A Hebridean perspective

I was delighted to speak about my new book at two events in the Outer Hebrides in July. The first was the Northern Neighbours Conference in Stornoway where delegates from all the Nordic countries and from Scotland met to discuss the challenges of living and working in remote communities. The issues raised in Food from the Sea were well received and resulted some excellent discussions. Always great to be back in Lewis and to meet up with old friends.

Speaking at the Northern Neighbours Conference in Stornoway

The second event took place in Barra where I spoke at the Barra Science Festival. It was a real pleasure to visit Barra, as this is where the opening chapter of my new book is set. Particularly memorable was meeting Donald Francis MacNeil, the fisher from Vatersay, who was the lead singer when Skipinnish released their hit song - The Clearances Again. I took the opportunity to tell DF (as he is known to his friends) that the Scottish fishing industry owes him a huge debt of gratitude since there is no doubt that this song galvanised the campaign of opposition to the ill-thought-out proposal to prohibit fishing in 10% of Scottish waters.

Speaking at the Barra Science Festival

A great week spent in some of Scotland’s most beautiful islands where getting food from the sea is hard wired into the society and culture of the islanders.

John Goodlad

22nd July 2025