SCOTS Project - www.scottishcorpus.ac.uk Document : 1377 Title : Grassic Gibbon Centre leaflet Author(s): Isabella Williamson Copyright holder(s): Isabella Williamson Text The Grassic Gibbon Centre Lewis Grassic Gibbon is the celebrated pen-name of James Leslie Mitchell, one of the outstanding figures in Scottish literature, world famous as the author of the trilogy of novels known as "A Scots Quair". Born on 13 February 1901, Leslie Mitchell's background and upbringing were steeped in the traditional crofting list of the northeast of Scotland; as an adult, Mitchell looked back proudly on his peasant roots. While his childhood was spent at his birthplace, the Aberdeenshire croft of Hillhead of Seggat, the following period of nine years when he lived at Bloomfield here in Arbuthnott in the Howe o' the Mearns was profoundly influential. Life in this small rural community shaped Leslie Mitchell's thoughts and beliefs as he grew from boyhood to early adulthood. The people and places, sights, smells and sounds from this time, etched on his memory, were to be recreated with vivid imaginative power many years later in the fiction of Lewis Grassic Gibbon. Mitchell's success as a writer was hard earned. A brilliant pupil with a flair for writing, he experienced mixed fortunes subsequently in journalism in Aberdeen and Glasgow and in military service in the Middle East and the south of England. Finally, happily married to Rebecca Middleton, a former neighbour and schoolmate at Arbuthnott, he took the plunge in 1929 to become a professional writer. Based in the south of England, Leslie Mitchell threw himself into his work with extraordinary zeal, producing seventeen full length books in under seven years - ranging from novels and short story collections to studies of exploration, biography and history - as well as a steady stream of stories, essays and book reviews. "Sunset Song", Mitchell's tribute to his native 'Kinraddie', caused a sensation in 1932, and his reputation rests principally upon this first Grassic Gibbon novel. His unique powers as a writer are indeed most prominent in this book, in the subtle style blending Scots and English, the riveting storyline, vibrant characterisation - particularly that of the heroine, Chris Guthrie - and the setting described with a sensitivity heightened by exile. "Sunset Song", Gibbon's Scottish crofting elegy, is eloquent in its championing of human rights as it is lyrical in its celebration of the natural world. Grassic Gibbon emulated this achievement in the two sequels, "Cloud Howe" and "Grey Granite", and the trilogy as a whole remains a landmark in Scottish literature. Other works by him bear comparison with the trilogy, notably the historical novel "Spartacus" and the superb Scots stories and autobiographical essays from "Scottish Scene". And Mitchell was also planning countless new projects destined to enhance his literary reputation. Thus, his death on 7 February 1935 following an emergency operation for a perforated ulcer was shockingly abrupt. He was not yet thirty four years old. Mitchell's early death was immediately lamented by fellow writers in Scotland and England. The popularity of his writing has risen steadily ever since, boosted by striking radio, television and stage dramatisations. His importance has been demonstrated in numerous ways, with his work generating a wealth of literary criticism at home and abroad and being studied in schools and universities at large. The names James Leslie Mitchell and Lewis Grassic Gibbon are therefore very much alive today. The Major Published Works Titles under the name of James Leslie Mitchell except where noted. Year of recent reprints in brackets. Hanno: or the Future of Exploration 1928 Stained Radiance: A Fictionist's Prelude 1930 (1994) The Thirteenth Disciple 1931 (1981) The Calends of Cairo 1931 Three Go Back 1932 (1986) The Lost Trumpet 1932 Sunset Song (Gibbon) 1932 (1988) Persian Dawns, Egyptian Nights 1932 Image and Superscription 1933 Cloud Howe (Gibbon) 1933 (1989) Spartacus 1933 (1990) Niger: The Life of Mungo Park (Gibbon) 1934 The Conquest of the Maya 1934 Gay Hunter 1934 (1989) Scottish Scene (Gibbon & MacDiarmid) 1934 Grey Granite (Gibbon) 1934 (1990) Nine Against the Unknown (Mitchell & Gibbon) 1934 The Speak of the Mearns (Gibbon) 1982 (1994) The Grassic Gibbon Centre The Grassic Gibbon Centre stands at the heart of the community of Arbuthnott in which Leslie Mitchell spent his formative years, and which inspired his greatest writing. Marking the fulfilment of a long-standing ambition locally to recognise his achievement, the Centre was established in 1991 by Arbuthnott Community Association with the approval of Leslie Mitchell's family, and with financial assistance from the Scottish Tourist Board, Kincardine and Deeside District Council and Grampian Regional Council. The Centre acts as a focus for activities promoting the life and work of this major literary figure of local, national and international significance. The specific aims of the Centre are accommodated by a broader concern to promote an understanding of the history and culture of the area. Situated in close proximity to key landmarks in Mitchell's life - the croft of Bloomfield, the school, the kirkyard containing his ashes - the Centre brings Leslie Mitchell into sharp relief. Permanent features of the Centre include a wall display and audio-visual facility tracing the author's life and work, reproducing rare family photos and manuscript material. Unique exhibits include books, personal effects and mementoes of Leslie Mitchell/ Lewis Grassic Gibbon, as well as original artefacts of social, cultural and historical interest. In addition, temporary exhibitions will be created regularly revolving around a central theme; and the Centre is committed to staging functions and live entertainment linked with Grassic Gibbon and the local community. The Grassic Gibbon Centre is unique. It is run by the community for the benefit of the community. Registered as a charity, the Centre welcomes donations, or arrangement can made for Deed of Covenant. The Centre contains a coffee shop and sells books and postcards, as well as a range of souvenirs. There is also a mail order facility. Visits of school parties and larger groups can be arranged by appointment. A supper menu for groups is available by request. This work is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. The SCOTS Project and the University of Glasgow do not necessarily endorse, support or recommend the views expressed in this document. Information about document and author: Text Text audience Adults (18+): Teenagers (13-17): General public: Audience size: 1000+ Text details Method of composition: Wordprocessed Word count: 985 General description: Publicity leaflet for cultural/literary centre Text medium Leaflet/brochure (prospectus): Text publication details Published: Publisher: Grassic Gibbon Centre Place of publication: Arbuthnott Text setting Leisure/entertainment: Text type Advertisement (e.g. junk mail): Prose: nonfiction: Author Author details Author id: 933 Forenames: Isabella Surname: Williamson Gender: Female Decade of birth: 1950 Educational attainment: University Age left school: 15 Upbringing/religious beliefs: Protestantism Occupation: Manager Place of birth: Nairn Region of birth: Nairn Birthplace CSD dialect area: Nai Country of birth: Scotland Place of residence: Arbuthnott Region of residence: Kincardine Residence CSD dialect area: Kcdn Country of residence: Scotland Father's occupation: Farm worker Father's place of birth: Arbuthnott Father's region of birth: Kincardine Father's birthplace CSD dialect area: Kcdn Father's country of birth: Scotland Mother's occupation: Housewife Mother's place of birth: Keith Mother's region of birth: Banff Mother's birthplace CSD dialect area: Bnf Mother's country of birth: Scotland Languages: Language: English Speak: Yes Read: Yes Write: Yes Understand: Yes Circumstances: Daily life, work and home Language: Scots Speak: No Read: No Write: No Understand: Yes Circumstances: At work