Shinty’s Heroes: “Curaidhean na Camanachd” - An Lanntair Arts Centre | |
10 March 2015 The 2015 HebCelt Fest will pay tribute to its shinty heroes, many of whom paid the ultimate sacrifice, in a special show at An Lanntair Arts Centre, Stornoway on Thursday 16 July 2015. “Shinty’s Heroes” Musical Director, Gary Innes and wordsmith Hugh Dan MacLennan will inform, entertain and surprise in a show which commemorates the centenary of the Great War. They will also explore the rich traditions of shinty played on Scotland’s west coast islands. Joining them for this special evening is the incredible voice of Kathleen MacInnes, top piper Duncan MacGillivray, along with Ewen and Allan Henderson. The programme will revolve round the impact of the First World War on shinty-playing areas including the Western Isles and will detail the early traditions of shinty in the islands from St Kilda to North Uist and Barra, through other islands such as Scarp to the sandy shores of Lewis. Hugh Dan will provide an audio visual display detailing some of the exploits of Highland Heroes at battles such as Festubert in 1915 through a combination of war-time and sporting images, many of which have been unseen before. He said, “The pivotal moments of our journey through the history of shinty and its connections with the war years is really the unique success of the Lovat and Beauly teams who allegedly combined to win the Camanachd Cup in 1913. We’ll celebrate that remarkable event and then follow a couple of the Beauly players who went to War and left us a remarkable pipe tune which we will play on the evening. We will look at how the New Year traditions were maintained throughout the islands and bring everything right up to date with a look at how shinty is now a mainstream sport in the islands, with teams participating in national competitions.” Musical maestro Gary Innes will mastermind the musical aspects of the event. He added, “I am delighted that so many top musicians from the shinty-playing areas, each with a connection to shinty teams, will be joining us. It promises to be a remarkable evening.” This concert will be followed by a Ceilidh Dance which is included in ticket price. |