During the dark nights and driech days we could all do with a story and a ceilidh. This month Essie Stewart and the team who made the ‘Summer in the Straths’ journey around north west Sutherland last year are on the road again.

As part of the Highland’s celebration of Year of Culture Essie Stewart and her cousin Alec John Williamson led a journey up Strathnaver, west along the coast and southwards to Assynt via Durness, Kinlochbervie and Achfary. Some 1,000 people, including all the local schools, met this group along the way to hear stories and songs in Gaelic and English at fèisean and ceilidh nights at traditional campsites.

This time the gatherings are in local village halls where the films, photos and artwork created during the journey will be on display. The highlight is the film made by digital artist in residence – Gavin Lockhart. On Thursday nights there is a ‘stories and srùbag’ - story and film - session with Essie and Alec John. Saturday night is music night, kicking off with The Strathy Session on 19th Jan featuring Carol-Anne Mackay and ‘Singing’ Mackenzie.

These winter events start in Strathy Hall on 17th January – full details are provided below. This exciting exhibition showcases work inspired by this journey by digital artist Gavin Lockhart, art student Catrina Millar, visual artist Meg Telfer, photographer, Mike Roper and tinsmith, Arthur Dutch. A new Gaelic song – ‘Samhradh anns na srathan’ has been written by Aonghas Macneacail and a new English song ‘Will You Walk With Me?’ has been written by Andrew (‘Singing’) Mackenzie.

In the closing days of January Assynt will host the exhibition, opening there on Thurs 31st. Our winter wander will finish with a dance in Lochinver Hall on Sat 2nd Feb. This journey – summer or winter – would not have been possible without the enthusiastic support of the hosting communities and all those who brought peats, baked scones, sang songs, welcomed the summer walkers and visited the bough tent. A big thank you to everyone - please do come along and enjoy these winter gatherings.

Contacts: Essie Stewart – 07935928219 Project Manager, Issie MacPhail – 07720 707023
Visit www.mackaycountry.com  for more details