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Sluagh gun ghuth – ‘A people without a voice’: Reconstructing the past in a West Highland community
When
Saturday 12 September 2026
14:00 - 15:00
Where
The Royal Society of Edinburgh
22-26 George St, Edinburgh EH2 2PQ
View directions on Google Maps
Format
In-person
Access
Hearing loop, Wheelchair access, Wheelchair accessible toilets
Age
Suitable for ages 16+
Cost
Free to book
About this event
Discover the story of a highland community through the objects they left behind.
Join Professor Hugh Cheape, Senior Lecturer at the University of the Highlands and Islands, for a historical deep dive into the life of a West Highland community.
By looking closely at objects that were left behind by past generations, hear how the story of a highland community can be pieced together. From simple hand tools to larger pieces of equipment that were hidden away in dark corners, these everyday items give us fascinating insights into how people once lived, worked and supported one another in a world without any power or electricity.
These items paint a picture of the seasonal tasks and patterns of highland community life that are all but forgotten. Conserving and making sense of these items offers a homage to the past generations of Gaelic speakers without a written history.
Event type
Curious
Talk
Contributors
Professor Hugh Cheape
Senior Lecturer, Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, University of the Highlands and IslandsHugh teaches a postgraduate programme, MSc Cultar Dùthchasach agus Eachdraidh na Gàidhealtachd (‘Material Culture and Gàidhealtachd History’), at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, the National Centre for Gaelic Language and Culture. He holds a Research Chair in the University of the Highlands and Islands. The MSc derives from a career in the National Museums of Scotland where he worked in the field of Scottish Ethnology.
His interest lies in building a multidisciplinary research environment tor our students and with subject matter which has public appeal. Hugh’s principal focus is postgraduate provision through the medium of Scottish Gaelic. The MSc programme and doctoral teaching draw on the ‘tangible’ and ‘intangible’ cultural heritage within a disciplined intellectual framework to offer fresh insights into social and physical environments as well as into beliefs, memory and liminal space.
Iagan MacNeil
Iagan joined the RSE in September 2022 as Head of Communications having previously worked for a variety of organisations mainly in the public or not-for-profit sectors. His department oversees the Fellowship team, as well as, RSE’s marketing, social media, media relations, and internal communications. A former journalist, his experience has mainly been in media relations and public affairs for organisations such as Smart Energy GB, Historic Scotland, Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, VisitScotland, and Digital UK.
He is a fluent Gaelic speaker from the Hebrides and a Trustee with the Eilidh MacLeod Memorial Trust which supports youth music education across Scotland. Iagan has also presented some general interest walking series for BBC Alba.
Contact us
If you have an event enquiry, please email us on public_engagement@theRSE.org.uk.Event testimonial
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What is Curious?
Curious is the Royal Society of Edinburgh’s (RSE) free festival that celebrates the research, ideas and knowledge shaping society today.
Each year, Curious brings a packed programme of free in-person and online events covering themes from the arts, humanities, policy, science and more. To date, we’ve welcomed over 10,000 attendees for talks, workshops, exhibitions and discussions where you can learn from and speak with Scotland’s leading thinkers. As part of the RSE’s mission to make knowledge useful and accessible for everyone, Curious is open to anyone who wants to learn more about the world around them. No specialist knowledge is needed, just bring your curiosity.
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