Doors Open Day

Learn about the Elphinstone Institute

This Doors Open Day in Aberdeen come along and learn about the Elphinstone Institute.

We're a centre for the study of Ethnology, Folklore, and Ethnomusicology and we study the culture of the North-East of Scotland. We produce lots of research on an extremely wide range of topics in the North-East including sacred singing, calendar customs, fiddle playing, shamanism, cultural traditions of Scottish Travellers, Ganzie knitting, life stories of immigrants, hen nights, and plenty of other topics besides.

We also have an extensive public engagement programme full of interesting talks, film screenings, schools projects and more. Come and meet some of the staff and students to hear more and take part in any of the following activities.

Singaround

Visitors are invited to this session to sing a song or to simply enjoy listening to others. It will be run between 12–2pm and will be hosted by Public Engagement Officer, respected Trad singer, and PhD graduate, Irene Watt.

Explore Our Archives

There will be listening and watching stations for visitors to hear and see some of the material from our extensive archives.

Browse Our Books and CDs

Over the years we have published a number of interesting books and CDs. We'll have a selection available for viewing and purchase.

Hear the North-East

We've curated a playlist of music from and about this region featuring traditional and contemporary performers. It'll be played in the office throughout the day.

NIMITAAU Exhibition

In partnership with the Cree Cultural Institute and University of Aberdeen’s Special Collections team, our own Dr Frances Wilkins has curated an extremely interesting exhibition entitled NIMITAAU Let's Dance - Fiddle Dancing Through Scots and Eeyou Cultures. It focuses on the indigenous people of northern Quebec and their links with Scottish culture. Head over to the Sir Duncan Rice Library and take an audio-visual journey into the world of Eeyou fiddle-dance performance.

Learn about Our Study Programmes

The Elphinstone Institute is the only research centre specialising in the vigorous vernacular culture of the North-East and North of Scotland, and the only Folklore-degree granting institution in the United Kingdom. We offer a taught MLitt (Master's) degree in Ethnology and Folklore, as well as MLitt Res, MPhil, and PhD research degrees, all of which can be undertaken full- or part-time. On the day, we'll have information on each of the above.

Hosted by

Elphinstone Institute

Venue

Elphinstone Institute, Ground Floor, MacRobert Building

Contact

The Elphinstone Institute
MacRobert Building
King's College, University of Aberdeen
Aberdeen, AB24 5UA

Tel: 01224 272996
E-mail: elphinstone@abdn.ac.uk