Pàdruig Moireasdan and his honesty box
The Nar Nàdar series of reels and stories on positive environmental action within Uist in the Outer Hebrides attracted half a million views. The young team that delivers the digital platform, Uist Beò, was amazed at the interest in actions within our small island communities in Uist, with a population of less than 5000. Particularly welcome was that the series not only covered modern innovations, but also shone a light on many traditional practices, like seaweed harvesting, animal husbandry, local food production and traditional fishing practices, with many of the reels released in Gàidhlig (with English subtitles).
As Pàdruig Moireasdan at Uist Beò, a project of CoDeL, reflected,
“Our reels were able to integrate a very unique and rare coming together of knowledge and innovation. From the perspective of the traditional practices that people carry on as part of their lives in Uist, our reels and stories have allowed for what might seem to some people to be ordinary, or even old-fashioned, to be rightfully appreciated in the 21st century. Scientific understanding of the environment has come on – and almost full-circle – to reveal how many environmental practices from over a hundred years ago are what we should be doing again today for a sustainable future.
“Traditional indigenous knowledge – which is the deep, community-developed understanding of local ecosystems and the sustainable practices suitable for them – is born from a culture which has lived in a place for numerous generations with a need to survive and sustain both community and the ecosystem. Uist has this knowledge as part of the old culture that lives in our people.
“Such knowledge has global value to how we – the next generation – can learn from our locality, and take forward environmental custodianship and an understanding of our local ecology. It feels rewarding to have created an educational resource for the young and old to use today and into the future.”
The reel on seaweed harvesting has been played to school/university students to present a modern-day example of such practice. And, as one islander reflected on the post on traditional crofter, Chrissie, and her cattle: “So there are researchers who would seek to define the workings of our environment and then there are those who live it and feel it and express it in their own language.”
Tara Drummie at Uist Beò points to the environmentally conscious innovations, such as the careful use of local botanicals in a young local distillery or modern sustainable building technologies using local wool being developed by the local architects’ firm.
“We wanted the material to be enjoyable and accessible for everyone, and the short reel format has been especially successful at reaching new, younger audiences, attracting nearly 2,000 new followers. We’re deeply grateful to all the incredible Uibhistich [people in/from Uist] who have shared your knowledge; it has been a privilege to film, edit and share your stories, preserving practices today, and inspiring future generations. Thank you to the Pebble Trust for making this project possible.”
You can view the summary reel here, and all the reels on Uist Beò’s facebook and Instagram pages (search for reels). The work has triggered more reels, funded by the Scottish Government’s Climate Engagement Fund, with a special focus on young people, and a parallel series in Dumfries and Galloway also. It is inspiring to see younger generations across Scotland engage so strongly and creatively, so keep following us at Uist Beò.
