"A Part of Who We Are" explores the ceilidh tradition of the furthest North West corner of Scotland and the history that has shaped it.

Perched precariously above steep sea cliffs, the abandoned village of Poulouriscaig was created as a result of the infamous Highland Clearances, when in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, thousands of families were forcibly evicted from their homes and relocated to the coast to make way for large inland sheep farms.

For some, the only option was to emigrate - which led to waves of Scottish migrants making journeys to America (particularly Carolina), Canada (mainly Quebec and Nova Scotia), Australia and New Zealand. Those who stayed in places like Poulouriscaig had to adapt quickly to a whole new way of life, a whole new livelihood in a very inhospitable environment.

"They were moved down to the coasts; some of them emigrated abroad. But ceilidhs remained their bond"...

This film tells the story of how Poulouriscaig - despite its isolation and hardships - became famous for its ceilidhs.

It celebrates the ongoing role of ceilidhs across MacKay Country today: keeping communities connected by sharing music, language and culture in one of the most sparsely populated areas of Europe.

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