Edition 11 February 2013 & ADVERTISER Peter May Page 15 FREE THE FREE MONTHLY NEWSPAPER OF THE HEBRIDES Gemma, 21, from Lochboisdale founded St Jerome’s in Nakuru last year to care for children orphaned in the 2007/8 ethnic war in Kenya. Her inspirational venture was prompted by her determination even as a young child to help children in Africa, and her time teaching slum children and working in another Nakuru orphanage after she left Sgoil Lionacleit. She fund-raised tirelessly to raise enough money to get St Jerome’s off the ground and in 2009, building began. The orphanage opened its doors a year ago and is now home to 16 youngsters. But Gemma, her staff and the children experienced a horrific ordeal last month when three machete-wielding men in balaclavas burst into the home at night, dragged Gemma out of bed and stole everything they could lay their hands on, including £1,500 cash. Far from buckling under the strain, Gemma has come up fighting, declaring “My heart broke in a million pieces when I saw some of the boys go to bed with batons and knives, kids shouldn’t have to live like that and I won’t let those people win and I won’t leave until the place is safer than Fort Knox.” As soon as word reached Uist, the community mobilised to show support. Sgoil Daliburgh hosted a fund-raising Robert Burns afternoon with the pupils dancing, singing, piping and reciting poetry. Tea, coffee and shortbread made by the pupils was served for a donation. Donations from businesses and individuals flooded into the Uist Celtic Supporters Club based at Custom Prints in Benbecula for a spectacular bingo night at the Dark Island. A bank account has been opened to receive donations: RBS, sort code 83-24-26, account number 00155349. Meanwhile advice for Gemma on security for the orphanage has come through Island News from Judy Westwater, a former street child in South Africa and founder of Pegasus Children’s Trust, a charity which runs a number of well-established centres for street children in Johannesburg and Cape Town. She expressed her sympathy for Gemma’s plight, and suggested she adopt a tactic which has worked to protect Pegasus centres from robbery and attack. Mrs Westwater said: “The key is to get the whole community involved with the orphanage, then they will look after security. “Talk to the churches and clubs, get the leaders on board and then they will bring in the rest of the community. Invite them over to share the garden and watch the children play. We keep a spare room in our centres for the community to use for meetings. They’re thrilled to become involved, and they then watch out for the home and look out for suspicious people. No-one dares attack the centres after that.” launches new book in Lochmaddy The Uist community has rallied to help South Uist’s Gemma Steele after her children’s home in Kenya was attacked by armed thugs. Auctioneer Kenny Page 13 48 years at island marts Gwen Hardie skin paintings and drawings Pages 9 - 12 Pull-out art supplement from Taigh Chearsabhagh island news UIST RALLIES TO HELP GEMMA AND HER ORPHANS Gemma Steele last summer in South Uist.
Transcript
Edition 11 February 2013
& ADVERTISER
PeterMay
Page 15
FREE
THE FREE MONTHLY NEWSPAPER OF THE HEBRIDES
Gemma, 21, from Lochboisdale founded StJerome’s in Nakuru last year to care forchildren orphaned in the 2007/8 ethnic warin Kenya.
Her inspirational venture was prompted byher determination even as a young child to helpchildren in Africa, and her time teaching slumchildren and working in another Nakuruorphanage after she left Sgoil Lionacleit.
She fund-raised tirelessly to raise enoughmoney to get St Jerome’s off the ground and in2009, building began.
The orphanage opened its doors a year agoand is now home to 16 youngsters.
But Gemma, her staff and the childrenexperienced a horrific ordeal last month whenthree machete-wielding men in balaclavasburst into the home at night, dragged Gemmaout of bed and stole everything they could laytheir hands on, including £1,500 cash.
Far from buckling under the strain, Gemmahas come up fighting, declaring “My heartbroke in a million pieces when I saw some ofthe boys go to bed with batons and knives, kidsshouldn’t have to live like that and I won’t letthose people win and I won’t leave until theplace is safer than Fort Knox.”
As soon as word reached Uist, thecommunity mobilised to show support.
Sgoil Daliburgh hosted a fund-raising RobertBurns afternoon with the pupils dancing,singing, piping and reciting poetry. Tea,coffee and shortbread made by the pupils wasserved for a donation.
Donations from businesses and individualsflooded into the Uist Celtic Supporters Clubbased at Custom Prints in Benbecula for aspectacular bingo night at the Dark Island.
A bank account has been opened to receivedonations:RBS,sort code 83-24-26,account number00155349.
Meanwhile advice for Gemma on securityfor the orphanage has come through IslandNews from Judy Westwater, a former streetchild in South Africa and founder of PegasusChildren’s Trust, a charity which runs anumber of well-established centres for streetchildren in Johannesburg and Cape Town.
She expressed her sympathy for Gemma’splight, and suggested she adopt a tactic whichhas worked to protect Pegasus centres fromrobbery and attack.
Mrs Westwater said: “The key is to get thewhole community involved with theorphanage, then they will look after security.
“Talk to the churches and clubs, get theleaders on board and then they will bring in therest of the community. Invite them over to sharethe garden and watch the children play. Wekeep a spare room in our centres for thecommunity to use for meetings. They’re thrilledto become involved, and they then watch out forthe home and look out for suspicious people.No-one dares attack the centres after that.”
launches new bookin
Lochmaddy
The Uist community hasrallied to help South Uist’sGemma Steele after herchildren’s home in Kenya wasattacked by armed thugs.
AuctioneerKenny
Page 13
48 years at island marts
GwenHardieskin paintingsand drawings
Pages 9 - 12
Pull-out art supplementfrom Taigh Chearsabhagh
island newsUIST RALLIES TO HELP GEMMAAND HER ORPHANS
Gemma Steele last summer in South Uist.
island news & ADVERTISER - February 2013 Issue 112
Four Fine Art students based inTaigh Chearsabhagh are toexhibit in Eden Court, Invernessthis month.
Margaret Cowie, JackieMacLellan, Fiona MacIsaac andMickey Finnegan are third year BAFine Art (Hons) students studying
in Uist remotely from theiracademic base at Moray CollegeUHI, Elgin.
As part of their ProfessionalPractice module, they must curateand hang an exhibition, whichthey have hitherto done in TaighChearsabhagh.
This year they have chosen to joinup with their fellow students fromSkye, Argyll and Moray and will allexhibit together in the three EdenCourt theatre foyers and theBishops’ Palace.
The exhibition runs fromFebruary 6 – 28.
UIST STUDENTS EXHIBIT IN EDEN COURT
Planning for the Art on the Map 2013 year is already underway -offering a fantastic opportunity for the work of artists and makersof all kinds to be seen by visitors and islanders alike. A greatshowcase for our art and craft.
A change to the style of the ART ON THE MAP guide this year.The usual pop-up studio trail will run from June 29th - 20thJuly. Any artist or craftsperson, living and working on the Uists, isinvited to join this exciting trail of studios and the exhibition atTaigh Chearsabhagh. From Berneray, North Uist, Benbecula,down to South Uist, Art on the Map is an integral part of summeron the islands.
New for 2013 we will also be giving artists and makers theopportunity to spread the word about their year-round opening.
You will need to have a venue for your work - it often helps toshare. We aim to have the map/leaflet printed in time for Easter.
Apply to Louise Cook for an application form which has all thedetails of how to join - [email protected]
Tel 01876 580 372or email - (mark email AOTM 2013)
Forms must be returned by 9th February
Artists Studio Trail and Island GuideUist Art Association
2013ART ON THE MAP
Daliburgh pupils scooped almost half the prizes in a Western Isles wide comic book
competition.An Lanntair and Western Isles Libraries held the competition for pupils in P1-S2.
Entrants were asked to create their own comic book about ‘something out of this world.’
Of the 12 winning entries, Daliburgh School had five successful pupils. Pictured are
Kathleen Campbell, Summer Harrison, Annie MacMillan, Dawn Steele and Eilidh
Campbell with Daliburgh School’s librarian Seonag MacInnes. Parents can view the
winning entries on the Golden Board in the school. All 12 winning entries are currently
being displayed in An Lanntair in Stornoway.
Carinish primary held a bingo night atCarinish Hall to raise funds for the school.
With participants coming from Benbecula to Bernerayand enthusiastic parent and pupil support, it was eyesdown as the numbers were called by Donna Murray.
The evening raised more than £820, to the delightof all, including head teacher Selina MacKay.
Mrs MacKay said:“We had loads of donations andsupport from local businesses. The money will gotowards our school trip to the outdoor centre atBadaguish in Aviemore, and other more local trips,and to things we need for the classroom.”
Daliburgh pupils triumph in comic book competition
Carinish schoolfund-raising bingosuccess
There will be a fund-raising day for RNLI inLochmaddy Hall on Saturday March 23.
Events include an auction, raffle, table-top sale,competitions,refreshments and entertainment,all insupport of the Leverburgh Lifeboat. Look out forfurther details in the March issue of Island News &Advertiser.
Further information from Stella on 01876500306 or Barbara on 01876 500849.
Editor’s note: Leverburgh lifeboat station wasset up on a trial basis last May to cover the Sound ofHarris and beyond.The lifeboat has been launched11 times so far, rescuing 25 people including twochildren. The crew spent 341 hours at sea on call-outs, and 225 hours on exercise. RNLI will make adecision about the future of the Leverburgh stationthis year, and a lot will depend on the support thecommunity has shown for it.
DIARY THIS! RNLI FUNDRAISER IN LOCHMADDY
Iochdair Junior Youth Club, South Uist recently took somechildren and helpers to Fairburn Activity Centre in Ross-shire.
The children took part in various activities over the weekend.They thoroughly enjoyed their weekend and were also pleased tobe able to attend the Pantomime Mother Goose at Eden CourtTheatre, and fit in some Christmas shopping and visit to cinema.
The youth club committee would like to thank the following fortheir funding and donations that enabled this trip to take part,Awards for All, Cashback for Communities, QinetiQ and BenbeculaCommunity Council.
We would also like to thank the following for their help with thisBuchanan Coaches Benbecula, Captain & Staff of MV Finlaggan,SPA Coaches Strathpeffer, Eden Court Theatre staff and of courseInstructors and Staff of Fairburn Activity Centre. Thank you all.
Everyone enjoyed the Fairburn weekend.
Iochdair Youth Club’sactivity weekend
A regular new Gaelic-English page begins this month, edited by Uist tutorArchie Campbell.
In a project assisted by Bòrd na Gàidhlig, the bi-lingual page will runfor the next year and be open to all Gaelic writers, be they fluent or learning. Archie is onhand to help contributors with their written Gaelic, and hopes to see many writers comingforward, not only from the islands but also the mainland and elsewhere. He can be contactedon 01870 602321 or 07733 844598.
Daibhidh Boag, head of Gaelic Usage at Bòrd na Gàidhlig said:“Tha am Plana CànainNàiseanta Gàidhig 2012-17 a’ toirt prìomhachas dha “Coimhearsnachdan” mar raon leasachaidhcudromach agus tha e a’ toirt prìomhachas a bharrachd do sgìrean far a bheil sgilean Gàidhligaig còrr is 20% den t-sluagh – leithid na h-Eileanan an Iar. Tha na coimhearsnachdan seobunaiteach san dealbh mòr airson a bhith a’ fàs Gàidhlig agus cleachdadh na Gàidhlig air feadhAlba ann an suidheachaidhean làitheil. Cruthachaidh am pròiseact seo pìosan sgrìobhaidh ùr saGhàidhlig a bhios tarraingeach do luchd-leughaidh air feadh nan eilean agus bidh e a’ toirt taicagus misneachd do sgrìobhadairean ùra Gàidhlig de gach aois.
“The National Gaelic Language Plan 2012-17 identifies ‘Communities’ as a prioritydevelopment area and goes on to emphasise the importance of areas where 20% or more of thepopulation have Gaelic abilities – such as the Western Isles. These communities are a vitalpart of the Scotland-wide picture to grow Gaelic and the use of the language in a range ofeveryday activities. This project will provide new Gaelic content that will undoubtedly be ofinterest to readers the length and breadth of the islands and it will also support and encouragenew Gaelic language contributors of all ages.” Turn to page 8
New bilingual page inIsland News & Advertiser
Grimsay Luncheonsand Baking Stall
Kallin Canteen, noon - 2pm, £6February 2,16 March 2,16
Come and enjoy a Saturday with friends Grimsay Community Association
3February 2013 Issue 11 - island news & ADVERTISER
This post is funded by Highlands and Islands Enterprise and fixed for 12 months.North Uist Development Company – a locally elected group – is looking to recruit an energetic and selfmotivated individual to act as a catalyst for innovative and sustainable community development.
The successful candidate will work with the group, and the wider community, to develop and implement acommunity growth plan, which takes account of opportunities to enhance the socio-economic, cultural &environmental welfare of the North Uist and Berneray area.
Support for this process will be provided by a nominated person within Highlands and Islands Enterprise,under their Community Account Management approach, which seeks to deliver intensive development of themost remote and disadvantaged communities within the Highlands and Islands.
The longer term sustainability of the North Uist Development Company will also be a key objective ascommunity capacity develops. It is hoped that this will be achieved through the development of a communitywind project. The project is in the advanced stage of planning and the post holder will be required to workwith Directors to progress this project to funding stage and develop a framework for the fair distribution ofthe turbine income.
The applicant will have a good understanding of the issues affecting fragile rural areas and be IT literate.A relevant qualification or prior experience in community-led development would be advantageous as woulda knowledge and affinity for the locality.
The ability to work on your own initiative is essential.
For a job description and further information please contact:Ada Campbell, Secretary Urachadh Uibhist Claddach Kirkibost Centre Claddach Kirkibost Isle of North Uist HS6 5EP
Growth at the Edge /Fas aig an Oir LocalDevelopment Officer Full-Time : 35 hours per week Salary £24,480
Closing date for applications is 08 February 2013
Plans to reduce Benbecula- Stornowayflights to three days a week will hit thesick worst, Southern Isles residents say.
North Uist community council haswritten to Alasdair Allan MSP and healthminister Alex Neil to ask the how theypropose to ensure that the people of Uistare served appropriately and to invitethem to a public meeting.
North Uist councilor UisdeanRobertson said: “The Comhairle hasbeen trying to engage with the healthboard over this issue. The health boardpays nothing towards the inter-islandflights, so the council is effectivelysubsidising every patient and theconsultants who use the air service.”
He added: “It makes no sense,especially after GP surgeries have been
told to refer all their patients to theWestern Isles hospital in Stornowayrather than Inverness or Glasgow.”
Meanwhile a campaign to save theBarra-Benbecula service has gone globalafter an e-petition was launched by Barraresident Stephen Wilson.
Mr Wilson said: “They should beenhancing transport links, not cuttingthem, it’s like going back in time. Iraised the petition mainly to find outwhat people outside Barra think,because I know what everyone herethinks, they’re against the cuts. Peoplefrom all over the world agree that theservice is vital for the local economy,residents, tourists and hospitalpatients.”The petition can be found at www.change.org
Poor time-keeping, toomany cancelled anddisrupted sailings anddangerous pedestrianaccess- a catalogue ofcomplaints from Uist residents about MV Finlaggan,deployed on the Lochmaddy-Tarbert-Uig trianglesince early December.The ship replaces MV Hebrides untilMarch. MV Hebrides is being used ascover for the refit periods of four otherCalMac vessels.
MV Hebrides has plied the Uig trianglesince 2001 and has won a place inresidents’ hearts for her reliability in allbut the very worst weather.
North Uist councillors andcommunity council last month receiveda list of complaints about MVFinlaggan.
Cllr Uisdean Robertson said:“There’s no doubt about it, she is a verycomfortable ship. But for our relativelyshort crossing, we need reliability first.
“We need to know why timetabling hasbeen changed, why she hasn’t sailed inquite favourable conditions, and why sheis late even on calm days.”
Mr Robertson added: “Quite often it hasnot been possible to use the gangway andfoot passengers have to enter via the cardeck. This is due to the construction of thepier, with piles on the side to spread theweight of the boat. In certain tides, thismeans that the ferry is higher than thepier, creating very difficult and potentiallydangerous access for foot passengersentering via the car deck.”
Mr Robertson said passengers’ initialpatience with the new ferry had worn thinand annoyance was growing by the day.
He said he could not understand whythe Hebrides was moved at all, and added:
“CalMac promised us reliability whenthey announced they were putting on theFinlaggan. We must campaign not to havethis ferry on this route next winter. TheLochboisdale-Oban route is cancelled alot, the only boat we could depend on forthe Southern Isles was the Hebrides.”
Cathie Laing of Knockline, North Uistcalled the service ‘second class’ after she
was forced to overnight at Uig on MondayJanuary 21.
She said: “I was heading for the 18.00ferry that evening when the bus driver toldme it was cancelled due to weather. In allmy 43 years of going back and forth fromthe islands I have never seen a boat not sailin those conditions. There were fishingboats out. We were told it was because ofweather conditions in Lochmaddy, but byall accounts it was fine there too.
“Next morning the ferry didn’t leaveearly to go to Lochmaddy and then Tarbertas I would have expected, it sailed justbefore 10am and went to Tarbert first. Ididn’t get home until 2pm. “It looks like we’re getting a second classservice.”
A CalMac spokesman said: “Thedecision to cancel any sailing is nevertaken lightly and we regret anyinconvenience caused. We are aware thatthe MV Finlaggan has had someunexpected operational difficulties sincecoming onto the Uig triangle but thesehave been addressed and the recentcancellations are entirely due to extremeweather, which would present a challengeto any ship.
“The MV Finlaggan is covering theroute during the winter refit period and theMV Hebrides will return to the route whenthat is completed.
“The deployment of vessels during thewinter refit is always difficult as we havelimited options available to us but we donot accept criticism of our use of the MVFinlaggan on this route as it was done withthe best of intentions, which was toprovide the best service to as many remoteand vulnerable communities as possible.”
FERRY CHAOSas Finlagganfails to passmuster
INTER-ISLAND FLIGHTS:
Reduction of Benbecula-Stornoway service is badnews for patients,say Southern Isles residents
Barra outcry goes global
‘‘ ‘‘In all my 43 years of
going back and forth I have
never seen a boat not sail
in those conditions.Cathie Laing
island news & ADVERTISER - February 2013 Issue 114
A newly refurbished two bedroom home for respitecare is set to open this month in South Uist.
Iochdar respite care home in Rhuba Doigheag, near theprimary school, opens its doors to the public for viewingon Wednesday February 20, from 12 - 4pm and 6 - 8pm.
Tagsa Uibhist took over the lease from the CnES in2011, and deployed their own handymen Mark Tebuttand Iain MacSween to strip out and transform thepremises completely.
Two ensuite bedrooms of hotel standard have beencreated in simple neutral tones with splashes of colour.
There is also a carer’s bedroom, sitting/dining roomand shiny new kitchen.
Philip Dempsey of Lochboisdale was thepainter/decorator, John MacDougall did the plumbingand the electrician was Alastair MacInnes, Grimsay.
Some clients will be referred to the home by Tagsa,and it is also available for open referral by privateindividuals.
Contact manager Kathryn Martin on 01870 602111 forfurther information.
Meanwhile five transport staff made redundant atTagsa before Christmas in the face of looming councilcuts will know on February 14 when CnES finally setsits budget whether they will get their jobs back or not.
Tagsa faces a 2.5% cut across the board each year forthe next two years, a shortfall which manager KathrynMartin says they will look to other sources of funding tomake up.
At the heart of the Community
Open Monday to Saturday, 8am to 6pm
Telephone: 01876 510257Bayhead, North Uist
� Wide selection � Friendly service
� Local meat, fish, eggs and seasonal veg
� Fresh baking � Daily papers
� Fuel
The 78 year service of afamily of North Uistdoctors is to be honouredwith the raising of aplaque to their memory inLochmaddy.Drs Alexander, Julia and their sonJohn Macleod served North Uistand Berneray between 1932 and2000.
A group comprised ofrepresentatives from organisationsdear to the heart of the late Dr Johnhas been formed to bring the plaque tofruition. The Drs Macleod MemorialFund is chaired by Philip Harding ofNorth Uist Angling Club, with inputfrom Comann Na Mara, the society ofthe sea founded by Dr John in hisretirement, and the North UistHighland Games committee.
The group’s co-ordinator is MargaretMacQuarrie of Knockquien whospent many years working closelywith all three doctors as a communitynursing sister.
She said: “I had the idea five yearsago even before Dr John passed awayfor something in the community to
pay tribute to the doctors. It’s difficultto imagine how hard they worked asrural GPs, with Dr Alexander and DrJulia starting before the days of theNHS, on call 24/7 and often unpaid. “The stories about them are legendary.
Dr Alexander was even known toswim out to his patients wherenecessary. They saved countless livesthrough their complete dedication.
“The late Dr John was known andrecognised throughout the world forhis contribution to rural generalpractice. I remember he always said
that a rural practitioner always needshis wife to support him, as Lorna didfor 27 years.”
Dr John’s widow Lorna said: “I’mdelighted about the plaque and willgive the group my help and support inany way I can. I’m sure the threedoctors would be pleased to think it’shappening.”
Collection boxes are being placed in20 locations all over North Uist andBalivanich, and a Bank of Scotlandaccount will shortly be open fordonations.
For further informationplease contact MargaretMacQuarrie on 07881417 118 or Philip Hardingon 01876 580341
Hang out the bunting,Barra’s a winnerThe Barra Bunting project haswon Voluntary Arts Scotland’sScottish Epic Award 2013.Barra Bunting is run by Sarah
Maclean of Garrygall, and inviteseveryone who has ever set foot in
Barra or Vatersay to make a flagfor a giant string of bunting.Launched last March, the
bunting already has 180 flags,donated from around the world.
In September, a Big Stitch Upenabled Barra Adult Learnersto string all the buntingtogether ready for launching atthe Barra & Vatersay annualproduce show.
VA Scotland director JemmaNeville said: “The Epic Awardsare truly epic because theyshowcase the very best ofamateur arts and crafts acrossthe UK and Ireland.
“Barra Bunting is a worthywinner of this year’s ScottishAward. By stitching togetherthe personal narratives fromvisitors and locals to the island,Barra Bunting have created aninclusive, global arts projectwhile keeping its heart and soulstill in the village hall. It shows what can be done withimagination, ingenuity and asewing machine.”For more on Barra Buntinggo to www.barrabunting.net
NEWRESPITECARE UNITOPENS INIOCHDAR The dining room in the new care home.
Plaque planned to honour tirelessservice by family of North Uist doctors
5February 2013 Issue 11 - island news & ADVERTISER
More than 140 tunes from every cornerof the globe have been submitted to thefirst Comann Na Mara (CNM) pipe tunecomposing competition.
The competition, with the land andseascape of the Outer Hebrides as its theme,is running in collaboration with the Collegeof Piping, Piping Times and Oran Mor inGlasgow.There are six categories with a minimum
of two parts each: slow air, strathspey,hornpipe, march, reel and jig.Piping Times editor Robert Wallace said
the response has been impressive, with
MOD blames ‘radar line of sight’forspate of turbine planning refusalsUist’s strategic position in UK air defences is proving a sticking pointwith the MoD against wind farm development on the islands.A spate of blanket objections by the MoDto planning applications for turbines inUist prompted the Hebrides Range TaskForce to call on two representatives fromthe RAF to explain the decisions.
Flt Lt ‘Dujon’ Goncalves-Collins of 1Group AIR command in Hemel Hempsteadgave a presentation to a meeting chaired byAngus MacMillan, and attended by localcouncillors and council officials,representatives from Highlands and IslandsEnterprise, Storas Uibhist, the OuterHebrides Commerce Group, Qinetiq alongwith architect Robert Fraser.
Mr Goncalves-Collins said that when aturbine was proposed in radar line of sight,physics was to blame for interference on airdefence radars caused by rotating blades.
He said: “On the radar they jump in heightand move around.
“We don’t know if they are false clutter or areal target. Too many false returns cause thecomputer systems to crash.”
There are seven radars in Uist, and twomobile radars deployed from time to time.
Mr Goncalves-Collins said the increasingsize of turbines and number of wind farm
Melody,originality and rhythm will win theday in CNM Pipe Tune Composing competitionUnprecedented number of entries from all over the world
MoD objections leave turbine applications grounded.
developments were creating a cumulativeeffect when they are all in radar line of sight.
He blamed this for the apparent policy of
blanket planning objections by the MoD.He said: “Anything within five nautical
miles of a radar will attract an objection.Within 30 nautical miles of radar line ofsight, everything above 11m in height will beopposed. Within 50 nautical miles, the radarwill pick up big turbines. A concentration ofturbines in certain areas is a problem.”
He said “ground truth” was essential andurged all wind turbine developers, currentand historic, to let the MoD know what stagetheir plans were at.
He said: “We never get feedback so wenever know the truth of what is actuallyplanned, going ahead, or not.”
Howard Manning, local Qinetiq TrialSafety Officer said from his point of view11m tip height was too high. He added:“There is not a lot of ground in Uist notcovered by radars.”
Robert Fraser said: “We need to knowalternative locations and heights. We need togive options at the planning stage althoughthe planning process doesn’t fit this.”
CnES chief executive Malcolm Burr said:“There is room for improvement in the pre-application dialogue about height and
location, and quantity and clusters ofturbines.”
Mr Goncalves-Collins said that the pre-application process had stopped but ispossibly starting again this year.
He urged developers to be aware ofproliferation between pre-application andplanning application submission.
Angus MacMillan welcomed acommitment by CnEs planning officialspresent to review all wind turbineapplications currently in process and to makethe information available to the MoD andother interested parties.
He said: “Clearly under this regime thereare unlikely to be any further turbinesapproved in the next wee while until all theplanning applications are reviewed.”
entries from all over the UK, Europe, US,Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.He said: “Our senior tutor Willie Morrison
who is from South Uist will be siftingthrough the entries over the next fortnight tocreate a short list which we will then placein order.“Composing for the pipes is difficult, with
only nine notes. We’relooking for melody andoriginality and for thedance tunes, goodrhythm. In the slowairs, we’re looking for aGaelic and Hebrideanfeel, given the nature ofthe contest.”The winners will be
announced in Marchor April. CNM chair Gus
Macaulay said:“Considering this isour first year, over 140entries was beyond myexpectations and Ithank each andeveryone who tooktime and passion tocompose.
Cothrom is seeking a suitably experienced andqualified individual to support learners who areconfronting the challenges of alcohol or drug misuse.The post will be based at the Re-Store Project inBornish and the Training Centre at Ormiclate.
Funded by the Robertson Trust, this post is for oneyear initially. This post will be subject to anenhanced disclosure check.
For an application form and further details contactCothrom on 01878 700 910 or e-mail:[email protected] recruitment paperwork is also available fromwww.cothrom.net
Applications should be returned toBarbara MacDonald by 15th February 2013
Cothrom operates an Equal Opportunities Policy
Substance MisuseSupport WorkerSalary £19,110 - £20,930 pro rata28 hours per week
“As the year progresses we will be intouch with all those who have submittedto seek their thoughts onhow frequently we shouldrun this open invitationcomposing composition.”The winners’ concert will
take place in the Oran Mor
on Sunday June 30, and subsequently inLochmaddy at a date to be confirmed.
island news & ADVERTISER - February 2013 Issue 116
The team is working with renewed momentumafter the announcement of a Government grant of£1.9m towards the construction of the malt whiskydistillery in Tarbert.
They still face a funding shortfall of £1m, but Isle ofHarris Distillers founder and chairman Anderson“Burr’Bakewell is quietly confident that other investorswill bite soon.
He said: “There is so much good will on the island andby Government for this project that we are confident,but not complacent.”It’s been a six year journey for Mr Bakewell, whoseHebridean base is on Scarp.
He said: “I’m happy it’s taken so long as we’ve beenable to think things through thoroughly and carefully,especially when there will be considerable time withoutrevenue.”
All going well, the distillery will start producing by theend of 2014, with the first bottles of Hearadh- aworking title, but one which might stick - going on themarket in 2019.
Mr Bakewell said: “There is a growing market for
younger spirits, with their fresh, less woody qualities.”He added: “It’s going to be exciting for our team to
create a whisky which captures the essence of the island,its aromas and elemental qualities. We will be using thebest oak, pure Harris water and the best barley.”
Mr Bakewell said the barley will be brought in fromthe mainland, but in Phase Two of the project, it is hopedthat up to 25% of the barley will be grown locally inUist and Harris.
“We have done trials to show that barley can be grownin South Harris successfully, but not dependably,” hesaid.
He added: “Our maturation experts tell us the OuterHebrides offer the best possible conditions for maturingwhisky, the low range of temperatures, and the moisturein the atmosphere interplaying with the casks.”
The distillery will create 20 local jobs, part of MrBakewell’s aspirations for the regeneration of Harris,creating jobs and enabling work-exiles to come home.
The building will be ‘easy on the eye, functional butwith charm’, he promised, made with stone from SouthHarris.
Funding boost for Harris distilleryThe Isle of Harris Distillers team is working full tilt towards gettingthe distillery off the ground before the end of this year.
Iochdar schoolchildren joinedthe Storas team on the completionof the turbines last October.
Kenny Macalister,originally from Newport,takes the reins of Uist radiowith a pledge to welcome everyone who wants to be involved withthe new station and find a way for them to develop their skills.
Mr Macalister, 50, began his career as weekend breakfast presenter withWestSound in Ayr, followed by stints with Ocean Sound in Hampshire,BFBS (Germany), Aire FM (Leeds), Clyde 1, Scot FM, Heart FM(Warrington), Talk Radio, Radio 1 (Kampala, Uganda) and 106CTFM(Kent).
For the past ten years he has been programme director on Passion for thePlanet (London) a digital service focusing on health and environment issues.
An Radio is Mr Macalister’s first venture into community radio. He said: “I will begin by listening to what people want from their station.
The door is open for everyone who wants to become involved, from beingon air, to doing news, making five minute documentaries, creating promos,adverts and jingles, learning audio editing or just simply making tea. Ourvolunteer recruitment drive will be starting next month.”
A fully-functioning FM station is some months away, but Mr Macalistersaid an online version would be launched ‘fairly soon’ to trial ideas.
Your Florist in Uist� Full range from bouquets to wreaths� Every occasion catered for� Delivery from Berneray to Barra
A Fife man with thirty year’s experience in radio aspresenter, producer, programme controller and founderis An Radio’s new station manager.
COMMUNITY CONSULTATIONS ON HOW TO SPEND SOUTH UIST TURBINE INCOMEStòras Uibhist held four meetings last month toseek community views on how to spend theincome from their three wind turbines in LochCarnan.
Around 100 people in total attended themeetings which were held in Daliburgh, GrogarryLodge, Stoneybridge and Benbecula.
Stòras chief executive Huw Francis presented aFuture Projects Suggested List under the headingsGrant and Loan Funding, Land and AssetImprovements, Enterprise and CommunityInvestments and Alternative Projects.
Participants were invited to break out into groupsto discuss and record their preferred options.
Mr Francis said an estimated £3.4million will beavailable for projects over the next five years.
He said: “The meetings are helping us find outhow people feel about Land and Assets projectswhich include township drainage and repairing
outlets, upgrading Grogarry Lodge, a fencing fundand ranger service; and what kind of investmentthey want to see in things like marketing, bringingabandoned buildings back into community use,small-scale wind and hydro renewables, croftaccess upgrades and new commercialinvestments.”
The range of Alternative Projects up fordiscussion includes footpaths, archaeologicalmarketing, a meat processing facility, live shellfishstorage, and 80m commercial pier at Lochboisdalefor large vessels and an Eriskay Centre.
The results of the community consultations willnow be considered by Stòras Uibhist.
Meanwhile Stòras is confident that the three2.3MW turbines standing motionless sinceOctober will be connected to the national grid thismonth, and creating income for the community bythe end of this year.
(Far right) Burr Bakewell joins (l to r) Alasdair Allan MSP, distillery architectJohn Coleman and Cabinet Secretary Richard Lochhead in Tarbert on theannouncement of the Government grant.
7February 2013 Issue 11 - island news & ADVERTISER
The new system for disposing of bulkyhousehold waste in manned, lockablecommunity skips has met with a mixedresponse in the Uists.
Community skips, which used to rotatearound townships across the islands, werewithdrawn suddenly by the Comhairle(CnES) last year in response to concernsraised by the Health & Safety Executive(HSE).
Ten closed and lockable skips wereordered by CnES, six for Lewis andHarris, and four for the Uists. Barra &Vatersay have a recycling centre atGarrygall deemed appropriate for theisland’s needs.
In Uist, Berneray DevelopmentCompany and Berneray CommunityCouncil joined forces to order a skip to beplaced near the harbour.
The skip is manned by eight trainedvolunteers, and open on Wednesdays andSaturdays between 10 and 12.
Sue Wilson of Berneray DevelopmentGroup said: “We each do two hours dutyonce a month, and it’s working well. It’sgiving the community two opportunities aweek to dump their domestic refuse.”
North Boisdale township, South Uist,now has a skip in place by the old nettingstation at Orasay. However the communityhas expressed frustration anddisappointment at the restrictions on whatthey can place in the skip.
Township clerk and skip key holderRoddy MacLeod has made himselfavailable to open the skip anytime anyonewants to dispose of rubbish.
He said: “The problem is what you can’tput in it. In the past people put everythingin the skips, and there was no fly-tipping.Now people are coming along with thingsand being told they can’t put them in.
“There is a huge list on the inside of thedoor, which includes things like car parts,batteries, tins of paint and sileage waste.
Mixed reviews for newcommunity skip system
POPULAR YOUNG UISTBAND RELEASES EPNa h-Eileanaich CD now on sale
“We already have evidence of fly-tipping starting on the shore. We have theimpression that the Comhairle has takenthe opportunity to charge for the disposalof rubbish we didn’t have to pay forbefore.”
Iain Campbell of Zero Waste WesternIsles, based in Creed Park, Stornowaysaid: “We will issue training to NorthBoisdale township which will help theskip to work well for them.
“The items that are now deemedunsuitable for disposal into the skips havenearly always been banned from the skips.It was just that there was no way toenforce this with an unmanned open skip.
“As crofting wastes such as silage wrapare categorised as industrial waste, theywere not “allowed” to be disposed of inthe old community skips but that did notstop this type of material being disposedof in this way.
“Any crofter that produces waste has
legal duty to dispose of this wasteproperly. Fly tipping is not acceptableand just because the waste producer is notwilling to pay the appropriate charges isnot a justifiable excuse.”
Mr Campbell added: “There are now sixsites in Lewis and Harris that are workingreally well and we want it to work well inUist too.”
Meanwhile local businessman RalphThomson expressed disappointment that ascheme he has devised for the collectionof used silage wrap has not yet attractedfunding.
He said: “Disposing of silage wrap is ahuge problem. With Zero Waste wewanted to pilot a scheme for three yearswhere by each township collected theirwaste wrap, and it was sent for recyclingto Dundee. We had everything in place forthe scheme, but obviously this is not agood time to look for funding fromComhairle.”
Council promises help for ‘disappointed’ South Uist township
The six-piece Na h-Eileanaich grew fromweekly classes organised by Fèis Tir a’Mhurainin South Uist.
The group worked with local musicians withadditional guidance from Iain MacDonald(Glenuig), Norrie MacIver (Manran) and withsupport from Feisean nan Gaidheal.
After their debut performance at the opening ofHebCelt in 2011 the band quickly became one ofthe most sought-after acts in events across Uist-despite all being teenagers and in full-timeeducation.
Norrie MacIver said “ I met Na h-Eileanaich afew years back through a fèis project and theywere great fun to work with. It’s always great tosee young folk so keen and interested in themusic they play. They played at the HebrideanCeltic Festival and when I heard the sound checkcouldn’t believe it was the same band I hadrehearsals with a few months before. Theyworked so hard to put these great sets together.”
The six-track EP, recorded by Wee Studio ofStornoway captures their energetic interpretationof the traditional music which has been thesoundtrack of their lives in Uist.
Tracks include Cows, Oran na Cloiche,Strathspeys, Tir A’ Mhurain, The Sleeping Tuneand Donella.
A concert is promised to celebrate the EP thisspring. Meanwhile the EP will be aired on BBC
Radio nan Gaidheal, BBC Radio Scotland, IslesFM, Cuillin FM and other media.
The band features Paula MacInnes (leadvocals) Pàdruig Morrison (accordion andpiano) Micheal Steele (small pipes, low Dwhistle and Highland pipes) Mairi Innes(drums, guitar, bass and backing vocals, AngusJohn MacInnes (drums, bass and backingvocals) and Siobhan Nicolson (backingvocals).
The EP, entitled simply Na h-Eileanaich, isavailable to buy in local shops and on-line,priced £7.
Berneray community skip has a rota of volunteers.
8 island news & ADVERTISER - February 2013 Issue 11
Gaidhlig/GaelicGàidhlig/GaelicCeumannanRosalind
‘S e Oifigear Leasachaidh Dannsa a th’ ann an
Rosalind Masson. Tha i ag obair aig Ceòlas
www.ceolas.co.uk le taic bho Alba Chruthachail,
agus ‘s e a dleastanas a bhith a’ toirt dannsa air
adhart ann an Uibhist ‘s Barraigh.
Rugadh Rosalind ann an Glaschu, ‘s thogadh iann an Cille Bhearchainn, faisg air Pàislig. ‘S edannsair proifeasanta a th’ innte. Rinn i a trèanadhaig an Sgoil Dannsa Ùr Nòs ann an Lunnainn, ‘sthug i a-mach MSc ann ann an ealain nammeadhonan cuideachd.Tha i ag obair san dùthaichseo ‘s thall thairis a’ dannsa ‘s a’ teagasg ann an
Lunnainn, Berlin ‘s New York.Tha Rosalind air a bhith uabhasach trang bhon
a thàinig i. An-dràsta fhèin tha i ag obair le na h-oileanaich bho Cholaiste Bheinn na Fadhla a thaa’ cur air cuirm–chiùil ‘Danns an Eilein’ aig CelticConnections, le taic bho Thaigh Chearsabhagh.Tha i ag obair gu dlùth le na sgoiltean cuideachd,a’ toirt ionnsachadh na cloinne air adhart trodhannsa. An teirm seo, tha i a’ cuideachadh nansgoilearan ann an Dalabrog ‘s Èirisgeidh lepròiseact air Raibeart Burns. Aig deireadh a’Mhàirt thig buidheann dannsa , ‘La Nua’ à Dùn
Èideann a dh’Uibhist a dh’obair comhla rithe.Thai a’ dol a bhith an-sàs ann an fiolm dannsa, TheTime it Takes le Goat Media. Cumaibh sùil a-mach air a shon. Agus rud a b’ fheàirrd dhuinnuile, dhòmhsa co-dhiù, tha i a’ cumail clas ann angluasad do dh’inbhich, ann an Sgoil Lionacleitgach Diciadain, 4-5.
Ma tha ùidh agaibh ann an dannsa ‘s an dualchas,feuch am bruidhinn sibh rithe.Tha i ag obair a-machà oifis Cheòlais ann an Dalabrog, 01878 700 154,rosalind@ceòlas.co.uk .
Mura biodh gu leòr aice ri dhèanamh,tha i trang agionnsachadh na Gàidhlig cuideachd. Gu dearbh, ‘s edeagh oileanach a th’ innte.‘S e an fhìrinn a th’agam,tha mise ga teagasg! Mar a thuirt i fhèin, sa Ghaidhlig:‘s toil leam na h-eileanan.Tha mi a’ fuireach ann anCille Donnainn, agus ‘s toil leam an tràigh, a’mhuir ‘sna h-eòin. Chaidh mi a choiseachd air beinn ann anUibhist a Tuath ‘s chunnaic mi iolaire air air an sgiathfodham, bha sinn dìreach eireachdail !
daoine a’ faireachdainn beagan ìosal aig an àm seo den
bhliadhna. Ach, tha fuasgladh againne ann an
Glaschu –Celtic Connections.
Tha an fhèis seo air a bhith a’ ruith airson ficheadbliadhna.Seo fear de na tachartasan as motha a th’annsa’bhaile-mhòr.A dh’aindeoin an fhacail ‘ceilteach’,thaiomadh seòrsa ciùil ann, agus bidh cuid de dhaoine a’gearan mu dheidhinn sin. Air an laimh eile, bidh a’chuid as motha de na cuirmean-ciùil làn agus tha ancòmhnaidh feadhainn ann far nach eil ticead air fhàgail.
Cluinnidh tu gu tric ‘’Chan eil an fhèis cho math ‘sa bha e an-uiridh’’. Chuala mi sin ceart gu leòr an-
uiridh agus a bhòn-uiridh agus a h-uile bliadhna eile,cha mhòr. ‘S toil le daoine a bhith a’ gearan. Achsmaoinich air na h-ainmean agus an ceòl – Run Rig,Capercaillie, Kathleen NicAonghais, Julie Fowlis,Blair Douglas, Moving Hearts, Paul Brady, the BarraMacNeils,Ashley MacIsaac,Alan Stivell, Dan ar Brazagus na ceudan eile.Sin agaibh cuid de na h-ainmeanas ainmeile à Alba, Èirinn, Ceap Breatann ‘s a’Bhreatann Bhig a thaobh ciùil.Agus bidh ceòl bho nadùthchannan ceilteach eile ann.An-uiridh, bha TomJones againn a chàirdean. Bidh esan a’ seinn ceòlsoisgeul Ameireaganach anns na laithean seo.Cha robh mi aig a’chuirm-chiùil ach a rèir coltais, thaguth seinn aige fhathast.
Agus bruidhinn air ceòl Ameireaganach, a’ chiadturas a chunnaic mi James Taylor ‘s ann aig Celtic
The New Year is over, but the winter isstill with us – little wonder that peoplefeel a bit low at this time of the year.But we have a solution in Glasgow –Celtic Connections.
This festival has been running for twentyyears now. Despite the word ‘celtic’ it featuresall sorts of music, and some complain aboutthis. On the other hand, most of the concertsare very well attended and many sell out.
You often hear ‘’The festival isn’t as good asit was last year’’ I’ve heard that right enough,last year, the year before that and pretty much
every year. People like to complain. But thinkof the names and the music – Run Rig,Capercaillie, Kathleen MacInnes, Julie Fowlis,Blair Douglas, Moving Hearts, Paul Brady, theBarra MacNeils, Ashley MacIsaac, Alan Stivell,Dan ar Braz and hundreds more. These are thebiggest names from Scotland, Ireland, CapeBreton and Brittany for music. And there is alsomusic from other celtic countries. My friends,we had Tom Jones last year. He sings AmericanGospel songs these days. I didn’t go to hisconcert, but by all accounts he can still sing.
And talking of American music, the first time Iever saw James Taylor was at Celtic Connections.It isn’t just music from the celtic countries and
CELTIC CONNECTIONS – HERE WE ARE AGAIN
Connections a bha e. Chan e dìreach ceòl bho nadùthchannan ceilteach agus Ameireaga a bhiosann, ach cèol bhon t-saoghail mhòr air fad- CarlosNunez à Galicia agus Kepa Junkera à dùthaich namBasgach nam measg. Bhon a thàinig DòmhnallShaw a bhith na stiùiriche den fhèis tha barrachdden leithid air a bhith ann. Rud nach eil a’ còrdadhris a h-uile duine. Co-dhiù, ge be dè ‘ n seòrsaciùil a tha thu ag iarraidh, tha e ri chluinntinn.
Tha an fhèis dìreach air tòiseachadh agus ‘s ecuirm-ciùil an t-Sabhal Mhòir a’ chiad rud a bhiosagamsa. Tha an tachartas seo a’ comharrachadh dàfhichead bliadhna bhon a thòisich Sabhal MòrOstaig. Bidh cuid de na seinneadairean as fheàrr anlàthair, a bha, agus a tha, aig a’ cholaiste.
Chan eil am Faoilteach a’coimhead cho dona idir.
Tha ar duilleag cunbhalach dà-chànanach Gàidhling ’s Beurla air a thoirt thugaibh le taic bho Bhòrd na GàidhligOur regular Gaelic-English page is brought to you with the assistance of Bòrd na Gàidhlig.
America that features but music from all over theworld – Carlos Nunez from Galicia and KepaJunkera from the Basque country among them.Since Donald Shaw took over as director therebeen more of such music. This isn’t to everyone’sliking. However, whatever type of music youwant to listen to, it’s here.
The festival has just started, and the SabhalMòr Ostaig concert is my first stop.
This event is to commemorate the fortiethanniversary of the founding of the college.Some of the finest singers will be performingfrom those who attended, and are currentlyattending the college.
January doesn’t look so bad after all.
M L A
13February 2013 Issue 11 - island news & ADVERTISER
CroftingCrofting
Turn to page 16 for more crofting news
Well-kent Dingwall & Highland Martsauctioneer Kenny MacKenzie hasannounced his retirement at the end ofthis year, but says he will keep comingover to the islands to help out whenrequired.
Mr MacKenzie is a familiar face atLochmaddy and Stornoway marts, havingwielded the gavel at island sales for thepast 44 years.
Now he can look back on almost half acentury with Dingwall Marts, rising fromrookie 16 year old clerk to managingdirector for the past 12 years, proud of hiscompany’s record in serving the farmersof the Highlands and islands.
He says his decades of coming to theislands have been full of fun, humour,parties, dances, good craic- and plenty ofchange.
He said: “I remember my first time onthe islands in September 1965. We leftDingwall at 9.30am on the Friday and Igot home the following week Saturday.They were the days of droving, when wetravelled all round the islands and walkedthe stock to the various pier heads, andthen loose onto the old cattle boats before
Kenny MacKenzie.
Popular auctioneer promises to keep comingback to isles marts after his retirement
Kenny:You have to conduct the sale with decorumand keep control.
Kenny:You’ve got to know values to set arespectable starting price.
they went away to Kyle and then by trainto Dingwall, or from Oban to Stirling. Ittook a lot of organising.
“Change was rapid. 1965 was the lastyear of droving, by ’66 it was part droving,part floating. The horse was only gonefive or 10 years before that, and the tractorstarted coming in.”
Mr MacKenzie also witnessed changesin breeds with the cross-Highland andcross-Shorthorn declining in popularity,and the rise of the Angus and Hereford.
He said: “In the 80s continental breedscame in and there were a lot of changes inbreeding. With sheep, breedingprogrammes came in to improve theblackie stock.”
Mr Mackenzie first stepped onto therostrum aged 20. “You couldn’t hear mebehind a newspaper,” he said.
Even now he admits to being nervousfor the first two or three lots of a sale.He said: “Everyone should be nervous atthe start, it shows you’re conscientiousand want to do your best for both sides.
“You’ve got to know values to set arespectable starting price, and you’ve got
to conduct the sale with decorum and keepcontrol of the situation.
“Sometimes people get angry with you ifyou miss a bid, which can happen toanybody, and sometimes they think you’refavouring someone else. You have to be firmwithout upsetting people and remember it’snot just about money, but pride too.
“Keeping the lots moving is veryimportant. If you start the bidding too lowpeople can be asleep by the time you reachthe right price and it’s exhausting.”
Mr MacKenzie is originally from Evanton,Ross-shire, and went to agricultural school inBalmacara between the ages of 14 and 16.Determined to work in farming, he hadplanned to go to Craibstone College inAberdeen after working a year on a farm totake him to the right age for admission.
When the job with Dingwall Martscame up, he decided to give it a go, andhas never looked back.
After his official retirement MrMacKenzie will come off the board andwill be replaced as MD by Ian Tolmie. Hispassion for livestock and farming remainsundimmed and he will continue runningDingwall Mart’s 700 acrefarm.
He said: “I enjoy it, I’ve always done itand I don’t want to retire completely. Iimagine I’ll still come out to the islands asthere are sales every day in Dingwall,sometimes two in summer and they’llneed back-up.”
Mr Mackenzie added: “I’m proud tohave served the farming and croftingcommunities with the only weekly marketon the west side. It’s been the saviour ofthe Highlands as far as marketing isconcerned, with all the other marts closingover the years. If we weren’t there therewould be a lot less stock in the Highlandsand islands. I’m pleased to hand it on ingood shape for the next generation tomarket stock for the future.”
Light work on mainland hill farm.Happy home for quiet pony.Please contact [email protected] Tel: 01575 560449Eriskay Mare
WANTED
Going,going - but definitelynot gone after 44 years
on the rostrum
Kenny: life-long passion for livestock and farming.
Kenny: proud to have served theislands.
14 island news & ADVERTISER - February 2013 Issue 11
NeighboursNeighbours
Each year numbers of fulmar, shag, greatskua, mew gull, lesser black-backed gull,herring gull, greater black-backed gull,kittiwake, common tern, commonguillemot, razorbill and black guillemot arecounted.
The breeding success of fulmar, shag,herring gull, great black-backed gull andkittiwake is also monitored annually.
Figures from 2011 show that herringgull, great black backed gull and shaghave declined on Canna, with blackguillemot numbers remaining stable.These results are in line with the trend ofa fall of 53% in seabirds breeding inScotland.
Unlike the decline seen acrossScotland, kittiwakes on Canna have
increased, and last year recorded theirhighest productivity since monitoringbegan, as did great black-backed gulls.
Numbers of mew gull and great skuanesting on the island have also increased,and fulmar, shag and herring gull are alsoshowing improved breeding success.
Following a rat eradication project inthe winter of 2005/6, a small number ofManx shearwaters is now nestingsuccessfully on steep grassy slopes onCanna’s south side.
Scott Weatherstone
Colonsay communitytakes over pub for winter
When Colonsay residents heard that the only pub onthe island, in The Colonsay Hotel, might close for thewinter, rather than agonising, they started organising.
Local Development Officer Donald MacNeillnegotiated a deal with hotel owner Alex Howardwhereby the community could rent the pub from himand run it with volunteers.
Keir Johnston and Grace MacPhee of Colonsay Shopprovided bar training for ten locals who stepped forwardto man the optics in the island’s hour of need.
The curtain was lifted on Colonsay Community Pub atthe beginning of December with a whisky-tastingsession. Grace said: “Our opening night was a roaring success.We’d like to thank Laphroaig, Bruidladdich,Bunnahabhain distilleries for donating their lovelywhisky.”
Find out more about what’s going on in Colonsay in The Corncrake,editor Scott Weatherstone.Go to www.colonsay.org.uk and follow the link on the home page.
Marine Harvest says the venturewill provide 4-6 full-time jobs forlocal people.
The company has been consultingthe community during the past year.They have sent every islander a copyof their Environmental Statement,which they say scientifically measuresthe level of risk that the proposalcarries.
Residents’ reactions have beenmixed. Angela Skrimshire said: “This big
document, though a crucialcomponent is NOT the EnvironmentalImpact Assessment (EIA). The EIAwon’t event start till the companysubmits its planning application-AFTER the island has voted on theproposal.”
Coming from a different angle isCaitlin McNeill, a 19-year-old whowas born and brought up on the island.
She said: “I want to be able to liveon my island. By voting ‘no’ wewould be condemning ourselves tostanding still. I want to raise my
children here. I want a newgeneration of kids to experiencewhat I did growing up here. That ismy dream. I will vote yes formyself; when I come home for goodI want to see a working community.I will vote yes for my brother; whyshould he feel compelled to leavehis home because there is nowork?”
Marine Harvest will shortly holdthree Open Days in the village hallleading up to the poll, due to takeplace later this month.
Colonsay fish farm vote imminent
Pudsey the Bear dropped by when‘A Gaggle of Colonsay Grannies’organised a buffet and live musicevent for Children In Need, raising£725.
The Christmas Craft Fayre alsowent well and Hogmanay saw theplace packed to the rafters, withrevelers enjoying bagpipe musicand fireworks at midnight.
Locals will be running the pub until the end of March,when Alex Howard will take it over again. Between nowand then, a Games Night and several openings for rugbySix Nations matches are planned.
Colonsay residentsunanimously rejectnew ferry proposalsColonsay residents rejected out of handproposed changes to the island’s ferry serviceat their January community council meeting.
Transport Scotland wants the current ro-ro vesselfor the Small Isles to be reassigned to provide anall-year-round dedicated vessel for Colonsay.
Those present feltthat the proposedreplacement boat,the MV Lochnevis,would not be ableto meet the island’sneeds. It can onlyaccommodate 16cars, whilst the twoboats currently assigned to Colonsay can handle 70and 54, respectively.
Colonsay resident Andrew MacGregor said: “If alarge articulated vehicle is on the boat, there wouldonly be room for three cars.” Netta Titterton said: “Afriend who travelled on the Lochnevis told me thatthere were not enough internal seats for thepassengers on a busy crossing.”
The meeting heard that community councilmembers on Eigg and Rum said MV Lochnevis onlysuccessfully completed around half of its sailingsduring the winter.
Andrew MacGregor warned that frequentcancellations could disrupt petrol, diesel and gassupplies to the island. Coastguard Jim McLoughlinsaid that the journey time to Oban would increasefrom 2hrs 20 minutes to 3 hours.
Visitor accommodation providers also complainedthat the proposals would almost certainly have asevere negative impact on their businesses.
A show of hands revealed that nobody presentthought that the proposals either represented animprovement or that they were acceptable.Community council chair Sheena Nesbit undertookto feed these views back into Transport Scotland.
Mixed fortunes for Canna sea bird population
Guillemots on Canna. Courtesy of Kenny Graham.
A 25 year UK Seabird MonitoringProgramme (SMP) shows some Cannaseabird populations declining in linewith trends in Scotland, and othersholding their own.
MV Lochnevis.
Colonsay residents are preparing to vote on the establishment of a new fish farm off the north-eat coast of the island.
15
PeoplePeopleFebruary 2013 Issue 11 - island news & ADVERTISER
Investment banker Kevin Campbellcan trace his roots back to 1910 inLochmaddy, and says he used thename to recognise the sacrifice of thegenerations before him.
Mr Campbell visited Lochmaddy withhis father in 1999, and met up with someof his relatives, including retired registrarDonald John Campbell of Fairview,Lochmaddy.
Kevin related his family history: “JohnAlexander Campbell, whose brother isDonald John’s father, adventured over toVancouver from a Lochmaddy crofter’slife around 1910, then promptly turnedaround and headed back to Lochmaddy.He married a Margaret MacDonald fromthe Monach Islands.
“Then they quickly turned around backto Vancouver and my grandfather wasborn either in transit or just after arrivingin Vancouver (1912).
“John Alexander then enlisted in theSeaforth Highlanders of Vancouver at theage of 34 to go fight in World War I anddied at Passchendaele. Margaret and the
four kids returned to Lochmaddy againfrom 1918 until about 1924; then wentback to Vancouver for good.
“My grandfather (Donald John)dropped out of school in Grade 9 to go to Contact: Sheila - 07919 184627
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May’s finalbook in Lewis trilogylaunched in North Uist Glasgow author Peter May kicked off the promotional tour of his latest novelThe Chess Men with a talk and signing at Taigh Chearsabhagh, Lochmaddy.
The Chess Men completesMay’s Lewis-set trilogywhich includes The BlackHouse (Quercus 2011) andThe Lewis Man (Quercus2012).
Clutching copies of his booksfor signing, more than 50people packed the venue tolisten to May tell the story of hiswriting life, and his adventuresin Lewis, China and France.
They rejoiced in May’sannouncement that The BlackHouse is to be made into a twohour radio drama by BBCScotland, and that a TVcompany close to signing a dealfor a three hour drama of his
Lewis trilogy for national television.There was more delight when he
announced that his series The EnzoFiles, a critical success abroad, willbe published for the first time in thiscountry late this year.
In his talk, May traced his writingcareer from his first book, aged four,through his years in journalism onthe Paisley Daily Express and The
Canadian philanthropic foundation bears Lochmaddy name
Investment banker Kevin Campbell.
work in a sheet metal plant to helpsupport the family and eventually workedin the shipyards.
“My father (also a John Alexander)grew up in a working class area of EastVancouver and became a lawyer. I wasraised in a suburb of Vancouver andbecame an investment banker in themining sector, for which Vancouver isone of the world’s hubs.”
Mr Campell said the risk-takingand hard work of his forebears laidthe foundation for the family inCanada, and was the inspiration forthe Lochmaddy Foundation which hefounded in 2007.
He said: “It is really thequintessential westward story ofintergenerational economic mobility,repeated so many times over the lastcentury in both the United States andCanada by immigrant families fromall over the world.
“Lochmaddy Foundation aims toinvest the proceeds of some of that hardwork towards those that need a hand torepeat the same historical process.
“We do some local work with the artsand youth athletics, but the primaryfocus is on West African developmentprograms.”
The foundation’s work includesvocational training in Burkina Faso, twoprojects in Mali, and a youthempowerment project in Senegal.
More information at www.lochmaddy.org
A Canadian charitable foundation has been named after Lochmaddy,thanks to its founder’s connections to the North Uist village.
Peter May signed books for fans.
Peter May entertained a packed house in Taigh Chearsabhagh.
Scotsman, his move into TV script-writing including Take the HighRoad and his five unforgettableyears producing the Gaelic soapopera Machair when he was based inLewis for five months of the year.
Those years getting to know Lewisso well planted the seeds of TheBlack House, which he embarked onten years later after five colourfulyears writing The China Thrillers, aseries of six novels which took himto the heart of crime in China for hisresearch.
May is festooned with honoursfrom overseas for his writing, andparticularly from France where helives.
He said: “After every publishinghouse in Britain rejected The BlackHouse, I put it to the back of adrawer and tried to forget it for manyyears. It was my French publisherwho read it and loved it, and boughtthe world rights, translating it intoFrench where it’s a best seller.”
The Chess Men is set in Uig andMay says, “brings everything to aconclusion, although not too neatlytied up because life’s not like that.”
February 2013 Issue 11 - island news & ADVERTISER16
Goose control main concern in Machair Life meetingThe meeting, chaired by GeorgeCampbell, RSPB, was called to discusspriorities in this, the final year of theMachair Life project,and to look at waysforward after the project finishes.
Machair Life has garnered positivesupport from crofters after its work tosupport traditional crofting with initiativessuch as supplying machinery, collectingand spreading seaweed, and above all, cropprotection from geese.
The meeting heard from Machair Life’scrop protection co-ordinator RoryMacGillivray that the scheme had beensuccessful last year with with much less
damage reported. Crofters acknowledgedthe efforts by Machair Life inconjunction with Storas Uibhist andNorth Uist Estate to keep geese fromtheir crops, but said the population ofgreylag geese continued to spiral out ofcontrol.
Archie MacDonald, Torlum said: “Theworst is yet to come. The population hasreached tipping point. The goose willfinish off crofting in Uist.”
Crofters agreed that continuation of acrop protection programme was vitalafter the end of Machair Life, but heardthat ways of funding it were unclear in the
light of poor Scottish Governmentsupport for goose control.
A glimmer of light came from SNH’sadaptive management programme, whichstarted last September and is designed toreduce greylag numbers.
SNH officer Johanne Ferguson said theprogramme was proceeding well withgoose numbers already down by 2,500.
George Campbell urged crofters tomake urgent representation to their MSPsand MP for the continuation of cropprotection.
He said: “They need to hear of theimpact on the Uists. Makes noises!”
The new Crofting Register came into force on30 November 2012. The register will attempt torecord the full extent of croft land in Scotland,along with associated interests.
The register will also record land held runrig
New Crofting Register aims to record all the croft land in Scotlandand common grazings. It will contain informationon the tenant, owner-occupier along with thelandlord or registered owner. The Keeper of theRegisters of Scotland will maintain the register,which is – like the Land Register – map based.
For the first year of operation, entry into theregister is voluntary. After the first year, certain‘trigger’ events will require compulsory
registration, mainly relating toregulatory applications to theCrofting Commission such asassignations and croft divisions.However, somewhat surprisingly,the first purchase of a tenantedcroft is not a trigger that inducesregistration. Sublets will not
feature in the new register, so a duplicate check ofthe existing Register of Crofts maintained by theCrofting Commission in Inverness will benecessary to ascertain whether any are inexistence. And whilst common grazings will bemapped the actual shareholding held by eachcrofter in those grazings will not be identified inthe Crofting Register.
Any application made to the register will cost£90, to be paid by the applicant, be it crofter,landlord, or owner-occupier. The Scottish Government has set aside £100,000to assist and encourage voluntary registration;therefore there will be a reduced fee for voluntaryregistration of crofts where either 10 or moreapplications for registration in the same township,
or all the crofts in the same township comprisingmore than one but less than 10 crofts, aresubmitted jointly to the Crofting Commission.These joint applications must be received by theCrofting Commission before 30th November2013. The fee is then reduced by £20 for eachapplication.
Due to the often ambiguous nature of croftingboundaries, there is a nine month challengeperiod following registration. Challenges will bemade direct to the Land Court who can order forrectification to be made.
The register can be accessed for free atwww.crofts.ros.gov.ukBrian Inkster, Inksters Solicitors, Glasgow,Inverness & Wick.
Crofting law expert Brian Inksterexplains what you need to know
New Crofting Register aims to record all the croft land in Scotland
The urgent need to control the spiralling greylag goose population on Uist dominated discussions at a recent Machair Life meeting in Benbecula.
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Welcome to Paw Prints, where your animals get their chance to shine.
PawPrintsPawPrints18 island news & ADVERTISER - February 2013 Issue 11
Email your hi-res photos to pawprints @islandnewsandadvertiser.com with yourname and address, your pet’s name and anything you’d like to say about them.
Then look out for your photo on IN&A’sPaw Print page over the comingmonths!
DOWN:1)What’s the point,2)Fever,3)Rank,4)See-saw,5)Alphabet,6)Rag doll,7)Winning streak,12)Deafness,13) Lecture,15)Assign,18)Elite,19)Comb.
Mac looks for cheese in the fridge,
while Rosie makes herself comfy in
the slow-cooker. The cheeky siblings
live with Jennifer Ambrose and
Neil MacCormick in Daliburgh,
South Uist.
Mitzi may only be nine weeks old,but she already has Cleo the labunder her tiny paw. And Mitzi says:“Hamster? What hamster? In yourdreams.” She lives with Julie Keltyin Lochcarnan, South Uist
Mopsy is looking for her picture in Paw
Prints, but unfortunately has the wrong
newspaper. The attention-loving
princess will be happy this month.
She lives with Shelagh Davies in
Lochboisdale, South Uist.
Cindy found being one of Santa’s littlehelpers absolutely exhausting thisChristmas. She lives with MichelleMacleod in Stornoway, Lewis.
19February 2013 Issue 11 - island news & ADVERTISER
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