People are being invited to take history in their stride as part of a unique project which has been mining magical memories in East Dunbartonshire.
The Trails and Tales programme was created to explore the rich past of our local communities through a series of outdoor arts and heritage routes.
A range of amazing artists have worked closely with local residents and groups to create new works and trails.
Free maps providing details of the routes will be available soon from local libraries and cultural venues, and a series of free talks has been organised, involving many of the artists.
East Dunbartonshire Leisure and Culture (EDLC) Trust - which created Trails and Tales, with support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Creative Scotland - has also organised guided walks on the new trails for November.
The free talks include:
- Roddy Buchanan - who was
inspired by political campaigner Thomas Muir to create sculptural route markers - Bishopbriggs Library and Community Hub on Tuesday 22 October from 6.30pm - Jacqueline Donachie - creator of artworks ELSIE, IRENE and JESSIE, which are sited in Lenzie, Lennoxtown and Westerton - Lennoxtown Library on Wednesday 23 October from 6.30pm
- Alex Allan - designer of sculptural way-markers across Milngavie - Milngavie Library/Community Centre Activity Room on Thursday 24 October from 6.30pm
- Trevor Cromie - who interpreted the historical landscape and local industries to create works in Twechar, Milton of Campsie and Kirkintilloch - Kirkintilloch Town Hall (Lesser Hall) on Saturday 26 October from 12.30pm
- Toby Paterson, Simon Whatley and Dug MacLeod - who were inspired by local stories to collaborate on works situated in Kirkintilloch, Lenzie and Cadder in Bishopbriggs - Kirkintilloch Town Hall (Lesser Hall) on Saturday 26 October from 2pm
- Rachel Mimiec - who created 'scholar rocks' in Milngavie, Torrance, Milton of Campsie and Baldernock - Lillie Art Gallery on Saturday 26 October from 2pm.
There will also be a free parent and child printing workshop with Marion Smith in Bishopbriggs Library and Community Hub on Saturday 26 October from 10am-12.30pm (ages 10+), as well as a free parent and child plaster-casting workshop with Marion in Kirkintilloch Town Hall, also on Saturday 26 October, from 2.30-4.45pm.
In addition, there will be free video and sound design workshops with Graeme Roger (creator of unique films which are projected nightly onto pavements in Bearsden and Kirkintilloch) in Bearsden Library on Saturday 26 October - parent and child from 10am-noon (ages 8+) and 1-3pm for ages 12 and upwards.
Also on Saturday 26 October, there will be free parent and child events to design and cast artwork markers, with Alex Allan. They are being held at Milngavie Library from 10am-noon and 1-3pm (ages 10+).
Jen Binnie - co-ordinator of Trails and Tales - will be leading guided walks during November on each of the new trails. The idea is to test them with participants and gather feedback on heritage, locations and artworks:
- Tuesday 5 November – Lenzie (6.1km) and Kirkintilloch & Waterside (7.6km)
- Friday 8 November - Lennoxtown (6km)
- Tuesday 12 November - Milton of Campsie (5.3km)
- Friday 15 November - Westerton & Bearsden (6.5km)
- Tuesday 19 November - Milngavie (6.8km)
- Friday 22 November - Bishopbriggs & Auchinairn (4.7km) and Cadder & Mavis Valley (4.6km)
- Tuesday 26 November - Torrance (4.5km) and Baldernock (8.3km)
- Friday 29 November - Twechar (4.5km).
Booking advised for all events - visit www.trailsandtales.org/events-opportunities or go to www.edlc.co.uk/heritage-arts/whats-on
Councillor Billy Hendry, Convener of the Council'
s Place, Neighbourhood & Corporate Assets Committee, said, "Trails and Tales is an ambitious, pioneering programme which has explored the amazing history of East Dunbartonshire by bringing communities and artists together.
"People may have already seen art installations and works while out and about, and I hope those chance encounters have inspired them to find out more about local history. Don't miss the talks and walks which have been organised to celebrate this great project."
Sandy Marshall, Chair of EDLC Trust, added, "Part of the magic of Trails and Tales lies in the surprise of discovering objects and trails for yourself, but I'm pleased we have also produced maps to help people uncover some of the hidden gems.
"The guided walks are also a great way of encouraging people to get active while discovering more about the initiative and their local community."
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* Pictured at the top is one of the 'Stacks' artworks created by Dug MacLeod, Simon Whatley and Toby Paterson. Photograph by Paul Monaghan.