Scottish Ultra Report

Vango Scottish Ultra 2009

The sacrifice, dedication, pain and suffering for all this years athletes ended on Thursday 7^th May as the last participant crossed the finish line of Vango Scottish Ultra in the Isle of Jura Distillery.  Gone was the sunshine, gentle breezes and lush green hillsides of British Ultra 2008.  In their place was sheer, unadulterated raw challenge, adventure, fear and exhilaration.  After a week of rain, sleet, hail, driving winds and extremely tough underfoot conditions the brave and undeniably hardy souls who took up the challenge of the Vango Scottish Ultra have earned the right to put their feet up for a couple of days.

The event was tough, at times almost unbelievably so.  Not only had the route been lengthened from the previous year but the terrain had been varied to include more mountains, a seven mile beach and strength sapping ground which would test anyone even in the best of conditions.  The weather was the worst seen in May for many years on the islands and featured 70mph winds, driving rain, sleet and hail and unseasonably low temperatures.

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On 2nd May the athletes began to gather in the beautiful and scenic grounds of Ardbeg Distillery for pre-race briefings and registration.  While the sun shone and the athletes lounged in the spacious camp tents the support team made final preparation for the week ahead.  With Phil Briggs heading up safety for the event we had made some support team changes from 2008 and with an experienced group of mountain rescue personnel, mountain leaders and wilderness medics the staff were confident we could take on whatever came our way.  Inclement weather contingencies for each day were finalised, Argocats, support boats, quad bikes and medical equipment was checked and deposited along the route in preparation for the challenge ahead.  At 1730 the athletes filed into the distillery cooperage for an aerial fly over of the route projected onto the white-washed stone walls of the room.  Next up was an extensive safety briefing followed by haggis, neeps and tatties.  After a few drams the runners hit their tents early for a full nights sleep.  As they did a team of four marshals made for the summit of Bheinn Bheiger high above to take up checkpoints along the route.

At 0700 on 3^rd May the hill team confirmed glorious conditions on the summit and at 0800 the event exploded into life.  Across the fluttering Vango banners the athletes charged, along the narrow coastal tracks of Ardtalla and toward the start of the ascent of the hills.  With glorious beaches, basking seals and clear views to Ireland, mainland Scotland and the Isle of Arran spirits were high.  Scarcely even a breeze interrupted the pack and soon all were forging a determined path up onto the summit ridge of Bheinn Bheiger.  Up front was Andy Murray of Scotland with Robert Holding, Donnie Campbell and Rick Gannon close on his heels.  Behind them a steady stream of small groups and lone runners pushed on.  Soon the hill section was over and the field tackled the long, winding farm road section which would take them past legendary Loch Finlaggan and into the forest which would lead them to camp.  As the day dragged on, athletes steadily arrived in camp for a well earned rest.  Andy Murray was first through in just over 4 hours with Jon Mollison holding up the rear in a time of 11 hours 30 minutes.  As the steam from 25 camp fires obscures the spectacular views across the Sound of Islay towards the rugged paps of Jura, the first spots of rain which will dominate the week begin to drop.

Day 2 of Vango Scottish Ultra was always set to be a tough one.  The result of endless work and planning by local Niall Colthart the route would take competitors straight into the glens and mountains of northern Islay before following a rugged coastal route onto the lengthy and windswept beaches of Loch Gruinart.  Thereafter the route winds through forests, along lochsides, past farms and tracks before finally arriving at Port Askaig.  At a push, the last 3km could be considered easy going.  The other 42km is nothing short of torturous.  At 0530 the race director and safety officer walked the first 3km of the route and deemed conditions trying but reasonable enough to proceed.  With low cloud, mist and heavy rain visibility would be greatly reduced and underfoot conditions tough going.  At 0900 the undaunted pack once again burst across the start line straight up and into the Margadale Glen.  Wind speed picked up as the morning drove on driving sleet, hail and rain directly into the path on the athletes as they battled up and over the pass.  As they made their way onto the flat beach of Gruinart the full force of the Atlantic winds battered them relentlessly.  While marshals and medics shivered in their storm shelters the first casualties of the race were felt.  Out came local man and member of the RAF team Lewis Prentice who was escorted by quad bike from the course to a medical point.  Next out was ultra legend Jon ‘Big Casino’ Watts with an injury which prevented him continuing.  This was a huge loss to runners and support team alike who have grown accustomed to Big Casino’s wit and humour around camp.  Cam Carter from Australia was next.  Having flown from Australia to take part, Cam was struggling to adjust to the beach weather in Scotland and, displaying the early signs of hypothermia, he was withdrawn from the field.  To his credit (and once we had warmed him up!) Cam mucked in around camp and became a very useful member of the support team for the duration of the event.  The final casualty of the day was Jon Mollison.  Jon, who lost a leg in the Falklands Conflict, was using the event to prepare for a solo rowing attempt across the Atlantic in June.  Having missed two checkpoints along the route Jon was withdrawn and left to tackle the greater challenges ahead in one piece.

As the casualties were withdrawn to the warmth of a wood fire and a dram the rest of the field battled across forest, farm track and (by now) deep bog toward the finish line.  Progress was considerably slower than on the previous day but towards the end of the afternoon the first athletes began to appear at camp.  Despite losing a few valued members of the group along the way spirits were exceptionally high with all feeling justifiably proud of what they had done.  Later that evening the safety team convened for weather assessment and potential rerouting.  The forecast was again harsh and the decision was taken to alter the final 10km of the route for day 3.  This would allow the toughest mountain section of the course to be tackled safely and would add 6km of undulating farm route to the end of the day.

Day 3 begins with some bad news.  Dean Loader, a firefighter from South Wales and clearly a very fit and capable athlete who lacks nothing in determination and ability is reluctantly withdrawn from the event.  After a session with Bob, the camp physiotherapist, Dean is deemed to have suffered a soft tissue injury which means he cannot continue.  He is clearly gutted but takes things well.  Impressively, he shrugs off his personal disappointment swiftly and turns his attentions to boosting the spirits of not only his team but the rest of the guys as well.  His withdrawal leaves 19 in the pack and at 0800 they take off.  Several hours earlier teams of marshals, mountain leaders and medics had deployed into the hills from both sides.  At 0700 rising rivers were reported and additional marshals were deployed to man unscheduled river crossings.  The first 10km was a quick hop, skip and a jump along a mountainside track before the participants headed into the wilds of the Paps of Jura.  Conditions here were fierce with the ubiquitous high winds, rain and some hail affecting visibility and giving the athletes a true Scottish mountain experience.  Up and over the high pass they trudged before descending through the Glen which would take them out of the days mountain section.  As the first of them appeared off the hill the river which all must cross had swollen to waist height.  With only Richard Shaw from Fife deciding to go for a swim the rest crossed safely and were soon charging along an 11km coastal road stretch to base.  Andy Murray, Robert, Donnie and Rick continue to dominate the front (among them they have victories in Gobi Challenge and Sahara Challenge and enjoy a real quality and close run battle).  Behind them the teams from Wales and Fife make steady progress as do many individual athletes.  Soon all are in and given the luxury of a large farm shed to bed down in for the evening.  The accommodation gives everyone an opportunity to mingle out of the rain and the evening once again passes in high spirits.

That evening the safety meeting reveals continually worsening weather featuring 70mph winds heading against us.  An integral safety feature of day 4 is boat cover using both of the team boats to deploy marshals and equipment and withdraw casualties.  With conditions preventing this being conducted safely the decision is taken to implement the stage ‘B’ route – a longer and in many ways tougher alternative but one that would remove the variable of failed boat cover.  The route will see the athletes tackle a 50km section of narrow farm road, track and mountain which will climax with views over the Corryvreckan whirlpool – one of the most treacherous sections of water in the world.  The news is revealed to all at the pre stage briefing and start time set for 0800.  

Right on cue the winds for day 4 pick up and rattle the barn through the night.  At 0700 participants drag themselves from their warm sleeping bags and shake out the aches, strains and cold from tired limbs.  Soon they are off on what will be the longest, most exposed and coldest section of the event.  It’s a relatively straightforward linear slog but with conditions as they are casualties are reported within a few hours.  First is Craig Oswald.  Suffering from the effects of low temperatures and high winds he is held by a safety marshal and subsequently withdrawn.  Aaron Henning, an extremely positive athlete who has lost four stone to take part goes down and is withdrawn.  He is closely followed by Graeme Roberts, a very fit and experienced athlete who has succumbed to an injury.  As the guys are evacuated to camp the rest of the pack heads slowly toward camp.  Again the front pack dominates with strong performances from Craig Liddle and Michael Evans who seem to be getting stronger as the week goes by.  Behind them American Murray Resinski makes steady progress and seems to relish the worsening weather.  Andy Willday and Jo Kilkenny are also looking strong while Rob Lewis, arguably the physically strongest member of the pack succumbs to a painful foot injury.  Only sheer strength of will gets him through.  It’s a similar story for Justin Maclaurin who likewise struggles through the pain barrier.  At the back, Tony Gilmour and Mark Caddy continue on in steady fashion.

Late in the day the final athlete returns to camp for a well earned cup of hot chocolate.

With weather continuing to worsen the evenings safety meeting results in a decision to condense the planned final day short ‘glory run’ into day 5.  This will see a longer day than planned but one that will allow all to get over the finish line.  Again the ‘B’ route is implemented and again this will be a harder slog on all.  Nonetheless spirits are high with the knowledge that the day will see the athletes over the finish line for the final time.  The course is revealed and maps distributed.  It’s just a short one to finish, only 30km of mountain, beach and road to the finish line!  

Day 5 begins pleasantly enough and it seems the weather Gods have finally shined upon us.  With stunning views across the sea and up into the mountains the pack sets off on an arduos, steep and twisting route to the base of the mountains.  From there they push back up into the Glen before climbing steeply to a bealach.  From there they descend for a short beach section before hitting some road miles (the original day 6 route) for a short run to the Isle of Jura Distillery.  Here they will finish once and for all.

To the noise of the pipes, the smell of whisky and the noise of cheering locals Rick Gannon thunders over the finish line.  Over the next two hours he is joined by an emotional, spirited and very proud pack of athletes and support staff.  The Vango Scottish Ultra 2009 is over.  Throughout the afternoon and evening prizes are distributed, drams and venison consumed and stories fondly recollected.  The buzz around camp is electric as the enormity of the completed task realised.  Within an hour of finish three of those who were forced to withdraw have signed up for 2010 where the weather can only improve….

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Thoughts….

An amazing week!  Extremely trying conditions which were undoubtedly made durable by the quality of those taking part.  Raw, unyielding and genuinely remote ‘expedition’ style events like Scottish Ultra attract the highest calibre of participant and this year was no exception.  This was no mere long road or canal side stroll but a genuinely wild experience.  Both myself and the support team (who have been involved in numerous races, trips and expeditions) struggled to recall a group as solid as the one who endured Scottish Ultra 2009.  From the outset there was nothing easy about this event.  Routes were tough, distances long and conditions generally trying.  That so many got through in such high spirits and with such modesty was testament to their quality.  Myself, Phil, Niall and the rest of the team were genuinely proud and very much humbled to have been involved with all those who took part.   Maximum respect to you all!!

Visitscotland website loses £12 million

VisitScotland: How can a website lose £12 million in 5 years?

• from forargyll.com

Troubled national tourism body, VisitScotland’s online booking website - visitscotland.com - has managed to lose £12 million in 5 years. The Scottish Parliament’s Public Audit Committee said yesterday (14th May) that the website had failed to live up to financial expectations and that the organisation itself had been slow to respond to problems. (The Committee might also have noted that VisitScotland has been equally slow to respond to opportunities.)

The website originally cost £3.25 million, released to VisitScotland for the purpose by the Scottish Government. The business case indicated that it would generate profits of £1.5 million per annum, after tax and after an initial 5 year period.

However, by December 2007 the site had accumulated losses of £12.4 million and the blame has been laid at the door of unrealistic estimations of the demand for online accommodation booking.

VisitScotland had taken a 36% share in the company, eTourism Ltd, which it established and to which it awarded the contract to run the website. When this company hit financial problems, VisitScotland bought out the other shareholders for £1.25 million. Its total investment in eTourism Ltd is said to be around £4 million.

Hugh Henry, Chair of the Public Audit Committee said : ‘We believe that it might have been possible for VisitScotland to secure its initial aims at a smaller cost to the public purse’.

Mr Henry also noted that the organisation’s decision to buy out the other shareholders in eTourism Ltd was taken without seeking any external advice.

VisitScotland and eTourism Ltd

There are a range of curiosities in the relationship between VisitScotland and eTourism Ltd.

In ‘About Us’ on the VisitScotland website this is how that relationship is described: ‘VisitScotland.com is the trading name of eTourism Ltd, which was originally established as a private limited company set up by a public private partnership in 2002 before becoming wholly owned by Scotland’s national tourist board, VisitScotland, in 2008.’

This suggests that:

• eTourism Ltd is the superior corporate identity
• eTourism Ltd’s sole business is running the VisitScotland website

Then a partnership agreement was signed between eTourism Ltd and Tiscover, described by VisitScotland.com as: ‘Europe and the world’s leading e-tourism company’, providing ‘technology platforms for national and regional tourism organisations in countries such as Austria, Germany, Switzerland, the UK and South Africa. They also provide the search and booking engine for www.visiteurope.com‘. Tiscover then became - at 15% - the second largest shareholder, after VisitScotland, in eTourism Ltd.

This raises the question why VisitScotland did not, at the outset, simply contract Tiscover to deliver their website. Instead they established, became the largest shareholder in and finally became the outright owner of a company that had to buy in from Tiscover the necessary expertise. If you were trying to come up with a scheme to waste public money, you would be hard put to beat this one.

Attempts to avoid disclosures of information legitimately required by members of the public

In June 2007 Scotland’s Information Commissioner , Kevin Dunion, found for Mr Alan Keith of Dumfries and Galloway Accommodation Providers. Mr Keith had used the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act (FOISA) to ask to see all contracts between VisitScotland and visitscotland,com (eTourism Ltd). Mr Dunion’s judgment was that information had been withheld and that: ‘VisitScotland had failed to comply with the requirements of Part 1 of FOISA in responding to Mr Keith’s information request’. The Information Commissioner required the disclosure of the information for which Mr Keith had asked. The details of this case make interesting reading.

In July 2007, one month after the earlier decision, the Information Commissioner again found against VisitScotland and in favour of Mr Gordon Colquhoun who has asked for information on the price paid by visitscotlandcom (eTourism Ltd) to advertise in VisitScotland publications. His contention was that visitscotland.com had paid nothing for such advertisements which, were this to be the case, would mean that visitscotland.com would be in receipt of an unlawful subsidy under EU law relating to state subsidies. Mr Dunion required VisitScotland to disclose the information in question to Mr Colquhoun. Here are the details of this case, also involving the admirably energetic Dumfries and Galloway.

The big question

The more one learns the more unsettling is the picture of the organisation to which the marketing of Scotland is entrusted.

But the big question in this particualr matter remains unanswered. How - HOW - does a website - A WEBSITE -  lose £12.4 million in 5 years?

Year of Island Cultures

A YEAR OF ISLAND CULTURES 2011

Council Leaders representing the islands in the Highland and Islands have agreed for their organisations to work together in preparation for A Year of Island Cultures 2011. 

Orkney, Shetland, the Western Isles and islands represented by Argyll and Bute, North Ayrshire and Highland Councils all have the opportunity to participate in the year-long festival. 

The aims of A Year of Island Cultures 2011 are to celebrate and showcase the range of diverse cultures found in the islands to the north and west of Scotland.

Councillor Dougie Philand, Argyll and Bute’s spokesperson for Arts, Culture, Leisure and Sport, said: “Argyll and Bute Council has always recognised the individuality of each of our islands.

“A Year of Island Cultures 2011 is a fabulous opportunity to celebrate not just island culture, but also the vibrant communities which make our islands so unique. We look forward to working with our partners in ensuring that this festival does justice to those communities.”

A Steering Committee with representation from the council areas involved has been tasked to engage with all the islands in the region, both to promote existing events outside the region and to organise new events and activities which build cultural links between the islands.

Shetland, a host port for the Tall Ships Races in 2011, is acting as the lead Council for the project. 

Convener Sandy Cluness expressed his delight on the arrangement, “We now have a unique opportunity to work with all the islands in the region to celebrate all our different cultures and to show the world how vibrant our communities are.”

The idea for A Year of Islands Cultures 2011 emerged from a debate at the Convention of the Highlands and Islands in 2008, when Government ministers encouraged the islands to create a festival that promotes the culture of Islands in the Highlands and Islands region.

Douglas Irvine, spokesperson for the Steering Committee, said that work has begun to put together a detailed plan for A Year of Island Cultures 2011, including the promotional activities.

The Steering Committee will meet this month to set up a programme of tasks.

Scottish Youth Parliament

YOUNG PEOPLE URGED TO STEP FORWARD FOR SCOTTISH YOUTH PARLIAMENT

Young people in Argyll and Bute are being urged to put their names forward for election to the Scottish Youth Parliament.

The area’s current two Members of the Scottish Youth Parliament (MSYP), Eilidh McLaughlin and Kim Moore, are standing down later this year after several years flying the flag for Argyll and Bute, and the region now needs others to fill their shoes.

Elections will be held at the end of this month to find two young people to take up the posts. 

Kim, who is in her final year at Lochgilphead High School, said: “It’s an amazing experience being an MSYP - anyone who gets the opportunity to stand should take it. 

“It’s a great opportunity to make new friends, find out how other areas run things, and find new ways of making things better for young people.”

The role of a MSYP is to represent the views of other young people both locally and nationally. The successful candidates will attend sittings three times a year held throughout Scotland. Expenses will be covered.

To be an MSYP, you must be aged between 14 - 25 and live in Argyll and Bute. Helensburgh and Lomond have a nominated MSYP and are not taking part in elections at this time. 

Argyll and Bute Council Leader Dick Walsh urged young people across the area to put their names forward.

“The Scottish Youth Parliament has been set up to act as the voice of young people across Scotland,” he said.

“In offering young people aged between 14 - 25 the chance to get involved in national decision-making, it is an extremely important part of the Scottish democratic process. 

“This is Scotland’s leading rural area, and it is vital that we have an effective voice at all levels. 

“I am sure that there are young people across Argyll and Bute who could make a very valuable contribution, and I urge them to put themselves forward for election.”

The Scottish Youth Parliament's vision is: "to have an inclusive Scotland in which young people realize their potential, become full and active citizens and play a key part in all decisions which affect their lives." 

The SYP aims:

• To offer young people in Scotland a collective national youth voice. 

• To make a difference in society by increasing young people's participation. 

• To promote a positive image of young people. 

• To connect the process of policy making and development with young people. 

• To be an independent and youth-led organization free from influence where young people can give their views to policy makers without hindrance, fear or barriers.

If you think you could give up some of your free time to represent the views of young people in your area both locally and nationally then write Argyll and Bute Young Scot a note, and email it to youngscot@argyll-bute.gov.uk 

If you have any questions about what is all involved in being an MSYP, please email Argyll and Bute Young Scot at the above address. 

You can send your nominations in from now until Friday 22nd May. 

Voting will be held during the election week, which will run from Monday 25th May until Sunday 31st May. Voting will be done electronically through the Argyll and Bute website. The results will be announced at the AGM of the Argyll and Bute Youth Forum on Friday 5th June.

To find out more about what the Scottish Youth Parliament does, how it works, and how you can get involved, visit the Scottish Youth Parliament website www.syp.org or for local information and contacts, visit the Argyll and Bute Young Scot website on www.youngscot.org/argyllandbute

Bòrd na Gàidhlig commissions research

Bòrd na Gàidhlig commissions major

research exercises

Bòrd na Gàidhlig, the principal public agency responsible for developing Gaelic, has commissioned one of its biggest ever research projects to assess key areas of its development and project work to support the delivery of the National Plan for Gaelic.

Rosemary Ward, Acting Chief Executive of Bòrd na Gàidhlig said: “It is vitally important that the Bòrd underpins its work and the development of its strategic objectives on robust research and assessment, not only on what we have achieved so far, but also in terms of establishing the direction that we will take to secure a sustainable future for Gaelic. This is one of the most significant undertakings we have made in terms of research and the organisations which have been successful in tendering for the work have a number of challenges facing them in a very tight time-scale. The outcomes will obviously help us engage in a meaningful and well-informed way about the way forward for Gaelic development and establish benchmarks in terms of value for money.”

The contracts have been awarded to Edinburgh University, which has secured two of the five available projects, Sabhal Mòr Ostaig in Skye, Glasgow University and Hecla Consulting of Inverness.

Hecla Consulting’s Iain Campbell will lead a specific assessment of Bòrd na Gàidhlig Projects to measure how effective funding has been when delivered through schemes run by the Bòrd, in terms of language planning and development.

 

Sabhal Mòr Ostaig’s team, led by Iain Mac an Tàilleir, has been commissioned to produce an evaluation of the motivation and attitude to Scots Gaelic use within a sample Gaelic-speaking locality. The study will examine levels of fluency and literacy in Scots Gaelic among its users and will also produce a Gaelic skills audit template for use with different types of organisations.

Professor Rob Ó  Maolalaigh of Glasgow University Celtic Studies department will lead the research project examining the area of  Gaelic Corpus Planning Technology. This project will conduct an audit and assessment of technological tools and services available to assist Scottish Gaelic corpus work, research further project opportunities to support and  advance Gaelic corpus development and analyse gaps in technological provision and  trends to inform forward planning.

 

Adult Gaelic learning opportunities are to be researched by Wilson McLeod of Edinburgh University Celtic Studies department identifying requirements to establish an effective national system of Gaelic adult education for Scotland.

He will also be working with Professor Lindsay Paterson of Moray House in a review of pupil attainment in Gaelic in schools in Scotland. This project will also examine the extension of data into previously unresearched areas.

Five contracts worth a total of £163,705 have been awarded to the four separate agencies to deliver the research work over the coming months.

For further information about the contents of this news release, please contact Hugh Dan MacLennan on 0751 528 7040. 

Bòrd na Gàidhlig website:  www.bord-na-gaidhlig.org.uk

See also:  www.mygaelic.com

Issued: Monday, May 18, 2009   

Vango Scottish Ultra

Islay’s Niall Colthart writes; 

“I have not taken my camera on the hill as there was not a dry part of my kit to put it in.

 “Conditions on the hill have been as bad as I have ever seen them at this time of year. This has led the race route to be constantly amended as we have had to put twice the resources in, in terms of feet on the ground into each section, so where we might have had two hill sections we are doing one with a road section. Sunday’s section passed over the bealach between the Paps in visibility of around 20 metres with winds gusting to around 50kts. One group of five were temperarily disorientated and ended up back at the check point that they had left an hour earlier.

“One problem that we encountered yesterday quite early on was deteriorating river crossings, with all the major crossings having to be assessed at regular intervals and in some cases manned. By the time Karen Sidall, Phil Briggs and I had swept the runners off the hill last night, we were wading over our waists.

 “Today’s section has been amended to a road run from Loch Tarbert to the Corrievreckan and back. With an eye on the weather, we have amended tomorrow’s section to go out Loch Tarbert to Glenbattrick, then up Evan’s Walk to camp at Corran Sands. The race will be completed with a short run in to the finish on Friday at Jura Distillery. 

“There are currently nineteen runners still going. Retirals have been due mainly to hypothermia, and one broken foot. Cam Carter from Australia in particular found the environmental conditions hard to adjust to, on top of lack of sleep from jet lag.”

Readers can watch video clips of sections of the race on the Ileach’s website at www.ileach.co.uk

Celebration at Finlaggan

The Finlaggan Trust Committee is giving an open invitation to everyone on Islay and Jura to celebrate the official opening of their extended Information Centre and the new access bridge to Eilean Mor on Saturday, 16 May. 

In the afternoon the Committee has arranged a feast of music, dancing and  information, and in the evening a grand ceilidh will be held, with some of Gaeldom’s finest young singers and musicians joining Islay’s own talented performers.

The new Centre, with its new displays and artefacts, is the star of the afternoon. The viewing area, with stunning views of Eilean Mor, will be a magnificent backdrop for Jennifer Port’s clarsach music. Jennifer holds a National Mod Gold for clarsach playing, and achieved international fame when she played at Madonna’s wedding to Guy Ritchie.

It’s a unique opportunity to visit Eilean Mor, and to hear from Dr David Caldwell of the National Museums of Scotland what the archaeological finds tell about the lifestyle of the Lords of the Isles. You can discuss with Dr Fiona Watson the key role of the Lordship in the making of Scotland. Both David and Fiona took part in the BBC Scotland programme ‘Scotland’s History’. And as many people are curious about where the Vikings fit into Islay history, Dr Alan MacNiven will interpret what the place names they left here tell us.

All that, and James Carmichael’s pipe music in the most atmospheric setting, and the precision and grace of Ella Edgar’s Highland dancers.  All the afternoon’s entertainment is free, thanks to a grant from Awards for All; you only pay for the tea and the burgers.

The Lords of the Isles were renowned for bringing people from all over their Highlands and Islands territory to Islay, and for the celidh programme the Finlaggan Trust Committee has brought singers and musicians from many parts to join our local artistes. James Graham from Lochinver, Mod Gold medallist and first Gaelic singer to win the Traditional Young Musician of the Year award, Kirsteen Macdonald, from Inverness, Mod Gold Medallist and BBC Alba weather presenter, Jennifer Port from Golspie,  and Lynsey Macritchie and Judy Morrison from Lewis; both, like Jennifer, holders of the National Mod Gold Medal for clarsach.

The Awards for All grant has kept the price of the evening ceilidh ticket to just £5, and Ardbeg Distillery, makers of Lords of the Isles whisky, and also the Vintage Malt Company, producers of Finlaggan malt, have sponsored the welcoming drink. For music lovers and lovers of all things Islay it’s unmissable - buy your tickets now, see advert in this issue for details.

 

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