'What Contin means to me' - stories, memories & history
Over the last year, we've been talking with and listening to local residents to gather stories and memories about the people and the area. We've heard a lot of fascinating things, have collected and copied a lot of old photographs, and we've chatted about what makes the Contin special to people who live, or have lived, in the area.
We've created videos and podcasts of what we've found, as well as producing a leaflet about the parish's 'hidden gem' - Contin island. We've also produced a booklet about the meaning behind place-names in Contin and surrounding area. We hope you enjoy them.
CONTIN ISLAND LEAFLET
This leaflet illustrates the island's paths, and also highlights some of the village's history, folklore and wildlife.
The leaflet can be downloaded here (in English) and here (in Gaelic). Both are available as hard-copy physical leaflets in the Contin shop, the Coffee Bothy, Coul House Hotel, as well as other places in the area. You can also get them by contacting the Community Council. We hope you enjoy them!
Tha a’ Chomhairle Choimhearsnachd airson a’ Ghàidhlig agus a dualchas a bhrosnachadh anns an sgìre seo. Seo bileag Eilein Chunndainn ann an Gàidhlig.
CONTIN AND STRATHPEFFER PLACE-NAMES BOOKLET
Here's a fascinating booklet looking at the meaning of many place-names and landscape features in the Contin and Strathpeffer area - 'Place-Names of Contin and Strathpeffer'. 'Contin' means the 'confluence of the waters' ie where the Black Water and Conon rivers meet; 'Achilty' is 'the high place'. See the area differently!
VIDEOS
Here are some short videos about the the village and its inhabitants:
PODCASTS
Here are some podcasts about village life and people, and their stories.
PREAS MAIRI
Preas Mairi is the Mackenzie family mausoleum, which also encloses the remains of a Neolithic chambered cairn. Here's a little more information about it, and how to find it.
CONTIN LIFE IN LIVING MEMORY
Here are some booklets about Contin life by local historian and long-time Contin resident Kenneth Cumming:
- Contin church and history - a peep into the past
- Going to school - 75 years ago
- Contin village life - 60-70 years ago
Case Study
We are delighted that Foundation Scotland have featured our 'What Contin Means to Me' project as one of their case studies on reasearching and promoting local heritage. You can read all about it via the link here: