Historic voices teach important lessons for now
An Inverness woman got creative after being inspired by talented wordsmiths who united the Highlands behind renewable energy.
Looking back in time can give us a lot of advice for the present and future.
Listening to voices of old and ensuring that they remain heard, can give us guidance and help us navigate circumstances that are perhaps not as new as we think they are.
When Invernessian Susan Torrance was asked if she wanted to hold onto archives of the Inverness Courier for safe keeping she grabbed the chance with both hands.
Spending hours looking through the pages of papers dating back to 1848, Mrs Torrance quickly realised that she was getting a unique opportunity to look through a window of time and became entranced by the editorials of a few old stalwarts.
In particular, she became inspired by the editorials of Dr Evan Barron and his niece Eveline Barron who between them held sway over the content of the paper for 70 years until 1988.
With the Inverness Courier being the one source of information read by most people in the years following World War II (pre the dawn of the internet), it was in a crucial position to influence the events which shaped the modern Highlands.
For Mrs Torrance, Evan and Eveline Barron were ‘instrumental’ in the electrification of the Highlands through the use of hydro power.
Speaking of their editorials in the paper, she said: “Their editorials were like speeches and so impassioned.
“It is like reading something from Braveheart.
“They realised that hydroelectric power was the most important thing to happen in the region for over 100 years and made sure that everyone understood that.”
Realising that their heart and passion for the area was something that could be applied today in the race for renewable energy, Mrs Torrance has decided to bring their voices to life.
As an MA student in contemporary art and archaeology at UHI, she has created a short film featuring some familiar faces reading the words of the powerful speeches.
Mrs Torrance crafted a script with selections of the editorials by the Barrons, and former Labour politician Tom Johnston, who was a close friend of the family and also played a big part in the creation of the dams.
Her actors were Inverness Remembered editor Jim Miller as Dr Evan Barron; ex-Inverness Courier writer Lorraine Mann played Eveline Barron; and former MP and MSP David Stewart as the role of Tom Johnston.
These words played a pivotal role in over 85 per cent of the Highlands being able to be connected to electricity and women being freed from many domestic chores.
And where better to film the piece? In one of the dam’s that was created for hydroelectric power!
“The words of the Barrons during this period created infrastructure that benefited so many,” explained Mrs Torrance.
“Without their words I don’t think this would have happened, as they got communities on board and made sure they knew why it was important.
“I felt it was important for these powerful words to be heard by new generations of people, as they created the tunnels and dams by ensuring political support and resources for the Hydro Board as much as the tunnel diggers and engineers.”
“Together they provide a masterclass in uniting a country behind their endeavours – many lessons for today can be learned from their words.”
The short film was captured at Cruachan Dam, 1200 feet below the dam and reservoir in the mountain.
The performance was filmed by local photographer and musician Nicky Murray, as each actor was dressed in traditional 1940s clothes, as drips of water from the mountain fell upon them.
The only recording of one of the voices that was found was that of Evelyn Barron conducting a BBC radio interview from 1973. Lorraine was able to use it as reference for artistic purposes.
“I think it is important for us to see how instrumental they were in making sure communities were on board with renewable energy during this time”, said Mrs Torrance.
“We have perhaps seen a different story with the relationship between communities and onshore wind farms during the last few years.
“The passion of the Barrons is something we need to keep alive, and ensure that their story is passed through the generations.”
Mrs Torrance is submitting the film as part of her university project, but hopes to showcase the piece in the near future.
Watch this space.
