Peripheral places and representational practice: the articulation of meaning, and value of marginal space and identity

Critical debates, from within and across the social science and humanities disciplines, on place, identity and marginality are well established but how well they serve Scotland currently can be subjected to further scrutiny. This paper offers an examination of what underpins discursive formulations pertaining to the regionalising and specifically ‘peripheralising’ of Scotland. Specifically a focus on how media articulations of peripherality and margin in relation to regional and remote space and identity, with particular reference to islands is suggested as an arena for further comparative study. How representational practice (including for example still images, written and spoken accounts, and screen practice) both frames and reflects regional, cultural and economic discourse is suggested for further consideration, for example. Implicit within this articulation are tensions arising from what might be meaningfully understood as being of ‘interest’ and/or of ‘value’ in terms of marginal space and identity. The view that Scotland’s rural and remote spheres of reference are key resources is therefore not only noted but reasserted as a highly politicised arena. Furthermore, the paper will locate a Scottish focus within a broader northern European experience, referencing both historical and current commonalities. Illustrative examples drawn from current research interests will support the arguments presented throughout.