Engagement Programmes at IMAG
July - August 2013
Exhibitions
Jimmy Nairn: His life through a lens
Tuesday 2nd July – Saturday 27th July, Community Gallery, Inverness Museum and Art
Gallery
Best known in Inverness as the manager of the Play House Cinema, Jimmy Nairn also had a
photography business in the town. A well-known and well-loved local photographer he took
many thousands of photographs in and around the Inverness area during the 1950s and
1960s, which give a fascinating insight into Highland life.
This exhibition of his work presents his collection in a new light, giving a snap shot of “life in
the highlands” through his lens and showing him as a skilled photographer with a unique
take on Inverness life.
Travel back in time to see Inverness before city centre development. Most of the pictures
date from the 1950's and 60's. So if you're local you might even recognise yourself in one of
the images looking a little younger than today!
Belladrum Roman Coin Hoard: Politics beyond the Province
From Tuesday 16th July, Archaeology Gallery, Inverness Museum and Art Gallery
Following the discovery of a scatter of Roman and medieval silver coins by metal detection
in 2009, and excavations in October 2012, carried out by the National Museum of Scotland a
hoard of 36 Roman denarii, the latest coins of mid-second century date, have been
recovered from the Belladrum Estate. The first instalment of this hoard has now been
received by Inverness Museum and Art Gallery and will go on permanent display in the
Archaeology Gallery from the 16th July.
In addition, Cait McCullagh, Assistant Curator (Engagement) and archaeologist is hosting an
evening private view and presentation on Thursday 18th July, from 6:00pm – 7:30pm. Find
out more below.
Inverness Camera Club: Views from the North
Tuesday 30th July – Saturday 31st August, Community Gallery, Inverness Museum and Art
Gallery
Part of our celebration of the ‘Year of Natural Scotland’, this exhibition displays the diversity
of talent that can be found within the club and how that talent is expressed through printed
photographic media. Showing the best of the Highlands and Islands’ scenery, wildlife, urban
views marine mammals and some interesting perspectives on well-known sights; a must for
anyone who loves photography, Highland topography and nature and gaining a unique
insight on the world around us.
Over the past couple of years the club has won the Highland Challenge Shield, a competition
open to all photographic clubs in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, as well as taking first
place in the overall individual entries for the same period. In addition, several club members
have gained notable distinctions within the Royal Photographic Society (RPS) and the
International Federation of Photographic Art (FIAP).
This exhibition will open formally on Wednesday 31st July, from 3:00pm – 4:15pm. Come
along and meet the photographers. Light refreshments will be served.
Focus Environment: Scotland’s National Environmental
Photographic Competition for Secondary Schools
Tuesday 30th July – Saturday 24th August, Room to Discover, Inverness Museum and Art
Gallery
Also forming part of our celebration of the ‘Year of Natural Scotland’, Focus Environment is
the exhibition resulting from an environmental photographic competition for secondary
school pupils throughout Scotland. The competition encourages young people between the
ages of 11-18, to demonstrate their awareness of the natural world around them.
The ‘Winners’ Galleries’ include entries from Kingussie High School and focus on themes
including ‘My Environment’, ‘Wildlife and Habitats’ and ‘Nature’s Moods’.
To find out more visit: http://www.focusenvironment.com/
Workshops
‘Art in our hands’: Exhibition Workshops
10:30am – 12:30pm every Wednesday, 24th July to 21st August 2013. Installation on
Thursday 12th September. Participants are asked to sign up all workshops.
Ever wanted to get behind the scenes at the museum? Would you like to curate an
exhibition at IMAG? The recent acquisition of the Post Medieval Coin Hoard from Muir of
Ord, including an half-crown from the Hartlebury Castle emergency mint, into our
collections – thanks to the gift of over 50% of the purchase cost from the Art Fund - presents
an ideal opportunity to augment and celebrate the variety of ‘art in the everyday objects’ at
the museum.
These objects, tokens; miniatures; seals and seal stamps and dress accessories bear express
political and social messages throughout what were often periods of tremendous change in
the Highlands. What is particularly attractive about these items is that they were personal
objects, everyday articles: handheld art.
These workshops will enable participants to research and interpret museum
objects, practise ‘behind the scenes’ museum work and create an innovative exhibition of
previously un-shown objects for display in the museum this autumn.
This session is FREE, but booking is essential, as places are limited.
To find out more and to book your place contact Cait McCullagh
at cait.mccullagh@highlifehighland.com or 01463 237 114
‘Summer Fun @ IMAG’: Craft Workshops for Children, 7
Years and over.
All workshops take place from 1pm – 3pm and cost £3.50 per child. BOOKING
ESSENTIAL. For booking information go to www.highlifehighland.com/summer
Thurs 25th July
Really Wild Masks: Get really close to the Highland Wildlife at Inverness Museum, take part
in a Wildlife Trail Treasure Hunt and be inspired to design your own ‘Really Wild’ mask.
Tues 30th July
Recycled Beasties: Take a close up look at the museum’s collection of insects using our
amazing video microscope and then make a ‘recycled’ beastie of your own!
Thurs 1st August
Weaving Magic: Learn about what people in the Highlands wore in the past and then weave
your own Pictie, Viking or Jacobite inspired cloth!
Day & Evening Events
Belladrum Roman Coin Hoard: Politics beyond the Province,
Private view and presentation
Thursday 18th July, 6:00pm – 7:30pm, Archaeology Gallery, Inverness Museum and Art
Gallery
The first instalment of the Roman Coin Hoard, discovered at Belladrum, near Beauly, has
now been received by Inverness Museum and Art Gallery and will go on permanent display
in the Archaeology Gallery from the 16th July.
This private view and presentation will give you the chance to hear ideas on the significance
of the coin hoard for our local Iron Age story, including how the Belladrum Hoard, along
with a growing corpus of evidence for interaction between Highland tribes and the Empire,
gives us an insight into prehistoric politics and Iron Age elites’ likings for exotic bling!
You will also experience an up-close view of the coins, meet the person who first discovered
the Hoard and share ideas about international and local relations in our area in Prehistory.
As the Highlands makes ready for the 20th Anniversary of the Tartan Heart Festival at
Belladrum, this could be the perfect ‘fringe’ event for all those who are interested in
learning how the Beauly Firth has been at the heart of Highland culture for at least 2000
years.
This session is FREE, but booking is essential, as places are limited.
To find out more and to book your place contact Cait McCullagh
at cait.mccullagh@highlifehighland.com or 01463 237 114
Inverness Camera Club: Views from the North
Formal Opening, Wednesday 31st July, 3:00pm – 4:00pm, Community Gallery, Inverness
Museum and Art Gallery
An exhibition showing the diversity of talent found within the club. Showing the best of the
Highlands and Islands’ and some interesting perspectives on well-known sights; a must for
anyone who loves photography, the Highlands and Islands and gaining a unique insight on
the world around us.
Come along and meet the photographers. Light refreshments will be served.
IMAG at BELLA! Get your hands on the past at the Tartan
Heart Festival
Friday 2nd and Saturday 3rd August, Tir nan Og, Belladrum by Beauly
Come and join us at this the 10th Anniversary Tartan Heart Festival at Belladrum. The IMAG:
Get Your Hands on the Past Team have zillions of fun activities children, families and anyone
who enjoys learning about the past and getting creative. From making your own Pictish Pot
and Prehistoric Face Painting to Hunting for the Belladrum Coin Hoards our activities will
have a distinctly ‘Romans and Natives’ feel; celebrating the recent discovery of the Roman
Coin Hoard here at the Festival Site. Look for us in the Tir nan Og Field and come and join
the fun!
Hidden Treasures Week at IMAG: Given, granted and
disponed, charters, seals and impressions
Saturday 24th August 2013, 11am – 1pm OR 2pm – 4pm , Room to Discover, Inverness
Museum and Art Gallery
Join us for this behind the scenes examination of the medieval charters of Inverness. Come
and get up close to the documents detailing Inverness’ hidden history of land disposal, royal
gifts and burgh improvements. Exposing the wishes of, amongst others, William the Lion,
Mary Queen of Scots and Edona of the Auldcastle, this exploration of the museum’s reserve
collections will introduce you to the deals, bargains and agreements that have shaped our
streets. Please note that there are two options for this event, either starting at 11am or
2pm.
These sessions are FREE, but booking is essential, as places are limited.
To find out more and to book your place contact Cait McCullagh
at cait.mccullagh@highlifehighland.com or 01463 237 114
Scottish Archaeology Month at IMAG: About Town Tour:
From First Settlers to Friary Funerals
Saturday 31st August August 2013, 11am – 1pm OR 2pm – 4pm , Starting in the Ground
Floor Gallery and then touring the Old Town
This ‘buried Burgh’ tour with Cait McCullagh, Assistant Curator and one-time City Centre
archaeologist, visits the sites that reveal Inverness’ development from first settlers camps,
8,000 years ago, through to a medieval and modern mix of Flems, fuelize, fire-razing and
friars. Please note that there are two options for this event, either starting at 11am or 2pm.
These tours are FREE, but booking is essential, as places are limited.
To find out more and to book your place contact Cait McCullagh
at cait.mccullagh@highlifehighland.com or 01463 237 114
Lunchtime Lectures
Inverness: Elephants, Camels and the City
Wednesday 14th August, 1:00pm – 2:00pm, Room to Discover, Inverness Museum and Art
Gallery. To be Confirmed.
Gordon Harvey and Cait McCullagh present on Burgh Seals and City Coats of Arms.
Further information to follow.
Secret Egypt: Death shall come on Swift Wings
Thursday 29th August, 1:00pm – 2:00pm, Room to Discover, Inverness Museum and Art
Gallery
Egyptologist Lorraine Evans opens the secrets of the Pharoahs. Was there really a curse on
King Tutankhamun's tomb? Did the young Pharaoh persecute those who desecrated his
eternal resting place? Did a mummy’s curse send the Titanic to the bottom of the ocean?
Discover the real truth behind the curse of the pharaohs.
This lecture is FREE, but booking is essential, as places are limited.
To find out more and to book your place contact Cait McCullagh
at cait.mccullagh@highlifehighland.com or 01463 237 114