One of the few events to survive from the Year of Homecoming is alive and well in the Mearns.
The Mearns Connections Festival began in 2009 and celebrates its fifth anniversary in Arbuthnott next month, and has published its programme.
Organisers said the festival has done much to raise the profile of the area’s connections to celebrated writers and artists.
“The festival will not only highlight Lewis Grassic Gibbon, but Robert Burns and Joan Eardley,” festival chairman Jim Brown told The Courier.
“We’re really hoping to bring the area’s history and traditions to life.”
This year’s theme is “the land” and celebrates the pivotal influence that the Howe’s earth had on the works of Gibbon and Burns.
The festival opens with an oatmeal dinner at the Grassic Gibbon Centre on August 9, with guest speaker Jack Webster.
The author, playwright and journalist was brought up on his father’s farm in Buchan and understands the love-hate relationship with the land Gibbon depicted in Sunset Song.
The theme will be continued with humorous poetic tributes and an address to the farming folk’s once staple diet oatmeal. Singer Tich Frier and entertainer Dennis Collie will feature and Mr Brown will host the dinner.
On August 10 the Ballad Bus sets off from the centre at 1pm to explore the myths and mysteries of Fettercairn via Alan Sim, in song, story and recitations.
At 7.30pm the musician, singer and storyteller Robert Lovie, from Fyvie, will be supported by former Scottish Accordion champion John Bone, champion fiddler Raemond Jappy, and bothy balladeer Hector Riddell.
A festival service on August 11 will be held in Arbuthnott Church by the Rev Dennis Rose, with music and Doric scripture readings.
An audience with one of the country’s best known broadcasters, Frieda Morrison, takes place the same day at 2pm.
Mr Brown added: “We’ve had a lot of fine artists come to entertain over the years, and this year we’re concentrating on the north-east, the land, and that’s reflected in the lineup.
“It’s not serious by any means there’s a lot of humour, a lot of music and lots of song.”
Grassic Gibbon centre manager Isabella Williamson said: “We have been amazed and delighted with the support and interest received for the project and have already had people contacting us wishing to purchase tickets for events from as far afield as Australia.”
For further information and tickets,contact Ms Williamson at the centre on 01561 361668 or visit the festival website at www.mearnsconnections.com.