Last week was the Outer Hebrides Homecoming week. Scotland has a year of Homecoming – this is an events programme celebrating Scotland’s great contributions to the world. In 2009 we are celebrating the 250th anniversary of Robert Burns birth, Scottish contributions and the rich cultural heritage.
In Stornoway there was a tattoo in the castle grounds on the Friday and on the Saturday a concert with Gaelic choirs. We didn’t go as had nieces and nephews staying with me who probably were a little bit to young to stand 4 hours of piping. And to be honest from what i have heard i think we made the right decision – though the show has received nothing but praise, with 5000 attending, it seems the organisation left a little to be desired.
my friends had decided to attend – one of whom is registered disabled and she had specifically asked if there was disabled parking and whether there would be a seat or did she need to take one. When they arrived there was not a steward/marshal in sight and all the disabled and elderly people were sat in their cars but couldn’t see as crowds were standing in front of them. When they got out of the car they couldn’t find a seat. My friend ended up perching on a flower bed but saw nothing and after an hour of this, gave up and went home a very disappointed customer. I think it made it worse as she had been specifically told she didn’t need to take a chair. There also appeared not to be a disabled toilet on site either?
I hope the organisers learn from this year as to have such a well attended event will be a good thing for Stornoway but they need to rethink accessibility and organisation?

We were glad we decided to just go to the carnival where we saw the pipe bands leading the carnival procession, which was as entertaining and the children enjoyed it, made a change from the beach!
I am off the island on Friday – which i am quite excited about as i feel like i am getting cabin fever a bit having not left the island for 8 months, hoping the break away will reignite my love of this wild place!
