Highland Council in conjunction with the Provincial Government of Nova Scotia, in association with the Memorandum of Understanding are developing strong cultural and linguistic ties between the Highlands, Nova Scotia and Cape Breton.

The renowned Nova Scotian author Mr Alistair Macleod and the illustrator of his books Mr Peter Rankin will be touring the Highlands next week. Mr Macleod won the prestigious International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award for his book ‘No Great Mischief’.
He has other publications ‘To Every Thing There is a Season: A Cape Breton Christmas Story’, ‘Island: The Collected Stories’, ‘The Lost Salt Gift of Blood’, and ‘As Birds Bring Forth the Sun and other Stories’.

He will give readings in the following areas:

Monday November 14 Arainn Shuaineirt/Ardnamurchan 7.30pm
Tuesday November 15 Netley Centre, Brahan Room Inverness 7.30pm
Wednesday November 16 Macphail Centre, Ullapool 7.30pm
Thursday November 17 Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, Isle of Skye 7.30pm

Entry is free.

Alistair will also be meeting secondary school pupils in Ardnamurchan High, Lochaber High, Ullapool High, Portree High and Plockton High.

Whilst Alistair and Peter are in the Highlands the Inverness Library will be featuring its Cape Breton collection.

Joan Michael, chairman of Ullapool Book Festival said,

"We are delighted that Alistair MacLeod will be coming to the Highlands especially Ullapool and I'm looking forward immensely to hearing him. To me, his short story collection ‘The Lost Salt Gift of Blood’ is one of the finest works to come out of the Canadian Maritimes. But all his work, whether short stories or novel, gives a wonderful sense of place and time."

Councillor Michael Foxley said, “It is absolutely terrific that Alistair Macleod is able to visit the Highlands, he is one of the great undiscovered writers of our time, we really do welcome him to the area, and I expect that many aspiring young writers and other residents in communities across the Highlands will take the opportunity to attend his readings when he visits their area”.

Part of the Memorandum of Understanding developments also includes a number of delegates from the Nova Scotia’s craft sector who will be visiting a Craft Trade Mission in Glasgow and also meeting Highland Craft Co-ordinators, the Highland craft industry, Craft Centres and Highland 2007 Officials.

For further information please contact

Highland Council
Tigh na Sgìre
Park Lane
Portree
01478 613835