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Many studies have been conducted in Stonehaven in the last decade concerning its infrastructure, economy, and tourism interests, but only one focussed on residents’ opinions about their town. This new project would return to that theme and search more deeply for the factors which make residents value Stonehaven, identifying them this time in images and ideas which can be transferred to civic pride and tourism promotions. The results also would help decision-makers to prioritise future community and infrastructure projects.
Specifically, the project would
1) Arm resident youth (as identified with CLD colleagues) with cameras and basic photography skills provided by Stonehaven’s Mearns Camera Club. The youth would have a month to capture their experience of the town on film. A panel of selectors would choose the best for printing and display.
2) Invite local residents (via Mearns Leader, appeals to local groups) to write short statements about Stonehaven, and have their portraits photographed by Mearns Camera Club. CLD may support with Adult Literacy staff.
3) The Club will prepare its annual exhibition of photographs, chiefly focussed on Stonehaven and Mearns.
4) Andy Hall will prepare a disply of his images of Stonehaven.
5) Mount a combined exhibition of each of the above collections of photographs and statements, to provide a multi-perspective look at life in the town. The juxtaposition of photographs, portraits and written statements mirrors the formula Hall employed in his Sense of Belonging to Scotland books.
The resulting event should appeal to a broad cross-section of the population and through images and words, reveal gems of pride, history, and identification with the town.
Ideally the exhibition would be staged to coincide with the Interreg Scotland visit in late August-September; displays also would be available to other summer tourists as well as residents. | 
