About
People in Scotland's Islands never stop enjoying and
celebrating their heritage and their life - so there's always
something happening when you visit, especially now in The Year of
Creative Scotland 2012!
Events on the islands reflect what is
special about island culture - from the eclecticism of the
Hebridean Celtic Festival and foot-stomping Shetland Fiddle Frenzy,
to the juxtaposed thrill and gravitas of The St Magnus Festival.
The islands have fabulous Arts facilities like An Lanntair in
Stornoway, the Pier Arts Centre in Orkney, Mareel on Shetland, An
Tobar on Mull and Aros on Skye, but islanders have also created
great festivals for families and film buffs in further flung
communities like Colonsay, Luing, Sanday and Papa
Westray.
These
events are not just for watching and listening in awe, they're for
joining in and being uplifted. There's challenging sports and
outdoor activities including half marathons, car rallies, open golf
competition, shinty, sailing, the Tiree Wave Classic, the Islands
Peaks Race. There's plenty of tradition too - highland games,
dance, music, the Christmas Ba' Game and Up Helly Aa...and
festivals to celebrate our whisky, wine and beer.
There is a
wonderful diversity of culture special to each island group,
typified by the most delectable food; an extraordinary talent for
traditional and modern music and dance; breath-taking scenery; a
fabulous diversity of wild-life; a variety of languages and
dialects (though English is spoken throughout) and a colourful and
sometimes tragic history shared with many inhabitants of far-flung
places in the world.
Scotland's
Islands are welcoming places, well-provided with good quality
accommodation, up to the minute telecommunications and clear roads.
Visitors can sleep comfortably, eat and drink well, keep in touch
with friends, family and work and get around with ease!
Our website
continues to be supported by the six Local Authorities with island
communities - Argyll and Bute, Highland, North Ayrshire, Orkney,
the Outer Hebrides (Comhairle nan Eilean Siar) and Shetland. The
project team is led by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar. The project is
supported by the National Lottery through Creative
Scotland.
Scotland’s Islands - the events, exhibitions and activities happening all year round.
We list every event we hear of, large and small, taking place on
the islands of Scotland or taking place elsewhere and relating to
Scotland's Islands. They provide a unique opportunity to savour the
diversity and excitement of island life. Check our our facebook
page for general updates too - http://www.facebook.com/ScotlandsIslands.
There has never been a better time for you to visit Scotland's
Islands, to enjoy the breathtaking scenery and unspoilt beaches, to
get close to dramatic wild-life, learn about our heritage,
participate in a great range of activities, and enjoy our music,
food and drink.
All this on some of our 99 inhabited islands large and small (and
many more uninhabited) accessible by sea and air in six regions:
Argyll & Bute, Highland, North Ayrshire, Orkney, Outer Hebrides
and Shetland.
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