JOHN BURNS discovers how dress designer and maker SANDRA MURRAY is giving the Highlands a voice in the world of high fashion

Stables Gallery, Cromarty, until 22 October 2005

Hootananny, Inverness, 29 September 2005

Castle Gallery, Inverness, until 22 October 2005

GEORGINA COBURN reflects on the cultural energy and grassroots decision-making of Western Canada as a model for development in the Highlands and Islands in 2007 and beyond

HELEN SEMPLE and ALI MACDONALD report on their combined efforts in Lochaber.

GEORGE GUNN is a Caithness man born and bred, and the county is never far from the heart of his writing, whether in his poetry or in his theatre work. He began writing as a child, completed his first play for the Traverse Theatre in Edinburgh, and launched Grey Coast Theatre Company in Thurso in 1992

Ullapool, 23-24 September 2005

GILES SUTHERLAND looks back at proceedings at the Northlands Creative Glass 2005 Conference

STEVE ROBERTSON sets the scene for Hayseed Dixie’s Loopallu festival