Moray's 'Disappeared Village' is coming back to life
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The fascinating story of 'The Disappeared Village' will go on public display at Elgin Library early next year.
The thriving village of Culbin was totally destroyed in the year 1694 during what was known as the Great Sand Drift.
Its inhabitants were forced from their homes and farms as, almost overnight, what had been a fertile grain-growing area was transformed into a desolate wasteland.
Local legends soon sprang up that the land had been cursed.
It was left completely abandoned for many years until finally, in the 1920s, the present-day forest was planted in and around the sand dunes.
Funding has been now awarded in order to bring the history of Culbin village back to life.
Dr Rachael Ironside and Professor Peter Reid from Robert Gordon University's School of Creative and Cultural Business are working with Elgin Library to create ‘The Disappeared Village’ exhibition, which will open on February 19.
Dr Ironside said: "A series of panels will detail the stories, and there'll be archive materials and creative works, too.
"All these will also be complimented by QR codes so visitors to the exhibition can access further information."
Primary-aged children will be encouraged to make their own felt wall hangings and write stories about the disappeared village of Culbin, which will be displayed later at the exhibition.
Funding has come from VisitScotland and Museums Galleries Scotland with support from National Lottery Heritage Fund as part of the Year of Scotland’s Stories 2022 campaign.
The exhibition will be at the library from Saturday, February 19 to Friday, March 16.
