Chat, music and poetry as Elaine comes to town
The 149th annual gathering of the Glenisla Highland and Friendly Society will take place on Friday, August 17, at the Haugh at Forter.
One of the most traditional Highland games in the calendar, Glenisla attracts not only locals but competitors and spectators from all over the world.
Dundee City Pipe Band will open the games at 12.30pm, after which there is an afternoon of heavy events, piping competitions, dancing - with the Highland fling competition sponsored by Nora Meikle - and children’s races.
The Mount Blair Hill Race will see runners compete to beat the record time, which has been held since 1992, in an event which will once again be sponsored by Clan MacThomas.
There will be stalls selling merchandise and locally-produced goods as well as a number of activities and challenges for both children and adults.
There will be a bar and catering by Lee Wright.
Organisers thanked the sponsors and volunteers who support the event.
Entrance to the games is £7, under-14s and parking are free. The full programme is available at www. glenislahighlandgames.co.uk Birnam Arts Centre in Highland Perthshire will play host to an evening of politics, music and poetry this weekend ... writes Douglas Dickie.
Dubbed “Scotland - where now?”, the gathering will be hosted by actress, writer and comedian Elaine C Smith.
Organisers say the event will be “ground-breaking” and will combine “cross-party political dialogue with songs, stories and stand-up comedy.” Among the guest speakers will be: Pat Watters, former president and Labour leader of the local government umbrella COSLA
Carolyn Leckie, co-founder of Women for Independence
Drew Campbell, former president of Scottish PEN, the writers’ association and pro-free expression campaign group
Mary Senior of the University and College Union, which represents academics and lecturers
Music and entertainment on the evening includes classic 60s / 70s duo Dave Amos and Jamie Jauncey, bluegrass and country band Good Guy Good Guy Hank, and of course Elaine herself.
The event has been organised by Dunkeld and Birnam for Independence which says it is “looking to open up an honest dialogue with people who voted ‘No’ in the 2014 referendum and views across the political spectrum to explore where Scotland is now and where we could be headed in the very changed world of 2018.”
Elaine C Smith, who has had a 20-year-long association with Dunkeld, said: “Everyone is welcome to come along to this event whatever their party political allegiances, their views on Scottish independence, or where they stand on Brexit.
“This will be a friendly conversation about the future of Scotland - and it should also be a great night out with songs, stories and stand-up comedy as well as respectful political discussion.”
The gathering will take place at Birnam Arts Centre on Saturday 18th August from 7pm till midnight.
For more information contact Drew Campbell on andrewinet@yahoo.com
This year will be the 149th edition of the event Smith Elaine C or on 07784703207.
Tickets are available via box office at Birnam Arts Centre – call 01350727674 or visit www.birnamarts.com