Reconnecting Over High Tea: Conversations from the Station Hotel

On 11th July, I had the chance to reconnect with friends and former course-mates at the Station Hotel in Aberdeen over High Tea. I had flown up for the weekend - a short visit, but one that left a lasting impression.

These are friends I met during my first year undertaking a PhD jointly between the Elphinstone Institute and the Department of Music at the University of Aberdeen. At the time, I had been invited to sit in on the MLitt Ethnology and Folklore course - an experience that remains one of the highlights of my academic journey so far. That cohort was truly special: bright, passionate, generous and endlessly curious. I’m grateful to the Elphinstone for opening that door and for creating a space where friendships like these could grow.

Now, a couple of years on and with many of us living in different corners of the UK and beyond, we were finally able to meet in person again. Despite the time and distance, the sense of connection was immediate. Over pots of tea and tiers of sandwiches and scones, we picked up conversations as if no time had passed: music, life, ethnology, folklore, fieldwork, and everything in between.

It was especially energising to hear about the work everyone is doing. My amazing friend Brenna Quinton-Cheung, for example, is pursuing a PhD at the Elphinstone Institute exploring blended belief systems - a fascinating intersection of practical theology and ethnology. The richness of her research is a reminder of just how interdisciplinary and dynamic this field can be.

For my part, I began my PhD in 2021, focussing on shanties, particularly the life and legacy of Stan Hugill, often referred to as 'the last shantyman'. It's a project that has led me into maritime archives, folk festivals and conversations with singers and scholars alike. Moments like this gathering remind me that, while much of our academic work is solitary, it is also deeply rooted in community - both the communities we study and the ones we build around us.

During my visit, I also spent some time walking around the University of Aberdeen campus, revisiting favourite corners and soaking in the familiar atmosphere. I took part in a map-drawing activity at the Sir Duncan Rice Library, held as part of the ongoing Festival of the Sea, which celebrates the city’s maritime heritage and will culminate next weekend with the arrival of the Tall Ships. I’ll be flying up again next Friday for the Tall Ships Race.

High Tea at the Station Hotel was more than a social catch-up. It was a reaffirmation of shared passions, mutual encouragement and the joy of intellectual companionship. I left with a full heart (and a full stomach), reminded once again of how lucky I am to be part of this scholarly and creative network.

Dr. Mollie Carlyle