Islay Weblog - News Events Information

Finlaggan Update

Thu, 15 May 2008 12:09:22 +0000

Fundraising towards the Finlaggan Information Centre extension continues, the most recent event having been the Venison Supper. It was a very successful evening and we were delighted that its fame had spread so we were able to welcome ten visitors from the mainland and from England, who had come to enjoy the happy atmosphere and good food.Ballygrant Hall looked delightful with a red and white theme for the decor lit softly by candles, and our Finlaggan banner framed in greenery. The entertainment was of its usual high standard provided by Islay’s talented singers and musicians, with additional songs from equally talented visitors. The venison, kindly provided by Islay estates, was tender and full of flavour, and the fresh vegetables donated by Angus Ferguson, were much appreciated. The vegetarian dishes were intriguingly different.After so many years of preparing the food and serving it, the Committee work in the kitchen with such co-ordination that everything runs smoothly. Our two co-opted young waitresses Jaquie and Jennifer were splendid, as were Sarah and Lorna in the bar. Thanks to everyone who helped to make the evening a success, not only financially but also in enjoyment - the enjoyment emphasised by the length of time people stayed on chatting after the evening was officially over. Regrettably, the Information Centre will not be open to visitors until mid July because of the building work, the whole area being closed off for safety reasons, but there will be access to Eilean Mòr (over the new bridge!). This will be through a gate well before the Centre, and indicated by a sign, with parking near it also signposted. Fundraising needs to continue, and we are delighted that our next exciting event will be a cookery demonstration by Lady Claire Macdonald of Skye, on 23rd May. Further details will be given nearer the time, but this advance notice is given so you can make a note in your diary about the new venture. It should be a most enjoyable evening.

This story was published with kind permission from the Ileach local newspaper.

Tag: finlaggan

Book Review: The Food of the Scots

Mon, 12 May 2008 12:02:24 +0000

Fans of hot and spicy food claim that curry has replaced fish and chips – and haggis – as Scotland’s “national dish”. But, according to Alexander Fenton, hazelnut gruel was the favourite food of Scots (especially on Islay) long before the first Burns supper or the opening of the first Indian restaurant. Fenton’s book, The Food of the Scots, is a comprehensive and fascinating history of our native cuisine. Incredibly, he begins his story in the Stone Age! He reveals that botanical/archaeological examination of ancient middens proves that hazelnuts were a staple food of Scotland’s Neolithic people. Not only could the nuts be eaten fresh, but they could be stored for hungrier times, or used for trade. In Islay they liked them roasted, as carbonised remains dated around 6500 BC proves. For those bored with a diet of nut roast or gruel, the hazelnuts could also be pounded into rough dough and cooked on hot stones to produce a kind of bannock. Fenton, who had a distinguished career as an ethnologist and was a mainstay of the School of Scottish Studies at Edinburgh University, is the son of an Aberdeenshire crofter. Although his book is crammed with the culinary customs of Orkney and the North East of Scotland, the Lowlands and the West Highlands and Islands are closely examined too and there are some fascinating glimpses of Islay life in it. On a chapter on special food and customs for seasonal occasions, Fenton tells of a ritual in which horses’ ears were anointed with butter on the first ploughing day of spring. In Orkney that had the somewhat les savoury custom of sprinkling their horses with urine at that time of the year! Islay perhaps had more butter to spare than Orkney, because dairy products were traditionally an important Islay export. In 1263 a tribute of 300 beasts laid on the island by King Haakon of Norway was paid in oatmeal and cheese, and in 1614 the Crown Rental of Islay included 3,083 stones of cheese per annum. Continue reading..... As in other areas of Scotland a 'handsel' – a gift of food or drink – was often given on Islay by tacksmen as a gesture of thanks for work done over the year. Fenton quotes Dr Maclagan’s collection of Islay lore, now in the keeping of the Folklore Society in London, which tells of Handsel Monday, the first Monday (and presumably working day) of the year. A large feast of mutton and potatoes, described as buntat’ breac, was prepared for the tenants, cottars and servants. Each guest helped him- or her-self with a long spoon from the nearest dish. The 'square bottle' of whisky also circulated. Given that the main diet of agricultural workers consisted of mainly oatmeal and potatoes at that time, the 'handsel' of mutton and whisky would have been a much looked forward to feast. Although Highlanders had no strict taboos against eating pork, the way Jews and Muslims do, Fulton reports widespread distaste at eating the meat throughout the isles. However, this distaste was wearing off by the late 18th century, and in 1804 pig owing was so common on Islay that Bowmore was troubled by a 'destructive crowd of pigs' running about the streets. Offending pig-owners were fined 2/6 sterling. Fenton's book doesn't quite bring the story of Scots cuisine up to date, as he has little to say on the profound influence of Italian, Chinese and Indian sub-continent immigration on our national palette, but nonetheless, the Food of the Scots is a fascinating read not just for historians and foodies, but for laymen too. Sadly, while Fenton has written a lively volume, it comes at the academic text-book price of £40. Try Amazon, or pester Argyll & Bute library service! Les Wilson

This story was published with kind permission from the Ileach local newspaper.

Tag: book review

Book Review: Brother Nature, by Jim Crumley

Fri, 09 May 2008 11:53:11 +0000

My bookshelves groan with classic Scottish nature writing from Seton Gordon, Fraser Darling and Mike Tomkies, all of which I heartily recommend. To these I can now add Jim Crumley, a contemporary writer taking up an increasing amount of space on my poor shelves! This latest book is published by the small Scottish independent publishers, Whittles Publishing who coincidentally have also recently reprinted books by Gordon and Tomkies. The book starts with a very atmospheric experience in Alaska but this is not a book about faraway places. It is about the author’s local patch, some 20 miles by 12 on Scotland’s Highland Edge and some of the observations he makes can only be possible by having such an intimate relationship with the local fauna and flora. Crumley is also a man with strong opinions and these surface early as when in talking about reintroductions his acerbic wit refers to the bureaucratic talking shop that passes for Scotland’s conservation decision makers that have been discussing the reintroduction of beavers for about a dozen years. More ire was reserved for the project to reintroduce the Red Kite near to his home patch when he was told that every single bird had been tagged with a piece of coloured plastic which leads him to declare that people aren’t spotting birds – they are just looking for a piece of plastic! Continue reading..... He also has a dig at people wearing various garishly coloured clothing but all this shows is that he fails to understand that the aim is to interest people who would normally never stop to look at wild birds. To be fair he does then reflect on his experience, helped by a dram. His passion is nature and he strives to keep nature’s company on nature’s terms and the Red Kite day was as far away from that as is possible. However he is also very thoughtful and I enjoyed his description of Ospreys returning and setting about the rebuilding of the old nest and one of his often used descriptive phrases portrays various animals coming out of habitat in the way of an otter emerging from a Hebridean sea – I am sure that we all know just what he means. His ending chapter is a leap into the future as he lets his imagination run riot by giving us a look into what he hopes will be the situation in 2015 – pie in the sky? You decide. Jim Crumley, as you may guess, is a stickler for correctness and treats us to a full explanation (and dig at sassunachs too) of the differencebetween harebells, wild hyacinths, bluebells and Scottish bluebells which will leave no-one in any doubt! He is a man of impeccable taste too as his old, well-travelled hip flask always contains something peaty and Hebridean with which to celebrate the wonderful events he has the good fortune to witness. Published by Whittles Publishing, 2007. ISBN 978-1-904445-34-0 153pp. John Wright

This story was published with kind permission from the Ileach local newspaper.

Tag: book review

Very Old Islay News Snippets

Tue, 06 May 2008 07:24:36 +0000

I came across these very old news snippets through the Islay List, they were posted by Helen Campbell Blair and I thought it would be a good idea to share them with you.

Ship Hibernia aground at Islay - 1808

Greenock, November 22, 1808
The ship Hibernia, of and from Londonderry, for Philadelphia, Jacob James, master, was driven on the rocks near the entrance of Lochendall, in Islay, in the gale of the 8th instant; and the crew, and 70 passengers, narrowly escaped with their lives, and lost a great part of their property. Several gentlemen and a lady of the number arrived here, on Sunday, in the Tarbert packet, and express in the warmest terms, the gratitude they owe the respectable family of Shawfield, for the kindness and hospitality they experienced from them after the disaster, particularly to Colonel and Lady CHARLOTTE CAMPBELL.

Distillery in Islay to Let

Glasgow, 24th Sept., 1851
To Let: Kildalton Distillery, situated at Port Ellen Islay, from whence there is regular communication with Glasgow by Steamer. The Machinery and Utensils of this Distillery are complete, and in good working order. There is a plentiful supply of the best Water for Distillery purposes, and the machinery is driven at all seasons by water power. Abundance of Peat is to be had from a moss adjoining, on the most reasonable terms, and altogether, from the situation of the Distillery, there is every facility for its being worked with economy and to profit.

A good Dwelling-House in connection with the Work can be had if required, and encouragement will be given to an enterprising tenant. The Draff, &c., from the Distillery can be disposed of on the spot. For further particulars, apply to Messrs. Marshall, Hill, and Hill, 41 West George Street ; Messrs. Hunter and Sharpe, 35 Buchanan Street, or to Archibald Johnstone, at the Works, who will show the premises.

Book Review: Birds of Argyll

Sun, 04 May 2008 11:41:50 +0000

Published by the Argyll Bird Club, 2007, 424 pages, £45.00 (available from The Celtic House, Bowmore, and other outletson the island. Also: at www.argyllbirdclub.org. The last book which dealt with the birds of Argyll was published over a century ago, in 1892! The Argyll Bird Club, an organisation with less than 200 members, deserves great praise for taking on the very considerable challenge of producing a modern, up-to-date, avifauna of the county. The book had been produced an editorial team of six people who, between them, came up with the original concept, obtained the necessary funding to cover the printing costs, and then buckled down to the hard work of writing the introductory chapters and well over half the species accounts, drawing the maps, finding photographers and artists, and at the end laying out the whole work prior to sending it to the printers. I should declare an interest at this point, as I wrote a ten of the species accounts (not surprisingly concentrating on the geese and ducks), but despite that involvement I was tremendously impressed when I received my copy of the book. It has been written, illustrated and published to the highest standards. Continue reading..... After a comprehensive introduction to Argyll, detailing the many different habitats in the county and their importanceto birds, including changes that have occurred both to the detriment and to the benefit of different species, some of Argyll’s best birdwatching localities are listed in a gazetteer, over 20% of the 75 places being (deservedly) on Islay. There are individual species accounts for no less than 343 species, varying in length from a few lines for a single occurrence of a vagrant to two pages with a map, and sometimes tables and charts, for the commoner species. High quality colour photographs and black-and-white line drawings are spread throughout this large-format book, making it a pleasure both to read and to look through. The book concludes with a gazetteer of all the place-names mentioned in the text and a comprehensive bibliography. I unreservedly recommend it as the standard work on the birds of Argyll, if not for as long as a century at any rate for very many years to come. Well done, the Argyll Bird Club. Malcolm Ogilvie

This story was published with kind permission from the Ileach local newspaper.

Tag: book review

New Islay Book: Islay - The Land of the Lordship

Fri, 02 May 2008 09:31:19 +0000

There is a new Islay related book on the horizon which is expected to be published in the summer of 2008. The book is called "Islay - Land of the Lordship" and is written by David Caldwell, has a hardcover and consists of 320 pages. To give you an idea what this book is all about you can read the "synopsis" supplied by Amazon, where the book can be pre-ordered for £19.80.

Islay was originally part of Dal Riata, the early kingdom of the Scots, but was then colonised by Scandinavian settlers in the middle of the ninth century. It was also the home of the MacDonalds who established the Lordship of the Isles during the Medieval Period. In the Gaelic world, their status was king-like and, at the height of their power in the 15th century, they mounted a challenge to the Stewart dynasty for control of Scotland. However, this book is not just about the great men. It also looks at the lesser folk, especially during the time of the Campbell lairds, from the early 17th century onwards.Archaeology combined with documentary research has helped to build up a picture of how the people of Islay lived, the way the land was farmed and the development of local industries, including the distilling of whisky. This book provides a comprehensive grounding in island history for visitors and locals alike, and, for the valuable details it gives on local families, will be particularly valued by genealogists and those tracing their roots to Islay.

Tag: islay book history

BBC - A History of Scotland

Thu, 01 May 2008 11:14:42 +0000

Scotland’s History is a new multi-platform project from BBC Scotland to bring the country’s history to life on screen, the internet and radio. Spearheading the project is a new landmark 10-part television series, 'A History Of Scotland', which will start on BBC Scotland in November this year, with a screening on network BBC Two at a later date. A History Of Scotland will use dramatic photography to capture the best of Scotland’s varied and breath-taking landscapes, including Finlaggan, the ancient seat of the Lords of the Isles. Presented by Neil Oliver, the series will be broadcast in two parts, first five episodes will transmit this winter, starting with the origins of Scotland and ending with the Unions of the Crowns in 1603. The second part, which will go out late next year, takes the story from the Covenanting movement through the Treaty of the Union right up to devolution.

Neil Oliver says: 'What better time could there be to look again at Scotland’s past, with people openly questioning the future of the Union and Britain? It is a great time for debate about Scotland’s identity and I passionately believe if you care about Scotland’s future you have to understand its past. It’s a gripping tale…with a cast of characters that is hard to beat, set against a landscape that is second to none.' Neil also believes that the time is right for a radical re-think of the general approach to Scottish history. He says: 'The beauty of Scotland is overwhelming but I’ve often thought that Scotland’s popular history is just like her landscape…impossibly romantic, obscured by mist and myth and always changing. Over the centuries, the romantic version has been of a 'lost cause' – the tragic victim - but this isn’t history, it’s Scottish mythology and this series is looking to explode the myths. 'We’ve lost touch with the past. I care passionately about this country and, on a very personal level as a Scot, I really want to understand its complex past, to get to the real story of what has made us the people we are today.'

This story was published with kind permission from the Ileach local newspaper.

Tag: scotland history finlaggan

Islay and Jura Cycle Leaflet

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 12:11:20 +0000

Cycling on Islay is becoming more and more popular and mr Islay cycling himself, brian palmer from the thewashingmachinepost and the Ileach, published a new leaflet together with the Argyll and Bute Council.

This is a leaflet on the dos and don’ts and the whys and wherefores of cycling on Islay and Jura. Aside from information pertinent to cyclists, there are also three circular routes detailed for those who would like to put some of the advice into practice. Copies of the leaflet are free and are available at Debbies Minimarket in Bruichladdich, the Tourist Information office in Bowmore and from the Ileach office, also in Bowmore. If you like to receive a copy prior to your arrival on Islay you can send brian an email at cycle-leaflet@thewashingmachinepost.net

More information about cycling on Islay is available from brian's daily updated website and from the cycling page on the Islayinfo website.

Tag: cycling leaflet

Drawing on the (Islay) Sea

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 17:54:00 +0000

Waking up to find your house is on fire is one of those nightmares that we all hope we never have to live through - but it happened to Justin Ruthven-Tyers (picture) and his wife Linda when they were living in an ancient cottage on the edge of Exmoor back in 1992. The house was 'upside down' with the bedrooms on the ground floor and the living accommodation upstairs and Justin describes waking to a strange roaring noise, then reaching up to feel the ceiling above his head hot to the touch before making a hasty exit. Within minutes, the building was a blazing inferno. Despite having no practical experience of building or woodwork, Justin decided to rebuild it himself, and having done so, kind of caught a building bug which for some obscure reason resulted in a decision to construct a gaffer, a fifteen ton traditional wooden sailing boat. Designed by their friend marine architect John Hesp, the project took three years to complete and was a great success.

The magnificent vessel, named 'Caol Ila', after their favourite whisky, became Justin and Linda’s home for the next seven years during which they were to visit the island for the Classic Malts Cruise in 2001, an event featured in the Ileach at the time. Hopefully 'Caol Ila' will shortly be moving to a permanent mooring here because the couple have now moved to the island, overlooking the Sound of Islay. Linda is working as a health visitor at Islay hospital and Justin has been working on a series of distillery related artworks, drawings in black and white using pencil, powder and stick. Inspired by the sea and classic sailing images, many of his works feature old wood, rope, canvas, water and stone, conjuring up images of times past and often referring to wrecks and other scenes of maritime dereliction. His work has been featured in various galleries in Cornwall as well as in Lochgilphead and at Islay Studios in Bruichladdich. He hopes to widen his exposure on the island soon and produce commercially available prints. Check out www.justintyers.co.uk

Bunnahabhain Distillery by Justin Ruthven-Tyers

Tag: art caol ila drawing

Islay Nature Report 16 - Spring

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 13:42:26 +0000

Welcome to this weeks Islay Nature report. There is not much news from the Owls yet, the eggs are expected to hatch early May. What has changed however is the internet address for the Owls! They are now hosted at the Islay Natural History Trust website at: www.islaynaturalhistory.org.

The Islay Birds blog: With all the new migrants Ian had almost daily updates including breaking news last Friday: "The first Corncrake of the year was heard this morning, here at Kilchoman, and Michael Copleston had a Spotted Crake over on the Flats at Gruinart last night!" and a day later Ian reports that he had actually seen the Corncrake. This is not an easy task since these birds are very secretive. On Thursday Ian writes: "There were quite a noticable increase in the number of migrants both seen and heard whilst helping with the Thursday walk at RSPB Loch Gruinart reserve. In the woodland itself, there were more Willow Warblers, and some Bluebells to be seen, there was also a Coal Tit. There also appear to be more Sand and House Martins here on the week, but still not a large number of Swallows yet." Continue reading.... Yesterday I wrote about the new blog from John Armitage called Islay Birder and from this week onwards I will try to cover some of his highlights of the week as well. On Thursday John writes about the migration: "A couple of parties of Whimbrel, unseen but heard , went through north and five were at Loch Gorm. Golden Plovers, the "northern" form in resplendent plumage, were obviously on the move with two groups being seen totalling ca. 190. Two Sedge Warblers in song and a single Grasshopper Warbler were clearly new as were four Knot arriving at Loch Indaal." Another new and interesting blog to watch!

This weeks Islay nature report by Jeremy Hastings from Islay Birding: Swallows and SandMartins eat up wee flying insects and really sound the arrival of a good Spring. Most lambs are now in the fields and the grass in now beginning to recover from the 50,000 geese that munched the winter through!

Tuesday and the wind has swung around to the South – more migrants are piling in and at Bruichladdich we really enjoyed watching Turnstones in almost full summer plumage feeding with vigour. Spring flowers are everywhere and along the woodland at Bridgend Bluebells are emerging. Another colour and another shape for the ever changing road edges. New plants are beginning to show, Bluebells, Primroses, Celandine, Nettle and Ground Elder too.

Lambing has begun in earnest and we must all be careful – especially when driving as lambs and ewes can be anywhere except where we expect them! The warm weather has gotten people out and about and one can appreciate how the ancients must have felt – with summer just around the corner. Winter now seems a long way away however today (Sunday am) there were 27 Whitefronts and 1 Barnacle goose at Gruinart. (Did they miss the bus?). With Whimbrel over Skerrols, House Martins and other hirundines catching flies over the lochs and fields and an Arctic Tern fishing off Shorefield it certainly was a week to keep ones eyes peeled! By the weekend we also had a Little Tern at the head of Loch Indaal and two Corncrakes (picture 2) at Gruinart – another had been heard at Kilchoman too! Corncrakes are very important here in the West and the isles as they used to be plentiful but due to a lot of different factors they have become few and far between. More of this next week... The grass has begun to grow and soon Islay will be full green once more. But best of all the Migration has begun!

Signs of Spring in the Woods at Bridgend

Tag: spring birding corncrake bridgend