Comments (0) …made her debut appearance at the Argyll Hotel in Dunoon tonight, in TWTC’s very popular ‘Jamie’s Secret’ By all accounts our new Lady Isobel was a big hit especially with her new son-in-law Jamie Lamont. We cant say more as that would just give the story away. Very well done team.
The big weekend has been and gone and what a rip roaring time we had. There were loads to see and do. Our stand was in the Heritage tent and we also had the big stage, so when visitors were not seeking their genealogy or learning about traditional music and events, they were bobbing up and down, to drums and song. TWTC took 15o intrepid highland smugglers out into the Dukes woodland, where we all narrowly escaped the exciseman. Children’s workshops were a highlight for our younger visitors, playing theatre games and learning theatre skills.
An evening gathering of 100 black tie guests saw TWTC startle the diners between courses as we took them back in time, to a siege where we surrounded by horrible hairy taxmen looking to burn us all if we did not give up our whisky. No chance of that, the taxmen were overcome and the evening was saved.
A great event with loads to do - lets see Spirit of The West 2009 be the first of a great annual fun family day out.
TWTC is delighted to join Jim Mather MSP, Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism at a reception atLoch Fyne Hotel, Inveraray, 15 May 2009
‘There has never been a more important time for the industry to unite. Few sectors are immune to the impact of the economic slowdown, and tourism is no exception and is currently going through a defining period. It is up to all of us to see beyond the challenges and to focus on the opportunities. Now more than ever working in partnership will ensure that visitors choose Scotland over other destinations’. Martin Breslin. Visit Scotland
At this event in Inveraray, Jim Mather MSP will lead the discussion on local priorities for Argyll and what we need to do together to make sure that tourism leads the way for growth in the area as the economy recovers. The event will also mark the launch of the newly formed Argyll & the Isles Strategic Tourism Partnership, a group that unites the public and private sectors in an action-based approach to local tourism strategy.
The team are busy in force this week rehearsing our new company members into the Whisky Walk. All set for Spirit of The West and Cowal Way Launch this coming weekend as we cover one end of Cowal and mid Argyll at the same time.
Tomorrow will see us rambling up to the old ruined village in the Clachan. A historic reminder of time past when over 4000 people lived in this Glen until the clearances of the late 18th Century. A sheltered hillside site in the lei of a waterfall, the site has been made assessable by the kind work of our local forestry commission and we hope our theatre walk will raise the profile of this ruined settlement, encouraging modern walkers to visit it and take in the sensation of walking back in time that this spot offers. A magical place to be in.
http://www.firstport.org.uk/what-we-do/about-social-enterprise/social-entrepreneurs/sadie-dixon-spain/
Sadie Dixon-Spain set up the Walking Theatre Company in April 2006
Your Name: Sadie Dixon-Spain
Your organisation name: The Walking Theatre Company
When did you start?: April 2006
Where are you based: Glendaruel, Argyll
What was your “big idea”?
As a professional actress with 2 small children living in a rural community, I realised that I had not been to a cultural event for a couple of years largely due to lack of childcare and this really made me feel isolated, many other people in our community shared these feelings. I believe that the arts are an integral part of our being, to aid expression, stimulate thought and discussion and promote intelligent emotion. My outlet for this creative side was to stride out into the stunning natural landscape I live in, with the children - in short going for a jolly good walk. Walking in this bold inspiring environment makes me feel connected, peaceful, joyful and free.
So my ‘big idea’ was to combine theatre and arts played through the medium of a guided walk. Audiences are met and registered by a character from the play and led through new landscapes, being encouraged through the story to interact with the outdoors in a totally new way. Our plays are also interactive and the audience become cast as well as audience. This unique style of Walking Theatre engages all audiences as we play both rural & urban landscapes and our work reaches all audiences of all all ages. We take theatre to the people.
How did you get started?
Having conceived my master plan I talked to local groups and business advisers (AIE). I created a business plan, worked out my unit price and then set up meetings with people I felt could help me move forward. This route, at this point entirely failed me as my local enterprise advisor, who claimed to have a background in the Arts, but in actual fact worked in debt recovery with no history of running a business, informed me that and Arts and Theatre based business could never present a viable business model and my idea had no legs (no pun intended).
A huge set back in my confidence more that anything else. However the wheels of an idea still turned and I was asked to perform at a local Festival, Cowal Fest. So I looked for funding to create a community project. Awards for All stepped in and my funding bid was sucsessful. However I needed to make this idea more than a one off and at this point I found Scotland Unltd who gave me the bones to knit together the whole. Slowly, step by step I am working my way through information, contacts and advice. I met with every lead, I talked to every name I was given, I researched other groups and all this information is chucked into a large melting pot, some information to be stored for later, some giving a new stone towards my ultimate goal to create a full time social enterpise company running all year round and serving all communities throughout Scotland.
Who or what was the biggest help to the project?
Scotland Unlimited were the biggest help in getting my idea off the ground as a long term enterprise, with a financial start up grant for the nitty gritty stuff and networking tools. Awards for All were equally helpful in paying for the pilot project. However the biggest help were the people in my own networking group - the actors and professionals that are involved with projects, the friendly accountant, the ‘in-house’ brander and marketing guru (my husband) - all these people let me burble at them, listened to ideas, then mildly batted back that fatal flaw I had missed, until slowly the whole became a working model. This could not have been done with out feedback and discussion.
Best Day?
I was going to say performing at Holyrood for over 200 MSPs and VIPs, which was amazing, however more recently waiting as the the Red Queen, for my audience to arrive. They were being led by the White Rabbit and I had no idea how many we had on the walk. the wait went on for ever, still it was not raining, then suddenly over the brow of the hill appeared this immense crocodile of children, buggys, adults and dogs, snaking towards me all grinning. Our largest children’s audience to date, over 100 on a walk. Our tug’o war finale was spectacular.
Worst Day?
Top tips for new social entrepreneurs?
Identify the relevance of the person you are seeking advice from. Listen to all advice and select that which you understand or feel you can work with. Be open to ideas and use and accept all feedback as it makes you stronger and more focussed. Keep your council and build a strong team around you, ideas develop and take form as they are expressed and worked. Take the bad days in your stride and find your own way to overcome them, they are part of your idea’s development and will become part of your own strength. Whenever you make contact with the ‘outside world’ be positive and clear, try not to talk too much, people do need time to think and process the information you give them. Remember that YOU are the best promoter of your idea.
07 Mar
2009
Theatre company re-enact show which will feature in Inveraray castle event
TALES of whisky smugglers hiding from the excisemen were brought to life in an Argyll glen yesterday as onlookers were given a taste of things to come at a new whisky festival.
The Spirit of the West whisky, food and culture festival will take place at Inveraray Castle on May 16 and 17, and is part of Homecoming Scotland 2009’s whisky month.
The Walking Theatre Company, set to bring history to life at the festival, re-enacted the smuggler tales at Loch Fyne Oysters restaurant near Inveraray.
Presented by The Whisky Coast, Scotland’s west coast whisky trail, Spirit of the West is set to be a spectacular weekend event. The tastes, sights and sounds of the west will all be included in themed marquees
The event which will feature a show-stopping opener from bagrock sensation the Red Hot Chilli Pipers; dishes with a whisky twist cooked up by celebrity Scottish chef Nick Nairn; Scotland’s leading whisky writer Charles Maclean, and folk/singer songwriter Robin Laing.
The Whisky Coast Marquee will play host to an impressive 16 world-famous west coast distillers.
Spirit of the West yesterday launched a campaign inviting people to share their love for Scotland’s west coast.
The Whisky Coast Memoirs campaign invites people to send through their stories, experiences and passions for the west coast.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown helped kick start the campaign with his own memoir of the west.
He said: “Although I was born and bred in the East of Scotland, I have spent a lot of time in the Highlands of the west of Scotland. As a student, and even after I was elected to parliament, I have walked in Skye, Kintail, the Hebrides, Argyllshire and Sutherland, often with parliamentary colleagues such as the late John Smith MP.
“I have many fond memories of days on the hill and in the glens and of good hospitality and entertainment in the evenings, as often as not accompanied by a dram. I send best wishes to organisers of Spirit of the West.”
To take part in the campaign go to www.spiritofthewest.co.uk
Article Courtesy of Press & Journal
TWTC stand at Spirit of The West
Despite torrential vertical, horizontal and upward rain TWTC lead a walk of over 30 intrepid smugglers around the Balmacara campsite, dramatic historic woodland near the Kyles of Lochalsh. We started off our walk with over 50 smugglers but as the ‘weather’ beat us down many rushed for cover. However our intrepid core splodged manfully on. An interesting site this. Managed by a community trust that took the woodland on after they were able to stop it being developed for housing, this lovely scenic spot has been saved for community enjoyment and is also supported by the forestry commission Scotland. Well worth a visit to the Balmacara Fair, see you there May 2010.
A magnificent setting for a great romp around Inveraray Castle. Part of Historic Scotlands Homecoming events.
The Campbells Are Coming Hurrah
all ready to go - a Forestry Homecoming event.
BALMACARA
COUNTRY DAY
Provisional Programme
12:00 Mountain Bike Race (16 years & over entries to Information Tent by 11:45)
12:30 Walking Theatre Company - The Whisky Walk
13:00 Hill Race (16 years & over – entries to the Information Tent by 12:45)
13:00 Highland Dancing
13:30 Falconry Display
14:00 “Crofts” Dog Show featuring the Dog Agility Competition (under 16s only, remember to keep your dog on a lead at all times)
15:00 Falconry Display
15:30 Highland Dancing
 Press Launch
These pictures demonstrate the fun that was had by all at the official launch of Spirit of the West at Loch Fyne Oysters on the banks of Loch Fyne, on Friday 6th of March. With the sun shining down on us, it was the perfect setting for the Walking Theatre Company’s spectacular performance ‘The Whisky Way’ about the illicit stills of the past. The fun then moved inside for fantastic seafood and whisky matching, with Charles MacLean offering his expert advice on how this should be done. Between courses the press were entertained by Robin Laing Scottish singer/songwriter, who had everyone singing along to his new West Coast Whiskies song, specially written about the drams of the Whisky Coast.
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