“The Columba Connection” – 2018
2018 marks the 80th anniversary of the purchase of the Isle of Canna, Inner Hebrides, Scotland by folklorists John and Margaret Lorne Campbell in 1938.

This is an ideal opportunity to celebrate the island and its local, historical and cultural significance with wide reaching potential for positive media coverage and strengething of Academic partnerships

A one day symposium on June 9th, 2018, St Columba’s Day, a day which was celebrated by the island in 1963 and documented in Margaret Campbell’s autobiography “ From the Alleghenies to the Hebrides”.

The symposium will examine the connections between Canna, the Campbells and St Columba via an academic and archaeological focus. John Lorne Campbell believed that Canna was the island named Hinba, by St Columba in his papers. The archaeological evidence on the island of monastic presence is extensive but has remained largely unexplored. There is no reason why canna can become “Iona mark 11” in terms of archaeological and historical significance.

“Bho Eirinn gu Alb’ar lochran ‘s ar n-earbs’
From Eire to Alba , our torch and our guide”

A line from the popular Laoidh Choluim Chille St Columba’s Hymn and the theme for the afternoon papers for “Ceangal Choluim Chille/Cónasc Cholm Cille ”. Two papers only to be selected due to time restrictions.

Papers of strict 20 minutes duration, 10 minutes for discussion, are invited on the above theme. Presenters may wish to focus on the geographical connection between Canna/the Hebrides and Eire, economic or political links, historical or linguistic and cultural links or explore who that “Torch and Guide” is/was or could have been. Reference may be made to John and Margaret Campbell of Canna. A screen and projector can be provided but speakers should bring their own laptops if possible.

Proposals should be submitted to fmackenzie@nts.org.uk by April 9 and successful speakers will be informed by April 16.

Speakers will be given a complimentary place at the Symposium, accommodation and travel excluded.