NEWS & UPDATES

The Summer Update

The 200 club
The first prizes have been sent out, so the 200 club is up and running. First Prize E Jones, Second Prize A Barron, and Third Prize A Carmichael (Glasgow). We still would like to see more members and friends filling in proformas and aid us in getting to the 200 mark. These forms can be downloaded from the site, or obtained from our Secretary, Treasurer or myself, then returned to me.

This update will be mainly photographs taken during my visit to Islay for :-
The Malt and Music Festival 2005.

The trip to Islay on the Saturday, was wet and rough. The craft fair in Bowmore, took refuge in the school, and was well attended despite the almost wintry showers.

The evening was brightened with the Concert sponsored by The Glasgow Islay Association. Bowmore Hall was well filled with folk from many countries. The audience was entertained by the Islay Pipe Band followed by Mod Gold Medalists, Catriona Fair, Donald Michael MacInnes and Robert Forrest. Elizabeth Jack sang Scots songs, instrumentalists Jean Ann Callendar on fiddle and Lex Keith on Accordion kept the feet tapping. Jean Campbell accompanied the singers on the piano.
Hugh Smith was an able Chairman, he had us laughing with his fund of stories. It is hoped that Hugh will continue to organise this concert in the years to come, now that he is settled on the Island.
We joined a lively ceilidh in the Lochside Hotel that went on till the ‘small hours’, then headed for bed via a friends house ceilidh.
Sunday saw the start of three days of glorious weather. The trip round the Loch to Bruichladdich was beautiful till we came upon a grizzly sight.

The Bruichladdich Monster’s last victim

Or is it an example of the ‘Long Straw Technique’?

In the Distillery yard there was an air of activity. “Over there” – James McEwan and Sir John Mactaggart

“Is the GIA Man in Islay”, Barbara McEwan dispensing the drams

After a pleasant afternoon of meeting friends and entertainment, including the Islay Pipe Band, we headed south for The Cloutie Dumpling Ceilidh in Portnahaven.

The Oa from Port Wemyss

Port Wemyss

Portnahaven

The Kilchoman Cross
.

The Round Church, Bowmore

Still Waters, Bowmore

The Paps of Jura from above Bowmore

Caol Ila Distillery

Isle of Jura Distillery

Port Ellen from Kilnaughton Cemetery

The Lighthouse

The War Memorial, Port Ellen. My father represented The Royal Navy when it was dedicated in 1923

The Crescent, Port Ellen

Lagavulin Distillery

The Kildalton Cross

I hope these views of Islay will bring back memories, or encourage you to visit this lovely island.
Contributions
If any visitor to this web page, no matter from where in the world, would like to send me material relating to Islay, I will try and put it on this site.

Enjoy the rest of the summer,

Alasdair