OHS Presents: A talk by Professor Fred Freeman – ‘Hamish Henderson, Burns & Music’ – Wed 13th August – St Magnus Centre, Kirkwall.
Orkney Heritage Society
Presents a talk by Professor Fred Freeman
Friends Room, St Magnus Centre, Kirkwall
Wednesday 13th August at 7.30pm
HAMISH HENDERSON, BURNS & MUSIC
An exploration of two great sangsters, Hamish Henderson and Robert Burns, both of whom redefined Scottish culture; provided, against all odds, a national and international vision of the country – bringing together all the vital Scots, Gaelic and Norse cultural strands and rejecting all the empty arguments of those who insisted that Scotland was, at best, a mere fragmented nation lacking social and cultural wholeness. Both artists recreated the nation – especially through their song-writing. Both artists had strong links with N. Ireland and Ireland.
This is an Immortal Memory with a difference by Professor Fred Freeman of the RCS.
A multimedia presentation drawing upon Professor Freeman’s recordings and graphic illustrations that highlight the central points of his thesis.
Freeman is the producer of the internationally acclaimed The Complete Songs of Robert Burns (12 vols, Linn Records); two Tribute albums on Hamish Henderson (Greentrax Recordings); the author of extensive chapters on Hamish Henderson and Burns in a new book, Hamish Henderson : A Conversation Piece; one of the central figures featured in a new documentary on Hamish – Inspiration.
“The internationally famous Neolithic chambered cairn at Isbister, known as the Tomb of the Eagles, occupies a spectacular clifftop location in the South Parish of South Ronaldsay. The 5,000+ year-old burial tomb is currently in private ownership. For over 20 years it was a successful family-run, and family-friendly, visitor attraction comprising the chambered cairn, scenic walks, a Bronze Age burnt mound, and a visitor centre. The Tomb provided employment opportunities for young people, and established itself as a much-loved and unique part of South Ronaldsay and Orkney’s tourism scene.”