"Some time in the course of this remarkable week a friend invited me to tell him what Winnie the Poo and Attila the Hun had in common? While you consider the improbability of their being any possible connection then how about an immediate decision on what Martin Luther King and Rabbie Burns have in common. Divided by almost two hundred years, the width of the Atlantic and race and culture, it would be so much easier to spot the differences and yet there is that instant intuitive feeling that there is something here worthy of at least a little exploration.

The connection is certainly not one that I would instantly have made. It could only have been engendered as the fruit of some-else's imagination and that is precisely why so many people made the journey to Ayr on 3rd August and stayed around till the 10th. Some caught the germ of an idea though there were others who were just attracted by the music. For my own part, I have been to many Summer Schools and Festivals, though never consecutively, but have never come away so fulfilled and uplifted by the totality of the experience quite like this one achieved. Tired? Yes! Exhilarated? Without a doubt!

The children and youth programme at Common Ground has been a great success. The key word in 'Children Among Us', is 'among' recognising that the programme is an integral part of the whole event. More information on Children Among Us

Common Ground is much more than a series of workshops, or masterclasses, or concerts, or dances, or festival - although it will be all of these and more. Tutors, performers and participants will come from both sides of the Atlantic, giving people the opportunity to learn about their cultures both on their home ground and as visitors from a related tradition.

Join our Mailing List or sign up to come

As part of our preparations for our summer school in 2009 we will be running a number of events. Join our mailing list or become a member for details of these.

Check out the pictures from our summer school in 2008. (These are on Flickr.com) Photographs - Common Ground 2008

Check out the pictures from our summer school in 2007. Photographs - Common Ground 2007

Join our mailing list to get regular information about future events. Fundraising events listing

Review of Common Ground 2003 Read a personal view of Common Ground Scotland - written by first time CG participant, Willie Slavin.

Photographs Common Ground 2003 A selection of the many photos taken during the 2003 event.
Photos 2003 - page 1
Photos 2003 - page 2

Living Tradition review of 2002
Photographs from Summer 2002

Memberships: We have constituted Common Ground Scotland as a membership organisation. If you agree with our aims, we invite you to become a member: Become a member of Common Ground