Our 23-strong group of children, youth and adults from the Western Isles and Skye hit the road and sea once again on our annual adventure. This year took us to Scotland in Miniature, the Isle of Arran. We all bonded via football and table tennis, group games and dodging water pistols. We stopped for a swim and a spot of tennis in swelteringly hot Oban. Horse riding and quad biking got our adrenaline going, and long walks in search of Robert the Bruce’s infamous cave hideout worked up our appetites.

Visiting the Holy Isle and being warmly received by Lama Yeshe Losal Rinpoche was a definite highlight of the trip. Our group sat respectfully and attentively while Lama Yes he spoke highly of the Bahá'ís and emphasised the peaceful commonalities that exist between the Bahá'í Faith and Buddhism. We were also delighted to see a group of young Tibetan monks playing football on the green, who ingeniously incorporated wheelbarrows into their game!

We held an advertised Unity Feast in Lochranza community centre, where we were pleasantly surprised to meet Bahá'í friends Rachel and Baz from Jedburgh. Instrumental music and Gaelic singing, lead by Christina St Clair, enlivened the devotional session.

Grateful thanks are due to our helpers (Sarah, Christine, Christina, Ann, Mina and Rosemary), who dedicated their time, energies and various skills to make it a week to remember. We are also most grateful to Sarah, and Christine and the Manvell family, for accommodating us in their homes on our stopovers on the way there and back.

The whole week was characterised by a relaxed and happy atmosphere, with first-timers comfortably and easily fitting in with the customary morning and evening devotionals. New friendships were formed, and old friendships renewed. It was an absolute privilege to be a part of the adventure.

It was 15 months since the first ‘Uist Weekend’ back in May 2005 when friends from as far afield as Dumfries made their way across the Minch to attend the third such weekend event. Unlike the previous visit, during which the ferry corkscrewed its way through storm force side winds, the crossing was calm and we were able to enjoy our meals in the ship’s canteen. They were joined on Uist by the local friends and by Wendi Momen, who had travelled up from Bedford to be with us.

The sessions were taken by Rolf Schmidt, who gave a presentation of mystical passages in the Writings of the Faith; Wendi Momen, who spoke about the rôle of the Faith at the United Nations and the influence it has had in shaping some of its policies; and Jackie Mehrabi, who related stories about her time working at the World Centre and her life on Orkney. And, of course, there were many informal discussions!

In addition, Tracie Foroughi worked with the junior youth, who wrote and performed a play about handling teasing at school, as well as singing for our pleasure.

The whole event was imbued with an aura of informality, unity and joy. Finally, before returning to the ferry to make our various ways home, we all strolled along the beach at Clachan, taking in the wide open vistas so characteristic of North Uist. I am sure that I speak for everyone there in saying that, altogether, it was a wonderful weekend.

Special thanks are due to the Uist community for all the work they put into making this such a memorable weekend – can’t wait for the next one.