FIONA MACKENZIE decides family ties work their own magic in music, but wonders if they might include both sexes next time.

SUE WILSON glimpses some potential future Gaelic performers alongside more familiar names.

JENNIE MACFIE checks out the Blas Festival’s first Piping Gala.

JENNIE MACFIE celebrates the local product as well as the music inspired by it.

GEORGE MACKAY hears the premiere of Blair Douglas’s new Gaelic Mass.

Various venues, Shetland, 29-10 August 2009

An Lanntair, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, and other venues, 24-29 August 2009

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

JENNIE MACFIE assesses Rona Murno’s new take on Janet Horne, the last woman burnt as a witch in Scotland.

Lews Castle Green, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, 22 August 2009