception before Management Consultants and the
you leave. jobbing wordsmith at its recently-
created writing offshoot, QuiteWrite.
He also teaches on the MSc course
for the UHI Millennium Institute /
Perth College.
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 Amasan - Themes Didòmhnaich - Sunday
A’ Foillseachadh
na h-Alba
Didòmhnaich 30 Sultain Interpret Scotland
A variety of public agencies and
Sunday 30 September non-profit bodies make up Interpret
1500 – 1800: Registration in the resort reception area Scotland. It is an informal but influential
group committed to heightening
1700 – 1930: Evening visits
understanding of the importance of
If you feel like exploring the area, there will be a number
interpretation, raising standards,
of excursions to local sites; make sure you have booked.
developing training and widening
Tour of the Rothiemurchus Estate awareness of good interpretive initiatives

Adhbhar agus amasan A behind-the-scenes tour of this famous Highland estate.

Guided walk at Glenmore Forest
throughout
Scotland.

na co-labhairt Walk with a character from years gone by as she makes her way along
one of the ancient drove roads and tells a tale or two along the way.
Bob Jones
of Forestry
Commission
Conference purposes and themes Guided walk on Cairngorm mountain
Join a ranger on a walk around Cairngorm mountain. This walk is Scotland is
Why are we holding this conference? Many of the reasons are set out in strenuous and delegates should wear boots and waterproof, warm and chair of
the words of welcome which embrace our overall motives. But we also windproof clothing. Interpret
wanted to explore specific themes as part of the wish to put interpretation Scotland.
Mini John Muir Award session
on an international stage in this northern part of the United Kingdom, The John Muir Award is an award scheme focused on wild places.
a country that Scots, English, Irish and Welsh share and move around in, Association for
This could be anywhere from a mountain top to a city garden.
and increasingly share with many who have chosen to settle among us. It encourages the discovery and conservation of wild places, in a spirit Heritage
This movement of people, augmented by tourists on holiday, business or of fun, adventure and exploration. Interpretation
family visits, has a considerable bearing on, and can be influenced by, Guided tour of the Highland Folk Museum AHI is the UK’s membership organisation
the four themes we chose: This award winning attraction brings to life the domestic and working for people working in interpretation.
• The Vital Spark: interpretation as the driver for cultural regeneration conditions of Highland people from the 1700s to the present day. It is committed to encouraging and
• Creativity and innovation: interpreting remote and fragile areas Guided walk through Abernethy Forest (depart 1615) promoting excellence in interpretation.
• Voices in interpretation: languages, cultures and communities Starting at the community-run visitor centre in Nethy Bridge, AHI organises regular seminars and an
• Authenticity and re-interpretation: traditional icons in the 21st century delegates will walk about 6 km through the ancient pine forests annual conference, and publishes a
of Abernethy to the RSPB osprey centre at professional Journal three times a
But we also chose these themes because, to a great extent, they are
Loch Garten (please note: no ospreys in October!) year as well as a frequent Newsletter.
universal. Our friends from around the world, who are speaking at
Its annual Awards Scheme recognises
The Vital Spark, will contribute to the debates on these themes from their 1900 – 2100
achievement and best practice
own experience. So will everyone in the many informal conversations we Scottish supper in the Peregrine Suite
in interpretation.
are looking forward to. A welcome to the conference with haggis,
Robert Burns’ ‘Great Chieftan o’ the Puddin-race’ Dr Ruth Taylor is the current chair of the
And so, perhaps most important of all, we want The Vital Spark to echo
and Scotland’s national dish (vegetarian alternative Association for Heritage Interpretation.
our sharing of life with sharing our approach to, lessons learned from, and
available!), neeps and tatties. She is Head of Education for the Royal
elements still to be defined about, interpretation. It is that most intriguing,
Horticultural Society and previously
beguiling and sometimes infuriating art, skill or maybe even science that 2000 onwards worked for The National Trust as
has captivated and held our intellects and imaginations. Clarsach music from Jennifer Port and from some young local fiddlers Interpretation Adviser for 13 years.

4

Diluain 1 Dàmhair
Monday 1 October
0745 - 0815: Venue: Alvie
Interpret Europe meeting: for all
those interested in setting up an
association for interpretation in Europe
0800 – 0900: Registration in the
resort reception area.
0855 – 0905: Venue: Auditorium
Call to conference: a dramatic start
with Pipes of Thunder
0905 – 0915: Venue: Auditorium
A conference tale: Aonghas
Phàdraig Caimbeul, Angus Peter
Campbell, will set the scene for a
conference about how we tell stories
0915 – 0920: Venue: Auditorium
Ceud mile fàilte: A greeting from
the Cairngorms
David Green, Chair, Cairngorms
National Park Authority
0920 – 0930: Venue: Auditorium
Conference welcome:
Bill Taylor and Dr Ruth Taylor,
Conference Joint Chairs, will open
the proceedings
0930 – 1000: Venue: Auditorium
Keynote address: Sparking the
fire of regeneration:
Professor Alastair McIntosh,
writer, lecturer, campaigning
academic and social activist
Alastair will draw on new
research about the role of
interpretation in community
regeneration. He will look at how
the role of the interpreter is a
trust that, in a bygone age, might
have been described as ‘sacred.’
1000 – 1030: Venue: Auditorium
Keynote address: What is the
vital spark of interpretation?
Well love, actually:
Professor Jane James,
Head of Cultural Tourism,
Flinders University, Adelaide,
South Australia
Interpreters often wrestle with
defining what we do, and how
to know what makes good
interpretation. Just what is the
vital spark that makes
interpretation work?
1030 – 1100: Break
Diluain - Monday Professor Alastair
McIntosh BSc MBA
1100 – 1230: Parallel Sessions 1 Alastair McIntosh is Scotland's first
professor of human ecology and,
Now it’s time to choose which strand since its formation in 1997, has been
of presentations you want to follow… a director and treasurer of Govan's
see also the table on page 12. GalGael Trust,
which uses
cultural
1A Tourism and interpretive technology
regeneration
Venue: Auditorium
to combat the
Macbeth the King, Lewis chessmen and
stories from Culloden: using technology to connect visitors to our heritage
consequences
of poverty in
Cameron Taylor, Seabridge Consultants, Chrisella Ross, Pròiseact nan Ealan
one of
Scotland's
(Gaelic Arts Agency) and Bronwen Robinson, Zolk Ltd
most hard-
An examination of how handheld technology can help tell our stories.
pressed urban areas.
The session will include case studies of the new directions in ICT media
Prior to moving to Govan in 2004,
being trialled in the Highlands.
he was best known for his rural work
as a founder of the Isle of Eigg Trust
1B From spark to flame
Venue: Strathspey 1 for Land Reform, and in the battle
to prevent the proposed Harris
Transinterpret – a new venture in superquarry. He is author of Soil and
professionalism for European interpreters Soul: People versus Corporate Power
Patrick Lehnes, Interpret Europe and a recent poetry collection,
Love and Revolution.
Good practice alone is insufficient for
establishing professional interpretation.
Besides personal assistance for local project
teams the Transinterpret project develops
international standards and a quality label.
Standards provide guidance, but
standardisation must not constrain creativity.
From spark to flame – developing expertise
in local projects
Florian Hunger, University of Freiburg, Germany and Sebastian Bellwald,
Swiss Distance University of Applied Sciences, Switzerland.
Running interpretive projects is a big task, generally underestimated by local
stakeholders. Working with about thirty local project groups revealed typical
sticking points. Coaching by Transinterpret has achieved significant progress
in enhancing interpretation.
5
 Diluain leantainn air - Monday continued Professor Jane James
PhD
1D Writing for children (Workshop) Jane James is Head of Cultural
Venue: Glenmore Tourism at Flinders University in
Can words alone still ignite the vital spark in children? South Australia where she
coordinates Cultural and
Cathy Lewis, Froghopper
International Tourism programs and
First we’ll blow sky high the myth that today’s child can only be reached via graduate courses in Interpretation,
technology (or junk food). Then we’ll look at how our interpretation can Heritage Management and Festival
capture children’s imaginations with the simplest of methods – words. and Event
Design and
1E New thoughts on interpretive planning
Management.
Venue: Alvie
She is a South
Parallel Sessions continued Interpretation – process or product? Australian
Kevin Theaker, Scottish Agricultural College Tourism
1C Promoting responsible access Commission
Venue: Morlich Interpretation is in danger of becoming a product rather than a process. Board Director
There is now a legal right of responsible non-motorised access to most Provoke, reveal, relate has become part of the consumer culture rather and Chair of
land and inland water in Scotland. The Scottish Outdoor Access Code was than enlightenment. the National
developed to help landowners and recreationists to behave responsibly. A toolkit for engaging communities in planning interpretation Parks and Wildlife Council.
These two presentations look at some of the interpretive challenges Her recent research has developed
Ruth Nicholson and Suzanna Meekins, Brecon Beacons National Park
this presents. an interpretation planning tool to
An overview of the new toolkit developed by the Brecon Beacons NPA to integrate heritage effectively and
Hamish’s Highland Holiday – a puppet show about outdoor access guide communities through interpretation projects, answering their most sustainably in tourism.
and responsibility common queries whilst containing good practice guidelines to ensure a user
friendly, high quality end product that benefits the community and visitors. She is an expatriate Scot –
John Phillips and Sarah Kay, Highland Council Ranger Service
a MacQueen before she married –
Meet the Highland Council Ranger Service and be a spectator at Hamish's How vital is the spark? Kicking objectives until they squeak who did her geology doctorate in
Highland Holiday puppet show. Be entertained with this informative show, Nigel McDonald, Shropshire County Council the North West Highlands of
which introduces the Scottish Outdoor Access Code as experienced by a boy Scotland, between Morar, Knoydart,
from the city who is visiting his granddad on a croft. Seeking to draw together the combined experiences, attitudes and practices
Skye and Glenelg. She is thrilled at
of its participants, this presentation challenges the more common
Know the Code before you go…promoting the the opportunity that the Year of
approaches to objective setting in interpretive planning.
Scottish Outdoor Access Code Highland Culture presents for
1F Inspiring icons international interpretation, and for
Eleanor MacGregor, Scottish Natural Heritage her to ‘come home’!
Venue: Strathspey 2
Explore a range of traditional, inventive and
innovative approaches that have been used to Interpreting the architectural legacy of Sir Basil Spence
publicise and promote the Scottish Outdoor Access Laura Gutierrez, Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical
Code. This workshop aims to inspire you to develop Monuments of Scotland
clear and positive messages about responsible This presentation will look at the success of the Sir Basil Spence Archive
access so you reveal messages in a memorable way Project’s outreach programme in interpreting the legacy of one of Britain’s
that will have the greatest impact. most celebrated 20th century architects by working intimately with the
communities that use his buildings.

6
Diluain leantainn air - Monday continued
Jennifer Port
On Sunday
Authenticity and re–interpretation: museum buildings as traditional icons 2B Creativity (Workshop) evening, award-
in the 21st century Venue: Strathspey 1 winning multi-
Fiona Sinclair, Dundee City Council Energising your creative interpretive instrumentalist
abilities Jennifer will
Museum buildings are often perceived as traditional icons by the public
treat delegates
for various reasons. This can influence visitors’ interpretive experiences. John Pastorelli, Ochre Learning, Australia
to the haunting
Applying interpretive strategies can reinvent these perceptions, thus giving
A workshop in which we’ll be working with tones of the
museum buildings a new relevance.
a blend of storytelling, creative thinking clarsach, the
Informing, inspiring, engaging: sparking Scotland’s re–enlightenment and interpretive techniques to energise Scottish harp,
Mark McLean, the National Trust for Scotland your creative spirit, have a bit of fun and with ‘playing of pristine poise,
enhance your ability to create ideas. mouthwatering sweetness and
Newhailes is a 17th Century mansion house on the outskirts of Edinburgh,
sparkling vitality’ – The Scotsman,
recently restored by the National Trust for Scotland. Using the house as an 2C Interpreting the landscape
February 2003.
example this presentation examines how coherent and innovative heritage Venue: Morlich
projects, effectively interpreted, can play a major role in enabling people
actively and imaginatively to engage with a nation’s cultural past
Reading the landscape – exploring Scotland's earth stories Pipes of Thunder
and present. Ness Kirkbride and John Gordon, Scottish Natural Heritage A group of highly regarded
Scotland's earth history and landscapes are an interpreter’s treasure trove, musicians will combine their
1230 – 1330: Lunch powerful performance
stuffed full of crash, bang, wallop stories. We explore some interpretive
approaches taken to ‘reveal’ these stories. But, reclaiming cultural skills in opening the conference
interpretations of landscape is a growing theme. Led by local people, with an unforgettable bang!
1330 – 1500: Scotland's two new European geopark's are a new opportunity.
Parallel Sessions 2 Angus Peter Campbell
Life through time glasses – interpreting both nature and culture
Angus Peter
Now it’s time to choose Darja Kranjc and Samo Sturm, Park Skocjan Caves, Slovenia Campbell,
again … see also the table
The interpretation of the home environment through both nature and or Aonghas
on page 12.
culture explores the power of historical extensions in this case study of Phàdraig
a project designed for young people at the Skocjan Caves in Slovenia. Caimbeul as
he’s usually
2A Design and 2D Environmental interpretation known, is one
interpretation Venue: Glenmore of the most
Venue: Auditorium
The heart of nature centres widely
It takes two – designers and the museum at Kelvingrove respected
Constantina Skanavis and Christos Giannoulis, University of the Aegean,
Sue Latimer, Glasgow Museums and Esther Dugdale, Event Communications figures of contemporary Gaelic
Greece
literature. He is an author,
The good relationship between client and designers is fundamental to the An important role of environmental interpretation is to attempt to educate broadcaster, columnist and actor –
boldness of the Kelvingrove’s new displays - clear interpretative goals, as are visitors in the informal free-choice learning settings to the complex natural and, on Monday morning,
a willingness from Glasgow Museums to be challenged, an imaginative resource issues of sensitive settings. Nature or interpretive centres are the a storyteller, plain and simple.
approach from the designers, plenty of energy and a willingness to take risks hub of a park or protected area interpretive programme. The heart and soul
on both sides. of nature centres are its personnel.

7
 Diluain leantainn air - Monday continued
Am Buidheann
2F Organisational culture and interpretation
Stiùiridh
Venue: Strathspey 2 Conference Steering
Realising the potential of interpretation Group
Genevieve Adkins, Perth College Many people have worked for
Changes in policy and practice have created new opportunities for interpretation. many months to organise
What are these new opportunities? What demands do they place on interpreters? The Vital Spark. The Steering
What education and skills needs exist and how can these be met? This session’s Group, under Bill Taylor’s
speakers and the following discussion aim to explore the future of the discipline chairmanship, has included:
and the challenges in meeting these new demands.
Bob Jones (Vice Chair)
2G Inspiration (Workshop) Forestry Commission Scotland
Venue: Kincraig
Sue Atkinson / Julie Forrest /
Passionate landscapes: a workshop about inspiration Lorna Brown
Gordon MacLellan, Creeping Toad Scottish Natural Heritage
2D Environmental interpretation continued Drawing inspiration from our own experiences: a chance for participants to James Carter
play with words, landscapes, feelings and thrills. This active session will
From chimpanzees to climate change Corrie Cheyne / John Hamilton
encourage participants to recall our own sense of
Stephen Woollard, Royal Zoological Society of Scotland wonder and delight in the world around us. Scottish Interpretation Network
Using a multi-facetted approach to interpretation, the Royal Zoological 1500 – 1530: Break Andy Ford
Society of Scotland engages people in the natural environment at home and Cairngorms National Park Authority
abroad, for example, to explore the life of chimpanzees in Uganda and the 1530 – 1700: Parallel Sessions 3 Paul Hibberd
impacts of climate change globally.
See the table on page 12. Forestry Commission Scotland
2E Traditional voices Aaron Lawton Association for
Venue: Alvie 3A Interpretive planning (Workshop) Heritage Interpretation
Venue: Auditorium
The Gaelic voice – representing the heritage of the Gàidhealtachd Viola Lier
Unifying communities around heritage themes
Fiona McLean, Glasgow Caledonian University Scottish Tourist Guides Association
Tim Merriman and Lisa Brochu, National Association for Interpretation, USA
The Gàidhealtachd is the area in which, traditionally, Gaelic has been spoken. Elaine Reid volunteer
Using a case study of the Highland Folk Museum, this presentation will take Interpretive planning at the community level creates an important opportunity
the theoretical construct of the poetics of representation to examine the ways to tie the natural and cultural assets of the community back to the central Kit Reid
in which Gaelic language and voice is given voice here and at other sites.. stories that make it unique. This workshop suggests ways to make this happen. the National Trust for Scotland

Interpreting Australia – what’s hot? 3B Interpretation and regeneration

Rachel Faggetter and Pam Enting, Australia
This presentation will report on how interpretation in Australia considers the hot
issues of cultural identity, interpreting culture and country, and the protocols for
interpretation jointly developed by Aboriginal and Settler Australians.
Venue: Strathspey 1
Interpretation – the vital ‘added value’ for regeneration?
Sarah Oswald and Carolyn Lloyd Brown, PLB
Can interpretation be the driver for regeneration? We will challenge that idea
by exploring the evidence of hard and soft impacts of interpretation in today’s
objective-driven climate. As advocates for interpretation, we will explore its
true role in regeneration. The Vital Spark Steering Group

8
Diluain leantainn air - Monday continued
The State Puppet
Theatre Company
Archaeology as a meeting point for multicultural regeneration 3E Unexpected, unlooked for?
The Man Who Planted Trees is a
Anita Synnestvedt, Göteborg University, Sweden Venue: Alvie
magical, comical, multi-sensory
This paper presents an urban archaeological excavation from Göteborg, Accidental provocation – interpretation for adaptation of Giono’s famous novel
Sweden, which raised questions of the present use of the site. The key people who aren’t expecting it about one man and his dog who set
aspects of the project highlight interpretation, cultural activities and James Carter, Scotland out to transform a barren wilderness.
involving the community in archaeology. This production has received so many
How do we make interpretation work in
enthusiastic reviews – don’t miss it on
3C Interpretation and events places where visitors aren’t expecting it?
Monday evening!
Venue: Morlich Using examples from the Tweed Rivers
Heritage Project, James Carter will look at
Transforming landscapes; transforming experiences what interpretation principles mean in an
Comhlan Luadh
Angus Farquhar, NVA increasingly information-dense world. The State Puppet Theatre Company
Bhàideanach -
Outlining the challenges and the creative vision of NVA, an environmental Waulking tweed - the process of
Designing interpretation to persuade and
arts charity that specialises in ambitious site-specific events for remote and fulling, or softening, the fabric, used to
change behaviour
environmentally sensitive areas. Angus will look at a highly contemporary be the work of a team of women.
Dr Ruth Taylor, Royal Horticultural Society Today, the Badenoch Waulking Group
approach to interpretation that widens public appeal without endangering
fragile environments. If we are going to save the world for future generations we need to persuade presents some of the songs used to
people to change their behaviour. This presentation, with case studies, will keep up the rhythm and reduce the
Cultural festivals and the ‘authentic’ show how you can design interpretation to persuade and change behaviour. monotony of the work.
Teri Brewer and Betty Belanus, University of Glamorgan
3F Evaluating interpretation (Workshop) Dannsa
Cultural festivals offer special challenges in representing and interpreting Venue: Strathspey 2
the ‘authentic’ and ‘local’ for outside audiences. This paper will identify the With an enthralling combination of
principal issues for interpreters and suggest some solutions to the problems Beyond the clipboard traditional Highland step-dancing and
which arise in interpreting culture in the festival context. live music, with fiddle, pipes and Gaelic
Jenny Fuchs, National Museums Scotland
song, Dannsa are sure to provide one
3D Literally challenging This workshop presents a brief overview of different types of consultation and of the most lively and spellbinding
Venue: Glenmore evaluation and their benefits. A fun hands-on approach gives participants the evenings of your year on Tuesday.
chance to try out a variety of creative evaluation techniques for themselves.
Literally challenging – interpreting Robert Burns for the 21st Century Dannsa
Mary Hudson, the National Trust for Scotland 1710 – 1830: 1930 – 2100:
A breath of air Venue: Peregrine Suite
Mary will look at the challenges involved in interpreting literary icons such
If you’d like to stretch your legs, Buffet supper
as Robert Burns for the widest possible audience in the twenty-first century.
there are short local guided walks Eating, drinking and meeting folk
Passionate Intensity: interpreting a national icon – the Yeats exhibition at on offer. Details will be on the over a buffet supper
the National Library of Ireland bulletin board. Fèis Spè Cèilidh Trailers
2100: Venue: Auditorium
Dr Éilís Ní Dhuibhne, National Library of Ireland, Ireland 1710 – 1800: Venue: Auditorium The Puppet State Theatre This talented group of young musicians
This presentation examines the ways in which the great Irish poet Yeats was Association for Heritage Company presents The Man who are making a name for themselves in
interpreted, using a variety of modern and traditional media in the prize Interpretation AGM Planted Trees the Cairngorm National Park.
winning exhibition Yeats: Life and Work. Members’ review of the past year Expect a lively and enthusiastic call to
2200: Venue: Peregrine Suite
and election of officers conference on Wednesday morning!
Informal storytelling, music and song

9
 Macdonald’s Aviemore Highland Resort - Site map

Accommodation Conference Facilities Restaurants Leisure and Retail

1. Macdonald Highlands Hotel 5. Conference Centre 1. Aspects Restaurant 2. The Leisure Arena
4. Woodland Lodges • Peregrine Suite, Osprey Arena 5. Highland Food Court 3. Children’s Play Park
7. Macdonald Academy Hotel • Auditorium & Meeting Rooms 9. Dalfaber Country Club 6. Extensive Car Parking
11. Macdonald Four Seasons Hotel 11. Grantown Suite 11. Four Seasons Restaurant 8. Aviemore Railway Station
12. The Aviemore Inn 11. Four Seasons Suite 12. Giovanni’s 9. Spey Valley Golf Course
9. Dalfaber Country Club
10. Craigellachie Nature Reserve
13. Brands Shopping Complex

10
Macdonald’s Aviemore Highland Resort - Map of rooms

Ground floor Upper floor

1 Entrance P Peregrine Suite
2 Resort Reception A Alvie Room
3 The Vital Spark Reception M Morlich Room
4 Auditorium Entrance G Glenmore Room
5 Autitorium K Kincraig
6 Highland Food Court S1 Strathspey 1
T Toilets S2 Strathspey 2
T Toilets
T
5
T
S2
K A
S1 M
4 G

3
2

T 1
T
T P
6

Ground floor Upper floor

11
 Parallel sessions, Monday 1 October

Room: Auditorium Strathspey 1 Morlich Glenmore Alvie Strathspey 2

1A Tourism and 1B From spark to flame 1C Promoting responsible 1D Writing for children 1E New thoughts on 1F Inspiring icons
1100 – interpretive access (Workshop) interpretive planning
1230 Transinterpret – a new Interpreting the architectural
technology Hamish’s Highland Holiday –
venture in professionalism Can words alone still ignite Interpretation – process or legacy of Sir Basil Spence
Macbeth the King, for European interpreters a puppet show about outdoor the vital spark in children? product? - Kevin Theaker Laura Gutierrez
Parallel access and responsibility
Lewis chessmen and Patrick Lehnes Cathy Lewis
Sessions A toolkit for engaging Authenticity and
stories from Culloden: John Phillips and
From spark to flame – communities in planning re–interpretation: museum
using technology to Sarah Kay

1 connect visitors to our

heritage
Cameron Taylor,
developing expertise in
local projects
Florian Hunger and
Sebastian Bellwald
Know the Code before you
go…promoting the Scottish
Outdoor Access Code
interpretation
Ruth Nicholson and
Suzanna Meekins
buildings - Fiona Sinclair

Informing, inspiring,
engaging: sparking
Chrisella Ross and How vital is the spark? Kicking Scotland’s re–enlightenment
Eleanor MacGregor
Bronwen Robinson objectives until they squeak Mark McLean
Nigel McDonald

Strathspey 2 Kincraig
1330 – 2A Design and 2B Creativity (Workshop) 2C Interpreting the landscape 2D Environmental 2E Traditional voices
interpretation interpretation 2F 2G Inspiration
1500 Energising your creative Reading the landscape – The Gaelic voice –
Organisational (Workshop)
It takes two – interpretive abilities exploring Scotland's earth stories The heart of nature centres representing the heritage
culture and
Parallel designers and the John Pastorelli Ness Kirkbride and Constantina Skanavis and of the Gàidhealtachd Passionate
interpretation
museum at John Gordon Christos Giannoulis Fiona McLean landscapes:
Sessions
Kelvingrove New roles for a workshop
Life through time glasses - From chimpanzees to Interpreting Australia – interpretation about inspiration
Sue Latimer and

2 Esther Dugdale
interpreting both nature and
culture
Darja Kranjc and Samo Sturm
climate change
Stephen Woollard
what’s hot?
Rachel Faggetter and
Pam Enting
Genevieve
Adkins
Gordon
MacLellan

Strathspey 2
1530 – 3A Interpretative 3B Interpretation and 3C Interpretation and events 3D Literally challenging 3E Unexpected,
1700 planning regeneration unlooked for? 3F Evaluating
Transforming landscapes; Literally challenging –
(Workshop) Interpretation
Interpretation – the vital transforming experiences interpreting Robert Burns Accidental provocation –
Parallel Unifying ‘added value’ for for the 21st Century interpretation for people (Workshop)
Angus Farquhar
Sessions communities around regeneration? - Sarah Oswald Mary Hudson who aren’t expecting it Beyond the clipboard
and Carolyn Lloyd Brown Cultural festivals and the
heritage themes James Carter Jenny Fuchs
‘authentic’ Passionate intensity:

3 Tim Merriman and

Lisa Brochu
Archaeology as a meeting
point for multicultural
regeneration
Anita Synnestvedt
Teri Brewer and Betty Belanus interpreting a national icon –
the Yeats exhibition at the
National Library of Ireland
Designing interpretation
to persuade and change
behaviour
Dr Ruth Taylor
Dr Éilís Ní Dhuibhne

12

Dimairt 2 Dàmhair
Tuesday 2 October
0745 - 0830: Venue: Alvie
Interpret Europe meeting
(if required)
0800 – 0900: Registration in the
resort reception area.
0855 – 0905: Venue: Auditorium
Call to conference: a gentle start
with Comhlan Luadh Bhàideanach
- Badenoch Waulking Group
0910 – 0940: Venue: Auditorium
Keynote address: The power of
artistry: vitality in the
interpretation of fragile and
remote areas
Susan Strauss, storyteller and
interpreter, USA.
Rather than ‘art in interpretation’,
we must focus on the truly
effective essence of ‘the artistic’ –
and understand how this essence
can breath life into our work,
words, movement and follow the
dramatic successes of John Muir
and Thomas Moran.
0940 – 1010:
Venue: Auditorium
Keynote address: Inherited
heritage:
Shonaig Macpherson, Chair of
the National Trust for Scotland.
The National Trust for Scotland
cares for iconic heritage such as
the Culloden battlefield,
documents written by poet
Robert Burns, and large areas of
Highland landscape. But many of
our ideas about their value have
been inherited from previous
generations. How do we make
them relevant to people today?
1010 – 1040: Break
Dimairt - Tuesday
Susan Strauss MA BA
Susan Strauss is an internationally
1040 – 1210: Parallel Sessions 4 recognized storyteller and author
of natural history themes. She has
Now it’s time to choose again …
presented many keynote addresses
see also the table on page 15.
and performances and her
Passionate Facts: Storytelling
4A Places and people Science Workshops at international
Venue: Auditorium congresses and leading attractions
including: Monterey Bay Aquarium,
Uniting people, place and story
International Congress of Botanical
Murray Ferguson, Cairngorms National Park Authority Gardens,
There are many important stories to tell about Britain’s most recently National
Geographic
established National Park. Yet the Park Authority does not own or directly
manage any sites, visitor centres or rangers. So how are these stories to Society,
be told? National
Gallery of
From interpretation to protection: is there a theoretical basis?
Art, Oregon
Professor Sam Ham, University of Idaho, USA Symphony,
Tilden cited the anonymous phrase ‘through interpretation, understanding; Royal Botanic
through understanding, appreciation; through appreciation, protection’ as Garden Edinburgh Smithsonian
one of interpretation’s highest purposes. But does the chain of events really Natural History Museum.
stand up in the light of contemporary cognitive and social psychology, or is She has written original narratives
it just a nice, warm and fuzzy phrase? for museum exhibits and to promote
National Forest Service restoration
4B Effective interpretation projects and four books: Coyote
Venue: Strathspey 1 Stories For Children, Wolf Stories:
Interpretation, heritage tourism and sustainability – a case of symbiosis? Myths and True Life Tales from
Around the World, When Woman
Gail Vander Stoep, Michigan State University, USA
Became the Sea: A Costa Rican
Is sustainable tourism impossible without effective interpretation of a Creation Myth and The Passionate
community’s or site’s stories and issues? The paper looks at the role of Fact: Storytelling in Natural History
interpretation in sustainable community and heritage tourism planning and and Cultural Interpretation and six
development, and uses examples from several countries – both effective and audio recordings. She currently
‘missed opportunities’ – to illustrate major points. teaches at Oregon State University.
Lighting a flame both in visitors’ eyes and in the local community
Catherine Cayre, Cairn Interprétation, France
French interpreters have defined five principles, inspired by Tilden’s
principles but adapted to new contexts, to make interpretation work not
only as a good product but also as a whole process involving the
local community.
13
 Dimairt leantainn air - Tuesday continued Shonaig Macpherson
CBE FRSE
Parallel Sessions continued A wondrous spark – the legacy of Rachel Carson
Shonaig Macpherson’s education
4C Engaging people David Mitchell, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh owes much to the National Trust
Venue: Morlich Rachel Carson, one of the first interpreters of wild landscapes in America, left a for Scotland. As a child, exiled to
significant legacy beyond her famous book Silent Spring. Today that legacy has Leicestershire in England, she
Costumed interpretation learned about her country’s history
much to offer in the communication of science with a sense of wonder.
Jackie Lee, Artemis Cultural and on holidays back home, being
Educational Services 4E Research in interpretation (Workshop) ‘dragooned’ around castles and
Venue: Alvie battlefields by
This paper will examine: the varying
views on costumed interpretation from fiercely
Research in interpretation – engine driving the subject or academic
the perspective of both interpretive patriotic
indulgence?
planners and costumed interpreters, parents.
Melanie Smith and Tomas Nilsson, University of the Highlands and Islands,
the practical issues involved in and Emma Carver, English Heritage In appointing
programming costumed interpretation, and visitor reaction to costumed a former
interpretation, with reference to both the Scottish and American experience. What challenges face research in interpretation? This workshop will focus on
lawyer as the
three key areas: asking the 'right' questions; the accessibility and relevance of
Museum theatre and ageing populations first female
research to the profession; and maintaining the 'Vital Spark' through research.
chairman of
Daina Harvey, National Museum of Australia, Australia Scotland’s biggest charity, the NTS
4F Portable technology and interpretation (Workshop)
This presentation will discuss the way in which museum theatre can wants to use her well-connected
Venue: Strathspey 2
stimulate older people’s memories through the use of objects and other business mind to help win the Trust a
archival material, and act to validate older people’s life experiences. Satellites and soundbites profile to match its remit to conserve
This can widen the audiences for museums, and affirm older people’s role the heritage on behalf of the nation.
Matthew Jones and David Masters, Imagemakers Design and Consulting,
in communities. For this former senior partner with
and Nigel McDonald, Shropshire County Council
a leading firm of solicitors, her new
Fictitious landscapes – literature in children’s interpretation This workshop will explore the use of portable digital media players, mobile job extends the platform from which
Richard Heathcote, Director, Carrick Hill and Professor Jane James, phones and global positioning system (GPS) devices in interpreting remote she can extol her vision of a self-
Flinders University, Australia and fragile areas. Please bring your mobile phone – and have it switched on! confident, positive-thinking Scottish
How can heritage sites engage children’s interest using literature to provide economy. For her, Scotland’s heritage
1215 – 1800: is about far more than the attraction
adventure and discovery? Carrick Hill, a grand house in Adelaide, South
Visits to major sites (more information can be found on the opposite page) of tourists. Her ultimate goal is that
Australia, recently established a Children’s Literary Trail resulting in a child-
A choice between two afternoon site visits. One looks at interpretation in ‘every child in Scotland should be
led increase in visitors.
Britain’s newest National Park, the Cairngorms. Here the National Park a member’.
Authority is working in partnership with local communities, businesses and
4D Lighting the spark
other agencies to present the Park’s rich nature and culture.
Venue: Glenmore
Or you can visit Culloden, the iconic site of the last pitched battle in Britain,
Many interpreters aim to ‘inspire’ – where the National Trust for Scotland is developing exciting and challenging
but do we really know how? new interpretation. You can pick up a packed lunch to eat on the coach.
Susan Cross, TellTale
This session draws on work examining what 1930 – late: Conference dinner in the Peregrine Suite
has inspired heritage and countryside staff, A great menu of Highland fare, followed by dancing and music from modern
and considers what this means for creating inspirational interpretation. ceilidh band Dannsa. The band aim to celebrate the rich culture and infectious
energy of Scottish dance, and will help you birl and weave the night away!

14
 Parallel sessions, Tuesday 2 and Wednesday 3 October

Room: Auditorium Strathspey 1 Morlich Glenmore Alvie Strathspey 2

Tuesday 4A Places and 4B Effective interpretation 4C Engaging people 4D Lighting the spark 4E Research in 4F Portable
1040 – people interpretation technology and
Interpretation, heritage tourism Costumed interpretation Many interpreters aim
(Workshop) interpretation
1210 Uniting people, place and sustainability – Laura Gutierrez to ‘inspire’ – but do we
(Workshop)
and story a case of symbiosis? really know how? Research in interpretation –
Museum theatre and ageing engine driving the subject Satellites and
Parallel Murray Ferguson Gail Vander Stoep
populations - Daina Harvey
Susan Cross
or academic indulgence? soundbites
Sessions From interpretation to Lighting a flame in visitors’ eyes A wondrous spark – the
Fictitious landscapes – literature Melanie Smith, Tomas Matthew Jones,
protection: is there a and in the local community legacy of Rachel Carson

4 theoretical basis?
Professor Sam Ham
Catherine Cayre
in children’s interpretation
Richard Heathcote
David Mitchell
Nilsson and Emma Carver David Masters and
Nigel McDonald

Pàirc Nàiseanta a’ Mhonaidh Ruaidh
Cairngorms National Park
The Cairngorms National Park was designated as Scotland’s second
national park in 2003 and is the largest in Britain. 16,000 people live in its
3,800 km2 of mountain, moorland, forest, wetland and farmland which
are also home to 25% of Britain’s threatened species. It is a special place.
We must care for the Park – for the sake of its wildlife, countryside and
the people that live in it, manage it and visit it. This is reflected in the
Park’s aims for conservation, sustainable use, understanding and
enjoyment and, unique to Scotland’s national parks, promoting the area’s
social and economic well-being.
Tuesday’s site visits: Cùil Lodair - Culloden
The course of Scottish, European and world history changed at Culloden on 16 April 1746.
Cairngorms National Park
It was here, in the last hand-to-hand battle on British soil, that the Jacobite army fought to
reclaim the thrones of Scotland and England from the Hanoverians. Jacobites believed in
the Catholic Stuart dynasty's right to rule - 'Bonnie Prince Charlie' was the grandson of the
last crowned Stuart King. Brought up in Italy, he arrived in Scotland in 1745 to reclaim the
title for his father. The British government army of George II was equally determined to
stop this happening. The resulting war divided families and set clan against clan.
Since the mid-nineteenth century the battlefield has been a place of pilgrimage for people
from Scotland and throughout the world. Today, with ongoing archaeological research
and fresh historical interpretations, the causes and consequences of the 'Forty-Five' Rising
Culloden
are still hotly debated.

Room: Auditorium Strathspey 1 Morlich Glenmore Alvie Strathspey 2

Wednesday 5A The profession 5B Storytelling 5C Fragile environments 5D Global experiences 5E Minority languages
1040 – – accreditation (Workshop) (Workshop)
Imagining St Kilda - Jill Harden International interpretation –
1210 and federation Using minority languages
Voice and language: lessons from Georgia and Croatia
A clash of culture in the wilderness in heritage interpretation
Ways forward for stealing the storyteller's Catherine Curby
Parallel Sonia Frimmel
interpretation fire for broad base Peadar Morgan and
Sessions interpretation Interpreting Africa Sue Mackenzie
Photography and re–photography to

5 Susan Strauss reveal meanings and relationships Rainer Glawion and

Jacqueline Passon
Pete Moore

15

Diciadain 3 Dàmhair
Wednesday 3 October
0800 – 0900: Registration in the
resort reception area.
0855 – 0905: Venue: Auditorium
Call to conference: savour a
special opening of the final day
with Fèis Spè Cèilidh Trailers
0910 – 0940: Venue: Auditorium
Keynote address: Living on
Upoko Road:
Jette Sandahl, Director Experience
of Te Papa Tongarewa Museum,
New Zealand.
How does contemporary
globalization and mass migration
impact on a local and national
heritage? How does heritage
interpretation deal with current
complex issues of ownership to
land and history, heritage and
cultural identity?
16
0940 – 1010: Venue: Auditorium
Keynote address: Highlands
and islands heritage: our key
to a good future
Professor James Hunter,
University of the Highlands and
Islands Centre for History
Interpretation can be a key
influence on a community’s
sense of self worth. This is
especially important in areas
like the Highlands and Islands,
once dismissed as hopelessly
impoverished, but rich in music,
architecture, literature,
archaeology.
1010 – 1040: Break
Fèis Spè Cèilidh Trailers
Diciadain - Wednesday Jette Sandahl PhD
Jette Sandahl was the founding
1040 – 1210: Parallel Sessions 5 director of the new Museum of
World Cultures in Sweden, creating a
Now it’s the last time to choose … museum as a community meeting
see also the table on page 15. place, a site of empowerment and
as an agent for
5A The Profession – accreditation social change.
and federation She came to
Venue: Auditorium museums as
A variety of interpretation professionals will a founding
debate ways forward for the profession. director of
Should we establish accreditation schemes, is there a need for a federation the Women’s
at an international level, and how might these be organised? Museum in
Denmark after
5B Storytelling (Workshop) more than a
Venue: Strathspey 1 decade at the Institute of Psychology,
University of Aarhus, Denmark.
Voice and language: stealing the storyteller's fire for broad base
interpretation
She served for a number of years
as director of exhibitions and public
Susan Strauss, USA programs at the National Museum
Explore the extraordinary picture-making capacity of voice and language. of Denmark.
Activities designed to work with: vowels' and consonants' capacity to create In both her academic and her
moods and imagery, effective word choices, enrich and project voice and museum work she has been an
find character voices. advocate for issues of cultural
diversity, cultural participation,
5C Fragile environments and the rights to self-representation.
Venue: Morlich Recent publications include Living
Imagining St Kilda Entities, in The Native Universe and
Museums in the 21st Century.
Jill Harden, the National Trust for Scotland USA, 2005.
The islands of St Kilda, one of only 24 World Heritage Sites designated for National Museums Scotland have
both their natural and cultural heritage value, lies 100 miles west of
supported Jette Sandahl’s travel costs.
Highland Scotland. Its remote fragility both challenges and stimulates
interpretation today – traditionally, virtually and artistically in music,
poetry and photography.
A clash of culture in the wilderness
Sonia Frimmel, What’s the story?, New Zealand
When nature overtakes industry, the challenge is to bring tales of historical
enterprise and endeavour to life in places most visitors think of as pristine
and wild.
 Diciadain - Wednesday Professor James
Hunter CBE PhD
5E Minority languages (Workshop) James Hunter
Venue: Alvie is director of
Using minority languages in heritage interpretation the UHI Centre
for History,
Peadar Morgan, Bòrd na Gàidhlig, and Sue Mackenzie, the National Trust UHI being the
for Scotland prospective
What are the challenges and opportunities of using Gaelic and other minority University of
languages in interpretation? How are quality and reliability ensured? the Highlands
This workshop is a chance to discuss the issues and share experiences. and Islands.
An acknowledged authority on the
area, he has published eleven books
Photography and re–photography to reveal meanings and relationships 1215 – 1300: Venue: Auditorium
on Highlands and Islands themes
Pete Moore, Scottish Natural Heritage Closing session: Vital sparks of interpretation – a world ablaze
and has also been active in the
The presentation will show how photography and re-photography provide Professor Sam Ham, international interpretation expert, will sum up his region’s public life. He was the first
a direct link between the present and the past, and suggest ways through thoughts on conference director of the Scottish Crofters
which we can reveal meanings and relationships in our natural and Union, now the Scottish Crofting
1300: Mingle and depart
cultural heritage. Foundation and, for six years from
1998, chaired Highlands and Islands
5D Global Experiences Enterprise, the north of Scotland’s
Venue: Glenmore development agency.
International interpretation – lessons from Georgia and Croatia Professor Sam H Ham PhD
Catherine Curby, Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, USA Professor Sam H Ham is Director of the Centre for
Learn valuable lessons from two international projects: providing interpretive International Training and Outreach and Professor
training at Lonjsko Polje Nature Park in rural Croatia; and developing trails of communication psychology and international
and wayside panels at Kolkheti National Park on the Black Sea coast conservation in the University of Idaho’s
of Georgia. Department of Conservation Social Sciences.
He also Deputy Director of the Tourism Research
Interpreting Africa University at Monash University, Melbourne,
Rainer Glawion and Jacqueline Passon, University of Freiburg, Germany Australia. Sam’s research has focused on applying communication theory
The presentation will focus on research for assessing the potential for to environmental conservation, interpretation and travellers’ philanthropy,
interpretation in two remote and fragile areas of Africa: the World Heritage and on nature-based tourism and guide training. He is author of
site Leptis Magna in Libya, and the Namib-Naukluft National Park Environmental Interpretation and 350 other publications. Sam’s training
in Namibia. programmes have reached more than 38,000 people in 40 countries.
UHI Millennium Institute / Perth College has sponsored Sam Ham’s
appearance at the conference.

17
 Luchd-labhairt - Speakers
Luchd-labhairt - Speakers
Genevieve Adkins, Perth College,
Scotland
Betty J Belanus, Centre for Folklife
and Cultural Studies, USA
Dr Sebastian Bellwald, Swiss
Distance University of Applied
Sciences, Switzerland
Teri Brewer, University of
Glamorgan, Wales
Lisa Brochu, National Association
for Interpretation, USA
James Carter, Scotland
Emma Carver, English Heritage,
England
Catherine Cayre, Cairn
Interpretation, France
Susan Cross, TellTale, England
Catherine Curby, Arctic National
Wildlife Refuge, USA
Esther Dugdale, Event
Communications, England
Pam Enting, Australia
Rachel Faggetter, Australia
Angus Farquhar, NVA, Scotland
Murray Ferguson, Cairngorms
National Park Authority, Scotland
Sonia Frimmel, What’s the story?,
New Zealand
18
Jenni Fuchs, National Museums
Scotland, Scotland
Christos Giannoulis, University of
Ioannina, Greece
Professor Rainer Glawion,
University of Freiburg, Germany
John Gordon, Scottish Natural
Heritage, Scotland
David Green, Chair, Cairngorms
National Park Authority
Laura Gutierrez, Royal
Commission on the Ancient and
Historical Monuments of Scotland,
Scotland
Professor Sam Ham, University of
Idaho, USA
Jill Harden, the National Trust for
Scotland, Scotland
Daina Harvey, National Museum
of Australia, Australia
Richard Heathcote, Carrick Hill,
Australia
Mary Hudson, the National Trust
for Scotland, Scotland
Florian Hunger, University of
Freiburg, Germany
Professor James Hunter, UHI
Centre for History, Scotland
Professor Jane James, Flinders
University, Australia
Mathew Jones, Imagemakers
Design and Consulting, England
Sarah Kay, Highland Council
Ranger Service, Scotland
Ness Kirkbride, Scottish Natural
Heritage, Scotland
Darja Kranjc, Park Skocjan Caves,
Slovenia
Sue Latimer, Glasgow Museums
Service, Scotland
Jackie Lee, Artemis Cultural and
Educational Services, Scotland
Patrick Lehnes, University of
Freiburg, Germany
Cathy Lewis, Froghopper, England
Carolyn Lloyd Brown, PLB Ltd,
England
Eleanor MacGregor, Scottish
Natural Heritage, Scotland
Sue Mackenzie, the National Trust
for Scotland, Scotland
Gordon MacLellan, Creeping Toad,
England
Shonaig Macpherson, the National
Trust for Scotland, Scotland
David Masters, Imagemakers
Design and Consulting, England
Nigel McDonald, Shropshire
County Council, England
Professor Alastair McIntosh,
Writer, lecturer, campaigning
academic and social activist,
Scotland
Fiona McLean, Glasgow
Caledonian University, Scotland
Mark McLean, the National Trust
for Scotland, Scotland
Sue Meekins, Brecon Beacons
National Park Authority, Wales
Tim Merriman, National
Association for Interpretation, USA
David Mitchell, Royal Botanic
Garden Edinburgh, Scotland
Pete Moore, Scottish Natural
Heritage, Scotland
Peadar Morgan, Bòrd na Gàidhlig,
Scotland
Rosalind Newlands, World
Federation of Tourist Guides
Associations, Scotland
Prìomh luchd-
labhairt
Keynote Speakers
Professor Sam H Ham PhD,
Director, Centre for International
Training Outreach, University of Idaho,
Moscow ID, USA
Professor James Hunter CBE PhD,
Director, UHI Centre for History,
Dornoch, Scotland
Professor Jane James PhD,
Head of Cultural Tourism, School
of Humanities, Flinders University,
Adelaide, South Australia
Professor Alastair McIntosh BSc MBA,
Fellow of the Centre for Human
Ecology, Treasurer of the Galgael Trust
and Visiting Professor of Human
Ecology, Department of Geography
and Sociology, University of
Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland
Shonaig Macpherson CBE FRSE,
Chair, the National Trust for Scotland,
Scotland
John Pastorelli
Principal, Ochre Learning, Strathfield
NSW, Australia
Jette Sandahl PhD,
Director Experience, Te Papa
Tongarewa – the Museum of New
Zealand, Wellington, New Zealand
Susan Strauss MA BA, Storyteller,
Author and Professor, Bend OR, USA
Luchd-labhairt, leantainn air - Speakers, continued
Dr Éilís Ní Dhuibhne, National
Library of Ireland, Ireland
Ruth Nicholson, Brecon Beacons
National Park Authority, Wales
Tomas Nilsson, Perth College,
Scotland
Sarah Oswald, PLB Ltd, England
Jacqueline Passon, University of
Freiburg, Germany
John Pastorelli, Ochre Learning,
Australia
John Phillips, Highland Council
Ranger Service, Scotland
Bronwen Robinson, Zolk Ltd,
Scotland
Chrisella Ross, Pròiseact nan Ealan
(Gaelic Arts Agency), Scotland
Jette Sandahl, Te Papa Tongarewa
Museum, New Zealand
Fiona Sinclair, Dundee City
Council, Scotland
Constantina Skanavis, University
of the Aegean, Greece
Melanie Smith, Perth College,
Scotland
Susan Strauss, Storyteller and
Interpreter, USA
Samo Sturm, Park Skocjan
Caves, Slovenia
Anita Synnestvedt, Göteborg
University, Sweden
Bill Taylor, Highlands and
Islands Enterprise and Chair,
The Vital Spark
Cameron Taylor, Seabridge
Consultants, Scotland
Dr Ruth Taylor,
Royal Horticultural Society and
Chair, Association for Heritage
Interpretation, England
Kev Theaker, Scottish
Agricultural College, Scotland
Gail Vander Stoep, Michigan
State University, USA
Stephen Woollard, Royal
Zoological Society of Scotland,
Scotland
Centre for
Interpretation Studies
Faclan - Words Genevieve Adkins was appointed
in July 2007 as first Director of Perth
Forestry Commission Scotland College’s Centre for Interpretation
has played an important role in Studies.
commissioning interpretation that The College,
incorporates Gaelic and English. part of the
The following verses form one of University of the
19 ‘pairs’ on signal signs at Leitir Highlands and
Fura, an abandoned village in Islands
Kinloch Forest on Isle of Skye. Millennium
Institute, has
They were ‘interpreted’ in Gaelic by Gavin Parsons of Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, been running a
the Gaelic College, from the stanzas in English, written by Michael Hamish
successful MSc in Interpretation:
Glen of QuiteWrite.
Management and Practice which will
be one of the responsibilities on which
Genevieve will now take the lead.
Forest The Centre – the first of its kind in
fashioned from the seeds of lost ice, Britain and Europe – will be a focus
for helping the profession of
broad-rooted on layered red stone interpretation by developing further
from a distant era of hot sands the education, training and
accreditation of existing and potential
and truncated to satisfy the dead interpreters and managers, and in
becoming a recognised centre for
gods of shiphulls and bobbins research into interpretation and
in southern lands. related disciplines, able to grant PhD
degrees to suitable post-graduates.
Dèanta Genevieve was Head of Interpretation
for Historic Scotland for several
bho shiol deigh chaillte years and before that for Historic
leathan-freumhaichte air clach fhillte dhearg Royal Palaces.
bho linn chian de ghainmhich theth
agus geàrrte gus diathan marbh
shligean-luingeis agus bhoban a shàsachadh
an tìrean deasach.
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 Ar buidhnean taic - Our supporters

We have tried, in conceiving and delivering The Vital Spark, to match up

to the aims and expectations of all the organisations which subsequently
provided substantial funding and support in kind to make the conference
both a success and a memorable event.

Gàidhealtachd 2007
Highland 2007
Bòrd na Gàidhlig CairnGorm Mountain Ltd Cairngorms National EventScotland is Forestry Commission The principal funder of The Vital
works to promote is the not-for-profit Park Authority promotes responsible for Scotland is responsible Spark has been Highland 2007,
Gaelic and strives to company that operates the conservation, attracting, creating for taking forestry the organisation promoting an
improve the status of the ski resort and visitor sustainable use and and developing forward through the first extensive programme of events
the language attraction on Cairngorm enjoyment of the Park. sporting and cultural half of the 21st century. during 2007, which is being
throughout Scotland. events throughout celebrated as Scotland’s Year of
the country Highland Culture.

The programme aims to promote

the Highlands as a great place to
live and to visit by showcasing
the unique and special nature of
Highland Council Highlands & Islands Historic Scotland National Museums The National Trust for Highland culture past, present
Scotland’s largest Enterprise is responsible safeguards the nation’s Scotland interprets Scotland conserves, and future.
local authority, for economic and historic environment, and makes accessible manages and presents
The project is a partnership
delivers a range of community development promoting its for all the past and much of Scotland’s
between three principal funding
services to residents across half of Scotland understanding and present of Scotland. cultural and natural
agencies: The Highland Council,
and businesses. enjoyment. heritage.
the Scottish Executive, and
Highlands and Islands Enterprise.

Associated with Highland 2007’s

SIN support has been EventScotland,
the agency working to make
Scottish Interpretation Scottish Natural Scottish Tourist Guides UHI Millennium Institute Visit Scotland is the national Scotland one of the world’s
Network is an informal Heritage promotes Association is the Scotland’s largest local tourism organisation for leading event destinations.
group of people involved the care, enjoyment accrediting and authority, delivers a range Scotland, engaging with its
in heritage interpretation and understanding of membership body for of services to residents partners in the industry. All photographs courtesy of VisitScotland
and © scottishviewpoint.com
in Scotland. the natural heritage tourist guides in Scotland. and businesses.
Designed by Andrew Howard, Forestry
of Scotland.
Commission Scotland and printed by Nevisprint,
Fort William, on Revive 100 Matt recyclable
Na bi fada gun tilleadh! Haste ye back! paper, made from 100% post-consumer waste.

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