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£1million boost for Cnoc Soilleir from Scottish Government

December 14, 2016

Design concept for Cnoc Soilleir. Image: John Renshaw Architects (2015)

£1million has been pledged by the Scottish Government to support the Cnoc Soillier project.

Working in partnership, Ceòlas and Lews Castle College UHI hope to establish a dedicated centre for Gàidhlig music, dance and cultural heritage in Daliburgh, South Uist.

Announcing the support today, Deputy First Minister John Swinney said: “I am pleased to confirm £1 million in Scottish Government support towards the development the Cnoc Soilleir project.

“The establishment of a multi-functioning Gàidhlig education and arts centre in Uist will create over 40 full-time equivalent jobs in the coming years and generate significant benefits for the local economy. It will also secure a sustainable future for Gaelic in the area, in line with this government’s commitment to supporting the language in communities and in education at all levels across Scotland.”

Read all about the plans for Cnoc Soilleir in the latest edition of Am Pàipear – out now.

Filed Under: Art, Heritage, Music, News

Running start for Fèis Tìr a’ Mhurain

July 12, 2016

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Fèis Tìr a’ Mhurain hit the ground running this weekend, with a heart stopping photo finish for the annual ‘Rèis nam Fèis’ fun run.

Each year the week-long festival of music, drama and dance kicks off with the fun run setting off from Stoneybridge Hall in South Uist. More than fifty people took part in ‘Rèis nan Fèis’ on Sunday 10th July 2016.

In a finish that was too close to call, Kevin Beaton from Balivanich and Joseph MacInnes from Stoneybridge came in first equal at 24.32.

Look out for more results in the next edition of Am Pàipear.

Fèis Tìr a’ Mhurain is now underway at Sgoil an Iochdair, with more than 120 young people taking part.

Tutors working at the fèis this week will perform at a ceilidh in Stoneybridge Hall at 7.30pm tomorrow evening (Wednesday 13th July).

Then, a live music session will take place at the Dark Island Hotel on Thursday 14th July at 8pm, followed by the climactic Ceilidh na Cloinne at 2pm on Friday 15th July in Sgoil an Iochdair.

Filed Under: Heritage, Music, News Tagged With: Dance, Dark Island Hotel, Fèis Tìr a' Mhurain, Gàidhlig, Iochdar School, Music, Stoneybridge Hall

Ceòlas launches major fundraising drive

July 12, 2016

Visualisation of Cnoc Soilleir. Image: John Renshaw Architects (2015)

Ceòlas rounded off a successful summer school last week with the launch of a major fundraising drive to finance the development of a dedicated centre for Gàidhlig music, dance and culture in South Uist…

Working in partnership, Ceòlas and Lews Castle College UHI are seeking to establish a purpose-built venue for training and education in music, dance and Gàidhlig.

Cnoc Soillear – named after the Daliburgh site identified for the project – will cost an estimated £6.5 million to build. It is expected 96% of the capital required for the development will come from various government and agency funds.

However, in order to demonstrate community support for Cnoc Soilleir, £250,000 will have to be raised from individuals and businesses.

Ceòlas is inviting groups and individuals to become patrons of Cnoc Soilleir by donating £500 towards the project. If 500 donations of £500 are received, the quarter of a million target will be met.

Singers performing at the Ceòlas crossover demonstration last week.

Singers performing at the Ceòlas crossover demonstration last week.

Ceòlas launched what has become known as the Cnoc Soilleir Capital Funding Campaign at the Ceilidh Mhòr which rounded off the summer school hosted last week.

A very encouraging response was received and – at the time of writing (Tuesday 12th July) – ten donations of £500 have been received, with many more people requesting further information.

Smaller donations are also welcome. All donations received will be held in a ring-fenced account and can only be used to progress the building development. Patrons will be issued receipts and should the project not go ahead, full refunds will be issued.

Everyone who becomes a patron of Cnoc Soilleir will receive a plaque on the ‘wall of fame’ within the new building and free entry to special events hosted at the venue.

 

If you would like to become a patron of Cnoc Soilleir, please e-mail cnoc-soilleir@ceolas.co.uk or telephone 01878 700 154.

 

Ceòlas has grown from a week-long music and dance school established in 1996 to become a leading international Gàidhlig culture, heritage and arts organisations.

Lews Castle College UHI runs an acclaimed and popular BA Applied Music course – among others – from its campus at Liniclate, Benbecula.

 

 

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Filed Under: Heritage, Music, News Tagged With: Ceòlas, Cnoc Soilleir, Lews Castle College UHI, South Uist

Am Pàipear gets its 40th birthday party started!

July 8, 2016

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Am Pàipear launched a programme of 40th anniversary celebrations with a bang last night, officially opening an exhibition through which the archive of the newspaper is now opened to the public.

Guests flocked from across the islands to Sgoil Lionacleit for a first glimpse at the exhibition, which has been prepared with the kind support of Museum nan Eilean.

Running from now until the beginning of September (details below) this display – entitled THE AM PAIPEAR COLLECTION – is made up of illustrations and photographs featured in the paper over the last four decades. Editions from all the way back in 1976 are also available for the community to access and enjoy.

Ahead of the opening last night, some of the tutors currently working at Ceòlas – Rachel Walker, Patsy Seddon, Shelly Campbell and Allan Henderson – performed alongside talented local youngsters Dòmhnall Henderson, Niall MacDonald and Joanna MacDonald.

Cllr Uisdean Robertson spoke to audience about the important role of local newspapers in our democracy, before Alasdair Allan MSP addressed the crowd and cut the ribbon, officially declaring the exhibition open.

Sony Davidson – who has a long and continuing involvement with Am Pàipear – then cut the special #AP40 birthday cake prepared for the occasion, which was promptly served to those in attendance.

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Guests then entered the museum for a first look at the display of illustrations, photographs and past editions.

Meanwhile, in the cafeteria, glasses of prosecco and soft drinks were being poured, ready to serve along with an incredible selection of canapés prepared by Island Deli with support from Langass Lodge, Salar Smokehouse, Kallin Shellfish, MacLean’s Bakery, and Hebridean Smokehouse.

Iain Stephen Morrison, Editor of Am Pàipear, said: “We would like to thank absolutely everyone who came along and contributed in any way to the launch of this very special exhibition.

“It is a lot of work for a team as small as ours to pull together an event like this and we are by no means experts. So after a nervous couple of days and lots of hard work it was a great relief to witness so many people enjoying the evening and the many pieces that make up our archive.

“As I have said repeatedly in the media over the past few days, this milestone and success does not belong to Am Pàipear, but the community that launched it and continues to take ownership of the paper.

“This collection in Museum nan Eilean is all the stories of our islands. Our wish on this birthday is that the collection will continue to grow, that for Am Pàipear, life will truly begin at forty.”

 

Exhibition details:

Museum nan Eilean, Sgoil Lionacleit, Benbecula

8th July until 3rd September

Tuesday – Saturday (10am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm)

Late night opening on Friday until 7pm

 

Am Pàipear would like to thank the following for helping with the success of the exhibition launch: Museum nan Eilean and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar / Island Deli, Salar Smokehouse, MacLean’s Bakery, Kallin Shellfish, Hebridean Smokehouse and Langass Lodge / Ceòlas / Sgoil Lionacleit / Stòras Uibhist / SNH – Stilligarry / Custom Prints / Shona MacInnes / UCVO / Cllr Uisdean Robertson and Alasdair Allan MSP

Filed Under: Heritage, News Tagged With: Alasdair Allan MSP, Am Pàipear, Benbecula, Berneray, Ceòlas, Cllr Uisdean Robertson, Eriskay, Museum nan Eilean, North Uist, South Uist, THE AM PAIPEAR COLLECTION

Alasdair Allan MSP to officially open Am Pàipear exhibition

July 4, 2016

Alasdair Allan MSP.

Alasdair Allan MSP.

Alasdair Allan MSP is to officially open the upcoming exhibition marking 40 years of Am Pàipear.

Iain Stephen Morrison – Editor of Am Pàipear – said: “We are most grateful our local MSP will join us later this week to officially open our exhibition on what promises to be a night of celebration and nostalgia.

He continued: “This is really a very unique and thought provoking display. Our archive is going to be opened up to the public, offering a rare chance to examine previous editions and explore the history of these islands as documented over the past 40 years. Accompanying photographs, artwork and artefacts will ensure THE AM PAIPEAR COLLECTION is a visual treat, a real walk down memory lane.”

“We would like to extend a warm welcome to everyone to come along to the official preview and opening of THE AM PAIPEAR COLLECTION at 7pm on Thursday 7th July. Entertainment for the evening will be provided by some of the students and tutors of Ceòlas.

“We are most grateful to the staff of Museum nan Eilean and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar for hosting this exhibition and providing so much support.”

For more information about THE AM PAIPEAR COLLECTION please e-mail editor@ampaipear.org.uk or telephone 01870 603 299.

Filed Under: Heritage, News Tagged With: Am Pàipear, Benbecula, Berneray, Ceòlas, Eriskay, Museum nan Eilean, North Uist, South Uist

Remarkable life story of South Uist crofter, sailor and soldier to be launched

July 4, 2016

booklaunch

Kildonan Museum will this weekend host a very special book launch, as the self-penned memoirs of a South Uist crofter, sailor and soldier are finally published.

Donald MacDonald (1897-1985) was a veteran of the Great War and fought at the Battle of the Somme. He travelled the world before serving in the Merchant Navy during WW2 and finally returning to raise a family in South Uist.

His self-authored book – From Small Lochs to Great Lakes – will be launched at Kildonan Museum on Saturday 9th July at 7.30pm.

Donald was one of ten children from a humble crofting and fishing family in South Uist. His story spans almost nine decades during the most turbulent times in modern history.

Enlisted at sixteen years of age into the Cameron Highlanders, he fought and was wounded at Givenchy, the Battle of the Somme and at Arras. His memoirs recall with candor the horrendous conditions of the trenches and battlefields.

He wrote: “In a heavy bombardment with death and desolation around you, your heart pounding like a piston, thinking the next shell would be yours, you thought the end of the world had come and when the shelling stopped, the brave little skylark rose high above us with her sweet song of hope and courage, you felt there is a God.”

After training as a diamond cutter, Donald’s inter-war years saw him traverse the Atlantic to find work farming in Canada, in the car factories of America and as a sailor on the Great Lakes until the profound impact of the Great Depression forced him home.

He served in the Merchant Navy and as a rigger on the Clyde shipyards during WW2.

After returning home, Donald’s story charts momentous moments in island life from ‘salvaging’ whisky from SS Politician and the introduction of road access. It also deals plainly with the struggles of setting up house in Locheynort in appalling conditions of isolation, on very poor land.

“You cannot hold time or season back.  Although you are supposed to be your own master on a croft, in reality you are not.  You must conform with the season at hand, in order to obtain the benefit you are looking for.  Your master is the season, disregarding it and you need not expect a pay packet.”

When widowed at 57 years of age with six children all below the age of 10 years old, MacDonald persevered to keep the family unified. Thanks to the help of the children’s aunt looking after the youngest, the six children were able to grow up together on the island.

“Bringing up five children on your own was a hard task.  People were kind and help in looking after them was offered many times but I felt it was important that they stayed with me and that I reared them myself.  Although those times were hard, we got through them.”

MacDonald wrote his memoirs whilst in his 80s before his death in 1985. The original handwritten manuscript was painstakingly transcribed and typed by a family friend in the late 1980s but only digitised a number of years ago, which allowed it to be edited by his daughter Peggy to form this unique record of a remarkable life.

To order the new book or for further information please visit: http://www.lochstolakes.co.uk

 

 

Filed Under: Crofting, Heritage, News Tagged With: Battle of the Somme, Crofting, South Uist, WW2, WWI

£10,000 funding boost for EDF

June 24, 2016

EDFweb

Eilean Dorcha Festival (EDF) has secured £10,000 support from Awards for All.

Taking place on Liniclate machair on Friday 29th and Saturday 30th July, EDF is the first ever music festival for Benbecula.  Acts including Skippinish, Vatersay Boys, Trail West and Donnie Munro will take to the stage over a weekend like no other for the islands.

Funding from Awards for All – a partnership by sportscotland and the Big Lottery Fund – will help cover the costs of setting up the annual festival.

EDF Chairman Roddy MacKay commented “We are delighted to get this award to help us deliver Benbecula’s first music festival. Not since Runrig played at Liniclate more than 20 years ago has there been anything like this held in Uist. With former frontman Donnie Munro returning, it’s sure to be a momentous weekend.

“We will have nearly 20 acts this year and there’s sure to be something for everyone. This award will allow us to showcase Benbecula and the Southern Isles and what they have to offer at a crucial time for the tourism industry here in the islands.”

A spokesperson for Awards for All said: “These grants, totalling just under one million pounds will benefit over 130 groups across the country and shows the variety of projects that can be funded through Awards for All. We are always surprised at the difference a relatively small amount of money can make providing support and advice to people in communities across Scotland and wish all of these groups the best of luck for the future.”

Awards for All Scotland gives out grants of between £500 and £10,000 to projects that bring communities together to enjoy a range of activities.  Groups can download this form here www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/awardsforallscotland

Filed Under: Art, Heritage, Music, News Tagged With: Awards for All, Benbecula, EDF, North Uist, South Uist

Exciting new collaboration between Taigh Chearsabhagh and An Lanntair

March 14, 2016

morning star at tc 1680

An Lanntair in Stornoway has just entered into a new contract with Taigh Chearsabhagh, which will see An Lanntair and its arts and administration teams providing leadership and support to the arts and heritage programme at Taigh Chearsabhagh over the next year.

This innovative partnership has been made possible through funding secured by Taigh Chearsabhagh from Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar for one year to test this new collaborative way of working.  An Lanntair’s visual arts, education and marketing teams will be working with Taigh Chearsabhagh, led by An Lanntair CEO, Elly Fletcher.

Elly said: “I am delighted to have this chance to be involved so directly in the future growth and development of Taigh Chearsabhagh.  The building is such an incredible space, the staff and board are so driven and dedicated, and the arts and heritage programme is just fabulous – myself and the team at An Lanntair can’t wait to get going with this exciting new collaboration.”

Both Taigh Chearsabhagh and An Lanntair have extraordinarily diverse programmes, attracting local and international artists, supporting the growth of new talent, and celebrating the unique Gaelic culture and heritage of the Outer Hebrides.

It is hoped that by working together so closely, the two organisations can start to collaborate longer term across their activities; from exhibitions, to learning programmes, to marketing and communications.

Susan Fogden, Chair of Taigh Chearsabhagh said: “Taigh Chearsabhagh Trust is thrilled to be part of this collaboration with An Lanntair and is very grateful to HIE and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar for their support in this exciting venture. After getting to know the strong and experienced team from An Lanntair we’re confident that the partnership is going to take us from strength to strength and that we are going to enjoy, as well as benefit from, a lasting relationship.”

Filed Under: Art, Heritage, News Tagged With: An Lanntair, Taigh Chearsabhagh

Great Tapestry of Scotland coming to Benbecula

November 6, 2015

stitchedlogo

Part of one of Scotland’s most popular artworks will be on display in Benbecula during November and December.

Thirty panels from the Great Tapestry of Scotland will be on display at Museum nan Eilean (Sgoil Lionacleit) from 14th November to 22nd December. A number of events for all ages are being planned to coincide with the exhibition.

One of the nation’s largest community arts projects, the 142m tapestry depicts the history of Scotland from the landscape’s geological formation to the reconvening of the Scottish Parliament in 1999. The story is told in 159 boldly designed and intricately stitched panels that are the work of over 1,000 stitchers from across Scotland.

Since its hugely popular debut exhibition at the Scottish Parliament in September 2013, the tapestry has been taken to the hearts of Scottish communities. Over 325,000 visitors from all over the world have visited tapestry exhibitions at venues including the Scottish Parliament, Stirling Castle, Paisley Thread Mill, New Lanark, Aberdeen Art Gallery, and Ayr Town Hall.

Visitors have been amazed over by the tapestry’s epic scope and fascinated by the details of its stitching.

Originator of the Great Tapestry of Scotland, bestselling author Alexander McCall Smith, said: “I am delighted that the Great Tapestry of Scotland is coming to the Western Isles. The Western Isles have made a great contribution to the history of Scotland and this is reflected in a number of the tapestry’s panels. I hope that as many people as possible will take the chance to see this magnificent and moving work of art when it comes to them in November and December.”

Alistair Moffat, historian and co-chairman of the project, said: “This is a history of all of Scotland, and one that attempts to compass not only the whole nation but also all of its people as it tells the stories of shepherds, weavers, ploughmen, crofters, fishermen and all of the people who made our story come alive. Kings, queens and other powerful people have their place, but this is a unique way of telling our history – because it was made by the people of Scotland, a thousand stitchers, from Berwickshire to the Butt of Lewis.”

Trish Campbell Botten, Principal Officer Libraries and Heritage, added: “We are delighted to welcome the Great Tapestry of Scotland to the Outer Hebrides in our council museum space in Benbecula. This is a wonderful opportunity to see such an impressive piece of art and history on our own doorsteps and to see the work created by local stitchers.”

Five of the tapestry’s stitchers are residents of the Western Isles. Lewis stitchers Margaret and Mary MacLeod combined to make an early panel representing the visit of the Greek traveller Pytheas, who took a reading of latitude at Calanais in the fourth century BC.

A stitching group who named themselves the ‘Sea-Mistresses’ worked on the panel depicting the loss of HMY Iolaire in 1919. This group consisted of Tracey MacLeod and Gillian Scott-Forest from Harris and Moira MacPherson from South Uist. Over the months of winter stitching, this group sent their panel back and forth to each other in the care of Caledonian MacBrayne on the Leverburgh-Berneray ferry.

 

OPENING HOURS

November: Tues, Wed, Fri, Sat 10am-1pm and 2-5pm; Thur 10am-1pm and 2pm-7pm; Closed Sun & Mon.

December: Tues, Wed, Thurs, Sat 10am-1pm and 2-5pm; Fri 10am-1pm and 2pm-7pm; Closed Sun & Mon.

 

FREE ADMISSION; Tapestry merchandise is available, payment by cash or cheque only.

Filed Under: Art, Heritage, News

Comann Eachdraidh Uibhist a Tuath joins Hebridean Connections

October 15, 2015

LochmorWEB

Hebridean Connections – a pioneering digital archiving project based in the Outer Hebrides – is extending its coverage to include the island of North Uist. This follows a decision by Comann Eachdraidh Uibhist a Tuath (North Uist Historical Society) to join the project as its eleventh full member.

Comann Eachdraidh Uibhist a Tuath (CEUT) will add selected historical and genealogical records from its extensive archive to the Hebridean Connections website. The newly created records will be interlinked with existing records on the site, enabling users worldwide to access previously unavailable information about North Uist, but also to explore connections with other areas.

“We are delighted to welcome Comann Eachdraidh Uibhist a Tuath as the latest full member of our project,” commented Donnie Morrison, chairman of Hebridean Connections. “North Uist is an island with an exceptionally rich history, and the addition of this new information will add significantly to the value of our website as a resource for family historians, researchers and others.”

“We have witnessed the enthusiasm with which our neighbours on Berneray have embraced the Hebridean Connections project, and this was a major factor in our decision to join,” added Isa MacKillop of CEUT. “While nothing can replace a visit in person to our museum and archive at Taigh Chearsabhagh, the Hebridean Connections website provides a route by which we can make selected information available to interested parties worldwide, enhancing their knowledge and experience of our island.”

The connection with the adjacent island of Berneray is a particularly important one as far as CEUT is concerned. For example, the society’s very active junior branch is involved in a project to compile family trees for people recorded on local war memorials, identifying links to the current generation. This work involves 40 members of senior classes at three local schools, who are fully engaged in the planning of all CEUT’s exhibitions. Where the family histories extend to Berneray, these young people will be working with the Hebridean Connections team and using the website in its current form as a research tool.

In parallel with this research, the work of training CEUT volunteers to enter additional information onto the website will begin. The Hebridean Connections team will be providing the necessary support, with local representation from Berneray-based Sue Wilson, who is the project’s training officer for Uist and Barra as well as a volunteer for Comunn Eachdraidh Bheàrnaraigh (Berneray Historical Society).

While much of the new information is likely to centre on family histories, there is scope to create a range of interlinked records covering places, historical events, archaeological sites, stories and traditions, and several other subject areas. Furthermore, a range of media types are supported, including text, images, sound files and video.

According to Tristan ap Rheinallt, project manager for Hebridean Connections, feedback from existing website users highlights the value placed on this additional content as a means for people not only to identify their ancestors but also to understand how they lived.

“We look forward to showing volunteers on North Uist the different ways in which they can take advantage of our website to showcase their information,” he said. “We would also be interested in talking to any other organisation, large or small, that might have an interest in adding historical records or images to our site. We would provide the required support and it would all be free of charge.”

Picture: Lochmor at Lochmaddy pier in the 1960s – one of many historical images in the CEUT archive.

Filed Under: Heritage, News

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