The Federation of Historical Societies in the Outer Hebrides

Fàilte! The Caidreachas Eachdraidh is the Federation of Comann Eachdraidh (historical societies), in partnership with associated heritage organisations in the Outer Hebrides (Western Isles) in the west of Scotland.

You can explore the Comainn Eachdraidh, and our other partners in preserving and promoting access to the rich cultural history of these islands, via the list on the right. See also the Who We Are page for more information about the movement in general, which townships a Comann represents, and what we do.

56th Carloway Show, Wed 5 August

The 56th Carloway Show and Highland Games, organised by the Carloway Agricultural Society, will take place at Carloway School on Wednesday 5 August, from 1.30pm (gates open at 1pm, admission £4/£1). On show will be:

CATTLE & SHEEP
HORSES & PONIES
POULTRY
HOME INDUSTRY & GARDENING EXHIBITS
HIGHLAND DANCING

SPORTS & HEAVY EVENTS
PIPING COMPETITIONS
SHEEP SHEARING
DOG SHOW
SIDE SHOWS
AFTERNOON TEAS

All competitive sections are open to residents of Lewis and Harris, and are listed in the Show programme, available free at outlets in Stornoway and throughout the island. Dog Show details are also in the programme.

The show will be opened by Angus Brendan MacNeil MP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, and be followed by a dance in Carloway Hall, 11pm-2am, with music by the Monach Isles Ceilidh Band.

CE Pairc: Eiskein Outing, Saturday 27 June

Come and join Comunn Eachdraidh na Pairc at our annual outing which is to be at Eiskein this year. The format will be a brief talk on the history of Eiskein, a walk around the estate and a barbecue. We hope that a small number of people who wish to go to Steimreway will be able to go by boat from Eiskein depending on the suitability of the tides for landing. Everyone is welcome and there is no charge. You will be advised on the day about car parking arrangements and a minibus will be available to take people in to the estate.

Assemble at the Deer Raider memorial cairn at the Eiskein road end at 10.30 on Saturday 27th June. See you there.

Calum Martin’s Megantic Outlaw – Uig, 14 July

O an strì ann an tìr a phailteis,
O am fallas, o am fuachd,
Cha robh cùisean mar bha dùil seo idir
Le olc is aingidheachd is cruas.
– Tìr a Phailteis, Calum Martin

The Megantic Outlaw, Donald Morrison, is a folk hero in Quebec and Uig alike and his story is well-known on both sides of the Atlantic. The ruins of his grandfather’s blackhouse can still be seen in Kneep, on the hillside behind the machair and Loch nan Cuilc, but the family left for Quebec, where they settled near Lake Megantic and where Donald was born in 1857, their youngest son.

This year, as part of the Hebridean Celtic Festival, local musician and teacher Calum Martin is bringing his Gaelic folk-rock song cycle based on the Megantic Outlaw’s life, to Uig and Stornoway. The story follows the family’s voyage from Lewis, their hardships in the new land, and Morrison’s ten months on the run until his capture, imprisonment and eventual demise.

For this show Calum has brought together an amazing cast of musicians from both sides of the Atlantic featuring Fraser Fifield (Sax/Whistles), Graeme Stephen (guitars), Bobby Millar (bass guitar); from upstate New York by way of Nashville Tennessee, Peter Young (Drummer/Producer) from Nashville, Scott Neubert (guitars/dobro/banjo/mandolin) and from Lewis Andrew Yearly (keyboard/accordion) and Calum’s own daughter Isobel Ann Martin (vocals).

Tuesday 14 July 2009 at Uig Community Centre, 8pm
Wednesday 15 July 2009 at An Lanntair, Stornoway, 7.30pm

Tickets from the Hebridean Celtic Festival box office (online, from 01851 702333, or on Saturdays 11-4 from the office in Stornoway, and from Uig Museum in the community centre). Calum Martin also wrote and performed the new Festival anthem, Blue on Green, which is available as a free download from the Festival website.  For the full story, see Comann Eachdraidh Uig.