About Elphinstone Institute
The Elphinstone Institute is a centre for the study of Ethnology, Folklore, and Ethnomusicology at the University of Aberdeen.
Elphinstone Institute Description
The Elphinstone Institute is a centre for the study of Ethnology, Folklore, and Ethnomusicology at the University of Aberdeen. Established in 1995 in celebration of the quincentenary of the university's founding, the Institute researches and promotes the culture of the North and North-East of Scotland in context.
Using ethnographic methodologies, staff, research fellows, and students research ideas of identity and belonging, meaning and function, drawing on an exceptional heritage of traditional music, song, story, lore and language, alongside the dynamic creativity of those who live and work here today.
Our work is focused on living vernacular culture and the ways in which individuals give expression to contemporary issues of community and identity in both public and private life. We are interested in the dynamics of how traditions and cultures are created, adapted, reinterpreted and renewed, to meet new and challenging circumstances. The interests of the Elphinstone Institute are international as well as local, since the great diaspora of northern Scots stretches around the world, and because many immigrants have chosen Scotland as home.
The Institute is a centre for research and graduate study, with a Taught MLitt (Master’s) degree in Ethnology and Folklore recognized by the Arts and Humanities Research Council, and supervision for the research degrees MLitt Res, MPhil and PhD.
A key part of our remit is public engagement, co-producing knowledge and research in partnership with local organizations and individuals. These cooperative ventures can take the form of joint research projects and community initiatives, public events such as festivals, displays, and conferences, and participative workshops, all of which enrich our academic work and increase public understanding of the importance of vernacular culture in society today.
Our monthly public lectures and ethnographic film series operate throughout the academic year and are open to all. With an exciting combination of cutting-edge research and excellent visual material, each lecture and film closes with questions and often lively discussion. The Institute also publishes a refereed series of scholarly publications, available from the Institute or from our online shop.
Reviews
A unique chance to learn the rich stories of the North-East!
http://scottishculture.org/shop/index.php …
Superb Doric storyteller Jackie Ross will be running a 10 week course teaching traditional stories and techniques
... Tuesdays from 15th Jan, sign up now!
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Whether you speak the Doric, Toonser, Angus, Mearns or any other sort of Scots, some along and learn more about the literature, grammar, history and vocabulary of the braw Scots Leid
Our evening classes in collaboration with Scottish Culture and Traditions begin again 14th January!
http://scottishculture.org/shop/index.php …
The bold Annaïg studied in our North-East Scots evening class for 10 weeks in the autumn. She discovered loads of interesting vocab, great literature and vibrant attendent culture
Sign up now and join us for the next term, starting in Janurary! http://scottishculture.org/shop/index.php …
Annaïg reads an extract of Alexander Scott's Heart of Stone
... Classes delivered with Scottish Culture and Traditions
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Aye felt that you'd love tae ken mair aboot the Doric but been owre feart tae ask, then guid news!
Fae January we'll hae introduction tae North-East Scots classes at the University! Sign up now tae learn, speak an write in the braw Scots Language!
Mondays 7-9pm fae Jan 14th ... http://scottishculture.org/shop/index.php …
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As the midwinter mirk reaches its gloomiest, come and join us for a Burns Supper and Ceilidh!
A mere £10 or £5 for concessions for dinner, entertainment and dancing, in collaboration with Scottish Culture and Traditions
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/elphinston e-institute-and-sc…
Great to see one of our friends Elaine Lindsay from Something Corny on Channel 4 last night. She's on from around 18 minutes. Well done Elaine!
WRITERS! THIS IS FOR YOU!
The Toulmin Prize is open to all amateur* writers over the age of 16. The story should be concerned with some aspect of life in North-East Scotland and may be written in Scots, including Doric, or English, or a mixture of the two. Previous prize-winners cannot submit an entry.
The winner will receive a £500 prize, and the story will be read by well-known North-East writer, Sheena Blackhall, at a prominent University of Aberdeen event.
See here for more information - https://www.abdn.ac.uk/elphin…/public-e ngagement/toulmin.php
--------------- The Toulmin Prize is open to all amateur* writers over the age of 16. The story should be concerned with some aspect of life in North-East Scotland and may be written in Scots, including Doric, or English, or a mixture of the two. Previous prize-winners cannot submit an entry.
... The winner will receive a £500 prize, and the story will be read by well-known North-East writer, Sheena Blackhall, at a prominent University of Aberdeen event.
A short story of up to 4,000 words in length should be submitted by March 31, 2019. An A4 hard copy and an electronic submission in Word (.doc format), should be sent to Dr Thomas A. McKean, Director, The Elphinstone Institute, University of Aberdeen, MacRobert Building, King’s College, Aberdeen AB24 5UA. E-mail: elphinstone@abdn.ac.uk
About David Toulmin John Reid (1913–1998) was an Aberdeenshire farm labourer from Rathen, near Fraserburgh, who spent most of his life working long hours for very small rewards. In odd moments he jotted down short stories, character studies, and bothy tales. Eventually, as David Toulmin, he had a few articles printed in local newspapers. The first of his ten books was published when he was 59 years old. His work consists mostly of short stories and reminiscences, with his one novel, Blown Seed, painting a harsh picture of farm life. In his later years he moved to Pittodrie Place in Aberdeen (later to Westhill) and was awarded an honorary degree by the University of Aberdeen in 1986.
About the Toulmin Prize The Toulmin Prize, established in 2008 and awarded annually, is a short-story prize commemorating the work of one of north-east Scotland's finest exponents of written Doric.
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Come and learn traditional North-East stories, become a performer, and experience the Doric tongue with Jackie Ross.
10-week Doric Storytelling evening classes start 15 January, sign up now! http://scottishculture.org/shop/index.php …
... Here's Jackie telling a Selkie Story.
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Learn to improve your North-East Scots this January with our evening classes!
Explore the literature, learn to translate, practise conversation and expand your vocab all in a fun and social environment
book now: http://scottishculture.org/shop/index.php …
... Here Hilary Smith Bill Cox reads his translation o Ozymandias intae North-East Scots. Guid on ye Bill!
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Join us on Thursday, 17 January, for Ian Kinnear's talk, 'The Venison Haggis Makers of Glenesk', a special Burns Night entry into our Public Lecture Series.
Ian Kinnear, Elphinstone graduate, ethnologist, piper, and pipemaker, will talk about the venison haggis made by the women of Glenesk, outlining the history of this unique culinary practice, its role in the Tarfside Burns’ Supper, and the links between land and community.
https://www.facebook.com/events/271180400 179446/
Mon alang tae oor superb Burns Supper and Ceilidh!
wi oor pals at Scottish Culture and Traditions, we're pittin on a rare night o North-East an Burns entertainment, great food an a Ceilidh tae finish aff
Tickets sellin fast, book noo!
... https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/elphinston e-institute-and-sc…
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The Elphinstone Institute, along with Pict Digital are creating a short documentary exploring the past, present and future of North-East Scots. Part funded by Aberdeenshire Council
It'll be out in Jan, but until then here's a sneak peak of our powerful interview with Prof Robert Millar, talking about Scots
Want to start learning North-East Scots or improve your conversational Doric? Sign up to our evening classes here!... http://scottishculture.org/shop/index.php …
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Our new classes start in January!
Keen to improve your conversational Doric or start out on your Scots-language learning journey? Then get signed up now and join us
http://scottishculture.org/shop/index.php …
... Annie Reid is a member of our Advanced class and produced this amazing owresettin fae Wilfred Owen intae North-East Scots during the Autumn Term. @Scottish Culture and Traditions University of Aberdeen
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Join us for a tremendous Burns Supper and Ceilidh!
The Elphinstone Institute and Scottish Culture and Traditions are teaming up to put on a fun night of great poetic performance, dinner, music, and speeches, followed by a good, birling ceilidh with a live band!
TICKETS LIMITED - BOOK NOW
Merry Christmas from us all at the Institute.
Join us for a tremendous Burns Supper and Ceilidh!
The Elphinstone Institute and Scottish Culture and Traditions are teaming up to put on a fun night of great poetic performance, dinner, music, and speeches, followed by a good, birling ceilidh with a live band.
This event is open to all, so feel free to come alone or with friends for what will be a great evening!
... Contact NorthEastCulture@abdn.co.uk with any questions.
See you there!
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LIMITED Tickets for what will be the best Burns Supper and Celiidh in Aberdeen 🎻💥
Friday, 18 January, the Elphinstone Institute and Scottish Culture and Traditions are co-hosting a Supper and Ceilidh at Dunbar Street Hall.
Book now for poems, songs, dances, and haggis!
... Tickets £10/£5 concession
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/elphinston e-institute-and-sc…
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