What's happening at Falkland Centre for Stewardship
Snowdrops Festival - a Woodland Awakening
1 February to 14 March 2010
As part of Fife's Year of Culture 2010, we are celebrating the Fife's woodlands so step into the woods of Falkland Estate, enjoy the snowdrops and discover hidden trails and a series of events, concerts and creative workshops taking place in the woodlands of Falkland.
Audio Walk
Take a walk with a difference! An (up to) two hour walk through the upland landscape of Falkland Estate. Audio walks were created by sound artists David Chapman and Louise K Wilson who have been working with us over the last two years to research, explore and uncover the sonic properties of the estate. Louise and David have also created "Arcadia" which is being run as part of SpringFest.
MP3 players available from the following places in Falkland or download to your own player (MP3 files in Zip archive 62MB) There is also a downloadable map to help you on your way (PDF 236 KB):
- Fayre Earth, Back Wynd (open 11.30am to 4pm weekdays and 10am to 5pm at weekends)
- The Pillars of Hercules, Falkland Estate (daily 9am to 6pm)
- NTS shop (until 28 February, Monday - Saturday, 11am to 4pm, March onwards Monday - Saturday 10am to 5pm, Sunday 1pm to 5pm)
- Offices of Falkland Centre for Stewardship (by Estate car park), (open Monday - Friday 9.30am to 4.30pm)
Returnable deposit of £10 required.
SpringFest - Traditional Songs and Music
Wednesday 10th March and Thursday 11th March
The Chapel Royal, Falkland Palace, High Street, Falkland
Wednesday 10th March, 7pm to 10pm
- Iain Anderson
- Gemma Donald
- Jeana Leslie
- Siobhan Miller
- Norrie McIvor
- Neil Paterson
- Peter Shepheard
- Alan Small
- The Early Learning Ceilidh Band
Thursday 11th March, 7pm to 10pm
- Iain Anderson
- Simon Chadwick
- Gemma Donald
- Chris Miles
- Neil Paterson
- Peter Shepheard
- Arthur Watson
Also showing on both nights is Arcadia, a unique sound piece using the 17th century Dutch tapestry as a 'score'. Arcadia was originally created by sound artists David Chapman and Louise K Wilson in 2008. Using the hunting scene of the Flemish tapestries, the long gallery of Falkland Palace comes alive with the sound of deer, singing, hunting and birds.
Adult £5, concession/child £3.
There is a free public car park in the village. Follow the signs.
Not suitable for wheelchair users.
Willow Weaving for Families
Saturday 13th March 2010
The Stables Workshop, Falkland Estate
Drop in willow weaving workshops in the Stables Workshop. From 10.30am to 4pm. Come along and try your hand at some willow weaving. Fun for all the family. Experienced willow weavers will be on hand to show you what to do. There's no charge for taking part but please feel free to make a donation to the work of Falkland Centre for Stewardship. Refreshments available.
Dark Skies
Sunday 14th March 2010
The Stables Workshop, Falkland Estate
Explore the skies with help from the team of the Royal Observatory Edinburgh and their Star Lab.
Four workshops (45 minutes each) at 1.15pm, 2.15pm and 3.15pm and 4.15pm in the Starlab with hands-on activities including comet making demonstrations, rocket making and launching.
6.45pm to 9pm Introducing the Night Sky. Join us for some star gazing (and an astronomy talk if the skies aren't clear).
All workshops restricted to 25 people so please book in advance. There is no charge for these workshops but please feel free to make a donation to the work of Falkland Centre for Stewardship. Refreshments available.
Art Classes in Charcoal for Children and Young People
Wednesday 7th April to Friday 9th April
The Stables Workshop, Falkland Estate
Working with local artist Sandra Davies, a chance for children/young people to draw large scale images in charcoal. As part of Big Tent, we will be drawing images of Fife - whether that's famous people, buildings, animals, your favourite place. Once done, your drawings will be displayed at the Big Tent though you'll be able to take some of your drawings away with you.
Numbers limited so booking essential.
Cost is £3 and includes all materials and refreshments.
There are six sessions:
Tuesday 6th April 10am to 12.30pm or 1.30pm to 4pm
Wednesday 7th April 10am to 12.30pm or 1.30pm to 4pm
Thursday 8th April 10am to 12.30pm or 1.30pm to 4pm
Under 8s are welcome but they must be accompanied at all times be an adult who must remain responsible for them.
Bring old clothes (they may get ruined!)
Poetry Walk with Anna Crowe: a conversation with the landscape
Sunday 24 April 2 - 4pm
A gentle amble up Maspie Den to the Yad and back taking the shape of a
conversation with the landscape and its genius loci, a process of listening
and speaking back, give and take, as we absorb the sounds and features
around us and learn something of the history of the place. Please bring an
open mind, a good pair of stout shoes and a notebook and pen.
No charge but donations welcome to support the work of Falkland Centre for
Stewardship.
Numbers limited so please book in advance.
Willow Weaving Workshops for Children aged 8+
Monday 3rd May
The Stables Workshop, Falkland Estate, Falkland
A chance for children to learn how to willow weave. Working with experienced willow weavers, you will be able to make (and take home!) willow creations such as dreamcatchers, God's eyes and fish. You will also help to make willow hurdles which will be used at the Big Tent Festival.
Numbers are limited so booking is essential. Children must be over eight to attend.
Cost is £3 and includes all materials and refreshments.
The Stables Workshop has disabled access and a disabled toilet.
There are two sessions: 10am to 12.30pm and 1.30pm to 4pm.
Place Name Walks with Gilbert Markus
Sunday 9 May, 10.30am to 4pm
Gilbert Markus is co-author of 'The Place Names of Fife' and will lead a day focusing on the historic evidence of deer hunting at Falkland in the medieval period.
The event costs £7 including a soup and sandwich lunch, illustrated talk and a walk around some of the relevant places.
Bring stout shoes and a waterproof.
Booking essential.
Place Name Walks with Gilbert Markus
Sunday 23 May, 10.30am to 4pm
Gilbert Markus is co-author of 'The Place Names of Fife' and will lead a day focusing on the historic evidence of the early settlement at Kilgour.
The event costs £7 including a soup and sandwich lunch, illustrated talk and a walk around part of the local landscape.
Bring stout shoes and a waterproof.
Booking essential.
Beasts, Birds and Boars
Wednesday 26 May to Thursday 27 May, 10.30am to 3.30pm
Working with Stephanie Bunn, a chance for adults to enjoy creative willow weaving making. You will learn how to create willow animals - beasts, birds and boars - which will help to decorate the Big Tent site! Stephanie is an experienced willow weaver and author of 'Working with Living Willow'. In 2008 Stephanie took a similar class to create willow herons which are still enjoying the waters of Falkland Estate's fish pond.
Numbers are limited to 12 so booking is essential. Participants must sign up for both days.
Cost of course is £20 for the two days and covers all materials, lunch and refreshments.
The Big Tent
Now in its 5th year, the Big Tent is Scotland's festival of the environment. Set in the beautiful landscape of Falkland Estate, the Big Tent is a weekend of activities for all the family:
- Great folk and world music
- Local food
- Exhibitions, demonstrations, workshops on the environment, craft, heritage, wood
- A whole host of children's activities
- Poetry, debates and discussions
Friday 23rd - Sunday 25th July 2010, Home Park, Falkland Estate, Falkland, Fife
- Friday 23rd July 6pm to 11pm
- Saturday 24th July 10.30am to 11pm
- Sunday 25th July 10.30am to 8.30pm
For more details please visit the Big Tent website.
