When the call came for copy for this year's magazine it seemed impossible that another year had slipped from the calendar. The same could be said of the 57th year of the Coll Association.

A busy and eventful year that saw the Coll playing a very full role in social and other activities connected with the Highland scene in Glasgow. Our Ceilidhs and concerts were well attended and the quality of our artistes was clearly appreciated by members and friends.

Once again the premier event in the year's programme was the Annual Dinner and Dance held for the first time in a top line Glasgow Hotel. Guest of Honour was Mr John MacKenzie a Collach by adoption and now retired Area Manager for Caledonian MacBrayne (Oban).

A regular visitor each year to Sorisdale with his wife Flora and son Jim and daughter Mairi and their children, Mr MacKenzie was "much at home". In his excellent and fascinating after dinner address Mr MacKenzie drew on his lifelong service with 'MacBraynes' to entertain and inform. His wealth of anecdotes and stories of epic voyages to Coll and other familiar West Highland ports on ships past and present struck many a memory chord to the Collachs. The toast to the Coll Association was put in fine style by Mr Alastair MacArthur, a past President of the Tiree Association, who displayed a knowledge of Coll history, the detail of which was to his credit. Association Secretary Angus Kennedy replied on behalf of the Coll.

Not above 'pinching' a good idea, in January the Association staged an exhibition of hundreds of photographs of Coll and Coll people put together by Sylvia MacFadyen and Alasdair Kennedy. Many readers will know that the first such exhibition was staged at the 1987 Coll Show in Arinagour when Association member Tammy Russell conceived and developed the idea for the first time.

Dances, Whist Drives, Outings, Film Shows and Talks were all events enjoyed by members but to single out one more - the Annual Golf Match against the Tiree Association at Cowal this year; Tiree won carrying off the OBAN TIMES TROPHY!

This year Glasgow is the venue for the TSB National Mod '88. Appeals for financial support were made to Highland Associations in the city and it is with pride that it can be reported that "the wee Coll" ran a lottery which raised £1050 for Mod Funds. Our thanks to all who supported our venture and WELL DONE COLL!

It is almost unnecessary to state the obvious - the Association is alive and well and continuing to serve the needs of those interested in maintaining their Coll connections. This does not happen in isolation and it is necessary and right to put on record the debt owed to the Association's enthusiastic Committee who contribute so much to ensuring the continuance of the Association.

In conclusion it was with great regret that the Association were forced to accept that our President Mr Neil MacFadyen had to demit office for personal reasons. Neilie has been a faithful member of the Association for over 31 years missing only two committee meetings over the years. He has been our President for the last six years and with his steady hand has presided over the rejuvenation of the Association. We all owe Neilie a debt of thanks and, although his presidency has ended, he has agreed to continue to serve the Association as a committee member.

Finally - an invitation. If you are in Glasgow and would like to attend a Coll event - don't be a stranger. THERE IS ALWAYS A WELCOME AT THE COLL!