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Thursday 1pm - 5pm Friday 11am - 5pm Saturday 11am - 5pm

Old Lochmaddy School

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11/06/2026

Due to driving theory tests being held in the building, the environment exhibition at Old Lochmaddy School will be closed on Saturday June 20.

Many apologies for the inconvenience.

05/06/2026

On Wednesday evening at Old Lochmaddy School, Dr Jean Archer gave a talk on the remarkable contribution the Western Isles made to the UK's 1976 bicentennial gift to the US, recounting how a piece of stone from Ardivachar was used in the pedestal for a golden showcase containing a copy of Magna Carta.

Covering the gift-giving ceremony held 50 years ago this month in front of Vice President Nelson Rockefeller, the excavation process back on South Uist and Jean's own efforts to track down the people who were there, the controversy that arose from that excavation, the symbolism goldsmith Louis Osman put into the work, and the gift's continued presence within the US Capitol Building, Jean's informative talk shone a light on a fascinating piece of recent island history. Thank you to her and everyone who came to the event.

30/05/2026

A great many thanks to all those who attended the latest talk at Old Lochmaddy School, and of course to speaker Marie Melnyczuk. This morning Marie spoke about the history of textiles and weaving, and how her appreciation of that history has grown to influence her own work. She also showcased diverse pieces ranging in origin from the Western Isles to Cyprus and Ethiopia, and let people tour her weaving studio.

The next talk at the old school will be at 7pm on Wednesday June 3, when Dr Jean Archer will speak about the stone from Ardivachar that made up part of the UK's bicentennial gift to the USA in 1976 and which continues to reside in the Capitol Building today. Hope to see you there.

29/05/2026

Two talks at Old Lochmaddy School during the coming week.

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Tomorrow (Saturday May 30) at 11am
A History of Textiles and Weaving
with Marie Melnyczuk

Uist-based weaver and artist Marie Melnyczuk operates a weaving studio at Old Lochmaddy School at which she offers workshops and produces commissioned pieces. In her talk, Marie will speak about the history of textiles and weaving, and how her own practice has developed alongside her understanding and experience of the art. The talk will also feature textile displays, including of her work, and a look at her studio.

*Please note that this talk is scheduled to be held on the old school's mezzanine floor, which is up a small flight of stairs (five steps), while Marie's studio is on the top floor (a further nine steps). Assistance with these steps can be provided, although please do let us know if there are any needs or requests related to access.

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Wednesday June 3, 7pm
Ardivachar to America
with Dr Jean Archer

In 1976 the UK presented the US a bicentennial gift consisting of a copy of Magna Carta within a golden showcase, set on a pedestal topped with polished Ardivachar stone. To mark the 50th anniversary of the presentation, Uist-based geologist Dr Jean Archer will tell the remarkable story of the stone's journey from South Uist to Capitol Hill.

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Both talks are free, with tea and coffee available, and all are welcome.

23/05/2026

Two upcoming talks at Old Lochmaddy School:

11am, Saturday May 30 (rearranged from Saturday May 23)
A History of Textiles and Weaving
with Marie Melnyczuk

Uist-based weaver and artist Marie Melnyczuk operates a weaving studio at Old Lochmaddy School at which she offers workshops and produces commissioned pieces. In her talk, Marie will speak about the history of textiles and weaving, and how her own practice has developed alongside her understanding and experience of the art. The talk will also feature textile displays, including of her work, and a look at her studio.

*Please note that this talk is scheduled to be held on the old school's mezzanine floor, which is up a small flight of stairs (five steps), while Marie's studio is on the top floor (a further nine steps). Assistance with these steps can be provided, although please do let us know if there are any needs or requests related to access.

7pm, Wednesday June 3
Ardivachar to America
with Dr Jean Archer

In 1976 the UK presented the US a bicentennial gift consisting of a copy of Magna Carta within a golden showcase, set on a pedestal topped with polished Ardivachar stone. To mark the 50th anniversary of the presentation, Uist-based geologist Dr Jean Archer will tell the remarkable story of the stone's journey from South Uist to Capitol Hill.

Both talks are free, with tea and coffee available.

We hope you will be able to attend.

16/05/2026

The next talk at Old Lochmaddy School will be by Marie Melnyczuk of Machair Weave on Saturday May 30, starting at 11am. Please note the change of date (from May 23) due to personal circumstances. We do apologise for any inconvenience caused by the change.

Saturday May 30, from 11am
A History of Textiles and Weaving
with Marie Melnyczuk

Uist-based weaver and artist Marie Melnyczuk operates a weaving studio at Old Lochmaddy School at which she offers workshops and produces commissioned pieces. In her talk, Marie will speak about the history of textiles and weaving, and how her own practice has developed alongside her understanding and experience of the art. The talk will also feature textile displays, including of her work, and a look at her studio.

Free entry, with tea and coffee available.
*Please note that this talk is scheduled to be held on the old school's mezzanine floor, which is up a small flight of stairs (five steps), while Marie's studio is on the top floor (a further nine steps). Assistance with these steps can be provided, although please do let us know if there are any needs or requests related to access.

09/05/2026

Many many thanks to Dr Michał Jezierski for his talk on St Kilda's wrens this morning. Amongst the topics covered in a highly informative session were how geographical isolation has led to changes in the birds' size, song, and colour, as well as how 'island syndrome' more broadly affects species. We hope the weather holds for him to get to St Kilda next week.

And of course a big thank you to all those who came to the talk. Your support of the talk series is always greatly appreciated.

08/05/2026

Firstly, a huge thank you to Andrew MacColl and his team, including fellow speakers Megan Barnes and Daniele D'Agostino, for their talk last night at Old Lochmaddy School on the research into sticklebacks that is being undertaken on North Uist. And of course many thanks too to all who attended what was a highly informative session. We hope you enjoyed it.

Tomorrow, Saturday May 9, Dr Michał Jezierski will be speaking about his research relating to the landbirds of St Kilda, including how the island environment has led to unique adaptations in species such as wrens and pipits. The talk in Old Lochmaddy School will start at 11am, is free to attend, and of course all are welcome.

07/05/2026

Tonight's talk at Old Lochmaddy School is by Andrew MacColl, Professor of Evolutionary Ecology at the University of Nottingham. He and his team will be discussing their on-going research into North Uist's stickleback population, particularly the adaptive radiation - or rapid evolutionary diversification - that the Uist environment is creating within the species.

The talk starts at 7pm, entry is free, and refreshments will be available.

Additionally, anyone wishing to join the email mailing list to directly hear about future events and talks at the old school, simply get in touch via [email protected].

Hope to see you tonight.

02/05/2026

The upcoming week will see two talks at Old Lochmaddy School.

Thursday May 7, starting at 7pm
Andrew MacColl, Professor of Evolutionary Ecology at Nottingham University, will be with his team speaking about the on-going research into North Uist's three-spined stickleback population. This research has noted significant adaptive radiation amongst sticklebacks caused by Uist's environment and environmental history, offering further and spectacular evidence of how populations within species evolve to meet conditions.

Saturday May 9, starting at 11am
Dr Michał Jezierski from the University of Birmingham presents an update on his studies of landbirds on St Kilda, with particular focus on wrens and pipits. A specialist on the presentation of 'island syndrome' amongst organisms living in insular environments, Dr Jezierski will speak about the way St Kilda and the broader Western Isles have made their residents unique.

Entry to both events is free, and all are welcome.

Address

Old Lochmaddy School
Lochmaddy
HS65AA

Opening Hours

Thursday	1pm - 5pm
Friday	11am - 5pm
Saturday	11am - 5pm

Website

http://www.isleofnorthuist.com/

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