VISITORS to Aberdeen will get the chance to step back in time after business organisation Aberdeen Inspired announced an innovative new event which is set to take place in various venues across the city centre in August.
The event, entitled ‘Bon Accord to Bayonets’, will take place on the weekend of August 23-24 and will pay homage to various periods of history by transforming a number of city centre areas into historic scenes from as far back as the 14th century.
Aberdeen Inspired has enlisted the help of Living History Scotland, a full-time costumed interpretation company, who will help transform Union Terrace Gardens, the Castlegate, Marischal College and Rubislaw Terrace Gardens into days gone by with various re-enactments and workshops that will appeal to all ages.
Included in the plans are medieval musician and juggler performances, a historic falconry display, a full period encampment from the time of The Battle of Harlaw in 1411, historic puppet shows, a costumed interpretation of Mary Queen of Scots and her travels in Aberdeen, a colourful battle camp from the time of Robert the Bruce and a full authentic WW1 encampment.
The organisation has also been working with prominent local historian Dr Fiona-Jane Brown to assemble a programme of fringe events in the run up to the weekend. Among the plans is a series of supporting talks on the weekend’s events, a spoken word open mic performance, a folk music session alongside various school tours throughout the month of June, again highlighting the areas of history from the weekend.
The event, which Aberdeen Inspired has invested £25,000 in putting together, is aimed at increasing footfall within the city centre area as well as enhancing the city’s reputation to tourists, visitors and locals as an attractive, cultural destination.
Susan Bree, chief executive of Aberdeen Inspired, is delighted with the line-up for the event and is looking forward to over-seeing what is shaping up to be a unique weekend for the city
She said: “We’re absolutely delighted to announce the plans for our Bon Accord to Bayonets event and we really are looking forward to helping people step back in time at our various venues across the city centre.
“It’s great that we’ll have the team from Living History Scotland in Aberdeen over the weekend; they really will play an integral role in helping the specific time periods come to life.
“The plans for the WW1 encampment, the battle camp from the time of Robert the Bruce and costumed interpretation of Mary Queen of Scots really shaping up to be quite a spectacle and we’d encourage locals, visitors and especially families to pop the weekend in their diary.
“A key goal of Aberdeen Inspired is to increase footfall within the city centre and that’s why we have selected four venues throughout the city centre with the idea that people will visit certain parts over the two days, taking in shops and restaurants as they go.
“We really do think there is an appetite for this sort of event and we’d be delighted if you would be able to join us at any time over the two days.”
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Contact: Phil Moar
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