The Authorized Version

(Picture Credit Shawbost Free Church alt) 

In 1950 the Isle of Lewis, northernmost island in the Outer Hebrides, is swept by an extraordinary spiritual movement. Aileana, returned home to Lewis at the cost of her nascent singing career in Glasgow, is caught up in helping her sister Faye who is frantic to find her missing fiancé.

Faye insists they continue their search of the the crowds flocking to the meetings in churches and cottages across the island. In what Aileana is certain will be yet another fruitless attempt, she goes to her childhood friend Struan, whose shared memories include a first kiss in a blackhouse.

Struan is now a police officer with plenty of petrol coupons, He agrees to drive the sisters down the east coast of Lewis, past the mist-covered mountains of the Isle of Harris to Tarbert—only to find the meeting packed-out.

Another night they join an aged group in their pre-World War II Leyland bus to travel to a church by a loch near the Standing Stones of Callanish—until the bus breaks down and they are forced to continue their journey in a rowboat across the loch.

A few nights later, Aileana’s fateful decision not to join in the cottage meeting near the Truishal Stone leads to the culminating events of her story.

The storyline of A Wind in the Hebrides follows 2 young women through harrowing experiences on the Isle of Lewis.  Aileana in 1950, and Felicity following in her footsteps in 2024. Both women face danger, find enlightenment, and learn new truths about themselves.

Likewise, writing these stories has taken me on an involved journey. Never before, in my 40-plus years as a novelist, have I been required to develop two entirely separate, yet intertwined, storylines. For some time, I found myself going back and forth—a chapter of Felicity’s story, a chapter of Aileana’s.

Then, about three-quarters of my way through the events I planned to cover, Aileana’s narrative took over, so I went with it.  I am delighted to report that my historic heroine’s adventures have come to a rousing—but successful—conclusion.

Time out for a huge sigh of relief! And now, back into the fray to complete Felicity’s encounters. Watch for my next progress report.