We would like to start a gallery of past Festival events.  If you have photographs you would like to share, please e-mail them to admin@theislayfestival.co.uk.  Please remember to tell us when and where they were taken, and whether you would like your name displayed with your pictures.  We can’t guarantee that all pictures will be used, and it may be necessary to edit them for size.  Thank you for your help!

Burns Supper 2012

A convivial evening ceilidh-style was held in Lagavulin Malt Mill, with both drams and venue courtesy of Georgie Crawford.  Mistress of Ceremonies for the evening was Mrs. Diane Brown, who steered us all with her adept manner and wit.  The fare was prepared and presented by Anne Newman and her team from the Cyber Bistro.  The Selkirk Grace was delivered by the Rev. J. McNulty of the Islay Baptist Union.  The haggis was addressed by Ian MacPherson, who declared it to be one of the liveliest he had encountered.  The Immortal Memory was proposed by Mrs. Florence Grey.

Toasting the lasses with gentle wit and humour was Mr. John Finlay the younger.  Replying on behalf of the ladies present was Mrs. Maureen McDonald, newly-appointed head teacher at Port Ellen Primary School, whose sage advice to her male counterparts should prove invaluable to them.

We were entertained with songs from the company present, notably Patricia Brown and her father-in-law Alec.  Mrs.. Dorothy Carmichael had us all breathless as we kept up with her and Tam O’Shanter.  We looked over our shoulders on the way home as we approached the brig at Lagavulin.  Neil Oliver’s fiddle was on fire as he entertained us with several medleys of the Bard’s best-loved works.  Not to be outshone, our piper from Bowmore, James Carmichael, made the rafters ring as he also played a superb set.  Rabbie would have been well pleased!