'Holy Loch Heritage: The American Presence'

"Sue Morrison delivered oral history training sessions for Dunoon Burgh Hall Trust in 2013 for our project Holy Loch Heritage. This project was a Heritage Lottery funded project and focused on the period when the American Naval Base was sited in the Holy Loch on the Cowal peninsula.

Dr Morrison worked with volunteers and 4 primary schools in the peninsula, training school children and other participants in oral history techniques. They then gathered first-hand testimonies from local people - both Scottish and American - of their memories and stories from this period, 1962-1991. Children interviewed grandparents, their own teachers, and pivotal people from this period, building a picture of how this heritage impacted in the area. The pupils, staff and volunteers thoroughly enjoyed the experience, something that was completely unique to them, and that has sparked an interest in local history ever since.

Sue was a fantastic asset to the project, her clear delivery passed on simple skills and techniques that everyone could employ. We hope to work with her again in the future."

Jenny Hunter
Dunoon Burgh Hall Trust