An Island Parish Season 5

Mark Seen

A Strange Turn of Events Jan 21, 2011 The first in a new series following a year in the life of the most southerly islands of the Outer Hebrides, off the north-west coast of Scotland. A nervous young Roman Catholic priest, Father John Paul Mackinnon, arrives on the tiny island of Barra to take up his new post as parish priest, but how will he cope with life in one of Britain's remotest communities? And will he ever be able to live up to the expectations of his two fellow experienced priests, Father Calum and Father Roddy?

Mark Seen

A Legacy of the Past Jan 28, 2011 Series following a year in the life of the most southerly islands of the Outer Hebrides, off the north-west coast of Scotland. It's Father John Paul's first big test as he settles into life on Barra. His boss Bishop Joe arrives from the mainland to assess the new priest's progress. Meanwhile, the newcomer gets an extraordinary gift from one of his more eccentric parishioners, and Father Roddy's housekeeper Sandy begins a project which she hopes will help families from all over the world trace their Scottish ancestry.

Mark Seen

Forgive Us Our Sins Feb 4, 2011 As the shortest day of the year approaches in his remote island parish, the new priest Father John Paul launches a bold plan to bring light into the heart of his community through the long hours of darkness. Meanwhile, it is the season for parishioners to clear their consciences and make confession; and Father Roddy's American housekeeper Sandy decides she wants to change nationality and become Scottish.

Mark Seen

Lighten Our Darkness Feb 11, 2011 Father John Paul is thrown into the spotlight as Christmas comes to his island parish.

Mark Seen

New Lives, New Beginnings Feb 18, 2011 Father John Paul faces an uphill battle to keep his congregation coming to church.

Mark Seen

A Very Serious Business Feb 25, 2011 Father Roddy and Father John Paul find time for a long-awaited golf challenge this Easter.

Mark Seen

The Long, Long Days of Summer Mar 4, 2011 Father Roddy is busy with a wedding, while ferry troubles cause disppointment with the tourist season.

Mark Seen

For Those in Peril Mar 11, 2011 On the remote island of Barra in the Outer Hebrides, the new parish priest Father John Paul struggles to overcome his nerves at the biggest event in the annual calendar. It's the blessing of the boats at the Fishermen's Mass, which involves nearly every islander. Meanwhile, Father Roddy tries prayer to help overcome the problems of a leaking church; and his American housekeeper Sandy gets news which will change her life for ever.

Mark Seen

Clash of the Titans Mar 18, 2011 On the island of South Uist, after months of secret planning, Father Roddy at last goes head to head with his parishioner Flora Campbell in the battle for top honours at the local agricultural show. Meanwhile on Barra, Father John Paul, still without a housekeeper, undergoes a crash course to improve his skills in the kitchen; and the success of the bi-annual Clan Macneil gathering at Kisimul Castle comes under threat.

Mark Seen

A Gathering of the Clans Mar 25, 2011 On the island of South Uist, Father Roddy and Father John Paul go to extraordinary lengths to give their friend and fellow priest Father Calum a birthday surprise he'll never forget. Meanwhile, across on Barra, the islanders are preparing for the imminent gathering of the Clan Macneil; and over in the heart of the USA, an 82-year-old clan member has to make the difficult decision about whether to make the four thousand mile journey to join them at their ancestral home.

Mark Seen

Getting to Know You Apr 1, 2011 On the remote island of Barra, Mac and Linda arrive from Missouri for the gathering of the Clan Macneil - but Mac's reaction to his ancestral home is not what he expected. Fr John Paul investigates the truth behind the famous Ealing comedy Whisky Galore! and Fr Roddy struggles to maintain the honour of the Catholic church in a half-marathon race.

Mark Seen

A Question of Survival... Apr 15, 2011 It is the end of Father John Paul's first year as the new Catholic priest on Barra, one of the remotest islands in the Outer Hebrides, but celebrations are in danger of being overshadowed by worries over the whole future of island life. Fishermen say their livelihood is under threat from an unexpected source, and there are new fears over how the remoter communities will survive. Meanwhile, Father Roddy's working hard to perfect his skills as a conjuror; and Scraggie Aggie unexpectedly becomes the life and soul of the party.