Commonplace Book is special for Badenoch and Strathspey

Over the last year, local artists have been creating a special record of life in the Cairngorms.

Elizabeth Reeder and Amanda Thomson have been working with local communities on the fascinating project, which will bestow a Commonplace Book on the Cairngorms for posterity.

Evidence of their highly productive partnership is now being shared with the general public both throughout Badenoch and Strathspey and beyond.

Local communities now have the perfect opportunity to discover just what a Commonplace Book is as it takes to the road.

So just what is it?

Elizabeth explained: “A Commonplace Book is a compilation of writings, images, and documents collected by a gathering of people to show a place at a particular time.”

More than 50 people of all ages have submitted paintings, photography, and pieces of writing to be included in the book and the final collection captures an enthralling snapshot of life in the local landscape.

On Saturday March 23, Cairngorms Connect held an event at Spey Bank Studio in Grantown, to launch an exhibition of the submissions.

The event was well attended and several people who had submitted to the Commonplace Book, did a live reading of written pieces.

Attendees also got involved with weaving the willow basket which will hold the submissions for the 200-year lifespan of Cairngorms Connect.

The exhibition will be touring local venues throughout the spring and summer

Here’s the itinerary, with the earliest date set for Boat of Garten’s well-appointed community hall from April 15 until April 25.

It then moves on to Eden Court in Inverness from April 29 to May 24, before visitors to RSPB Scotland’s Insh Marshes hides from June 3 to July 16 and finally to Kingussie’s Iona Gallery in Spey Street for an exhibition from from July 22–29.

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