Angus Macleod memorial lecture announced

The recording of this year’s much-anticipated Angus Macleod Memorial Lecture, given in Gaelic by Dr Joni Buchanan of Uig, Lewis, on the subject of ‘Hebridean Women – Lives of Consequence’, will be made available over the internet.
By John A. MacInnes
Published 23rd Oct 2020, 08:48 BST
The lecture will consider how women play a very important role in island life.The lecture will consider how women play a very important role in island life.
The lecture will consider how women play a very important role in island life.

The broadcast, with English subtitles, will take place on Thursday, October 22 on Pairc Historical Society’s Facebook page and itsYouTube channel, it was announced today.

The full link to access this can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCD6x1XE1ZvQh07R42TGdkcA

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An illustrated booklet containing a written version of the lecture in both Gaelic and English will also be published by Comunn Eachdraidh na Pairc on the same date, priced £6 plus P&P from [email protected]

Drawing on Joni’s recent research and a book she is writing on the subject, the lecture will address a glaring gap in the vast literature about the Hebrides and their people - the limited extent to which women feature in most accounts of these islands.  

She will challenge the perception that women have played only a minor role in island history and address some of the reasons for this misconception.

Donnie Morrison, chairman of Comunn Eachdraidh na Pairc, who organises the annual lecture, said: “I am sure the subject of this year’s lecture will be of great interest to many people. We are most grateful to BBC Radio nan Gàidheal for recording the lecture so that, despite the coronavirus restrictions, it can be accessed widely without a physical meeting.”

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There will also be a special edition of BBC Radio nan Gàidheal’s ‘Feasgar’ programme on Thursday, October 29 starting at 12.30pm in which Cathy MacDonald will be discussing influential female figures with Joni and others, who will reflect on some Highland women who have influenced and impressed them or had an impact on their personal lives.

Joni Buchanan is a native of Uig in Lewis. She was educated at the Nicolson Institute in Stornoway.  More recently, Joni became a Doctor of Philosophy in Human Geography through the University of Aberdeen and the University of the Highlands and Islands. Her doctoral thesis was a detailed study of the transition of Uig from “Gaidhealtachd Community to Shared Space” over the post-war years. 

With a continuing commitment to the story of her own island, language and culture, she provided the historical research for the “As an Fhearann” exhibition and publication; wrote “The Lewis Land Struggle; and is currently completing a book on Island Women/Mnathan nan Eilean.  Dr Buchanan still lives in her native village of Mangersta, Uig.

For further information about the arrangements, please contact John Randall at [email protected]