911吃瓜

Loch-down: Connecting to Scotland Through Objects of Memory

This page is a record of how people stayed connected to Scotland when they were unable to travel during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Research Centre for Scottish Studies at 911吃瓜 invited people to share images of meaningful objects that helped them maintain connections with family and friends in Scotland. People were also encouraged to include stories or information about each item.

In times of crisis, the objects around us can hold special memories and offer hope for future meetings.The items featured here reflect what mattered most to our community during this period鈥攑reserving connections to Scotland and highlighting the continuing importantce of Scottish cultural memory in British Columbia.

Our Loch-down project is proud to have the endorsement of Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Fair Work and Culture in the Scottish Parliament.  

"I find the concept of creating historical artefacts relating to COVID-19 lockdown of both historical and social importance. This approach is reminicent of how people coped during times of crisis and emphasises how personal associations to a place are important. This project will be useful when future generations study COVID-19 and this period as events of local and international historical significance."

鈥擣iona Hyslop

Professor Leith Davis' Fiddle

My "Loch-down" object of memory: This is my first fiddle, bought at "Stringers" when I was living in Edinburgh in 1994. I had played piano, but never any kind of stringed instrument before. A friend of mine convinced me to give fiddle a try, however, and I loved it. Between my work and family, I don't have a lot of spare time for playing, but the fiddle helps me feel connected to all my music and dance friends in Scotland. Favourite Scottish tune: "The Dark Isle" 

Rebecca Budd鈥檚 Visit to the Burns Cottage Rose Garden

My life-long goal was to visit Alloway, Scotland, the birthplace of Robert Burns: Burns Cottage, a simple two-roomed clay and thatched home fully restored and part of the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum. The highlight for me, was to stroll through the Burns Cottage rose garden. As I walked, I recited the unforgettable lines of 鈥淥 my Luve is like a red, red rose...鈥�. This photo is of a rose that bloomed in the garden.

Jennifer Prosser Wade's Scottish Jewellery 

Scottish jewellery came into fashion when Queen Victoria started collecting some of the lovely ordinary silver pieces  that were beautifully crafted. In this collection there is the large brooch in the centre which is a cairngorm set in sterling. Cairngorms are found in four of the other brooches all with Scottish themes鈥攕tag, scepter, thistle, etc. The green stones in two of the other pieces are Iona stones from the unique vein of green marble on the Island of Iona. Then there are two thistle brooches, one made of clay and the other of enamel on silver. No one could miss your being a Scot if you were to wear these. What is not shown here are some of the lovely embedded agate brooches made in Scotland鈥攁gain all beautifully crafted (Cairngorm stones are yellowish/brown quartz stones from the Cairngorm hills).

Thomas Budd's Practice Chanter

My journey as a bagpipe player began in summer 2004 when I purchased this practice chanter from Tartantown Ltd. in Coquitlam, British Columbia. It was crafted by John Walsh Bagpipes Ltd. of Antigonish, Nova Scotia. The first tune I learned on this chanter was the well-known Scottish folksong, "Mairi鈥檚 Wedding". I would go on to purchase a full set of bagpipes and join British Columbia鈥檚 piping and drumming community. Throughout my time playing this grand instrument, I have used this practice chanter to develop my technique and repertoire of tunes. Wherever I have travelled with my bagpipes, this practice chanter has accompanied me every step of the way. It remains my earliest object of memory that connects me to Scotland.