Sense of Place

The Power of Scotland’s Places

The local Inverness newspaper recently addressed the condition of the city centre under the headline ‘A sense of place is key to our lives’. But what is sense of place and why is it so important? An elusive concept, sense of place captures the identity of places we recognise as either Greenock, Garve or Gretna.

What makes up a sense of place are many and varied. It embraces natural and cultural features, the distinctive sights, sounds and experiences rooted to that place, its feel, atmosphere and people. Places with a strong ‘sense of place’ express a clear identity and character that is recognisable and resonates with inhabitants and visitors alike. Books, pictures, paintings and films seek to evoke a particular sense of place so that the reader or viewer knows what it is like to ‘be there’. Indeed the work of poets, novelists, artist and musicians can strengthen the very sense of place they are seeking to capture.

We often have a strong sense of place about where we lived as a child, and take great delight in distinctive and recognisable places. Studies suggest this is an important source of individual and community identity that provokes deep emotional and psychological ties. A sense of place is often recalled with affection, defended from threats of loss, while its absence is a focus of complaint. Where standardised approaches and homogenisation result in ‘placeless’ landscapes (what the French refer to aptly as ‘banalisation’), places lack connection with the area in which they are located and disconnect their communities from their surroundings.

PlaceBook Scotland

This project is focusing attention on people’s appreciation of their sense of place. PlaceBook Scotland will celebrate the relationship between the people of Scotland and places that mean something to them. It is about capturing their sense of place in a creative way through film, photographs, music and writing. This can be uploaded online, and shared with others around the world on thissite and will become an important record of what we think and feel about Scotland’s places.

Artists, musicians, film-makers and writers throughout the ages have looked to the landscape and cityscapes to provide a context for their work. From Lewis Grassic Gibbons realistic narrative in “A Scots Quair” to Ian Rankins’ depiction of the underworld of Edinburgh, distinctive places continue to provided literary inspiration.

Edwin Landseer, the English Victorian painter, romanticised the Scottish landscape in the well known “Monarch of the Glen”, an iconic image that has become a symbol of Scotland and tourism. Yet, it is the less iconic that Placebook is interested in; the local places, the everyday, the views of the cities, the paths of the everyday walk to school or work, the special tree in the woodland that holds a story. It can be a learnt history; a place where stories have been based, that creates this sense of place and gives that feeling of home.

The project’s Development Officer Irene Watson says “The small fishing villages of the east coast have inspired many painters, including myself and it is little known East and Westaven that I hold in my heart. My first memories of freedom were picking whelks in the rockpools with my friends and I have spent many an hour on these shores in all weathers. I love the muted colours of fishermans huts, the hauled-out boats and the stacked lobster creels. And there is always someone in the huts brewing a cup of tea and willing to chat about the day.

The project wants to hear from young and old, individuals, schools, groups and professional artists. Photos, video, music, song, poems and prose that capture the essence of the place can all be uploaded. Anybody who lives, works or was brought up in Scotland is encouraged to use PlaceBook to generate interest and discussion in the sense of place of their local area.

“The unique road, rail and foot bridges in Coatbridge encapsulate the essence of the “Ironburgh‟ and are instantly recognisable.” Elaine Smith MSP

“This view from next to the Cathkin Braes shows the urban nature of the Rutherglen constituency with, on this day, snow-covered green belt at its southern end.” James Kelly MSP

extract from Losin´ Auld Reekie by songwriter Jim Malcolm

….Turn off for Dunfermline, the motorway's gey boring
Going to treat myself the long way home
Motorways are faster, but that's not what I'm after
Cruisin', losin' Auld Reekie,
Trucking on through Dollar
Castle Campbell o'er my shoulder
Glen Devon is the passage that I'm seeking
And my motor's working harder
As it climbs tae Auchterarder
Cruisin', losin' Auld Reekie
Fields are full of action
Wi' the farmers in their traction,
Tattie pickers bending over baskets.
Gulls ahint the tractor as it rips the grun' wi clatter
Cruisin', losin' Auld Reekie…..