Sunday sailings, shops and now lightsabers!
Star Wars movie to screen on Sabbath in Stornoway
‘We are mindful and respectful’
IT is the latest move to break the Sabbath on a devout Scots island.
But as some residents rejoice at the thought of Sunday cinema, church leaders fear for the spirituality of the sacred day.
Lewis will see its cinema open on the Sabbath for the first time at the end of this month, with a showing of Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi.
Bosses at Stornoway arts venue An Lanntair, who ruled out such a move last year, said it was an effort to be ‘equal and inclusive’.
Leisure facilities on the island have traditionally been closed on Sundays but the latest change comes as a bid is made to introduce golf on the Sabbath.
The first Sunday ferry came to Lewis eight years ago, amid fierce protests. Flights have operated to and from Stornoway since 2002.
Although supermarkets in the town remain closed on Sundays, hotels, restaurants, pubs, shops and a petrol station are open.
An Lanntair will open on the last Sunday of each month for a trial period until the end of March.
Chief executive Elly Fletcher said: ‘What we are doing is a genuine audience research exercise and not at all trying to challenge, or go against, local traditions.
‘Sabbath observance is very important to the Isle of Lewis and there is a strong history of Sabbath observance here.
‘We are mindful and respectful of that.’
The trial will launch with a screening of the latest Star Wars film on January 28. Although tea and coffee will be available, the bar and restaurant will remain closed.
The Rev James MacIver, of Stornoway Free Church, said: ‘It is a shame that we were not consulted before the decision to open on Sundays. It will put some people off supporting An Lanntair in the future. I understand they have had a conversation among their own members, but it would be better if they were to come to church and debate and make their case.
‘Because of the timing of this, it will affect attendance at church services. I just feel it should not open on Sundays and upset the spirituality of the Sabbath here. I hope they change their minds.’
Mr MacIver’s church – which is about 100 yards from the arts centre – has an average Sunday congregation of around 400 people. But islanders have seen a range of initiatives promoting Sunday opening in recent times.
Campaigners raised money to open Lewis’s public swimming pool and sports centre for a trial period on Sundays – only to be refused by Western Isles Council.
The local authority said its decision was for ‘operational reasons’ rather than religious ones, although similar sites elsewhere in the region are open on Sundays.
Respondents to a survey recently overwhelmingly backed allowing golf to be played on the Sabbath.
Shop owner Leona Rawlinson, who runs Tweed Tastic in Stornoway, continues to defy Sabbatarians who asked her to close on Sundays.