The Pictish Arts Society (PAS) has launched a stinging criticism of an Angus heritage visitor attraction.
The charity claims ”young minds are being contaminated by ill-conceived fantasies” at Pictavia in Brechin.
A publication by Pictavia is also accused of extreme cultural displacement, with a claim that ”the characters seem to have stepped right out of a Disney-type animation”.
The attack is all the more damning as the Pictish Arts Society is actually based at the council-run Pictavia Visitor Centre.
North East Scotland MSP Alex Johnstone called for an independent investigation to ”ensure that all of the information on offer lives up to expectations.”
However, Angus Council said it takes appropriate professional advice to ensure the content of Pictavia’s exhibition material is ”historically accurate”.
The Pictish Arts Society’s article on Pictavia followed events at the Brechin attraction. The article states: ”Extreme cultural displacement is evident in the Pictavia publication The Adventures of Taran and Triduana, whose characters seem to have stepped right out from a Disney-type animation.
“One can only imagine them speaking in raucous voices typical of American cartoon films.”
Mr Johnstone said: ”We have a very strong cultural heritage in this area, and it is important that visitors to Pictavia, especially young people, have an enjoyable and authentic experience.
”I believe that the economic development department of Angus Council, which runs Pictavia, should have an independent investigation to ensure that all of the information on offer lives up to expectations.”
Pictavia, which charts the heritage of the Picts who lived in Angus 2,000 years ago, reopened in February after a £50,000 refurbishment. The four-star attraction has not hit the tourist figures originally targeted when it opened more than a decade ago, and it was hoped the five-figure investment would raise its popularity.
The worst loss of £33,877 came in 2006-07 when income was £6,994 against an operating cost of £40,871. However, the council has maintained the centre’s success cannot be judged solely on visitor numbers, but on the contribution it makes to the wider Angus economy.
A spokesman for Angus Council said: ”We welcome many visitors each year to Pictavia and know from surveys that the vast majority of people enjoy the experience.
”We take appropriate professional advice to ensure that the content of our exhibition material is historically accurate.
”Like other organisations which run similar centres, we use various methods to deliver the information about the history of the Picts, incuding some which are designed specifically to appeal to younger visitors and to encourage their interest in the history of the area.
”We hope that visitors of all ages, from Angus and beyond, will continue to enjoy visiting Pictavia.”
It is estimated the centre helps draw between £500,000 and £800,000 per annum into the economy of Angus.
Pictavia lies within the grounds of the Brechin Castle Centre, which is owned by Dalhousie estate. An offer from estate factor Richard Cooke was turned down by the council in 2009 to purchase it outright with a view to converting two-thirds of its floor space into a retail area.
Founded in 1988, the purpose of the Pictish Arts Society is to raise public awareness of the Pictish stones and to encourage various arts inspired by the symbols and designs depicted on them.
Membership is open to anyone who has an interest in Pictish stones and arts.
UPDATE: Pictish Arts Society says ‘Disney’ criticism of Pictavia was the personal opinion of one member