The Western Isles Lottery Team have planned a programme of events which mark the 100th anniversary of the sailing of the Metagama from Stornoway, which took so many islanders away to seek a new life in Canada.
The week begins on Tuesday, August 8, when Craft Fairs, a Fairground and Continental Market open in Stornoway, and culminates with a Grand Concert on August 11 and Tattoo on August 12.
Tickets are available from https://bit.ly/41578Oq
You can see updates by following the Team’s facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/westernisleslottery
The Grand Concert takes place in Lewis Sports Centre at 7.30pm on Friday and includes 78th Fraser Highland Pipe Band from Ontario, Canada and Alyth McCormack and her band.
The Saturday events begin with a massed pipe band taking the parade through Stornoway at 2pm.
The Saturday afternoon and evening events are held in the spectacular surroundings of the restored Lews Castle, with the Castle Green opening to the public at 3.00pm. There will be numerous activities for children, marquees hosting Country & Western/Line Dancing, Folk Singing/Highland Dancing and a Ceilidh/Strip the Willow alongside a variety of food and drink outlets. The main Tattoo Metagama Event starts at 7pm.
Performances at the main event are varied with Lewis, Lewis & Harris Youth, Uist, Sgoil Lionaclete, Skye and Strathaven & District Pipe Bands joining the lead pipe band from Canada. Additional acts are travelling from throughout the UK.
Agenda for the weekend
FRIDAY 11th AUGUST
Grand Concert in Lewis Sports Centre HS1 2PZ (8pm – 11.30pm)
Grand Concert Ticket from Citizen Ticket required
SATURDAY 12th AUGUST
Stornoway Town Centre – Mass Pipe Bands & Tattoo Metagama Parade (Start 2pm) No ticket required.
Family Fun & Tattoo Metagama Fringe Events on Lews Castle Green from 3pm & Tattoo Metagama from 7pm – 11.30pm – Tattoo Metagama Ticket from Citizen Ticket required.
Performing over the two days we have:
78th Fraser Highlanders Pipe Band
From Campbellvile, Ontario, Canada, the 78th Fraser Highlanders Pipe Band head the line up of pipe bands at the Metagama Tattoo.
The band became the first non-Scottish band to win the World Pipe Band Championships in the summer of 1987 and followed this by becoming World Drum Corps Champions in 1987 and 2007, and the World Bass Section Champions in 2007. The band has won both the North American Pipe Band Championships and the Canadian Pipe Band Championships twelve times each. Joining them will be pipe bands from Lewis, Lewis & Harris Youth, Uist, Sgoil Lionacleit, Skye, and Strathaven & District.
Alyth McCormack & her Irish Band
Alyth is a singer, songwriter, actor and filmmaker known for her pure voice and diversity. She was brought up on the Isle of Lewis but now lives in Ireland. In addition to her solo career, Alyth has been the featured singer with the Chieftains for the last 15 years. She will travel home to entertain at the Tattoo with her husband and band members.
The Ragtime Dolls
The Ragtime Dolls are a fabulous 1920s-1940s inspired Female Close Harmony Trio. They have vintage style, beautiful voices, sparkling personalities and choreographed dances for their songs. Their repertoire consist of a variety of “Andrews Sisters” hits such as “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy”, “Don’t sit Under the Apple Tree”, and “In the Mood”. Also, some “Boswell Sisters” songs and other swing and jazz songs from the time.
Hung Ga Kung Fu Academy
Yee’s Hung Ga Kung Fu Academy has been recognised by the Martial Arts World as being champions in forms, fighting, weapons and lion dance. They will attend the Metagama Tattoo to showcase their dance performances. This school is named after its’ founder Master Yee Chi Wai. It is one of the most popular martial art styles in Southern China. It has a traceable lineage which goes back to the original Southern Shaolin Temple in China.
SambaYaBamba
Sambayabamba is a Glaswegian musical melting pot that has raised the roof around Scotland, the UK and across Europe. They are an exuberant outfit with a heavy-weight live act including a thunderous 25 piece bateria, stomping brass section and two Scottish MCs for good measure. Fusion is what SambaYaBamba does best – and rest assured they will stop at nothing to keep their crowds bouncing and in no doubt they’ve experienced a band unlike any other.
Danny The Fire Performer
World Class Professional Fire, Pyro, Circus & LED Performer will amaze you with his own stage show
Cala
Cala is a six piece trad band originating from Inverness and fly into Stornoway directly from performing at the Festival Interceltique de Lorient in France.
With the launch of their debut single ‘Causeway’ back in late 2020, the band has launched their debut album, From the River, in March 2023. Since Causeway, Cala have evolved their sound, with lineup and stylistic changes making them the band they are today. The past few years have been exciting for Cala, playing many festivals such as Dandelion Festival, Belladrum, The Gathering and many more. The band’s choice of instruments and attention to detail in arranging and writing creates Cala’s unique spin on Scottish trad – a fresh, full, and exciting sound.
SPARK!
Worldbeaters Drummers street-theatre is a magical live music, movement and lighting spectacular in which mysterious characters composed of light and sound transform the landscape around them. A World-Class Performance!!!
We are delighted to be supporting Stornoway RNLI and all donations will be gratefully received by them. You can log onto www.westernisleslottery.co.uk to join our local Lottery which supports all areas of the Western Isles Communities. To date, over £400,000 has been distributed to projects across the Isles.
