June 2008 Heritage Feature: Mallaig Oral History Project

On Saturday 19^th April, Mallaig Oral History Project held its official launch at the Mallaig Heritage Centre. Over 40 people came along to find out what it was all about – and to look through some of the many photographs held in the Heritage Centre. There was considerable interest in what the project was hoping to achieve and how people could get involved. Films were shown – and much reminiscence too place!

 Already the actual work of the project has begun with Keith Eddie, George Lawrie and Project Manager Jill de Fresnes doing some filming with Lindy Henderson, who kindly agreed to come along to the area in Mallaig round by the fish curing yards – which was previously known as The Point.   Lindy talked of the happy times she remember there, having arrived with her family – and the work in the yards, and life in the ‘huts’. George described the scene from his own childhood memories – how busy the area was – from early in the morning with people moving about with carts, boats arriving with fish, trains leaving with processed fish. Lindy could remember back to the 1930s and George spoke more of later years – the 40s. It was a great experience, to be able to film the area with Lindy and George – and made all the more interesting when they were able to point out areas, and buildings which were part of their memories of that time.

Bridget Willoughby, Project Field Worker, has also been busy – attending an Oral History training course in Elgin, and we hope to be able to train up other volunteers to undertake interviews in the area. We also went into the High School, to encourage some of the younger people to get involved in the project. There are three areas in which we can involve  people – with the technological aspects of the film and video side of the project; as interviewers who could undertake interviews with members of their family – and also the possibility of interviewing younger people to find out what life in Mallaig is like for them now, today. While the main aspect of the project is looking at the history and the growth of Mallaig as a major fishing port, we are aware that in 100 years time, it would be good to have a record of what life is like in the village and the surrounding area now.

The project hopes to undertake at least 50 interviews, to produce a DVD and a book, and to archive material which we hope to collect – the interviews themselves, photographs and any films already in existence – which will all be kept in the Heritage Centre.   We also have some exciting ideas for a ‘Mallaig Fishing Weekend’ – possibly in September – and will bring you more news of that next month.

Anybody can get involved – and we would welcome people to join the project – as volunteers, or as committee members. It does not require a great deal of time, and people can get as involved as they want to.   Contact Jill or Bridget through the email address    mallaigoralhistoryproject@hotmail.co.uk     or phone the Heritage Centre on 01687 462085 or Jill directly on 01687 450769.