A children’s music summer school in the Western Isles almost derailed by a fire has been saved after the community rallied round.
Fèis Eilean na Hearadh – the Isle of Harris cultural festival – had most of their musical instruments and resources destroyed in a huge blaze nine weeks ago.
The week long event is organised by local volunteers who aim to promote the Gaelic language, culture and heritage for school age children on the island.
Many of the destroyed items had been donated to the fèis over the years to avoid the pressure on children having to buy and borrow items.
Accordians, guitars, keyboards and chanters were stored in part of a net making factory which was engulfed by flames at the end of April. Shinty sticks and Harris Tweed crafts items were also damaged.
The summer school – which is celebrating its twenty fifth anniversary this year – looked doomed as it seem there was no way to salvage the event
But a funding appeal to buy new instruments took off spectacularly and the event has risen from the ashes this week.
Over £5000 was pledged through an internet crowd funding appeal while small community groups raised more cash by organising ceilidhs, Highland dancing displays, and other fundraising events. Others donated surplus instruments.
Now over one hundred children are attending the fèis.
One of the organisers, Alison MacRae, said the response was “incredible” with a “crazy amount” of money donated from across the world allowing the event to go-ahead.
Donald Ian MacLennan of the fèis group said the blaze was a serious setback.
Everyone was shocked at the fire but luckily no-one was hurt, he said.
He added: “That was the last thing we needed really. But everybody has come together to help make the fèis a possibility and reality this year.”