A new marketing campaign has been launched to showcase the best of Aberdeenshire’s folklore, ballads, supernatural tales and crafts.
The Stories of Aberdeenshire, which celebrates the region’s cultural heritage, launches today.
The project aims to show how local language, story and song have shaped and continue to shape the north-east.
The project is being funded by North and South Aberdeenshire Leader and delivered in partnership with the Aberdeen University’s Elphinstone Institute and VisitScotland.
New marketing assets, featuring Doric language and folklore, have been created to provide a resource for further exploration of the areas heritage and culture.
The stories have been gathered from all over the north-east and have been condensed into three main categories which are songs, stories and skills.
A series of six short films, two e-books, and an interactive map which includes audio recordings about folklore in the North-East, have been produced to bring the stories to life.
VisitScotland regional director, Jo Robinson is “thrilled” to “share stories of Aberdeenshire’s amazing cultural heritage in this way.”
Ms Robinson said:“This project shines a real spotlight on the people, customs, songs and ballads, folklore and traditional crafts, born and developed in this region and shares them with the rest of the world.
“These assets really help demonstrate why Aberdeenshire’s fascinating stories and traditions make it a must-visit destination.”
The films will focus on different aspects of local culture including traditional crafts, balladry, local songs as well as how the north-east influenced Bram Stoker’s work.
Director of the Elphinstone Institute, Thomas A McKean said: “The north-east is home to an extraordinary range of living cultural traditions. Shaped by the past but uniquely contemporary, these compelling stories, songs and craft skills offer an exciting way to connect with others and to share experiences that are now more important than ever.”
A social media campaign targeting visitors in Scotland has also been launched on Elphinstone Institute’s Instagram and Facebook pages, encouraging those visiting the region to share the hashtag #StoriesofAberdeenshire with any relevant images.
The films can be viewed on Aberdeen University’s YouTube channel.