Two Thousand Acres of Sky

Episode 8

Desmond Cholonbury is dead! As the highly unpopular and disliked owner of Ronansay, his untimely demise is a cause for celebration for the islanders! Douglas sees this as a chance to finally unite the island. There's just one tiny snag - Cholonbury declared that the islanders are not to be sold the island, unless there are no other takers. As far as Douglas is concerned, this is just a minor obstacle. He starts to form a plan for them all to band together and buy the island themselves.</BR> </BR> Gradually the islanders begin to discuss the idea seriously, but Abby can't commit. The nature of her economic circumstances is such that she's unwilling to take on the risk of a mortgage - which she would need to do were she to stay on the island. But does she really want to commit to staying on Ronansay at all? Terry measures her uncertainty and offers her the option of financial help. Abby protests but now that Kenny's gone, he'd like to leave something for Alfie and Charley. After all, they are the closest he'll ever come to having granchildren. Robbie wants them to move and start afresh, but for Abby the draw of the island is too strong. She accepts Terry's offer and unites with the islanders to fight for making Ronansay their own.</BR> </BR> A rich American, Snyder, arrives with a view to buying the island himself. The islanders have no choice but to present themselves as a distinctly odd and macabre bunch in order to try and put him off. Surely the burning of the Wicker Man will ensure his quick exit! But with a little help from Charley, Snyder sees through their actions. Realising the fairness of the islanders owning the land, he withdraws his interest.</BR> </BR> Hamish is offered a fantastic job in New York but now feels his heart is in the island. He puts forward the idea of renovating the distillery. If the distillery is in good working order, it will provide a viable asset, adding to the island's worth, thus ensuring a much needed loan to buy the island. Working against the clock, the entire island manage to make it look presentable and in the nick of time they find the source of the stream which had dried up. The bank agrees the loan and the future of the island is finally in the hands of the people who live there.</BR> </BR> Abby, Robbie, Alfie and Charley are finally reunited as a family. Making a go of it won't be easy, but the future for them looks secure on Ronansay …