Coast
Telling stories of how Scotlands west coast shaped the world
Lateral North, working closely with ruralDimensions, collected stories for The Coast that Shaped the World. Together, we trained and supported a network of 32 “Story Gatherers” spread across Scotland’s west coast and islands.
Developing the project throughout the initial pandemic lockdown, these local volunteers and community members recorded nearly 400 personal stories, legends, and histories rooted in their own places.
This participatory approach ensured that the voices came authentically from the communities themselves, celebrating diverse perspectives while fostering pride and ownership in the project. The process helped anchor heritage within living memory and place.
Once the stories were collected, Lateral North and ruralDimensions collaborated to transform them into a series of diverse outputs. This began by developing an overarching narrative framework that linked the stories together thematically.
Stories of architecture and the built environment, arts and culture, and communities sat alongside stories of migrations, a changing environment and folklore and myth. Accessibility, diversity of voice and inclusivity were considered from the start of the project, enabling both locals and visitors to contribute, explore and relate to the material.
Lateral North and ruralDimensions translated the stories into interpretive content for exhibitions as well as digital platforms, focusing on clarity, visual appeal, and storytelling depth.
Lateral North and ruralDimensions coordinated with creative and technical partners to deliver an interactive website, mobile app, and touring exhibitions. The COAST website hosts a digital map linking locations to their associated stories, while the app provides immersive audio narration for visitors exploring sites in person.
Four physical exhibitions were curated across coastal communities and supported by a virtual exhibition online, extending reach beyond geography. These outputs were designed to encourage sustainable exploration of the west coast while showcasing its culture and heritage. Together, they created a lasting legacy of accessible coastal storytelling.
The project resulted in a follow on project at the Briggait in Glasgow, bringing together partners from across Scotland to consider ‘how the world is shaping Scotland’s COAST’ with a particular focus on climate change, pollution and changing sea levels.
“The west coast of Scotland is a rich template for a multitude of stories… and the COAST project is all about gathering stories, stories that bring the history and people of Scotland’s wild and wildly beautiful western coastline to life in a way that has never really been attempted in such depth before”
Robin McKelvie
