Cromarty museum team seeking local accents to recreate famous trial; Black Isle visitor attraction makes move after Museums and Galleries Scotland funding for new sound system
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A MUSEUM in Cromarty is looking for local accents to recreate a trial that has entertained visitors for more than three decades.
The trial of Cuthbert Mackenzie with its rich diversity of characters including the somewhat eccentric Sir Thomas Urquhart, is to be revoiced and the museum needs Cromarty, Resolis and Black Isle accents to bring the piece to live.
The museum has been awarded funding by Museums and Galleries Scotland for the digital project.
Mary Bowers, chairwoman of the The Cromarty Courthouse Museum said: "The team is thrilled to have been awarded a substantial grant from
Museums Galleries Scotland, which is administering Scottish Government funding to help museums survive the impacts of Covid–19.
"We have a number of projects under way now, but the main project focus will be to install a new digital sound system, and a team of local enthusiasts is already at work planning a whole new soundscape for the museum interior.
"It means that we can create a fresh digital recording of the Cuthbert Mackenzie trial that has captivated visitors since the museum opened. The original was lost when old equipment stopped working.
"We also have the funding to record a completely new trial, create an additional layer of voices for both trials from the spectator gallery, where visitors
are seated emphasising their role, and to give new voices to mannequins Sir Thomas Urquhart, and our poor prisoner in Cell B, who has been silent for the thirty years since the museum opened."
She added: "We’d like the people involved in the trials to have local Cromarty/Resolis/Black Isle accents, and we’re looking for as many willing volunteers as possible.
"Some people have already stepped forward, but we’d like more to join them – both men and women but particularly men. Remote
recording is being explored because of lockdown and full instructions will be provided."
If you are happy to lend your voice please make contact with Ms Bowers by emailing courthousecromarty@gmail.com or via www.facebook.com/CromartyCourthouseMuseum/.
