The project to redevelop the Highlanders’ Museum has received a major boost by an award of £200,000 by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).

A postgraduate degree in the history of the Highlands and Islands, with themes including the clearances, the lordship of the isles, and the Scots abroad, is due to start next year at UHI.

RUTH MACDOUGALL looks back on the Defending The Past project in Cape Wrath

Stromness Museum, Stromness, Orkney, all summer 2010

Eden Court Theatre, Inverness, 22-24 October 2009

HIGHLAND HOMECOMING hosts a major conference dedicated to assessing Scotland’s impact in the wider world.

MARK MORPURGO argues that the recent leaking of plans to have the next Homecoming Year as 2014 raises some interesting historical, modern political, and practical issues ahead of the Highland Homecoming event in October

Stromness Museum, Stromness, Orkney, until September 2009

ALISTAIR MURRAY and CAMERON TAYLOR have written a book about King Macbeth – a journey back in time to 11th century Scotland which tells the story of the real man rather than the fictionalised character portrayed by William Shakespeare. They speak with Jim McAuslan.

IAN STEPHEN found more than he bargained for – and food for thought in a Highlands & Islands context – in the maritime museum in Douarnenez in Brittany