Forres gardens one of the locations for first week of Remembering Together Moray Covid audio experience

THE first week of a reflective project using words and music to look back on the Covid pandemic in Moray has prompted some emotional responses.

One of those came from someone who lost their father during Covid and never got to say goodbye to him.

The person, who listened to the audio piece at the Elgin Biblical Gardens, said: "I minded my dad, who I never got to say bye to. This gave me a fine wee moment to mind him, thank you."

Another person said it made them "cry and smile at the same time".

The first four days of Remembering Together Moray saw the pop-up event visit local gardens, a riverside walk and a village square in Forres, Aberlour, Elgin and Tomintoul.

"Immersive soundwalks" take people –wearing headphones – on a 20-minute journey through music, poetry, sounds and words.

Lead artists Graeme Roger (Wildbird) and Caroline Inckle (Studio Constella) worked with other creative professionals, including composer and sound artist Lucie Treacher and local communities to record items for the piece.

A booklet has also been produced, there is a website and writer Chris Lee is producing an original piece of writing which draws on the lived experiences of people. He has utilised the digital archives of The Northern Scot in his research.

The other arm of the project will see musicians Duncan Chisholm and Hamish Napier write and perform a new piece of music. The work will be shared with visits to schools, care homes and a masterclass and concert.

From Thursday to Sunday this week the team will be at Cullen Beach, Hopeman Beach, Keith Tesco and at the top of Moray's highest peak, Ben Rinnes, which rises to 840 metres.

Of the first four days, Graeme said: "It went brilliantly. We got really good responses and nearly 200 people were there over the four days.

"People appreciated the moment to pause and reflect. The tone of the piece seems to have worked really well.

"We had some profound conversations with people who had been badly affected by the pandemic.

"We have a really interesting mix of locations and I am excited to be doing Ben Rinnes."

Here are some of the comments from people who listened to the 20-minute piece.

Aberlour

Thank you for giving us some space (and time) for processing the pandemic. Beautiful, evocative, haunting. Powerful and moving.

A poignant walk through a range of emotions from the pain of loss, loneliness, missing family and friends, and real contact, fear and sorrow and hope for a better future, resilience and strength of community. There were many positives to celebrate too!

Forres

I feel lucky to have had the opportunity to put this to bed. a chance to reflect, honour and grieve and say goodbye to a time that I'll never forget. Thank you to all that have put this together, it's reassuring that this was given the space to emerge.

Amazing reflective journey on Covid. The audio quality and production quality was top tier, and the piece really makes you think. loved it!

Fantastic! Unexpected. I loved the local tongue, the music, everything. Loved it - thank you so much.

This is a really touching and powerful piece really instilled with such a variety of familiar and local energies, sounds and feelings. So glad I've been able to listen and absorb its meaning.

I found this incredibly moving. I sat under a beach tree, watching the swallows and letting myself face the sadness and weirdness of that time. The music was outstanding - perfectly balanced and beautiful. Thank you for making this thought-provoking moment happen. It made me cry and smile at the same time. Thank you!

Elgin

Thank you for the chance to openly and honestly explore the Covid experience and recognize the wounds and hurts still being carried and for powerful words and music - so beautiful.

Tomintoul

A wonderful snapshot of Moray. Really great mix of local people and sounds.

This is a lovely project that really made me reflect on the importance of community. This was a very beautiful piece; it made me think a lot.

Beautiful, impressive; it hits. I'm from a different country with another culture, but the impact of the Covid period feels the same. Thanks for this experience.

An amazing experience. It felt like the soundscape didn't just capture the feelings of the pandemic but also the feeling of Morayshire itself. I was brought up outside Elgin, and it felt like I was taken back to that. The soundscape felt both contemporary and timeless, which is what Morayshire is. I felt moved and elated and loved the positive ending. It captured the resilience of people here.

During Covid, all age groups had to deal with different situations, but I think it was harder for the younger generation. Listening to the audio was very informative, and it makes you realise that with help and understanding, we can move forward as long as we do it together.

At each location a collage of voices, sounds and music lasting approximately 20 minutes will be played through headphones to help create moments of reflection and remembrance for the listener.

All soundwalks are free and open to all members of the public, but tickets will be available for timed slots lasting up to an hour.

Remembering Together Moray is part of a national project designed to commemorate those who have lost their lives, and those who have experienced loss and change.

Moray Council, tsiMoray, UHI Moray, Findhorn Bay Arts, M:ADE (Moray Arts Development Engagement) and the Moray Lieutenancy are local project partners in Moray.

The remaining times and venues are:

Cullen Beach, Thursday, August 24 (3.30-8.30pm).

Hopeman Beach, Friday, August 25 (3.30-8.30pm).

Ben Rinnes, Saturday, August 26 (10am-3pm).

Keith Tesco, Sunday, August 27 (10am-4pm).

Millbuies Loch, Thursday, August 31 (1-7pm).

Cabrach Trust, Friday, September 1 (2-7pm).

Spey Bay Dolphin Centre, Saturday, September 2 (11am-4pm).

Elgin Tesco, Sunday, September 3 (10am-4pm).

You can book a free ticket at www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/remembering-together-moray-68063743263.

However, it is also possible to turn up on the day.