30th April 2025 saw the culmination of a month-long project called STITCH // TECH // CRANNOG based at the Crannog, Castle Douglas and organised by Castle Douglas Development Forum (CDDF). The project, funded by South of Scotland Enterprise, involved members of the Castle Douglas community engaging with two professional artists, Drew Taylor-Wilson, based in Glasgow, and Rory Lacock who comes from Langholm.
The workshops led by Drew Taylor-Wilson focused on the use of recycled fabric, and the development of stitching techniques to create a community tapestry. The workshops run by Rory Laycock focused on the development of some basic skills on the use of 3D printers and pens and how they could be used to explore the design for future developments at the Crannog. Both series of workshops had a strong environmental strand running through them.
The event also concluded with a performance of Bippity, a pop-up show , made by Performance Collective Stranraer, which uses elements of physical theatre, clown, dance, and a little bit of magic, inspired by the myth of Merlin the Wizard.
The work produced during the project will remain on display in the Crannog and is intended to stimulate discussion for further activities around the development of the Crannog.
Carolyn Yates, Chair of CCDF said:
“The Crannog provides spaces for community of Castle Douglas to engage in both indoor and outdoor activities. This project marks the beginning of creative activities we are planning in order to engage the wider community in future developments at the Crannog. This is becoming a space where intergenerational magic can happen.”
