Elgin library and Robert Gordon University have joined together to uncover stories of Moray's lost village for Scotland's year of Stories
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AN EXHIBITION at Elgin Library this month gives locals the chance discover the hidden secrets of the lost village of Culbin.
As part of Scotland’s Year of Stories 2022, the month long event will bring the village back to life and provide a creative re-imagining of the myths, legends and people who made up the forgotten settlement.
Culbin village was abandoned after The Great Sand Drift of 1694. This event left the once thriving farmland area desolate and uninhabitable, forcing the community to flee their homes almost overnight.
The area was then completely deserted for almost three hundred years, until finally in the 1920s, the present-day forest was planted in and around the sand dunes left behind.
Moray's Interim Principle Librarian, Philip Davidson said: “This project with Robert Gordon University is really exciting for local storytellers, historians and residents who live near the original site of Culbin village.
“The exhibition gives us a fantastic opportunity to explore life in Moray before 1694 as well as allowing the creative freedom to imagine who might have lived in Culbin, what life was like for them and where they went after the sand drift forced them out of their homes."
The display in Elgin Library will be opened by the Earl of Moray and will have lots of activities open to the public throughout the month, allowing people to explore the forgotten village through storytelling sessions, craft activities and talks by local historians.
The event is a collaboration been Moray Libraries and Robert Gordon University and is funded by the Year of Stories 2022 Community Stories Fund, created by VisitScotland and Museums Galleries Scotland to highlight the stories of local communities.
Professor Peter Reid, from The School of Creative and Cultural Business at RGU said: “It is fantastic to be working closely with Elgin Library to bring the fascinating story of the disappeared village of Culbin to life through this dynamic exhibition.”
Mr Davidson, added: “We can’t wait to welcome everybody to the launch and exhibition, it’s going to be a fascinating day and month of celebrating our lost village.”
The exhibition will open on Saturday, February 19 and will run to March 16.
