Words Across The Ocean
Under a Memorandum of Understanding The Highland Council, in conjunction with the Provincial Government of Nova Scotia, are developing strong cultural and linguistic ties between the Highlands, Nova Scotia and Cape Breton.
It is because of these developing ties that the renowned Nova Scotian author Alistair Macleod and the illustrator of his books, Peter Rankin, will be touring the Highlands next week.
Alistair Macleod won the prestigious International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award for his book ‘No Great Mischief’. His other publications include ‘To Every Thing There is a Season: A Cape Breton Christmas Story’, ‘Island: The Collected Stories’, ‘The Lost Salt Gift of Blood’, and ‘As Birds Bring Forth the Sun and other Stories’.
During his tour of the Highlands Alistair will give readings in Ardnamurchan, Inverness, Ullapool and Isle of Skye and will also be meeting pupils in Ardnamurchan, Lochaber, Ullapool, Portree and Plockton High Schools.
Joan Michael, Chairman of Ullapool Book Festival said: "We are delighted that Alistair MacLeod will be coming to the Highlands especially Ullapool and I'm looking forward immensely to hearing him. To me, his short story collection ‘The Lost Salt Gift of Blood’ is one of the finest works to come out of the Canadian Maritimes. But all his work, whether short stories or novel, gives a wonderful sense of place and time."
Vice Convener of The Highland Council, Councillor Michael Foxley said: "It is absolutely terrific that Alistair Macleod is able to visit the Highlands, he is one of the great undiscovered writers of our time, we really do welcome him to the area, and I expect that many aspiring young writers and other residents in communities across the Highlands will take the opportunity to attend his readings when he visits their area."
On Monday 14 November Alistair MacLeoid and Peter Rankin will visit Arainn Shuaineirt/Ardnamurchan. On Tuesday 15 they will be appearing at the Netley Centre, Brahan Room in Inverness and on Wednesday 16 they will be at the Macphail Centre, Ullapool before travelling to the Isle of Skye to appear at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig on Thursday 17. All readings will take place at 7.30pm and everyone is welcome to come along. Entry is free.
To coincide with this tour, the Inverness Library will be featuring its Cape Breton collections.
Part of the Memorandum of Understanding developments also includes a number of delegates from the Nova Scotia’s craft sector who will be visiting a Craft Trade Mission in Glasgow and also meeting Highland Craft Co-ordinators, the Highland craft industry, Craft Centres and Highland 2007 Officials.