CÀIRDEAN PROGRAMME FEATURES SCOTS SIBLINGS

AN upcoming programme in the series Càirdean features two sisters from the Lochs district of Lewis – Jane Anne MacArthur and Cathie Muriel Carey.
Jane Anne and Cathie Muriel (MacKenzie) were born and brought up in Marvig in South Lochs, went to Primary and Secondary School in Lewis but left the island to continue their studies and to work. Jane Anne spent some time in London but returned to live in Stornoway, and with husband Ivor operates a taxi business in the town. Cathie moved from York in England to the United States 16 years ago. She worked as a nanny for a short time, met and married husband Kevin, and decided to settle in Randolph, New Jersey. She now works from home selling educational books for a British publisher.
Càirdean, produced by Media nan Eilean and funded by CCG, contrasts the lives and lifestyles of the two sisters, illustrating the reasons one had for staying at home, the other for leaving, how the great distance between them has affected their relationship and how the separation has impacted on their family.
As part of the filming for Càirdean, Jane Anne travelled to New Jersey to visit Cathie, Kevin and their two young children. This was only her second visit to New Jersey since Cathie and Kevin’s wedding 12 years ago. As well as visiting some of the local tourist attractions in the Randolph area, she also spent some time sightseeing in New York City which is only 20 minutes drive from Cathie & Kevin’s home.
A re-edited version of the programme for the Càirdean series is scheduled to be shown on Scottish and Grampian Television on Sunday, September 30. (SP)