Ceòlas has organised a two day event this August 22-24th August at Polochar Inn in South Uist.

The Gathering In/Trusadh nam Fonn will explore how to collect traditional songs now as well as give an overview of the work collected from the Uists which are held in a variety of Universities and Institutions across the globe.

Dr. Margaret Bennett, Margaret Callan and Angus John MacDonald will share their knowledge and experience of collecting directly from source. Paul McCallum and Magda Zagarzazu from Canna House will provide additional workshops on songs collected by Margaret Fay Shaw and the preservation of the collection in Canna House.

The event will include visits to local sites which influenced the bards as well as to Eriskay Churchyard to visit the grave of Fr Allan MacDonald, after the service on Sunday morning n Eriskay. We hope that many locals will attend with recordings made within the Uists they would care to share with the group as examples of work still be added to the collected works. The two day event will generate discussion on how best to ensure that the cultural heritage of the island that is preserved in other venues can also be available to the community of the future.

For more info phone Ceolas office on 01878 700154 or go to the website www.ceolas.co.uk or www.mfayshaw.co.uk