Christmas is coming to Scotland's Islands
All the islands are hosting activities right through to the New Year (and beyond) – and we’re not just talking pantos. We have night bike rides, internationally renowned musicians, food and dance, history and shooting, art and, of course, the Ba’. We’ve picked out a handful in today’s newsletter, but take a look on our website. Scattered across the month there’s also all kinds of specially festive occasions such as the Christmas Fair at Mount Stuart on Bute, the Victorian Christmas at Arran’s Brodick Castle and Bookbug sessions all over the western and northern isles.
It’s early days, but if we don’t get the chance to say so nearer the time – have a wonderful Christmas!
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18 Nov – 23 Dec 2011, Shetland
This is a Christmas Exhibition of Arts and Crafts selected from Shetland & the UK, held in the most northerly purpose-built visual and applied art gallery in the UK. Opened in 1994, Bonhoga Gallery is a delightful conversion of the nineteenth century meal and barley Weisdale Mill.
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1, 8, 15, 29 Dec 2011, Arran
Mountain Bike runs are off-road as much as possible, using forest tracks and single-track. Anyone is welcome to join, young or old, fit or not so fit - nobody gets left behind!
This is a whole other way to see and sense the island landscape. Rides finish at around 8.30 or 9.00 pm. Just visiting? Hire your bikes locally...
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2 Dec 2011, Lewis
Scotland's finest singer-songwriter, internationally renowned for his song 'Caledonia', music for 'The Last of the Mohicans', and inspired performances. Dougie MacLean has an international reputation as songwriter, composer and extraordinary performer and this festive season brings his talent to Stornoway.
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7 – 10 Dec 2011, Lewis
Princess Aurora, beloved daughter of King Cedric and his Queen, happy, beautiful…….and terribly cursed by the Evil Carabosse. An entire Kingdom asleep, relying on the courage and resourcefulness of Dame Ammonia Goodbody, Tickles the Jester, Shout and Bawl our “cheaper than trumpets” Heralds. Together they travel 100 years into the future to meet up with the devastatingly handsome Prince Valiant, and lead him to the sleeping Princess for him to break the curse with “Love’s First Kiss”, so they can all live “Happily Ever After”....
Stornoway Thespians are yet again adding their take to one of the classic fairytales in this year's pantomime - lots of singing and giggles are promised!
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8 Dec 2011, Skye
Meena Arts presents a magical evening of Indian Dance together with Indian inspired food. This is an event to savour, combining the sights and sounds of authentic Indian dance and the fabulous aroma of delicious Indian food in the restaurant at Skye’s Aros centre - guaranteed to pleasantly warm the heart on a dark winter night.
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11 Dec 2011, Orkney
J.S. Bach’s Christmas Oratorio ranks among his finest large-scale choral works. Towering above the Kirkwall landscape, St. Magnus Cathedral, with its distinctive sandstone hues, is one of Orkney's most significant landmarks. What a setting for such a work, performed by Orkney’s long-standing and celebrated Festival Chorus and Camarata.
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25 Dec 2011 and 1 Jan 2012, Orkney
Every Christmas and New Year's Day the "Ba'" is contested in the streets of Kirkwall. The game has been played in its present form since about 1850, though it’s a much older tradition. The two sides are the Uppies and the Doonies, those from one side of town or the other. A much prized locally made leather Ba’ (ball) is thrown up outside St. Magnus Cathedral with up to 200 players eagerly waiting to take it on. The game ranges through the town and can run for hours until the winner is declared. Strangely, there are no records of how long the celebrations last.
Spectators are welcome, but be careful!
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26 Dec 2011, Harris
One of Scotland’s oldest clay target shooting clubs, dating back to 1900, Harris Gun Club will be open for both members and non-members on Boxing Day. A Table Prize shoot, participants bring a small prize for the “table”, (e.g. a bottle of wine, box of chocolates, toiletry gift set etc). All equipment will be provided on the day.
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