It has been an incredibly busy weekend. Yesterday was the Gordon Castle Highland Games at Fochabers, about four miles from my home in Port Gordon. These games used to be one of the biggest highland gatherings on the circuit (particularly in the 1920s and 1930s) but fell into abeyance after the 8th Duke of Richmond and Gordon died in 1935. They were revived last year by Angus and Zara Gordon Lennox who own the Castle. Last year was good but had dreadful weather to contend with. Yesterday, however, was glorious, bright blue skies and warm sunshine all day. In fact, it couldn't have been better. Angus and Zara took over the castle a few years back from his father and mother and they have done absolutely incredible things in a relatively short period of time with the help of a fantastic and dedicated team of staff. It is wonderful to have Gordon Castle right at the heart of our local community once again and yesterday was testimony to that. Before you all ask, no I was competing in any shape or form. We did, however, have a Gordon Chapel stall selling postcards of our Burne-Jones windows (of which more later in the week) and of course the obligatory home bakes (the President's home-made carrot cake was snapped up quickly I am delighted to report). Well done Angus, well done Zara and well done everyone at Gordon Castle. So, folks, if you are in the Moray area in May 2013 make a point of getting to this great gathering.
Today I am going up to a meeting of the partnership in Elgin which is working to enhance the town's heritage potential. This encompasses a lot of different activities including a "trail" (better word to come) from the site of Elgin Castle through the historic High Street to the Cathedral and then on to the world-famous Johnston's Cashmere factory and visitor centre. All things I am very interested in and Johnstons is another steadfastly loyal supporter of Gordon Chapel as their former Managing Director, James Sugden, was my predecessor as treasurer. However, back to this partnership; this is an excellent opportunity to do something really imaginative in Elgin and part of the planning will be looking at the role which Grant Lodge, the former library in Elgin, can play. The favoured option being as a venue bringing together local studies (see I managed to get it in), other heritage services and the registrars. A northern John Gray Centre perhaps. Worryingly, I am on this group as an "Expert Advisor" (their words) so I guess I will have to be on top form this afternoon and not do the dotty professor thing.
The two things I've described, the Gordon Castle and the Elgin partnership, have one thing in common: a very real drive and determination to improve and enhance our heritage; to make it work better, be more accessible and, yes, earn its keep as effectively as it can. I am sure both will succeed.
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