Gold Medal for Catriona.

Royal National Mod Gold Medal, Hebrides News

The highly coveted Mod gold medals have been won by two islanders after a series of nerve wrecking competitions over two days.

Catriona Watt of Stornoway gained the highest points and won the ladies Gold Medal in today’s event.

The 26-year-old student at Strathclyde University says it was a tough contest and she still can’t believe she won.

Hebridean musicians entertain in the Balkans.

slovenia
slovenia

Hebridean musicians entertain in the Balkans

Our photo shows (left to right) Dolan and Catriona, along with British Ambassador to Slovenia, Tim Simmons and the Irish Ambassador to Slovenia, Croatia, and Bosnia, Patrick McCabe, and the two other members of the band, Iain Macleod and Iain Macinnes.

Published Date: 23 February 2007

FOUR Hebridean musicians have just returned from the Balkans where they entertained at many functions during their week-long visit.

The musicians were Catriona Watt of Stornoway (fiddle and whistle), who recently won BBC Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year; Dolan Morrison, well know Stornoway fiddler and joint organiser of the world famous Taransay Fiddle Camp; Iain Macinnes of Coll, Back (accordion, guitar and piano) who is a fourth-year student at Aberdeen University; and well-known Uist piper Iain Macleod of Lochmaddy (pipes and whistle).

As well as performing at various functions in the Balkans, the party also entertained the handicapped children in the Christine Willcutt centre in Sarajevo, Bosnia-Hercegovina.

Dolan tells the story of the group’s eventful week in the Balkans:

“We arrive on the Saturday at Ljubljana airport in Slovenia after a two-hour flight from Stanstead Airport. Ljubljana has a beautiful blend of architectural styles with clean, wide streets. We are treated to the local fare which is all home grown and extremely tasty. We head to the mountains where there is a shortage of snow this year and play some ceilidh music for the locals.

The scenery is just spectacular and we dine on local Strudle and hot wine to keep warm. Iain Macleod plays his bagpipes and the tourists flock around him.

Monday

On Monday, we visit the Postojnska jama caves, the most visited caves in Europe. This is a two-hour journey underground on a train and we admire the size and splendour of the different rooms underground.

In the largest cave, Catriona sang a Gaelic song to an international audience where the sound was reverberating around the cave.

On then to Predjama Castle, perched halfway up a 123-metre cliff. This castle is 700 years old and was the home of the rebellious knight, Erazem Predjamski. We travel to the Adriatic coast to a town Piran on the Italian border. Piran is a historic-walled town on the Istrian coast of Slovenia. We dine on the most tasty sea bass and various other succulent fish.

The group then play music to the locals before heading back to Ljubjiana. A long day…..

Tuesday

We have breakfast from our hosts, starting with Rakija, a traditional spirit in Croatia. It can be distilled from plums or pears, among other fruits.

Slivovica, distilled from plums, is the most popular and is valued even outside Croatia. It is a strong spirit with 40% abv or higher. Rakija is the only spirit produced at home in hand-made distilleries. It certainly wakes you up! This is followed by local porridge, Kasa which is very tasty.

In the evening, we play our first official event for the British Embassy. Eighty guests from the Embassy and also international Embassies attend and the event is a huge success. A gift is presented to the British Ambassador, Tim Simmons on behalf of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar. We also meet and have a wonderful conversation with the Irish Ambassador, Patrick McCabe.

Wednesday

We leave Slovenia and head for Split in Croatia.This is a 450km drive and it begins to rain heavily, but thankfully there is a new toll highway built by the Americans from Zagreb to Split, and the roads are very quiet. The scenery is just incredible and there are many tunnels through the mountains. We arrive in Split which is a busy port with an international airport and regular ferry services with the nearby islands, the north and south Adriatic, Italy and Greece.

We pass the Hajduk Split football stadium which is very unusual in appearance. We appear and perform on Croatian television in our kilts which we enjoy. Then it’s on to perform at the Luxor hotel to entertain the Ambassador and crew of a visiting Royal Navy frigate.

Thursday

We depart Split and start the long eight-hour journey to Sarajevo, our ultimate destination. We head south down the Croatian coastline and witness the numerous islands off the Croatian coast. We stop for some local food which is the local lamb cooked on a spit. This is really tasty. On crossing the border in Bosnia, the world changes. The roads are not so good and the drivers are even worse. This is Volkswagen Polo country. No MOT’s – nothing.

We arrive in Mostar (named after its old bridge) for another break. On November 9, 1993, HVO troops destroyed the city’s most recognisable landmark, an Ottoman-era bridge built in 1566, which is the city’s namesake.

Today, the city is slowly recovering from divisions created by the conflict. Some of the scars of that division still remain today. There are many graveyards in the town and many buildings are still badly damaged as a result of the war. The famous bridge has been rebuilt thankfully. There is snow on the surrounding mountains and old women sell oranges by the roadside. Still we head south. Two hours from Sarajevo and the roads are deteriorating and it is raining heavily. This is a very humbling place. There are shell and bullet marks on the buildings and the destruction is very visible.

We arrive in Sarajevo late afternoon and drive down Sniper Alley past Tito’s large TV station and the Holiday Inn. The story goes that during the war there were only two rates for rooms. Cheapest facing the snipers in the mountains, more expensive facing away from the mountains.

‘Sniper Alley’ is the informal name for the main boulevard in Sarajevo which, during the Bosnian War, was lined with snipers’ posts, and became infamous as a dangerous place for civilians to traverse. The road was home to the only source of clean water in the city and connects the industrial part of the city to the Old Town’s cultural and historic sites. The boulevard itself has many high-rise buildings, giving sniper shooters extensive fields of fire.

We then rush to our next venue, which is a public event and is sold out. We enjoy the evening and meet many expats. I meet a gentleman whose mother lived next door to me in Stornoway. Small world. We are entertained by two excellent pipers from the Argylls – a Scottish night to remember. We end the evening with a massive pizza. Only £1.00. Food is very cheap. An extremely long day…

Friday

Looking out our window where we stay is the large local hospital. Unfortunately, there is nothing in the building. There is no money to equip the hospital. The noise of cars blowing their horns is extremely loud. Eleven am and we finally get to meet the children at the Christine Willcutt Centre. Christine Willcutt was killed by a sniper in the first aid convoy when the fighting ended. The centre for the children is supported by international charities, but has severe difficulties sourcing funding. The children are in red tartan kilts and do a Highland dance. We do a 45-minute set for the children who are dancing away and going crazy. We gave the children gifts and also a donation to the centre from Stornoway businesses and individuals. They were very grateful.

We make an appearance live on Bosnian television at six o’clock and Iain Macleod explains the mechanics of the bagpipes to the puzzled presenters. Catriona sings a Gaelic song. This must be the first time a Gaelic song has been sung live on Bosnian TV.

Our final event is a Burns Supper in the Bosnian Army hall, organised by the British Embassy with proceeds going to the Christine Willcutt centre. The hall is a really nice ornate building which survived the war. The supper has 200 guests of all nationalities and the speeches and toasts were entertaining. Iain Macinnes is amazed to find a beautiful Steinway grand piano on the stage. Getting tired now…

Saturday

A day off. We decide to explore. Get a taxi to the old town and are immediately accosted by young gypsy children begging. Catriona is nervous. This is not Byres Road. We visit the library building which was burnt by the Serbs in 1993. As the locals tried to save the books, they were shot from the mountains by snipers as they ran from the building.

The library is boarded up and has not been repaired. There is much evidence of the war and many graveyards by the side of the roads.The day is spent exploring the centre of Sarajevo. This city is in bad shape.

In the evening, all the men and women walk the streets dressed up in their best outfits. The streets are thronging with people just walking the street. There is no money for them to do anything else. But the people are friendly. We have Cevapi, beef sausage in pita bread. Cevapi are grilled and served in pita bread, previously dressed by gravy with chopped onion aside. Walk past the war memorial and the town hall. It represents the most beautiful and the most representative building from Austro-Hungarian period, built in pseudo-Moorish style. It’s late and we head for home.

Sunday

Time to go home.

Get up at 2.30 am for a five hour drive north to Zagreb. It is raining heavily and the road is in bad shape. No lighting, cat’s eyes, white lines and it is difficult to see where you are going. Only one headlamp working does not help. There are more potholes than road, and the suspension is taking a hammering. Five of us and all our baggage in a small car.

We are restless. At least Anja, our driver, knows where we are. Eventually at 5am we cross the border into Croatia and all of a sudden the road improves and we stop at a service station for a hearty breakfast. The sun comes up and all is well in the world.

Catriona takes over the driving. Although the road is straight and wide, there is muttering in the back of the car. We arrive Zagreb 10am and board flight for Luton.

Thanks to our hosts, Ian Macleod (ex Tong), Sarajevo, and Anja and Anja’s parents and grandparents, Ljubjanja. Thanks also to the British Embassies at Ljubjiana, Zagreb and Sarajevo.”

Hebridean musicians entertain in the Balkans
Our photo shows (left to right) Dolan and Catriona, along with British Ambassador to Slovenia, Tim Simmons and the Irish Ambassador to Slovenia, Croatia, and Bosnia, Patrick McCabe, and the two other members of the band, Iain Macleod and Iain Macinnes.
Published Date: 23 February 2007
FOUR Hebridean musicians have just returned from the Balkans where they entertained at many functions during their week-long visit.
The musicians were Catriona Watt of Stornoway (fiddle and whistle), who recently won BBC Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year; Dolan Morrison, well know Stornoway fiddler and joint organiser of the world famous Taransay Fiddle Camp; Iain Macinnes of Coll, Back (accordion, guitar and piano) who is a fourth-year student at Aberdeen University; and well-known Uist piper Iain Macleod of Lochmaddy (pipes and whistle).
As well as performing at various functions in the Balkans, the party also entertained the handicapped children in the Christine Willcutt centre in Sarajevo, Bosnia-Hercegovina.
Dolan tells the story of the group’s eventful week in the Balkans:
“We arrive on the Saturday at Ljubljana airport in Slovenia after a two-hour flight from Stanstead Airport. Ljubljana has a beautiful blend of architectural styles with clean, wide streets. We are treated to the local fare which is all home grown and extremely tasty. We head to the mountains where there is a shortage of snow this year and play some ceilidh music for the locals.
The scenery is just spectacular and we dine on local Strudle and hot wine to keep warm. Iain Macleod plays his bagpipes and the tourists flock around him.
Monday
On Monday, we visit the Postojnska jama caves, the most visited caves in Europe. This is a two-hour journey underground on a train and we admire the size and splendour of the different rooms underground.
In the largest cave, Catriona sang a Gaelic song to an international audience where the sound was reverberating around the cave.
On then to Predjama Castle, perched halfway up a 123-metre cliff. This castle is 700 years old and was the home of the rebellious knight, Erazem Predjamski. We travel to the Adriatic coast to a town Piran on the Italian border. Piran is a historic-walled town on the Istrian coast of Slovenia. We dine on the most tasty sea bass and various other succulent fish.
The group then play music to the locals before heading back to Ljubjiana. A long day…..
Tuesday
We have breakfast from our hosts, starting with Rakija, a traditional spirit in Croatia. It can be distilled from plums or pears, among other fruits.
Slivovica, distilled from plums, is the most popular and is valued even outside Croatia. It is a strong spirit with 40% abv or higher. Rakija is the only spirit produced at home in hand-made distilleries. It certainly wakes you up! This is followed by local porridge, Kasa which is very tasty.
In the evening, we play our first official event for the British Embassy. Eighty guests from the Embassy and also international Embassies attend and the event is a huge success. A gift is presented to the British Ambassador, Tim Simmons on behalf of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar. We also meet and have a wonderful conversation with the Irish Ambassador, Patrick McCabe.
Wednesday
We leave Slovenia and head for Split in Croatia.This is a 450km drive and it begins to rain heavily, but thankfully there is a new toll highway built by the Americans from Zagreb to Split, and the roads are very quiet. The scenery is just incredible and there are many tunnels through the mountains. We arrive in Split which is a busy port with an international airport and regular ferry services with the nearby islands, the north and south Adriatic, Italy and Greece.
We pass the Hajduk Split football stadium which is very unusual in appearance. We appear and perform on Croatian television in our kilts which we enjoy. Then it’s on to perform at the Luxor hotel to entertain the Ambassador and crew of a visiting Royal Navy frigate.
Thursday
We depart Split and start the long eight-hour journey to Sarajevo, our ultimate destination. We head south down the Croatian coastline and witness the numerous islands off the Croatian coast. We stop for some local food which is the local lamb cooked on a spit. This is really tasty. On crossing the border in Bosnia, the world changes. The roads are not so good and the drivers are even worse. This is Volkswagen Polo country. No MOT’s – nothing.
We arrive in Mostar (named after its old bridge) for another break. On November 9, 1993, HVO troops destroyed the city’s most recognisable landmark, an Ottoman-era bridge built in 1566, which is the city’s namesake.
Today, the city is slowly recovering from divisions created by the conflict. Some of the scars of that division still remain today. There are many graveyards in the town and many buildings are still badly damaged as a result of the war. The famous bridge has been rebuilt thankfully. There is snow on the surrounding mountains and old women sell oranges by the roadside. Still we head south. Two hours from Sarajevo and the roads are deteriorating and it is raining heavily. This is a very humbling place. There are shell and bullet marks on the buildings and the destruction is very visible.
We arrive in Sarajevo late afternoon and drive down Sniper Alley past Tito’s large TV station and the Holiday Inn. The story goes that during the war there were only two rates for rooms. Cheapest facing the snipers in the mountains, more expensive facing away from the mountains.
‘Sniper Alley’ is the informal name for the main boulevard in Sarajevo which, during the Bosnian War, was lined with snipers’ posts, and became infamous as a dangerous place for civilians to traverse. The road was home to the only source of clean water in the city and connects the industrial part of the city to the Old Town’s cultural and historic sites. The boulevard itself has many high-rise buildings, giving sniper shooters extensive fields of fire.
We then rush to our next venue, which is a public event and is sold out. We enjoy the evening and meet many expats. I meet a gentleman whose mother lived next door to me in Stornoway. Small world. We are entertained by two excellent pipers from the Argylls – a Scottish night to remember. We end the evening with a massive pizza. Only £1.00. Food is very cheap. An extremely long day…
Friday
Looking out our window where we stay is the large local hospital. Unfortunately, there is nothing in the building. There is no money to equip the hospital. The noise of cars blowing their horns is extremely loud. Eleven am and we finally get to meet the children at the Christine Willcutt Centre. Christine Willcutt was killed by a sniper in the first aid convoy when the fighting ended. The centre for the children is supported by international charities, but has severe difficulties sourcing funding. The children are in red tartan kilts and do a Highland dance. We do a 45-minute set for the children who are dancing away and going crazy. We gave the children gifts and also a donation to the centre from Stornoway businesses and individuals. They were very grateful.
We make an appearance live on Bosnian television at six o’clock and Iain Macleod explains the mechanics of the bagpipes to the puzzled presenters. Catriona sings a Gaelic song. This must be the first time a Gaelic song has been sung live on Bosnian TV.
Our final event is a Burns Supper in the Bosnian Army hall, organised by the British Embassy with proceeds going to the Christine Willcutt centre. The hall is a really nice ornate building which survived the war. The supper has 200 guests of all nationalities and the speeches and toasts were entertaining. Iain Macinnes is amazed to find a beautiful Steinway grand piano on the stage. Getting tired now…
Saturday
A day off. We decide to explore. Get a taxi to the old town and are immediately accosted by young gypsy children begging. Catriona is nervous. This is not Byres Road. We visit the library building which was burnt by the Serbs in 1993. As the locals tried to save the books, they were shot from the mountains by snipers as they ran from the building.
The library is boarded up and has not been repaired. There is much evidence of the war and many graveyards by the side of the roads.The day is spent exploring the centre of Sarajevo. This city is in bad shape.
In the evening, all the men and women walk the streets dressed up in their best outfits. The streets are thronging with people just walking the street. There is no money for them to do anything else. But the people are friendly. We have Cevapi, beef sausage in pita bread. Cevapi are grilled and served in pita bread, previously dressed by gravy with chopped onion aside. Walk past the war memorial and the town hall. It represents the most beautiful and the most representative building from Austro-Hungarian period, built in pseudo-Moorish style. It’s late and we head for home.
Sunday
Time to go home.
Get up at 2.30 am for a five hour drive north to Zagreb. It is raining heavily and the road is in bad shape. No lighting, cat’s eyes, white lines and it is difficult to see where you are going. Only one headlamp working does not help. There are more potholes than road, and the suspension is taking a hammering. Five of us and all our baggage in a small car.
We are restless. At least Anja, our driver, knows where we are. Eventually at 5am we cross the border into Croatia and all of a sudden the road improves and we stop at a service station for a hearty breakfast. The sun comes up and all is well in the world.
Catriona takes over the driving. Although the road is straight and wide, there is muttering in the back of the car. We arrive Zagreb 10am and board flight for Luton.
Thanks to our hosts, Ian Macleod (ex Tong), Sarajevo, and Anja and Anja’s parents and grandparents, Ljubjanja. Thanks also to the British Embassies at Ljubjiana, Zagreb and Sarajevo.Hebridean musicians entertain in the Balkans
Our photo shows (left to right) Dolan and Catriona, along with British Ambassador to Slovenia, Tim Simmons and the Irish Ambassador to Slovenia, Croatia, and Bosnia, Patrick McCabe, and the two other members of the band, Iain Macleod and Iain Macinnes.
Published Date: 23 February 2007
FOUR Hebridean musicians have just returned from the Balkans where they entertained at many functions during their week-long visit.
The musicians were Catriona Watt of Stornoway (fiddle and whistle), who recently won BBC Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year; Dolan Morrison, well know Stornoway fiddler and joint organiser of the world famous Taransay Fiddle Camp; Iain Macinnes of Coll, Back (accordion, guitar and piano) who is a fourth-year student at Aberdeen University; and well-known Uist piper Iain Macleod of Lochmaddy (pipes and whistle).
As well as performing at various functions in the Balkans, the party also entertained the handicapped children in the Christine Willcutt centre in Sarajevo, Bosnia-Hercegovina.
Dolan tells the story of the group’s eventful week in the Balkans:
“We arrive on the Saturday at Ljubljana airport in Slovenia after a two-hour flight from Stanstead Airport. Ljubljana has a beautiful blend of architectural styles with clean, wide streets. We are treated to the local fare which is all home grown and extremely tasty. We head to the mountains where there is a shortage of snow this year and play some ceilidh music for the locals.
The scenery is just spectacular and we dine on local Strudle and hot wine to keep warm. Iain Macleod plays his bagpipes and the tourists flock around him.
Monday
On Monday, we visit the Postojnska jama caves, the most visited caves in Europe. This is a two-hour journey underground on a train and we admire the size and splendour of the different rooms underground.
In the largest cave, Catriona sang a Gaelic song to an international audience where the sound was reverberating around the cave.
On then to Predjama Castle, perched halfway up a 123-metre cliff. This castle is 700 years old and was the home of the rebellious knight, Erazem Predjamski. We travel to the Adriatic coast to a town Piran on the Italian border. Piran is a historic-walled town on the Istrian coast of Slovenia. We dine on the most tasty sea bass and various other succulent fish.
The group then play music to the locals before heading back to Ljubjiana. A long day…..
Tuesday
We have breakfast from our hosts, starting with Rakija, a traditional spirit in Croatia. It can be distilled from plums or pears, among other fruits.
Slivovica, distilled from plums, is the most popular and is valued even outside Croatia. It is a strong spirit with 40% abv or higher. Rakija is the only spirit produced at home in hand-made distilleries. It certainly wakes you up! This is followed by local porridge, Kasa which is very tasty.
In the evening, we play our first official event for the British Embassy. Eighty guests from the Embassy and also international Embassies attend and the event is a huge success. A gift is presented to the British Ambassador, Tim Simmons on behalf of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar. We also meet and have a wonderful conversation with the Irish Ambassador, Patrick McCabe.
Wednesday
We leave Slovenia and head for Split in Croatia.This is a 450km drive and it begins to rain heavily, but thankfully there is a new toll highway built by the Americans from Zagreb to Split, and the roads are very quiet. The scenery is just incredible and there are many tunnels through the mountains. We arrive in Split which is a busy port with an international airport and regular ferry services with the nearby islands, the north and south Adriatic, Italy and Greece.
We pass the Hajduk Split football stadium which is very unusual in appearance. We appear and perform on Croatian television in our kilts which we enjoy. Then it’s on to perform at the Luxor hotel to entertain the Ambassador and crew of a visiting Royal Navy frigate.
Thursday
We depart Split and start the long eight-hour journey to Sarajevo, our ultimate destination. We head south down the Croatian coastline and witness the numerous islands off the Croatian coast. We stop for some local food which is the local lamb cooked on a spit. This is really tasty. On crossing the border in Bosnia, the world changes. The roads are not so good and the drivers are even worse. This is Volkswagen Polo country. No MOT’s – nothing.
We arrive in Mostar (named after its old bridge) for another break. On November 9, 1993, HVO troops destroyed the city’s most recognisable landmark, an Ottoman-era bridge built in 1566, which is the city’s namesake.
Today, the city is slowly recovering from divisions created by the conflict. Some of the scars of that division still remain today. There are many graveyards in the town and many buildings are still badly damaged as a result of the war. The famous bridge has been rebuilt thankfully. There is snow on the surrounding mountains and old women sell oranges by the roadside. Still we head south. Two hours from Sarajevo and the roads are deteriorating and it is raining heavily. This is a very humbling place. There are shell and bullet marks on the buildings and the destruction is very visible.
We arrive in Sarajevo late afternoon and drive down Sniper Alley past Tito’s large TV station and the Holiday Inn. The story goes that during the war there were only two rates for rooms. Cheapest facing the snipers in the mountains, more expensive facing away from the mountains.
‘Sniper Alley’ is the informal name for the main boulevard in Sarajevo which, during the Bosnian War, was lined with snipers’ posts, and became infamous as a dangerous place for civilians to traverse. The road was home to the only source of clean water in the city and connects the industrial part of the city to the Old Town’s cultural and historic sites. The boulevard itself has many high-rise buildings, giving sniper shooters extensive fields of fire.
We then rush to our next venue, which is a public event and is sold out. We enjoy the evening and meet many expats. I meet a gentleman whose mother lived next door to me in Stornoway. Small world. We are entertained by two excellent pipers from the Argylls – a Scottish night to remember. We end the evening with a massive pizza. Only £1.00. Food is very cheap. An extremely long day…
Friday
Looking out our window where we stay is the large local hospital. Unfortunately, there is nothing in the building. There is no money to equip the hospital. The noise of cars blowing their horns is extremely loud. Eleven am and we finally get to meet the children at the Christine Willcutt Centre. Christine Willcutt was killed by a sniper in the first aid convoy when the fighting ended. The centre for the children is supported by international charities, but has severe difficulties sourcing funding. The children are in red tartan kilts and do a Highland dance. We do a 45-minute set for the children who are dancing away and going crazy. We gave the children gifts and also a donation to the centre from Stornoway businesses and individuals. They were very grateful.
We make an appearance live on Bosnian television at six o’clock and Iain Macleod explains the mechanics of the bagpipes to the puzzled presenters. Catriona sings a Gaelic song. This must be the first time a Gaelic song has been sung live on Bosnian TV.
Our final event is a Burns Supper in the Bosnian Army hall, organised by the British Embassy with proceeds going to the Christine Willcutt centre. The hall is a really nice ornate building which survived the war. The supper has 200 guests of all nationalities and the speeches and toasts were entertaining. Iain Macinnes is amazed to find a beautiful Steinway grand piano on the stage. Getting tired now…
Saturday
A day off. We decide to explore. Get a taxi to the old town and are immediately accosted by young gypsy children begging. Catriona is nervous. This is not Byres Road. We visit the library building which was burnt by the Serbs in 1993. As the locals tried to save the books, they were shot from the mountains by snipers as they ran from the building.
The library is boarded up and has not been repaired. There is much evidence of the war and many graveyards by the side of the roads.The day is spent exploring the centre of Sarajevo. This city is in bad shape.
In the evening, all the men and women walk the streets dressed up in their best outfits. The streets are thronging with people just walking the street. There is no money for them to do anything else. But the people are friendly. We have Cevapi, beef sausage in pita bread. Cevapi are grilled and served in pita bread, previously dressed by gravy with chopped onion aside. Walk past the war memorial and the town hall. It represents the most beautiful and the most representative building from Austro-Hungarian period, built in pseudo-Moorish style. It’s late and we head for home.
Sunday
Time to go home.
Get up at 2.30 am for a five hour drive north to Zagreb. It is raining heavily and the road is in bad shape. No lighting, cat’s eyes, white lines and it is difficult to see where you are going. Only one headlamp working does not help. There are more potholes than road, and the suspension is taking a hammering. Five of us and all our baggage in a small car.
We are restless. At least Anja, our driver, knows where we are. Eventually at 5am we cross the border into Croatia and all of a sudden the road improves and we stop at a service station for a hearty breakfast. The sun comes up and all is well in the world.
Catriona takes over the driving. Although the road is straight and wide, there is muttering in the back of the car. We arrive Zagreb 10am and board flight for Luton.
Thanks to our hosts, Ian Macleod (ex Tong), Sarajevo, and Anja and Anja’s parents and grandparents, Ljubjanja. Thanks also to the British Embassies at Ljubjiana, Zagreb and Sarajevo.”

Tattoo Hebrides BBC ALBA,19th Sept.10pm

BBC ALBA is pleased to announce it will be broadcasting coverage of the Tattoo Hebrides 2009 event, a special two day ceilidh taking place in Stornoway as part of this year’s Homecoming celebrations.

The Tattoo, which is being organised by Stornoway Amenity Trust, will feature top pipe bands and soloists from around the world gathered together at Lews Castle Green on Friday 7 and Saturday 8 August.

MacTV will be filming highlights of the piping event for a special production for BBC ALBA, which will be presented by Dingwall-born piper and singer Norman Macarthur, to be broadcast on Saturday 19 September at 10pm.

An associated radio programme for BBC Radio nan Gàidheal will also be produced by MacTV and presented by piper and singer Anna Murray from Back on Lewis.

The headline act is world class grade one band, 78th Fraser Highlanders Pipe Band from Ontario, Canada and other performances lined up include Lewis Highland Games Display, Dougie MacLean and his Acoustic Band, Isle of Skye Pipe Band and Stornoway Concert Band and Gaelic choir, amongst others.

A colourful procession of Pipe Bands and others to the arena will open the event on Friday followed by a full evening line-up including Gaelic singing, Massed bands, Highland Dancing and a fireworks display.

Saturday’s event will feature a carnival parade through Stornoway, culminating with a Grand Concert with artists including, Pipe Major Gordon Walker, Catriona Watt & band, John Carmichael, Deoch ‘n’ Dorus and the Lewis and Harris Accordion and Fiddle Club.

Features on the programme will include ‘homecoming stories’ like that of Bruce MacLean, a piper with the 78th Fraser Highlanders Pipe Band whose ancestors emigrated from the Uig area of Lewis. Bruce is coming to Lewis for the first time with other members of his family and will be meeting up with Scottish cousins and exploring the area where his ancestors left from.

Tattoo Hebrides 2009 will be broadcast on Saturday 19 September at 22:00 on BBC ALBA which is available on Sky channel 168 and on Freesat channel 110.

For further information, please contact Lorna Inglis at Media House on 0141 220 6040 or email lorna@mediahouse.co.uk

Notes to editors

BBC ALBA is available on Sky channel 168 and on Freesat channel 110. For further information see http://www.bbcalba.co.uk

BBC ALBA is run by MG ALBA in partnership with the BBC. MG ALBA is the operating name of Seirbheis nam Meadhanan Gàidhlig (Gaelic Media Service). Find out more about MG ALBA and the partnership at http://www.mgalba.com

MacTV, based on the Isle of Lewis, with over 10 years experience in providing award winning televison programming for both the English and Gaelic market, will be producing the programme for BBC ALBA. For more information on MacTV visit http://www.mactv.co.uk.

Catriona Watt wows Hebrides Homecoming crowd.

A musical extravaganza took place on Saturday evening when Tattoo Hebrides was finished off with a Grand Concert at the Lewis Sports Centre, Stornoway.
Around 800 people packed out the centre’s sports hall to be entertained by John Carmichael, Deoch ‘n’ Dorus, massed local choirs, singers such as Catriona Watt and Gaelic band Bi Beo, Dougie Maclean, the Eilean An Fhraoich Pipe and 78th Fraser Highlanders pipe bands.
Many highlights were showcased during the evening including the beautiful voice of  Catriona Watt with her choice of Gaelic songs.  The skilful playing of Pipe Major Gordon Walker, the stirring ‘Highland Cathedral’ played by Eilean An Fhraoich pipe band and complimented by the beautiful tones of the massed choirs.
Dougie Maclean headlined in the second half of the concert and his songs and stories were an instant hit with the audience.
He finished the evening with his song ‘Caledonia’ and encouraged the audience to join in on this classic song of homecoming.