2006 Awards

The Tweed Forum is to be commended for providing an opportunity to learn more about the salmon and its fascinating migration story. along with opportunities for viewing salmon in the wild and for self-guided walks on the wider estate.

It is very pleasing to see well thought-out and easily digestible exhibits, featuring small amounts of text and user-friendly illustrations arranged in clear and simple layouts. However, some messages are still difficult to grasp and better attention to detail in scripting and editing would have resulted in fewer errors of grammar and spelling.

We assume the live video images work well when salmon are present. At other times, visitors watch patiently for salmon to come into view, only to feel disappointed and slightly foolish when they eventually realise that none will. It might be better to turn off the live video or to give clear information when no fish are present. Showing archive film of salmon doing some of the things discussed on the panels would also make additional use of the video facilities and heighten the interpretation’s impact.

Overall, the exhibition appears to deal successfully with the facts of the salmon’s life, although it could perhaps be a little better at inspiring people about the salmon and the Ettrick, and at powerfully communicating the scale and drama of one of the world’s great wildlife journeys.