RECORDED WALK IN BALBIRNIE PARK – MHG – Talking Rhododendron Collection
> Location recordings containing vox pops, actuality soundscape, stories, recollections, anecdotes told during a leisurly walk around Balbirnies Rhododendron Collection .> A ‘Walk in the Park’ (1.5.2005 ) with Markinch Heritage Group that started off at Balbirnie Golf Club with a photographic slide presentation. This illustrated a wide variety of Rhododendron, planted over the years by generations of the Balfour family.The Balbirnie Rhododendron collection is “….unique, diverse, and of historic value.”Selected Sound Bites From Original Master Tape> The collection is interesting as one of the few of its kind on the east coast of Scotland and for where the old arboreum types have produced unusual woody structures regarded as being similar to the native form. Identification to date has disclosed an interesting representation of the rhododendrom family both species and hybrids. > Rhododendron experts and former gardeners accompanied the group.pointing out rare and spectacular species.Dr Balfour was on hand with personal stories of her own childhood living in the ‘big house’ – along with anecdotes and stories told by others in the group who in their young days worked in the Balfours walled, kitchen gardens during the school summer holidays. > Comparative narratives illustrate the political and historic nature behind the environmental elements of Balbirnie estate.
