EXPLORING THE LINKS BETWEEN SKYE AND THE OUTER HEBRIDES
On a good day, the mountains of Skye and the long chain of the Western Isles
are clearly visible from each other, and their history has been interwoven over
the centuries through a common Norse and Gaelic cultural heritage, land
ownership links, the movement of people in both directions, and more recent
economic and social pressures. This important 2-day conference, the first
event ever organised by The Islands Book Trust in Skye, aims to consider
the
many links, similarities and differences between the Outer Hebrides and Skye,
the largest of the Inner Hebrides.
We have attracted a first-class array of excellent speakers from both sides of the Minch, and from the mainland, for what should be an instructive and enjoyable event, set in the magnificent surroundings of Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, the National Centre for Gaelic Language and Culture. The conference language will however be English.
The sessions will cover a wide variety of subjects, from presentations about the MacLeods on both sides of the Minch, poets such as Mairi nighean Alasdair Ruaidh, migration links, trends in Gaelic, to sporting links. We will also hear about photographic links, and the experiences of people who have lived in both areas. Like all Book Trust events, we aim to bring together people from different backgrounds, whether academic or from local communities, to share their perspectives and learn from each other. We plan to publish the conference proceedings, and hope that this may be the first of several Book Trust events looking at the comparative history of the two island groups. Further information about the activities of the Book Trust, and membership, can be found on www.theislandsbooktrust.com
The programme has been arranged to fit in with the ferry timetable, and accommodation can be arranged at Sabhal Mòr. For further information, and bookings, please contact Alayne Barton on 01851 820946, email alayne@theislandsbooktrust.com
PROGRAMME
Friday 4 May |
|
| 6.45pm |
Registration |
| 7.15pm |
Dinner |
| 8.30pm |
CAILEAN MACLEAN (Skye): Photography and Crossing the Minch |
Saturday 5 May |
|
| 9.30am | DOMHNALL UILLEAM STIUBHART (Edinburgh University): Two Mainlands and a Minch between them – Possibilities of a Trans-Minch History |
| 10.15am |
AONGHAS MacCOINNICH (Glasgow University): Crossing the Minch – Sìol Torcail and their Holdings in the Sixteenth Century |
| 11.00am |
Coffee |
| 11.30am |
ANNE FRATER (Lewis): Mairi nighean Alasdair Ruaidh |
| 12.15pm |
IAIN Mac An TAILLEIR (Sabhal Mòr Ostaig): The Position of Gaelic on both sides of the Minch |
| 1.00pm |
Lunch |
| 2.00pm |
ROGER HUTCHINSON (Raasay): Sporting Links |
| 2.45pm |
BILL LAWSON (Harris): Migration Links between Skye and the Outer Hebrides |
| 3.30pm |
General Discussion and Conclusions |
| 4.00pm | Tea and Close of Conference |