ENA MACDONALD’S NEW BOOK LAUNCHES AT THE NU TRACTOR RALLY
Am Pàipear’s much loved and widely read columnist Ena MacDonald was in Hosta on Saturday
1st June to officially launch her new book Born to Croft, a collection of her monthly columns in
Am Pàipear spanning two decades.
The event was hosted by the North Uist Tractor Rally, and was opened by NU Agricultural
Committee Chair Joan Ferguson, who warmly welcomed Ena:
“Launching Ena’s book here today is especially poignant as the Tractor Rally, as it runs today,
started in 2016 in support of A Million Miles for Ellie, in memory of Ena’s grand daughter Eleanor.”
Joan described Ena as “a crofting icon and an amazing stalwart for ladies in crofting.”
Born to Croft, the book itself, was introduced by publisher and editor Lynn Michell who founded
and still runs the UK’s only independent women’s publishing company, Linen Press.
Patrick Krause, past CEO of the Scottish Crofting Federation, was on hand to praise Ena’s time as
the Chair of the Scottish Crofting Federation. He described Ena as a passionate campaigner for
the crofting cause, saying: “Her good looks and gentle demeanour might fool some, but Ena is
ferocious – and in the best way possible. She has fought for crofters with passion and tenacity,
sitting down with Ministers to tell that what’s what. She is afraid of no-one!”
Iain Stephen Morrison, past Editor of this paper, recounted the considerable contribution Ena had
made and continues to make to Am Pàipear:
“In a day and age when people are brands, when every photo has been through a filter and every
quote has been drafted by a PR person, Ena’s column stands out as an oasis of authenticity. Her
words are insightful, interesting, forthright, funny and sometimes sad; above all, they are real and
that is relatively unique in this day and age.”
“This is a real picture of who we are as a people. What life used to be like here and what life is like
now. For us as islanders, it is very important to remember who we are, what makes us special.
And that’s what Ena’s articles are for me; that’s what her book is all about.”
After the warmest of introductions, Ena treated those gathered to a reading from her new book:
“The most exciting day I have ever experienced was 7th March 1988 when I sold the first
Ardhbann pedigree bull in Oban.” Ena’s story goes on to describe the thrill of out-performing the
Reserve Champion by quite some margin, when the hammer went down on Pibroch Dubh of
Ardbhan at a mighty 2,500 guineas.
Others too, took turns at reading, with Ena’s daughter in law Michelle MacDonald recounting the
dramatic rescue of a stranded calf, and Joan MacDonald reading Ena’s account of ‘Alexander
and the black puddings’.
When she wasn’t reading from her work, she was signing books for the eager fans lined up to
have their copies personalised.
Ena’s wonderful Born to Croft will be loved by readers today and highly valued by historians for
many years to come. The book is published by Linen Press and is available in most island stores.
