A Beacon in the Isles

MEG RODGER looks back on a busy summer of events in the Western Isles, and ahead to plans for more development of the local arts infrastructure.

IN THE WESTERN ISLES we are blessed more than other areas with a range of active and successful arts organizations throughout the islands, most of which rely predominantly on committed and faithful volunteers.

Having just returned from nine months maternity leave, I really can take very little credit for the events that have been taking place over the past few months. In particular, there were a few celebrations, which added an extra buzz to the summer activities.

Fèis Bharraigh held their annual Fèis in July, with the usual mix of day time classes and evening events, offering a unique celebration of the Gaelic arts for local and visiting young people (and not so young!) alike.

However, this year was extra special, as this was the 25th staging of the event which proved to be the birth place of the Fèis movement, which today extends to over 40 communities across Scotland. In recent years, Fèis Bharraigh has been held over the course of a week. However, the

Original fortnight-long format was re-instated for this year as part of the celebrations. The committee also organised a number of celebratory events, including a reunion night, which saw Fèis organisers, participants, tutors and supporters from across the years gathering in Castlebay Hall for a special night of memories, food and music.

The final three nights were marked by a series of concerts in a specially erected 400 seat marquee on Tangusdale Machair, commencing with the end of Fèis concert. Barra’s very own Cathy Ann MacPhee and friends performed at a sell out concert two days later, and a special “Ceòl nam Fèis” concert drew 70 Fèis participants from across the Western Isles and the mainland to join with their Barra colleagues in celebrating this important landmark in the recent history of the Gaelic arts in the Western Isles and beyond.

This year was also saw the 10th anniversary of the Hebridean Celtic Festival, the biggest International event of its kind now in the north. HebFest 2005 certainly celebrated the occasion in style, with sell-out concerts featuring megastar Van Morrison and major Scottish acts Runrig and Shooglenifty.

Bands and artists from as far afield as Australia, Galicia and Ireland were also featured, as well as the best home-grown talent. Audience attendances reached over 17,000 for the four days of this anniversary event, and Stornoway and surroundings were bustling both with energy and excitement. The festival is now well established as a major International event for Scotland and creates a significant boost to tourism throughout the Outer Hebrides.

Of course the most significant development for the arts in the Outer Hebrides this year was the opening of the new An Lanntair Arts Centre in Stornoway. Some 300 people attended the opening night, and the following day over 5,000 people crammed through the door.

That’s the quantity. In terms of quality the programming is top of the range. The first exhibition, The Sail Loft, has work by international and island artists, and features a spectacular installation of suspended wallpaper, reminiscent of the Venice Biennale.

The Traverse Theatre performed the world premiere of “I Was a Beautiful Day” by acclaimed Lewis writer Iain Finlay Macleod. The critics even came to Stornoway for it – and how often do you hear that? Then the 2005 Royal National Mod put Stornoway under tartan occupation and tested the new venue to its limits. 

The Mod was described by many who attended as one of the best of all time, and closed with a fitting finale, the massed choirs event prior to the departure of Mod-goers by ferry and plane.

There was much praise from competitors and spectators alike for the warm and hospitable welcome received in the islands, the high standard of the competitions, the excellent venues and the superb way in which the Mod had been organised.

To add to the investment put in by the local Mod committee to enhance the appearance of Stornoway, the weather experienced during the Mod week was better than in the summer. CalMac’s public affairs manager revealed that according to the passenger numbers, more people had attended the 2005 Mod than had done the last time it was held in the islands in 2001.

Many prizes were won by island competitors at the Mod, but the star of the event was 22 year old Kenneth Nicholson from Lochs in Lewis, who won the unique double of the Gold Medal and the Traditional Medal for Gaelic singing.

As usual, the event had an international dimension with visitors from Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and America. All in all, the 2005 event in the Western Isles was a memorable Mod and people are already eagerly looking forward to crossing the Minch for the next one.

At night, the Magic Lantern light installation beamed out animations by schoolchildren from the “beacon” on the corner.
 
The next exhibition at An Lanntair is Sharmanka, a Russian extravaganza of theatre, kinetic sculpture and triple-eccentric rated mechanics. Dougie MacLean is due on 25 November, Fergie Macdonald is in conversation on St Andrew’s Day, and cinema cranks into action on the 1 December with a special showing of ‘The Rocket Post’. Filmed on Taransay in 2002, it was never released in the UK. Discussions are also taking place with the National Theatre of Scotland on their inaugural production.

An Lanntair’s vision is to be a beacon for the arts in the Western Isles. The geographical constituency is the North West Highlands, but the cultural constituency, particularly through Gaelic, is national and international. It’s a venue, forum, promoter, producer, enabler, agency and advocate for the arts in the area. It will be a creative hub: a centre of gravity for the arts in the region. It’s been a long time coming but it has been worth the wait.

Meanwhile, Taigh Chearsabhagh Museum and Arts Centre has plans under way for yet another new extension. For the arts, the proposal will provide a three-fold increase in studio space and the creation of a dedicated multi-media production facility. For the museum, the proposed extension would house the collection belonging to Comann Eachdraidh Uibhist a Tuath (North Uist Historical Society), enabling it to be at the heart of an exciting new purpose-built museum education facility. The entrance and shop area will also be enlarged to improve visitor facilities. Funding is currently being sought and it is intended to complete the project by October 2007.

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (Council) are currently developing a Culture Strategy for the Outer Hebrides. The document has five themes: Language; Access & Wellbeing; Creativity; Economic Development and Regeneration; and Heritage. A draft will be available for public consultation in the New Year. The document will engage with all sectors and will define the way in which the Comhairle and partners will support and develop the cultural sector into the future.

The Arts Development Officer post is now a job share between Meg Rodger, Arts Development Officer based at the Council Offices, Balivanich (T: 01870 602 425), and Elsie Mitchell, Arts Education Officer, An Lanntair Arts Centre, Stornoway (T: 01851 703 307). Please contact us if you have any queries or are seeking information in relation to the arts in the Outer Hebrides.

© Meg Rodger, 2005