carmichael watson collection centred on the papers of folklorist alexander carmichael (1832-1912)...
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Carmichael Watson Collection
• Centred on the papers of folklorist Alexander Carmichael (1832-1912)
• Carmina Gadelica – anthology of Celtic culture • Environment history & culture of the Outer Hebrides• Tales, ballads, historical narratives, songs, hymns,
charms, anecdotes & observations• Not only relevant for Gaelic Scholars
– history, theology, place-names, botany,archaeology, environmental studies, geography
Carmichael Watson Project
• Limited accessibility & exploitation• Need to open up material for all by creation of on-line
resources. • Need to realise research potential• External funding essential• Planned a phased approach • Collaborative partners one of the keys to successful
project delivery.
Phased Approach
Phase
1 Bord na Gaidhlig £5k 2005 Scoping Study
2 Carnegie Trust for the Universities of Scotland
£30k 2006-7 Intermediate Pilot
2.1 Internal Funding £1k 2007 Condition Survey
3 AHRC £500k 2009-11 Research & Resource Development Project
3.1 NMCT £2.8k 2009-11 Conservation Work
4 The Leverhume Trust £200 2011-13 Carmichael in Context
Phase 1 - Scoping
• Preliminary Scoping Study (2005)• Seed corn funding -Bord na Gailagh (£5K)• Examination of Collection and Existing Finding Aids.• Revealed requirements for developing the collection• Enabled development of methodology and project plan.
Phase 2
• Intermediate Pilot Phase (2006-2007)• Carnegie Trust for the Universities of Scotland (£30k)• Testing of methodological principles and practices as
required to develop the collection.• Exploration of potential for collaborative research and
inclusion in teaching.– Programme of dissemination activities.
• Development of a set of pilot on-line research tools.– on-line catalogue, project website, image creation.
• Conservation assessment.• Evaluation of pilot search tools and website.• Feedback from users and peers.
Phase 3
• Full Research & Resource Development Phase (2009-11)• AHRC Research Grant (£500k)• ‘The authenticity of Carmina Gadelica’• Full dissemination programme including:
– Conference, exhibition, production of teaching material, journal articles
• Resource development– EAD catalogue records, TEI Full text transcriptions, Digital images,
EAC Biographical Records, Georeferencing significant sites and locations, full project website
• Collaboration between CRC & SSC crucial– Cataloguing required to facilitate analysis
– Research required to allow fully-informative resources.
Phase 4
• ‘Carmichael in Context’ – material cultures (2011-13)• The Leverhume Trust - Research Project Grant (£200k)• Collaboration with the West Highland Museum.• Enhance existing on-line resources and widen the
research angle.• Photograph, catalogue & research over 300 items
collected by Alexander Carmichael.• Brooches, sea bean charms, tartan clothing and
furnishings of Jacobite origin, domestic implements and carved stones
• New cross disciplinary challenges.
Phase 4
Images copyright of Carsten Flieger and used with permission of The Carmichael Watson Project.
Collaborative Partners
• Collaborative Partners– School of Scottish Studies– Museum of the West Highlands– EDINA
• Allows full treatment of the collections – Curatorial expertise, academic research, technical knowledge
• Project Advisory Group– External institutions, complementary projects, professional
peers, technical experts
• Complementary On-going Research Projects
Future
• Continue to build upon and develop existing resources.• Continued collaboration locally and on an international
platform.• Continued promotion of collection and dissemination
activities.• Future funding bids.