Forthcoming Events
THE
ISLANDS BOOK TRUST
PROGRAMME
OF EVENTS FOR 2010
Monday 30 August- Saturday 4 September (to be confirmed) – FACLAN events (detailed programme available separately)
Saturday 11 September – RAASAY TALK AND WALK with Cailean Maclean to mark the 50th anniversary of Calum Iain Maclean’s death ‘Tha an saoghal fhathast alainn’ (‘The world is still beautiful’), Raasay House Hotel, 2.00pm.
Saturday 18 September –ROSSINISH WALK with Alasdair MacEachen, leaving Rueval car-park, 9.30am (Gaelic).
Saturday 2 October – CRAVADALE WALK with Calum John Mackay, leaving Huisinish, 10.30am (Gaelic).
Thursday 28th October – ANGUS MACLEOD MEMORIAL LECTURE -Agnes Rennie
The lecture title is “Dìleab ar sinnsear, cothrom do ghinealach an là a-màireach”, which translates as “our legacy from generations past, creating opportunities for future generations”. Pairc School Gravir
Tuesday 16 November – RUAIRIDH MACLEAN ‘Gaelic on Signs and Maps in Scotland: Why it Matters’, An Lanntair, Stornoway, 7.30pm.
NOTES
1. All boat trips are weather dependent.
2. (Gaelic) indicates this will be the main language used, but non-Gaelic speakers are welcome to attend.
3. For further details and bookings, contact:
Alayne Barton click to email or call 01851 820946 [ALL]
John Randall click to email or call 01851 880365 [LEWIS AND HARRIS]
Alasdair MacEachen click to email or call 01870 602124 [UIST, BENBECULA, AND BARRA]
Sine Ghilleasbuig click to email or call 01470 562325 [SKYE AND RAASAY]
PROGRAMME IN LEWIS AND HARRIS
Tuesday 16 March – IAN McHARDY ‘Callanish- A New Interpretation based on Ancient Traditions’ , An Lanntair, Stornoway, 7.30pm.
Tuesday 20 April – DONALD MEEK ‘Hebridean Shipping Services and Social Change’, An Lanntair, Stornoway, 7.30pm.
Saturday 24 April –NESS COASTAL WALK from Habost to Swainbost, Cunndal and Luchraban, with Iain Gordon Macdonald, Comunn Eachdraidh Nis, Habost, 10.30am (Gaelic).
Saturday 15 May – Boat trip to EILEAN GLAS LIGHTHOUSE, SCAPLAY, leaving Kyles Scalpay 10.30am.
Saturday 22 May – DAVID JONES ‘The Rise and Fall of the Lewis Sporting Estates’, Breasclete Hall, 2.00pm, followed by visit to Grimersta Estate
Saturday 19 June – Boat trip to the FLANNAN ISLANDS, leaving from Miavaig, 10.30am
Saturday 3 July – Boat trip to SHIANT ISLANDS , leaving from Lemreway, 10.30am.
Saturday 17 July – Boat trip to KINLOCHRESORT, leaving from Husinish, 10.30am.
Monday 30 August- Saturday 4 September (to be confirmed) – FACLAN events (detailed programme available separately)
Saturday 2 October – CRAVADALE WALK with Calum John Mackay, leaving Huisinish, 10.30am (Gaelic).
October – ANGUS MACLEOD MEMORIAL LECTURE (speaker and date to be confirmed)
Tuesday 16 November – RUAIRIDH MACLEAN ‘Gaelic on Signs and Maps in Scotland: Why it Matters’, An Lanntair, Stornoway, 7.30pm.
FOR MORE DETAILS AND TO BOOK CONTACT Alayne Barton (01851 820946) for all events or for LEWIS AND HARRIS -email John Randall or call 01851 880365
PROGRAMME IN UIST AND BARRA
Friday 9 April – Talk and video about WIAY with Alasdair MacEachen , St Mary’s Hall, Griminish, Benbecula, 8.00pm (Gaelic).
Saturday 10 April – Excursion to WIAY with Alasdair MacEachen from Port Pheadair, Benbecula, 10.00am (Gaelic).
Monday 19 April – DONALD MEEK ‘Hebridean Shipping Services and Social Change’, Taigh Chearsabhagh, Lochmaddy, 8.00pm.
Friday 30 April/Saturday 1 May – Commemoration of birth-place of Neil MacEachen at HOWBEG, South Uist (to coincide with launch of new edition of ‘The French MacDonald’ with Jean-Didier Hache (programme available separately later)
Saturday 29 May –CLIAD to EOLIGARRY COASTAL WALK, with Calum Macneil , Aird Mhor, Barra, 9.00am (Gaelic).
Saturday 12 June – Boat trip to HEISGEIR, the MONACH ISLANDS, leaving from Balranald, 9.30am.
Saturday 25 June – Talk about SUNAMUL by Alasdair MacEachen St Mary’s Hall, Griminish, Benbecula, 10.30am (Gaelic). followed by walk to SUNAMUL.
Thursday 22 July - Talk on the The Hebrides at War by Mike Hughes at 7.30 Taigh Sgire Sholais, Sollas, North Uist
Sunday 25th July - Talk on the The Hebrides at War by Mike Hughes at 8.00 Kildonan Museum, South Uist
Saturday 31 July – Boat trip to BORERAY, North Uist, leaving from Berneray Causeway, 9.30am.
Wednesday 11- Saturday 14 August – THE HISTORIOGRAPHY OF ST KILDA – 4-day conference to mark 80th anniversary of the evacuation, Lionacleit School, Benbecula (detailed programme available separately)
Saturday 18 September –ROSSINISH WALK with Alasdair MacEachen, leaving Rueval car-park, 9.30am (Gaelic).
FOR MORE DETAILS AND TO BOOK CONTACT Alayne Barton (01851 820946) for all events or for UIST, BENBECULA, AND BARRA -email Alasdair MacEachen or call 01870 602124
SKYE
Friday 26 March – SINE GHILLEASBUIG ‘The Place-names of Skye’, Aros Centre, Portree, 7.30pm (Gaelic).
Saturday 27 March – Walk to RUBHA NAM BRAITHREAN with Dugald Ross from Glenview Inn, Valtos, Skye, 11.00am (Gaelic).
Saturday 29 May - Boat trip to Fladda Chuain, leaving Camas Mor jetty, Kilmuir, Skye, 9.30am.
Saturday 11 September – RAASAY TALK AND WALK with Cailean Maclean to mark the 50th anniversary of Calum Iain Maclean’s death ‘Tha an saoghal fhathast alainn’ (‘The world is still beautiful’), Raasay House Hotel, 2.00pm.
FOR MORE DETAILS AND TO BOOK CONTACT Alayne Barton (01851 820946) for all events or for [SKYE AND RAASAY]email Sine Ghilleasbuig or call 01470 562325
See
below for list of the programme of events which have already taken place .
Past
Events - most recent first :-
2010 Events
Wednesday 11- Saturday 14 August – THE HISTORIOGRAPHY OF ST KILDA – 4-day conference to mark 80th anniversary of the evacuation, Lionacleit School, Benbecula (detailed programme available here)
Thursday 22 July - Talk on the The Hebrides at War by Mike Hughes at 7.30 Taigh Sgire Sholais, Sollas, North Uist
Sunday 25th July - Talk on the The Hebrides at War by Mike Hughes at 8.00 Kildonan Museum, South Uist
Saturday 31 July – Boat trip to BORERAY, North Uist, leaving from Berneray Causeway, 9.30am.
Saturday 17 July – Boat trip to KINLOCHRESORT, leaving from Husinish, 10.30am.
Saturday 3 July – Boat trip to SHIANT ISLANDS , leaving from Lemreway, 10.30am.
Saturday 25 June – Talk about SUNAMUL by Alasdair MacEachen St Mary’s Hall, Griminish, Benbecula, 10.30am (Gaelic). followed by walk to SUNAMUL.
Saturday 19 June – Boat trip to the FLANNAN ISLANDS, leaving from Miavaig, 10.30am
Saturday 12 June – Boat trip to HEISGEIR, the MONACH ISLANDS, leaving from Balranald, 9.30am.
Saturday 29 May –CLIAD to EOLIGARRY COASTAL WALK, with Calum Macneil , Aird Mhor, Barra, 9.00am (Gaelic).
Saturday 29 May - Boat trip to Fladda Chuain, leaving Camas Mor jetty, Kilmuir, Skye, 9.30am.
Saturday 22 May – DAVID JONES ‘The Rise and Fall of the Lewis Sporting Estates’, Breasclete Hall, 2.00pm, followed by visit to Grimersta Estate
Saturday 15 May – Boat trip to EILEAN GLAS LIGHTHOUSE, SCAPLAY, leaving Kyles Scalpay 10.30am.
Friday 30 April/Saturday 1 May – Commemoration of birth-place of Neil MacEachen at HOWBEG, South Uist (to coincide with launch of new edition of ‘The French MacDonald’ with Jean-Didier Hache (programme available separately later)
Saturday 24 April –NESS COASTAL WALK from Habost to Swainbost, Cunndal and Luchraban, with Iain Gordon Macdonald, Comunn Eachdraidh Nis, Habost, 10.30am (Gaelic).
Tuesday 20 April – DONALD MEEK ‘Hebridean Shipping Services and Social Change’, An Lanntair, Stornoway, 7.30pm.
Monday 19 April – DONALD MEEK ‘Hebridean Shipping Services and Social Change’, Taigh Chearsabhagh, Lochmaddy, 8.00pm.
Wednesday 14 April - A Quebec - Lewis night – celebrating 150 years of Gaelic settlers in Quebec’ – an illustrated talk and recordings by Margaret Bennett followed by ‘’tastes of Quebec’’ and a ceilidh. 7.30pm at Ravenspoint Kershader, South Lochs
Saturday 10 April – Excursion to WIAY with Alasdair MacEachen from Port Pheadair, Benbecula, 10.00am (Gaelic).
Friday 9 April – Talk and video about WIAY with Alasdair MacEachen , St Mary’s Hall, Griminish, Benbecula, 8.00pm (Gaelic).
Friday 26 March – Sine Ghilleasbuig ‘The Place-names of Skye’, Aros Centre, Portree, 7.30pm (Gaelic).
Saturday 27 March – Walk to RUBHA NAM BRAITHREAN with Dugald Ross from Glenview Inn, Valtos, Skye, 11.00am (Gaelic).
Tuesday 16 March – IAN McHARDY ‘Callanish- A New Interpretation based on Ancient Traditions’ , An Lanntair, Stornoway, 7.30pm.
Friday 26 February – GRETA MACKENZIE ‘Patagonia’ , Taigh Chearsabhagh, Lochmaddy, 8.00pm.
Friday 26 February - launch of PAPER CAIRNS
at 7.30 pm at Ravenspoint Centre, Kershader - All welcome
Tuesday 2 February – IAIN ROY ‘Greenland’, An Lanntair, Stornoway, 7.30pm.
2009 Events
Saturday 21 November, 8.30pm, St Mary’s Hall, Griminish, Benbecula- ALASDAIR MACEACHEN: ‘Natural Gifts and Tenacious Memories’ – the fourth and final in a series of presentations of recordings by the speaker’s father, Donald Alex MacEachen in Gaelic and English
Tuesday 17 November, 7.30pm, An Lanntair, Stornoway – COLIN SCOTT MACKENZIE: ‘Island Comparisons: Invidious or Otherwise – Reflections on Life in the Western Isles, Orkney, and Shetland’
Monday 26th October 8pm Taigh Chearsabhagh, Lochmaddy Professor Eric Richards. St Kilda to Australia - the story of the migration to Port Philip in 1852 - 53. This will be a very interesting illustrated lecture by renowned Australian historian Prof Eric Richards
Thursday 22nd October,7.30 pm.Pairc School, Gravir – 6TH ANGUS MACLEOD MEMORIAL LECTURE Crofting and a European Future - Speaker The Right Hon Charles Kennedy MP
Saturday 3 October, 8.30pm, St Mary’s Hall, Griminish, Benbecula – ALASDAIR MACEACHEN: ‘Natural Gifts and Tenacious Memories’- the third in a series of presentations of recordings by the speaker’s father, Donald Alex MacEachen in Gaelic and English
Saturday 26 September, 10.00am, Vatersay Hall: Walk the Talk programme – excursion to deserted village of EORASDAIL
Thursday 10-Saturday 12 September, Leverburgh Community Hall - 3-DAY CONFERENCE: Island Emigrants – Emigration from the Outer Hebrides’
Monday 24 – Saturday 29 August, various venues throughout Outer Hebrides – FACLAN – the 4TH HEBRIDEAN BOOK FESTIVAL
Saturday 22 August, 11.00am, Duntulm Castle car-park: Walk the Talk programme [GAELIC] – excursion to former settlement of ERISCO and Rubha Hunish with ANN MARTIN – event arranged in conjunction with Urras an Taobh Sear. Meet at Duntulm Castle car-park. [Disathairne 22 An Lùnasdal, 11.00 m, àite-pharcaidh Chaisteal Dhùn Thuilm – Cuairt sa Ghàidhlig dhan sean bhaile, ERISCO, air an t-slighe gu Rubha Hùnais. Còmhla ri Anna Mhàrtainn agus Urras an Taobh Sear.]
Saturday 8 August, 10.30am, Nurses Cottage,Berneray , North Uist – BILL LAWSON: ‘Pabbay’, followed (weather permitting) by Boat Trip to PABBAY
Thursday 6 August, 6.00pm, Lews Castle College, Stornoway - Islands Book Trust AGM to be followed by the Bill Lawson talk below.
Thursday 6 August, 7.30pm, Lews Castle College, Stornoway– BILL LAWSON: ‘Emigration from the Outer Hebrides’
Thursday 23 – Thursday 30 July – VISIT TO THE FAROES (Fully booked)
Saturday 18 July, 10.30am, Community Hall, Tarbert – ‘The Former Settlements of Loch Resort’, talk by BILL LAWSON followed (weather permitting) by Boat Trip to KINLOCHRESORT
Saturday 4 July, 10.00am, Taigh Sgire Sholais, Sollas, North Uist: Walk the Talk programme – excursion to VALLAY with NORMAN JOHNSON
Tuesday 23 June, 7.30pm, An Lanntair, Stornoway – DONALD MACLEOD: ‘Calvinism, Literacy, and the Imagination’
Saturday 13 June,10.30am, Orinsay hall – ‘South Pairc’, talk by MARY MACLEOD followed (weather permitting) by Boat Trip to VALAMUS and LOCH CLAIDH
Saturday 6 June, 9.30am, Balranald Nature Reserve, North Uist: Boat Trip (weather permitting) to HEISGEIR (THE MONACHS) (cancelled due to weather)
Saturday 30 May, 10.30am, Staffin – ‘Rona’, talk by SINE GHILLEASBUIG followed (weather permitting) by Boat Trip to (South) RONA – event arranged in conjunction with Urras an Taobh Sear
Saturday 23 May, 10.00am, Eriskay Hall: Walk the Talk programme – excursion to deserted township of ROSSINISH on east side of Eriskay
Saturday 16 May, 10.30am, Husinish pier, Harris: Boat Trip to SCARP (weather permitting) with talk about its history by CALUM JOHN MACKAY on the island (or if weather does not permit boat trip in Community Hall, Tarbert)
Wednesday 15 April, 8.00pm, Kildonan Museum, South Uist – CAILEAN MACLEAN: ‘Kindling Ancient Memory – Hebridean Folklore Collection with special reference to the speaker’s uncle, Calum Iain Maclean
Tuesday 14 April, 7.30pm, An Lanntair, Stornoway – CAILEAN MACLEAN: ‘Kindling Ancient Memory – Hebridean Folklore Collection with special reference to the speaker’s uncle, Calum Iain Maclean’
Saturday 4th April, 11.00am, Sgoil Lionacleit, Benbecula – FLORA MACDONALD: ‘Hebridean Childhood Memories’ based on Flora’s new book, followed (weather permitting) by a walk to Meanish and ScareloidFriday 3rd April, 7.30 Sgoil Lionacleit, Benbecula - Launch of Flora Macdonald's new book Còco agus Crubagan or Cocoa and Crabs - A Hebridean Childhood
Tuesday 24 March, 7.30pm, An Lanntair, Stornoway – GRETA MACKENZIE: ‘Lewis and Patagonia’
Friday 13 March, 7.30pm, Aros Centre, Portree – DODS MACFARLANE: ‘The Guga-Hunters of Ness’ (an illustrated talk by the leader of the Ness guga-hunters)
Friday 27 February, 7.30pm, Sgoil Lionacleit, Benbecula – JOHN LOVE: ‘Some Highland Naturalists’
Friday 20 February, 7.30pm, Uig Commnity Centre – PETER CUNNINGHAM: ‘More Slides of Dolly Doctor – Dr Macdonald of Gisla’
Saturday 7 February, 8.30pm, St Mary’s Hall, Griminish, Benbecula – ALASDAIR MACEACHEN: ‘Natural Gifts and Tenacious Memories’ – the second in a series of presentations of recordings by the speaker’s father, Donald Alex MacEachen in Gaelic and English
Tuesday 27 January, 7.30pm, The Old School, Shawbost - ALASDAIR MACEACHEN: ‘Natural Gifts and Tenacious Memories’ – recordings by the speaker’s father, Donald Alex MacEachen in Gaelic and English
2008 Events
Saturday 15 November, 8.30pm, St Mary’s Hall, Benbecula – ALASDAIR MACEACHEN: Writings and Recordings of Benbecula History – an introduction to a programme of Book Trust events in 2009’
Tuesday 11 November, 7.30pm, An Lanntair, Stornoway – FRED SILVER: ‘Making Oil from Peat – When Lewis Led the World’
Saturday 20 September, 10.30am, Ness Heritage Centre – 1-DAY SYMPOSIUM Early Christianity in Lewis – Different Perspectives to Interpreting the Evidence.’ Talks by IAN STEWART-HARGREAVES on 'Eoropie in Ness: One of the Eaeliest Indications of Christianity in Scotland?'
and RACHEL BARROWMAN, ' Archaeological Evidence for Early Christianity in Ness' followed by visit to Teampull Mholuag at Eoropie and other local sites.
Tuesday 9th September, 7.30pm, An Lanntair, Stornoway – SALLY MAGNUSSON: ‘Roots – A Daughter of Iceland and Mull’
Monday 25 -Saturday 30 August, An Lanntair, Stornoway and other venues – FACLAN – THE 3rd HEBRIDEAN BOOK FESTIVAL
Tuesday 19th August - Woodlands Centre Stornoway 7.00 PM Launch of new publication ' Reflections on the History of Stornoway and Lewis' Based on a talk by Sandy Matheson at an Islands Book Trust event.
Monday 11 –Wednesday 13 August, Old School, Shawbost: 3-DAY CONFERENCE ‘The Hebridean Contribution to UK Military History’
Sunday 10 August, 8.00pm, Nunton Steadings, Benbecula – MIKE HUGHES: ‘The Merchant Navy’s Role in the Hebrides at War’
Saturday 9 August, 10.30am, Berneray Hall, North Uist – BILL LAWSON: ‘Pabbay’, followed (weather permitting) by boat trip to Pabbay
Saturday 9 August, 8.00pm, Daliburgh Hall, South Uist – MIKE HUGHES: ‘The Merchant Navy’s Role in the Hebrides at War’
Friday 8 August, 8.00pm, Castlebay Hall, Barra – MIKE HUGHES: ‘The Merchant Navy’s Role in the Hebrides at War’
Saturday 19 July, 10.30am, Great Bernera Community Centre – JIM CRAWFORD: ‘Islands of Loch Roag’, followed (weather permitting) by boat trip to Little Bernera and circumnavigation of Bearasay, and Old Hill
Saturday 21 June, 10.30am, Marine Harvest shed, Lemreway – ADAM and TOM NICOLSON: ‘The Shiants’, followed (weather permitting) by boat trip to the Shiants
Thursday 19 June, 8.00pm - Taigh Chearsabhagh,Lochmaddy, North Uist - Early Modes of Transport with John Baldwin. An illustrated talk by John Baldwin, Edinburgh Univeristy on the history of carts, creels, sleds and slypes in Uist and Tiree.
Wednesday 18 June, 8.00pm - Kildonan Museum, South Uist - Early Modes of Transport with John Baldwin. An illustrated talk by John Baldwin, Edinburgh Univeristy on the history of carts, creels, sleds and slypes in Uist and Tiree.
Saturday 14 June, 9.30am, Griminish, North Uist – Boat trip (weather permitting) to the Monach Islands
Saturday 24 May, 10.30am, Community Hall, Tarbert – BILL LAWSON: ‘Taransay’, followed (weather permitting) by boat trip to Taransay
Friday 9-Saturday 10 May, Columba 1400 Centre, Staffin, Skye – 2-DAY CONFERENCE: ‘Industry in Skye and the Outer Hebrides’
Tuesday 22 April, 7.30pm, An Lanntair, Stornoway .
Ali Davey - Historic Scotland 'Scotland’s Hidden Gem - Architectural Ironwork in Stornoway .'
Ali’s talk will illustrate how the cast ironwork in Stornoway is among the largest and best maintained collections in the country. The ironwork is remarkably intact and allows you to see what streets across Scotland would have looked like before so much of the ironwork was taken away for the war effort.
Thursday 17- Saturday 19 April, Nunton Steadings, Benbecula – 2-DAY CONFERENCE to mark 50th anniversary of completion of setting up of military base on St Kilda, and opening of 2008 St Kilda exhibition: ‘Operation Hardrock, St Kilda’, followed (weather permitting) by visit to St Kilda (detailed programme available later)
Tuesday 25 March, 7.30pm, Council Chamber, Stornoway - ALASDAIR MACEACHEN: ‘The Faroes’
Saturday 8 March, 8.00pm, Nunton Steadings, Benbecula – JOHN LOVE: ‘Some Highland Naturalists’
Saturday 23 February, 8.00pm, Nunton Steadings, Benbecula – ALASDAIR MACEACHEN: ‘Among Irish Islands’
Friday 22nd February. 8pm Sgoil Lionacleit Library
Launch of our latest publication The Life and Legacy of Alexander Carmichael
An invitation is open to everyone to attend the launch of a new book presenting the fruits of a four day conference held at Sgoil Lionacleit in July 2006 under the auspices of the Islands Book Trust.
The publication brings together contributions from academics and local scholars alike, on the life and history of Alexander Carmichael, perhaps one of the greatest folklore collectors of his age, who dedicated his life to upholding and promoting the culture, traditions and interests of his own people.
All are welcome to the launch event which will open at 8pm and conclude by 9pm on the above evening.
Wednesday 20 February, 7.30pm, Harris Hotel, Tarbert - JOHN LOVE: ‘Some Highland Naturalists’
Monday 11 February, 8.00pm, Uig Community Centre - MARGARET BENNETT: ‘Quebec since the Lewis Settlers
Tuesday 22 January, 7.30pm, An Lanntair,
Stornoway: PETER CUNNINGHAM - 'Memories of
the Outer Hebrides - the slides of Dr
Macdonald of Gisla'. This is an outstanding opportunity
to see the unique collection of old slides of
the islands taken by the late 'Dolly Doctor' and
presented by Peter Cunningham.
2007
Events
Thursday
25 October, 7.30pm, Gravir, Lewis: 4 THE ANGUS
MACLEOD MEMORIAL LECTURE - "THE
FUTURE OF CROFTING - THE CASE FOR CROFTING TENURE"
This
year’s prestigious Angus Macleod memorial
lecture will be given by Brian Wilson, the former
Government Minister and friend of Angus Macleod,
on the subject ‘The Future of Crofting:
The Case for Crofting Tenure.’
The
subject is both highly appropriate given Angus
Macleod’s championing of crofting –
he set up the revamped Scottish Crofters Union
in 1985; and topical in view of the current Committee
of Inquiry into Crofting led by Professor Mark
Shucksmith. Brian Wilson’s lecture will
be an important contribution to the debate. The
lecture will take place at 7.30pm on Thursday
25 October at Pairc School, Gravir, South Lochs,
Lewis – close to the birthplace of the late
Angus ‘Ease’ Macleod MBE at Calbost,
South Lochs in 1916. Previous lecturers have been
Professors Donald Macleod, James Hunter, and Bill
Lawson, and the lecture has become established
as one of the highlights of the historical calendar
in the islands. In addition to the main
lecture, there will be an introduction about the
latest stage in the Angus Macleod Archive project,
a contribution in Gaelic by Donald Mackay, former
Convener of the Western Isles Council, and the
meeting will close with a prayer and Gaelic psalm.
An
illustrated booklet based on Brian Wilson’s
lecture will be available on the evening.
Tuesday
2 October, 7.30pm, Sgoil
nan Loch, Leurbost, Lewis: THE CHANGING
LEWIS AND HARRIS LANDSCAPE – EVIDENCE FROM
GAME-BOOKS OF WILDLIFE CHANGES 1850-1960. Talk
by David Jones, who has assembled a collection
of historical material on island estates.
Wednesday
29 August - Saturday 1 September (4-day event),
An Lanntair,
Stornoway,
Lewis: FACLAN - THE HEBRIDEAN BOOK FESTIVAL. Sponsored
by Book Trust
Thursday
16 - Saturday 18 August (3-day event), Tarbert,
Harris: WHALING AND THE HEBRIDES.
Contributions from people from the Western Isles
who were whalers, speakers about the Harris whaling
station, and other whaling activity around the
Hebrides , including Faroes and other areas..
Saturday
14 July, 2.00pm, The Old School, Shawbost , Lewis:
THE NORSE MILLS AND KILNS OF LEWIS. Talk by Finlay
Macleod and visit to Shawbost Norse Mill
Saturday
28 July, 10.30am, Community Hall, Berneray, North
Uist: PABBAY. Talk by Bill Lawson,
followed by boat trip to Pabbay.
Saturday
30 June, 10.30am, Lemreway, Lewis: THE SHIANTS.
Talk by Dr Mary Macleod Archaelogist, followed
by boat trip to the Shiants.
Friday
8 and Saturday 9 June (2-day event), Castlebay,
Barra: VATERSAY, PABBAY AND MINGULAY. Talks by
Ben Buxton and Calum Macneil to mark centenary
of Vatersay raids, followed by visit to Vatersay
and boat trips to Pabbay and Mingulay.
Saturday
19 May,10.30am, Tarbert, Harris: TARANSAY. Talk
by Bill Lawson, followed by boat trip to Taransay.
Friday
4 May (evening) and Saturday 5 May (2-day event),
Sabhal Mor Ostaig, Skye: LINKS BETWEEN SKYE AND
OUTER HEBRIDES. Speakers include Donald William
Stewart, Bill Lawson, Roger Hutchinson, Aonghas
MacCoinnich, Iain Mac an Taillear
Tuesday
17 April, 8.00pm, An Lanntair, Stornoway, Lewis:
THE ROLE OF STORNOWAY IN THE HISTORY OF LEWIS
by Sandy Matheson, whose wide experience puts
him in an unrivalled position to give this talk.
Thursday
29March, 7.30pm, An Lanntair: BREAKING DOWN BARRIERS.
Reflections on the history and future of the Western
Isles by Lesley Riddoch, the well-known broadcaster,
who never takes an uncritical view!
Tuesday
13 February, 7.30pm,10 Callicvol, Ness, Lewis:
TRISTAN DA CUNHA . Illustrated talk by Paul Tyler,
who has recently lived on this remote island.
UIST
EVENTS 2007
Saturday Dec 1st Nunton Steadings at 8pm The classic comedy Rockets Galore with a few slides to follow on the history of the RA Range Hebrides (incl St Kilda)
Friday Nov 9th Nunton Steadings at 8pm Michael Powell's classic film The Edge of the World with supplementery film footage of St Kilda and reference to Michael Powell's book 200,000 Feet on Foula which is based on the story of the film
Broadly
the programme of events throughout the year have been held to mark the 50th anniversary of the setting
up of the military Range in Uist with the associated
developments on St Kilda.
If
you have not attended so far, please feel free
to join in at any stage in the programme.
Again,
please contact Alasdair MacEachen if you are interested
and would like further information.
Thurs
12 - Sat 14 April
A
visit and series of talks by Mike Hughes, author
of the book entitled The Hebrides at War. Mike
is a well known authority on the WWII history
associated with the Hebridean islands and previous
visits and talks given by him have proved to be
very popular. Mike continues to accumulate interesting
facts and artefacts and there is sure to be something
new for everyone to hear, even if you have been
present before at Mike's presentations. It is
possible that a small exhibition of wartime artefacts
and memorabilia can be arranged to coincide with
the talks.
Again
events will take place at Nunton Steadings and
more information on dates and timings will be
advertised nearer the time.
Further
details can be obtained from
Alasdair MacEachen on Benbecula (01870) 602124.
Tues
23 - Sat 27 January
A
visit and series of talks by Dr James A Mackay.
Tuesday
23 January at Taigh Chearsabhagh, Lochmaddy at
8.00pm
Wednesday
24 January at Berneray Community Hall, Berneray
at 8.00pm
Thursday
25 January at Nunton Steadings, Benbecula at 8.00pm
Jim Mackay
is author of a number of publications on the history
of St Kilda including the military presence which
is well documented in his book entitled Soldiering
on St Kilda, recalling his own days serving in
the Army in the Uists and St Kilda in the period
1959-61.
Jim
is also a leading authority on the life and history
of Robert Burns and it is planned to work a Burns
supper or two around his visit. Some events will
be arranged in association with the current military
establishment in Uist and there will be a community
event taking place in Nunton Steadings,Benbecula
in the evening of Saturday 27th January.
Booking
for this event is essential and further information
can be obtained from Alasdair MacEachen on Benbecula
(01870) 602124.
Tuesday
23 January, 7.30pm, Gearrannan Blackhouse Village
, Lewis: INTRODUCTION TO THE ISLANDS BOOK TRUST
AND ANGUS MACLEOD ARCHIVE. Talk by John
Randall by invitation of Gearrannan Blackhouse
Village Ltd.
2006
Events
Friday
10 November, 7.30pm: THE GUGA-HUNT - A LIVING
TRADITION, Taigh Chearsabhaigh, Lochmaddy, North
Uist - another privileged opportunity
to hear Dods Macfarlane, the leader of the Ness
guga-hunters, present his authentic and illustrated
account of the annual excursion from Ness to Sulasgeir.
Tuesday
24th October, 7.30pm: THE THIRD ANGUS MACLEOD
MEMORIAL LECTURE, Pairc School, Gravir, Lewis
- 'THE CLEARANCES IN LEWIS - TRUTH OR MYTH?'
This
year's Angus Macleod memorial lecture in Pairc
School, Gravir, Lewis, by Bill Lawson, the internationally
renowned genealogist and historian, will take
as its controversial title 'The Clearances in
Lewis - Truth or Myth?' The lecture (followed
by refreshments) is free and open to all, and
we hope as many people as possible will come along
to what promises to be a very thought-provoking
evening.
Bill
Lawson comments: 'Much importance is attached
today to the period of the Clearances in Lewis,
but the pendulum has swung away from the earlier
ignoring of that period of history to the other
extreme of ascribing every removal or emigration
to clearance by a landlord. If we take Clearance
as meaning the dispossession of a whole township
in order to convert it into a farm, then the Clearances
in Lewis in fact affected a surprisingly small
number of people, and such Clearances as there
were usually involved the transfer of tenants
from one township to another, within the Isle
of Lewis - very few resulted in emigration. Most
of such Clearance as did occur took place in the
time of the MacKenzies of Seaforth, mainly in
Uig and the Pairc area of Lochs, with very few
in the succeeding period of Sir James Matheson,
though it is to him that most blame is attached
today. He was certainly responsible for large-scale
emigration - but was it Clearance? Compared with
Harris and the Uists, Lewis suffered relatively
little from the Clearances, yet they seem to occupy
a disproportionately great place in today's view
of history.
Tuesday
19 September, 7.30pm: SINGERS AND TRADITION BEARERS
I HAVE KNOWN IN LEWIS AND HARRIS, An Lanntair,
Stornoway - a personal selection by Morag
Macleod from Scalpay and formerly of the School
of Scottish Studies, who has kindly agreed to
share her rich knowledge and experience of Gaelic
song and story collecting in the islands.
Wednesday
30 August - Saturday 2 September: THE HEBRIDEAN
BOOK FESTIVAL, An Lanntair,Stornoway
-
The
Book Trust is delighted to be associated with
this new 4 day festival showcasing island-based
writers and writing about or relevant to the islands
and in particular the session at 5pm on Thursday
31 August in An Lanntair on 'St Kilda
- myth and reality' with Bill Lawson,
John Love, and John Randall. Covering outstanding
fiction and non-fiction, English and Gaelic writing
the programme includes many well-known authors
and sessions on the history of the islands.
Saturday
22 July, 7.30pm - Tuesday 25 July: THE LIFE AND
LEGACY OF ALEXANDER CARMICHAEL, Dark
Island Hotel, Nunton Steading, and Lionacleit
school, Benbecula - major 4 day conference highlighting
the work of the great collector of Gaelic song
and folklore in the second half of the 19 th century,
much of it from sources in the Uists and other
parts of the Western Isles. The conference will
include a service, visits to places associated
with Carmichael, a ceilidh, and presentations
on recent research at the University of Edinburgh
and elsewhere alongside the views of local people.
Saturday
1 July, 10.00am: THE ISLAND OF PABBAY, Berneray
Hall, Berneray, off North Uist
- talks by Bill Lawson and Donald McKillop, followed
(weather permitting) by an opportunity to visit
the once well-populated island of Pabbay in the
Sound of Harris - one of the most fertile of the
western isles, well-known for crops (and illegal
whisky distilling!) and still with many remains
of human settlement.
Saturday
24 June, 10.30am, THE SHIANTS, Marine Harvest
premises, Lemreway, Lewis
- Adam Nicolson returns to talk by popular demand,
followed (weather permitting) by a visit to these
ever-popular islands in the Minch, based on the
successful formula of previous years.
Friday
9 June, 7.30pm and Saturday 10 June, 9.30am: MINGULAY
AND THE BISHOP'S ISLES, Heritage Centre, Castlebay,
Barra - talks by Lisa Storey, Calum Macneil
and Ben Buxton about the turbulent history of
the islands south of Barra, followed (weather
permitting) by a visit to Mingulay and Pabbay,
both of which are of extraordinary human and natural
historical interest.
Saturday
20 May, 10.30am: SCARP, Community Centre, Tarbert,
Harris - another rare chance to experience
the poignancy of this now-deserted island with
talks by Calum John Mackay and Donald John Macinnes,
both natives of the island, followed (weather
permitting) by a visit to the island from Husinish.
Monday
17 April, 7.30pm: TORY ISLAND - A STRUGGLE FOR
SURVIVAL, An Lanntair, Stornoway - Alasdair
MacEachen gives a lavishly illustrated account
of the dramatic history of this small Irish island
off the coast of Donegal , with insights into
how it compares with Scottish islands. A follow-up
to Alasdair's highly acclaimed talk last year,
to be run in conjunction with an exhibition of
paintings by Tory islanders in An Lanntair.
Island
Notes are summaries of talks given at events arranged
by the Book Trust (already made available to Gold
members). The series is produced in an attractive
standard format and is available at a modest price.
Full summaries of other Trust
talks are made available to Gold Members of the
Trust.
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