Secrets of people who lived in Cairngorms 1000 years ago to be uncovered
The untold secrets of people who lived up to a thousand years ago in the only sub-arctic habitat in the UK are to be uncovered.
Am Monadh Ruadh, in the Cairngorm Mountains, is an iconic landscape of plateaus, hills, and glens that was once more densely populated than it is today
Yet, many of the ‘living names’ and their corresponding stories have never been mapped or documented.
Sarah Hobbs, founder of Strathspey Storywalks, has now been awarded £5000 by the Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE) and Williamson Trust for a project to collect previously unrecorded placenames of Am Monadh Ruadh, as used by people who live and work in the mountains.
Ms Hobbs explained: "Am Monadh Ruadh are a living landscape yet many of these 'living' names and their corresponding stories have not been mapped or recorded.
“Highlighting ongoing human connection with mountain habitats, particularly as they change due to climate, will add to debates on our future relationships with the land.
“I am utterly delighted to have the RSE's support in getting this work underway. Mòran taing!"
The project is one of 16 innovative community-led research projects across Scotland to receive funding from the RSE and the Williamson Trust.
A total of £73,625 has been given to a range of creative projects to foster healthy communities as part of the Healthy Planet, Healthy People awards.
This is the second year of the awards funded by the Williamson Trust, a charitable organisation.
The strength of the applications in the second round of the funding programme resulted in four additional projects being awarded financial support.
Professor David E Salt FRSE, Chair of the Williamson Trust, said: “This year, we again have an amazing diversity of projects, from dolphins, bees, seeds, orchards, woodlands and lochs to food banks, composting, urban crofts and coffee shops. We truly look to invest in hope and the power of ideas wherever they arise.
“The trustees at the Williamson Trust are excited to fund 16 great community-led projects from across Scotland.
“Applications to the Healthy Planet, Healthy People Community-led Research Awards continue to grow, demonstrating the strong desire of communities in Scotland to develop local solutions to the ongoing global challenges to our environment, our communities and our food.
“The trust hopes that these locally focused projects can find solutions to the challenges the local communities face and that these solutions can also have wider application."
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Professor Anne Anderson RSE vice president (research) commented: “This marks the second round of RSE 'Healthy Planet, Healthy People': Community-led Research Awards, which were introduced to expand the Society’s range of awards and the type of research we support.
“The health of people and the environment are closely connected, and I hope that these awards will strengthen these innovative research groups and drive positive change in both areas.
“I look forward to following their progress and achievements over the coming year."
The Royal Society of Edinburgh recognises, supports, and mobilises expertise from across academia, business, and public service for the benefit of Scotland and the wider world.
