back to the top

 

Colum Cille Programme COURSES Tues 17th June - Fri 20th June and Tues 2nd September - Fri 5th September; Cànan is Cultar, Lews Castle College summer school on the Celtic church in the Western Isles. This will take the form of morning lectures and afternoon visits. Depending on the composition of the class, it is anticipated that the course will be taught bilingually through English and Gaelic. Course fee £75. Further information from Annie Macsween Tel 01851 703311 Tuesday - Early Beginnings. Spreading forth through Scotland and Europe. Visit to Colum Cille exhibition, Museum nan Eilean. Wednesday - The structure of the Celtic Church. The Arts - poetry, manuscripts. Visit to the Saints of the Western Ilses exhibition, Museum nan Eilean. Thursday - The Celtic Church in the Western Isles. The Saints - St Columba, St Brendan, Ronan, Maolrubha and Molua. Visit to Celtic Church exhibition at Commun Eachdraidh Nis and some local sites in Ness relating to the early church. Friday - The Viking influence on the Celtic Church.

back to the top

 

Colum Cille Programme EXHIBITIONS Mon 12th May - Sat 6th December; Exhibition; The Saints of the Western Isles. Museum nan Eilean, Francis St, Stornoway. Admission free. Mon 9th June; Formal opening of the exhibition, Colum Cille and the Saints of the Western Isles, at Museum nan Eilean, Stornoway by Mrs Mary Robinson, President of Ireland Feast of Columba. Masses & Ceilidh, Uist Tues 10th June; Opening of the main exhibition on Colum Cille and the Saints of the Western Isles. Museum nan Eilean, Francis Street, Stornoway. Admission free. Sat 12th July - Wed 27th August; Museum nan Eilean, Lionacleit, Benbecula: In Search of the Saints. Admission Free Thurs 11th - Sat 13th September; Feill Eachdraidh (Western Isles Heritage Fair), Town Hall, Stornoway. Admission free.

back to the top

 

Colum Cille Programme EXPEDITIONS Sat 31st May; A rare chance to visit ten sites in North Uist and Benbecula of Early Christian importance, or of significance to the later Celtic Church, in the company of local historians and archaeologists. These range from enigmatic cross-incised slab at Clach an t-Sagairt, and the 8th century stone crosses at Houghary, to the remains of Teampull na Trionaid, Carinish, which became an important seat of learning in the later middle ages. Organised by the Lewis and Harris Archaeology Group. Departs from Stornoway (Lewis) 7.00 a.m., Leverburgh (Harris) 8.35 a.m., or Otternish (North Uist) 9.45 a.m.. Contact Susan Hothersall (Tel 01851 704816) for details. VISITING OFFSHORE ISLANDS Some of the best preserved early Christian remains are found on offshore islands. A variety of local boat operators offer trips to these.

back to the top

 

Colum Cille Programme LECTURES Tue 3rd June; Relics and Reliquaries; The Cult of St Columba and the triumph of the Cult of St Andrew. Talk by Dr Michael Spearman, National Museum of Scotland. Castlebay School/Library Barra - 7.30pm Wed 4th June; Relics and Reliquaries; The Cult of St Columba and the triumph of the Cult of St Andrew. Talk by Dr Michael Spearman, National Museum of Scotland. Sgoil Lionacleit Theatre, Benbecula - 7.30pm. Admission free. Art in the service of the early church; from metalwork to manuscript: Lecture by Susan Youngs of the British Museum and Michelle Brown of the British Library Council Chamber, Stornoway, 8.00pm. Admission free. Thurs 5th June; Relics and Reliquaries; The Cult of St Columba and the triumph of the Cult of St Andrew. Talk by Dr Michael Spearman, National Museum of Scotland. Council Chamber, Stornoway - 8.00pm Art in the service of the early church; from metalwork to manuscript: Lecture by Susan Youngs of the British Museum and Michelle Brown of the British Library Sgoil Lionacleit Theatre, Benbecula - 7.30pm. Admission free. Wed 16th July; The Vikings and Early Christianity in the Southern Isles. Talk by Dr Michael Parker-Pearson. Sgoil Lionacleit, Benbecula 8.00pm. Admission £1.50

back to the top

 

Colum Cille Programme PERFORMANCES Tue 1st July; Celtic Voyages, Scottish Early Music Consort. Town Hall, Stornoway Mon 7th July; Celtic Voyages, Scottish Early Music Consort. Sgoil Lionacleit, Benbecula

back to the top

 

Colum Cille Programme WALKS Sat 30 Aug; Guided walk across the Point peninsula, Lewis. Start at the medieval church of St Columba's, burial place of the Macleod chiefs of Lewis, said to be the site of an early Christian cell dedicatedto St. Catan. Walk past the award-winning memorial to the local land raiders, past the early 19th century parliamentary manse designed by William Telford, across the moor to end at the clifftop retreat 'Teampall an t-Sagairt'. Meet at St Columba's church, 2.00pm. Tel Susan Hothersall, 01851 704816 for details.