A month of ceilidhs, collies, competitions…and quite probably cakes
It’s been a difficult few years for Uist. Covid changed the way we think about the simple act of getting together. The summer fun we have all been used to suddenly seemed to hold more risk than reward, and one by one, event after event was cancelled.
Things dropped are not so easy to pick up and the hard working volunteer committees charged with the difficult job of pulling together the right people, in the right place at the right time should be commended for their enthusiasm and their effort – herding cats doesn’t even cover it! These are busy people with busy lives and finding the heart and the head space to put these events together for us would not have been easy.
So let’s agree on a collective hand clap for everyone who makes July happen!
Ceòlas Summer School 3 – 8th July, various locations
The Ceòlas summer school is back on the calendar celebrating, promoting and nurturing traditional music, language, culture and heritage. Musicians from across the world will be performing at various events, sharing their own traditions and skills. This year’s event starts on Sunday with a Gaelic mass at St Peter’s Church in Daliburgh and concludes with the now famous Cèilidh Mòr on Friday 8th at South End Community Hall. The Ceòlas team will be making full use of the fantastic new facilities at Cnoc Soilleir.
Sheepdog trials Monday 11th July – all day, Borve Machair, Berneray
The well established Hebridean Circuit Sheep Dog Trials makes a welcome return to Berneray this month, with more than 40 dogs competing for the The Lord of The Isles ribbon. The six event Challenge starts on Saturday 9th July in Waternish, Skye, before heading over to Berneray on the Monday, and then on to Harris and Lewis, before concluding back in Skye, at Staffin, on Friday 15th. Competitors come from across the country, and as far afield as Sweden and the USA, and the standard of competition is known to be very high. Spectators are very welcome to come along and watch these wonderful dogs (and their owners) put through their paces.
North Uist Highland Games Friday 15th July, Balelone Farm
A busy day is planned at Balelone Farm for the North Uist Highland Games. The piping competitions commence at 10.30am, with marches, jigs and reels. The athletics competition follows on from 11am with hill, track and field events, for juniors and adults. Uist Pipe Band will be entertaining the crowds and a traditional tug of war will conclude the day – all washed down by the usual offering of refreshments. The highland dancing will not be going ahead this year.
Ceòlas Symposium – Thar Chuan (Over the Water) Sunday 17th – Tuesday 19th July
The Ceòlas symposium is back at Iochdair Hall with a three day event focussed on the 300th anniversary of Flora MacDonald’s birth. Thar Chuan draws together the local community’s knowledge of the Jacobite period and will begin on the Sunday with a short service at the statue of Our Lady of the Isles at Rueval and conclude with a ceilidh dance at Iochdar Hall on the Tuesday. Events include a keynote speech by Professor Hugh Cheape, a discussion about the challenges of crossing the Minch in the 18th century with local mariners, a talk from Cailean MacLean, who will discuss his father’s book A MacDonald for the Prince and a walk around the Howbeg Machair with Tommy MacDonald.
South Uist Highland Games Wednesday 20 July, Askernish Machair
The South Uist Games will be back on Askernish machair with highland dancing, piping and athletics events, as well as crafts and refreshments. Stalls include: South Uist Ice Creams, Hebridean Charcuterie, Sweet Boutique and many more. The committee was still confirming the details as Am Pàipear went to print, but were confident that visitors would have a full itinerary of entertainments. Games run between 10am and 4pm.
North Uist Agricultural Show Thursday 21st July, Hosta
The district’s brightest and best will be competing for a wide range of titles and trophies, with categories covering junior stock, sheep, cattle, horses, garden produce, baking, dairy and handicrafts. The ever popular dog show is back on again this year too. This year’s prizes will include a new Bella MacLean Memorial Trophy, donated by Neil John MacLean and family, Grimsay. The trophy is to be awarded to the winner of the best dropped scones (pancakes) in honour of Bella, who was a fantastic baker and a keen supporter of the show. Sadly, there will be no poultry entries this year because of Avian Flu. Judging commences at 11am.
Eilean Dorcha Festival Thursday 21st July to Saturday 23rd July, Liniclate Machair
EDF is back with a bang this summer, with three days of fantastic entertainment lined up and from 27 different acts. The festivities begin on Thursday with a DJ night headlined by the popular Clyde One DJ George Bowie. Friday sees the return of the full festival experience with the KidZone, Silent Disco, Let’s Circus and various workshops to keep you amused between the bands. Friday is Tribute Night with a mix of genres and sounds, including Johnny Cash Tribute act Jericho Hill and Coldplace, the Coldplay tribute band.Friday’s fun concludes with local favourites Beinn Lee, a six-piece band from Uist. EDF finishes up on Saturday with a ceilidh featuring Trail West, Skerryvore, Mànran, Ross Miller, Tumbling Souls and Burn the Maps.
Berneray Week Monday 25th July – Monday 1st August
The local Community Association has put together a busy schedule of fun events for this year’s Berneray Week, back after two years of Covid cancellations. The event opens and closes with a ceilidh dance, with table top sales, a ‘daft games night’, boat trips, a beach BBQ and a 10k run making for a packed week in between. All proceeds will go towards the Berneray Hall roof fund, which has already raised £66,000.
