This month saw Re-Soundings travel back from Lewis to Iona and it will be good to take some time to reflect on the project and what emerges from the experience.

While I was up in Stornoway, I met with Father Taggart of St. Peter’s and St. Moluag’s and handed over the prototype handbell; the first one to be cast by Laings Foundry and made entirely of WW1 shells, everyone agreed it had the most beautiful tone. Father Taggart was really delighted and used it in a requiem mass in St. Peter’s that afternoon. It will also be used up at St. Moluag’s in Ness, and is a lasting legacy from the project that the sound of a handbell will be heard again in a religious context in Ness.

Father Taggart is just one of many people to whom we owe thanks for making the project possible.

The project would not have been possible without the generous support of Creative Scotland, An Lanntair, Comhlairle nan Eileen Siar, Historic Environment Scotland, Sabhal Mar Ostaig, Fiona MacNeill Associates, Aosdàna, Media Studio Glasgow School of Art, Ness Historical Society, Shawbost Historical Society, St. Peter’s Church Stornoway.

Personal thanks also to Acair Books, Alastair McIntosh, John Purser, Frances McKee; Roddy Murray, Elly Fletcher, Jon Macleod, An Lanntair; Rev. Terry Taggart, St. Peter’s Church Stornoway; Finlay Macleod; Andy Crossan; Andrew Laing, Laings Foundry Edinburgh; Calum Angus Mackay, Ivor MacKenzie, MastArd Studio; Etta and Roddy Morrison; Jim Crawford; Anne Macleod, Ness Historical Society; Iain Macaulay; Alasdair MacKay, Skyespace, Sabhal Mòr Ostaig; Geoff Allen, CaVa Recording Studios; Andy Graham, Graphical House; Alasdair MacLeoid, Facal; Jane Martin, Historic Environment Scotland; Pete Johnson, Ratho Forge; Gordon Bruce, Aosdàna; Andrew Tibbles, Mark Craig, MakLab. Colin MacDougal, Iona.

Finally, we owe many thanks to the participants of the Lewis and Iona sound workshops. Their engagement with the bells provided John with a wealth of audio material for his composition.