Badenoch Shinty Memories at the Highland Folk Museum

Badenoch Shinty Memories is a local community group which brings people together around a shared passion for the sport of shinty. The group supports those living with dementia and their families/carers, and individuals who might be isolated or lonely. Shinty is a stick and ball game which is very popular in the Scottish Highlands, and it is embedded into the communities of the local area of Badenoch. The museum holds a collection of shinty material, and there is an original shinty pavilion on site which helps to tell the story of the sport. In 2019-2021 the Highland Folk Museum worked in partnership with Badenoch Shinty Memories on a funded project to support and develop the activities of the group, and also to catalogue and document the shinty collection held by the museum.

During the course of the project, the museum hosted shinty memory gatherings, and photographs and objects from the collection were used as a prompt to spark memories and conversations. Members of the group helped to add knowledge and meaning to the objects in the collection, and also donated items to the museum’s shinty collection. Since the official partnership project ended in early 2021, the relationship between the museum and the community group has continued to thrive. A strong foundation was set during the project, and the legacy continues. The group continue to use the museum as their “hub”, and monthly shinty gatherings are held in the Am Fasgadh building, co-organised by the group and the museum. The visits include an informal look around the collection store for participants of the group, followed (very importantly!) by tea, cake and plenty of chat and laughter.

Objects and photographs work incredibly well at sparking off memories and leading to conversations. It’s been really valuable to everyone involved to provide opportunities for older people to get out and socialise in a safe and welcoming environment, and one which encourages the sharing of stories and memories. Intergenerational links are very rewarding and important. During the project there were initiatives with local school children, and gatherings were hosted at the local high school too. To reduce the stigma of dementia and lessen worries about the disease, it works really well to involve people of all ages.

Our advise to others is to open up your museum to existing community groups, and find out what their members want to do. Museums are the perfect site for coming together as they are a rich source of familiar artefacts, which can help to unlock memories and stories. Local or national charities (e.g. Alzheimer Scotland) can provide support, training and advice in setting up activities for those living with dementia. Keep sessions short (1.5 hours maximum) and always include refreshments! Prepare in advance and have a variety of material which is likely to appeal to the range of your individuals.