Hamish Henderson – An Artist’s Inspiration
Saturday 11th July 2026 – 13:30 – 16:30 – Grassic Gibbon Centre
A special screening of the 2025 documentary exploring the life of the renowned Scottish poet, songwriter, and folklorist at The Grassic Gibbon Centre in Arbuthnott (10 miles south of Stonehaven). Includes afternoon tea. Optional transport from/to Stonehaven by minibus (leaves Stonehaven Market Square at 13:30).
Price range: £15.00 through £20.00
| WIth transport | £20.00 | ||
| No transport | £15.00 |
Description
The film explores Henderson’s how Hamish Henderson inspired artist, Charles Nasmyth. Nasmyth looks at the man behind the legend and asks who he really was? Why was he inspired by Hamish’s personality, to paint his portrait?
Hamish is sometimes seen as a mildly eccentric figure, hefted to the convivial atmosphere of Sandy Bells bar in Edinburgh, holding court amongst musicians and scholars. But a key element in Hamish’s development, was his war-time experience in the Libyan desert. He expressed this movingly in his Somerset Maugham award-winning poems,’ Elegies for the Dead in Cyrenaica.’
Growing up under influences from all shades of society left Hamish free to navigate Britain’s class-based culture, without feeling out of place in any company.
Paradoxically, he didn’t let his socialist internationalism stand in the way of a passionate belief in self-determination for Scotland. He didn’t raise Scotland above its merits – but valued the country for what it really is. Charles admires Hamish’s integrity. Henderson never sold out or compromised his beliefs, even when they caused personal conflict.
Trailer:
Timetable
1.30 pm Minibus to pick up in Market Square
2.00 pm Intro by Prof Fred Freeman of the RCS
2.15 pm Show film, Committee Room GGC
3.30 pm Afternoon Tea + walk round Art Exhibition
4.15 pm Minibus to return to Stonehaven
Additional information
| Transport | WIth transport, No transport |
|---|
