‘A bumper programme of talks, walks, and visits to and about the history and culture of an increasing range of Scottish islands’ is how the Islands Book Trust describe their list of events for 2012, announced today. Details are on the website www.theislandsbooktrust.com and members of the Book Trust will receive more information about all events and forthcoming publications in their next newsletter early in the New Year.

Highlights include:

• A major 4-day conference at Balallan, Lewis, next September on ‘Recovering from the Clearances – Land Struggle, Re-settlement, and Community Land Ownership in the Hebrides’ to mark the 125^th anniversary of the Pairc Deer Raid
• A 2-day event in Barra to mark the centenary of the abandonment of Mingulay, including a boat trip to the island
• Evening talks by Sally Magnusson and Hugh Dan Maclennan
• A boat trip to the island of Stroma in Caithness, about which the Book Trust published a best-selling book in 2011
• Two guided walks (with commentary in Gaelic and English) to historic locations in Skye
• A special 1-day event to mark the 150^th anniversary of the Butt of Lewis lighthouse
• Other boat trips to Soay (Skye), Scarp (Harris), Wiay and Ronay (Uist), and historic islands in Loch Roag and deserted settlements in  Pairc (Lewis)
• Talks about Martin Martin in Mull, Islay, and Gigha, the first time the Book Trust have visited these islands

John Randall, chairman of the Book Trust, said: “2012 is the 10^th anniversary of the Book Trust, and I hope everyone – local people and visitors – will find something of interest. The events are open to all, although Book Trust members receive discounts for most events and new publications. Please come along, and indeed consider joining the Book Trust to take advantage of the increased range of benefits.”

For the complete programme of 2012 events, please see the attached list. For more details of other activities of the Book Trust, and membership, see www.theislandsbooktrust.com or phone Alayne Barton on 01851 820946 or John Randall on 01851 880365.

Source: Islands Book Trust