Digital storytelling and participatory local heritage through the creation of an online moving image archive: a case-study of Fraserburgh on Film

Abstract

PurposeThe aim of the research was to create a site which could host an archive of moving image associated with the town of Fraserburgh in Scotland, but could also include other digital artefacts to support and enhance the narratives contained within the films. Elements of digital storytelling were utilised, and a purposely designed section, “behind the film”, was included within the site which saw stories presented and supported with the use of archive newspaper clippings, photography and a series of reflective audio clips recorded for the research.Design/methodology/approach“Fraserburgh on Film” is an online platform created for the purpose of collating digital heritage film from the communities situated in the corner of North East Scotland. The research adopted an ethnographic approach working within the community, with James Taylor and other contributors to collect and curate moving images associated with the town. Archival research then supplemented these films. A digital platform was then constructed, tested and launched as the archival repository for the materials collected.FindingsThe research highlights the importance of having a close association with the community in question and provides details about the creation of the platform and framing it in the context of a vehicle for digital storytelling and participatory heritage. The article demonstrates how archive film should be gathered, edited and remastered for long-term preservation and access. Practical aspects such as video hosting, searchability, metadata are explored as are subsequent methods of dissemination and engagement.Practical implicationsThe research highlights a number of practical decisions which must be made when considering similar projects. These include gaining access to the moving images in the first place but also significant infrastructural issues around the creation, organisation and dissemination of an online digital repository. These lessons are transferable to other small community-based cultural and heritage organisations.Social implicationsThe archive has been very positively received in the community as an important repository for preserving community heritage and identity. High levels of public engagement have been demonstrated since its launch, which has led to new material being discovered. The archive has a wider cultural legacy across the North East of Scotland because of both the nature of the films and the widespread use of the Doric dialect.Originality/valueThe originality lies in the distinctive amount of moving image (and oral history) collected by local historian, James Taylor and his willingness to allow his materials to be edited and repurposed to ensure their long-term survival. The lessons learnt in this project are transferable to other locations in terms of both collecting material, the creation of the hosting platform and in crowdsourcing background information. The crucial importance of working with community partners in digital heritage work is reinforced. The research affords practical illustrations of steps to be taken and factors to be considered. It demonstrates how a well-crafted digital heritage product can genuinely engage with the community.

“Telling the story of telling the story”: capturing intangible heritage storytelling on the origins of malt whisky in the Cabrach

“…The sense is that the Cabrach has to be experienced or felt not just passively seen or read about was a prevailing theme in the workshops and is evident to anyone who visits the glen. Visceral or keenly felt emotional and cultural markers are to be found everywhere and they are strongly evident in the Cabrach as in other parts of North-East Scotland (Reid, 2023; Hood and Reid, 2018; Davidson and Reid, 2021).…”

Value co‐creation in cultural heritage information practices: Literature review and future agenda: An Annual Review of Information Science and Technology (ARIST) paper

“…In other words, cultural information practices can be carried out through their online platforms or mobile applications even if they are not physically present at the cultural heritage institution. In recent years, many large-scale cultural heritage digitization projects have leveraged this virtual collaboration to carry out a range of impactful tasks (Davidson & Reid, 2022;Kumpulainen & Late, 2022;Owens, 2013).…”

“…The pedagogy and learning value is created through collaborative information practices on cultural heritage artifacts or by using cultural heritage institutions as sites for participatory design or co-production (Ott & Pozzi, 2011). Technological value refers to the technological advancements and innovations in cultural-related information activities brought about through co-creation, including but not limited to digital infrastructure, platforms, technical frameworks, computer-supported collaborative work, and social media applications (Borgman et al, 2019;Bryan-Kinns et al, 2022;Chen et al, 2022;Davidson & Reid, 2022;Haines et al, 2022;Koutsabasis et al, 2022;Mak, 2014;Prandi et al, 2019). Technological value is an important emergent value of some large-scale, cross-disciplinary, collaborative cultural heritage digitization practices (Ruthven & Chowdhury, 2015;Sotirova et al, 2012).…”

“…In other words, cultural information practices can be carried out through their online platforms or mobile applications even if they are not physically present at the cultural heritage institution. In recent years, many large‐scale cultural heritage digitization projects have leveraged this virtual collaboration to carry out a range of impactful tasks (Davidson & Reid, 2022; Kumpulainen & Late, 2022; Owens, 2013). With the advancement of open science and the rise of the digital humanities, more and more institutions are attempting to mobilize the public to do work that was previously beyond the institution's capacity (Zhao et al, 2020).…”