From earliest times people have settled around Scotland’s coastline and on her islands, the sea a constant backcloth to their everyday lives; often the mainstay of their existence. But what does the sea mean to those who live beside it today? Is it just part of their landscape, barely worthy of a second thought? Or is it something buried deep within their souls? Do children think of it in the same way as their parents, and their grandparents? A unique community project on the Black Isle will try to find answers to some of these questions.

The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) announced today that it has awarded a grant of £5,900 to Cromarty 2007, the community group set up following community consultation to organise events & projects in Cromarty for the year Scotland celebrates Highland culture, Highland 2007. The group has already received funding from Highland 2007 for their exciting and diverse programme.

As part of a month-long summer festival celebrating Cromarty’s relationship with the sea, the whole community is being invited to contribute their memories, thoughts and feelings about living by the sea. The award of £5,900 will enable the production next year of a quality publication, ‘Living by the Sea’, a website and CDs. These will ensure that the community’s former and current maritime heritage is kept for posterity.

Work on the project has just begun and will culminate in the launch of the publication and website on 27 June 2007 to coincide with the onshore celebrations marking the arrival of the Moray Firth Flotilla in Cromarty.

Commenting on the award, project spokesperson Fran Tilbrook, said: “We are absolutely delighted that, in contributing the lion’s share of the project costs, the Heritage Lottery Fund has enabled this project to take place. Cromarty’s relationship to the sea has changed dramatically in living memory – from fishing and ferries to oil rig construction to research and tourism. There are still residents here who have links with the old days. Thanks to the grants from HLF and Highland 2007 it’ll be fascinating to see what stories and memories emerge from this community-wide exercise.”

Explaining the importance of the award, HLF Manager for Scotland, Colin McLean said: “Stories and reminiscences are an important way of helping us to learn about our heritage.  This project, taking place as part of the wider celebrations being held for Scotland’s year of Highland culture in 2007, will give the people of Cromarty the opportunity to share their stories, conserving them for the benefit of future generations.”

For further information please contact Fran Tilbrook, Secretary, Cromarty 2007. Tel: 01381 600239; email: fran@tilbrook.me.uk

OR Samantha Goody at the Heritage Lottery Fund on 0207 591 6033, email samanthag@hlf.org.uk.  Website: www.hlf.org.uk