0:00:35 > 0:00:39It's the height of the summer season in the Outer Hebrides,
0:00:39 > 0:00:42and all the islanders are making the most of the warm weather
0:00:42 > 0:00:44and the school holidays.
0:00:44 > 0:00:47One small island connected to the southern tip of Barra
0:00:47 > 0:00:51by a causeway is Vatersay. It has a tiny population
0:00:51 > 0:00:54and traditions are at the very heart of the community
0:00:54 > 0:00:59as they have been since the first settlers arrived 100 years ago.
0:00:59 > 0:01:01Today, up at the church,
0:01:01 > 0:01:04the young Catholic priest, Father John Paul,
0:01:04 > 0:01:08is overseeing an important festive occasion.
0:01:08 > 0:01:12A day of great joy and great happiness
0:01:12 > 0:01:17as two of our young girls here in the parish, here on Vatersay,
0:01:17 > 0:01:19make their First Holy Communion.
0:01:19 > 0:01:2395% of this community are Roman Catholic.
0:01:23 > 0:01:25The Body of Christ.
0:01:28 > 0:01:31Sister Marie, now look at those cameras.
0:01:31 > 0:01:35Keeping a watchful eye on the young priest is Sister Marie,
0:01:35 > 0:01:38who is well known and liked by all the islanders.
0:01:39 > 0:01:43In fact, Sister Marie was the first person to welcome Father John Paul
0:01:43 > 0:01:47on his arrival to the islands two years ago.
0:01:47 > 0:01:49- Hi, Sister. - We'd like to welcome you.
0:01:49 > 0:01:51Thank you very much.
0:01:51 > 0:01:53As well as helping Father John Paul,
0:01:53 > 0:01:57Sister Marie is very involved with all the community, not just the young,
0:01:57 > 0:01:59but also Barra's pensioners
0:01:59 > 0:02:03like oldest islander, 94-year-old Seonaid Campbell,
0:02:03 > 0:02:05who has 13 grandchildren.
0:02:05 > 0:02:08- I've blown it up for you. - Oh, yes.
0:02:08 > 0:02:12What do you think? That's one of my favourite photographs of you,
0:02:12 > 0:02:13did you know that?
0:02:13 > 0:02:17- I think you were in the Wrens, is that right?- That's right.
0:02:17 > 0:02:20You were a very pretty girl. You still are though!
0:02:20 > 0:02:24- Thank you very much, Sister Marie. - You're more than welcome.
0:02:25 > 0:02:28Sister Marie has been living on Barra for 13 years
0:02:28 > 0:02:30and has been a nun for 50 years.
0:02:30 > 0:02:35At an early age, she realised where her future lay.
0:02:35 > 0:02:40I was 21, in case you were wondering how old I was.
0:02:40 > 0:02:43It's very difficult to put into words,
0:02:43 > 0:02:49but I just knew that...that was where I belonged, as a Sister,
0:02:49 > 0:02:51serving the Lord as a Sister.
0:02:51 > 0:02:53I think that was what it would be.
0:02:53 > 0:02:56I've had tough times, of course I have.
0:02:56 > 0:02:59I think, possibly, one of the toughest times
0:02:59 > 0:03:02was when I went home for the first time,
0:03:02 > 0:03:05and my cousin had a new born baby.
0:03:05 > 0:03:10And I just realised, I won't be having any children of my own.
0:03:10 > 0:03:13But, again, I was very blessed and fortunate
0:03:13 > 0:03:15because I came back to the community,
0:03:15 > 0:03:18and I chatted it out with an older Sister.
0:03:18 > 0:03:21And I can't put it into words, but...
0:03:21 > 0:03:23Yeah, it was hard, but...
0:03:24 > 0:03:27..I knew this was the right thing for me.
0:03:27 > 0:03:30Have you ever been in love?
0:03:30 > 0:03:34Ah, surely everybody in their life at some time is in love.
0:03:34 > 0:03:37Erm, but it's how you look at "in love".
0:03:37 > 0:03:41I've loved lots of people and I hope lots of people have loved me too,
0:03:41 > 0:03:45erm, but I don't think I've ever been to the extent
0:03:45 > 0:03:50where I would ever, ever want to change my vowed life.
0:03:50 > 0:03:53Because I made the commitment to Jesus really, basically.
0:03:53 > 0:03:56To the Lord. I think that was my commitment.
0:03:56 > 0:03:59For the last few weeks, Sister Marie's been waiting
0:03:59 > 0:04:02for good weather so she can take Father John Paul
0:04:02 > 0:04:05on a pilgrimage to an even smaller island than Vatersay,
0:04:05 > 0:04:08further off the coast of Barra.
0:04:08 > 0:04:11It's a trip Father John Paul has wanted to do
0:04:11 > 0:04:15ever since he first arrived as its history is very special.
0:04:20 > 0:04:23Over on the next-door parish of Eriskay, on South Uist,
0:04:23 > 0:04:26preparations are well underway for what promises to be
0:04:26 > 0:04:28the wedding of the year.
0:04:28 > 0:04:32The whole island is expected to take part in the celebrations.
0:04:36 > 0:04:39Mother of the bridegroom, Clare MacLeod,
0:04:39 > 0:04:42is looking forward to seeing her family and relations
0:04:42 > 0:04:46who are all returning specially to the island for the big occasion.
0:04:46 > 0:04:50- How many children do you have? - Five...five.
0:04:50 > 0:04:52Well, there's one here,
0:04:52 > 0:04:54erm, a couple in Glasgow,
0:04:54 > 0:04:56and the boys are at sea.
0:04:56 > 0:04:58Well, as the family grow up,
0:04:58 > 0:05:02it becomes more difficult to get together as a family
0:05:02 > 0:05:06and they're all in different parts of the world,
0:05:06 > 0:05:09so it's very important that we come together for a happy occasion.
0:05:09 > 0:05:16The cheeky wee chap in these photos is getting married soon.
0:05:16 > 0:05:18How quickly time passes.
0:05:18 > 0:05:21You just wonder where the time goes
0:05:21 > 0:05:24and he and his twin brother, they're my babies.
0:05:25 > 0:05:29Lachie, the bridegroom, is expected later today for rehearsals,
0:05:29 > 0:05:32but the flights to the islands are scarce,
0:05:32 > 0:05:35so Clare's hoping he'll make it back in time
0:05:35 > 0:05:40and that the unpredictable Hebridean weather doesn't spoil the big day.
0:05:42 > 0:05:47On the island of Barra, the bad weather is keeping folk inside.
0:05:52 > 0:05:54For the last few months now,
0:05:54 > 0:05:58one of Father John Paul's most loyal parishioners, Maggie Mackinnon,
0:05:58 > 0:06:01better known to her friends as Scraggie Aggie,
0:06:01 > 0:06:04has been preparing a special gift for him.
0:06:04 > 0:06:08Now I'm getting on quite well, actually.
0:06:08 > 0:06:10Better than I thought I would.
0:06:10 > 0:06:15If there were less interruptions, I might get on quicker(!)
0:06:15 > 0:06:18Have you got enough wool, because you were worried about his size?
0:06:18 > 0:06:23I think maybe one... one more will do it.
0:06:23 > 0:06:27- Why do you need more wool?- Because he's getting a bit rounder(!)
0:06:27 > 0:06:29Poor chap, all he does...
0:06:29 > 0:06:33well, is saying Mass and standing on the altar.
0:06:33 > 0:06:35But he really is, he's an exceptional priest,
0:06:35 > 0:06:37I don't care what anybody says.
0:06:37 > 0:06:40There's never been anyone like him before.
0:06:40 > 0:06:44'Scraggie Aggie has been keeping the final designs under wraps.'
0:06:44 > 0:06:47What are these green marks along the top here?
0:06:47 > 0:06:50That is a surprise.
0:06:50 > 0:06:54Nobody's to know what that is until it's finished...until it's complete.
0:06:54 > 0:06:56I'm not telling anyone.
0:06:56 > 0:06:59It's going to be a surprise.
0:06:59 > 0:07:01She hopes to present Father John Paul
0:07:01 > 0:07:03with the finished jumper any day,
0:07:03 > 0:07:06as long as the island's supply of wool doesn't run out.
0:07:11 > 0:07:15The summer sunshine had been slow to arrive.
0:07:15 > 0:07:19In recent weeks, terrible weather had buffeted the islands
0:07:19 > 0:07:23and for one of the biggest cattle-crofters around, Angus John,
0:07:23 > 0:07:26it had been a big cause for concern.
0:07:26 > 0:07:29I don't know what we're going to do if the bad weather continues.
0:07:29 > 0:07:33You're not going to get the same crop as you had last year.
0:07:33 > 0:07:36I'm not going to get that anyway, because of the weather.
0:07:36 > 0:07:40I'm going to be down, and a way down, and all.
0:07:40 > 0:07:43It's a hell of a situation to be in, to be honest.
0:07:45 > 0:07:47But just a few weeks later
0:07:47 > 0:07:49and at last Angus John's got a reason to smile.
0:07:49 > 0:07:52The sun is out and he hopes it's here to stay
0:07:52 > 0:07:55for the sake his fledgling new business venture,
0:07:55 > 0:07:58a caravan and camping park.
0:07:59 > 0:08:02How does it feel, being part of the tourist industry?
0:08:02 > 0:08:04It's new to me, yes.
0:08:04 > 0:08:07But when I look around and see other folk,
0:08:07 > 0:08:10I think there's a bit of money in it too.
0:08:10 > 0:08:14There are quite a few farmers, crofters and all,
0:08:14 > 0:08:18who diversify to get a bit more money in.
0:08:18 > 0:08:23For crofting alone doesn't... you couldn't live on it.
0:08:23 > 0:08:27Maybe you'll be able to keep the wolf away from the door with crofting,
0:08:27 > 0:08:29but that's all.
0:08:29 > 0:08:32With the campsite business looking up, he's now hoping
0:08:32 > 0:08:34the warmer weather will get to work ripening the silage
0:08:34 > 0:08:36to feed his precious cattle.
0:08:43 > 0:08:45On the nearby island of Eriskay,
0:08:45 > 0:08:50the all-important bridegroom Lachie has made it in the nick of time
0:08:50 > 0:08:53to what is expected to be the mother of all weddings.
0:08:53 > 0:08:55Right.
0:08:56 > 0:09:00Are you feeling a bit nervous about the big moment?
0:09:00 > 0:09:03Um, a wee bit, but not too bad. Yeah.
0:09:03 > 0:09:06What's going through your mind at the moment?
0:09:06 > 0:09:11Er, ach, just trying to get everything done and, er...
0:09:11 > 0:09:15Yeah, just getting everything sorted for tomorrow and get over here
0:09:15 > 0:09:17and have a good night, I hope.
0:09:17 > 0:09:19Lachie's father-in-law to be
0:09:19 > 0:09:23has also brought some very precious cargo.
0:09:23 > 0:09:26- Wow. So this is for the wedding? - This is for the wedding.
0:09:26 > 0:09:29One of our friends was out fishing.
0:09:29 > 0:09:31The last week he's been out.
0:09:31 > 0:09:33A very, very generous friend.
0:09:33 > 0:09:36He's going to the wedding himself so he'll be expecting a share.
0:09:36 > 0:09:39Only the best for your daughter's wedding then?
0:09:39 > 0:09:42Well, of course, I mean, these are only the smaller ones.
0:09:42 > 0:09:44The bigger ones are coming later.
0:09:44 > 0:09:47Cousins, aunts, uncles and countless friends
0:09:47 > 0:09:50from all over the mainland and adjoining islands
0:09:50 > 0:09:53will be coming back for the wedding
0:09:53 > 0:09:57and for the bride-to-be, Mairi Rodgers, it can't come soon enough.
0:09:57 > 0:09:58It's brilliant, actually.
0:09:58 > 0:10:01I'm so pleased we decided to get married in Eriskay.
0:10:01 > 0:10:04Because everybody's around and everybody's involved,
0:10:04 > 0:10:08and it's making it really good fun and it's making it easy as well,
0:10:08 > 0:10:11and it's such a big day for everybody.
0:10:11 > 0:10:14It's big for us, but it's also... It's been something
0:10:14 > 0:10:17we've been talking about and looking forward to, all of us, for months.
0:10:17 > 0:10:21And on the islands, you're not brought up by your family,
0:10:21 > 0:10:23you're brought up more by the community,
0:10:23 > 0:10:25so it's good to involve everybody as well.
0:10:25 > 0:10:28Not just the immediate family, but the whole community.
0:10:30 > 0:10:34At the heart of this small community is the parish priest Father Callum,
0:10:34 > 0:10:37who will be conducting the service.
0:10:37 > 0:10:40And it's up to him to get the wedding couple relaxed
0:10:40 > 0:10:42before tomorrow's big ceremony.
0:10:44 > 0:10:48In a place like this, where everyone knows everyone so well,
0:10:48 > 0:10:51then the whole island takes part.
0:10:51 > 0:10:55Some of us are very closely related.
0:10:55 > 0:10:59- Are you related to the bride, Mairi? - Yes.- You are?- I am, yes.
0:10:59 > 0:11:03- How?- Because, er, her grandfather was my first cousin.
0:11:05 > 0:11:09And apart from that, we have the same birthday.
0:11:09 > 0:11:11A few years apart that is.
0:11:11 > 0:11:15- It really is a very close-knit world, here.- It is, very. Yes.
0:11:28 > 0:11:31Sister Mari's trip with Father John Paul
0:11:31 > 0:11:34to a remote island 12 miles south of Barra
0:11:34 > 0:11:39is a two-hour boat ride not without a few welcome surprises.
0:11:40 > 0:11:42- Look at that!- Wowee! - Oh, my goodness!
0:11:42 > 0:11:43Look at that!
0:11:43 > 0:11:46You just wish they would hang around so I could get a good photo of them
0:11:46 > 0:11:49but I can't get their face on the picture.
0:11:49 > 0:11:50They must be a bit camera shy.
0:11:50 > 0:11:55This part of the Outer Hebrides is home to a huge variety of sea life
0:11:55 > 0:11:58who come to feed off the plentiful supply of plankton.
0:11:59 > 0:12:03For Father John Paul, it's proving to be a heavenly trip.
0:12:03 > 0:12:05I mean, there's no words.
0:12:05 > 0:12:09I've got a camera and the photos aren't doing any justice.
0:12:09 > 0:12:12I'm just glad I'm able to see this.
0:12:12 > 0:12:13It's just beautiful. You can't...
0:12:13 > 0:12:17I don't think there's any camera that could pick this up, it's just lovely.
0:12:17 > 0:12:20Absolutely gorgeous.
0:12:20 > 0:12:22It's magnificent, absolutely.
0:12:22 > 0:12:27And to top it all, they get a glimpse of a giant of the sea.
0:12:27 > 0:12:30There he is. There he is.
0:12:30 > 0:12:34Basking sharks are often found around the waters of Barra.
0:12:34 > 0:12:37These harmless creatures spend the summer months here
0:12:37 > 0:12:41before travelling thousands of kilometres to warmer waters
0:12:41 > 0:12:42as winter approaches.
0:12:44 > 0:12:47The island Sister Marie has brought Father John Paul to see
0:12:47 > 0:12:49is called Mingulay.
0:12:49 > 0:12:53Once a thriving community, it hit upon very hard times.
0:12:55 > 0:12:59The island's history dates back thousands of years.
0:12:59 > 0:13:02At the beginning of the 20th century, it was home
0:13:02 > 0:13:04to a small God-fearing community.
0:13:04 > 0:13:07Now, the last time I came, the chapel still had its roof on.
0:13:07 > 0:13:10But it was beginning to slide off.
0:13:10 > 0:13:14The chapel house was below and the church was up on the second floor.
0:13:14 > 0:13:17You could actually go upstairs.
0:13:17 > 0:13:20So when you were here last, there was a wall there.
0:13:20 > 0:13:22Yes, there was. Yes, there was.
0:13:22 > 0:13:24Interesting they went up the stairs for the church.
0:13:24 > 0:13:27Maybe it'd be easier if the church was on the bottom level
0:13:27 > 0:13:29- and the priest...- Up on the top.
0:13:29 > 0:13:31- Lived up on the top. - Yeah, yeah.
0:13:31 > 0:13:32He'd have a penthouse,
0:13:32 > 0:13:36looking out over the views of the lovely beach, but...
0:13:36 > 0:13:41- Maybe they went on top because they felt closer to God.- Maybe.
0:13:41 > 0:13:44This island's eventual demise happened in 1912
0:13:44 > 0:13:47when, after 2,000 years, it was abandoned.
0:13:49 > 0:13:52Life on this remote island was very harsh.
0:13:52 > 0:13:57The families depended on fishing and crofting to make ends meet.
0:13:57 > 0:14:00It was a hand-to-mouth existence.
0:14:00 > 0:14:06There was a community here on Mingulay for many, many years.
0:14:06 > 0:14:09And then towards the turn of the last century,
0:14:09 > 0:14:12life became unsustainable, really.
0:14:12 > 0:14:14The women-folk were left behind, actually, to cope,
0:14:14 > 0:14:18and the young boys would dart round the cliff edges,
0:14:18 > 0:14:21picking up birds' eggs, and fishing.
0:14:21 > 0:14:25But, really, life became just beyond good living.
0:14:25 > 0:14:30So a number of fearless Mingulay men set out to escape poverty
0:14:30 > 0:14:32and seek a more prosperous way of life
0:14:32 > 0:14:34on the uninhabited island of Vatersay,
0:14:34 > 0:14:37which was closer to the mainland
0:14:37 > 0:14:39and there was plenty of fertile land for crofting.
0:14:39 > 0:14:44But their plans to start new lives for their families were thwarted.
0:14:44 > 0:14:49Lady Gordon Cathcart, who owned the island just for sheep -
0:14:49 > 0:14:51it was all the island was used for, Vatersay -
0:14:51 > 0:14:54she objected and the men were actually arrested
0:14:54 > 0:14:57- and put in prison in Edinburgh.- OK.
0:14:57 > 0:15:00And then I think what happened then
0:15:00 > 0:15:03was that the story hit the newspapers.
0:15:03 > 0:15:07And everybody down in London, they caused a big outcry about it,
0:15:07 > 0:15:10and they went through the court case
0:15:10 > 0:15:12with the backing of a lot of publicity.
0:15:12 > 0:15:18And they won the right to stay on Vatersay, and the crofting rights.
0:15:18 > 0:15:22So that's how Vatersay came to be inhabited by these,
0:15:22 > 0:15:26first of all, the Vatersay - as we call them - Raiders
0:15:26 > 0:15:28and then their families came over from here,
0:15:28 > 0:15:33and I think the last family came from Mingulay, I think in 1912.
0:15:33 > 0:15:36That was the last person to leave.
0:15:36 > 0:15:39- Yes.- When they had to leave. It must have been really...
0:15:39 > 0:15:41so heart-wrenching, mustn't it?
0:15:41 > 0:15:44- Definitely. - I know how I feel about Barra.
0:15:47 > 0:15:52It fills you with sadness that you see these buildings people lived in.
0:15:52 > 0:15:55You see it all collapsed and you realise
0:15:55 > 0:16:01people have had to move on and leave this beautiful island.
0:16:01 > 0:16:04and making a huge, huge sacrifice of leaving a church, a school,
0:16:04 > 0:16:08the buildings. They had a lovely community.
0:16:08 > 0:16:12Everyone's hoping and praying that this is something in the past now,
0:16:12 > 0:16:15that all the other islands will just stay where we are,
0:16:15 > 0:16:18keep growing, keep trying to keep our communities together.
0:16:18 > 0:16:22Let's hope and pray that we don't have to go through this again
0:16:22 > 0:16:23on any of the islands again.
0:16:25 > 0:16:29In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
0:16:32 > 0:16:35These islands and their communities' survival
0:16:35 > 0:16:37have long depended on fishing.
0:16:37 > 0:16:41Over the years, it has just about managed to keep its head above water
0:16:41 > 0:16:45but today its very existence is under threat
0:16:45 > 0:16:48and a tradition handed down from father to son for centuries
0:16:48 > 0:16:52could be wiped out. The Scottish Government is considering
0:16:52 > 0:16:55creating a conservation area
0:16:55 > 0:16:59close to Barra's southern coastline which the island fishermen say
0:16:59 > 0:17:04is completely unnecessary and will severely restrict their catches.
0:17:04 > 0:17:09They fear it could dramatically affect their whole way of life.
0:17:09 > 0:17:13Fisherman Angus MacLeod is chairman of the local campaigning group
0:17:13 > 0:17:17and he's frustrated by the lack of any outcome
0:17:17 > 0:17:20despite long-running negotiations.
0:17:20 > 0:17:22We've been on at this for three years,
0:17:22 > 0:17:26and you feel a bit demoralised here, kind of fighting a losing battle
0:17:26 > 0:17:30because the government and researchers are continuing to proceed
0:17:30 > 0:17:35with what we believe is totally unwanted and unnecessary.
0:17:37 > 0:17:39If the government's proposals go ahead,
0:17:39 > 0:17:44everyone on the islands is aware of the effect it could have
0:17:44 > 0:17:46on families like Alasdair MacNeil's
0:17:47 > 0:17:49If they get their way,
0:17:49 > 0:17:51I'm out of a job. I've got to find something else.
0:17:51 > 0:17:55Because in one of the areas they're thinking of shutting down,
0:17:55 > 0:17:59it's mainly where we fish in the Sound Of Barra there.
0:17:59 > 0:18:02And there's quite a lot of boats, maybe ten boats or more
0:18:02 > 0:18:06that are working in that area alone, just in that small area.
0:18:06 > 0:18:10So that would be ten families that would have to find employment ashore,
0:18:10 > 0:18:13and there just isn't the work ashore.
0:18:14 > 0:18:17The whole community are praying that when the decision is made,
0:18:17 > 0:18:21any day now, it won't threaten their livelihoods.
0:18:34 > 0:18:37Over on the north side of Barra,
0:18:37 > 0:18:40crofter Angus John is inspecting his silage crop,
0:18:40 > 0:18:44which has been blessed with the recent spell of warm weather
0:18:44 > 0:18:48This has come on enormously. It's fantastic.
0:18:48 > 0:18:50I'm really pleased with it.
0:18:50 > 0:18:53As you can see yourself, it's great seed on that.
0:18:53 > 0:18:55So I've no complaints now.
0:18:55 > 0:18:57You look like a very relieved man.
0:18:57 > 0:19:01Yeah, but see how it is just now, it's just ideal.
0:19:01 > 0:19:04See this field here - I've been looking at it, checking it.
0:19:04 > 0:19:06I reckon I'll be up on it this year.
0:19:06 > 0:19:09If I get everything the way it looks,
0:19:09 > 0:19:12I'll be able to sell about 30, 40 bales.
0:19:12 > 0:19:14So instead of looking at a loss,
0:19:14 > 0:19:17I'm looking at few pounds in the pocket now.
0:19:17 > 0:19:20- You're a happy man, Angus. - Oh, aye.- You're a happy man.
0:19:20 > 0:19:24No bother. So I'm really happy with this, it's turned out fantastic.
0:19:24 > 0:19:27I can't complain about the man up top
0:19:27 > 0:19:29because he's been good with the crops.
0:19:29 > 0:19:33But Angus John knows that this window of dry weather
0:19:33 > 0:19:34could be short lived
0:19:34 > 0:19:38and he's anxious to harvest his silage as soon as possible.
0:19:46 > 0:19:49A few miles to the north on the island of Eriskay,
0:19:49 > 0:19:53final preparations for the wedding are nearly complete,
0:19:53 > 0:19:55but it's all hands to the pump.
0:19:57 > 0:19:59The wedding couple are expecting
0:19:59 > 0:20:01over 200 relations and close friends,
0:20:01 > 0:20:04and they are taking no chances when it comes to the catering,
0:20:04 > 0:20:07using locally-caught fresh lobster.
0:20:07 > 0:20:09He looks extremely heavy.
0:20:09 > 0:20:11He is very, very heavy. Very heavy.
0:20:11 > 0:20:14Look at the size of him, look at that claw.
0:20:14 > 0:20:16SHE CHUCKLES
0:20:16 > 0:20:23I would say he's quite an old boy - 40, 50, maybe even older.
0:20:23 > 0:20:24- 50 years old?!- Yes, yes.
0:20:24 > 0:20:27I mean look at the size of his... He's really old.
0:20:27 > 0:20:29I had no idea lobsters lived that long.
0:20:29 > 0:20:31Yeah, they do, they can live quite long.
0:20:31 > 0:20:34- CRASHING Whoops!- Whoops! This one's trying to get away.
0:20:34 > 0:20:37- He's lively. - Oh, he's trying to get away.
0:20:37 > 0:20:41He is trying to get away, very hard. It's very important, you'll know,
0:20:41 > 0:20:43that they have to be cooked when they're alive.
0:20:43 > 0:20:47They have to be like that in order to make sure they're totally fresh
0:20:47 > 0:20:49and that you don't poison anybody.
0:20:49 > 0:20:52Yeah, I don't know what we're going to do with this baby, right enough
0:20:52 > 0:20:55- You've not got a pot big enough. - Er...
0:21:01 > 0:21:05Eriskay folk can be very superstitious
0:21:05 > 0:21:08and bride-to-be Mairi's relying on an ancient island tradition
0:21:08 > 0:21:12to improve the chances of sunshine on her big day.
0:21:12 > 0:21:15What are you doing there, Mairi?
0:21:15 > 0:21:16I've just put a statue out.
0:21:16 > 0:21:19It's actually called the Infant Of Prague.
0:21:19 > 0:21:23And people believe in Eriskay that it should bring good weather.
0:21:23 > 0:21:27- So you're hoping this will give you good weather for the wedding?- Yes.
0:21:27 > 0:21:29The forecast says a bit of rain and a bit of cloud,
0:21:29 > 0:21:32but we're hoping just to brighten up.
0:21:32 > 0:21:35Even for the photos outside church at half past three.
0:21:35 > 0:21:36That would be all we would need.
0:21:38 > 0:21:41Traditions are a huge part of the occasion.
0:21:41 > 0:21:44The happy couple will have to perform in front of hundreds
0:21:44 > 0:21:47of their relations and friends, so practice makes perfect.
0:21:49 > 0:21:52There's so much of a buzz - everybody's around
0:21:52 > 0:21:55and everybody's involved doing things, helping out.
0:21:55 > 0:21:58- It's really exciting. - No nerves, not even a tiny bit?
0:21:58 > 0:22:00Not yet. I was a wee bit emotional.
0:22:00 > 0:22:03I keep saying I'm going to have to do my crying today
0:22:03 > 0:22:05so I'm not crying on the altar.
0:22:05 > 0:22:08Because, yeah, I can be a bit emotional at weddings.
0:22:16 > 0:22:18CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:22:25 > 0:22:28Back on the island of Barra, the sun is out
0:22:28 > 0:22:31and the dry weather is perfect for cutting hay.
0:22:31 > 0:22:36Cattle crofter Angus John just can't keep the smile off his face.
0:22:36 > 0:22:39It must be one of the most beautiful places to have a croft.
0:22:39 > 0:22:43Oh, aye, well, yes, on a good day!
0:22:43 > 0:22:49On a good day, it is. But on a bad day, I wouldn't say that.
0:22:49 > 0:22:53It can be very wild down here. Oh, yes.
0:22:53 > 0:22:55But you don't think about that on a day like today?
0:22:55 > 0:22:58No, you forget all about it. That's how life is, you see.
0:22:58 > 0:23:00You forget all about it.
0:23:00 > 0:23:03You forget all about your problems,
0:23:03 > 0:23:04everything's going great.
0:23:04 > 0:23:07You see, I love crofting,
0:23:07 > 0:23:11it's in my blood, and this is why.
0:23:11 > 0:23:14When you've been brought up with crofting...
0:23:14 > 0:23:17you know, it's very hard to explain.
0:23:17 > 0:23:21You just, you don't want anything else.
0:23:22 > 0:23:26Angus John's son Ian has come home from work early
0:23:26 > 0:23:28just to help with the harvest.
0:23:29 > 0:23:32I've noticed your son seems to be going a bit faster than you.
0:23:32 > 0:23:37I prefer to go at a steady pace
0:23:37 > 0:23:39but I suppose him being younger
0:23:39 > 0:23:42that they always want to be that wee bit faster.
0:23:43 > 0:23:46Do you think Dad's relying on you taking over the croft one day?
0:23:46 > 0:23:49Och, yes, I don't know if I'll be...
0:23:49 > 0:23:51meet up to his standards, right enough,
0:23:51 > 0:23:53but I'm sure I'll do my best.
0:23:53 > 0:23:57If he wasn't here, I'd be pretty well stuck.
0:23:57 > 0:23:58Saving me a bit of money and all.
0:23:58 > 0:24:02I'd have to have somebody with me, so he saves me a bit of money.
0:24:02 > 0:24:04But I look after him well.
0:24:04 > 0:24:06- Is that true, Ian?- Yes! - Well, so-so.
0:24:06 > 0:24:10I'm sure he would manage some way or another.
0:24:10 > 0:24:13It's good to be home doing it. I enjoy doing it so...
0:24:13 > 0:24:17It's good to be home as well to do it and give him a hand doing it.
0:24:20 > 0:24:25The next day, the ferry arrives to collect a special cargo of guests
0:24:25 > 0:24:28all heading out to the island of Eriskay for the big wedding.
0:24:28 > 0:24:32Family relations and friends have all travelled from far and wide
0:24:32 > 0:24:34to get back for the celebrations.
0:24:34 > 0:24:37For Clare MacLeod, the bridegroom's mum,
0:24:37 > 0:24:41it's a huge relief everyone's made it for the special day.
0:24:41 > 0:24:43How are you feeling about today then?
0:24:43 > 0:24:46Very excited. A bit nervous but very excited.
0:24:46 > 0:24:50- You must be proud. - Yes, yes, very.
0:24:50 > 0:24:53- A few tears later on.- A few tears.
0:24:59 > 0:25:04A big welcome to all of you who come from wherever you come from
0:25:04 > 0:25:11and, of course, all those of you who've also come from Barra...
0:25:11 > 0:25:12LAUGHTER
0:25:12 > 0:25:15..for this very special occasion.
0:25:22 > 0:25:26Although many islanders move away to the mainland, on important occasions
0:25:26 > 0:25:30the deep sense of tradition and belonging always brings them home.
0:25:30 > 0:25:38This instinct for people to return to this island when they've travelled away,
0:25:38 > 0:25:40- it's still incredibly strong. - Absolutely.
0:25:40 > 0:25:45I was abroad in the Army, I did six years studying in Italy
0:25:45 > 0:25:46and all that sort of thing.
0:25:46 > 0:25:51After a few weeks, I just got homesick for the islands.
0:25:51 > 0:25:56You just feel... There's a peace, a contentment,
0:25:56 > 0:25:59a fulfilment of some description.
0:25:59 > 0:26:01It's emotional, traditional.
0:26:01 > 0:26:06In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
0:26:06 > 0:26:11the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
0:26:13 > 0:26:16In spite of the fact that so many people now leave the island
0:26:16 > 0:26:18and live in other communities,
0:26:18 > 0:26:24there is still this realisation that getting married,
0:26:24 > 0:26:28it's a social convention, it's still here.
0:26:28 > 0:26:31People want to get the blessing of the church
0:26:31 > 0:26:33and the blessing of their parents and friends and so on.
0:26:33 > 0:26:38That is something which comes from the faith that they have.
0:26:38 > 0:26:42With this ring I wed you, in the name of the Father,
0:26:42 > 0:26:45the Son and the Holy Spirit.
0:26:48 > 0:26:50- Amen.- Amen.
0:26:50 > 0:26:52LAUGHTER
0:26:57 > 0:27:03I count myself exceptionally lucky to see young people coming back
0:27:03 > 0:27:05and getting married.
0:27:05 > 0:27:09Each generation seems to have its own charm and grace about it.
0:27:09 > 0:27:11As tradition dictates,
0:27:11 > 0:27:16the end of the service is celebrated with the firing of a shotgun.
0:27:19 > 0:27:23But, unfortunately, the Infant Of Prague statue
0:27:23 > 0:27:26that bride Marie was relying on for a bit of sunshine
0:27:26 > 0:27:28is clearly having the day off.
0:27:30 > 0:27:33CHEERING BAGPIPES PLAY
0:27:50 > 0:27:53All the rehearsals have paid off
0:27:53 > 0:27:57as the traditional wedding reel goes without a hitch.
0:28:05 > 0:28:08CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:28:08 > 0:28:11And even the weather decides to behave itself
0:28:11 > 0:28:14just in time for the all-important photos.
0:28:22 > 0:28:25In the days to come, the islanders get a chance to voice concerns
0:28:25 > 0:28:30about government proposals which could affect all their livelihoods.
0:28:30 > 0:28:31What you are doing is destroying
0:28:31 > 0:28:34the future opportunities for our children.
0:28:34 > 0:28:37We are listening to what you're saying.
0:28:37 > 0:28:40We've told you a whole lot of reasons why we don't want it,
0:28:40 > 0:28:43you haven't told us any reason why we should.
0:28:43 > 0:28:45And after weeks of waiting,
0:28:45 > 0:28:48Scraggie Aggie finally reveals
0:28:48 > 0:28:50the jumper she's knitted for Father John Paul.
0:28:59 > 0:29:02Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd