LEWIS writer Donald S Murray’s new work, Weaving Songs , was many years in the making, though most of the poems were written in a matter of weeks. THE book is a collection of poems and short stories inspired by his childhood growing up in Ness, and is a tribute to his late father, Angus Murray, who was a […]

KATIE LAING looks back on memories of the first Stornoway Mod, and tells the story of a new choir using internet technology to overcome geographical separation ahead of this year’s event. FINAL preparations for this year’s Royal National Mod were bringing back memories for those involved in staging the first one in Stornoway in 1979 – none […]

LUSKENTYRE, Seilebost, Horgabost and Huisnis – all names of beaches for which one particular corner of the Western Isles is justly famous. BUT while the west coast of Harris is certainly not short of a beautiful beach or two, it has arguably been somewhat lacking on facilities for the visitor in need of a cuppa. Until now, […]

KATIE LAING reports on the aims and aspirations of the Scottish Government’s latest focus event, The Year of Scotland’s Islands IT’S to be a celebration of all that’s special about our culture, people and places – and with the flagship events now decided, the Year of Scotland’s Islands is hotting up. Scotland’s Islands is a programme of […]

IT’S all go these days for Lewis singer Alyth McCormack, who now lives in Dublin and has been busy touring and recording – so her gig at An Lanntair is a welcome opportunity to touch down on home soil and catch up with family and friends. IT was also, as she admitted beforehand, “terrifying”. For Alyth, there […]

KATIE LAING reports on the latest phase of development for the Stornoway-based publisher. PUBLISHING company Acair are gearing up for a busy period of new releases and projects – but with former manager Agnes Rennie back in the driving seat after 20 years, they are in safe and familiar hands. Agnes, who hails from Galson, Ness, and […]