|
|
News From The Isle of SkyeWelcome to our News Page to inform you of "What's On" during your Isle of Skye Holiday. We will be updating this page on a regular basis to help you plan what to do during your Isle of Skye Holiday Update from the Isle of Skye – April 2009 Despite the mixed weather we've been having there is a definite feeling of spring in the air. T he daffodils are out everywhere in the villages and gardens as well as crocuses and primroses in sheltered spots. The first lambs have been seen but due to the cold nights they are being kept in after dusk. Today we have had snow with the distant hills being completely white and then a few hours later the bright sun and blue sky have taken over again and up in the sky the larks can be heard giving their all. There is a distinct feeling that winter is well on the way out. We have had a busy few weeks ourselves just after the really cold snap with some heavy ground frost, a neighbour phoned early one morning to say there was water coming out of the back door. We found water jetting out of a hole in the wall of the back porch and the back part of the house under several inches of water… However the damage caused by the water has meant that we now have a brand new kitchen at Taigh na Traon and our friendly plumber and kitchen-fitter have been working really hard to get it installed before our first guests arrived last week. There are a few finishing touches to complete but we are really delighted as the kitchen, although retaining its cottagey feel, is now much more bright and welcoming. The utility room has also been refurbished and we have a new electric oven, gas hob and microwave in the kitchen and a new freezer in the utility room. This is the time of year when many people start planning summer holidays. To be sure of getting your desired week or fortnight booked at our popular Taigh na Traon holiday house do contact us as soon as possible –or risk disappointment. Whatever the weather, you can be sure to find an almost endless choice of visitor attractions to suit all interests and ages. And with a warm centrally comfortable fully equipped self-catering house to come home a perfect Isle of Skye holiday is guaranteed. If you don’t feel much like cooking while on holiday in Skye there is a great range of eateries from world-class restaurants to more homely cafés and takeaways. In our self-catering holiday cottage “Taigh na Traon” you can find plenty of information about where to go, what to see and where to eat out with our own particular recommendations. Young children love the Serpentarium at Broadford where you can handle the snakes and buy discarded snakeskins as souvenirs. Everyone enjoys the Toy Museum at Glendale , where you are encouraged to play with the toys and there is plenty of interest for those with a most historical bent. For older children the Museum of Island Life at Kilmuir provides an insight into what it was like living inside a traditional Skye cottage. The Giant MacAskill Museum in Dunvegan, the Environmental Centre in Broadford or Dugald's Fossil Museums in Staffin are fascinating for older children with accessible, well-explained exhibits and informative guides. Skye has several castles and whether ruined or restored, they provide the perfect place for exploring the past that makes Skye and Lochalsh so intriguing in the first place. Don’t miss Dunvegan Castle , seat of the Clan MacLeod, for a look at an inhabited castle, and take the opportunity to do a seal boat trip to visit the famous Dunvegan seals. At Armadale Castle you can stroll around the beautifully landscaped gardens and learn about the history of the Gaels in the excellent audio-visual exhibition. There’s plenty of entertainment - films, concerts, drama…see below for listings. These are updated every month. Finally, don’t forget a visit to the island's only Distillery - Talisker, located in the sleepy village of Carbost on the north west of the island. Take home a bottle and savour the intense but smooth peaty flavour at home to remind you of your self-catering holiday on the Island of Skye . AROS PROGRAMME OF EVENTS LOCAL DRAMA Talla Shomhairle @ Aros Aros is proud once more to be hosting this ever popular Highland Finals of six one act plays which promise to delight and thoroughly entertain. Early booking recommended. The players and plays are: Friday - Youth Team Winner tba Tickets £10 DANCE THEATRE AND WORKSHOP Les Amoureux' (dance and physical theatre) Company Cordelia presents ‘Les Amoureux’ (combining four dancers, physical theatre with opera, voice and design) Company Chordelia’s new production, Les Amoureux, is based around Angela Carter's story ‘The Lady of The House of Love’ which has inspired the idea of creating a visceral, theatrical equivalent to Carter’s incredible imagery. This is a story of love, life and death, a twisted Sleeping Beauty with the faded opulent feel of a gothic fantasy with a strong Eastern European quality. Combining dance and physical theatre with opera, voice and design, Les Amoureux is a sensual tale of purity and damage creating a world where time stops and never ends, expressed through physical grace, explosive, characterful and witty movement, whispers, discord and beautiful, soaring singing. The dancers are Kally Lloyd-Jones, Linda McLaughlin, Jenny Nixon, Amelia Cardwell and singer Damian Thantrey. Special 'early bird' ticket price if purchased before Thursday 26th March: £6 and £5. Dance workshop with Kally Lloyd-Jones organised by SkyeDance @ Portree High School on Thursday 2nd April 1pm to 2.30pm . For dancers aged 12 and over. Cost: under 16 £3, adult £4. Booking essential. Contact Lorayne on 0776 346 3886. Cost Tickets £10 and £8 (£6 and £5) FILM Bolt' (PG) 03 April 2009 to 07 April 2009 at 14:15 Talla Shomhairle @ Aros Starring (voices of) John Travola, Susie Essman, Malcolm McDowell, Claire Holt, Miley Cyrus. Directed by Bryon Howard For super-dog Bolt, every day is filled with adventure, danger and intrigue - at least until the cameras stop rolling. When the star of a hit TV show is accidentally shipped from his Hollywood soundstage to New York City , he begins his biggest adventure yet - a cross-country journey through the real world. Armed only with the delusions that all his amazing feats and powers are real, and with the help of two unlikely travelling companions: a jaded, abandoned housecat named Mittens and a TV-obsessed hamster in a plastic ball named Rhino, Bolt discovers he doesn't need superpowers to be a hero. Screening: Friday 3rd, Saturday 4th, Sunday 5th, Monday 6th and Tuesday 7th April @ 2.15pm . Cost Tickets £4.20, £6.20 and £19.60 FILM 'Confessions of a Shopaholic' (PG) 04 April 2009 to 06 April 2009 at 19:30 Talla Shomhairle @ Aros Starring Isla Fisher, Rebecca Bloomwood, John Goodwin, Joan Cusack, Kristen Scott Thomas, Hugh Dancy. Directed by P J Hogan In the glamorous world of New York City , Rebecca Bloomwood is a fun-loving girl who is really good at shopping--a little too good, perhaps. She dreams of working for her favourite fashion magazine, but can't quite get her foot in the door--until ironically, she takes a job as an advice columnist for a financial magazine published by the same company. As her dreams are finally coming true, she goes to ever more hilarious and extreme efforts to keep her past from ruining her future. Screening: Saturday 4th, Sunday 5th and Monday 6th April @ 7.30pm . Cost Tickets £4.20, £6.20 and £19.60 FILM 'Gran Torino' (15) 11 April 2009 to 13 April 2009 at 19:30 Talla Shomhairle @ Aros Starring Clint Eastwood, Bee Vang, Ahney Her, Brian Haley, Geraline Hughes Walt Kowalski is a widower, grumpy, tough-minded, borderline-hateful, unhappy old man who can't get along with either his children or his neighbours, a Korean War veteran whose prize possession is a 1972 Gran Torino sports car he keeps in perfect condition. When his neighbour, Tao, a young Hmong teenager, tries to steal his Gran Torino, Kowalski sets out to reform the youth. Drawn against his will into the life of Tao's family, Kowalski is soon taking steps to protect them form the gangs that foul their neighbourhood. Screening: Saturday 11th, Sunday 12th and Monday 13th April @ 7.30pm . Cost Tickets £6.20 STAND UP COMEDY Vladimir McTavish 17 April 2009 at 19:30 Talla Shomhairle @ Aros Comedy with Vladimir McTavish - ‘The Top 50 Greatest Scots of All Time Ever’ McTavish’s most ambitious work to date incorporating stand-up comedy, songs, poetry, video and visual images. This show, “.. nothing short of superb” (The Scotsman), is both a celebration and a deconstruction of the truly great iconic figures of our history and culture. From Robert Burns to Oor Wullie, from Keir Hardie to Tommy Sheridan, from Archie Gemmill to James McFadden, from Jimmy Shand to Rod Stewart, from Alex Salmond to WilliamWallace, from Fran and Anna to the Krankies, from John Muir to TomWeir. Suitable for 16 and over. Cost Tickets £10 and £9 FILM 'Hotel for Dogs' (U) 18 April 2009 to 19 April 2009 at 14:15 Talla Shomhairle @ Aros Starring Emma Roberts, Jake Austin, Lisa Kudrow, Kevin Dillon, Don Cheadle. When their new guardians forbid 16 year old Andi and her younger brother, Bruce, to have a pet, Andi has to use her quick wit to help find a new home for their dog, Friday. The resourceful kids stumble upon an abandoned hotel and using Bruce's talents as a mechanical genius, transform it into a magical dog-paradise for Friday and eventually for all Friday's friends. When barking dogs make the neighbours suspicious, Andi and Bruce use every invention they have to avoid anyone discovering "who let the dogs in." Screening: Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th April @ 2.15. Cost Tickets £4.20, £6.20 and £19.60 MUSIC Duncan Chisholm and Ivan Drever 10 April 2009 at 19:30 Talla Shomhairle @ Aros Ivan and Duncan are established as one of Scotland ’s top duos, playing mainly venues and festivals across the UK , Europe and recently the USA . Ivan Drever is well known throughout the world of traditional music for his songwriting and his work with Scottish band ‘Wolfstone’. For the last ten years, Duncan has been at the forefront of Scottish fiddle playing, having appeared with ‘Runrig’, ‘Blazin’ Fiddles’ and ‘Wolfstone’. A concert not to be missed. Cost Tickets £12, £10 and £6 for under 16 FILM 'The Young Victoria ' (PG) 18 April 2009 to 20 April 2009 at 19:30 Talla Shomhairle @ Aros Starring Emily Brunt, Rupert Friend, Jim Broadbent, Miranda Richardson, Mark Strong, Paul Bettany. Directed by Jea-Marc Vallee Running time: 104 mins. ‘The Young Victoria’ chronicles the early and often turbulent years of a young girl who became queen . Victoria was a young girl of barely 18 when she was crowned: vivacious, fond of parties, and prone to flirting with the gentlemen of the court and even her ministers. The film will focus on her storied romance and legendary marriage to Prince Albert . Screening Saturday 18th, Sunday 19th and Monday 20th April @ 7.30pm . Cost Tickets £6.20 MUSIC The Blank Album 24 April 2009 at 19:30 Talla Shomhairle @ Aros Dance literally rocks in ‘The Blank Album’, a unique combination of rock music, pop imagery and complex choreography directed by Natasha Gilmore (Protein). With composer Quee McArthur (Shooglenifty) and a five strong cast of multi-talented dance artists/musicians she has created a string of high energy dance ‘singles’ which examine the cultural identity, on and off-stage relationships and idiosyncratic sense of humour of the artist protagonists. Performed live on stage with guitars, fiddle, cello, and voice, the music and movement are completely intertwined. The performers are totally convincing both as musicians and as dancers, playing, singing and dancing at the same time, taking the imagery of air guitars to the next level! Laced through with references to youth and popular culture, “The Blank Album” is fast paced, unpretentious and self-assured. As a piece of audience development, the work challenges the perceived boundaries of dance and genuinely connects with both teenage and adult audiences, including people new to the art form whose primary engagement with culture is through music and comedy. A spectacle for all ages and not to be missed. Cost Tickets £12, £10 and £6 for under 16 CLASSICAL MUSIC Skye & Lochalsh Orchestra & Schools' Orchestra 25 April 2009 at 19:30 Talla Shomhairle @ Aros Description Skye & Lochalsh Orchestra conductor: Becky Milne with Alex South (clarinet) and Skye & Lochalsh Schools’ Orchestra The Skye and Lochalsh Orchestra presents a sparkling Spring Concert of famous favourites and witty newcomers, including the dazzling fireworks of Copland’s ‘Fanfare for the Common Man’ and Mozart’s sublime clarinet concerto, featuring guest soloist Alex South. Well known for his work with the Scottish Clarinet Quartet, based in Glasgow , Alex has found time in his busy schedule to join SLO for their Aros début. This is also a chance to hear several of the orchestra’s many chamber music offshoots, including the Skye & Lochalsh Brass Not to be missed are the 30 young string players in the Skye & Lochalsh Schools’ Orchestra, directed by Marian Beeston. Drawn from the area’s Primary and Secondary Schools, these talented youngsters have their sights firmly set on a place in the main orchestra. Both orchestras won excellent reviews for their Christmas performance in December. This concert promises to be even better. Cost Tickets £6, £4 and £12 family (2+2) MUSIC, DANCE AND DRAMA Vismayaha' 08 May 2009 at 19:30 Talla Shomhairle @ Aros In Vismayahā (meaning ‘wonder’), the dances have their roots in the ancient classical dance forms which were performed by South Indian temple dancers dating back over 3000 years. The reality of Gods, Goddesses and the contemporary world is brought onto the stage in an evocative, colourful and energetic presentation of Indian dance. Barefooted and in traditional costume, the dancers present rhythmic footwork, expressive faces and meaningful hand gestures. The physical body, which goes against the spirit and is the greatest obstacle to spiritual realisation, has itself been made a vehicle of the divine. "Truly outstanding. A non-stop avalanche of colour, movement and story-telling. I was left breathless by its verve and pace." Cost Tickets £12, £10 and £6 for under 16 CHILDREN'S SHOW 'Tom Tit Tot and the Gypsy Woman' 16 May 2009 at 14:00 Talla Shomhairle @ Aros Once upon a time there was a naughty girl called Kate who ate five pies, married the king and enlisted a 'kewious' little imp to help with all the wool spinning she is given to do. But the story does not end there! There is a name guessing, the shortest month in history and a gypsy woman who saves the day with dirty hands! A funny puppet and object theatre performance combined with traditional storytelling for children aged two to ten years. Object Dart has created a new lively performance around the wonderful folk tale ‘Tom Tit Tot’ using simple staging, clever shadow work, animated sequences, funny characters and songs with which the audience can sing along. Cost Tickets £4 MUSIC The Maggie MacInnes Trio 20 May 2009 at 19:30 Talla Shomhairle @ Aros Description Singer and clarsach player, Maggie MacInnes was born in Glasgow and now lives in Ayrshire. She comes from a long line of Gaelic singers from the small island of Barra in the Outer Hebrides and learnt most of her Gaelic songs from her mother the highly acclaimed traditional singer, Flora MacNeil M.B.E. In 2004 Maggie was voted ‘Best Gaelic Singer of the Year’ in the BBC Scots Trad Music Awards. Maggie has been involved in various groups over the years such as Ossian, Fuaim, Eclipse First and The Maggie MacInnes Band and has travelled widely with her music touring in many parts of Europe , U.S.A. , and Canada as well as appearing in the first International Festival of Celtic Music and Dance of Moscow in 2001. Her trio includes Brian McAlpine on keyboards and accordion who is in great demand as a producer and performer with the Band Session A9 and Anna Massie on guitar, mandolin and fiddle who is one of Scotland ’s finest multi-instrumentalists and winner of the BBC Radio Scotland Young Musician of the year Award in 2003. “…a display of singing confidence,background authority and unshowy musicality that bodes well indeed.” (Rob Adams, Glasgow Herald) “….the finest live performer in Gaelic music today” (Folk Roots Magazine) Cost Tickets £12, £10 and £6 for under 16 MUSIC Tune-Up Tour: Azulejos and Nuala Kennedy Trio 16 June 2009 at 19:30 Talla Shomhairle @ Aros This is an exciting world-music project which will bring together the colourful worlds of flamenco-jazz and contemporary traditional music and song. Irish traditional singer and flautist Nuala Kennedy performs a range of material from across the Irish and Scottish traditional music repertoires. She also composes her own idiosyncratic brand of traditional music and tours in a variety of line-ups from duo and quartet to a nine-piece festival band 'The New Shoes'. The concert will have two distinct sections: the first demonstrating the fabulous music of virtuoso guitarist Philippe Guidat and his flamenco-jazz band, Azulejos and Nuala Kennedy’s own trio with their take on traditional music. The second part of the concert will feature entirely newly composed pieces, bringing together all the musicians and influences. It will be a truly entertaining night of danceable music and songs. There are six musicians involved in total, guitar/sitar, bass, percussion, flute/vocals, accordion and violin. Early booking highly recommended. Cost Tickets £12, £10 and £6 for under 16 MUSIC The Ivan Drever Band 25 June 2009 at 19:30 Talla Shomhairle @ Aros Veteran Orcadian singer/songwriter and one time Wolfstone front man, Ivan Drever returns to full band mode for recording and live performances this year. With a brand new collection of skillfully crafted songs, Ivan and the band are set to release a limited edition five track EP on the Nutshell Music Label in May. Ivan has hooked up with good friend and ex-Wolfstone guitarist, Andy Murray and also guitarist/bassist and producer Finlay Wells to mould the new material into a perfectly weighted blend of acoustic/electric folk rock. The four piece line up which also features Iain Coates on drums will be playing the new material on gigs throughout the year.These live performances are a captivating mix of Ivan's original and distinctive vocal and guitar playing style, dynamic and intuitive accompaniment from his hugely experienced band and wonderful spells of spontaneous high energy improvisation. Line-up: Ivan Drever - Vocals/Guitar based in Norway Andy Murray - Electric Guitar/Vocals Inverness Finlay Wells - Bass/Vocals Oban 'Iain Coates - drums Oban Cost Tickets £12, £10 and £6 for under 16 CHILDREN'S SHOW & WORKSHOP Oscar's Amazing Space Adventure' 27 June 2009 at 14:00 Training rooms and Talla Shomhairle Mousetale Puppets presents Oscar’s Amazing Space Adventure Oscar loves adventures, so when a mysterious object lands in the garden shed, he can’t help investigating and before long he is caught up in the one adventure that every child dreams about….. Along with his new friend, Zimmy, Oscar blasts off to search the universe for Quagroon rocks. Join the two friends as they learn all about the planets and the solar system before facing the giant Ten-eyed Moon Slug on planet Quagoon. A popular show with loveable characters, giant moving planets, up-beat music and special effects. An exciting workshop is offered to children aged seven years to twelve. (please see below). Open: Saturday 27th June @ 11am to 1pm for the workshop. (limited to 20 children). Performance: Saturday 27th June @ 2pm . Tickets: £6 for the workshop. £5 for the performance and £9 for both. Cost Tickets £5 performance,. £6 workshop MUSIC Aly Bain and Phil Cunningham 11 August 2009 at 19:30 'Arainn Fhinn' at Portree High School Aly Bain and Phil Cunningham appearing at ‘Arainn Fhinn’ Portree Community High School . Two of Scotland ’s greatest entertainers seem to have done it all! Aly is Shetland’s most famous export, a founder member of ‘Boys of the Lough’ and Phil was in a world-travelled band, ‘Silly Wizard’. Best known as a duo, their wit is as entertaining as their music. Early booking highly recommended. Cost Tickets £15 and £13
|
||||||||||||||||||
 |
© Taigh na Traon - Isle of Skye Holidays : Site by Enhance