Uist’s historic
ploughing match p9
What’s On in the Hebrides this month p12, 13
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June 2015
island news Edition 36
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& ADVERTISER
Mystery of the missing figurehead The disappearance of the figurehead on the bow of the replica birlinn currently displayed in South Uist seems worthy of Sherlock Holme’s attention.
T
he missing figurehead is no ordinary theft, but linked with strong feelings nursed by its abductor. The Galley Aileach emerged from its temporary winter quarters in South Uist some weeks ago to be displayed at Kildonan Museum for the season. On Tuesday May 19, something looked odd about it. Museum staff realised that the wooden figurehead, carved in the form of a leaping fish, (pictured above) was missing. An old piece of plastic was found nearby with a message in Gaelic, giving a voice to Aileach and telling the people who placed her there ‘I should be out on the high seas, not locked up in a field.’ Consternation ensued in the community. Local councillor Ronald MacKinnon said: “If the perpetrator had something to say, why didn’t he say it to us directly? “If he had talked to us we could have
explained. The ship is in need of repair, and there have been talks underway with the Trust which owns her to have the repairs carried out in South Uist using the skills here, which would be a great thing for the community. “The Aileach has travelled all over the place for years without incident, and it’s embarrassing that such a thing should have happened here.” Mr MacKinnon said he is convinced because of the Gaelic used for the message that the perpetrator is local. He said: “We have had to involve the police, but we’re hoping that it will be brought back and that will be the end of the matter.” Galley Aileach was built in Ireland in 1991, designed by Colin Mudie with much of the detail coming from an image on a MacLeod gravestone at Rodel Church, Harris. It is owned by The Lords of the Isles Trust who at the time of printing were unavailable for comment.
Galley Aileach outside Kildonan Museum before the theft.
TURING SCOTTISH FEATURING NATIONAL JAZZ ORCHESTRA DIRECTED BY TOMMY SMITH
EDD EDDI DI READER ALBA: SONGS OF SCOTLAND 10 JUNE ISLAY, PORT ELLEN RAMSAY HALL 11 JUNE ARRAN, LAMLASH ARRAN COMMUNITY THEATRE 12+13 JUNE LERWICK, SHETLAND THE MAREEL 16 JUNE TOBERMORY, MULL AROS HALL 17 JUNE PORTREE, SKYE AROS CENTRE 18 JUNE SOUTH UIST IOCHDAR HALL 19 JUNE STORNOWAY, LEWIS AN LANNTAIR 20 JUNE ULLAPOOL MACPHAIL CENTRE 21 JUNE INVERNESS EDEN COURT 22 JUNE ORKNEY ST. MAGNUS FESTIVAL
E MORILS A DETND A TS E TICK.CO.UK O J N S Alba: Songs of Scotland: The SNJO and Eddi Reader take enchanting and evocative melodies from across Scotland and weave words, music and colourful arrangements together in a seductive musical tapestry.
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island news & ADVERTISER - June 2015 Issue 36
INBRIEF INBRIEF INBRIEF
Dr Who? Dr You
RNLI Leverburgh open day success Defying challenging weather, RNLI supporters raised £1691.84 at the Leverburgh lifeboat fun day on Saturday May 16.
The launch of Dr You in Stornoway Library.
Dr You is a new initiative to help people to take control of their health and wellbeing. The project, a partnership between NHS Western Isles, the Comhairle’s library service, and local health organisations, provides books and information on health issues and concerns, available through the branch and mobile libraries across the Isles. The collections of self-help books cover a range of ailments, mental health issues, such as depression, stress, eating disorders and low self-esteem, and children’s issues. Their aim is to provide support and guidance to help sufferers and carers manage their conditions. Anyone wanting to borrow one of the Dr You books can do so by visiting their local library or arranging a visit from the mobile library service. To find out more about Dr You and see a full list of the books available visit www.cne-siar.gov.uk/library for more information.
UHI Lews Castle College
End of Year Concert Dark Island Hotel Friday June 5 at 7.30pm With students and staff from the traditional music courses in Benbecula. Entry by donation.
COLLECTIONS FROM ARGOS, B&Q, DFS AND ALL MAJOR STORES Click and Collect Drop Offs and Collections Uist, Skye, Kyle, Inverness Reliable, Friendly Service
They are keen to hear from anyone who wants to hold their own event to raise money for RNLI over the summer. Contact via Leverburgh RNLI Facebook page.
Volunteer young gardener sought for Applecross house Social enterprise company Venture Mòr is looking for a volunteer aged 16-30 to work at Hartfield House, Applecross for the summer. They’re looking for someone who is passionate about gardening and horticulture with a good eye for detail who is open to living and volunteering in a rural community. In return, the Volunteer Gardner will have the opportunity to contribute to the development and maintenance of the gardens around Hartfield House, previously a hunting lodge on the Applecross Estate and now a youth hostel. The role is ideal for someone creative who has ideas on how to make the garden come to life, while ensuring it remains practical for growing food and camping. All ProjectScotland volunteers receive a travel allowance, are offered a mentor, and are invited to a series of job-focused workshops designed to help them plan for the future. Apply online at: www.projectscotland.co.uk
Dementia Week event in Harris Leverburgh Community Hall, Thursday June 4, 1-3pm. Includes light buffet. Take a trip down memory lane with Harris Dementia Group. Show of old Harris photographs. Display of artefacts by Hebridean Connections. Talk by Karen Toovey (Adult Protection officer CnES) Come along for an afternoon of chat, good food and entertainment.
The organisers wish to thank everyone who helped outbranch, crew, fundraisers, bakers and all those who attended.
Opera comes to isles this autumn Sat 20 Feb 7.30pm Opera Highlights Tarbert Community Centre, Harris
Scottish Opera has announced its touring dates on the isles later this year. Tue 13 Oct 7.30pm Così fan tutte Orkney Theatre, Kirkwall Tue 3 Nov 7.30pm Così fan tutte An Lanntair, Stornoway
June 2015 Issue 36 - island news & ADVERTISER
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Slàinte! Maturation warehouse for Harris whisky Land on a croft near Tarbert has been made available for a new maturation warehouse for the Isle of Harris distillery.
I
t was sold to Isle of Harris Distillers (IHD) by local crofter and businessman, Roddy MacAskill of Ardhasaig, and the company says it is perfectly placed to allow The
Hearach malt whisky to ‘mature and benefit from the unique character of Harris’s climate.’ Work is under way on the new warehouse, which will store up to 4,000 casks containing the equivalent of a million bottles, after distilling begins. The Hearach will mature in the warehouse for years before it is bottled and sold. Private individuals are already buying casks of the whisky which will be stored for them in the warehouse. Mr MacAskill said: “This will be good for the village of Tarbert and Harris, and I gladly agreed to the company setting up on my croft. The distillery has already employed local people – a great boost for an area starved of paid regular employment. “I have even bought two of the first casks of The Hearach – one for me and one for my son – so we’ll be able to watch it mature.”
Isle of Harris distillery construction is moving into the final phases.
Foundations for the warehouse being prepared on the headland at Ardhasaig.
The new facility is being built by 3B Construction, of Ayr, and will be completed this month, ready to accept the first casks of production. Funding for the facility has been assisted by a grant of almost £250,000 from Highlands & Islands Enterprise. The company has now raised a total of £8.3m in equity and £3.1m from grants. IHD Managing Director Simon Erlanger said: “We believe the island’s climate is perfectly suited to maturation of our malt whisky and Ardhasaig is the perfect spot to take advantage of that. “The fundraising had been planned with our existing shareholders and it was oversubscribed which is a very gratifying vote of confidence in the company and our progress.” The dampness of the sea air should help to
bring out more of the complex flavours in the wood of the barrels used for the maturation process, said distilling consultant, Dr Jim Swan. Construction of the new warehouse is another key step in the company’s progress towards the planned launch of the distillery, with construction moving into the final phases and appointment of ten of the planned total complement of twenty staff.
CNES COMMERCIAL PROPERTY FOR LEASE (1) UNIT 1, MARKET STANCE – 50m2
Closing date for expressions of interest is Friday 19 June 2015. For any further details and to apply please contact:
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (Business Gateway). Tel No: 01851 822775 e-mail: businessgateway@cne-siar.gov.uk
Meet McCall Smith in Lochmaddy farcically wrong. McCall Smith will be the guest of Comann Na Mara (Society of the Sea) and is sailing into the CNM Lochmaddy marina, ready to take the stage in the hall on Friday July 24 for an informal evening talking and answering questions from the floor. All welcome
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Isles residents will have a chance to chat with Alexander McCall Smith about his latest award when he gives a talk in Lochmaddy, North Uist next month. He has taken the coveted Bollinger Everyman Wodehouse Prize for his novel Fatty O’Leary’s Dinner Party, the tale of an Irish-American antiques dealer whose trip to Ireland goes
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island news & ADVERTISER - June 2015 Issue 36
Become a local hero HM Coastguard is now recruiting volunteers across the Hebrides.
A
s one of the UK’s primary emergency services, HM Coastguard coordinates search and rescue operation 24/7, 365 days a year around the UK’s coastline. The Coastguard Rescue Service is a part of HM
Coastguard using the skills of its own volunteer Coastguard Rescue Officers alongside other 999 Emergency Services and Rescue Services to carry out coastal and seaside rescues. Equipped for Search and Rescue, the CRS is made up of 3500 volunteer Coastguard Rescue Officers located right around the coast of the UK. They are highly skilled rescuers trained in a wide range of capabilities specifically for the coastal environment and the communities in which they live and work When you join, you become part of a highly respected emergency response organisation which deals with thousands of incidents each year HM Coastguard will invest in your development as a Coastguard Rescue Team member by training you in specialist search and rescue skills necessary for your local area and equip you for the work you will undertake. Emergency callouts are unpredictable and varied in nature so there is unlikely to be a routine pattern when you are called to respond to an incident.
Coastguard helicopter.
If you are interested in applying to the Coastguard Rescue Service, or if you have any more questions about what it will mean for you to become a Coastguard Rescue Officer please contact Senior Coastal Operations Officer Carl Taylor on 01851 708452 or via email at carl.taylor@mcga.gov.uk”
Coastguard vehicle.
Expansion for Hebridean Connections History and digital archiving project Hebridean Connections has been awarded £145,000 to continue its work for a further year. The funds will support the extension of Hebridean Connections’ activities and website
(www.hebrideanconnections.com) to new geographical areas, and a training officer post based in the southern part of the Outer Hebrides. The pioneering project involves comainn eachdraidh (local historical societies) and other heritage
organisations in the Outer Hebrides. With trained volunteers, the range of website content will also be expanded to include new features such as videos. In addition, the funding will support training programmes that promote digital inclusion by taking advantage of
POLICE REPORT On 23rd April following the report of a disturbance within a property in a South Uist a 18 year old male was arrested. He was later released from police custody and a report is to be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal. On 24th April three males were charged with shoplifting. A report has been submitted to the procurator fiscal.
On 15th May a 69 year old male was arrested in Castlebay for being Drunk & incapable.
Between 2nd – 4th May damage was caused to a vehicle parked on Tindill Road, Balivanich. Police are appealing for anyone with any information to contact Police Scotland on 101.
On 16th May police attended a disturbance in North Uist following which a 18year old male was arrested. He was later released from police custody and a report is to be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.
Between 7 – 8 May damage was caused to a vehicle parked overnight in the carpark at the Co-op, Castlebay. Anyone with any information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101.
Between 18th – 19th May the figurehead of a boat which is displayed outside the kildonan museum, South Uist has been removed. Anyone with any information is asked to contact police on 101.
th
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submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.
th
On 9th May following a disturbance in Balivanich a 16 year old male was arrested. He was later released from police custody and a report is to be
people’s interest in the history of their local areas to introduce them to computers and the internet, and to develop their existing skills to a higher level. The funders involved are the Scottish Government’s People and Communities Fund (PCF) (£80,000), the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) (£40,000), Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (CnES) (£20,000), and the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) (£5,000).
Seaweed Required We require a supply of freshly cut knotted wrack (Ascophyllum nodosum) for our seaweed processing factory based on North Uist. If you wish to be involved in cutting seaweed please register your interest with us whether you wish to start work immediately or in the future. We hold some tools and equipment in stock. Phone 01876 500267 Email info@uistasco.com Visit the factory at Crogaire Quarry
June 2015 Issue 36 - island news & ADVERTISER
Vote for B&V biodiesel bus project There is just time to cast your vote on the Aviva Community Fund site to help raise funds to convert Barra&Vatersay’s community bus to run on biodiesel. Voluntary Action-Barra & Vatersay (VABV) have worked out that converting used vegetable oil to biodiesel could supply more than a third of the bus’s consumption. VABV operates a lifeline bus service providing more than 250 passenger journeys per week for individuals, groups and services requiring an out-of-hours, door–to-door service. They have found out that there is enough used vegetable oil available on the island to convert 50 litres every week for 50 weeks of the year to biodiesel, saving more than £1,800 per annum. The only stumbling block is the £5,000 equipment costs required to convert the oil, so VABV have applied for the funds through Aviva Community Fund under the name The Wheels On The Bus Go Round and Round. They need as many votes as possible for the project, to be cast by May 31.
Lochmaddy Hospital Redevelopment sketch. Aigas Associates.
More public consultation on Lochmaddy Hospital proposals
I
deas for redeveloping the former Lochmaddy Hospital site as accommodation for students, sheltered housing for the elderly and social housing were presented by consultants to North Uist residents last month. Based on previous community feedback, four consultants from Urban Animation devised a plan of how the site could be redeveloped with student and elderly accommodation dominating the 1883 hospital building, and other units on the site developed into business and craft units; sites for four Hebridean Housing Partnership houses, and a new leisure complex housing a gym, pool and soft play area.
They added in the possibility of modular buildings to accommodate growing student numbers and a serviced camp site for tourists. A sheltered green space, Lios Gorm, would be at the heart of the development. The consultants told a public meeting organised by Lochmaddy Hospital Redevelopment Steering Group that they thought the redevelopment was viable, but would need a significant amount of financial investment and commitment, effort and time from local people. They also stressed that the proposals were not about displacing other businesses, but must ‘add value’ to existing organisations. “The pie must get bigger for everyone,� they said.
UHI Lews Castle College principal Iain MacMillan said expanding UHI student numbers was dependent on attracting more numbers to the BA art course and the acquisition of Lochmaddy primary school (once the new North Uist primary is built) for use as teaching space. Some residents expressed concern that the elderly and students could find themselves housed in close proximity. Others were unhappy with the location of the camping facility at the entrance to the site. The feedback will help Urban Animation complete their Phase 1 Feasibility Report, due at the end of this month. In Phase 2, capital and revenue costs and potential funders will be identified.
EAST CAMPTRUST Balivanich, Benbecula
Administrator Part time
Call for Munro Baggers The challenge is on again this September to bag a Munro to raise money for Scottish Mountain Rescue (SMR). Sponsored by Tiso and Isle of Skye Blended Scotch Whisky, the Munro challenge last year raised ÂŁ21,000 for SMR. The funds are currently helping with
Macleans
the provision of SARDA dogs, avalanche training and specialised rescue equipment. All climbers from mountaineering novices to outdoor enthusiasts are invited to enter to fly the flag for SMR. Entries to be made by September 6 through the Isle of Skye Whisky site.
And don't forget our takeaway in Balivanich Sandwiches, soup, hot dishes and pies Whatever you want, when you want it!
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Come and see for yourself We are proud to say that we support many local craft producers that supply us with:
Fancy Jewellery
Knitted socks and hats
Harris tweed bags Wallets and much more
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Uachdar, Isle of Benbecula HS7 5LY Tel. 01870 602659
Peter Keiller on 01876 500222 or pwkeiller@gmail.com or Murdina Naylor on 01870 608905 or murdina@tagsauibhisttrading.co.uk
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Tempting range of oatcakes, bread and treats Fresh vegetables Hot and cold snacks
For further information and to register interest please contact;
ERISKAY COMMUNITY SHOP
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BAKERY, BENBECULA
Butchery counter featuring local meat Fine local fish and seafood
We are looking for a person with a broad range of administrative and financial experience, who is flexible and able to work independently. Knowledge of buildings maintenance an advantage. East Camp, the former RAF station near Balivanich airport, is the base for local charities An Caladh, Tagsa Uibhist and Uist Community Riding School. We manage the whole site in support of the resident charities, the local community and also for local businesses, individuals and groups who rent accommodation from us.   Salary and hours; Negotiable and dependent on skills and experience.
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island news & ADVERTISER - June 2015 Issue 36
Young Farmer definition changed for start-up grants A young farmer is now defined as under the age of 41 for the purposes of the Scottish Government’s start-up grant scheme.
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Scottish Government spokesperson said: “The average age of farmers in Scotland is increasing and there are not enough opportunities to attract the numbers of new entrants that the industry needs. “This is a problem across the whole of Europe. “It is a priority for the Scottish Government to
support a new generation of farmers in agriculture. Providing support for businesses in the critical early stages will make it easier for new entrants to access development capital. “This scheme aims to contribute towards an increase in the number of young entrepreneurs who farm and build profitable, innovative
The Young Farmer start-up grant scheme is now for 16-41 year olds.
businesses that respond to the industry’s changing economic environment.” The Young Farmers Start Up Grant Scheme is aimed at those who are starting an agricultural business for the first time or who are taking over an existing agricultural business. You must be between 16 years of age and under
41 years of age at the point of application. Your business must demonstrate future standard outputs in the range of €10,000 to €600,000 using the government’s Standard Output Ready Reckoner at the point of application. Full details on the Scottish Government’s Rural Payments and Services website.
Police recruitment event in Inverness
The format of the selection event will be: Sgoil Lionacleit Pipe Band travelled to Edinburgh on March 8 for the third Scottish Schools Pipe Band Championships held in Broughton High School and Fettes College. The band competed in the Novice Juvenile category with around 20 other school bands. The island pupils performed well coming 2nd place in the Drum Corps in the category and
12th place overall. A smaller group from within the band came 6th place in the Freestyle category. Promoted under the banner ‘Fair Play for Pipes’, the Championships are independently organised by the Scottish Schools Pipes and Drums Trust, which has the overall objective of facilitating and assisting the funding of teaching of piping and pipe band drumming in schools across Scotland. Although the older band members have been studying and sitting exams, the band continue to practice for the busy summer ahead. The drumming workshops with drummer Allan Craig are regularly attended and the band also benefit periodically from the assistance of experienced Pipe Major David Wotherspoon. The band and committee are hugely grateful for the support they receive from the school, the Council, businesses in Uist and from the local community. Everyone is encouraged to donate to the band at no cost to themselves through easyfundraising.com and also look out for the band at the show days, games and events over the summer.
Day One - candidates will sit the national Standard Entry Test (SET) and if successful will then undertake the national fitness assessment. Day Two - candidates who pass day one will attend for a competency-based interview. Day Three - candidates who pass day two will participate in the assessment centre with consists of three group exercises and a further competency based interview. Thereafter candidates who pass the full selection event will be provided with an appointment for a medical examination and vetting checks will be undertaken. Subject to meeting the standard for all elements of the selection process candidates will be issued with a final offer of appointment. New recruits complete twelve weeks initial training at the Scottish Police College, Tulliallan near Stirling. They are then posted to a Local Policing Division where they must all complete a two year probationary period before being confirmed in the rank of Constable. Inspector Ewan Henderson said: “Policing is not just a varied and worthwhile career for you but a fantastic opportunity to help be a part of keeping your community safe. “This event, located here at the Divisional HQ, offers a reduced set of travel arrangements, which is especially useful for those in outlying areas.”
The starting salary is £23,727 rising to £26,484 after completing 31 weeks initial training. The salary then rises again to £28,023 on completion of two years service when officers are confirmed in rank. Further information about the recruitment and selection process, including training and benefits, can be found on the Police Scotland website.
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SLPB rehearsing.
The Highland and Islands Division of Police Scotland will host a three day selection event on Tuesday 30 June - Thursday 2 July 2015 (inclusive) at the Divisional Headquarters in Inverness. The event is an opportunity for Highlands & Islands applicants to undertake the main components of the selection process. This is the first time such an event has been run locally.
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Contact 01870 620334 / 07720 773117
June 2015 Issue 36 - island news & ADVERTISER
Daliburgh primary achieves Gaelic Status
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Dr Allan with Megan Findlay, Mairi MacMillan and Calum MacMillan.
A ministerial visit and showcase concert sealed Sgoil Dhalabroig’s transition to a Gaelic status school.
M
inister for Learning, Science and Scotland’s Languages, Dr Alasdair Allan toured the South Uist school accompanied by pupils Niall Donan MacMillan, Megan Findlay, Mairi MacMillan and Calum MacMillan. He then joined the whole school and parents in the hall for a concert showcasing the pupils’ considerable talents in music, poetry and dance. Dr Allan said: “What Gaelic status means, what a Gaelic school means is to some extent up to this community, the teachers and parents and the pupils. I hope as we have heard from the recital and the enthusiasm of the teachers, that Gaelic remains at the very heart of what this school does,that Gaelic will develop as the ethos of this school and that people will go out of this school proud to be a Gaelic speaker and wanting to see Gaelic grow rather than decline in this community.�
Head teacher Anne Graham said: “ Sgoil Dhalabroig remains very committed to strengthening the Gaelic language and our transition to a Gaelic Status School marks a very important milestone in this journey. “Gaelic language is at the heart of our school and is being embedded in the life and ethos of the school. “Children hear and see Gaelic throughout their school day, in classes and in the wider school community, and the impact of this is that children being educated through the medium of English are also developing a deeper understanding and appreciation of the language. “Dr Alasdair Allan’s Ministerial visit was an excellent opportunity for the school community to discuss the benefits of strengthening the status of Gaelic in our school.�
A song from P1, 2, 3 & 4 girls.
Fraser MacMillan and Natalie Cook help cut the cake.
Dr Allan chats with pupils.
Dr Allan with head teacher Anne Graham, Senior Education Officer William MacDonald and Cllr David Blaney.
Protecting Benbecula runway
L to r Scott MacDonald, James Downie, Lewis MaCritchie, James MacDonald and foreman DJ Macaulay.
A six month operation to protect the runway at Benbecula airport from the ravages of coastal erosion will be completed this month. A 160m long layer of wire mattress has been laid on top of gabion baskets sunk into the sand butting up to the coastline, and a 100m stretch of rock armour has been laid on top for extra strength. A team from Macaulay Askernish
John MacIver Surveyors Project Management Chartered Builders Contractors Estimates Specifications/Drawings Planning/Building Warrant
John MacIver MRICS, FCIOB
Tel/fax: 01851 820562 Mobile: 07748 746820 E: maciverassociates@btinternet.com Diobidal, 39b Gress, Isle of Lewis HS2 0NB
undertook the ÂŁ400, 000 project, involving shifting and placing around 7,000 tonnes of rock, carefully positioning boulders of between three and seven tonnes. Tim Smith, Hial’s Airport Regional Manager South said: “Benbecula airport is subject to heavy swell from the sea and, over time, this has had an impact on the fabric of the runway and operational area. “This investment will ensure that the runway is protected from further erosion. “The airport is a hugely important asset for the local community and our investment will help safeguard it for the future.â€? The project provided work for three young lads recruited through Cothrom, Scott MacDonald on a work placement and James Downie and Lewis MacRitchie, former students recommended by Cothrom staff to work on the airport project.
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island news & ADVERTISER - June 2015 Issue 36
Message in a bottle thrills Leverburgh lad
F
inding a message in a bottle was a dream come true for one young Harris lad. Angus Boyd Campbell, 9, of Leverburgh chanced upon the plastic bottle in Pabbay hoping it might contain a message- and when it did, he found it was from a Faroese lad of roughly his own age. Playing on the island of Pabbay in the Sound of Harris and looking at the rubbish that’s been blown ashore is Angus’s favourite pastime. Angus, his sister Rachel, mum Kathryn and dad Raymond spend Easter holidays each year the island. Raymond manages Pabbay and needs to be there over lambing time. On April 3, Angus was mucking
around at the river’s edge when he spotted the bottle. He said: “I hoped there would be a message in it, and I was really pleased when I found there was.” The letter is from Samuel Lassen, aged 8 at the time he wrote it, August 19, 2012. From the photograph on it, it seems to have been one of several messages thrown out in bottles from a
Calagorm under petition by community Barra residents have mounted a petition to try and stop the former Doctors House & Surgery known as Calagorm in Castlebay from falling into private hands. The petition, on change.org asks for signatures of support for the community proposal to bring Calagorm into community ownership and develop it as a one-stop community hub. Residents are concerned that if it is sold privately they could lose their Citizen’s Advice Bureau currently housed in the annexe, and the opportunity to improve access to a host of local services. They want to see Calagorm developed into a hub housing local voluntary and community organisations, and external organisations in need of office space on the island.
boat by Samuel and other children, possibly on a school trip. Kathryn said: “The bottle was so far inland it must have been blown in by the storms in January.” Angus has sent Samuel a reply and is now waiting impatiently to hear back. Meanwhile the story has captured the imagination of Angus’s school mates from Leverhulme Primary. A group of ten P4-7s are writing letters ready to bottle up and throw out to the Atlantic currents. Teacher Hannah MacQueen said: “The children are enthusiastic about the idea. “We’re doing some research into the best place to throw the bottles out so they don’t end up in Uist or wash back in here. “Hopefully we’ll be able to throw the bottles out on a school trip.”
Angus Boyd Campbell with the message from the bottle he found.
Benbecula student’s Cape Breton Experience Christian Gamauf During my third year of the BA Applied Music, I had the opportunity to spend one term at Cape Breton University in Canada. Cape Breton is an island off the east coast of Canada famous for its rich cultural heritage and strong ties to Scotland and especially the Highlands and Islands. During my stay on the other side of the pond, I was based in Sydney, NS and attended classes at the university. Even though the island was usually quieter
Christian, right, playing with Howie Macdonald.
over the winter, as people warned me as soon as I got there, I found the community very welcoming, and between weekly sessions, square dances, pipe band practices, and of course classes, homework and exams, I can only imagine what the busier time of year would be like. I had a few opportunities to get involved in community events further afield, for example in Halifax, but volunteering at a Youth Session at the Gaelic College stands out among them.
Are you tired of constant increases in electricity prices?
I played for the step-dancing classes and helped out with some of the pipe classes, and as part of the evening entertainment for the kids I got to play for my first square-dance set, accompanied by Howie Macdonald, one of Cape Breton’s most respected musicians, which was an absolute honour for me. Being able to spend a term abroad was undoubtedly one of the most memorable and most valuable experiences of my time as a student. I owe a lot to the work that has been put into this exchange, both at Cape Breton University and at my home university, the University of Highlands and Islands and especially my programme leader Anna-Wendy Stevenson. I was also very fortunate to meet people in the community who took care of international students like myself, taking me to events around the island and making me feel welcome. I can only recommend doing an exchange like this, and I hope that the connection between the universities which has now been established will last for a long time.
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June 2015 Issue 36 - island news & ADVERTISER
Painting the meadow brown
Iain MacDonald Trumisgarry with the cup his father Archie won in 1939.
Entrants and winners 2015 Best ploughman Angus Ferguson, Claddach
The second ever ploughing match in Uist was held under clear spring skies on Sollas machair last month.
Runner up Angus MacAskill, Berneray
Best start Angus Ferguson, Claddach
I
n front of enthusiastic crowds, eight ploughmen showed off their skills under the critical eye of judge Willie Reid from Cambeltown. Angus Ferguson Claddach was awarded Best Ploughman, praised by Mr Reid for his slow and steady approach and his straight, even ploughing.
Best Ploughman Angus Ferguson in action.
Mr Reid, an agricultural machinery supplier and devoted hobby ploughman said: “There were two or three very close together for the top prize, they were all very good, they knew what they were doing. “It’s all about ploughing at the right depth, making a good seed bed.” Runner up was Angus MacAskill, Berneray, who also took Best Finish. Visitor Jonathon Mackay of Scarista, Harris took Best Ins and Outs, while Roddy Mac Donald Hosta took the Straightest category. Mr Reid’s wife Sheila was entrusted with the Best looking task of choosing bestploughman Alastair MacDonald. looking plough man.
She opted for Alasdair MacDonald, Sollas. The prizes were presented by Iain MacDonald, Trumisgarry, whose father won the original cup in the first match. It was 76 years since the first match, held in exactly the same spot in 1939 under skies darkening with the advent of war. Four veterans of the first match came along to the second, remembering the ploughmen and the horse-drawn ploughs of that bygone era.
Remembering the first match. L to r Mary Ann MacDonald, John MacDonald, with the original cup, Donnie Johnson, Norman Johnson.
Mary Ann MacDonald of Middlequarter, now 86, remembered some of the competing ploughmen, Archie MacDonald Dunskellar, Ronald MacDonald Sollas and from the west side, Seamus Sheeran and Alasdair MacVicar. John MacDonald, Malacleit and Donnie and Norman Johnson, Sollas were also present that day, all aged well under 10. Donnie said: “I remember the crowds, and the ploughmen, we knew them all very well. There have been lots of changes, no horses today, and all those cars.” Norman said: “There were thousands of horses in Uist at the time. I remember the winner, Archie MacDonald, Dunskellar.” He recalled that after the ploughing match, the land wasn’t ploughed again for some time.
Best finish Angus MacAskill, Berneray
Ins and outs Honours for oldest ploughman John MacCuish.
He said: “The RAF used it as a landing place as it is a natural airfield, so flat and well drained. They built an aircraft hangar and fuel pumps, and there were big dumps of aircraft fuel all over the machair. “There were ammunition dumps and a wireless operator’s building nearby.” Joan MacDonald and Catriona MacCuish were instrumental in organising the match, supported by many community members. Joan said: “I heard my dad talking about the 1939 match over the years and thought it would be really nice to do this again while there are people around who remember it and the people who took part. “We’re delighted with the way today went, we couldn’t have asked for a better day with a such a good crowd, food, weather and lots of children coming along to create a great atmosphere.” Demonstrations of a four-furrow reversible plough and state of the art seeder took place after the competition, and spectators were also able to enjoy an exhibition of photographs of ploughing from bygone days. Joan said: “We’ve decided to do another ploughing match in 2019, for the 80th anniversary of the first one. If not before.”
I turn the lea-green down Gaily now, And paint the meadow brown With my plough. I dream with silvery gull And brazen crow. A thing that is beautiful I may know. From The Ploughman by Patrick Kavanagh Uibhist A Tuath. Archie MacDonald ploughing at Cnoc An Torrain.
Photo by kind permission of Comann Eachdraidh Uibhist a Tuath
Jonathon MacKay, Scarista, Harris
Straightest Roddy MacDonald, Hosta
Oldest ploughman John MacCuish, Malacleit
Furthest travelled Jonathon MacKay, Scarista, Harris
Best looking ploughman Alasdair MacDonald, Sollas
Entrants and winners 1939 Unknown- can anyone help with this? Please let us know on 01870 602151
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island news & ADVERTISER - June 2015 Issue 36
Rat eradication to help sea birds on Shiants
A
ground-nesting seabirds on the Shiants – something thought to be impacting on their ability to raise young and also preventing other seabird species from nesting Razorbill. there. Andy Hay. The £1.3m project has (rspb-images.com). two main stages – the first, to eradicate the black rats from the Shiants and the second, to encourage Manx shearwaters and storm petrels to nest on the islands, and monitor the change in the islands ecosystem following the removal. The rat eradication will take place over the winter 2015-16.
n RSPB project to eradicate rats from the Shiant Isles and encourage seabirds to nest there is underway. The Shiant Isles are one of the most important seabird breeding colonies in Europe – around 10 per cent of UK puffins and 7 per cent of UK razorbills breed there every year. RSPB wants to eradicate non-native black rats, thought to have arrived from an 18th century shipwreck, from the islands. The rats are known to Manx Shearwater. prey on the eggs and Chris Gomersall (rspb-images.com). chicks of the
From next spring, Manx shearwaters and storm petrels will be encouraged to nest on the Shiants and their expected recovery will be monitored. These birds will be encouraged to nest on the Shiants using playback systems – speakers temporarily put on the cliffs to broadcast the calls of these birds, a strategy known to draw birds into an area. The monitoring work will last four years. A small team is currently resident on the islands to record the seabirds, the land birds, the flora and the invertebrates to get a baseline glimpse of the island ecosystem before the rats are gone. “Spare a thought for the team the next time a
Puffins. Andy Hay. (rspb-images.com).
storm pushes up the Minch, they’ve already broken two tents,” said an RSPB spokeswoman. “Scotland’s seabirds are in trouble,” she added. “Between 2000 and 2012, 10 of the 16 Scottish seabird species have suffered chronic declines.”
Flying the flag for archaeology on Vallay Island
Rod B MacLennan.
Throughout this month, the tidal island of Vallay in North Uist will fly one of the most prestigious flags on the planet.
depths of the ocean and around the globe, and it is considered an honour and privilege to be awarded the right to fly one on an expedition.
New Mexico arachaeologist Roderick B MacLennan has earned the right to fly the Explorers Club flag (pictured) on Vallay in recognition of his project to record the remains of the early occupation of the island, and the erosion that has damaged them.
Mr Maclennan will base his Vallay project on Erskine Beveridge’s work from the 19th century.
The flags have been taken to the Moon, to the
He said: “The Vallay project data will be helpful in establishing a timeline for prioritising future archaeological salvage work. “The materials will be archived at Taigh Chearsabhagh museum for access by future researchers, and a research report will be published by the North Atlantic Biocultural Organisation.”
House Plots A unique opportunity to purchase house plots with stunning views across Vallay Strand and to the hills of Harris.
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Mr MacLennan added: “I have worked on the joint project with Bradford University, England, and the City University of New York relating to the rising seas and endangered sites in Orkney.
Explorers Club flag.
“On that project in Rousay, I learned just how vulnerable the archaeological heritage sites on the coasts of Scotland are, and the wealth of history they contain. “Because of my ancestry I have a personal interest in the archaeology of Scotland, and after visiting for several summers, I knew I had to come back.”
John Norgrove to give memorial lecture This year’s Angus Macleod memorial lecture will be given by John Norgrove of Uig on the theme Afghanistan, and how it changed our family. John needs no John and Lorna Norgrove in Afghanistan introduction on the at a Norgrove islands as the father Foundation project. of aid worker Linda Norgrove who died during a failed rescue attempt after being kidnapped in Afghanistan. He will give the memorial lecture on Thursday October 22 at Pairc School, Gravir. John knew Angus ‘Ease’ Macleod through his involvement in the project to build memorial cairns in honour of the heroes of the Land Struggle. John will talk of Afghanistan from many different perspectives: its geography and environment, its diverse peoples, cultural wealth and rich history and how its singular location at Asia’s crossroads led it to be a buffer between expanding Victorian empires. This subsequently resulted in the global ideological conflicts of the cold war and jihad being played out by superpowers and richer neighbours on Afghan soil. He will also explore how a childhood on a croft in rural Lewis helped his daughter Linda to acquire the independence and self sufficiency that enabled her to both study and travel so extensively.
John will then explain how the magic of ravaged, but still highly cultured Afghanistan drew his daughter Linda to work there, and will recount the experiences of the family throughout Linda’s kidnapping and subsequent death. John and the family jointly decided that they would be defined by how they reacted to these events, rather than being defined by the events themselves. Within days of Linda’s death, they started the Linda Norgrove Foundation to continue the work that was so close to their daughter’s heart. In the five years since, LNF has transferred over £750,000 to pay for more than fifty projects helping women and children affected by the wars in Afghanistan. John will describe some typical projects and talk of the highs and lows of running a small international charity from a remote croft house on the Isle of Lewis.
Please contact Janet Jevons, your Rep for the Western Isles Email: janetjevons2078@gmail.com Or on Facebook Janet Jevons
June 2015 Issue 36 - island news & ADVERTISER
THE WESTERN ISLES TEAM ATHLETICS (22+3) Mairi Levack - Manager Jim Warnock Asistant Manager Seumas Mactaggart Asistant Manager Peigi Mackellar Abbie Mackay Alanna Goddard Sarah MacIsaac Jenny Mactaggart Eilidh Macleod Heather Mackinnon Eilidh Mackenzie Eve Carrington Ruairaidh Muncaster Andrew Horne Alasdair Rigby Calum Fraser Donald Macleod Michael Macmillan Murdo Mackenzie Connor Maclean Paul Morrison John Macaskill William Macrury Iain Maccorquodale Morina Macdougall
GOLF (4+1) Norrie Macdonald Manager (WIIGA Chairman) Bryan Geddes Allan Macleod Kevin Macrae David M Black
SHOOTING (4) Archie MacVicar Manager (competing) Donald Macinnes Donald Walker Stuart Macleod
CYCLING (7+1) Gavin Earons - Manager Kerry Macphee (MTB) Kirsty Macphee (MTB) Paul C Smith (MTB) John Neil Mitchell (MTB) Donald Macrury (MTB) Craig McCulloch (Road) Daniel Amor (Road)
TRIATHLON (1) Mark Maciver (also MTB)
BADMINTON (1) Paul Finnegan Manager (competing)
MEN’S FOOTBALL (19+2) Eric Macleod - Manager Magnus Johnson - Manager Colin Macritchie Jack Maclennan Stewart Munro Innes Iain Morrison Domhnall Mackay Graeme Mackenzie Peter Mackenzie Gordon Campbell Alasdair Gillies Andrew Murray Robert Mackenzie Robert Jones Micheil Russel Smith Eachainn Miller James Luney Angus Campbell Alasdair Macleod Martainn Shields Gordon Morrison
WOMEN’S FOOTBALL (17+1) Catherine Ann Macleod - Player Manager Euan Macleod - Joint Manager
Lynsey C Mackenzie Isabelle Bain Christie M C Houston Beth M Macleod Sinead G Macleod Cirsty E Gillies Hannah Macleod Amanda Nicolson Anne-Louise K Stewart Kirsty Macdonald Ann-Mairi Mackay Christine Mackinnon Mairi Maclennan Eleanor M Smith Marina L Murray Jodie Sinclair
SWIMMING (5+1) Davie Hanlon - Manager Kathryn Offer Kara Hanlon Lucy Doig Isla Budge Katie Murray
Kara and Jenny
Bermuda 4 x 400m
Heather MacKinnon
Kara Hanlon
Donnie MacLeod
Paul Morrison
Kerry at Bermuda
Calum Fraser
Iain GG Campbell General Team Manager Bruce Mutch - Physio Amy MacDonald - Physio Leah Hansom - Physio
Mark MacIver, Murdo Alex MacKenzie, William MacRury
Team photo in Bermuda
e ov Vo at ne yo er ev m fro s te hle at 15 20 y rse Je r ou all to k Good luc
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island news & ADVERTISER - June 2015 Issue 36
What’s On Guide for the month of June across the Hebrides
OPEN STUDIO EXHIBITION
Lews Castle College At Taigh Chearsabhagh, Lochmaddy, North Uist
Mon- Sat 10am – 5pm until Saturday June 20
Work by UHI Lews Castle College BA Fine Art and NC Art & Design students. Figure drawing, print and photography, painting, sculptures and mixed media.
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Status Anxiety & Thinking in the First Person New hip hop theatre work directed and choreographed by Emma Jayne Park Suitable for all ages Sporsnis Sports Centre, Ness Wednesday June 10 7.30pm Carinish Village Hall Friday June 12 7.30pm Castlebay Hall, Barra Saturday June 13 7.30pm
Food cabin based at Balranald Hebridean Holidays Campsite
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June 2015 Issue 36 - island news & ADVERTISER
What’s On Guide for the month of June across the Hebrides ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE - HEBRIDEAN HUTS
Cool camping inspired by traditional ways Those lucky enough to remember snuggling into recess box beds in traditional Hebridean croft houses love to reminisce about the experience- the snugness and sense of security while outside the corncrakes krek and the wind softly buffets the thatch.
Cool camping with the opportunity to be sociable or enjoy privacy.
It’s that relaxing warmth and cosiness with the sounds of nature all around that inspired Duncan Griffiths to create his Hebridean Huts- “a cross between a traditional Hebridean cupboard bed, a beach hut and a bird hide,” he says. Could camping be any cooler on his North Uist site? There are three two-person huts, and one for four people arranged on an open-facing site at Paible, minutes from the beach, but equally, minutes from the shop. The huts each have their own private view, with a little deck to sit and shelter in the event of bad weather. Or if you’re feeling sociable, you can gather with other residents round the firepit for an impromptu BBQ. There will never be more than 18 residents on the site at one time, and Duncan and his partner Sue have been careful to make sure that each unit can enjoy total get-away-from-it all privacy, or conviviality, depending on the mood of the inhabitants. There is a kitchen and toilet and shower hut just a few paces away, so privacy comes with complete convenience. The huts each come with a camouflage net to fling over the decking and unobtrusively observe the surrounding birds. Corncrakes are resident in summer, along with snipe, lapwings, oyster catchers, wheatears, swallows, wagtails, heron, birds of prey, wild geese and ducks- not to forget the friendly hen who has adopted the site.
The huts command their own stunning views.
The kitchen, toilet and shower block.
Hebridean Huts is ideally placed for a stop when cycling the Hebridean Cycle Way so you can explore North Uist. It’s roughly equal distance to Benbecula, Berneray and Lochmaddy.
With the beach five minutes walk away, it’s a perfect spot also for kayakers and walkers.
cottages business on North Uist for the past six years. He said: “We’re asking people to keep off their phones and mobile devices inside the bunk house as we want it to be a sociable place where people enjoy interacting. “But you can get broadband on your phone in your hut if you have a dongle and there’s electricity for charging your technology.” The huts are Duncan’s own design and built to withstand the extremes of Hebridean weather. They are timber built, fully insulated with a turf roof and totally weather-proof.
Hebridean Huts Cool Camping in Peaceful Surroundings
Available for overnight stays or longer
From £30 per hut per night (sleeps 2)
Fully insulated turf-roofed huts with private deck
Also on the site is Bayhead Bunks, converted from an old agricultural building and designed to sleep eight. It opens this month, with its open plan kitchen and living room also at the disposal of hut residents. The bunk house is a no-click zone as far as mobile technology goes.
Prices start at £30 per night for two people.
Booking recommended -
call Duncan on 0795 2163 080.
Duncan has been coming to the islands for about 15 years and has built and run a successful holiday
Now Open 8am to 5pm Mon to Sat Takeaway Del i C afe
01870 602151
Snug inside the recess bed-inspired hut.
Highland cattle from a world-famous herd belonging to the nearby MacDonald family might wander up to gaze at you over the fence.
Blow your cover Be seen in the Advertiser PAGE 19
Duncan with partner Sue in the midst of the huts.
TEL: 01870 602 7 796 9
Relax. Recharge. Create great memories.
Fish, stalk, cycle, dive, kayak, play golf - or just relax by the peat fire and soak in the splendid views
Dine on the best of local produce, seafood and game
Lobster by request!
Call or text Duncan on
0795 2163080
Shower, cooking and laundry facilities
Paible, North Uist HS6 5DZ
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www.westernislesclassiccarhire.com Western Isles Classic Car Hire Ltd is a trading name of Hebridean Classic Car Hire Ltd
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island news & ADVERTISER - June 2015 Issue 36
NEIGHBOURS Islay in malt-down Islay’s Festival of Music and Malt took place last month. Inglis Lyon (left and Derek MacKay) with one of the new aircraft.
New Tiree, Barra and Campbeltown planes unveiled Crowds at Bruichladdich distillery.
The two new planes for the Scottish Government’s Public Service Obligation (PSO) routes have been unveiled in Glasgow. The Twin Otter DHC6-400 aircraft will be used on the routes from Glasgow to Barra, Tiree and Campbeltown. The 19-seat twin engine planes were manufactured by Viking Air Limited at the company’s base in Vancouver, Canada. They will now begin the certification process, before entering service later this summer. Minister for Transport and Islands Derek Mackay said: “The aircraft will come as a welcome sight to the remote communities that rely on these services to keep them connected. “The flights transport people and goods, playing a crucial role for service industries, fisheries and agriculture. Direct air links also enable visitors to reach the islands easily, boosting local tourism. The new planes mean our PSO routes will continue to be reliable and attractive to travellers.� The Scottish Government has purchased the planes, encouraging more competition for the next contract to operate the PSO routes, Mr Mackay said. He said: “The contract has been enhanced, with more flights and better timings to offer local residents and businesses, as well as tourists, an improved service. “The next stage in the process is for the planes to go through the certification process so the crews can familiarise themselves with them. “I look forward to seeing the planes take off in full service later this summer.�
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Skerryvore playing at the Bruichladdich distillery open day.
he world-famous festival evolved from a drama festival/local mod with extra events and workshops for traditional instruments added
later on. The extra workshops were led by a young Scottish band - Capercaillie. To give tourism on Islay a boost the Islay Festival Association was formed and the Islay Festival of Music, without the “Malt�, was born. Back then it was a two week festival with music, drama, workshops, talks, walks, ceilidhs, concerts and dances in the evening. When Islay Whisky Distilleries became more involved, the “Malt� in the name was added. Over the years visitor numbers increased rapidly and the event is now one of the biggest
annual festivals in the west of Scotland. Thousands find their way to the island from all over the world. The open days from the distilleries are getting bigger too and offer full day programmes with music, dance, arts, craft sales and of course the whisky tastings. The Jura distillery, on Islay’s neighbouring island also joins the festivities as well as the Port Ellen Maltings, which is closed for visitors the rest of the year. Most distilleries also have a special “Festival Bottling� and queueing sometimes starts in the early hours of the morning. The original music festival is still very much alive and there are various events planned for the week.
Shetland hosts Global Classroom conference Shetland students, Kaylee Mouat (left) and Hannah Budge, with Phi-Luan Chung from Diepholz, Germany, enjoying the view from the Bata Tower in Zlin, Czech Republic at the 2014 Global Classroom Conference.
This year, the festival started on May 23, running to May 30. Sunday is traditionally Bruichladdich Open Day and this year it was busy as always. Hundreds, maybe even thousands, found their way to the distillery to enjoy an afternoon of music, food, friendliness and malt. The Islay Pipe Band was present as well as other local singers. The Ella Edgar Highland Dancers gave a marvellous show and on top of all that the Scottish Band Skerryvore, from Tiree, was present as well. The atmosphere was great and everyone had a wonderful time. Gaelic events were held at Ionaid Chaluim Chille Ile in Bowmore including music and song classes. Text and photos courtesy of Ron@islayinfo.com. For more information about Islay and accommodation visit www.islayinfo.com
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The 19th Global Classroom Conference is being held in Shetland this month. The Global is a partnership of eight schools which emphasises the importance of shared learning, and encourages the idea that pupils can ‘learn locally’ but ‘think globally.’ Over the past two decades, hundreds of young Shetlanders have spent time in partner schools thanks to the Global Classroom, travelling and making friends around the world. For this year’s conference around 60 pupils and staff will be heading to Shetland from six countries (Sweden, Germany, Czech Republic, South
Africa, USA and Australia) to celebrate and share their experiences and achievements. There are also links with Shirley Boys’ High School in Christchurch, New Zealand; however they are unable to attend due to their school being rebuilt after the tragic earthquakes in 2011. The theme this year is Sharing Pasts, Shaping Futures, to mark the history of the partnership and to discuss what the future will bring locally and internationally.
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June 2015 Issue 36 - island news & ADVERTISER
Generations with roots back to this house in Haye, Benbecula
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Life
Roots
Two remarkable young men living and working on the mainland have roots back to a remarkable great-grandfather in Benbecula
Donald John during WW1.
Racing driver Adam Mackay and skipper Neil Cameron may still be teenagers, but they’ve already shown talent and mettle way beyond their years. Perhaps it’s in their genes. Their shared greatgrandfather was also a remarkable man.
Donald John MacDonald was born in 1896 and brought up in Haye, Benbecula He served in France in WW1 as an artillery gunner, afterwards joining the police force in Inverness-shire. He returned to the islands in 1935 where he remained until 1946. During his service he was stationed in Tarbert (1935-39), Barra (1939-41) and Lochboisdale (1941-46) While stationed in Lochboisdale, Donald John was the office in charge of the excise recovery of whisky from the infamous SS Politician ‘crate upon crate stacked in the front room of the police house, recalled his daughter, Marion (now Mackay). After his stint on the islands Donald Donald John (r) in Barra, in1939. John moved to Inverness, finally retiring as Chief Inspector for Lochaber in 1956.
What would he think of his descendants in 2015?
Adam at Silverstone.
Following in the footsteps of Scotland’s racing greats In Ellon, Aberdeenshire, Donald John has a great-grandson who would surely make him glow with pride and amazement. But blink and you might miss him- Adam MacKay is used to clocking up speeds of 125mph or more on the race track, well before he passed his driving test last year. Adam, still only 17, has been selected as one of the first Ecurie Ecosse Young Drivers, a new initiative to support Scottish racing talent. It seems a natural step for a young man who has been kart-racing from the age of nine and moved up to single seaters last season in the Scottish FF1600. He won the Newcomer’s Cup, with podium finishes on every round. Adam said: “It’s an extremely important opportunity for me. “I feel that it’s the best chance I’ll be given to attain my end goal of becoming a professional racing driver and to be able to race with a name as prestigious and iconic as Ecurie Ecosse is a huge privilege for me.” Adam’s immediate goal is to win the Scottish FF1600 Championship this year. He said: “Hopefully I’ll be in with a chance of some podiums at the away races. “It’s important for me that I make the most out of the opportunity that I’ve been given and I am constantly working to ensure that happens.” Adam is just finishing his sixth year at Robert Gordon’s College in Aberdeen. He has attracted accolades from Hydrasun, sponsors who helped him with the costs of racing in the Scottish Formula Ford championship.
At 17, after two year’s study, 12 modules and two weeks residential at Dunstaffnage, Neil passed the exams which qualify him to skipper commercial fishing boats and vessels with up to 12 paying passengers.
Neil with his creel boat Aquila.
And in Fort William, Donald John has a greatgrandson with ambition as wide as the ocean. Neil Cameron is one of the youngest skippers in Scotland to have gained his commercial skipper’s licence. He grew up in Fort William with mum Mairi (MacDonald, granddaughter of Donald John) and dad Derek, and attended Lochaber High School. With salt in his veins from accompanying his dad at creel fishing as a child, school didn’t hold that much interest. As soon as he could, Neil embarked on the mandatory courses for becoming a skipper.
Skipper Neil aboard Bhoy Taylor.
He passed in November last year, but had to wait until he turned 18 this April to receive the official documentation. Neil was at last able to move up from crewman to joint skipper on the Bhoy Taylor, the Fort William–Camusnagaul passenger ferry. With boss Dougie Robertson (at one time a fisherman on Uist) they ply the ten minute stretch several times a day. Meantime, Neil is having a 5m creel boat built by MacKenzie Marine Maintenance in Corpach. Aquila started life as a bare hull and will be ready to launch this month. She is part of Neil’s ambition to get his own trawler in a few years. He said: “I’ll be working at the prawns, on my own to start with, but between that and working on the ferry, I want to save up enough money for a bigger boat in a few years time.”
Adam with Jackie Stewart at the Jim Clark festival. Bob Drummond, Hydrasun CEO said: “I was very impressed by him both as a role model for young people, and also by the combination of his passion, commitment and determination toward realising his ambition as a racing driver.”
A warm Hebridean welcome awaits you at
UIST’S FAVOURITE FAMILY RESTAURANT Delicious home-cooking all day Local produce used where possible Tea, coffee and cakes in the bistro 11am to 8pm Sundays Noon - 9pm Opening Hours
Balivanich, Benbecula HS7 5LA
Tel: 01870 603377
16
island news & ADVERTISER - June 2015 Issue 36
Life
Memories of a childhood in North Uist
The penultimate instalment of Katie M MacDonald’s bilingual memoir of her childhood in Carinish, North Uist in the 1930s.
Read
which the floor was cleaned every morning was by being swept and then sanded with lovely golden sand, which was scattered over it.
Katie grew up in a cosy thatched cottage like this one.
My maternal grandmother lived in Uachdar in Benbecula, and when I went to visit her I travelled by horse and trap. I can recapture the unforgettable sound of the soft clip-clop or the horses’ hooves as they trotted over the sands. When the tide was in I had to travel by rowing-boat or motor-boat from Carinish to Gramsdale or Sunamal. The little pier where the ferry-boat anchored was down behind our house, so we saw and
Dunlopillo mattresses, duvets, electric blankets and such luxuries were unheard of. The mattress-ticking or sacking on the box-beds was filled or stuffed with fragrant hay which was renewed every August. I can still smell the fragrant scent. The roof of our house was thatched with marram grass from the island of Stromay or from Iocamais sand-dunes at the most southerly point of Baleshare. It had to be renewed when it got into disrepair. There was a severe hurricane in March 1921 when corn-stacks were blown away from the west side of North Uist right across the island and some of the corn landed on boats which were sheltering in Lochmaddy Bay. That same day, patches of thatch were blown off the roof of our house and when the gale died down, my father had to make some hasty repairs to keep the interior of the house dry. The outside of the house was white-washed or
In those days the mail was delivered by horse and cart braving tidal fords.
lime-washed with lime which the crofters made from burnt cockle shells. In some houses, the stone-work inside the houses was white-washed as well. In 1934 my father had a lovely new house built, a taigh geal as they called these houses then, with a bathroom and comfortable bed-rooms with more modern facilities. However, I looked back with a feeling of nostalgia to the cosy thatched cottage in which I was born, and the fine new house took some getting used to.
very often met with passengers on their way to and from Grimsay, Kallin and Benbecula, as they often had to wait for the boat or car, and they would often be invited to our house for a cup of tea. In those days there was no floor-covering such linoleum or carpet in the kitchen of our thatched house. The kitchen floor was hard-packed earth or clay. The manner in
Bha mo sheanmhair, màthair mo màthar,
Haymaking involved everyone on the croft.
a’ còmhnaidh san Uachdar am Beinn na Fadhla, agus nuair a rachainn air saor-làithean dhan dachaigh aice bha me a falbh ann an gige. Cha dìochuimhnich mi gu sìorraidh cho tlachdmhor ‘s a bha e bhith nam shuidhe sa charbad-each ‘s na h-eich a’ trotadh gu h-aighearach air an tràigh. Nam biodh an làn mòr a-staigh, dh’fheumainn falbh ann am bata-iomaraidh neo bàta le inneal
Scalpay
Minibus Services
am bobhstairean poca, a bha daoine a’ cleachdadh. Bhiodh mo mhàthair ag attharrachadh na connlaich a h-uile Lùnasdal nuair a bhiodh obair an fheòir seachad, ‘s am feur tioram agus cùbhraidh. Saoilidh mi gu bheil mi faighinn an fhàilidh chùbhraidh sin fhathast nam chuinneanan. Bhiodh m’athair a’ faighinn muran à Sròmaigh neo à coilleagan Iocamais, aig ceann a deas a’ Bhaile Shear. Dh’fheumadh e an tughadh seo ùrachadh an comhair gach ama. Bha stoirm agus an-uair air leth fiadhlaich ann an Uibhist sa Mhàrt 1921 an uair a bha cruachan arbhair bho taobh an iar Uibhist a Tuath air an siabadh tarsainn an eilean, agus stad pàirt dhuibh air bàtaichean a bha ri fasgadh am Bàgh Loch nam Madadh.
An latha sin thog a’ ghaoth làidir a bh’ann pàirt dhen tughadh far an taigh againn, agus nuair a shìolaidh a’ ghaoth, b’fheudar dha m’athair an tughadh a chàradh ann an cabhaig airson an t-uisge a chumail a-mach. Bha taobh a-muigh an taighe againn geal le aol a bhiodh na croitearan fhèin a’ dèanamh le bhith losgadh shrùban ann an àth-aoil. Ann am feadhainn dhe na taighean-tughaidh bha aol air na ballachan a-staigh cuideachd. Anns a’ bhliadhna 1934 thog m’athair taigh geal le rùm nighe agus seòmraichean comhfhurtail agus goireasan nach robh idir san tiagh-tughaidh. Air a shon sin bha mi a’ coimhead air ais le cianalas air an taigh-tugaidh anns an do rugadh mi, agus cha robh e furasda fàs cleachdte ris an taigh ùr.
16-seat minibuses and drivers for hire.
innte, gu ruige Gramasdal new Sùnamal. Bha an cidhe beag far am biodh am bàta-aisig seo a’ ceangal shìos air an cul an taighe againn agus bhiodh and luchd-turais a bha falbh ‘s a tighinn eader Càirinis agus Griomasaigh, na Ceallan agus Beinn na Fadhla a’ tadhal san taigh againn, agus glè thric dhèanamh mo mhàthair chòir cupa tì dhaibh. Anns na làithean sin cha robh còmhdach-làir neo brat-ùrlair san taigh againn. ‘S e crèadh a bha an ùrlar a’ chidsin againn. An dòigh a bh’againn air a ghlanadh ‘s e bhith ga sguabadh a h-uile madainn agus a’ crathad gainmheach air às ùr. Cha robh guth air plangaidean-dealain, neo brat-leapaidh itean,neo “Dunlopillo mattresses”. Na àite sin ‘s e connlach, air a cur
Collect from and return to Leverburgh ferry.
CONTACT RODDY
Tel: 01859 540356 / 07827 392 758
Katie’s manuscript and photos have been made available to Island News & Advertiser by kind permission of her family.
June 2015 Issue 36 - island news & ADVERTISER
17
Life
Horticulture data the key to knowledge
Grow Children key to mapping local food production A Uist-wide project to promote all aspects of food growing will deploy local children to record areas of food production across the islands. Reclaiming the Knowledge is part of a joint project between Tagsa Uibhist and Cothrom, Local Food for Local People (LFLP). LFLP project leader Laura Donkers says the idea of using children to research and record their neighbourhood to map food production was used in the 1930s, dubbed Crowd Cartography, with the resulting information held in London. From September, Uist children will be armed
with five questions to ask of their neighbours and relatives to establish what type of food is being grown in their area, who by, on what type of land, for how long and what is done with the resulting produce. Laura said: “This baseline data will be gathered together and submitted to SAC who will produce printed maps of the areas that are being cultivated, using croft mapping technology.
“I was inspired to set up this part of the project by hearing a snippet from Robert Macfarlane’s book Landmarks where he talks about the Crowd Cartography project and how children had a whole language about the landscape, which we have now lost. “It’s also a great way of connecting the community and recognising the islands’ ability to be self-sufficient in the past.
Horticulturetraining underway
Sue MacDonald.
Training is a key part of the LFLP project, with formal training now being delivered by Cothrom and Lews Castle College. Eleven students are currently taking an SQA Level 1 in
LFLP leader Laura Donkers in the East Camp polytunnel.
Horticulture, with informal training being delivered across Uist’s developing allotment association in Lionacleit and East Camp. Laura and LFLP cordinator Sue MacDonald are tutors on the SQA while LFLP co-ordinator Bill Armour is on hand at East Camp to offer advice to growers dropping in to buy bedding and veg plants, or who have raised beds on the site. Laura will also be delivering workshops in compost making. She said: “Wasted food is something we can easily reduce and in the process will reduce carbon emissions, as food Bill Armour.
waste produces methane in landfill. “We can reduce food miles by growing and buying locally, and we’re likely to eat more healthily if we grow our own veg. You don’t waste purchases, because you only pick what you need to eat.” Planning applications are in for two Keder houses (greenhouses) for the project, one at East Camp adjoining the existing one, and one at Cothrom to be the focus of training.
CO CHOMUNN AN IOCHDAIR LTD
CARNAN STORES CARNAN, SOUTH UIST, WESTERN ISLES, HS8 5RH Phone: 01870 610205 Fax: 01870610216 Email: managercarnanstores@aol.com
Opening hours: Mon – Fri: 9 am to 5 pm Saturdays: 9.30 am to 12.30 pm ●
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LFLP project leader Laura Donkers ran a plant nursery Plants for Windy Places in Clachan, North Uist for 16 years.
Laura Donkers.
She knows first hand how invaluable local knowledge can be.
She said: “I came with no knowledge and local people taught me, that’s how I know it’s the way to learn. “I did my own investigations and experiments based on what crofters said, and it was very public, people leaning over
the fence to see how I was getting on with it. It generated great interest and public support, and that’s something I want to achieve through this project.” Local Food for Local People runs for a year and is funded by Climate Challenge Fund.
There is old knowledge there that is still needed.” Working with the schools’ Home Economics departments on a zero waste cookery project is another part of Reclaiming the Knowledge, also due to start in the next academic year. Laura is aiming to produce a publication with the resulting information and advice for sale in the community, with the schools reinvesting the proceeds into their gardens.
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AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS – Full range of Ritchie gates, hurdles, feed and stock handling equipment. ANIMALS - Large selection of Cattle, Sheep, Horse and Pig feed. BIRD & PET FOOD – Grain, Mash, Pellets, Dried and Canned Dog/Cat food. FENCING – Strainers, Stays, Stobs, Barbed/Plain Wire, Rylock, Staples. HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCES – Cookers, Deep Fat Fryers, Microwave Ovens, Fridges, Freezers, Washing Machines, Tumble Dryers & Kettles. FURNITURE - Beds, Bedside Cabinets, Wardrobes, Chest Of Drawers, Dining Tables, Chairs, Coffee Tables, Bookcases & Coat stands. HOME HARDWARE – Pots, Pans, Casseroles, Baking/Cooling Trays, Mugs, Jugs, Clocks, Mirrors, Bedding, Curtains, Blinds, Linen & Consumables.
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HEATING APPLIANCES & FUEL – Electric & Gas Heaters, Coal, Logs, Kindling, Bottled Gas and Gas Appliances.
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CLOTHING & FOOTWEAR – Wet Weather Suits, Boiler suits, Jackets, Trousers, Shirts, Socks, Underwear, Gloves, Hats, Wellingtons, Boots and Shoes.
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PAINT – Undercoat, Emulsion, Gloss, Marine, Machinery Enamel.
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TOOLS – Extensive range of Draper quality hand and power tools.
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FIREARMS - Cartridges, Bullets, Pellets.
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NEW - Engine Oil, Tractor Parts, Plumbing and Electrical Accessories.
This is just a small selection of what we have in stock. Everyone welcome to call in and look around.
COMPETITIVE PRICES PLEASE CHECK WITH US BEFORE ORDERING ELSEWHERE
18
island news & ADVERTISER - June 2015 Issue 36
The Barrathon, Saturday June 27
SPORT 1st Man and 2nd Man New Course Owen Record holder Johnson. Willie MacRury.
3rd Man in Norman Ferguson.
Half Marathon, Fun Run and Junior Fun Run More than 300 entries for this event and a waiting list of more than 100.
Starts 10.40am
New course record in North Uist race A new course record was set in the Grimsay 10k last month.
Amy MacDonald, first women home.
Oliver Mathis-Foote, aged four, first primary child home.
May 16 on an already demanding course.
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The 28 runners had to contend with strong gusty winds and icy cold squalls on a course with no flat stretches.
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tornoway-based William MacRury, a frequent running visitor to Uist, came in first with a time of 35.25, breaking the 2012 course record of 35.48. MacRury, 30, grinned with the satisfaction of breaking the record, set by well-known Uist athlete Iain MacCorquodale, MacRury’s own coach as he trains for the NatWest Island Games 2015. He said: “It’s a tough race, but I enjoyed it, there is such a good community feeling around it.” Weather conditions were tough on Saturday
This year, they ran it in the opposite direction from previous years, a factor which seemed to make the endless hills even worse, many of the puffed-out runners decided.
Owen Johnson,16, came in second at 38.58, but hardly seemed to break sweat as he crossed the finish line. Norman Ferguson was third, with 39.55. First lady was Amy MacDonald with 52.06, followed by Sarah MacLeod with 53.43 and Susan Poole, with 54.16. In the two-mile children’s event the winner was 4-year-old Oliver Mathis-Foote who ran the whole distance without seeming to notice the challenging conditions.
Don’t miss the Benbecula Half Marathon and Fast Track Gwen Evans This year, 2015, we have decided to expand our successful Fast Track race to include more age categories. We will continue to offer medals to all finishers, and give prizes to the first three boys and first three girls now in FIVE categories. Reluctantly we have decided that we can no longer organise the Fun Run. The route led along the main road which meant it wasn’t suitable for children nor wheelchair users,
and the number of participants have been low for a while. It takes several volunteers to host this race alone, and it has been challenging to find people who are able to commit to the helping in all the roles required on the day. Now, there are more races of 5km and 10km distance being held throughout Uist, so there are lots opportunities for people to run an intermediate distance at various times in the year. We hope that previous Fun Runners will enjoy taking part in the Fast Track.
This race is over a distance of 2 miles. It is open to participants of all ages, though if children are under the age of 6, they must be accompanied by an adult. Prizes will again be awarded to the first three boys and first three girls aged ‘8 & under’, and ‘11 & under’, and we have introduced three new prize categories for those aged ‘13 & under’, ‘15 & under’, and ‘16 & over’. The Fast Track route is mostly along the road, but for a few hundred metres leads across a field with sheep and lambs when the race is on.
Pushchairs and wheel chair users are welcome on this race. Please be aware that part of the course can be tricky if it has been very wet. Registration is from 9:30 in the school sports hall and the race will start at 11:20. See our website for further details: search online for Benbecula half marathon and find us on Facebook.
The event takes place on Saturday June 6 at Sgoil Lionacleit.Registration is from 9:30 in the school sports hall and the race will start at 11:20.
JUNE REFUSE COLLECTION FOR UIST Please note in BLUE BINS hard plastic and tins only, no polythene or black bags For information about the availability of gravity locks for wheelie bins please contact the Waste Transfer Station, Market Stance on 01870 604998. Monday June 1, 29 Paper/Card June 15 Blue Bin East Gerinish, Rhughasinish, Lochcarnan, Iochdar, Ardnamonie, Ardivacher, Ardmore, Creagorry, Liniclate & Liniclate School, Torlum, Hacklet, Uiskevagh, Petersport,WestCamp, Balivanich, Locheport, Berneray, ClachanSands, Vallique, Lochportain, Cheesebay, Lochmaddy, Minish, Blashaval, Uachdar, Dunganichy. Tuesdays June 2, 16, 30 Residual Smerclate, Garrynamonie, South Lochboisdale, South Boisdale, North Boisdale, Daliburgh Commercials and Daliburgh West of, Kilphedar, Strome, Eriskay, Glendale, Kilbride, Rangehead, Hacklet Eastwards, Uiskevagh, Petersport,WestCamp, Balivanich/Aird, Creagorry Commercials, Liniclate Commercials, Liniclate Muir, Uachdar, Dunganichy. Wednesday June 3 Blue Bin June 17 Paper/Card Stoneybridge, Locheynort, Dalibrugh, Lochboisdale, Garryhellie,
Askernish, Milton, Kildonan, Bornish, Howmore, Howbeg, Drimsdale, Stilligarry, Drimore, Gernish, Rangehead, Liniclate Commercials, Balivanich Commercials. Thursdays June 4, 18 Residual Clachan, Claddach District, Bayhead, Knockintorran, Balemore, Kyles Paible, Paible, Sollas, Hosta, Tigharry, Grenitote, Ahmore, Balranald, Langass Lodge, Hougharry, Middlequarter, Lochmaddy Commercials, Clachan-na-luib, Carinish, Baleshare, Claddach Carinish, Grimsay, Island Flodda, Gramsdale, Griminish, Nonton, Aird, Muir of Aird. Monday June 22 Paper/Card June 8 Blue Bin Clachan, Claddach District, Bayhead, Knockintorran, Balemore, Kyles Paible, Paible, Balranald, Tigharry, Lochmaddy Commercials, Hougharry, Hosta, Sollas, Middlequarter, Grenitote, Langass Lodge, Clachan-na-luib, Carinish, Baleshare, Claddach Carinish, Grimsay, Island Flodda, Nunton, Aird, Muir of Aird, Gramsdale, Griminish.
Tuesdays June 9, 23 Residual Stoneybridge, Locheynort, Daliburgh, Lochboisdale, Garryhellie, Askernish, Milton, Kildonan, Bornish, Howmore, Drimsdale, Stilligarry, Howbeg, Drimore, Gernish, Rangehead, East Gernish, Rhughasinish, Lochcarnan, Iochdar, Ardnamonie, Ardivacher, Ardmor, Creagorry, Liniclate, Liniclate School, Torlum. Wednesday June 24 Paper/Card June 10 Blue Bin Eriskay, Glendale, Kilbride, Smerclate, Garrynamonie, South Lochboisdale, Daliburgh Commercials, Daliburgh - West of Borrodale Hotel, South Boisdale, North Boisdale, Kilphedar, Strome, Rangehead, DI, IOBHH. Thursdays June 11, 25 Residual Locheport, Berneray, ClachanSands, Vallique, Lochportain, Cheesebay, Blashaval, Minish, Lochmaddy Commercials, Bayhead, Paible, Claddach, Clachan, Carinish, Balivanich.
June 2015 Issue 36 - island news & ADVERTISER
19
THE ADVERTISER Accommodation
Cafe/Post Office/Gift Shop
An Taigh Fiodh, Grimsay Luxurious self-catering apartment www.grimsay.com Call Heather 01870 602943
Lochboisdale Café Open all year 6 days. WiFi. Tel: 01878 700313
Accommodation Grimsay 6 bed s/c cottage www.hebrideanholiday accommodation.co.uk Tel: 07879 881904
Grass cutting/small plant repairs David’s Garden Machinery Grass cutting, small plant repairs, hires tel: 01870 603833 mob: 07880 743437 gardenmachinery01 @hotmail.com
Car Commercials Plant & Marine Repairs Available for Hire 15 to 57 Seater Buses 6M Luton Vans. HEBCO Howmore, Isle of South Uist Tel: 01870 620 345 Mob: 07900 806 638
Agricultural Contractor & Plant Hire Digger & Tractor Hire, Landscaping, Access Roads, Agricultural Sheds, Building Sand, Gravel, Concreting John Allan MacLellan Tel: 01876 510304 Mob: 07786 430989
Hens for Sale Skye. Pullets brown, black or pure breeds. Hen sheds, feeders & drinkers. Tel: 01470 572213
Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning Uist Vac Services Uist & Barra Tel: 01870 602212/ 07765 524 753
Filling Station Ardhasaig Harris Tel: 01859 502066 Licensed Grocers Calor Gas & Bicycle Hire
Builder/Joiner Archie MacDonald Tel: 01870 603296 Mob: 07718 888463
MSP Western Isles
Pregnancy Crisis
Taxis
TV, Satellite & Broadband
Alasdair Allan MSP SNP 31 Bayhead, Stornoway, Lewis. E: alasdair.allan.msp @scottish.parliament.uk T: 01870 602287 (Uist & Barra) 01851 702272 (Lewis & Harris)
Free confidential counselling W.I.Pregnancy Crisis Support Text or phone: 07901 966101 E: support@wipcs.org Web: www.wipcs.org
Airport, ferry, school runs Staff runs & small contracts 24/7 service Menzies Private Hire Tel: 07833 357241 www.mph247.co.uk
Satellite Broadband TV Aerial & Satellite Dish Call Charles: 01876 580372 or 07748 081871
Samaritans of the Western Isles
Taxis
Jewellers Scottish, Celtic, silver and gold jewellery. Traditional and contemporary designs. Tel: 01870 610288 www.hebridean jewellery.co.uk
Blow your cover Advertise in this space 01870 602151 Licensed Tearoom & Shop Groceries, Gifts, Snacks Summer evening meals Ardmaree Stores The Lobster Pot, Berneray Tel: 01876 540288
Home maintenance and repair
Memorials
Interior and exterior painting, wallpapering & removal, power washing, gutters, windows & doors, chimneys. Call Harry on 07826 420564
Jon Hearach Memorials Memorials, renovations, added inscriptions Any cemetery, Home visits. Tel. for our helpful brochure. 01463 711287
Painter/Decorator Skinners Decor Painting & Decorating DIY Shop Howden’s Kitchens Tel: 01870 602423
Talk to us in your own way, whatever life’s done to you. Call Samaritans on 0845 790 9090 Or email jo@samaritans.org No pressure, no judgement
Painter and Decorator All types of decoration undertaken. Ally MacKenzie Tel: 01870 602725 Mob: 07723013884
Photographic Printing & Graphic Design Clothing, Workwear Canvas, Photo Restoration Balloons & Banners Custom Prints 01870 602515
Uist Computer Repairs Low cost computer repairs and servicing Call VOOVE: 0845 689 0030 (Local Call Rate)
Isle of Barra local taxi Tel: 01871 810012 Mobile: 07974 071255
Uist Satellite Internet Taxis
Fast Internet Access for the Islands Get Connected Call VOOVE: 0845 689 0030 (Local Call Rate)
Tam’s Taxi Tel: 07717 862999 Covers Uist area
Satellite Dish Repair
Taxi & Guided Tours
Satellite Replacement, Retune and Repair Emergency Call Outs Available Call VOOVE: 0845 689 0030 (Local Call Rate)
Alba Taxis Butt to Barra guided tours 07747 117870 sales@ albannachtours.co.uk
Solicitor & Notary Public
Training
kfmLAW Kevin MacPherson 01851 467202 enquiries@kfmlaw.co.uk www.kfmlaw.co.uk
Opportunities for Learning Cothrom Ltd Tel: 01878 700910 www.cothrom.net
Window cleaner Window cleaner/ odd jobs Berneray, North Uist, Benbecula Call Colin 01876 540252
Wi-Fi Installs Commercial and Residential Wi-Fi Installs Whole House or Hotel Wireless Service Call VOOVE: 0845 689 0030 (Local Call Rate)
Don’t let your business be a secret BREAK COV ER! Talk to Moneypenny about appearing on this page Tel: 01870 602151 or email chloeina@outlook.com
AJ BEATON Roofing Specialist
BUILDING & ROOFING CONTRACTOR New builds, extensions and renovations
Approved installer of GRP fiberglass roofing
Operating from Barra and Uist
Telephone 01871 890374 Mobile 077882 630 80
H.M.I.W. Enterprises
The Old Manse, 1 Griminish, Benbecula, HS7 5QA
Tel: 01870 602575 Mobile: 07919 665512
Chandlery
Fishing Beta Tohatsu
Opening Hours: Mondays 10am - 5pm Can call evenings
Sunday Services in the Uists Sunday School and Crèche facilities at both the 10.30 and 12 noon service. 10.30: An Caladh, Balivanich 12.00: Carinish 15.00: Lochboisdale 18.00: Carinish
Midweek and monthly meetings throughout the Uists. A very warm welcome is extended to all.
Cycle Shop Cycle hire, sales, repairs. Rothan Cycles Tel: 01870 620283 rothan@hebrides.net www.rothan.com
Podiatry Clinic and Home Visits available in Uist and Benbecula
Western Isles Citizens Advice Service
Fire Protection Western Isles Fire Protection Fire equipment sales and service Contact Mark on 078279 67894
Kevin Macdonald MChS, BscHons, HPC Registered
Contact 07879 563 618 for an appointment or more information Also at PJs Hair Design 01851 706200
Barra 01871 810608 Uist 01870 602421 Harris01859 502431 Lewis 01851 705727
Money Advice 01870 603807 and 01851 700088
Back Pharmacy 01851 820333 Silhouettes Leverburgh 01859 520216 Home visits
SandieMaciver PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER Dip. Pro. Photo.
Weddings Family portraits Commercial Events, etc
Telephone:
01851 720888 AND
07014 238711 office@sandiephotos.com www.sandiephotos.com
Donald Manford Cllr South Uist, Eriskay, Barra and Vatersay Welcome All Enquiries. Home Visits. Tel 01871 890288 Mob 07884 236101 dmanford@cne-siar.gov.uk
At the heart of the Community ●
Wide selection
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Local meat, fish, eggs and seasonal veg
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Fresh baking
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Daily papers
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Friendly service
Fuel
Open Monday to Saturday, 8am to 6pm
Telephone: 01876 510257 Bayhead, North Uist
$ ZRUOG RI FKRLFH Start your journey, whether for business or pleasure, at your local airport. Book through on one ticket to your ďŹ nal destination – wherever in the world that may be. Sumburgh
Via Glasgow from: %DUUD %HQEHFXOD &DPSEHOWRZQ ,VOD\ RU 7LUHH
Kirkwall
Via Edinburgh or Aberdeen from:
Wick John O’Groats Stornoway
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Via Inverness, Edinburgh, Glasgow or Aberdeen from:
Benbecula
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Via Amsterdam, Gatwick or Manchester from: ,QYHUQHVV
Inverness Barra Tiree Dundee
Via London City from: 'XQGHH
Islay Campbeltown
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