Feis 2014

This year’s Fèis came to a triumphant conclusion at the final dance with exhausted dancers raising the roof to ‘Auld Lang Syne’. It had been a week to remember with class numbers sharply up to over 80 – especially in the Fèis Bheag and Fèis Bheag Bheag. Particularly pleasing was the numbers of young local tutors – many of whom had themselves come through Fèis Thiriodh over the last 24 years – and their fluency in Gaelic. The laughter from the ‘staff room’ could be heard in Barra!

The Fèis successfully brought their brand of songs and music to the main church service for the first time. The Car Treasure Hunt was as keenly contested as usual, with the number of bricks in a wall at An Talla proving controversial. Numbers at the Children’s Dance were well up on last year and Iain Smith’s fascinating talk on the things that have made Tiree such a musical centre was followed by a great session in the cattle ring. On the last afternoon a group of the tutors went to the Home and played for the residents and the Lunch Club. The final night dance was seriously strenuous and voted the best dance for many years. If you missed Craig Smith and Linda MacLeod doing the Scottische – well, you missed a treat! Well done to the chairs Eilidh Campbell and Sheila MacKinnon and a committee that runs like a finely-tuned Rolls Royce. Next year the group has great ideas for the Fèis’ 25th birthday party. Book your places now!