THE FINAL months of last year marked a huge change on Northings, and we would like to thank all of you who have signed up as members so far, and are starting to use the social networking facilities of the site as well as read the journal.

HOWEVER, we are only really starting to tap into the potential of what is on offer, and we need lots more of you to sign up and get involved in commenting, exchanging ideas, setting up or joining groups, and communicating with others with a passion for the arts across the Highlands & Islands, and well beyond.

Signing up and participating is completely free, and carries no obligations, but it does open doors to many aspects of the site denied to the casual visitor, and gives you the chance to get involved and make contacts.

We added a Frequently Asked Questions feature late last year, which you can access by clicking the even newer FAQS button under the Northings banner. It should answer any queries you have on the hows and whys of joining up. Oh, and if you are signing up, we’d really appreciate it if you added an image while you are about it (either yourself or a chosen avatar).

And if you have already signed up and didn’t add an image, it’s not too late to do so – just click on My Account and go to the “Change My Avatar” link. That way, we won’t get all those repetitive Northings images in the randomly selected Northings Members box on the front page.

Tin Shed at Haroldswick on Unst, Shetland, illuminated for the Mirrie Dancers project

As usual, we will be aiming to cover as wide a range of events as possible across the Highlands & Islands in the coming year, but you can expect there to be a notable focus on the latter half of that formula. Tele-watchers may have been struck recently by a sudden surge in programmes about the islands (The Hebridean Trail, Harris – Hebridean Heartland, An Island Parish), and that focus is likely to intensify on a number of fronts as the year advances.

It is, of course, the year of Scotland’s Islands, and funding from the project has already stimulated a number of new events, including a Literature festival on Orkney and an Eco Film festival in Uist. Applications are still open for the second round of funding, but closing date is 14 February – see the Scotland’s Islands website for details.

It’s easy to be cynical about these initiatives, but in a period when funding of any kind is going to be increasingly difficult to find, this does present an opportunity that is worth grabbing.

Kenny Mathieson

Editor

© Kenny Mathieson, 2011