Every month (usually 2nd friday of the month) we’ll be programming arthouse, indie, documentary features along with scottish & local short films in support. We want you to suggest films that you want to see at Film Friday. Go to the Film Friday facebook page for more info.

http://vimeo.com/30320754

We set off from Lochmaddy, with packed lunches, cameras, video cameras, sketch books, and water-proof rainwear, just in case we would need it. As we passed the first smaller islands, we noticed that there is a cross shape on the top of one of them. The view of the sea and the land looks so different when you are on a small boat, and the voices of the other passengers along with the sounds of the engine and the sea mingled to become quite soothing, though, when we were on the islands themselves, the silence was awe inspiring. I hadn’t realised how difficult it could be to clamber on and off of the various stopping places, until I was stuck, dangling from the boat, when my feet slid on the slippery rocks. Someone (thankfully nameless) lifted my legs so that I could slither, like a seal onto the boat to safety.

We stopped on Hermetrey, which used to have a herring fishing industry on it. I found a very organic looking rusted piece of metal and rope left over from those days. Many manmade articles had been washed up on this island, and had become part of the landscape. Plastic boxes, bottles, ropes, among the remains left by nature: Shells, feathers, wool, and faeces. I found that many mushrooms and other fungi thrived among them, including a very rare bright yellow mushroom, with frills. On one of the islands, I discovered evidence of otters, including a hole where they live, which I put my camera inside to film the remains they had left, mostly crabs shells. I then made my way to the sea and waited untill I had seen one eating some fish.

The clean fresh air resulted in many lichens gaining a foothold on all available surfaces, some of which had grown long and hairy, like a beard.

http://www.britishlichens.co.uk/pi_fruticose.html

I am interested in the way nature has taken back the land again, and have been investigating lichens:

http://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/interesting/lichens/whatare.shtml

http://www.britishlichens.co.uk/

http://rbg-web2.rbge.org.uk/lichen/scotland_lichens/scotlands_lichens.html

Lichens  provide a home to insects and nesting material for birds. Some lichens smell like fish while others are used to help make perfume. The characteristic orange of Harris Tweed was traditionally produced by a dye extracted from rock dwelling lichens.

http://www.snh.gov.uk/about-scotlands-nature/species/lichens/

pollution in the air effects our health:

http://www.tropical-rainforest-animals.com/air-pollution-effects.html

I was intrested too in the stolt fish farms bulk feeding station, which was like a manmade island. We went on to it and climbed up and into the living quarters. The metal had become rusted, the windows broken, there where huge blue pipes everywhere. Yet it had that same calmness and traquility about it as the uninhabited islands we had visited.

The weather was fantastic as we set off from Grimsay on the boat. Midges had been feasting on us until we started moving. The reflections of the land on the water took my breath away. We passed a fish farm, where the fish jumped up to peek at us, and then the engine became louder as we gained speed.

As we came to the island, I recognised  rhododendrons growing on the top of the cliff, along with rowan trees. When we got to the pier on Ronay, we could see how much work had gone into building it. The stones had seaweed and lichens growing on them, and many small creatures hidden under them. We climbed up the steep hill, and found ruins: two long walls, and above this, some foundations of a dwelling. There was evidence of deer, and many insects, but the overwhelming feeling was one of quietness and peace.

We found the old Inn, on the south side of Eaval where travellers and locals would have spent some great times. The remains of the Inn had some dark yellow flat lichen which I had not seen before. On the cliff nearby was a resting place for sea eagles. I found, and gathered five of the feathers, and some of the pellets which they leave behind. One of the pellets was full of tiny crab shells and claws. The poet McCodrum lived nearby, but we found no trace of his house. The map shows that there is supposed to be a cave nearby The heather was thick here, and I couldn’t resist lying down on it. ( it was my own fault that I got a tick on my leg from this!) Ceann Airigh was past the bay of the whales, which was a narrow squeeze though the land on each side, and can only be undertaken when the tide is high. Again, there was a feeling of tranquillity in this place. There were the remains of five dwellings, covered with grasses and lichens. I could imagine living in this place, growing some potatoes, and eating salted fish. It would be a hard life, but very rewarding in a totally different way from life we have now on the islands.

On our way back, we passed two pairs of sea eagles, and our skipper put some fish he had caught out for them. We came across a herd of deer before the last leg of our journey home, which was the best end to a wonderful day.

The exhibition of the seven graduates work runs from 3 september till 29 october in both galleries 1 & 2.

There are currently over 1800 museums and galleries participating in the scheme and to be awarded Accredited status means that Taigh Chearsabhagh has met nationally agreed standards on collections care, museum management and services to visitors.

http://northings.com/2011/04/01/taigh-chearsabhagh/

Example of Taigh Chearsabhagh video work from The Real Escape

Contributors were asked to make short films about their lives and their communities with training and support from the professional production team at Taigh Chearsabhagh. The result was a kaleidoscopic slice of life through the islands, a fascinating, non-stereotypical view of island life with a superb soundtrack produced through workshops led by Fred and Deirdre Morrison.

Now the original filmmakers and many new contributors will be asked what has changed for them and their communities over the last decade. Themes emerging could include – community buy-outs, environmental issues, new technology, transport and outward migration.

The film will be marketed to film and video festivals globally, theatrically screened locally, as well as throughout the Highlands and Islands, nationally and potentially internationally. The project will be accessible online and will aim to reach a mass global audience using social networking media.

It is intended to repeat the project every decade throughout the 21^st century creating an ongoing and truly unique archive documenting the cultural landscape of the Outer Hebrides which will be of international importance.

The purpose of the gallery and shop refurbishment is for improved insulation, lower energy consumption and a reduced carbon footprint.

A collaboration between Taigh Chearsabhagh and Sustainable Uist, the festival will present a weekend of screenings and related events focussing on climate change and sustainability issues in island and maritime contexts.  Hundreds of FREE festival passes available! Visit the Uist Eco Film Festival website to book online and follow us on Facebook