The Morrich Project

The Morrich Project is a collaboration between Julia and artists Penny Chivas, Saffy Setohy, Nicolette Macleod and Robbie Synge creating artistic responses to the Morrich through live contemporary dance performance, experimental sound and projected film.

The work responds to an area of land in far North of Scotland known locally as the Morrich – a long stretch of saltmarsh and sand dune that projects into the Dornoch Firth. It is an area of Special Scientific Interest and a Special Area of Conservation, due to the protected species of plants and the wildlife found there. It also forms part of Tain Air Weapons Range – one of the largest MOD live fire aerial weapons ranges in the UK.

Access to the Morrich is restricted when there is MOD activity: red flags across the signal that the ‘Danger Area’ must not be entered. The Morrich is both an area of safety for wildlife and a practice war zone; it also provides a natural barrier between the village of Inver and the North Sea. However, as a series of sand dunes it is vulnerable to coastal erosion: an increasing threat due to sea level rise and more frequent storms as a result of climate change.  The Morrich is a complex and fascinating place.

The Morrich Project is a 40-minute performance for small theatres or community halls.

A menu of supporting community engagement work is also available within a slow touring model:

outdoor performance community workshops pre or post show presentation and conversation