July 23, 2003 Feature:
An Tarsainn / The Crossing

It seemed entirely appropriate therefore that Angus Peter Campbell’s community play specially commissioned for the occasion was called “Siùcar nan Craobh” or Sugar From Trees. In fact, “Siùcar nan Craobh” was the centrepiece of the Skye end of celebrations.

Using different locations in Portree village as the ‘stage’ for the drama, it told the story of the emigrants’ departure in 1803. It featured many of the characters, such as Lord Selkirk, his agent Angus MacAulay and Calum Bàn himself, who would have figured strongly in the actual events 200 years ago.

Around 80 actors, singers, dancers and sundry extras, all costumed as they might have been in the early 19th century, took part, and it proved to be an exciting and moving spectacle. And to the strains of Psalm 23, sung by cast and the substantial audience alike, ‘emigrants’ were rowed out from the quay to an awaiting ship bringing the curtain down on “Siùcar nan Craobh”. It appears that we might not have to wait another 100 years for an excuse to stage “Siùcar nan Craobh” again ­ there are moves afoot to repeat the exercise later this summer.

The name “Sugar From Trees” was to reappear in music newly commissioned for the anniversary. The commission involved musicians from Skye and Prince Edward Island and one of the latter, Steve Sharratt, composed a powerful song to which he gave this title.

This and the other commissioned pieces where performed in a series of four concerts held in Raasay and Skye. They featured some of Skye’s best-known musicians, such as Blair Douglas, Neil Campbell, Donnie Munro and Anne Martin. With Cliar and the Peat Bog Faeries also performing concerts as part of the anniversary celebrations much of the island’s musical talent was on show during the ten-day festival.

Once again recourse was made to Calum Bàn’s poem for a name for the series of concerts. Given that they involved musicians from both Skye and Prince Edward Island and celebrated the Polly’s historic voyage, the words “Thairis air Sàil” (Across the Ocean) seemed appropriate.

Elsewhere in his poem, Calum Bàn described Prince Edward Island as the “Isle of Contentment” ­ this was the title given to another concert which formed part of the anniversary celebrations. This was organised by Skye & Lochalsh Young Music Makers and featured music relating to emigration. Coincidentally, the same title is being used for an exhibition of Prince Edward Island history and literature being staged in Portree library later this summer.