2022 Scholarship – Marie Sarnacki

My husband and I had a great time getting to know Oban and the surrounding area. We were particularly excited to witness the region’s continued connection to the MacDougall Clan and the ways in which Scotland’s history is interwoven with modern life.

After flying into Glasgow, we took a bus to Oban, as there was an ongoing rail strike. The first thing I noticed upon arriving in Oban was the number of dogs–everyone seemed to be out with a pet dog. I thought that Americans were dog lovers, but we’ve clearly been outdone by Scotland.

After getting settled in our hotel, we walked over to Dunollie Museum and had a look around. The path up to the grounds cuts through an immense field with cows and sheep, which adds to the feeling that one is stepping into the past. The museum itself is located in an 18th-century house and displays an array of artifacts from that period. A room on the top floor is dedicated to the photography of Hope MacDougall, and I appreciated being able to witness 20th-century Oban through her eyes.

My husband and I spent much of the work week in the upstairs reading room at Dunollie. He combed through binders of documents in search of particularly interesting sources for the museum to highlight on social media. I created two lesson plans for the museum, both relating to plants and the natural environment. The first plan is for elementary-age school groups and walks students through the role of the natural environment at Dunollie. The second plan is intended for students in middle school. Titled “A Day in the Life of Dunollie’s Head Gardener,” the lesson puts students in the shoes of a gardener working for the MacDougalls during the 1800s. I hope that these hands-on lessons allow local students to further engage with their own history and deepen their sense of connection to the past.

While working at Dunollie, I was surprised at just how many MacDougalls I met. Every day, I spoke to several individuals who were visiting Dunollie in the hope of learning more about their family history. Many of them struck up a conversation with me while I was in the reading room. I met MacDougalls from the UK, the United States, and Australia. It was fascinating to hear about the history of these different branches of the family, and everyone seemed grateful to be able to visit a specific location tied to their ancestors. All families should be so lucky.

After a week in Oban, I made a brief visit to Lismore. Before arriving, I read Lismore: The Great Garden by Robert Hay, which provided a solid overview of Lismore’s geography and history. As someone with a casual interest in anthropology, it was especially incredible to see the ruins of Iron Age structures in person. The Heritage Center itself was well run, and it was obvious that the staff and volunteers care deeply for the island. I was also grateful for the opportunity simply to walk around Lismore, as the landscape is breathtaking. Everyone I met was kind and welcoming; I just wish I could have stayed longer.

I am so grateful for the opportunity to visit Scotland. I hope that the lesson plans I created can go a small way towards thanking the people of Oban and Lismore for an incredible experience. Marie