strathnaver

Brand-new podcast ‘Highlands Reimagined’ asks why young people leave northwest Sutherland

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picture of a tall, narrow standing stone with circular image and the word 'failte' written on it. In the background is a a pointed mountain and blue sky with white fluffy clouds

On 2nd September 2025, Strathnaver Museum launches a new podcast series called ‘Highlands Reimagined’.

The podcast was commissioned by Strathnaver Museum, is produced by Anya Media and published in partnership with the Wild for Scotland podcast.

The ‘Highlands Reimagined’ podcast explores why young people leave northwest Sutherland and what will encourage them to build their futures in the region. It features interviews with students from Farr High School, local entrepreneurs and remote workers across three thirty-minute episodes.

Using objects in the museum collection, the young people explore the age-old problem of Highland depopulation and outward economic migration. Through interviews with national and regional representatives from government, agencies and community organisations, the young people discuss their hopes and fears for their future as part of their Highland community.

The podcast emerged from Will Sadler’s successful 2024 Artist in Residence project with Strathnaver Museum, where he used objects in the museum collection to explore issues relevant to Highland communities today. The Artist Residency Programme has been part funded by Museums Galleries Scotland, The William Syson Foundation, the Children’s and Young People’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund, and has received £5,755 from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Fiona Mackenzie, Strathnaver Museum manager, explains: “We have many fascinating objects in our collection which can help us explore and understand issues which affect us today. We are incredibly excited about the launch of ‘Highlands Reimagined’ which provides a vehicle for our young people to share their hopes and concerns for their future within their Highland community.”
Will Sadler, the podcast’s producer says: “This podcast explores the differences between the picture-postcard Highlands of my childhood holidays and the complex reality of growing up there. The goal isn’t to dismiss an appreciation for Scotland’s natural beauty, but to enrich it by revealing the nuances of life in one of Western Europe’s most sparsely populated areas as it faces ongoing population challenges. Fundamentally, I hope the show encourages us all to consider what role we play in helping to build a more resilient future for this beautiful place.”

Kathi Kamleitner, co-producer of the Wild for Scotland travel podcast, notes: “The northern Highlands are often presented as a ‘wild’ and rugged landscape to be enjoyed by tourists seeking vastness and space. But it’s important not to lose sight of the people who call these landscapes their home. ‘Highlands Reimagined’ paints a complex picture of modern life in the Highlands and centres the lived experiences that often get omitted in favour of a romanticised landscape.

To find out more visit highlandsreimagined.com

Fishing Around along the north coast

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Fishing Around along the north coast

A new community boat built by volunteers is set to launch at Bettyhill Pier on Saturday 28th September in culmination of Strathnaver Museum’s £2.2m refurbishment project and activity programme. The project has been funded through various stages with the support of the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Highland Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund, Tesco Community Fund, and Co-op Community Fund.

Over the last 18 months, under the expert tuition of Orkney based boat builder Jeff Mackie, and supported by Bettyhill man Tim Curtis, members of the public have built a replica of the ‘Iris WK322’ held in Strathnaver Museum’s Collection.

The ‘Iris’ was built between 1870-1880 and fished out of Kirtomy as a second boat to the ‘Roseleaf WK121’. It was donated to the museum by James ‘Duke’ Mackay to tell the story of fishing across the north coast and ensure its preservation for future generations.

Strathnaver Museum and North Sutherland Community Forest Trust, who hosted the boat building workshops at their Borgie Cabin site, are inviting members of the public to join them on Saturday 28th September to celebrate the boat build’s completion.

The celebration will begin with an exhibition at Farr Edge from 1pm exploring the history of the Fishing Around project and include artwork from Strathnaver Museum’s current Artists in Residence, Debasis Biswas and Joanne B. Karr.

Debasis Biswas is exploring the heritage and conservation of salmon and salmon fisheries along the north coast and beyond. ‘Salt to Plate’ will gather stories, memories, and photographs relating to salmon and salmon fisheries through a series of workshops and drop-in events.
Complimentary to the salmon fishing theme Joanne B. Kaar’s project ‘Shipshape’ will be exploring traditional boat building skills and tools utilising a variety of printmaking techniques with a focus on woodcut. Joanne’s project will preserve the intangible cultural heritage around boat building techniques and tools which are at risk of being lost.

Fiona Mackenzie, Strathnaver Museum said: “We are delighted to see the hard work of the team pay off with the launch of the community boat. It is wonderful to see the valuable and at risk traditional boat building and woodwork skills being passed on to the volunteer team, helping to keep our intangible cultural heritage within our communities. The ongoing preservation and dissemination of these skills will continue through maintenance of this new boat and further legacy projects connected to the community boat.”

There will be an opportunity to hear about the proposed community purchase of Rosal and view artefacts from the time of the clearance of Rosal. Pupils from Melvich, Farr, and Tongue Primary Schools have been helping the team to come up with a name for the community boat and their artwork will be on display. The name of the boat will be revealed at the launch taking place at 3pm, Saturday 28th September at Bettyhill Pier.