Trio of Lewis wind farms eligible for subsidy auction due this month BY KEITH MACKENZIE [email protected]Projects will have until the end of this month to bid for subsidies offering support to island-based wind farms. On Lewis, three projects have grid connection agreements in place, which is a necessary prerequisite for taking part in the UK Government-run auction for ‘Contracts for Difference’ – the main mechanism for supporting the deployment of new low-carbon electricity generation. The three projects on Lewis in a position to bid are Lewis Wind Power’s Stornoway scheme, the Oppenheim family- owned Uisenis Wind Farm, and Forsa Energy’s Druim Leathann development at Tolsta. Four crofting community schemes — who want to pursue their own smaller-scale projects on grazing land that the Stornoway Trust has already earmarked for the LWP development — cannot bid, as they have not obtained planning consent in time to qualify. It emerged this week that the original deadline to submit sealed bids had been extended from today (15th August) until 29th August. The UK Government’s Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy confirmed a legal challenge had been made in relation to the current round of Contracts for Difference allocations. However, this legal challenge is not related to ongoing attempts to thwart the 36-turbine LWP plan in favour of alternative schemes being pursued by the four crofting townships. continued on page 3 No 2468 FRIDAY 16 AUGUST 2019 90p West Highland Free Press An Tìr, An Cànan, ’S na Daoine THE UK’S FIRST EMPLOYEE-OWNED NEWSPAPER Skye Bridge 10k and gala festivities, pages 18, 19 Ullapool rowers conquer the Minch, page 7 Late start for Early Years in Lochcarron HEAVYWEIGHT MAKING LIGHT OF THE COMPETITION: Colin Dunbar cracks a smile during last week’s Skye Highland Games, see pages 8-11 •Delay over transfer as council prepare to double pre-school hours Photograph: WILLIE URQUHART BY KEITH MACKENZIE [email protected]Nursery pupils in Lochcarron will start term a week later than planned, due to delays over the transfer of the facility to the local authority. In May this year Highland Council agreed to take over nursery provision in the area from the Lochcarron Playgroup – a parent-led charity first established in the early 1980s. The move was made due to the increasing burden facing the charity in light of the Scottish Government policy to double the nursery hours available for all three- and four-year-olds, and eligible two-year-olds, from 2020. An agreement has been reached under which the council would be allowed use of the facilities owned by the Lochcarron Playgroup beside the village’s shinty pitch. However, pre-school youngsters in the Wester Ross village won’t start term until Monday 26th August in order to allow the new arrangements to bed in. The council say parents should have received letters informing them of the changes. One worried parent contacted the Free Press on Tuesday this week to say she had not heard what the plans were for pre-school provision. The Free Press has since been told that a council letter, dated Monday 12th August, had been sent out to parents in anticipation of the changes. The letter, from area care and learning manager Norma Young, wrote: “Apologies for the delay in sending information regarding the move of the Lochcarron Playgroup to the management of the Highland Council. “This has been a very complicated process but I am pleased to advise that the council has secured a licence to occupy for the building where the playgroup was in operation. We have also purchased all the equipment, toys and furniture inside the building. “We are finalising the transfer of staff and look forward to opening the new Lochcarron Nursery on Monday 26th August 2019 at 9.30am. The nursery will be open for 16 hours a week in session 2019-20 and it is planned that the opening hours will be Mon-Thurs 9.30- 12.45 and Fri 9.30-12.30. “The nursery will be managed by Mr Robert Gill, head continued on page 2
Transcript
Trio of Lewis wind farmseligible for subsidyauction due this monthBY KEITH MACKENZIE
Projects will have until the end of this month to bid forsubsidies offering support to island-based wind farms.
On Lewis, three projects have grid connection agreementsin place, which is a necessary prerequisite for taking part inthe UK Government-run auction for ‘Contracts forDifference’ – the main mechanism for supporting thedeployment of new low-carbon electricity generation.
The three projects on Lewis in a position to bid are LewisWind Power’s Stornoway scheme, the Oppenheim family-owned Uisenis Wind Farm, and Forsa Energy’s DruimLeathann development at Tolsta.
Four crofting community schemes — who want to pursuetheir own smaller-scale projects on grazing land that theStornoway Trust has already earmarked for the LWPdevelopment — cannot bid, as they have not obtainedplanning consent in time to qualify.
It emerged this week that the original deadline to submitsealed bids had been extended from today (15th August)until 29th August.
The UK Government’s Department for Business, Energy andIndustrial Strategy confirmed a legal challenge had beenmade in relation to the current round of Contracts forDifference allocations.
However, this legal challenge is not related to ongoingattempts to thwart the 36-turbine LWP plan in favour ofalternative schemes being pursued by the four croftingtownships.
continued on page 3
No 2468 FRIDAY 16 AUGUST 2019 90p
West HighlandFree PressAn Tìr, An Cànan, ’S na DaoineTHE UK’S FIRST EMPLOYEE-OWNED NEWSPAPER
Skye Bridge 10kand gala festivities,pages 18, 19
Ullapool rowersconquer the Minch,
page 7
Late start for Early Years in Lochcarron
HEAVYWEIGHT MAKING LIGHT OFTHE COMPETITION: Colin Dunbar
cracks a smile during last week’s Skye
Highland Games, see pages 8-11
•Delay over transfer as council prepare to double pre-school hours
Nursery pupils in Lochcarron will start term a weeklater than planned, due to delays over the transferof the facility to the local authority.
In May this year Highland Council agreed to take overnursery provision in the area from the LochcarronPlaygroup – a parent-led charity first established in theearly 1980s.
The move was made due to the increasing burdenfacing the charity in light of the Scottish Governmentpolicy to double the nursery hours available for all three-and four-year-olds, and eligible two-year-olds, from2020.
An agreement has been reached under which the
council would be allowed use of the facilities owned bythe Lochcarron Playgroup beside the village’s shintypitch. However, pre-school youngsters in the WesterRoss village won’t start term until Monday 26th Augustin order to allow the new arrangements to bed in.
The council say parents should have received lettersinforming them of the changes.
One worried parent contacted the Free Press onTuesday this week to say she had not heard what theplans were for pre-school provision.
The Free Press has since been told that a council letter,dated Monday 12th August, had been sent out to parentsin anticipation of the changes.
The letter, from area care and learning manager NormaYoung, wrote: “Apologies for the delay in sending
information regarding the move of the LochcarronPlaygroup to the management of the Highland Council.
“This has been a very complicated process but I ampleased to advise that the council has secured a licenceto occupy for the building where the playgroup was inoperation. We have also purchased all the equipment,toys and furniture inside the building.
“We are finalising the transfer of staff and lookforward to opening the new Lochcarron Nursery onMonday 26th August 2019 at 9.30am. The nursery willbe open for 16 hours a week in session 2019-20 and it isplanned that the opening hours will be Mon-Thurs 9.30-12.45 and Fri 9.30-12.30.
“The nursery will be managed by Mr Robert Gill, head
continued on page 2
West HighlandFree PressAn Tìr, An Cànan, ’S na DaoineTHE UK’S FIRST EMPLOYEE-OWNED NEWSPAPER
WHPC Ltd, Unit 1B Pairc nan Craobh,Broadford, Isle of Skye IV49 9AP
ADVERTISING AND FAMILY NOTICES01471 820407/01471 822464Lucy Matheson : [email protected]
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Phot
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Late start forEarly Years inLochcarroncontinued from front page
teacher of Lochcarron PrimarySchool. I will provide details of otherstaff once formal transfers have takenplace.”
The council chair of education,John Finlayson, said: “It is good to seethat plans for Locharron early yearsare progressing well and I am sureparents will be happy that things havebeen confirmed for the future. Whileit is unfortunate that pupils will starta week later than anticipated it isalways best to get things right, and therecruitment of staff is key to makingsure that things begin positively.
“Parents have been updated aboutthe plans.”
Work to beginsoon on bypassat StromeferryThe latest phase of rockscaling and netting work on theA890 Stromeferry bypass isdue to begin next month.
Highland Council haveannounced that road closures andtraffic management will be in placefrom 9th September until 3rdNovember. During this time, theroad will be closed overnightbetween the gates at Ardnarff andwest of Attadale to allow thecontractor to work on the rockface.
Traffic will be allowed throughduring the day under convoyoperations, so some short delaysare envisaged.
A full weekend closure for allvehicles, cyclists and pedestriansis also planned on the 14th and15th of September to enable thecontractor to carry out some majorrock scaling. Details of the roadclosures can be found on theHighland Council website.
The council has appointed Geo-Rope Ltd to carry out the work.
Garry Smith, a principal engineerwith the council’s developmentand infrastructure team, said: “Theworks planned this year form partof an ongoing programme ofinspection and maintenance onthe rock face adjacent to the A890to ensure the safety of thetravelling public. The council andits contractor will endeavour tokeep delays to a minimum duringdaytime traffic management.”
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-pressst-highland-free
in brief
Trust move into former bridge toll officeKyle and Lochalsh Community Trusthave completed their move into theformer Skye Bridge toll office.
With assistance from the Scottish LandFund, the trust took up residence in their newheadquarters on 1st August.
Cheryl McIntyre, the trust’s Plock projectofficer, said: “Now that we have moved into thetoll office building we are better placed tomanage and sensitively develop the Plock
parkland. The first project at the Plock increating road access from the toll office was anessential precursor to any future development.
“We now want to build on that and carry outa range of further improvements anddevelopments in a sustainable way that willhelp to create widespread benefits for ourcommunity while preserving the natural beautyand uniqueness of the Plock. Having an officebase right at the entrance to the Plock unlocksthe potential for community events, storing
equipment, and starting a community shedinitiative in the near future.”
To mark the move, the trust are taking partin Community Land Week with a celebrationevent on Saturday 17th August from 12pm until4pm to celebrate the toll office and Plockparkland transferring into their ownership.
There will be a welcome at 12 noonfollowed by an otter presentation by RogerCottis in the toll office between 1pm and 3pm –refreshments will be available, and guided
wildflower walks will take place around thePlock parkland. There will also be a chance todiscuss the trust’s masterplan and projectsplanned for the toll office and Plock.
The winners of the trust’s photographycompetition will be announced on the day, andthey will receive a framed print of their picturefrom local artist and framer Emma Noble.Copies of the winning entries will be displayedin the toll office.
Editorial, page 15
Mowi to meet local residents aftercomplaints of fish feed plant smellBY KEITH MACKENZIE
Residents living near the newMowi fish feed plant in Kyleakinhave been invited to meetcompany bosses next week amidconcerns over smell from thefacility.
The £100 million feed plant is inits commissioning phase, and Mowisay they recognise there has been anodour issue.
Local residents have been asked toattend a drop-in meeting at the plant
next Tuesday (20th August) todiscuss the issue.
Residents on Old Kyle Farm Roadhave reported concerns sinceproduction started in recent months,but the firm say they are confidentthey can address it.
Mowi said they were “testing andtuning” every area of the plant duringthe commissioning phase.
When planning permission forthe plant was granted back in early2017, Highland Council areaplanning manager Mark Harveysaid the Scottish EnvironmentProtection Agency had been
satisfied with the steps the firmagreed to take to minimise odourand noise.
At the time Mr Harvey noted thatthe chimney stack at the Kyleakinplant had been kept at 60 metres highfor visual reasons, but added that itcould rise to 65 metres if there wereconcerns over emissions.
The firm’s sister plant in Norwayhas a chimney stack 80 metres inheight.
Skye councillor John Finlayson(pictured), who lives in Kyleakin,said: “Following the expression ofconcerns from residents who live
close to the feed plant I met with themanagement team at Mowi whowere open and honest about the factthat there were issues that neededaddressed.
“It was confirmed that additionalsurveys were taking place toascertain how to improve things andsome short-term measures werealready being implemented. Ameeting with nearby residents andmembers of the community councilhas also been organised for nextweek when I am sure concerns willbe recognised and plans confirmed toaddress them.”
NHS Highland’s interim chair Professor Boyd Robertson, Kate Forbes MSP, representatives of Balfour
Beatty, Hub North Scotland and members of the local communities took part in the turf cutting ceremony
NHS director under fireover £155,000 salary
Generations cometogether to markhospital milestone
Former midwife Mary
Macpherson was joined
by four-week-old baby
Hugo and his mother
Bethany MacLeod
Hailed as an “important day” bylocal MSP Kate Forbes, lastFriday saw the first steps in theconstruction of the £20 millioncommunity hospital for Skye,Lochalsh and South West Ross.
An official turf-cutting ceremonywas held in Broadford and —highlighting the importance ofhealthcare across all generations —the invited guests at the ceremonyincluded 104-year-old MaryMacpherson and four-week-oldHugo MacLeod.
Ms Forbes was among stakeholdersgathered at the site between the DrMackinnon Memorial Hospital andthe Broadford Health Centre to markthe start of construction.
She said: “This is a very importantday for Skye and Lochalsh as workfinally starts on a new hospital. It has
been a difficult process, but I thinkeverybody is agreed that we need anew hospital.
“I was delighted to meet MaryMacpherson and baby Hugo, whoreminded me how important localhealthcare provision is for allgenerations.”
The full business case for theredesign of community and hospitalservices was approved in May by theScottish Government.
The hospital will be the mainhealthcare hub for Skye, Lochalshand South West Ross and will have24 ensuite inpatient beds. It isearmarked to open by spring 2021.
The facility is being designed bySkye-based architects Rural Design— working in partnership withOberlanders architects — and will bebuilt by construction firm BalfourBeattie.
The Scottish Government thisweek confirmed moves tonationalise the troubled Clydeshipyard at the centre of anincreasingly-expensive wrangleover the construction of two newCaledonian MacBrayne ferries.
Economy Secretary DerekMackay said that in the absence of aviable commercial offer thegovernment would take theFerguson’s yard in Port Glasgow intonational hands in order to deliver thetwo completed vessels and tosafeguard jobs.
The government, however, hasfaced calls for an independentinquiry into the handling of theprocess.
The ferries are behind scheduleand over budget, while the yard’slong-term future is still uncertain,despite repeated cash injections fromthe Edinburgh administration.
Mr Mackay said: “The ScottishGovernment has been working forover two years to find a resolution to
the difficulties at FMEL. Throughoutthat time our preference has been toidentify viable commercial options tokeep the yard going and to finish thevessels. No such solutions havecome forward.
“The Scottish Government hasnow indicated to all relevant partiesthat we are ready and willing to takeFerguson Marine into publicownership and deliver the ferries tosecure the continued employment ofthe workforce in the yard.
“There remains a process to gothrough to secure the transfer of theyard to the Scottish Government, andwe are hopeful that all partiesrecognise the importance ofcompleting that transfer as quicklyand as smoothly as possible.
“While we are open to engagingwith any parties with a seriousinterest in investing in and securinga future for the shipyard, it isessential the government acts now tosecure the completion of the ferriesand continuity of employment atFergusons.”
In 2015 the yard won a £97million contract to build two newferries to serve the Uig, Tarbert,Lochmaddy triangle, and the otherearmarked for Arran-Ardrossan.
Ferguson’s had been rescued in2014 by Scots billionaire JimMcColl, an advisor to NicolaSturgeon and owner of ClydeBlowers Capital, in a deal seen asvital for safeguarding shipbuildingjobs on the Clyde.
The dual-fuel ferries are intendedto be a pioneering project in greentechnology, but constructiondifficulties sparked a legal disputebetween the shipbuilders andCMAL, the publicly-funded bodywhich owns and procures CalMac’sfleet, over who is to blame.
The government has already givenloans totalling some £45 million tokeep the yard going.
Mr McColl, quoted in ‘The Mailon Sunday’, accused ministers of“abusing their power” and said thegovernment’s nationalisation planmade “no economic sense”.
One Highland oppositionpolitician said west coast ferrycustomers were now paying theprice for a “litany of failures”.
Tory MSP Donald Cameronadded: “Without an adequatetransport infrastructure, confidencewill drain away and we will find iteven more difficult to attractinvestment in new enterprises andretain our young people.
“We need a fundamental reviewof how we arrived at this crisis aswell as the development of aproper, long-term plan that willreassure people here that theirconcerns are being treatedseriously.”
Western Isles Labour candidate,Alison MacCorquodale, called for afull public inquiry.
She said: “It is now clear toeveryone that CalMac and islandcommunities are the victims of amassive political stunt which led toa ferry contract being handed to ayard which did not have the abilityto fulfil it.”
The Scotland Office were thisweek unable to clarify howmuch money will be allocated tothe islands deal involvingComhairle nan Eilean Siar andShetland and Orkney councils.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson ison the record as saying that a total of£300 million will be spent on‘Growth Deals’ for the outstandingplans, three in Scotland and four inNorthern Ireland. Western Isles MSPAlasdair Allan is concerned that thismoney is nowhere near enough, splitover so many deals.
He has urged the Secretary ofState for Scotland, Alister Jack, toensure the islands deal goes aheadand has called on the UKGovernment to “urgently disclose”the full details of the different dealsand when the money will beallocated.
Dr Allan said: “There was afrightening lack of detail available in
the statement by the Prime Minister.It is also concerning thatConservative Party press releases arebeing issued before the localauthorities themselves have receivedany details of the announcement.
“The three island councils havebeen working together for some timeto take forward a deal for the islands.A contribution of the scale impliedby the Prime Minister’s statementwould severely curtail theirambitions.”
A spokesman for Mr Jack wasunable to give the Free Press anyinformation on the amounts to begiven to the various deals.
However, it is understood that thefunding total agreed for each regiongetting a deal will be based on thestrength and ambition of proposalsput forward by local partners,economic impact and value formoney, alignment with strategicpriorities and private-sectorinvestment.
An NHS Highland director hascome under fire for failing todisclose his salary of more than£155,000 a year.
An article published last week bythe online investigation journalismplatform ‘The Ferret’ revealed thatNHS Highland public health directorHugo Van Woerden “repeatedlyrefused to disclose his salary” in thelocal health authority’s annualreports.
‘The Ferret’ said it had ascertainedthat Mr Van Woerden’s salary wasbetween £155,000 and £160,000 peryear, following a five-monthFreedom of Information battle withNHS Highland. This took 74 days –54 days more than the 20-day periodpermitted under Freedom ofInformation law.
The report added: “Woerden’ssalary has increased by about 35 percent since he took up his role in2014-15, when he earned between£115,000 and £120,000.”
Dr Van Woerden has been aprominent figure in the
implementation process of Sir LewisRitchie’s out-of-hours care report forSkye, Lochalsh and South West Rossand has attended several meetings onSkye across the last 18 months.
Reacting to the news on his salary,SOS-NHS Skye action groupmember Fay Thomson told the FreePress: “The lack of transparency isvery disappointing. It does nothing tobuild faith in NHS Highlandmanagement.
“The salary is eye-watering. Ican’t imagine how a salary increaseof 35 per cent over a four-year periodcould have been justified at a timewhen NHS Highland finances werein crisis.”
A spokesperson for NHSHighland said: “The NHS operates tonationally-agreed pay scales andProfessor van Woerden is paid withinthese Scottish Governmentguidelines.”
After examining the report of theten other Scottish NHS boards, ‘TheFerret’ found that “every other NHSdirector openly declares theirsalary.”
Trio of projects eligiblefor renewables subsidycontinued from front page
A BEIS spokesperson said: “OurContracts for Difference scheme hassupported the investment of £490million annually in renewabletechnologies and more than 50 percent of our energy now comes fromlow-carbon sources – a vital part ofour move to becoming a net zeroemissions economy by 2050. We runthe scheme lawfully and will becontesting this claim.”
Last month the Lewis crofterswere dealt a legal blow when theScottish Land Court threw out theirappeal against the proposalsfavoured by their landlord.
In 2017 the government opted tooffer support to island-based windfarms through the CfD auctionprocess.
Low-carbon generation in the UKthat meets the eligibilityrequirements can apply for a CfDduring a competitive allocationround. A range of different renewabletechnologies compete directly
against each other in sealed bidauctions.
The scheme reduces the capitalcosts for developers faced with highup-front costs and long paybacktimes.
The UK Government saysholding a CfD provides certaintyand stability of revenues to newelectricity generators, by reducingtheir exposure to volatile wholesaleprices. It also protects consumersfrom increases to electricity pricesas it is a condition that generatorspay consumers back when thereference price exceeds the “strikeprice”.
The Stornoway Trust andComhairle nan Eilean Siar haverepeatedly insisted the schemesbeing pursued by the crofters are anon-starter, maintaining that onlylarge-scale projects can justify thecase to install the interconnectorrequired to export electricity to themainland and unlock the fullpotential of renewable energy on theislands.
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Friday 16 August 20194 www.whfp.com
Wind farm trust provide supportfor carers’ service in Harris
Highland MSP hitsout over delays inknee replacements
‘Bannan’ preview forlocal residents
graduations
Caitlin MacVicar, graduated from Queen Margaret University,Edinburgh with a Bachelor of Science with Honours in Nutrition andFood Science. Caitlin is a former pupil of Portree Primary and PortreeHigh School. Daughter of Davie and Janet MacVicar, Helensburgh andgranddaughter of Donnie and the late Jessie Martin, Leurbost, Isle ofLewis and the late Duncan and Rita MacVicar, Glendaruel, Argyll.
Donald John MacAskill of Glenelg graduated from the Scottish AgriculturalCollege, Craibstone, Aberdeen on 5th July 2019 with a Bachelor of Sciencedegree in Agriculture. A former pupil of Plockton High School and son of Johnand Alison MacAskill, Glenelg. Donald has recently taken up employment inthe agricultural industry.
Kenny and Karan Finlayson of Ose would like to announce the graduation oftheir daughter Liana from the University of Southampton on 17th July 2019.Liana obtained a Bachelor of Science degree with First Class Honours inPhysiotherapy. She has secured a position within the NHS in Wales, where shewill complete her junior rotations before specialising. We could not be moreproud of her and are sure she will enhance the lives of her patients.
NHS Highland patients can waitfor a year or more for a kneereplacement, according to figuresreleased to Labour MSP DavidStewart under Freedom ofInformation legislation.
Mr Stewart, who represents theHighlands and Islands and is ScottishLabour’s shadow health minister,asked the health authority for thefigures after two separate constituentscomplained that they were facing await of up to a year or more to get anoperation.
Mr Stewart said: “In both cases Iwas told that the people were in painand each said they couldn’t beprescribed stronger pain killersbecause the GP was concerned aboutcreating an opiate addiction.
“Patients with these problems areoften debilitated, find it difficult toget around, unable to get on with day-to-day tasks and leading a restrictedlife. No one should have to wait solong for such surgery and obviouslythe health authority is in no waymeeting the waiting time guarantee.
“It is a sad reflection on the stateof our health service today and our
NHS staff are simply not getting thesupport and resources they need togive patients the care they deserve.”
Mr Stewart is now writing toHealth Secretary Jeane Freeman, toask what the Scottish Government isdoing to cut waiting times for suchoperations.
In 2012, the Scottish Governmentintroduced the Treatment TimeGuarantee, which gave patients alegal right to treatment within 12weeks. However, NHS Highlandrevealed that there were 214 patientson the current waiting list as of 13thJune this year. The FOI requestdiscovered that the longest waitingtime for routine patients in 2018/2019was 55 weeks, up from 40 weeks forboth 2016/17 and 2017/18. Also, atotal of 90 per cent of the people in2018/19 were seen in 49 weeks orless.
The average waiting time for thecurrent year was 31.5 weeks,showing a steady increase from 18.5weeks in 2016/17 and 21.4 weeks in2017/18.
NHS Highland said steps werebeing taken to address the longwaiting times.
A community preview screeningof the latest series of Gaelic soap‘Bannan’ is to be held at SabhalMòr Ostaig later this month.
Three episodes of series six willbe shown in Sabhal Mòr at 7.30pmon Monday 26th August.
The screenings will be followedby a question-and-answer sessionwith cast and crew members from
the production, which is filmed andproduced on Skye by Young Films.
In the same week the ‘Bannan’team will be having their read-through of scripts and rehearsalsbefore the filming of series sevengets under way in September.
The screenings are free to attend,but those wishing to attend shouldreserve their seat by [email protected]
A wind farm charity in Lewis hasannounced a three-year fundingsupport package for a vitalcarers’ service in neighbouringHarris.
Muaitheabhal Community WindFarm Trust have awarded £15,000over the next three years toCrossroads Care Harris, which it ishoped will give this importantcommunity service stability andallow the volunteer committee to planfor the future.
Iain M Maciver, chairperson of theMuaitheabhal trust, said: “The trust
fully appreciate the valuablecontribution Crossroads Care Harriscontinues to offer people in need oftheir caring support. We are pleasedto commit this funding to contributetowards the group’s operational costsover the next three years.
“Without the selfless sacrifice ofthe volunteers involved suchprovision would not be available, andthis contribution from Muaitheabhalvery much recognises that fact.”
Crossroads Care Harris was set upin 1985, initially to provide respitecare for carers. Over the years theorganisation has evolved and now
provides a wide range of services topeople in their own homes. Theservice reduces admission to hospital,allows carers a break to pursue otherinterests, and supports young peoplewith disabilities.
At present there are 10 carerssupporting 34 service users.
Accepting the award on behalf ofCrossroads Care Harris, chairpersonDolly Maclean said: “We areextremely grateful to MuaitheabhalCommunity Wind Farm Trust for thisgenerous donation.
“Costs of delivering a respite andsupport service for elderly and
vulnerable people and their carerswithin the local community increaseyear on year. This donation at a timewhen the service is experiencingincreasing demand gives us ameasure of security and peace ofmind for the future.”
The Muaitheabhal trust waslaunched in April 2013 to distributethe community benefit fund availablefrom the Beinn Mhor Wind Farmbeing developed on Eishken Estate inLewis. Priority areas which willbenefit from the fund are Pairc,Kinloch and the villages along LochSeaforth in North Harris.
Pictured (left to right) with the presentation cheque are Donnie Morrison of the Muaitheabhal trust with Ronnie Morrison,
treasurer of Crossroads Care Harris, Crossroads chairperson Dolly Maclean and trust chairperson Iain Maciver
A north Skye resident whorecently documented chronictraffic congestion problems nearone of the island’s most popularbeauty spots has said he is hopefulof a resolution, following ameeting with the local MSP andHighland Council representatives.
After finding himself trapped bytraffic while driving with his wifeAnne last month, local photographerGordon Willoughby decided tohighlight the issue which has affectedresidents and visitors on the road to theFairy Glen near Uig in north Skye.
In a post published on his Facebookpage in late July, Mr Willoughby’sstills and video footage showed theroad gridlocked due to inadequatesignage and lack of parking areas.Cars were parked in passing places,while one vehicle blocked the roadcompletely after becoming stuckfollowing an attempted three-pointturn on the single-track road.
Mr Willoughby told the Free Pressthe situation was a daily occurrencefor residents and a solution to theproblem had been sought for threesummers.
Last week Mr Willoughby met withlocal MSP Kate Forbes, EwanMacPherson from the department ofagriculture, Highland Council seniorroads engineer Gordon MacDonald,local councillor John Gordon andcouncil ward manager WillieMacKinnon.
Speaking afterwards, MrWilloughby said the meeting had gonevery well and all parties were keen towork towards solutions.
He said: “The meeting was held atthe roadside in the Fairy Glen, early inthe morning before the visitorsarrived, so people could clearly see thedamage to the road and verges andbetter understand the problems forboth visitors and residents.
“Various improvements andsolutions are to be looked into further.These include perhaps a limitedparking area in the glen and additionalturning areas, dedicated parking
outwith the glen and appropriatesignage backed by traffic order or by-law to ensure success of anyimprovements. Solutions were alsoconsidered to prevent further misuseof Uig cemetery parking.
“The three new passing placespromised for March 2019 are nowpromised for October. Additionalpassing place signs are to be put in atall passing places — there is currentlyno signage — perhaps with theaddition of ‘no parking’ on the samepole. Repairs to verges will also haveto be addressed.”
Mr Willoughby said he was hopefulthat a report on progress would bepresented to the local Fairy Glenimprovement group in a month’s time.
He added: “We hope to seeimprovements in place before nextseason and in the long term perhapseven a solution that makes the visitorexperience a pleasant one, and life canreturn to normal for residents.
“If this is done right, we can onceagain take pride in the Fairy Glenrather than feel embarrassed at whatthe tourists have to suffer.”
CorrectionWe have been asked to point out thatthe winner of Katie’s Quaich for craftwith a cause at the Skye AgriculturalShow was Mary Mackenzie fromFanks – not James MacRae fromFanks, as incorrectly stated in ourreport in last week’s issue. Ourapologies for the error.
Uig There will be a home bakingcafé in the old primary school onFriday 30th August, 11am to 2pm, toraise funds for village children inKenya for clothes, shoes, toiletriesand schooling (the AMUKAfoundation). Lunch will also beprovided.
Edinbane Join the Skye ReadingRoom regulars in EdinbaneCommunity Hall for a discussion ofthe work of Lin Anderson and a bookswap special – bring one, take two.Tuesday 27th August at 7pm.Refreshments available, admissionfree. More information attheskyereadingroom.wordpress.com
Portree The annual exhibitionshowing recent work by PortreePrintmakers will be at Aros from 2ndto 27th September, 9am to 5pm.
Dunvegan This month’s countrymarket is being held on Wednesday21st August at Dunvegan Hall,11am-4pm. There will be a variety oflocally-made crafts and produceincluding stalls supporting Skye-based charities. Light refreshmentsavailable.
The threat of strike action by airtraffic controllers in theHighlands and Islands has onceagain been lifted.
Following talks with the tradeunion Prospect on Tuesday of lastweek, Highlands and IslandsAirports Ltd submitted a further offerand the union agreed to ballot airtraffic control officers on that reviseddeal. Prospect confirmed that nofurther strike action would beannounced during the ballot period.
HIAL managing director Inglis
Lyon said: “We submitted a revisedoffer in a bid to resolve the currentindustrial dispute. Prospect hasadvised they will ballot air trafficcontrol officers on that offer.
“Whilst we are pleased that therewill be no further strike action duringthe consultation period, it isextremely disappointing that thecurrent work to rule remains in place.
“I once again apologise to ourpassengers, customers and peoplewithin our communities for anydisruption caused during the ongoingindustrial action.”
First steps to create Skye’s own flagThe first steps have been taken to create an officialflag for the Isle of Skye – which will end with apublic competition to find the best design.
The office of the Lord Lyon, which is the bodyresponsible for recording and protecting all heraldry,flags and national symbols in Scotland, has beenpetitioned to register the idea following initial meetingsinvolving the West Highland Free Press, HighlandCouncil ward members and tourism promotersSkyeConnect.
A steering group to take forward the process will
involve representatives from local schools, volunteer,community and heritage groups. The WHFP plans tohelp run the competition.
In recent years several island and mainland areas havecreated official flags as a publicly-available symbolwhich raises recognition and awareness of their areanation-wide.
An update on the flag project is due to be discussed atthe council’s Skye and Raasay area ward businessmeeting in Portree next Friday.
Philip Tibbetts, honorary vexillologist with the Courtof the Lord Lyon, said: “It is fantastic to see Skye
become the latest community to start the journey ofdeveloping its own flag to fly proudly alongside theSaltire. Given Skye’s iconic nature, the potential for boththe design and subsequent usage of a flag for the islandis incredible.
“Following the formal approach to the Lyon Courtwork can now begin to plan the timings and details ofthis out. It is intended that Skye will follow the bestpractice process established in Caithness and also usedin fellow Inner Hebridean island, Tiree.
“The appearance of unofficial design proposals forSkye already, since the concept was raised only a few
months ago, shows the appetite and creativity of theislanders. I hope these budding vexillographers submittheir designs when the competition opens and I lookforward to offering my support to other individuals,schools and community groups.”
Skye councillor John Finlayson said: “I have had lotsof positive feedback about the plans for a flag for Skyeand I am delighted we have made such good progresswith the idea. I am excited to see what designs will comeforward, and having a competition that encouragespeople of all ages to submit their designs is absolutelythe right thing to do.”
The Western Isles and Skye aresome of the first places in Britainbeing used to test what will bethe biggest change in howelectricity is distributed in over100 years.
Scottish and Southern ElectricityNetworks plan to use local generatorson the islands as key parts of themodern electricity grid of the future.
At the moment, if there’s a fault orplanned maintenance work on thenetwork, SSEN sometimes needs touse diesel generation to keep thelights on. This innovative new projectwill see medium to large wind and
hydro stations opting in to being paidto provide power instead.
SSEN say this innovative, greenerapproach means it can be more cost-effective to pay local generators toexport during certain times andconditions or for local businesses toreduce their consumption, helpingkeep costs down for customers.
In the future, the electricitynetwork will need to be much moreflexible as the demand for electricitygrows across the country as itdecarbonises to tackle climatechange. Electric cars and buses willreplace polluting petrol and diesel,more heating systems will switch
from gas to electric and the increasein technology will see more peopleusing electricity in ways they didn’tbefore.
SSEN believe this initiative in theWestern Isles and Skye will be asignificant step in developing theflexible electricity network of thefuture. The company is working withPiclo, the independent marketplacefor buying and selling smart gridflexibility services, to encouragebusinesses in the Western Isles andSkye to take part.
Stewart Reid, head of futurenetworks at SSEN, said: “This firstprocurement exercise in the Western
Isles and Skye is a significant step indelivering proactive flexibility and isone of the biggest to date in Scotland.It will play a vitally-important role insupporting the UK deliver its low-carbon ambitions.
“We are committed to consideringflexible options where it is more cost-effective than traditional networkreinforcement, unlocking newopportunities for local flexibilityproviders and helping keep costsdown for customers.
“We hope a range of localbusinesses, energy storage, andembedded generation take part in thisexciting project.”
Islands to be testbed for newmethod of power distribution
An inspiring volunteer from the WesternIsles has been shortlisted for a Scottishwalking charity’s 2019 volunteer awards.
Paths for All’s annual volunteer awardscelebrate individuals and groups who have doneexceptional work in bringing their communitiestogether to get walking, encourage active traveland transform their local spaces.
The annual event ‘Celebrating Scotland’sWalking Champions’ showcases the outstandingdedication and achievements of volunteers across
the country who help to create a happier, healthierand greener Scotland.
Karen Peteranna from Stornoway is one of thenominees this year vying for the title of healthwalk volunteer manager.
Colin Gilmour, health improvement manager atWalk on Hebrides, NHS Western Isles, nominatedKaren for her contribution to health and wellbeingaround the Western Isles.
Mr Gilmour said: “Karen has totallytransformed the Paths for All project in the last
year. She is so committed and enthusiastic aboutthe work that it then motivates colleagues,volunteers and participants to value walking andthe opportunities it provides to improve health andmake friends.
“Karen has delivered training courses in threedifferent islands. She has helped volunteers toestablish seven new walks and created networkingevents to support and motivate them. Hercommitment and enthusiasm for the project istestament to the pool of walk leaders.”
Lewis volunteer makes shortlistfor annual Paths for All awards
�Aros centre, Portree, Skye: Skye Quiltersexhibition,19th August till 1st September,featuring a variety of quilts of differentstyles, designs and sizes. A large andbeautiful ‘stars’ quilt is also being raffled.
CRAFT FAIRS/MARKETS
•Dornie Hall, Lochalsh: Craft fair sellingquality crafts by local artists and crafters,Friday 16th August, 10am to 4.30pm.Demonstrations, refreshments and lightlunches.
•Dunvegan Community Hall, Skye:Dunvegan Country Market with a widevariety of local crafts and produce on sale,Wednesday 21st August, 11am to 4pm.Light refreshments available.
•Plockton Hall, Lochalsh: Craft fair sellingquality crafts by local artists and crafters,Friday 30th and Saturday 31st August,10am to 4.30pm. Demonstrations,refreshments and light lunches.
•Glendale Hall, Skye: Craft fair and cafe,every Tuesday, 11am to 4pm. Local arts,crafts and gifts. Free entry, lots of parking.
•Minginish Hall, Skye: Made in Minginishcraft fair, 11am to 4pm, every Wednesday(late April to September) with jewellery, art,knitting, textiles, photography and muchmore.
•Ullapool, Quay Street: Weekly marketevery Saturday between April andSeptember, 9am to 5pm.
•Lochcarron Hall: Market, 11am to 3pm,with lunches available 12pm to 2pm, onthe last Friday of every month (April toOctober).
•Poolewe Village Hall, Wester Ross: Localcrafts and produce, 10am to 2.30pm everyTuesday throughout the summer season.
REGULAR EVENTS
�Knott, near Portree, Skye: Open gardenunder Scotland's garden scheme in aid ofCrossroads Care Skye and Lochalsh at 5Knott, near Portree, IV51 9NZ. Open to20th September (Thursdays and Fridays)2pm to 5pm. The garden is a sheltered,tranquil oasis with densely planted flowerborders, vegetable beds and poly tunneloverlooking a sheltered bay. Also open byprior arrangement any day, including forgroups. Admission £3, children free. Teaand scones available. For more info call01470 582213 or [email protected].
�Lighthouse Christian Centre, Kyle: Getyour brain active every Wednesday(6.30pm for 6.45pm) with the Kyle ofLochalsh Bridge Club. Visiting playerswelcome. Tel Miriam on 0774 777 7601 formore info re beginners lessons, social playand duplicate events.
�Plockton, Lochalsh: Calum’s Seal Tripssail daily from Plockton. See calums-sealtrips.com
�Lighthouse Christian Centre, Kyle: TheOpen Door Café is open on Fridays from10am to 2pm. Everyone is welcome tocome and have a morning cuppa andbaking as well as soup andsandwiches/toasties. Items for sale to raisemoney for Project Ecuador too.
�Wee Den, Kyle Village Hall: LochalshHub Project: Tuesdays – drop in, 6.30pmto 8pm. Thursdays – girls group, 6.30pmto 7.30pm. Fridays – youth club, 7pm to9.30pm. All groups are for S1-S6 highschool ages. For more info call 01599534410.
�Breakish Hall, Skye: Croileagan an AthLeathainn – crafts, songs, stories and playfor children from 0-5 years. £1 per child.Mondays, 10.30am to 12.30pm andFridays, 10.30am to 12.15pm.
�The Shooting Ground, Woodend, StruanRoad, Portree, Skye: Skye Clay TargetClub meets the first two Sundays in themonth, Saturdays the rest of the month,and every Wednesday. Shooting starts at1pm. See geoff996.wixsite.com/skyeshootor call 01470 572779.
�Broadford Allotments, Skye: Come andgrow your own food, Wednesdays, 10amto 1pm.
�Broadford Allotments, Skye: The Men’sShed meet every Wednesday 10am to 1pmand Saturday 1pm to 4pm for thoseinterested in sharing skills, woodwork,metal work etc. Women welcome.
�Broadford Village Hall, Skye: BroadfordBaby and Toddler Group – Wednesdays,10.30am to 12.30pm, £2.50 per family. Allwelcome for a play and a chat. Play-dough,craft activities and refreshments available.For more info call 01471 822063.
�Gairloch Library, Wester Ross:Tuesdays – The House of Mirth (term-timeonly) coffee and chat (10.45am to
11.15am): Fridays – In Search of LostTime (term-time only) coffee and chat(10.45am to 11.15am).Every day during library hours: collectionpoint for donations for Highland Foodbankand stamps for Cystic Fibrosis.
�Ragtag, Broadford Industrial Estate,Skye: Crumz! Free cuppa and cake anddrop-in craft sessions, Thursdays, 11amto 3pm. All welcome. If transport isrequired call 01471 822043 or [email protected]
�Plockton Inn, Lochalsh: Quiz night everyFriday from 9.30pm.
�The Seaforth, Ullapool: Live music everySaturday. For more info seetheseaforth.com.
�Aros centre (conference room), Portree,Skye: Skye Quilters meet every Monday, at1pm. A friendly group doing their ownideas and designs, helping each other,holding workshops or taking a trip forfabrics and a day out together. Come andfind out for yourself – no experiencenecessary, or even a sewing machine! Formore info call Lin on 01470 532269.
�Dunvegan Hall, Skye: MacLoud SambaDrumming Band every Monday, 8pm to10pm. Learn a new musical skill and makea grand sound! First session free. For moreinformation email Sarah [email protected]
�Breakish Hall, Skye: Skye Quakers meeton the first Sunday of each month. Pleasecontact 01470 532353 for more info.
�ARMS Centre, Lisigarry Place, Portree,Skye: Skye Quakers meet on the thirdSunday of each month. Please contact01470 532353 for more information.
GET ACTIVE
�Dunvegan Hall, Skye: Communityexercise class every Tuesday, 2pm to 3pm,for anyone with a long term condition orwho would benefit from some gentleexercise and good company. Transportavailable, for more info contact Donna on0787 946 0226.
�Broadford Hall, Skye: Broadford YouthClub activities: Mondays – Girl’s group,6.30pm to 7.30pm; Wednesdays – P1-7football, 3.30pm to 4.30pm, £1;Wednesdays – S1-6 football, 4.30pm to6pm, £1; Thursdays – S1-6 badminton,6pm to 7.30pm, £1; Fridays – S1-6 YouthClub night, 7.30pm to 10pm, £1. For moreinformation contact Nicholas 0757 2655433 or Sarah 0798 576 0893.
�Broadford Hall, Skye: Freestyle karate andkickboxing every Monday, 5.45pm to6.45pm. Suitable for all abilities and ages(six upwards). For more information callAntony on 01471 822895 or [email protected] or lookfor IFA Skye and Lochalsh on Facebook.
�Kyle Community Hall, Kyle: Freestylekarate and kickboxing every Wednesday,5.30pm to 6.30pm. Suitable for all abilitiesand ages (six upwards). For more info callAntony on 01471 822895 or [email protected] or lookfor IFA Skye and Lochalsh on Facebook.
�The Fingal Centre, Portree High School,Skye: Freestyle karate and kickboxing everyFriday from 4pm. For more info call Antonyon 01471 822895 or [email protected] or lookfor IFA Skye and Lochalsh on Facebook.
�Minginish Hall, Skye: Cèilidh danceclasses on Thursdays, 7.30pm to 9.30pm.
�Kyleakin Community Hall, Skye: KyleakinIndoor Bowling Club meet on Tuesday andFriday evenings at 7.30pm. New memberswelcome. For more information call Jill orChris on 01599 534 709.
�Kyle Village Hall, Kyle of Lochalsh:Indoor bowls every Monday evening, 7pmto 9pm. Come along and get to know thisfun game.
�Aros Centre, Portree, Skye: Meena'sIndian Bollywood Va-Va-Voom! fun danceclass every Friday, 11.50am to 12.50pm.All welcome. No previous danceexperience necessary. For more info:[email protected]
�Kyle Hall, Kyle of Lochalsh: Kids Zumbaevery Tuesday during school terms,4.30pm to 5.30pm. Adult Zumba everyTuesday, 6pm to 7pm and every Friday,5.45pm to 6.45pm.
�Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, Sleat, Skye: SkyeFitness Pumpfx class every Monday andWednesday at 6pm; Saturdays, 10am. Formore info [email protected], 01471 820207or see the Facebook page.
�Broadford Hall, Skye: Skye Fitness Metafitclass every Tuesday and Thursday at6.30am. For more information [email protected], call 01471820207 or see the Facebook page.
�Elgol Hall, Skye: Skye Fitness Metafitclass, Tuesdays at 6pm. For more infoemail [email protected], call01471 820207 or see the Facebook page.
�Broadford Hall, Skye: Skye Fitness Metafitclass, every Friday at 9am. For more infoemail [email protected], call01471 820207 or see the Facebook page.
�Broadford Hall, Skye: Skye Fitness Legs,Bums and Tums class every Friday at9.30am. For more information [email protected], call 01471820207 or see the Facebook page.
�Fingal Centre, Portree High School,Skye: Badminton every Monday, 7pm to9pm. Open to all levels (14 years and over).
�Fingal Centre, Portree High School,Skye: Men’s singles and doublesbadminton every Tuesday, 6.30pm to 9pm.
�An Crùbh, Sleat, Skye: Skye Strength andMovement kettlebell class, 9.30am to10.30am, every Saturday. Suitable for alllevels. For more info call 0790 019 6023 [email protected]
�Staffin Gym, Skye: Tuesday DIY class,6.30pm, £2; Thurs Club Hiit 7pm, abs7.30pm, £3.50 per class or £5 for both.
�Sligachan Hotel, Skye: Skye Strengthand Movement yoga and movementclass, 8.30am to 9.30am, every Friday.Suitable for all levels. For moreinformation tel 0790 019 6023 or [email protected]
�Breakish Hall, Skye: Skye Strength andMovement yoga and movement class,6.30pm to 7.30pm, every Sunday. Suitablefor all levels. For more info: 0790 019 6023or [email protected]
�Breakish Hall, Skye: Skye Strength andMovement kettlebell class, 9.30am to10.30am, every Tuesday. For more info tel0790 019 6023.
�Dornie Hall, Lochalsh: Skye Strength andMovement yoga and movement class,6.30pm to 7.30pm, every Tuesday. Formore info tel 0790 019 6023.
�Breakish Hall, Skye: Skye Strength andMovement yoga and movement class,9.30am to 10.30am, and yoga and kettlebell class, 6.30pm to 7.30pm, everyWednesday. For more info: 0790 019 6023.
�Breakish Hall, Skye: Skye Strength andMovement chair-based yoga, 10.45am,every Wednesday. For more info tel 0790019 6023.
�An Crùbh, Skye: Skye Strength andMovement family yoga, 11am, everySaturday. For more info tel 0790 019 6023.
�Ardvasar Hall, Skye: Highland Hustle withEilidh, every Tuesday 6.15pm to 7pm, £4.A Scottish dance based aerobic workout,great fun, no previous dance experiencenecessary and suitable for all fitness levels.See facebook.com/HighlandHustleWithEilidhor [email protected]
AUGUST
Thursday 15th
�Armadale Castle, Sleat, Skye: Holidayfamily fun – drop in for art and craftactivities, games and more in the museum,10.30am to 12pm. Free with entranceticket, donations welcome. For more infosee www.armadalecastle.com
Friday 16th
�TDC Main Hall, Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, Sleat,Skye: As part of Fèis an Eilein, ‘Our BigBraw Cosmos’ with Astronomer RoyalJohn Brown and Scots poet Rab Wilsonpresenting the universe in terms of itsscience, beauty and poetry, 7.30pm.Tickets from skyefestival.scot
�The Old Inn, Gairloch: Live music withCharlie Goram.
Saturday 17th
�Lochmaddy Hall, North Uist: RNLIfundraiser, 11am to 3pm. Demonstrationsof a variety of crafts including lace-making,ceramics, leatherwork, jewellery-makingand sugar-craft. Raffles, silent auction,RNLI and home baking stalls, refreshmentsand competitions. For more info callBarbara on 01876 500849, Stella on 01876500306 or Sybil on 01876 580374.
�The Venue, Portree High School, Skye:Skye Gardening Society Annual Flower andProduce Show – entries welcome from10.30am to 12.15pm, open to generalpublic from 1.30pm. Plant sale andrefreshments available. Schedule fromwww.skyegardeningsociety.org.uk or01471 822917.
�An Crùbh, Duisdale, Skye: As part of Fèisan Eilein, a live literature event with Scottishhistorian and author Maggie Craig on the’45 in its relation to Skye and Raasay, 2pm.Q&A session with author BarbaraHenderson at 4pm. Tickets fromskyefestival.scotAn Crùbh, Duisdale, Skye: As part of Fèisan Eilein, a live literature event with Scottishauthor Barbara Henderson leading aworkshop for writers, 3pm. Q&A sessionwith author Maggie Craig at 4pm. Ticketsfrom skyefestival.scot
Monday 19th
�TDC Main Hall, Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, Sleat,Skye: As part of Fèis an Eilein, theFlorakören or Floral Choir, an all-femalechoir from Finland which celebrates their75th anniversary this year in concert at7.30pm. Tickets from skyefestival.scot
Tuesday 20th
�TDC Main Hall, Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, Sleat,Skye: The closing night of Fèis an Eileinsees Adam Sutherland and the Cask
Strength Cèilidh Band in concert, 7.30pm.Tickets from skyefestival.scot
Wednesday 21st
�Growers’ Hub, Broadford, Skye: Café Chatand the Men’s Shed invite you to a summerbarbecue, 12pm to 2pm. All welcome. Freecommunity event but donations welcome.All welcome. For more info call 0785 1773746 or email [email protected]
Thursday 22nd
�Armadale Castle, Sleat, Skye: Holidayfamily fun – drop in for art and craftactivities, games and more in the museum,10.30am to 12pm. Free with entranceticket, donations welcome. For more infosee www.armadalecastle.com
�Aros centre, Portree, Skye: A freescreening of SaF05: the single channelvideo work by Turner Prize winner,Charlotte Prodger at 7.30pm. The screeningwill be introduced by members of theScotland + Venice team and will be followedby the short film ‘The Making of Scotland+ Venice 2019’. Please note, SaF05 talksopenly about sexuality. Call 01478 613 750or see aroscommunitytheatre.co.uk formore info.
Friday 23rd
�Loch Torridon Community Centre: FishFriday, 5pm to 8.30pm.
�The Old Inn, Gairloch: Live music withCraig Robertson.
Saturday 24th
�The Handspinner Having Fun, Broadford,Skye: Dyeing wool using easy dyesworkshop –learn the basic of dyeing woolwith great colours, 10am to 4.30pm. Youwill have enough yarn dyed for your ownproject from this workshop. Learn thebasics of spinning using a drop spindleand a spinning wheel, £75. For moreinformation or to book contact Bev on01471 822876.
�Eilean Bàn and at the Bright WaterCentre, Kyleakin, Skye: Open day,10amto 4pm – come and hear the story of theisland under the Skye Bridge and meet thetrustees.
�Camasunary, Skye: Beach clean, 11am to3pm. Meet on the beach. For more info seethe Skye Marine Matters Facebook page.
�Plockton Village Hall, Lochalsh: Plocktonand District Horticultural, Arts and CraftsSociety annual show. Doors open at 2pm.Raffle, teas and home baking. Prize givingat 3.15pm followed by auction of produce.All welcome. Schedules available in KylePharmacy, Plockton Stores and LochDuich Plants.
�Aros centre, Portree, Skye: Rachel Hairand Ron Jappy in concert, 7.30pm. Tickets£14/£12/£6. Call 01478 613 750 or seearoscommunitytheatre.co.uk for more info.
Sunday 25th
�The Old Inn, Gairloch: Live music withNorth Sea Gas.
Tuesday 27th
�Edinbane Community Hall, Skye: Join theReading Room regulars for a discussion ofthe work of Lin Anderson and a book swapspecial – bring one, take two, 7pm.Refreshments available, admission free.See theskyereadingroom.wordpress.com
Thursday 29th
�Armadale Castle, Sleat, Skye: Holidayfamily fun – drop in for art and craftactivities, games and more in the museum,10.30am to 12pm. Free with entranceticket, donations welcome. For more infosee www.armadalecastle.com
Friday 30th
�West Highland College, Portree, Skye:Open meeting of the University of the ThirdAge – come along to discuss theagricultural show event and see what wedo, 2pm to 4pm. For more informationcontact [email protected]
�Loch Torridon Community Centre: Quiznight, 7.30pm.
�The Old Inn, Gairloch: Live music withGerry Coogan.
Saturday 31st
�Gairloch Community Hall: The GairlochShow, 10am to 4pm.
SEPTEMBER
Monday 2nd
�Breakish Hall, Skye: Informal folk club,8pm to 10.30pm. Come along and sharesome songs, tunes and stories. Allwelcome. Entry £3, under 18's free, tea andcoffee provided. BYOB.
Wednesday 4th
�Isle of Raasay: A meditative walk onRaasay taking in the beauty, peace andsilence and visiting some magical placesand historical sites. Meet at the ferryterminal in Raasay at 10am for this threehour walk. Free. Bring refreshments.Booking essential. Other dates on request.Call or text Jen on 0783 314 0247.
Five members of the Ullapool CoastalRowing Club arrived home to aheroes’ welcome in the village onMonday evening after completing agruelling 14-hour row across theMinch from Stornoway to raise fundsfor multiple sclerosis research.
The crew — Gary Lewis (57), JohnGrant (62), Kathryn Bennett (58), LorraineThomson (54) and Anthony O’Flaherty (61)— set off from Stornoway harbour shortlyafter 4am on Monday and overcame highwinds, a formidable swell and seasicknessto arrive at Ullapool beach at 6.30pm tocomplete their epic endeavour.
Under the banner of ‘Rowing the Minchfor MS’, the quintet’s efforts — togetherwith the support of the local community —
has so far raised more than £16,000 for theMultiple Sclerosis Society Scotland. Thefigure amounts to 71 per cent of their initialtarget of £22,683 which roughly equates to£1 for each stroke of the oars the crewcalculated they would make during thejourney.
Speaking to the Free Press followingtheir tremendous achievement, and a goodnight’s sleep, crew member LorraineThomson described their voyage fromLewis to the mainland.
She said: “Our safety boat arrived inStornoway on Sunday night. They said itwas going to be pretty rough in the middleand we would have a rough five hours butthey reckoned we should give it a go.
“We set off at 10 past four in the morning,and a couple of skiffs and a couple of yachtsrowed out with us just for the first bit. Wewere under the stars on flat and calm water– it was absolutely stunning.
“We were in the swell; it was gentle andundulating at first and then the wind got upand the horrible five-hours bit started – itcame to pass and then some!
“The forecast was for the wind to bewesterly, which would have pushed us on,but as it turned out it was southerly all theway which meant we got hit on the beamall the way across. We had to bail out theboat a couple of times.”
Lorraine said that had the boat been hitby two or three sizeable waves one afteranother they would have been forced to callthe venture off. However, that didn’ttranspire and the crew overcame thatdifficult period and persevered.
“The safety boat was mostly behind us orto the side, and we had radio contact if weneeded it in case of an emergency,” shesaid. “They got tossed about a lot and lostmany, many cups of tea.
“Three of us ended up with seasickness.
For me, I think it was the ferry crossing theday before and then doing this right on theback of that.
“Despite all our preparation, I ended updoing it on three cups of water but Icouldn’t eat. We had our plan to move seatsevery 45 minutes, which would help yourbody and mean each of us would get a shotin the coxswain’s seat and have a rest. Butthe three of us who were seasick couldn’tmove – we could row, but if we moved wewould get nauseous, so we had to stay inthe same position.
“The whole thing was done as a team.There was no whingeing in the boat. Therewas a lot of laughter and, despite thesickness, it was a great experience.”
After 14 hours and 20 minutes at sea, thecrew arrived on Ullapool beach at 6.30pm.Describing the scene when they arrived,Lorraine said: “It was absolutelyincredible.
“The first skiff, the Coigach Lass, cameout to meet us just as we passed theSummer Isles, and John Grant’s son was onthat.
“As we got closer to Ullapool, morerowing boats came out, skiffs came out,motorboats came out – we ended up with aflotilla. The bit that got me, and some of theothers was when the skiffs lifted their oarsvertically to give us a rowers’ salute. I stillget choked up thinking about that. The ferrycame out and blew its horn for us as shepassed.
“Anthony’s wife Anne was on board oneof the boats playing a fiddle, and there wasa piper on the beach. There was a huge roarof cheers when we got in. It wasoverwhelming, absolutely overwhelming.”
To donate to Rowing the Minch, visitjustgiving.com/fundraising/rowingtheminchforms.
The crew were left humbled after receiving a rowers’ saluteAnne O’Flaherty’s fiddle playing was
music to the ears of the crew as they
approached the finish
The crew in full flow during their fundraising endeavourLocal heroes – the rowers received a rapturous
welcome on their arrival in Ullapool
newsnaidheachdan
Friday 16 August 20198 www.whfp.com
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A new record for throwing the 56-pound weight over the bar was just oneof the highlights of last week’s Isle ofSkye Highland Games.
With only a few light showers to break thefine weather during the games, it wasCalifornian Colin Dunbar who was the starof the show on Wednesday afternoon –beating the 2012 effort of Dominik Zielinski(16’3”) by three inches to set a new groundrecord.
Overall the games recorded their highest-ever attendance, right up to the maximum of3,500. Also, for the first time in a long timethere were local dancing competitions on theWednesday morning. There was also a veryhealthy turnout in the heavy events of nineathletes.
Games chieftain DF Macdonald said itwas a “fantastic games altogether” and hewas delighted that the local dancers wereable to strut their stuff. He also paid tributeto the many volunteers and stewards whohelped make the games such a success.
He added: “I’d also like to thank thecommittee for all the work they put in. Thecrowds loved the track and field events, andthe reaction we got to these events wasamazing. It was just a super day all round.”
Trophies: Piping – Dunvegan Medal Sarah Muir,Glasgow. Col Jock MacDonald Clasp JamieForrester, Edinburgh. DR Allan MacDonaldChallenge Cup for best all round open piperFinlay Cameron, Roy Bridge. Peter MacFarqhuarChallenge Star Sarah Muir, Glasgow. CaptKemble Star for open march John Dew,Cumbernauld. MacBeath Parr Associates Cup:jig Jamie Forrester, Edinburgh. Alan TorranceAssociates Cup: 6/8 March Derek Midgeley,USA. Highland Society of London for best allround (except Dunvegan Medal) Sarah Muir,Glasgow. Finlay MacRae Trophy for top localpiper in senior competitions Connor Kellett,Kyle. Clan Donald Quaich for under 18Piobaireachd Archie Maclean, Edinbane. ClanDonald Quaich for under 18 March, Strathspey& Reel Thomas Young, Dunoon. DonnieMacKenzie Cup for local march, over 16Gilleasbuig MacVicar, Annishader. EwenMacKenzie Memorial Cup for local march,under 16 Archie Maclean, Edinbane. Col JockMacDonald Viewfield Cup for localpiobaireachd Gilleasbuig MacVicar, Annishader.Ewen MacKenzie Memorial Cup for localmarch, under 16 Archie Maclean, Edinbane.Toronto Cup for best all round local piperArchie Maclean, Edinbane. Dougie MacLeod Cupfor best all round local piping, under 18Gilleasbuig MacVicar, Annishader. NicolCampbell Memorial Trophy overall winner(local) light music Strathspey, Reel and JigGilleasbuig MacVicar, Annishader. Peter BeatonMemorial Cup for highest scoring pipe band
member in local competitions on the field ArchieMaclean, Edinbane. Harlosh Trophy for mostimpressive young (under 18) Piobaireachdplayer Archie Maclean, Edinbane. Bruce McGhieMemorial Cup, Loal Light Music, Strathspey,Reel & Jig (under 16) Archie Maclean, Edinbane.
Field and athletic: Isle of Skye Estate AgencyTrophy for best competitor in open heavy eventsVlad Tulacek, Czech Republic. RosemaryNicolson Trophy for best competitor in localheavy events Martin Munsie, Bernisdale. RonnieMacLean Memorial Cup for best all round localjumper Ewen Bradley, Staffin. RobertsonMemorial Challenge Cup for best all round localathlete Ewen Bradley, Staffin. MacDonald ofSeafield Cup for winner of local eight lap raceEwen Bradley, Staffin. Devlin Cup – Tug-of-War– Men Portree Crofters & Fishermen. EmergencyServices Cup – Tug-of-War – Women In it to Ginit. Talisker Quaich for first local in hill race DeanMacLeod, Portree. Dunvegan Castle Quaich forfirst local lady in hill race Christina Rankin, Uig.Jamie Hilleary Cup for hill race winner AndrewBarrett, Glasgow.
Sailing: Sandy Rankine Trophy for best under16 dingy crew Archie Maclean, Edinbane.Scorrybreac Trophy for best overall dingy crewJasper Buxton, Portree.
Piping: Local piping competitions – Marches –under 16 years 1st Archie Maclean, Edinbane; 2ndHector Finlayson, Erbusaig; 3rd Declan Malloy,Staffin; 4th Angus Mackinnon, Sleat. Strathspey &Reel – under 16 years 1st Archie Maclean,
Edinbane; 2nd Hector Finlayson, Erbusaig; 3rdCalum Mackenzie, Kensaleyre; 4th Declan Malloy,Staffin. Jigs – under 16 years 1st Hector Finlayson,Erbusaig; 2nd Archie Maclean, Edinbane; 3rdDeclan Malloy, Staffin; 4th Calum Mackenzie,Kensaleyre. Piobaireachd – under 16 years 1stArchie Maclean, Edinbane; 2nd Hector Finlayson,Erbusaig; 3rd Calum Mackenzie, Kensaleyre.Marches – 16 years & over 1st GilleasbuigMacvicar, Annishader; 2nd Eosaph Caimbeul, Kyle;3rd Ciaran Kellet, Kyle; 4th Eilidh Beaton,Bernisdale. Strathspey & Reel – 16 years & over1st Ciaran Kellett, Kyle; 2nd Gilleasbuig Macvicar,Annishader; 3rd Jonathan Beaton, Kilmaluag; 4thEosaph Caimbeul, Kyle. Jig – 16 years & over 1stGilleasbuig Macvicar, Annishader; 2nd EosaphCaimbeul, Kyle; 3rd Jonathan Beaton, Kilmaluag;4th Ciaran Kellett, Kyle. Piobaireachd – 16 years& over 1st Gilleasbuig Macvicar, Annishader; 2ndEosaph Caimbeul, Kyle; 3rd Ciaran Kellett, Kyle.Open piping competitions: Dunvegan Medal 1stSarah Muir, Glasgow; 2nd Steven Leask, Glasgow;3rd Andrew Ferguson, Dollar; 4th John Dew,Glasgow; 5th Anna Kummerlow, Germany. ClaspCompetition 1st Jamie Forrester, Edinburgh; 2ndSarah Muir, Glasgow; 3rd Derek Midgeley, USA.6/8 Marches 1st Derek Midgeley, USA; 2nd JamieForrester, Edinburgh; 3rd Finlay Cameron, RoyBridge; 4th Jamie Elder, Auchtermuchty; 5th JohnDew, Glasgow. Jig 1st Jamie Forrester, Edinburgh;2nd Brodie Watson-Massie, Edinburgh; 3rd FinlayCameron, Roy Bridge; 4th Steven Leask, Glasgow;5th Grieg Canning, Kirkcaldy. Open March 1stJohn Dew, Cumbernauld; 2nd Finlay Cameron, Roy
Bridge; 3rd Steven Leask, Glasgow; 4th GreigCanning, Kirkcaldy; 5th Edward Gaul, Dundee.Open Strathspey & Reel 1st Sarah Muir, Glasgow;2nd Finlay Cameron, Roy Bridge; 3rd StevenLeask, Glasgow; 4th Simon McKerrell, Lenzie; 5thConnor Kellett, Kyle. Under 18 – OpenPiobaireachd 1st Archie Maclean, Edinbane; 2ndEosaph Caimbeul, Kyle; 3rd Thomas Young,Dunoon. Under 18 – Open March Strathspey &Reel 1st Thomas Young, Dunoon; 2nd CiaranKellett, Kyle; 3rd Hector Finlayson, Erbusaig.
Local Field & Athletic: Putting the Stone 1stMartin Munsie, Bernisdale; 2nd John Mackenzie,Portree; 3rd Orrin MacDonnel, Staffin; 4th GaryRankin, Uig. High Jump 1st Alexander Leitch,Dunvegan; 2nd Ewen Bradley, Staffin; 3rd DeanMacleod, Portree. Two Lap Race – Women 1stMolly Jameson, Peiness; 2nd Christina Rankin,Uig; 3rd Sheena Amos, Portree; 4th KathrynBeaton, Portree. Two Lap Race – Men 1st EwenBradley, Staffin; 2nd Fraser Macdonald, Drumuie;3rd Thomas Coles, Portree; 4th Sandy Laing,Skeabost. 56lb weight over bar 1st MartinMunsie, Bernisdale; 2nd=David Cumming, Portree& Paul Steen, Edinbane; 4th John Mackenzie,Portree. Eight Lap Race 1st Ewen Bradley,Staffin; 2nd Sandy Laing, Skeabost; 3rd DeanMacleod, Portree; 4th Christina Rankin, Uig. LongJump 1st Ewen Bradley, Staffin; 2nd FraserMacdonald, Drumuie; 3rd Dean Macleod, Portree;4th John Mackenzie, Portree. Throwing theHammer 1st Gary Rankin, Uig; 2nd MartinMunsie, Bernisdale; 3rd David Cumming, Portree;4th Orrin MacDonnel, Staffin.
US athlete charms record games crowd
The games chieftain DF Macdonald (middle) shares a lighter moment
with Alasdair MacDonald and Michael Baird from the Scottish
Highland Games Association
The Isle of Skye Pipe Band performed admirably throughout the day
Cameras at the ready as the caber tossing gets
under way in front of a capacity crowd at the Lump
The winners from the local piping competitions line up for the
camera with officials and games chieftain DF Macdonald
Sarah Muir from Campbeltown
was the winner of the
premier piping competition, the
Dunvegan Medal
Jamie Forrester from
Edinburgh was the
winner of the Clasp
competition
Archie MacLean from Edinbane
proved he is not only an
accomplished piper but an up
and coming sailor, winning the
Sandy Rankine Trophy for the
best under-16 dinghy crewGames president Hugh MacDonald is pictured presenting the Scorrybreac Trophy to Jasper Buxton,
for best overall dinghy crew during the sailing competitions
Local MSP Kate Forbes joined the Isle of
Skye Pipe Band as a ‘guest’ bass drummer
newsnaidheachdan
Friday 16 August 201912 www.whfp.com
Trotternish salmon farm companysign deal with supply firm
Lochalsh War Memorial facelift
Boost for Skye Cycle
Way plans with news of
major funding award
Motorcycle training scheme tocome to isles for first time
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Plans to establish a new cycleroute in south Skye have takenanother step forward followingan award of funding from theSustrans ‘Places for Everyone’programme.
Funded by Transport Scotland, theprogramme is designed to make iteasier for people of all ages andabilities to travel actively, and tocreate healthier, happier places forpeople to live, work and play.
The Skye Cycle Way is one of 200projects across Scotland to receive anaward, although the exact amount isyet to be confirmed.
Skye Cycle Way is a volunteer-ledproject linked to Broadford andStrath Community Company, whosegoal is to create a safe path for allbetween the Skye Bridge andBroadford.
The funding will enable BSCC toemploy a part-time project officer tosteer the project through the nextstages. This will include workingclosely with the local communityand landowners to finalise the designof the route.
This work will build on feasibilitystudies and technical surveysundertaken earlier this year, whichwere also funded by TransportScotland through sustainabletransport charity Sustrans.
Recruitment is expected to takeplace in the autumn.
Skye Cycle Way volunteer AndyNeison said: “We are delighted to havereceived this further endorsementfrom Transport Scotland and Sustrans.We’d like to thank all the manyvolunteers, businesses and othersupporters who have helped us get thisfar and look forward to making thecycle way a reality.”
Kate Forbes, MSP for Skye,Lochaber and Badenoch, commented:“I am a huge supporter of the SkyeCycle Way and am delighted to hearof this latest funding success. Byproviding a safe, car-free travel optionfor all ages and abilities the path willbe of great benefit to the localcommunity and will promote healthand wellbeing as well as helping thelocal environment. I look forward toseeing it come to fruition.”
Eilean a’ Cheo councillor JohnFinlayson added: “I would like tocongratulate Skye Cycle Way andBSCC volunteers for securing thisfunding. The development of theSkye Cycle Way will be of greatvalue to locals and tourists alike andwill hopefully be the start of a moreextensive cycle way on the islandwhich will support the use ofalternative and safe modes oftransport and also the health andwellbeing of those who use it.”
A training scheme to help reducethe number of collisions involvingmotorcyclists is to be run for thefirst time in the Western Isles.
The course will take place inStornoway on Friday 30th Augustand is part-funded by TransportScotland’s Road Safety FrameworkFund.
The initiative was first held during2018 with courses in Tayside,Aberdeenshire, Moray and theHighlands. It was also held in Julythis year with a course in Orkney.
Road policing sergeant AlanHenderson said: “The feedback wehave received for the course has beenoverwhelmingly positive and manyriders tell us about how it helpedthem and how they have changedtheir riding style as a result of theadvice.
“We are delighted to be able todeliver the course in the WesternIsles for the first time later thismonth with the support of Comhairlenan Eilean Siar.
“On our course we want to
promote safe riding messages andencourage riders to think about theirriding style and riding behaviour,and take advantage of the experttuition and advice that we will beproviding. Led by policemotorcyclists, the one-day courselooks at key risk factors particular tothe local area plus we dodemonstration rides with feedbackfrom officers afterwards.
“The cost of the course will be £40per rider this year to cover costs pluslunch.”
A comhairle spokesperson said:“The promotion of safe riding is avital part of any road safetycampaign and this excellent police-led training course affordsmotorcyclists the opportunity toobtain expert tuition, including area-specific risk assessment, thusenabling them to make moreinformed decisions about their ridingstyle.”
The company behind plans for achain of fish farm projects innorth Skye has signed a new dealwith a Highland-based supplypartner.
Aquaculture equipment supplierGael Force Group will equip OrganicSea Harvest’s two new siteinstallations in 2020.
The equipment and technologywill include feed barges and feedingsystems, pens, moorings, andunderwater technology for the twofish farm sites at Invertote andCulnacnoc in Trotternish.
Proposals to site 12 pens at eachof the two sites were approved lastyear, and earlier this month thecompany submitted plans for a thirdTrotternish project – this one atFlodigarry.
A fish farm mooted forBalmaqueen is the fourth projectbeing outlined by OSH, who claim tobe the first independent farmingstart-up in Scotland since 1999.
Speaking after the two companiessigned the deal worth in excess of £4million, Gael Force Group salesdirector Jamie Young said: “We havetaken the time to understand OrganicSea Harvest’s needs and challengesfor many months now and as a resultwe have become very attuned to theirobjectives. This has given bothparties the complete confidence thatwe can be a key supply partner inhelping Organic Sea Harvest toachieve the best possible results ontheir new farms.”
He added: “Throughout ourdiscussions with the team fromOrganic Sea Harvest it has also beenvery clear to us how much theyvalue the importance of workingwith a local supply partner. For ouremployees and the localcommunities in which we arepresent across Scotland this isterrific news.”
Organic Sea Harvest director AlexMacInnes said: “It means a hugeamount to us that we have been able
to source the highest quality ofequipment and competence atcompetitive prices locally, and also,that we will be partnering with aHighlands and Islands-basedsupplier who has shown theenthusiasm and motivation to growwith us and help us in our objectiveto support the local community ofStaffin.”
Despite being Scotland’s newestsalmon farmer, the foundingshareholders at Organic Sea Harvest
come with a wealth of experienceand background in fish farming.
Each farm will have a maximumconsent of 2,500 tons and will useStaffin pier as a service base. Thefish will be grown to accreditedorganic standards and will have adedicated vet, and it is intended thatall four sites would be within theirown fish management areas.
The two sites at Invertote andCulnacnoc are due to be stocked inthe spring and autumn of 2020.
Organic Sea Harvest directors Robert Gray, Alex MacInnes and Alister Mackinnon
with Jamie Young, sales director with the Gael Force Group (second from right)
Over the past 18 months theLochalsh branch of the RoyalBritish Legion Scotland havecommissioned work to repairand conserve the Lochalsh WarMemorial at Balmacara.
In readiness for the World WarOne Armistice Centenarycommemoration in November 2018,Jon Hearach Memorials cleaned and
repaired the memorial tablet. DAMacRae Stonemasonry reconstructedthe supporting structure, upgraded itssurrounds and enhanced the groundsto make access easier.
Funding was generously madeavailable by the Kyle Co-op localcommunity fund.
In June 2019 the memorial wasnominated for the Highland areabest-kept war memorial competition.
It was judged to be joint first in thesector and was proposed for thenational competition.
Recently, Eilean Donan Castleawarded a substantial grant whichenabled Duncan MacRae of DAMacRae Stonemasonry to makefurther enhancements to thememorial including a plinth, set backand at the side of the memorial, onwhich to exhibit a sculpture designed
and created by children and staff atPlockton High School as part of thecommemoration.
Now secured, the memorial is afocal point for the community tohonour those who made the ultimatesacrifice in both world wars.
The enhancements were achievedin time to be judged in the nationalcompetition on 29th July, theoutcome of which is eagerly awaited.
Pictured at the refurbished memorial are (left to right):
Lewis Pipe Band hoping for betterperformance at this year’s ‘worlds’
Access improvements atLewis Sports Centre
Waverley appeal passesthe £500,000 mark
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Way cleared for sale of wild goose meat•Isles council call for rapid roll-out of Orkney pilot schemeComhairle nan Eilean Siar has called for a rapidroll-out of a pilot project allowing the sale ofgoose meat.
The call came following the announcement at the endof last week that a licence allowing the sale of greylaggoose meat in Orkney will be extended as a pilotscheme to cover the whole of Scotland.
The comhairle also urged Scottish ministers to finda permanent solution that will facilitate the effectivemanagement of the greylag goose population alongsidean active and thriving crofting sector.
Councillor Donald Crichton, chairman of thecomhairle’s sustainable development committee, said:
“The comhairle has supported local goose managementgroups in the islands in the past, recognising the severedetrimental impact excessive numbers can have oncrofting. Sale of goosemeat outwith the islands hasbeen argued for before and, whilst this is only a time-limited relaxation of the rules, it shows that it ispossible.
“As funding for goose management is being rundown it is imperative that appropriate managementschemes are developed. Access to a Scotland-widemarket for wild goose meat is one way of helpingsecure a future sustainable balance between activecrofting and the greylag geese population.”
The sale of goose meat is traditionally restrictedunder the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. However,for several years it has been sold under licence onOrkney to sustainably control the growing residentgreylag geese population in order to safeguardagricultural crops.
Last Thursday, Scottish Natural Heritage launched atrial period to extend the licence allowing the sale ofgreylag goose meat across Scotland. Extending thelicence Scotland-wide has been approved by theEuropean Commission and will allow sellers to developthe market and boost profits.
The trial period will run from 1st August until 31st
October this year, with SNH working on securing alonger-term arrangement to deal with the growingnumber of resident geese.
Claudia Rowse, SNH’s head of natural resourcemanagement, said: “Wild geese are an important partof Scotland’s nature, but their rapid rise in numbers hasbeen challenging for farmers and crofters. We knowthat striking the balance between conservation, farmingand hunting can be difficult.
“Our goal is to give farmers and crofters the toolsthey need to safeguard their crops, enabling them tocontrol goose numbers sustainably, and sell goose meatfor profit.”
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar haslaunched a new programmeaimed at making access to theLewis Sports Centre inStornoway easier for people withadditional support needs.
The new pilot scheme, inpartnership with the comhairle’smultimedia unit, will allow sportscentre staff, partners, carers andother support staff to utilise new 2Dgraphics of the centre layout and aphysical 3D model, in order tofamiliarise people with additionalsupport needs with all areas of thebuilding.
Centre facilities manager TonyWade said: “We were approached tosee if new graphics could beprepared to help assist a range ofcustomers to access Ionad SpòrsLeòdhais more effectively.
“Teachers and healthprofessionals can now create a‘storyboard’ to talk a young person
through the building in advance oftheir first visit. This will hopefullymake the process much smootherand reduce the sense of anxietyabout entering a large, busyunfamiliar building.
“The multimedia unit staff havedone an amazing job in putting theplans together and hard copies areavailable at the sports centrereception for customers and onlineon the comhairle website.”
Evelyn Coull Macleod,multimedia manager at thecomhairle, added: “It was a delightfor the multimedia unit to workalongside Ionad Spòrs Leòdhais inbringing this resource to fruition.Utilising the latest innovativetechnology, we were able tosuccessfully realise Mr Wade’svision.
“We hope this will be a usefulresource not only for current users ofthe ionad spòrs but for the widercommunity.”
Donations to save the paddlesteamer Waverley have nowexceeded £500,000 following theiconic steamship’s withdrawalfrom service earlier this summer.
The major appeal, which wasofficially launched in June, aims toraise the £2.3 million needed toreplace the Waverley’s boilers andreturn her to service in 2020.
Waverley general manager PaulSemple said: “Thanks to the fantasticpublic response to our Save TheWaverley Boiler Refit Appeal we havereached a key milestone in ourfundraising campaign. To date over4,000 individuals have donated withsome of our core supporters giving a‘once in a lifetime donation’ knowingthat we urgently need funds to secureWaverley’s future. In addition, wehave received offers of help fromseveral organisations and companies,but we will need further help to getWaverley’s paddles turning again.”
He added “With the new boilersalready on order we must increase ourefforts to secure further funding to
allow our plans to progress, which willsee Waverley undergo major surgerycommencing in January. I amexceptionally grateful to everyonewho has come forward to help us savethe Waverley and with continuedsupport she will sail again.”
Waverley is currently berthed inGlasgow where preparation work isbeing carried out by her engineers anda loyal band of volunteers. Last weekthe first section of deck was cut opento enable some large components inthe ship’s boiler room, which arealready dismantled, to be lifted free.
Donations can be made online atwaverleyexcursions.co.uk, by calling0141 243 2224 or by texting STEAM£20 to 70085. All donations madedirectly to Waverley Excursions willbe recorded on a donor wall on boardWaverley.
The Waverley has operated since1975 on a ‘not-for-profit’ basis and isowned by a registered charity. She waswithdrawn from service in May of thisyear due to structural defects in herboilers, forcing cancellation ofscheduled visits to the west Highlands.
Lewis Pipe Band will be hopingthe sun shines on them again fortheir last competition of theseason — the World Pipe BandChampionships in Glasgow on16th and 17th August — after aweather washout at the EuropeanChampionships in Invernesscontributed to disappointingresults.
The band attend only twochampionships each year due to thehigh costs involved but are beingsponsored for a third year bycommunity wind farm charity Pointand Sandwick Trust, who havedonated £1,000 towards the cost oftravel and accommodation.
Lewis Pipe Band chairman SandyGomez said the sponsorship was amassive help as it cost between£6,000 and £7,000 for the band toattend the two competitions. “This isthe third year of support from Pointand Sandwick Trust. Without it wecouldn’t go to the competitionsbecause fundraising is harder and tohave the support of a local body isgreat, in assisting us to do whatwe’re doing and representing theisland. Without it, we would struggleto raise the funds.”
Sandy admitted the band weredisappointed with their results at theEuropean Championships in June
and said the “horrendous” weather— the humidity and sudden rain —had made it very difficult to keep thepipes in tune. “When we arrived itwas boiling hot and overcast,” hesaid. “As soon as we got the pipesout it started bucketing and didn’tstop until after we played. Thetemperature change in particularknocks the tuning out a mile.”
However, they were feelingpositive about the World Pipe BandChampionships and preparationswere going well.
They were also buoyed by thenews they would not have to play aMarch, Strathspey and Reelselection – which was more tenseand exacting, but only a medley.
“The medley has been ourstrength. Everybody is much morecomfortable with it and we feel weplay better in the medley.”
Lewis Pipe Band competes insection 3a and will be one of 22bands in their section at ‘the worlds’,which sees around 220 bandscompete altogether.
The band has issues at the momentwith its drumming section, as itssnare drummers all work shiftpatterns which impacts availability.But the growth in interest among theyoung — with around 40 youngstersbelonging to the Lewis and HarrisYouth Pipe Band, set up in 2016, and
An officer in the Highland Council’strading standards team has won a UKaward for her work on anti-counterfeiting and protectingconsumers.
Lynn Foster was presented withthe Dave Hankinson MemorialAward for Individual Excellence byPhil Lewis, director general of theAnti-Counterfeiting Group – aninternational association respectedas one of the world’s leadingspecialists in the fight against the
growing global trade in counterfeitgoods.
Ms Foster is the intellectualproperty expert for Highland and aleading light in the field acrossScotland and the UK. In addition tomany successful prosecutions, shehas developed various ground-breaking and effective approaches,including using quick and efficientcivil law processes and creating arange of strong partnerships withother agencies.
more than 100 learner pipers inschools— bodes well for the future.
Donald John MacSween, Pointand Sandwick Trust generalmanager, said: “PST wish toencourage organisations like theLewis Pipe Band who are dedicatedand deeply rooted in our community.Supporting culture is one of the fouraims of Point and Sandwick Trustand we are committed to supportingthe Lewis and Harris Piping Societyand our islands’ pipe bands as muchas we can.”
Dr John Smith, chairman of the
Lewis and Harris Piping Society,said: “It costs a lot of money to takea pipe band to any competition on themainland. We in the piping societyare delighted that our friends in theLewis Pipe Band are able to attendthe premier competition for pipebands – the worlds in Glasgow –enabled by the largesse of Point andSandwick Trust for the third yearrunning. The band have acquittedthemselves well on previousoccasions and we wish them the bestof luck in their endeavours at thisyear’s visit to Glasgow Green.”
UK award for tradingstandards officer
Lewis Pipe Band and friends from the Lewis and Harris
Youth Pipe Band and St Andrews Caledonian Pipe Band
in Tasmania at the Lewis Carnival earlier this month
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newsnaidheachdan
Friday 16 August 201914 www.whfp.com
Skye CF sufferer urges drugschiefs to “see bigger picture”
Lewis mourns passing of one ofthe last traditional blackmiths
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On the Beatin Skye and Lochalshand the Western IslesIt’s that time of year again— fun, fine weather (I’m everthe optimist) and festivals!Some people love them whileothers avoid them.
No matter what yourpreference, an event like amusic festival in a smallcommunity can have a bigimpact. I’ve been to manyevents over the years,occasionally as a patron butmostly on duty. The majority ofattendees have a fabulous timewith no problem butoccasionally there are a fewpeople who get carried away,leading to not-so-happyendings.
‘Skye Live’ in Portree is fastapproaching and we want tosee everyone enjoying the greatbands and atmosphere. I wouldlike to take this opportunity tooffer some gentle advice foranyone planning to attend thisor any similar gig.
Prior to any event, make sureyou buy your tickets throughproper reputable channels.Already this year we have hadreports at other events, of thesale of fraudulent ticketsleading to huge disappointmentand financial loss.
Take only essential itemswith you and keep themproperly secured. If you do findproperty, please hand it to anofficer or into your nearestpolice station as soon aspossible. Equally, if you havebeen unfortunate enough tolose that expensive phone oranything else, please pay us avisit. There is a good chancesome kind soul has handed itin.
Last year the police werekept busy keeping people safeand healthy. For those who liketo partake of alcoholicrefreshments, drink plenty ofwater and remember to eat!Ensure you have suitableclothing in case the weathertakes a turn for the worse, andknow how you are getting homeor where you are staying forthe night.
Of course, be on your bestbehaviour or Police Scotlandmay provide you with a less-than-desirable room for thenight!
Local police and extraofficers will be in attendance toensure everyone has a safe andenjoyable experience. Pleasehelp out by reporting anysuspicious behaviour orconcerns.
A very high percentage ofdisorder and violent crime isfuelled by alcohol. For thisreason you will see the policeregularly visiting licensedpremises. We offer reassuranceand support to customers,licence holders and bar staffand ensure licensing laws arebeing adhered to.
It also gives us anopportunity to enjoy a bit of funand repartee. Selfies withtourists wearing my police hat,
and the occasional ‘GayGordon’ demonstration, showthe police are not all aboutlocking people up. As a tune bythe Peatbog Faeries sobeautifully puts it: We are ‘TheFolk Police’.
Whatever your plans for therest of the season, enjoy andstay safe!
PC Marion McCallum, Portree
THIS IS ALSO the time of yearwhen parents express acollective sigh of relief as theschools get ready to go back.
I’m fortunate enough to workquite closely with the fantasticstaff at Sgoil Lionacleit, tryingto bring the friendly face oflocal policing into the school.Most of what I do when I visitwith the pupils revolves aroundbuilding positive relationshipswith young people andencouraging good, informeddecision-making.
For the last few years, the hottopic any time I have contactwith schools is always internetsafety. There’s no ignoring thefact that the explosion intechnology and social media hasfundamentally changed the waypeople — particularly youngpeople — communicate, and itisn’t without its issues.
Online safety is probably atopic I’ll come back to in future:there’s no getting away fromjust how relevant it is toeveryone these days. When itcomes to young people, most ofthe concern I hear from parentscomes from the unknown. Everyfew months there seems to be anew application or service thatyoung people are using, andoccasionally misusing, tocommunicate with each other.Parents find it difficult to keepup with what’s ‘on trend’ andthis leads to blackspots insupervision.
There’s only one way roundthis, which is open and honestdiscussion with young people.It’s down to parents to create aculture where it’s all right tospeak to young people aboutwhat they do online. They mightnot want to go into specifics,which is understandable, butyou should at least know whatapplications they use, so youcan make yourself familiar withthem and the associated risks.
There are some greatresources for parents online,but my personalrecommendation iswww.commonsensemedia.orgwhich provides some prettysimple explanations of whatevery app does and whatparents need to know. Themore you know, the better helpyou can be to your youngsters ifproblems do arise.
It’s important to realise thatthe internet isn’t goinganywhere, so it needs to betreated in the same way as wewould treat any other aspect ofour children’s safety.
One of the last remainingtraditional blacksmiths inScotland has passed away at theage of 84.
Despite his advancing years andfailing health, Calum ‘Steallag’MacLeod from Lewis was workingdaily up until very recently and dealtwith his illness in customary stoicalfashion.
A visit to his workshop inStornoway – a simple shed withcorrugated iron roofing – was like astep back in time. Every last little bitof space was filled with old bits ofmetal and tools, and several ongoingprojects. At the far end of the shed aroaring fire in the forge providedboth heat and light, with Calum inthe middle pounding away on theanvil — sparks flying and echoesringing out.
Small in stature but as tough as theraw material with which he worked,Calum was highly personable innature. He enjoyed the company ofothers, regaling them with tales of abygone age and characters long sincedeparted. It was always worth a visitto his workshop for his anecdotesalone.
There was, however, one aspect ofhis work which left himuncomfortable – asking for money.While he would not allow anyone totake advantage, what really drovehim was the love of the work, thesatisfaction of hard graft, of fixingthings and finding practical solutionsto help people.
His imprint – quite literally, as hewould mark all his work with three
carefully-placed indents – will befound in countless homes across theisland, not least in terms of all thepeat-irons he produced over theyears.
While his workshop was a livingmuseum, he also made a tellingcontribution to the island’s real-lifelocal museum. In the past it wascustomary for all the crofters on theisland to brand the horns of theirsheep with a heated iron. Calumwould test the branding iron on the
door of his workshop before handingit on. It meant he had anencyclopaedic knowledge of thebrands across the island, somethingwhich proved useful on more thanone occasion. That wooden door,covered from top to bottom in croftcodes, was passed to the localmuseum for display.
Neil MacLeod, who ran FlemingEngineering in the town for manyyears, said: “I got to know Calumfirst of all when I was an apprentice
many years ago. He was a one-off.His craftsmanship was second tonone and he liked nothing better thanfixing things that others couldn’t.
“He lived for his work and helpingpeople, but he was a real character.Sometimes you’d go into theworkshop and there he’d be sittingwith one his pals playing theaccordion.”
Calum leaves behind a son, JohnMurdo, daughter Kathleen and wifeMairi.
A Skye woman who lives withcystic fibrosis has implored theScottish Medicines Consortiumto “see the bigger picture” afterit rejected a proposal to make CFtreatments which can slowdecline in lung functionavailable through the NHS.
The decision, which wasannounced on Monday, means thatthose suffering from cystic fibrosiswill still not be permitted access tothe drugs Orkambi and Symkevithrough the NHS — because thetreatment costs in relation to theirhealth benefits was deemed “notsufficient” by the Scottish MedicinesConsortium.
Hannah McDiarmid (24), wholives in Torvaig just outside Portree,was diagnosed with cystic fibrosiswhen she was 17 weeks old. In Aprilthis year Hannah was granted accessto the Symkevi treatment through thePACS Tier 2 system which wasintroduced in June 2018 by theScottish Government.
The system enables doctors toapply for access to drugs on behalfof their patients which are notrecommend by the SMC or routinelyavailable on the NHS, with eachapplicant considered by anindependent board made up of otherdoctors.
Reflecting on this week’s decision,Hannah told the Free Press: “I havebeen lucky enough to be granted
access to Symkevi through the PACTTier 2 system. I got that in April andhave had it since then. Withyesterday’s news I am actuallybeginning to feel a bit guilty that Ihave it while others can’t benefitfrom it like I have.
“Right now, my prescriptions gointo next year so I have it indefinitely— unless Brexit will affect it — butI just wish it was the same foreveryone.”
The Scottish MedicinesConsortium is the body responsiblefor appraising whether the medicinesare eligible to be made available onthe national health service. Itschairman, Dr Alan MacDonald, said:“We recognise that the decisions willbe disappointing. We understand theprofound impact that cystic fibrosishas on patients and their families andwe are aware of the need foreffective treatments that target theunderlying cause.
“Patient groups and cliniciansgave powerful testimonies about theimpact of the condition and thepotential benefits of thesemedicines.“
He added that there “remainedsignificant uncertainty around theiroverall health benefits in the longterm in relation to their costs”.
“In order to be able to accept thesemedicines the committee will need tobe satisfied of their cost-effectiveness, and we continue towork with the company to achievethat,” Dr MacDonald added.
Speaking about the impact
Symkevi has had on her health,Hannah said: “I have been able to domore things since I have been on it. Ihave good days and bad days likeeveryone else, but it has made a bitof difference for me since I started it.Considering the way that I wasfeeling in the last couple of years, Iwould like everyone to feel like I doand benefit from it the way that Ihave.”
She said that while she acceptedthere were complexities in thedecision-making process, shebelieved that the welfare of thosesuffering from cystic fibrosis shouldtake precedence over the costsinvolved.
She told the Free Press: “I wouldreally like them to see the biggerpicture and think about people’slives, especially those a bit youngerwho are trying to get through their
school work and adults who struggleto go to work or keep up a job.
“I do understand that it does costmoney and it takes time to makethings, which again costs money —but it’s people’s lives at the end ofthe day, and that’s more importantthan anything else.”
The Cabinet Secretary for Health,Jeane Freeman, commented: “I fullyunderstand the great disappointmentthat people with cystic fibrosis,together with their parents, familiesand friends, will feel about theScottish Medicines Consortium’sdecision not to recommend Orkambiand Symkevi for routine availabilityon the NHS in Scotland.
“The Government hopes that allparties continue to work together toachieve a positive outcome for all thechildren and adults with cysticfibrosis in Scotland.”
Dredging — legal or illegal — “is noway to protect the recovery of fisheries”
Take part in Red Cross ‘Milesfor Refugees’ challengeWOULD YOU GET INVOLVED in aphysical challenge if you knew it would helpsome of the most vulnerable people in the UK?
Here at the British Red Cross we believethat every refugee matters. That’s why we areasking everyone across Scotland to get activeand take part in Miles for Refugees, our newfundraising challenge that will help refugeesand people seeking asylum in the UK to getthe support they need to rebuild their lives.
People make desperate journeys becausethey are truly desperate. In the face of conflictor persecution, refugees are often forced totravel hundreds, if not thousands, of miles toreach a place of safety. Miles for Refugeesallows you to pick the distance of one of thesejourneys and cover the miles during the monthof September.
Cycle the distance of Damascus to Athens(1,000 miles), run the distance between Calaisand London (108 miles) or select another one
of the journeys you’d like to complete, eitherindividually, or part of a team.
Olympic champion Victoria Pendleton isbacking the challenge. You can visit ourwebsite and watch Victoria’s video to find outhow to get involved.
Whether you choose to walk, run, cycle orswim, the money you raise will help theBritish Red Cross to ensure that all refugeesare made to feel welcome in their communitiesand are given the support they need to rebuildtheir lives in safety.
Your miles can change the lives of refugeesthis September. Learn more and sign up atmiles.redcross.org.uk.JILLIAN MCBRIDEREFUGEE SERVICES MANAGERBRITISH RED CROSS4 NASMYTH PLACEGLASGOWG52 4PR
OVER 40 GROUPS — including fishermen,anglers, community groups and nationalorganisations — wrote to the First Minister inDecember 2018. She was asked to take urgentaction to tackle illegal fishing withinScotland’s Marine Protected Area network.
This letter was triggered by a scallopdredger fishing illegally within Loch Gairlochprotected area. Herring likes to spawn onmaerl within the loch. Maerl is a pink seaweedwhich underpins the recovery of many of thekey fisheries on the west coast. Illegal fishingwhich damages this is stealing our children’sfuture and our hope of recovery.
Numerous other incidents of illegaldredging within MPAs have been reported, soit was astonishing that the First Minister didnot reply. This February a second letter wassent, yet still no reply.
Now a scallop dredger has been filmedinside Wester Ross MPA and is underinvestigation for illegal dredging. Wester RossMPA was closed to scallop dredgers followinga long period of campaigning by the localcommunities and creel and dive fishermen.
Seachange is one of the 40 groups referredto above. We are a community think tank setup to protect Wester Ross MPA. As citizenscientists we work with fishermen and wildfish groups to monitor the recovery of maerlsince the ban. It is heartbreaking to considerthat maerl may have been illegally dredged,without detection, even before this incident.
Our concern led members of thecommunity, fishermen, divers and an NGO tolaunch an expedition to collect evidence. Thearea where the alleged illegal fishing wasreported, was thought to be a maerl bed. Thisevidence is now with Marine Scotland.
Policing MPAs is Marine Scotland’s job. Yetwe feel forced to gather evidence in order toprotect the area in the absence of properresources or the political will. We hope theboat under investigation will have its licenceremoved if the evidence proves their guilt.
Yet Marine Scotland issued a fixed penaltynotice of just £2,000 for illegal dredging inGairloch. This is inadequate and we want afull inquiry into the abuse of satellite trackingsystems and illegal dredging.
George Macpherson is a traditionalstoryteller from Skye, and is a witness tohow the seas have changed in his lifetime.See the film ‘The Bountiful Sea: the story ofWester Ross Marine Protected Area’. Theancient oral traditional stories he tells speakof the tragedy befalling us if we continue toexploit nature for greed. The situation isurgent.
The letter sent to the First Minister by the40 groups urged wholesale reform: “We urgethe Scottish Government to give serious
consideration to establishing a three milelimit on bottom-towed fishing methods (onthe west coast as a priority) and to ensure anindependent assessment of the benefits ofsuch a management regime. Fishing activityaffected by management reform should besupported during any transition.”
We care about all people’s jobs – we donot wish harm on any fisherman. But legal orillegal dredging is no way to protect therecovery of fisheries and coastalcommunities. We invite others to join the 40groups in working to restore our seas.SARA NASONCOORDINATORSEA CHANGE WESTER ROSSACHILTIBUIE
Your letters
A powerful way of harnessing ourcommunity inititiativeThere is a satisfactorily symbolic value in seeingthe Kyle and Lochalsh Community Trust moveits headquarters into what was the Skye Bridgetoll office, before the tolls were abolished in 2004.
That neat little building has gone from takingmoney out of the local economy to releasing thepotential for a better future.
As we reported a couple of weeks ago, ourcommunity trusts are treading new ground. A halfwayhouse between full community ownership and thestatus quo, they represent a spirit of local enterprisewhich deserves all our support.
If, to take just one instance, the local authority isincapable of keeping several schools in the area safeand habitable, it is highly unlikely that they will findthe cash for a much-needed redevelopment of Portreepier and harbour.
But with a bit of luck and a lot of hard work,Portree and Braes Community Trust can.
A quick glance at some of our community trusts’achievements in recent years suggests that we havebeen quietly nurturing several unusual enterprises, andmore than a few dedicated and hardworking people.
In Staffin, no one else was going to develop accessto the increasingly overworked Old Man of Storr,until the community trust stepped in.
Glendale Trust has taken over Meanish pier and itsforeshore. The 16-year-old Sleat Community Trusthas developed a shop and a post office around theestablished Armadale filling station and car repairgarage, both guaranteeing old jobs and creating newones. It has also bought Tormore Forest for thecommunity.
Portree and Braes Community Trust have had thelease on the town’s helipad since 2015, and have beenupgrading that essential facility. They find themselvesaddressing concerns such as the lack of public toiletsin Portree, which have been all but abandoned byHighland Council. And that’s before they begin toaddress the pier and harbour…
The little island of Raasay characteristically hasthree voluntary community organisations: one to runthe village hall, one to run Raasay House and walledgarden, and one to run its shop!
And from their new offices in the old bridge tollHQ, Kyle and Lochalsh Community Trust is cookingup its plans for development of the Plock as a bigrecreational centre for locals and visitors alike.
These are all the actions of a good communitylandowner. Community trusts are not an argumentagainst reclaiming the land into local democraticownership.
They establish that when, for a variety of reasons,estate or other land and property cannot be boughtout, the game does not end. The Scottish Land Fund,whose job it is to subsidise community ownership,
realised that, which is why the land fund is one of ourcommunity trusts’ funding sources.
The community trusts are also another layer ofdemocracy. They are a third way between outrightownership and local government. Membership ofcommunity trusts is free, and the communities haveresponded – Sleat, for instance, has over 500 members.
In the whole of Skye and Lochalsh, a couple ofthousand ordinary people have committed themselvesto grassroots involvement in the development andwellbeing of their districts. Every one of thoseindividuals deserves our respect.
Hands off Jurassic Skye!When we wonder what has increased the number ofvisitors to Skye tenfold in the last decade, we haveperhaps overlooked our dinosaurs.
Dinosaurs are a very big draw and to some people— not all, but a substantial number — Skye hasbecome Jurassic Park. In the words of somepromoters, the island is the Dinosaur Capital ofScotland. Blame Steven Spielberg.
It is interesting to learn that 150 million years ago,dinosaurs found Skye to be as irresistible as Americanmovie makers do now. We can hardly blame them.
They have left us with both an asset and aheadache. The asset is their astonishing fossilisedfootprints on the shore. The headache is how to stoppeople from making off with them.
The first good news is that they have been issuedwith a National Conservation Order. The second goodnews is that they will be kept on site, rather than dugup and transferred to the National Museum ofScotland.
The National Conservation Order is well-intentioned, and is better than nothing. But it does begthe question of how it is to be enforced.
Since news of the Skye dinosaur fossils wentworldwide, they have not only attracted wide-eyedvisitors to come and innocently gape.
More sinister visitors have arrived with hammersand chisels. These are, after all, priceless artefacts,and as dinosaurs were very big creatures they are nothard to find.
Some have already been removed and probablysold to private collections. Others have been damagedby amateurish attempts to prise them from thebedrock.
The National Conservation Order essentially leavestheir protection in the hands of the people of Skye.
If you see suspicious behaviour in the vicinity of thefossils, or hear strange sounds in the middle of thenight, call the police.
It might only be a neighbour making his or her wayback from the bar. But it might be someone withcriminal designs on a prehistoric footprint which hasbeen unmolested on the island for tens of millions ofyears, and should be allowed to rest here until the endof days.
Quality, independent journalism that asks questions costs to produce.
You are supporting us to ask the questions you want answered by buying a copy of our paper – thank you!You can also buy a subscription – online at www.whfp.com or by ordering at any newsagent.
MANY PEOPLE across Scotland arestruggling with consumer debt – everythingfrom store cards to bank overdrafts. In fact,according to a recent survey by the TradesUnion Congress, household debt in the UK isnow at a record high of £15,385 perhousehold – a figure that excludes mortgagedebts, but includes consumer debt items suchas credit cards, bank overdrafts, payday loansand store cards.
We are fortunate in Scotland to have a wayout of such difficulties in the form of a DebtArrangement Scheme, which is one ofScotland’s best-kept secrets. It’s availablefrom charitable organisations such asStepChange and from commercial debtadvisers such as TC Debt Solutions too. It isa Scottish Government scheme that is legallybinding and prevents creditors from takingfurther action against people who owe money.
Set up back in 2004 by the ScottishGovernment, the scheme allows people tofreeze interest and charges on their debts andpay their debts off interest-free over a longerperiod of time. This brings payments down to
levels that people can afford and gives peoplethe chance to get their lives back on track.Interest and charges are simply written off.
Apart from reducing debt, one of the bestthings about the DAS scheme is that itprotects people from their creditors but is nota form of insolvency: people get to pay backtheir debt in an affordable way. Lenders likethe scheme because they know they willeventually get their money back – andborrowers like it because they don’t have topay interest charges and they get longer to paytheir debts off. It’s a case of everyone wins.
There’s plenty of information about theDebt Arrangement Scheme online atwww.aib.gov.uk/debt-arrangement-scheme.Thousands of people have used the scheme,but so many more could get this help –whether through financial charities orcommercial organisations.RICHARD GARDINERPARTNERTC DEBT SOLUTIONSDUNFERMLINEKY1 18P
WHERE DOES the local Labour candidatestand in regards to whether she supportsanother Scottish independence referendum?Does she agree with John McDonnell’sdemocratic position of not blocking anotherreferendum, or is she a supporter of RichardLeonard’s dictatorial stance?
As we all know, Labour as a party arefractured with various groups offering
conflicting policies as the official position.Where does the candidate stand in regardsto this? Especially when Mr Corbyn oftenhas no clear position and just sits on thefence.ANGELA QUAIL13 MACKAY COURTSTORNOWAYHS1 2QQ
Labour “fractured” over newindependence referendum
C O M M E N T
AONGHAS PÀDRAIGCAIMBEUL
Otter spotters’ car rolls off Kylerhea pier
An Lanntair to hostworld premier of‘The Stornoway Way’
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Friday 16 August 201916 www.whfp.com
Bha m’ athair-cèile aig muir(na sgiobair), agus tha iomadh‘yarn’ aige mu na seannlàithean, agus abair gu bheiliad math agus intinneach.Agus ’s iad a dh’fhaodas abhith, oir tha e nis 87 bliadhnadh’aois agus gu fortanachfallain gu leòr fhathast son aninnse gu mionaideach.
Chaidh e gu muir an toiseachaig aois 16 ann an 1947, ag obairdo dhà chompanaidh nach eil annan-diugh – Chapman’s ofNewcastle a bha dol eadar 1878agus 1974, agus Elder Dempster’sa bha stèidhichte ann an Liverpoolagus a bha dol son ùine mhòr,eadar 1852 agus 2000. Bidhmaraichean fhathast timcheall aig
a bheil deagh chuimhne air an dàchompanaidh chliùiteach sin, gunteagamh.
Tha eachdraidh Elder Dempsterfìor intinneach. Chaidh anstèidheachadh, mar a thubhairtmi, ann an 1852 aig àrd-ìreÌmpearachd Bhreatainn sonmalairt air feadh an t-saoghail.Chaidh an stèidheachadh antoiseach fon ainm The AfricanSteam Ship Company, agus tha micinnteach gu bheil an t-ainm fhèinag innse na sgeòil: chan ecompanaidh a bha seo abhuineadh dha na h-Afraganaichach a bha malairt ri Afraga.
Bha an African Steam ShipCompany a’ dol leatha fhèin gu1867, nuair a chaidh a ceangal lecompanaidh eile fon ainm TheBritish and African SteamNavigation Company. Bha an dàchompanaidh sin air an ruith leElder Dempster and Company,agus thàinig iad uile còmhla annan 1932 mar aon chompanaidh fonbhratach Elder Dempster LinesLimited.
Bha a’ chompanaidh a’frithealadh bathair is seirbhis guAfraga an Iar – trì bàtaichean-puist (mailboats) a’ seòladh gachceala-deug gu Ghana agus Nigeria,agus a’ tadhail air Sierra Leoneagus Libera air an t-slighe. Bhiodhna soitheachan sin a’ toirtoifigearan colonialach a-null agusa-nall gu agus bho Afraga, agusb’ann air na bàtachan sin a sheòlan sgrìobhaiche ainmeil GrahamGreene nuair a bha e ag obairdhan t-seirbhis choloinialach, agusàs an tug e ealain cho iongantach.Bhiodh soisgeulaich (missionaries)cuideachd gu tric air nasoitheachan sin.
A thaobh bathair, bha iomadhseòrsa gnothach air an giùlaineadar Afraga agus Breatann –càraichean, salainn, leann, uisge-beatha, fiodh, cnòthan – dè nach
robh! Às dèidh ùine leudaich a’chompanaidh a-mach agus rinniad seòlaidhean air feadh an t-saoghail mhòir, chan ann dìreachgu Afraga, agus coltach ri gachcompanaidh eile, chuidich iad gumòr aig àm an Dara Cogaidh –seirbhis a rinn iomadh seòladairGàidhealach às leth na rìoghachdanns an dà Chogadh Mhòr. Thaan dealbh a tha dol leis anairtigeal seo ag innse sin gu làidir,grinn. Agus cò aig tha fhios nachbidh feum air a leithid fhathast,mar a tha cùisean a’ dol le Brexitis eile…
Bha companaidhean A’Chabhlaich Mharsanta ainmeilagus aithnichte an lùib nanGàidheal aig aon àm, le balaichòga falbh às gach dàrnachadachaigh anns na h-eileanan gumuir dhomhainn. Nach iomadhsgil is sgiorradh is sgeulachd athog iad air na bhòidseaniongantach sin, eadar SouthGeorgia agus Buenos Aires thall!Tha ar cuid òrain a’ togail fianaismun a sin a-rithist agus a-rithist.Fàgail Bharraigh. A’ Pheigi, aGhràidh. An Caiòra:
“Nuair a chaidh sinn uil’ airbòrd innt’,
Nuair a sguir sinn ’g òl anleann,
Cha robh cùisean idir dòigheilSon bha ’m bòsun air an dràm;Thug an sgiobair dhuinn an t-
òrdughLeigeal às gach ròp is ball,B’fheudar poidhleat thoirt air
bòrd innt’Son a seòladh sìos an Clyde.”Tha iomadh sgeul aig m’athair-
cèile mu dheidhinn bhith seòladhann an gàbhaidhean cunnartachagus is e mìorbhail gun d’fhuair efhèin agus gach maraiche eile bhacòmhla ris beò àsta. Bha Gàidheilgu leòr nam measg. Ged nach robhcuid cho fortanach, oir tha làn-
fhios aige cuideachd air chocudromach agus a tha riaghailteanagus laghan agus slàinte issàbhailteachd, agus tha mi air guleòr ionnsachadh bhuaithe mu narudan sin.
Bidh e fhathast a’ faighinn irisnan Aonaidhean a tha cumail sùilgheur air na gnothaichean sin,agus mo bheannachd orra airsonfeuchainn fhathast (anns an t-saoghal bhochd a th’ ann)riaghailtean a chumail suas. Oiranns an latha th’ann tha nacuantan cuideachd nan seòrsa de‘Wild West’ a thaobh lagh isriaghailtean, le companaidhean a’clàradh an cuid shoithichean thallthairis far nach eil na riaghailteana thaobh uairean-obrach,tuarastalan, sàbhailteachd, co-ionnanachd is eile cho math agus abu chòir.
Tha e tàmailteach agus ceàrr.Oir chan ann dìreach air sgàthadhbharan eachdraidheil a buchòir dhuinn moit a bhith againnàs A’ Chabhlach Mharsanta, achbu chòir dhuinn cuideachddèanamh cinnteach anns nalàithean seo gu bheil seirbhisagainn a tha freagarrach airsonfeumalachdan an latha an-diugh.Gu mi-fhortanach, chan eil coltasgun cuidich Brexit ris an sin a-bharrachd, le miann aig cuid“margaid shaor” a leudachadh abhios nas cunnartaiche dha nacriùdhachan agus dha nabàtaichean.
Tha iarraidh mhòr fhathast airbàtaichean. Fiù’s a thaobh na h-àrainneachd, le soithichean a-nisair an togail comasach air siubhalle connadh ath-nuadhachail, bidhCabhlach Mharsanta slàn fallaingu math riatanach anns nabliadhnachan a tha romhainn.Obraichean gu leòr fhathast rimfaighinn aig muir dhan òigridh –boireann no fireann – agus gednach eil Cal-Mac cho
Nuair a chaidh sinn uil’ air bòrd innt’“romantaic” ri seòladh guMontreal, tha e fhathast a cheartcho riatanach!
Ged a chanas seòladair no dhàfhathast “is truagh nach dodh’fhuirich mi tioram air tìr”, tha
fhios gu bheil gu leòr ann fhathastcuideachd a chanas (no asheinneas) riutha fhèin: “Tha mìlelong air Cuan Èirinn, ’s truaghnach robh mi fhèin air tèdhiubh…”
A family had a lucky escape when their carran over the edge of the ferry slipway atKylerhea on Skye on Sunday.
The Kyle lifeboat The Spirit of Fred. Olsenlaunched at 1.15pm after reports were receivedof a car falling off the side of the Kylerhea pierand landing in the sea. The lifeboat arrived onscene at 1.25pm to find the car partiallysubmerged.
Two members of the lifeboat were put ashoreto assess the situation and check on the welfare
of the car’s occupants. Once it was ascertainedthat nobody had been inside the vehicle when itwent off the pier and the passengers were alluninjured, the lifeboat stood by until local land-based coastguard units arrived.
It is understood the occupants of the vehiclehad gone for a walk to look for otters and seals,and the handbrake on the car had failed.
As the tide was coming in and the car was indanger of becoming fully submerged, the lifeboatcrew assisted with securing the vehicle to the pierto enable the car to be recovered.
A Kyle RNLI spokesperson said: “Luckily thecar was unoccupied when it rolled halfway downthe pier and fell off the edge. Due to the rapidly-incoming tide, it wouldn’t be long before the carwas fully submerged making it very difficult torecover out of the sea. Therefore before departingthe scene the crew assisted with running lines tothe shore to ensure that nobody else would haveto enter the water during the recovery processlater in the day.”
The car was later recovered by Morar Motorsfrom Kyle of Lochalsh.
Dogstar Theatre Company willpresent the world premiere of‘The Stornoway Way’, adaptedfrom the novel by KevinMacNeil, at An Lanntair inStornoway on Friday 30thAugust.
After two performances at AnLanntair, the company will take ashort break before touring Scotlandthroughout October.
In this romantic tragicomedyRoman Stornoway (Naomi Stirrat), astruggling musician, and his bestfriend Eilidh (Rachel Kennedy) aredisaffected underachievers who usealcohol to fuel and delay theirdreams of escape from the island.Eventually they make their way tothe city, where Roman is smitten bythe mysterious Hungarian studentEva (Chloe-Ann Tylor) and things goterribly wrong.
These are characters who areoutcast from, yet inescapably part of,their Hebridean culture. They leaveand return, struggling with theiridentity and their alienation bothfrom society and from each other,searching for love as a path tosalvation.
At times the actors include the
audience in the storytelling, invitingthem to be part of this poetic,provocative and funny cèilidh play.
Kevin MacNeil’s 2005 debutnovel was hailed by ‘The Scotsman’newspaper as “The best Scottishbook since ‘Trainspotting’… full ofwisdom, jokes, poetic language andmind-burning imagery”. It was a‘Herald’ book of the year “whosehonest bleakness is outdone by itssheer good humour and energy”.
MacNeil sees the play as adevelopment from the novel, and amore mature and inclusive take onhis earlier work.
The play is written in English andGaelic, with a cast of three youngactors directed by Matthew Zajacwho has recently toured Scotland forthe sixth time with hisphenomenally-successful play ‘TheTailor of Inverness’.
The music and sound are createdby the award-winning Pippa Murphywith indy originals and traditionalsongs by Willie Campbell, KevinMacNeil and Colin Macleod. Set andcostume design is by Ali Maclaurin,video by Jim Hope and lightingdesign by Andrew Wilson.
New centre to cash in on eaglewatching in hills of Harris
Story of tourism in Skye and Lochalsh
Lochalsh director toshow new film to localaudience in Dornie
Tug-o-war during the South Harris Show at Leverburgh
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years agofrom the columnsof the West HighlandFree Press
3510th August 1984The Highlands and Islands werealready witnessing thedevelopment of a second-classtelephone system in theHighlands and Islands.
That was the warning from theUnion of TelecommunicationWorkers, as the new licence underwhich the privatised British Telecom
would operate came into force. Theunion had initiated an overtime banin protest against BT’s plans for amanpower reduction of five per cent.
No expense was spared asPrincess Margaret paid a fleetingvisit to Stornoway to join the RoyalYacht Britannia, which was takingthe Queen and other royals on a tourof the west coast on the way toBalmoral. Three helicopters, an RAFaircraft and a Royal Navy frigatewere all involved in making sure thePrincess was safely transferred to theroyal yacht.
A new fish marketing companybegan operating on Barra. IasgBarrach Ltd was set up under theauspices of Co-Chomunn Bharraidhwhose chairman, Father ColinMacInnes, described the creation ofthe new firm as “a momentous step”.
The first local authority museumin the Western Isles was about toopen its doors in the old Town Hallin Stornoway.
And in Kyle of Lochalsh, most ofthe 10 houses built to accommodateRoyal Navy personnel working at theBritish Underwater Test andEvaluation Centre were now lyingempty as the base had largely beenprivatised. The chairman of Skye andLochalsh District Council’s housingcommittee, Councillor AlistairLanglands, described the situation as“an embarrassment”.
‘Slingshot’, a new short film bydirector Robin Haig starringSharon Small, will screen inHaig’s home village of Dornieon Saturday 17th August at 5pm,before the feature film ‘Womenat War’.
Described as a gently humorousdrama about courage in a smallHighland community, ‘Slingshot’ isset in a Scottish castle and is aboutKath (Sharon Small) who isstruggling with the death of herfather and her increasingly-errantteenage daughter. On the day of herlocal village’s battle reenactment sheis visited by a mystical force beforedefying her annoying younger bossand becoming a warrior queen.
Robin Haig directed ‘Slingshot’ aspart of the Scottish Film TalentNetwork’s New Talent Scheme,funded by Screen Scotland and theBritish Film Institute.
Haig’s previous short film ‘Hula’also took a wry look at the mid-lifefemale experience in the ruralHighlands through B&B ownerClara, played by Blythe Duff. In2016 it won the Bafta Scotland NewTalent award for drama and had itsworld premiere at InvernessXpoNorth. The Screen Machine also
screened it in Dornie to two sell-outaudiences, where it was programmedwith several other shorts by theorganisers of Way Out WestPicturehouse.
‘Slingshot’ has a strong femaleslant and was made by the same all-female core creative team behind‘Hula’. It was written by Scottishscreenwriters Claire Nicol andMandy Lee, and produced byLindsay McGee.
Focusing on Sharon Small’s maincharacter, Kath, the film explores thebattle of the sexes with a refreshinglightness of touch. True to form withHaig’s previous short, there’s anundercurrent of Highland myth andlegend which lends an etherealquality.
Future screenings are to beannounced as the ‘Slingshot’ teamare submitting it to film festivalsworldwide.
Robin Haig said: “The inspirationfor ‘Slingshot’ came from severalstrong visual images and a team offour creative women. We used theinspirational visual images to buildcharacter and story, and brought ourexperiences of life to the table.Uniformly we wanted to showwomen of different ages, inspiringand supporting one another.”
Construction is under way on anew £50,000 facility at a well-known island beauty spot inorder to cater for the growingnumber of people drawn to thearea.
The hills of Harris are home tosome 20 pairs of nesting golden
eagles and, following theconstruction of a dedicatedobservatory, the number of visitorshas soared.
The North Harris Trust has nowstarted work on a new centre tocomplement the existing observatory.
Trust chair Calum MacKay said itwas important to try to meet theneeds of the growing number ofpeople attracted to the hills andmountains of Harris.
“The new building is out on thehill above Scaladale andArdvourlie,” he said. “It’s effectivelya shelter where people sit and take inthe views.
“We built an eagle observatory inGlen Miavaig a number of years agoand it’s been really, really popular. Alot of people walk out there all yearround, but particularly so in thesummer months.
“We know that people will really
appreciate somewhere where theycan stop and take a rest. There’sgoing to be a large amount of glassin the new building so it will be idealfor taking in the wonderfulenvironment.”
Funding for the project came froma range of sources, includingHighlands and Islands Enterprise,Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, the JohnMuir Trust and the MuaitheabhalCommunity Windfarm Trust.
Catherine MacPhee and Anne Beaton of the Skye and LochalshArchive Centre in Portree look over the new exhibition on the historyof tourism in the area.
‘Over the Sea to Skye: A History of Tourism in Skye and Lochalsh’ runsright through until Easter of next year.
The exhibition considers some of the early visitors to Skye and Lochalsh
and examines the topics of travel, accommodation, myths and legends, castlesand clans, popular events such as Highland games and Skye Week, and theevolution of the tourism industry in general.
There is also an opportunity to view archive film of the area, includingfamily holiday footage as well as promotional recordings.
The centre is open from 10am-1pm and 2pm-5pm Monday to Friday, andthere is no charge to access the exhibition.
‘Slingshot’ is the
latest short film
from Robin Haig
Litir do luchd-ionnsachaidhle Ruairidh MacIlleathain
Iain RuadhStiùbhart (3)Each week the West Highland FreePress publishes the text forRuairidh’s “Letter to GaelicLearners” on BBC Radio nanGàidheal (103.5-105 FM).Broadcasts are as follows: 10pmon Sunday, following the GaelicLearners’ programme ‘Beag airBheag’, with a repeat at 10.30pmon Wednesday. This is Litir 1,048.There is also a simpler version –An Litir Bheag – which isbroadcast at 4.03pm each Sunday.Litir Bheag 744 corresponds toLitir 1,048. The Litir is alsoavailable at www.bbc.co.uk/litirand www.learngaelic.scot/litir.
Tha mi a’ dol a chur crìoch airmo chunntas air an t-Seumasachainmeil à Srath Spè, Iain RuadhStiùbhart. Bha e na ruagalaichean dèidh Chùil Lodair. Fhuair efios bhon Phrionnsa, TeàrlachÒg, a dhol a chèilidh air ann anCèidse Chluainidh – Cluny’sCage – taobh Beinn Eallair.Nise, tha àite air na mapaicheandeas air Beinn Eallair faisg airLoch Eireachd – PrinceCharlie’s Cave – ach tha mòrandhen bheachd nach e sin a bh’anns a’ Chèidse idir.
Tha iad ag ràdh gun deach atogail de dh’fhiodh air cliathaich nabeinne. Bha i air a còmhdachadh leduilleach cuilinn agus còinneachgus nach biodh e furasta a faicinnaig astar.
Co-dhiù, sin far an robh amPrionnsa aig toiseach an fhoghair,seachd ceud deug ceathrad ’s a sia(1746). Chaidh Iain Ruadh ann achèilidh air, tha mi cinnteach, airsona dhìlseachd a dhearbhadh aon turaseile agus, mar a thachair e, airsonteicheadh cuide ris. Goirid an dèidha bhith sa Chèidse, sheòl iad donFhraing còmhla air bòrd soitheachFrangach à Loch nan Uamh.
Chaochail Iain Ruadh anns anFhraing sia bliadhna an dèidh BlàrChùil Lodair, ach chan eil cinnt anncàite. Agus chan eil sgeul air uaigh.
Tha, ge-tà, àite ann an Srath Spèfar a bheilear ga chuimhneachadh.Anns a’ bhliadhna dà mhìle (2000),chaidh carragh-cuimhne a thogaildha faisg air àite a bhreith ann anCinn Chàrdainn.
Agus, a h-uile bliadhna anns anLùnastal, bidh feadhainn a’coiseachd gu mullach a’ ChùirnGhuirm airson bratach ChinnChàrdainn a chur an-àirde marchuimhneachan air Iain Ruadh. Thaiad a’ leantainn air fear Seumas Macan t-Saoir à Beag Ghleann anns a’Ghleann Mhòr. ’S e a bha an urra ribratach uaine Chinn Chàrdainn aigCùil Lodair. Rinn e cinnteach nachfhaigheadh na saighdearan deargagrèim oirre.
Gach bliadhna an dèidh BlàrChùil Lodair, air an naoidheamhlatha deug dhen Lùnastal, bhiodhSeumas a’ dol gu mullach a’ ChùirnGhuirm airson a’ bhratach a churan-àirde mar chuimhneachan airIain Ruadh agus na fir eile à SrathSpè a dh’èirich ann an adhbhar a’Phrionnsa. Carson a thagh e an lathasin? Uill, b’ ann air an latha sin achaidh bratach nan Seumasach athogail ann an Gleann Fhionnain aigtoiseach Bliadhna Theàrlaich.
A bharrachd air an dàn aige LathaChùil Lodair, sgrìobh Iain Ruadhdàn eile mun chath. ’S e an t-ainm ath’ air Òran Eile air Latha ChùilLodair. Anns an òran seo, tha ambàrd ag ainmeachadh cuid de nafineachan a ghabh pàirt anns a’chath. Mar eisimpleir, tha e a’caoidh nach robh Clann ‘ic a’Phearsain, no Clann Mhuirich mara bh’ aige fhèin orra, an làthair. B’ esin adhbhar eile, ann am beachdIain, a chaill na Seumasaich. Bidh
feadhainn a’ gabhail pàirt dhethchun an latha an-diugh. Seo dà ranndheth:
O gur mis’ th’ air mo chràdh,thuit mo chridhe gu làr,
’S tric snighe gu ‘m shàil o ‘mlèirsinn.
Dh’fhalbh mo chlaistinneachdbhuam,
Cha chluinn mi san uair, gu mallno gu luath nì ’s èibhinn.
Mu Phrionns’ Teàrlach mo rùin,oighre dligheach a’ chrùin,
’S e gun fhios dè an taobh athèid e,
Fuil Rìoghail nam buadh, bhithga dìobairt san uair,
’S mac dìolain le sluagh agèirigh.
� � �
Faclan na Litreach: Iain RuadhStiùbhart: John Roy Stuart;ruagalaiche: fugitive; LochEireachd: Loch Ericht; carragh-cuimhne: memorial; CinnChàrdainn: Kincardine; SeumasMac an t-Saoir: James MacIntyre;Beag Ghleann: Beglan [nowdeserted village]; GleannFhionnain: Glenfinnan; fineachan:clans; claistinneachd: [sense of]hearing.Abairtean na Litreach: a dhol achèilidh air ann an CèidseChluainidh taobh Beinn Eallair: togo and visit him in Cluny’s Cageover Ben Alder way; gun deach atogail de dh’fhiodh air cliathaichna beinne: that it was built of woodon the side of the mountain; air acòmhdachadh le duilleach cuilinnagus còinneach: covered by hollyfoliage and moss; airson adhìlseachd a dhearbhadh aon turaseile: to prove his loyalty one moretime; mar a thachair e, airsonteicheadh cuide ris: as it happened,to flee with him; sheòl iad donFhraing còmhla air bòrd soitheachFrangach: they sailed to Francetogether on board a French vessel;chan eil sgeul air uaigh: there is noknowledge of a grave; gu mullacha’ Chùirn Ghuirm: to the summit ofCairn Gorm; ’s e a bha an urra ribratach uaine X: he wasresponsible for the green flag of X;air an naoidheamh latha deug dhenLùnastal: on 19th August; na fireile à Srath Spè a dh’èirich ann anadhbhar a’ Phrionnsa: the othermen from Strathspey who rose forthe Prince; a’ caoidh nach robhClann ‘ic a’ Phearsain, no ClannMhuirich mar a bh’ aige fhèin orra,an làthair: lamenting that theMacPhersons, or Clann Mhuirichas he called them, were notpresent; gur mis’ th’ air mochràdh: that I am tortured; ’s tricsnighe gu ?m shàil: often tears [goto] my heel; oighre dligheach a’chrùin: the rightful heir to thecrown; fuil Rìoghail nam buadh,bhith ga dìobairt san uair: thevirtuous royal blood beingforsaken at this hour.Puing-chànain na Litreach: ’Smac dìolain le sluagh ag èirigh:and a bastard son rising with ahost. I have given this translationbecause John Roy clearly meant itas an insult (it is a reference to theDuke of Cumberland); it is thetranslation generally given bysingers of the song. However, innormal circumstances, mac dìolainmeans ‘illegitimate son’ anddoesn’t have the pejorative flavourof ‘bastard’. Cumberland was notstrictly illegitimate but theJacobites considered him and hisfamily to be usurpers of the ‘true’royal line.Gnàthas-cainnt na Litreach: faisgair àite a bhreith: close to hisbirthplace.Tha “Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh” air a maoineachadhle MG ALBA
miscellanymeasgachadh
Friday 16 August 201918 www.whfp.com
Fun-packed weekend as annualgala celebrations held in Kyleakin
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Kyleakin was a hive of activitylast weekend as the villagecelebrated its annual gala.
In kind weather, a bumper crowdturned out to enjoy all that was onoffer.
Having proved a hit the previousyear, a children’s disco and bingonight kicked off the festivities onFriday evening before a busySaturday began with the Skye Bridge10k race.
Popular attractions for youngstersincluded body zorbing and bouncycastles, as well as the presence oflocal coastguard and RNLI crews.There was entertainment from theLochalsh Junior Pipe Band, as wellas a varied selection of food anddrink stalls.
For the first time a ‘great galabake-off’ was held, and proved apopular draw. The winners in eachcategory were Catherine Vass(Victoria sponge); John Reid andCaroline Clouston (jam/chutney);Krissy Lothian (scone); Malcolm
Reid (speciality bread) and KeiraNightingale (children’s summerberry).
On Saturday evening thefestivities were brought to a rousingfinale with a packed-out marqueedance to Trail West.
Gala chair Karen Thompson said:“The Kyleakin Gala committee wereoverwhelmed by the continuedsuccess and support from the localcommunity again this year.
“Our bingo night remainedpopular with all ages and Trail Westbrought in our biggest crowd in yearson Saturday night.
“The launch of the gala bake-offwas well received as was the returnof the RNLI and coastguard.
“Myself and the committee wouldlike to thank all the volunteers whohelped make it possible, the localbusinesses who donated prizes andsupplies, and all who came along toenjoy the festivities.”
Over the years the gala weekendhas raised thousands of pounds tohelp build a new community hall and
secure a community minibus. It hasalso provided funds to aid the variouslocal clubs, groups and organisationswhich have helped run the event.
This year’s Skye Bridge 10k roadrace attracted its biggest field inseveral years, with 88 runnerscompleting the course from Kyleakinto the outskirts of Kyle and backagain.
Mark Dow from Elgin breachedthe tape in a time of 38 minutes and37 seconds to win by almost aminute-and-a-half from runner-upGaspard Grech, who ran 40.10.
The first woman home, and thirdoverall, was Sarah Attwood who ran40 minutes and 31 seconds. Sarah,from Portree, was also the first localto cross the line.
After the main race had set off,some 20 youngsters took part in afun run that was won by nine-year-old Connor Birnie from Glasgow.
Race organisers have extendedthanks to those who helped set up,marshal the course, time-keep,provide medical cover, provide
water stations and make or servesoup and sandwiches to all runners.
Sponsorship for the race wasprovided by the Isle of Skye EstateAgency, while medical and safetycover came from MERT.highlandand the local HM Coastguard team.Members of Kinlochshiel women’sshinty club and Kyleakin AFChelped steward alongside severalother willing local volunteers, whilethe Kings Arms Hotel provided soupfor the runners after the race.
The top 20 results were: MarkDow 38.37; Gaspard Grech 40.10;Sarah Attwood 40.31; Andy Birnie41.13; Paul Parker 41.38; PaddyMacInnes 43.07; Steven Mackenzie43.43; Tony Boyle 43.51; DavidMann 44.51; Andy Kendall 45.07;Stephen Davison 45.15; StephenMurchison 45.43; RobertMacdonald 45.48; Colin Cameron46.05; Becky Maw 46.20; JamieHamilton 46.35; Stephane Durand46.52; Gillian Alston 47.06; LiamCollins 47.10; Murdo Maclean47.30.
Winners fron the 10k and fun run along with Kristen MacBeth, representing sponsors the Isle of Skye Estate Agency
Budding lifeboat recruits
Bouncy fun!
miscellanymeasgachadh
Friday 16 August 201920 www.whfp.com
Growing up between two worlds
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ROGERHUTCHINSON
In 2014 Donald MacLeodbroadcast on Radio nan Gàidheala popular eight-part series ofmemoirs about growing up inGreat Bernera during and afterthe Second World War.
The series was called ‘Eadar DàShaoghal: Between Two Worlds’. Itis not clear whether the two worldswere Bernera and his father’s homeon the other side of Lewis at Lochs,where he later lived, or Bernera andthe rest of the United Kingdom inwhich he has spent much of his life,working latterly as a psychologist.
He presently lives in Kent. He willbe useful there, when as a result of ano-deal Brexit the garden county ofEngland becomes a very large lorrypark in need of psycho-analysis froma qualified Lewisman.
But back to Bernera. The eighttales in ‘Eadar Da Shaoghal’ areuncompromisingly set in thatsensationally beautiful tidal republicon the west side of Lewis. Now thepublishing house Acair hasassembled them into one book, titled‘Eadar Da Shaoghal: Between TwoWorlds’ or ‘Balach ann amBearnaraigh, A Bernera Boyhood’.
It is a loving production. The eightGaelic essays have each been
translated into English, withfootnotes and appendices. It isillustrated by a host of finephotographs.
They include one of ReverendDonald Macaulay showing the latePrincess Diana around Bernera in1985. That was two years before herhusband famously visited the otherisland of Berneray in the Sound ofHarris, and it does make you wonder.What was it with that couple andtheir Bearnaraigh?
Exiled Highlanders have a passionfor their blue remembered hills. Thedanger when they come to write —or broadcast — those memories issentiment.
It is arguable that, war or no war,the middle of the 20th century wasthe golden age of the Gaelic croftingcommunity. The language and theholdings were intact and secure. Thecommunal traditions were alive. Fewpeople were rich and few peoplewere desperately poor. It was anegalitarian society.
Donald MacLeod paints thatsociety beautifully, through the eyesof a young boy. Perhaps it is becausehe was young that his tales areimmune to twee sentimentality. Givea boy a copper penny for a sherbetfrom the shop and he’s happy.
As a boy from the south, BreacleitSchool was different. Donald firstgot wind of its imminence when thepostman arrived with a parcel.
“‘Well, it’s JD,’” said my mother.“I didn’t expect this to come untilnext week. Oxendales is good forcorsets and Gamages for householdgoods, but no one is as good at shoesas JD.”
“She tore the paper from theparcel and gave me the box. I openedthe top, and there were twoglistening black Lornes. They wereas fine as two ornaments you wouldput on the mantlepiece. I knew fullwell what the Lornes were for. I wasgoing to school.”
When he arrived at school theother children were already seated attheir desks. “Well, well,” said theteacher Peigi Matheson. “Who havewe here?”
“‘My name is Donald IainMacLeod,’” I said.
“‘Does he have Gaelic?’” theteacher asked my mother.
“‘Yes,’” I replied. “‘My skull-full.’”
“I don’t believe I heard anotherword of Gaelic in that room again.”
From this collection of excellenttales it is not difficult to pick awinner. ‘The Madness of Daisy’ has
a power deserving of a longer pieceof text.
Its synopsis is simple, and incrofting communities common.
On an early summer’s day youngDonald and his Auntie Chris go offto milk a couple of cows. One ofthem, Daisy, while a good milk cow,is known to be “mischievous andobstinate”. Daisy’s hind legs weretied while Chris milked her.
This is not, thinks the reader, on itsway to a happy conclusion.
Early one Saturday morningshortly afterwards Chris arrived atthe house. She was weeping and ahandkerchief was held close to hermouth.
“Daisy is badly torn, badly torn…”she stuttered.
The cow had tried to jump a newhigh fence. She had failed and comedown on the barbed wire. Shestruggled fiercely for who knowshow long. Her underside washorribly lacerated. The men cut herfree and she staggered down thepasture.
“‘I’ve sent for CoinneachDochart,’ said my father.”
Coinneach Dochart duly arrived,wearing wellingtons, dungarees, abig Guernsey, an old tweed jacket, abonnet, and carrying a gun.
Daisy could not immediately beshot. It was getting later on Saturday,and the whole process ofdisembowelling and burying theoffal and lifting her into the byrewould take several men a day – andthe next day was the Sabbath.
“That was the longest Sabbath thatever there was in the township ofCirceabost,” writes Donald MacLeod.
Monday came, as Mondays will.“The next time I saw Daisy she wason the dinner table…” but therewould be more, dreams and fantasiesand hauntings for which you mustbuy Donald MacLeod’s memories ofhis Bernera boyhood.‘Eadar Da Shaogha: Between Two
Worlds’, by Donald MacLeod;Acair, £15.99
Bernera school and schoolhouse, with the Church of Scotland behind
Donald ‘the psychologist’ MacLeod
Reverend DonaldMacaulay escorts
Princess Dianathrough Bernera
in 1985
Donald’s grandmotherspinning at the end of
the house
family notices public noticesBirths, Engagements, Marriages, Deaths, Acknowledgements,
In Memoriam and Thanks Notices FIRST REGISTRATION OF A CROFT
COLIN JACK has registered the croft at 4ERBUISAIG, LOCHALSH on the CroftingRegister held by the Registers of Scotland.
Any person who wishes to challenge theregistration may apply to the ScottishLand Court by 22nd April 2020.
Details of the registration can be found atwww.crofts.ros.gov.uk/register/home.The croft registration number is C6199.
FIRST REGISTRATION OF A CROFTJOHN ROSS CAMPBELL has registeredthe croft at 6 HEATHERFIELD, PORTREEon the Crofting Register held by theRegisters of Scotland.
Any person who wishes to challenge theregistration may apply to the ScottishLand Court by 25th April 2020.
Details of the registration can be found atwww.crofts.ros.gov.uk/register/home.The croft registration number is I3186.
FIRST REGISTRATION OF A CROFTCHARLES RODERICK ELDER hasregistered the croft at 1/2 OF 7BROGAIG, KILMUIR on the CroftingRegister held by the Registers ofScotland. Any person who wishes to challenge theregistration may apply to the ScottishLand Court by 25th April 2020.Details of the registration can be found atwww.crofts.ros.gov.uk/register/home.The croft registration number is C6219.
Direct cremation / Burial £1,595Traditional Funeral £2,700
Prices to include Collection anywhere Skye, Lochalsh or Wester Ross
Oak veneer raised lid burial coffinor
Oak veneer flat lid cremation coffinBurial anywhere Skye, Lochalsh or Wester Ross
Cremation in Inverness
Skye’s Only Independent FamilyOwned Funeral Director
PROPOSED ASSIGNATIONOF A CROFT
ALASDAIR MONTGOMERY isapplying to assign the tenancy of thecroft at 2 PENIFILER, PORTREE and2 PENIFILER (APPORTIONMENT)to MARY MONTGOMERY ofFORELAND, STORMYHILL ROAD,PORTREE.
Written comments from those witha relevant interest (which may bemade public) to: CroftingCommission, Leachkin Road,Inverness IV3 8NW,[email protected] by 13/9/19.
PROPOSED ASSIGNATIONOF A CROFT
IAIN MACDONALD is applying toassign the tenancy of the croft at3 SARTLE, STAFFIN to DONALDA(DONNA) WILSON of 10TROTTERNISH AVENUE, STAFFIN.
Written comments from those witha relevant interest (which may bemade public) to: CroftingCommission, Leachkin Road,Inverness IV3 8NW,[email protected] by 13/9/19.
PROPOSED ASSIGNATION OF
A CROFT
ALICE MCINTOSH is applying toassign the tenancy of the croft at 5CREAGORRY, SOUTH UIST toDEREK MICHAEL MCINTOSH of 5CNOC NA MONADH, TORLUM.
Written comments from those with arelevant interest (which may bemade public) to:Crofting Commission, LeachkinRoad, Inverness IV3 8NW,[email protected] by 13/9/19.
BUTEC AND RONA RANGE PROGRAMMEThe BUTEC and RONA Ranges (covering the Inner Sound extended to57°45'N) will be active from: Friday 16th to Friday 23rd August 2019.
SUBMARINE ACTIVITY Nil
SURFACE ACTIVITY Monday 19th to Friday 23rd August 2019
This programme is subject to change at short notice.
A daily update of Range activities will be broadcast from the RangeTerminal Building Applecross at 0800 and 1800 each day.
RTB Applecross listens on VHF Channel 8, 13 and 16 continuously.
Attention is drawn to the BUTEC Byelaws 2016.BREACAIS ARDCOMMON GRAZINGS
AGMFriday 23rd August
at 7.00pmin Breakish Hall
TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING (SCOTLAND) ACT 1997PLANNING (LISTED BUILDING AND CONSERVATION AREAS) (SCOTLAND) ACT 1997
The applications listed below, along with plans and other documents submitted with them, may be examinedonline at http://wam.highland.gov.uk; electronically at the AREA PLANNING AND BUILDING STANDARDSOFFICE, TIGH-NA-SGIRE, PARK LANE, PORTREE, ISLE OF SKYE IV51 9GP; or electronically at your nearestCouncil Service Point. You can find the nearest Service Point via the following linkhttps://www.highland.gov.uk/directory/16/a_to_zWritten comments should be made to the EPC at the contact details below within the time period indicated fromthe date of this notice. Anyone making a representation about this proposal should note that their letter or emailwill be disclosed to any individual or body who requests sight of representations in respect of this proposal.
w w w. h i g h l a n d . g ov. u k
ePlanning Centre, The Highland Council, Glenurquhart Road, INVERNESS IV3 5NXEmail: [email protected]
Reference NumberDevelopment Address
Alternative locations whereapplications may be inspectedand time period for commentsProposal Description
(14 days)Retrospective erection of an artist gallery andretail unit
19/03493/FULResidential AccommodationBroadford HotelBroadfordIsle Of Skye IV49 9AB
(14 days)Site of a residential caravan for staffaccommodation. (retrospective)
19/02997/PIPLand On A87 At CuidreachCuidreachEarlish
(14 days)Erection of dwelling house and 2 car parkingspaces (Plot 2)
PROPOSEDAPPORTIONMENT OF ACOMMON GRAZINGS
COLIN FRASER is applying for anapportionment of part of theMORVICH COMMON GRAZINGSextending to 0.217 ha for the purposeof EXISTING ACCESS ROAD ANDGARDEN GROUND.
Written comments from anyshareholder or owner of the saidcommon grazings (which may bemade public) to:Crofting Commission, LeachkinRoad, Inverness IV3 8NW,[email protected] by13/9/2019.
DEATH
ROSS (Invergordon) – Peacefully inRaigmore Hospital, Inverness on Thursday1st August 2019, Angus Campbell Ross, ofLaura, Seabank Road, Invergordon. Belovedhusband of Katie and the late Renee; muchloved father of Catherine, Shena, Karen,Marie and John; dear stepdad of Morag,Angus and the late Katherine; a lovinggrandad and great-grandad; dear brother ofMary; and loved by all the extended familyand friends. Funeral Service was held inRosskeen Free Church, Achnagarron,Invergordon on Thursday 8th August.Thereafter to Tomnahurich Cemetery. Allenquiries to Alasdair Rhind, FuneralDirectors, Sutherland House, Bank Street,Tain.
IN MEMORIAM
FORBES – In loving memory of my dearmum, Adaliene, who passed away suddenlyon 19th August 2014.
Forever in our thoughts and sadlymissed.
– From Carol, Starsky, Megan and Grant.MACDONALD – In loving memory of mydear parents and our grandparents, Murdoand Kate MacDonald (late of Achachork),died 8th August 1987 and 7th September1985.
Loved and always remembered.– Daughter Mina and grandchildren Kateand Seoras.MACKINNON – In loving memory of mywife, Isobel, who died on 17th August 2017.
Always in my thoughts.– IanMURCHISON – Treasured and preciousmemories of Mhairi, a much lovedgranddaughter, niece and cousin, who died18th August 2009, aged 30 years.
Remembering also loved ones who willlive on in our hearts.
– Granny and all the family.
THANKS
Iris Campbell, Matheson Place, Portree,would like to thank everyone who supportedher Afternoon Teas and Scottish Lochs Quizrecently organised in aid of the BreastCancer Now charity. A total of £450 wasraised and has been donated to the cause.
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE(A866 SANDWICK ROAD) ORDER 2019
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, under section 14 of the Road Traffic RegulationAct 1984, hereby gives Notice of the temporary road closure of theSandwick Road Section of the A866 from a point 70m East of the IslandRoad/Smith Avenue roundabout to a point 250m West of the SeaforthRoad/Mossend Road junction, from 5am on Monday 19th August to 5am onSaturday 24th August 2019.Eastbound traffic shall be diverted at the roundabout along Smith Avenuetowards and along Springfield Road, Anderson Road, onto Mossend Roadand back onto the A866 (Westbound traffic shall take a similar route inreverse). Access shall be available to business premises adjacent to theroad closure. The temporary road closure is required in the interests of safety as a resultof works being carried out by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar to replace a failedculvert located on Sandwick Road. The requirements for closure shall be kept under review and any amend-ments shall be advertised as appropriate. Alternative routes for traffic shallbe signposted. A copy of the Order with a plan showing the roads referredto in the Order will be available on Comhairle nan Eilean Siar’s website:https://www.cne-siar.gov.uk/troip/
Chief ExecutiveComhairle nan Eilean Siar
CROFTING COMMISSIONCOIMISEAN NA CROITEARACHD
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W MacPherson & Mrs L T Campbell4 Eynort, Bracadale984630.128 haReason – Existing croft house site andgarden ground (substituting Direction)
J G Sikorski12 Aiseig, Strath999030.11 haReason –Existing croft house site andgarden ground (substituting Direction)
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Friday 16 August 201922 www.whfp.com
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Ann Annand is the Manager of Budhmor House Older People’s Home in Portree and has been with the service for 40 years. It’s a job she finds both enjoyable and rewarding. She says this is largely due to her dedicated team, who not only do a great job of looking after the home’s residents, but also look out for each other too. Ann describes how everyone goes above and beyond to make each day different and create a homely environment for the residents, including a current project to improve Budhmor’s garden and courtyard areas.
Budhmor House is run by CrossReach, a charitable organisation with over 60 services across Scotland. There are lots of career development opportunities on offer, with a wide range of training courses delivered in the service and online, as well as the chance to gain professional SVQ qualifications. Ann herself originally trained as a nurse before joining the service as a Care Worker. She was then promoted to a Care Team Supervisor and is now proud to be the Manager.
Ann describes Budhmor as very much part of the local community and the service enjoys great support from families and the people of Portree. Residents often attend events in the town including art classes and the local Aros Cinema provides special
dementia screenings of films for some of the residents. A highlight of the last year was when Bollywood Babes came to Budhmor to give the residents lessons – it was a chance for them to learn new dance moves and get dressed up in costumes. An experience Ann describes as being both wonderful to watch and a pleasure to be involved in. When we asked Ann why she thought people loved working at Budhmor House, she didn’t hesitate and replied:
“It’s a job with real satisfaction. You can see the difference you are making to the resident’s lives every day. It’s also a year-round job with sociable working hours and job security.”
It’s all about the people.Service ManagerFull time, £34,257
Care Team Supervisors Nights1 x 3 nights and 1 x 4 nights, £21,049 - £22,384 pro rata
Care Workers Part time, 24 and 30 hours per week, £18,360 - £18,602 pro rata (a salary qualification bar applies)
Night Care Workers1 x 3 nights and 1 x 4 nights, £87.12 - £88.38 per shift (a salary qualification bar applies)
Relief Care WorkersVarious hours as required, £9 per hour
Housekeeping AssistantsPart time, 24 and 30 hours per week, £16,436 pro rata
Relief Housekeeping AssistantVarious hours as required, £8.21 per hour
When you join our close-knit team at Budhmor House you can look forward to a hugely rewarding role where you’ll make a real difference to the people you care for. The home is run by CrossReach, one of the largest care service providers in Scotland and you’ll receive full support and professional training as you develop your career with us. You’ll also enjoy year-round job security in a friendly, welcoming environment. There are a number of roles available with a range of shifts to fit around your lifestyle, and an excellent benefits package including a generous paid holiday allowance and employer contributory pension. So, if you’d like to find out more and apply, please visit www.crossreach.org.uk/careers
Closing date: 1st September 2019.
Some posts are subject to an Occupational Requirement under the Equality Act 2010, while applicants for the other roles must be in sympathy with and supportive of our Christian Ethos. These posts are subject to PVG Membership.
As an Agent for NFU Mutual, one of the UK’s leadinggeneral insurance and financial services companies,I know that the sales staff I employ excel at buildingtrusted, long-term customer relationships. They’remore interested in the face-to-face contact andunderstanding of their customer’s needs, than thecold call and quick sell. It’s because of this approachthat we’ve come to be trusted as a local insuranceadviser by so many who live and work in the area.
But it doesn’t stop there, we’ve identified a wholerange of potential new customers, across diverse newcommercial markets. Now we need an ambitious,friendly person with solid sales experience (doesn’tneed to be insurance specific) to make the most ofall that potential. You’ll introduce NFU Mutual’srespected brand and sell their product range to awhole host of new and exciting businesses in yourarea, offering the first class service our office hasbecome renowned for. An opportunity to work ina close knit team, make a career for yourself andprovide great local service to our clients.
If you like the sound of growing your sales career,email your CV to [email protected] orcall 01478 611936 for more information.
Closing date: 30th August 2019.
Sales Associate£14k - £16k plus Bonus scheme/PensionFull-time | Portree, Isle of Skye
Please note you’ll be employed by an Agent of NFU Mutualand not by NFU Mutual directly.
Are you a highly motivated individual looking to expand yourcareer? We are currently looking for passionate and highlymotivated individuals to make a difference.
Mowi is the world's leading seafood company and the largestproducer of salmon. Every day, our employees in 24 countriesproduce 6.2 million healthy and delicious meals, served tocustomers across the globe.
Mowi covers the whole value and production chain, from feed toplate, and through our vision of leading the “Blue Revolution” weare dedicated to farming the ocean in a responsible and efficientway.
We are currently looking to fill the following vacancies:
• Farm Managers, Cheesebay
• Farm Technicians, Cheesebay
• Farm Technician, East Loch Tarbert
• Farm Technician, Ardintoul
We welcome enquiries from everyone and value diversity in ourworkforce. We are willing to consider flexible workingarrangements and are an Equal Opportunities employer. In returnwe offer an attractive salary, bonus, pension, Occupation HealthSupport and training/development opportunities. To apply forthese vacancies, you must be eligible to work in the UK.
If you wish to apply for any of these vacancies then pleasevisit our website www.mowi.com
ELECTRONIC/MECHANICAL TECHNICIANISLE OF BENBECULAYou’ll be working in a world class Testing and Trials Evaluationenvironment, you will provide engineering and systems support to theRange Trials Control System and site communications infrastructure.
The role will involve the maintenance, repair and operation, of a broadrange of equipment, underpinned by a qualification in and practicalworking knowledge of electrical and electronic equipment.
If you have experience being a Mechanical/Electrical/Electronic Technician,please contact [email protected]
Place a recruitment advert in the West Highland Free Pressand you will also have it listed on www.whfp.com and
on www.hijobs.net?For more details, please contact Lucy on 01471 822464
Before Rocketman, we’ll screen a free photo presentation of work by Paul Glazier, and
before Wild Rose, we’ll screen a free photo presentation of work by Arpita Shah - both
in collaboration with Street Level Photoworks. Book now at www.screenmachine.co.uk.
Tickets also at the cinema 30 mins before screenings - cash only. £7.50 adults/£5.50
concs. Young people aged 16-25 can now book a concessionary ticket. Fully
accessible for wheelchair users.
Dornie Fri 16 - Sat 17 August Lochcarron Mon 19 - Tue 20 AugustGairloch Wed 21 - Thu 22 August
Rory’s Way (12A) 107 mins “oddly charming comedy drama” Time Out 16/08 at 5.30pm, 19/08 at 8.30pm, 22/08 at 5.30pm
Wild Rose (15) 100 mins 16/08 at 8.30pm
Toy Story 4 (U) 100 mins 17/08 at 2pm, 19/08 at 5.30pm, 21/08 at 5.30pm
Woman at War + Slingshot (12A) 100 mins Icelandic with English sub-titlesBlack comedy about an eco-warrier on a dual mission.Before Woman at Warcalled Slingshot. Slingshot
Slingshot is 15 mins in length. There is no extra charge for this. 17/08 at 5pm
Rocketman (15) 121 mins Epic musical fantasy. 17/08 at 8.30pm, 20/08 at 8.30pm, 22/08 at 8.30pm
Final Ascent: The Legend of Hamish MacInnes (U) 100 mins Documentary about the legendary mountaineer. 20/08 at 5.30pm, 22/08 at 2pm
Avengers: Endgame (12A) 181 mins “Prepare to be wowed”
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longrtnanish Hagi
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Scottish and Country concert with
The Brandon McPhee Trioand Eddie RoseAros Centre, Portree
Saturday 31st August at 7.30pmTickets £15
Telephone the box office on 01478 613750or see www.aros.co.uk www.ticketweb.co.uk
Listings forThursday 15 –
Thursday 22 August 2019
Diardaoin 15 An LùnastalThursday 15 August17.00 Prògraman Chloinne I
Children’s programming19.00 Air an Toir (rpt)19.30 Speaking Our Language
(rpt)19.55 Earrann Eachdraidh (rpt)20.00 An Là I News20.30 Dealbhan Fraoich (rpt)21.00 DIY le Donnie (rpt)21.45 ÙR I NEW Dhan Uisge21.50 Ceòl bho Perthshire
Amber (rpt) 22.00 FUNC (rpt)22.30 Slighean Sgoile an t-
Saoghail (rpt)23.20 Fraochy Bay (rpt)23.30 Seòid a’ Chidsin (rpt)
Dihaoine 16 An LùnastalFriday 16 August17.00 Prògraman Chloinne I
Children’s programming18.35 Machair (rpt)19.00 An Là I News
19.25 Fraochy Bay (rpt)19.30 ALBA: 1971 (rpt)
20.00 Togaidh Sinn Fonn (rpt)20.25 Earrann Eachdraidh (rpt)20.30 Dreach Ùr (rpt)21.00 So Here I Am: 100 Years
of Crofting (rpt)21.55 Binneas – Na Trads –
Adam Sutherland (rpt)22.00 ÙR I NEW Black Lake S222.45 Ceòl bho Perthshire
Amber (rpt)23.00 Opry an Luir (rpt)
Disathairne 17 An LùnastalSaturday 17 August16.00 BÈO I LIVE Camanachd
Beò Macaulay Cup Final 18.00 An Là I News18.15 My Life as a Courgette
(rpt)19.20 Ceòl bho Perthshire
Amber (rpt)19.30 Machair (rpt)19.55 Fraochy Bay (rpt)20.00 Alba: 1971 (rpt)20.30 Ceathrar air a’
Diardaoin 22 An LùnastalThursday 22 August17.00 Prògraman Chloinne I
Children’s programming19.00 Air an Toir (rpt)19.30 Speaking Our Language
(rpt)19.55 Earrann Eachdraidh (rpt)20.00 An Là I News20.30 Dealbhan Fraoich (rpt)21.00 DIY le Donnie (rpt)21.45 ÙR I NEW Dhan Uisge21.55 Fraochy Bay (rpt) 22.00 Gaol @ Gael (rpt)22.30 Slighean Sgoile an t-
Saoghail (rpt)23.20 Belladrum 2017: Feeder
(rpt)
PLOCK PROJECT OFFICERHours - 18 hours per week
Salary - £25,000 (£12,500 pro rata) The role is to support the team at Kyle & Lochalsh Community Trust to deliver projects
included in the community’s Masterplan for the Plock of KyleThe post is funded by the Scottish Land Fund until November 2020
Closing date: 1 September 2019Interviews: w/c 2 September 2019
For further details contact our website at www.lochalsh.uk or phone 01599 534505Please send your application letter and CV to [email protected]
The Scottish Land Fund is funded by the Scottish Government and made available through The National LotteryCommunity Fund. The Scottish Land Fund is being delivered on behalf of the Scottish Government by a partnership
between the National Lottery Community Fund and Highlands and Islands Enterprise. There are no lottery funds used in the Scottish Land Fund.
Round and Square BalesNo collection points or road ends
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Good discount on full loadsSandy 07715 377645 Gary 07713 073421
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SHAVINGStop class, best value, large or small flake
HAY & HAYLAGE STRAW timothy, ryegrass or meadow barley, wheat or oat
Experienced supplier to leading estates, farms,
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Specialist equine service to competition & racing yards, riding schools & private stables
DAVID CAMERON07979 81621101360 660323
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OSB x GOS x Saddleback weaners8 weeks old, available now
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Yanmar diesel engineTwin cylinder,water cooled
Galvanised trailer,mast & sail included in
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£2,500 Tel: 0790 172 3114
Clinker launch, 20x6’6”
KYLE TAXI CO.Kyle: 01599 534323
ALAN’S TAXIKYLE
07900 453031Rail, Ferry and Airport Transfers
Friendly, reliable service
W.M.V. MOTOR HIRERTaxis & Minibuses for hirePrivate & Contract Work Welcome
plus WEDDING DAY CARS� SELF DRIVE MINIBUSES �
01870 602307or 603197
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property and building
• property valuation –residential & commercial
• home reports• Energy Performance Certificates• quantity surveying• building surveyingSomerled Square, Portree, Isle of Skye IV51 9EHTel 01478 612659 Email: [email protected] offices at:Invergordon, Inverness & Stornoway
surveying the Highlands & Islands
WANTEDPiece of land to rent for long term placement ofstatic caravan or with caravan already in place
Electricity and water supply nearby helpfulTel: 0738 399 3242
General Orders for the insertion ofadvertisements in West HighlandPublishing Company Ltdpublications are accepted subjectto the following provisions:
1. The West Highland PublishingCompany Ltd (hereinafterreferred to as WHPC Ltd) acceptno liability for any error in theinsertion of or the omission toinsert any advertisement or forany damage or loss of anydrawings, artwork or any othermaterial supplied for thepurpose of an advertisement.
2. We will endeavour to forwardreplies to box numbers to theadvertiser as soon as ispossible. No liability will beaccepted in respect of any lossor damage alleged to arisethrough delay in forwarding anysuch replies, however caused.
3. The WHPC Ltd shall have at theirabsolute discretion the right todecline, omit, suspend, orchange the position or size ofany advertisement accepted forinsertion.
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servicesHOMEOPATH Anne Barany DSH RSHomoffers a confidential consultation in Portreeor at Health Oasis in Broadford. Tel 01470592270 for an appointment.
FOOT HEALTH PROFESSIONAL – LindaRaby, MCFHP, MAFHP, MCSRx, ITEC.Covering Skye and Lochalsh. For yourChiropody, nail reconstruction andReflexology Treatments. 01471 822167/07766 733972.
LOCH DUICH PLANTS, Inverinate. Tel: 01599511407. Website with online orderingwww.flowersbythecastle.co.uk Large rangeof plants including shrubs, alpines and trees.Garden supplies & cut flowers.
Parcels and pallets collection and deliveryAnywhere in UK mainland to the Isle of Skye overnightBefore ordering anything from the southphone us for a collection/delivery price
FREESell yourstuff forAdvertise For Sale items under £250Price of item MUST be included in the item advertised• Private advertisers only •Free ads will only be accepted on a coupon cut out from this paper. • PhotocopiesNOT accepted • Coupons must be correctly completed or they will be deemed invalid • The value of item(s) forsale must not exceed £250 and all items for sale must be priced • This coupon may not be used by tradeadvertisers or for the sale of vehicles/vehicle parts, livestock, guns or pets.
This coupon can be handed into our Broadford office orposted to us at: West Highland Free Press, Pairc nan Craobh,Industrial Estate, Broadford, Isle of Skye, IV49 9AP
FOR SALE
Did you know it’s FREE to advertise yourFOR SALE items? All you have to do iscomplete one of our coupons (You’ll findone somewhere in this paper), limit thenumber of words to the spaces allowed,attach a price for the item(s) and we’llinclude it FREE of charge. Certainrestricions apply and are outlined on thecoupon.
FLYMO EASI GLIDE 300. Used one year. Lessthan half price, very good condition, £40;Yonanas healthy ICE CREAM MAKER withrecipe book, £15. Tel: 01478 640 293.FRIDGE FREEZER 132L x 69L in perfect workingorder, £80 sold as seen. 01470 542360.
WANTED
4x4s and commercial vehicles, old tractorsand diggers, runners, non-runners, farmused or abused, high mileage, MoT failures.Contact Sandy Winchester 07496 404432.
LOTTERY DRAWS
The SKYE CAMANACHD SHINTY LOTTO wasdrawn on Saturday 10 August 2019.Thenumbers drawn were 3, 8 and 16 and therewas one lucky winner from Skeabost Bridgewho scoops £750! The prize fund forSaturday 17th August 2019 is £250.FRIDGEFREEZER 132L x 69L in perfect working order,£80 sold as seen. 01470 542360.
sportspòrs
Friday 16 August 201926 www.whfp.com
t h e 1 9 t h h o l e
NORRIE TMACDONALD
Archie Macaskill clear winner in the August Medal
It’s the feel-good factor that marks the ‘Jackets’
Competitive golf in a variety of formats was played atSconser for six consecutive days recently.
Playing in the Friday evening slot of the weekendcompetition, Archie Macaskill submitted a good nettscore of 61 and many tried but none could beat it in thefollowing two days of the August Medal. Two halves of35 minus nine – and another handicap reduction too.
Three players signed for the next best 64s, one on eachof the three days, with Saturday morning’s Chris Hanleysecuring the runner-up slot courtesy of the better inwardhalf. His two nines were 37 and 36. Third place went toFriday night’s Robert Macaskill with 37 and 39, while onSunday Donnie Macphee’s 39 and 42 saw him narrowlymiss out on the placings.
One can’t help noticing that the scoring is not as sharpas it was a month or so ago – perhaps the luxurious roughis exacting a sterner penalty for those leaving the ‘cut-and-prepared’?
The ladies came out to play on Sunday for the First
Minister’s Quaich, and a steady performance by JillMackinnon saw her pip old adversary Donalda Johnstonfor the silverware on offer. Jill’s two ‘nines’ were steady— in the mid-40s — but Donalda submitted anunusually-volatile return requiring 51 strokes tonavigate the first loop but only 41 to complete hercircuit!
A few old fellas played in the monthly SeniorsStableford competition on Monday morning in whatturned out to be the battle of the club stewards. Playingtogether Dave Webster and George Neill were the majorplayers, with ‘apprentice’ Dave recording a fine pointsreturn of 39 which was just too much for the ‘sorcerer’George (33) on the day. Methinks there could be some‘dirty’ duties required of the underling following thatresult?
Tuesday was ladies’ day again and this time roles werereversed from Sunday when Donalda Johnston hit formbig time to record a brilliant score of 41 points andinstantly remove four ‘units’ from her handicap.
A steady 41 shots were required to navigate the firsthalf of the game but only a miserly 39 biffs were neededto finish the job – great stuff. Playing companion JillMackinnon slumped from her weekend high to finish asrunner-up on this occasion.
On Wednesday, round two of the Dewar Rosebowlproved to be a stamagaster with only one third of thecompetitors who participated in the first roundreappearing on the course to try to add to their scores.
The morning tee slot, normally the preserve of theseptuagenarians, was occupied almost exclusively by theyoungsters on this occasion with Danny Steele the onlynon-teenager to board the first tee! The old boys wereconspicuous by their absence – in fact none of the threeleaders from round one made it to the first tee this timeround.
From first off Danny was to dominate the day as twoloops of 38 (21 points) and 37(23) resulted in a winningand extremely good total of 44. Also playing in theopening slot Archie Macaskill submitted two nines of35(21) and 38(18) for 39 points and runner-up position.Some way off this good pace, and playing in the eveningsession, were Iain Douglas and David Sutherland. Theformer’s twain of 38s for 34 points was a total he sharedwith the competition newcomer who shot 42 and 43 offhis 16 ‘mark’.
Overall, then, Danny’s brilliant 44-point total in roundtwo when added to a rather lacklustre 34 points in roundone secured the coveted trophy by a margin of two pointsfrom Archie Macaskill — 37 and 39 — with Lou Gordon,
although not featuring prominently in round two, doingjust enough overall to secure third place.
This weekend the ladies play their away match withLochcarron while the men will be competing for the two-category Benford Cup.
A REMINDER to the ‘come-and-trys’ that Monday at1pm is the time to pop along to the club if you’re arecovering, lapsed or new golfer looking to get back intothe swing of things in a more relaxed and informalmanner.
RESULTS Men’s Section, Friday 2nd to Sunday 4thAugust, Monthly Medal 1 A Macaskill 70(9) nett 61; 2C Hanley, 73(9) 64 bih; 3 R Macaskill, 76(12) 64 bih; 4D Macphee, 81(17) 64. Monday 5th August, SeniorsStableford 1 D Webster, 39 points; 2 G Neill, 33.Wednesday 7th August, Dewar Rosebowl Round Two1 D Steele, 44 points; 2 A Macaskill, 39; 3 I Douglas, 34bih; 4 D Sutherland, 34. Dewar Rosebowl, aggregate: 1D Steele, 34+44=78 points; 2 A Macaskill, 37+39=76; 3L Gordon, 38+32=70. Women’s Section, Sunday 4thAugust, First Minister’s Quaich 1 J Mackinnon, 91(21)nett 70; 2 D Johnston, 92(19) 73. Tuesday 6th August,Stableford 1 D Johnston, 41; 2 J Mackinnon, 32.
John Marshall
It’s difficult for me to keep onbanging on about the Harris‘Jackets’ Open year in, year out,without conveying a sense ofsome kind of remuneration. I tryto wax a bit lyrical, try to conveythe sense of bonhomie, goodwilland all-round ‘feel good’ thatencompasses the three-day opiumshot to the Harris economy. Butunless you’re a golfer, hotelier,restaurateur, craft shop or galleryowner (and let’s face it, who isn’tthese days?) you mightn’t have aclue what I’m talking about.
The ‘Jackets’ are a phenomenon –
a combination of marketing genius,stunning location and absolute ‘buy-in’ from the local Harris members,the nearby club members fromStornoway, Benbecula, Askernishand Skye and, of course, thewelcome addition of so many lifemembers who travel from the ends ofthe earth, and Aberdeen, just to bethere. It’s on my ‘must play’ listevery year.
No money changes hands, exceptmy entry fee. It could all get a bithigh-falutin’, given the variouscombinations you’ll typically find inthe clubhouse after any of thecompetitions (golfers from ‘elite’home clubs, a bit of disposableincome, folk in holiday mode andfree-flowing Harris gin), yet it neverdoes.
The life members who, like salmon,must make the journey every year, fallsquarely into the same category as therest of us. Besotted disciples. Theybook their accommodation, faithfully,a year in advance (on a ‘rolling’contract, most of them) – bedspace inScarista being at a premium in August.They never, ever, look at the weatherforecast prior to setting off. They bringtheir enthusiasm, golfing talent andtheir wallets on tour. Never forgetthe importance of their regularcontributions to the Saturday post-competition auction.
But it’s not all about the ‘lifers’. TheSgitheanaich and the Uibhistaich, theLeodhasaich and even folk from Scarpall manage to intermingle and relaxtogether over a dram, talk a refreshingbrand of international bollocks andsimply enjoy. The ‘wee club’ has that
effect. Their members are the ‘glue’.They do all the organising, thespadework, the thinking.
Since its inception, it’s been a caseof letting it happen. It did, itcontinues to do so, and will endure.‘If you build it, they will come’. Wellhere it is. If you’ve read about it inthis paper or elsewhere, are a golferof any ambition, then you have noexcuse for not wanting to be a part ofit.
The ‘jacket’, should you be luckyenough to win one, is attractionenough. Now I’m not ever going tooutright deny the existence of anydeity in this column (have I done soin the past? – can’t remember); but ifthere is a God and he does control theweather, then he/she obviouslyhasn’t heard of the Harris Open.They don’t play golf in Harris on aSunday and, more importantly(?),have no aspirations to do so. Theland they play on was bought off thechurch.
So why, so often, the awfulweather? Surely if folk deserve to besmitten it’s the heathens up north? Itgets contrary.
Thursday’s Texas Scramble wasplayed in glorious sunshine. Thecourse was in magnificent condition;for many it was their first sighting ofthe ‘new’ layout. It was met withuniversal approval and admiration.Many might have commented: “it’sobvious, why didn’t we think of itbefore?” But, as with apples fallingoff trees and bathwater rising, forcenturies people simply shruggedtheir shoulders and took what ‘was’for granted.
Now I’m not going to suggest fora minute that James Dunne iscomparable to either Newton orArchimedes. Like Martin Ebert, whorefurbished Askernish for a fiver, ittakes a certain kind of vision to lookat terrain and think ‘I wonder if wedid this…’. More of Askernish soon.
Having captained last year’swinning team in the Scramble, I wasfull of high hopes. We didn’t play toobadly, but managed just a singlebirdie and eight pars (it’s played overjust a single loop of the course). Thatwe finished stone last was a hugesurprise, nay disappointment. That isuntil we were presented with our‘wooden spoon’ prizes.
Beautifully enhanced by the craft ofWillie Fulton, they were a thing ofbeauty and now joy. The winnersbegan to regard their hats as somewhat‘secondary’ by comparison. Ourspoons had attracted envious eyes andintent. You remember ‘Indiana Jonesand the Raiders of the Lost Ark’?Well, it wasn’t quite like that. Nextyear, the victors may get woodenspoons.
The winners on the day with abrilliant seven-under-par 27(21)were the team captained by thecaptain. Kenny ‘Kuna’ Morrison wasabout to have a very good weekindeed.
Friday morning saw the lifemembers’ competition competed forin what can best be described as‘challenging’ conditions. Quite howFrancis Clark (Royal Aberdeen)managed to shoot a gross 74 to winthe scratch title (yet again) is amystery to us mere mortals.
Francis knows the course and is aproper golfer, but that’s only part ofit. It takes a huge degree of resilienceto battle against the elements,especially in a pair of glasses. Thathe only had one double-bogey waspartly the reason behind his win;throw in a couple of birdies and itbecomes immaterial. A fantasticeffort.
Not far behind was Ali Robertson76(64) who took the handicap title.He had two doubles and a treble-bogey, partially offset by threebirdies, but no less a splendid effort.
Perennial favourite and oft winnerof the ladies’ competition wasMaureen Robertson (Dalmahoy).Her 86 finished three shots ahead ofAileen Churchill (no relation) ofChatsworth.
In the handicap section, JMillington (USA) took the honourswith a fine 93(67).
For those competing in the ‘open’proper on Friday, it was an afternoonto forget. It wasn’t pretty, it wasn’tfun and it certainly wasn’t conduciveto good scoring.
Saturday saw conditions improveslightly. The tent was still standingand I got my scallops. It was goingto be tough.
Chris Mather (Dumfries andCounty) shot an excellent 70 to winby just a shot from David Harris(Cruden Bay). David had theconsolation of taking the handicapprize 71(64). This gifted DavidBlack (74) the runner-up quaich inthe scratch. Chris managed to keepthe card neat and tidy, recordingthree birdies (twice at the new fifth)and at the first (second time round)and dropping just five shots.
Kenny ‘Kuna’ Morrison won theArchie MacLeod Trophy for homeplayers with his fine 76(66). He waskicking himself after an eight on hislast hole which denied him his first-ever jacket. Domhnall AngieMorrison finished runner-up, withJohn Archie MacLeod third.
In the ladies’ section, MargaretWood won the scratch competitionwith an outstanding 83. MaureenRobertson of Dalmahoy, 89(70),took the handicap prize.
All in all, a fantastic tournament.Looking forward to next year already.
BUT FIRST, Askernish. No, not thisweek, but soon. Their open is on the24th/25th/26th of August, but youget my drift.
Back at the helm (there’s only onecomputer in South Uist), ColinRussell sends us this update.
Back to competitive golf lastSunday with the August Medal.Although it was a fine day with whatis usually a favorable north wind,scoring was on the high side. Thereisn’t much margin for error (bewarned: if you’re coming for theopen bring lots of balls!) out therejust now. Just 75 per cent of cardswere returned; some of them only bysheer bloody mindedness.
The winner, with a score of nett 76,was Steve Montgomery. The clincherwas an excellent birdie four at thelast which was playing into a headwind. Well played Steve.
Runner-up by virtue of countbackwas Ron MacKinnon, and in thirdplace was George Murray.
Result: 1st Steve Montgomery, 76;2nd Ron MacKinnon, 76; 3rd GeorgeMurray, 81.
DOWN AT BENBECULA, freshfrom his exertions at Scarista onSaturday, Len Wilson sends us this:
Order of merit, week 15. While DJ‘Dami’ Steele still sits at the topoverall on 91 points, Shaun Brennanis doing his best to close the gap.With nine points to recover, it may belike swimming upstream, but he didmanage another win this week withhis 36 points Stableford total. He wasclosely followed by Ian MacRury on35.
At the weekend it was across thewater for the Harris Open, always anouting to look forward to. Don MMackay was hoping to ‘double up’after last year’s performance.However, having perfected thedreaded “shank” during the season,he was not hopeful. Just as well as heNRd. The rest of us were not muchbetter, although apart from beingrather drookit we did enjoy thechanges made to the course. Welldone to James and all who wereinvolved.
Sunday was the August Stablefordand, despite consoling themselvesafter the Harris trip by keeping theirspirits ‘high’, Shaun Brennan wasonce again in the lead with 36 pointsand DJ Steele second with 32.
UP AT STORNOWAY, Dan Crossleywon the midweek Centenary MedalStableford with 39 points from afield of 40 players.
On Saturday, fewer than a handfulplayed in the three-club challenge.Given it would have taken a driverand a three wood to get to most of thepar-fours, the bulk of themembership didn’t really fancy theirchances (or had gone to Harris) withjust a putter as a sand wedge.
West Highland shooter JohnMacDonald won the Scottish OpenOlympic trap championship for aremarkable seventh time at the NorthAyrshire Shooting Ground recently.
The Moidart man was just 10years old when he first broke 100‘down the line’ targets, and he wenton to become the Scottish DTLchampion at 14.
At the age of 27 he moved on tothe elite formula one of trapshooting – Olympic trap. John hascompeted on the world stage forGreat Britain at world cups andworld and European championshipsand has represented Scotland at twoCommonwealth Games events inIndia and Glasgow.
In 2010 John achieved the title ofBritish, English and Scottish OpenChampion.
However, around the same time,John — who is the son of legendaryaccordionist Fergie MacDonald —was almost unable to walk due toLyme disease. After suffering so
much he fought his way back tophysical fitness, stalking the westHighland mountains and returningrecently to competitive shooting.
John and his wife Emma run arestaurant and accommodationbusiness at Mingarry, while he alsoowns the firms West HighlandVension and Deer Hunting Scotland.
The second week of the annual Plockton Regattabegan on 5th August with the weather still mainlydry with light winds.
In the afternoon four boats sailed in the ladies’centreboards race for the Auchwurin Rose Bowl.First was Imogen Smith (Pampero) from Sheffield,with Lauren Glasgow (Fantas) second andCatherine Smith (Bempton) third.
The third local boat race for the PlocktonTrophy, scheduled for the evening, was cancelleddue to calm winds. However the fourthcentreboard race for the Ulluva Cup and the firstfor the Sgeir Bhuide Cup was completed. Therewere 10 starters, and the winning line-up wasdominated by the Smith brothers – first was JamesSmith, with Robin second and Peter third.
On Tuesday winds were again very light, and inthe race for the Ex-Commodore’s Tray only oneboat completed the course inside the 2.5-hour timelimit – so David Hay’s Coruisk was the winner.The fifth race for the Ulluva Cup, which was alsothe second event in the Sgeir Bhuidhe Cup, wascompleted and resulted: 1st Robin Smith, 2ndDonnie Gillies, 3rd James Smith.
Also up for grabs on Tuesday was the FossilTrophy for Toppers which sadly attracted just twoentrants, who ran three races. The winner wasAlistair Stewart on four points with Robbie Bairdon five.
On Wednesday afternoon the third race for thePlockton Trophy was held with more wind thanover the previous 10 days. Nine boats took part,
and the top placings were as follows: 1stAlexander MacKenzie (Seaforth), 2nd MichaelHay (Nan), 3rd David Hay (Coruisk), 4th JuliaMacKenzie (Taeping).
The fourth and final race for the PlocktonTrophy on Wednesday evening had nine starters.First was Alexander MacKenzie (Seaforth) whofinished four seconds ahead of David Hay(Coruisk), with Aonghais Rowe (Spindrift) in thirdplace and Neil MacRae (Rona) fourth.
As a result, Ian Hay (Seolta) lifted the trophywith seven points – the Seolta first won thePlockton Trophy 69 years ago. Second overall wasIan’s son, David Hay (Coruisk), who also hadseven points. Ian’s two first-place results earnedhim the trophy, while David picked up the FredAllen Galleon. And in third place overall wasAlexander MacKenzie (Seaforth) with eightpoints.
On Wednesday evening the sixth race for theUlluva Cup and the third for the Sgeir BhuidheCup for centreboards took place, with eight boatsracing. The Smiths were again to the fore withJames taking first place, Peter second and Imogen(no relation) third. As a result James won theUlluva Cup with six points; second with 13 pointswas brother Robin and third was Imogen Smithwith 19 points. The Sgeir Bhuidhe Cup also wentto James with six points, second was Robin Smithon eight points and third was brother Peter with11.
So, for the second year in a row, James won allfour centreboard trophies.
The Johnnie Ruari race for youths, which waspostponed the previous week, was held onThursday evening with three ladies between theages of 16 and 30 entered. The winner was Becky
Sweeney (Shamal) from Easter Ross, whileImogen Smith (Coruisk) was second and third wasJulia MacKenzie (Taeping) from Edinburgh.
Also on Thursday all 19 boats raced together forthe RNLI Burgee as piper Ellie Pearson played ona lovely but calm evening. First was Peter Smith,who recently celebrated his 70th birthday, withAlastair Hendry second in Aquila and Robin Smith(Searanger) third.
The weather changed on Friday with a strongeast wind and rain, and as a result the fishingcompetition was called off.
In the evening Plockton Hall was full for theregatta concert. Chairman was Calum MacKenzie,and Commodore Kevin Baird thanked everyonewho had made the fortnight a success – especiallysecretary Neil MacRae, timekeeper Sarah Bruceand the rescue boat crews (Charlie G MacRae,after 35 years on the rescue boats, has decided toretire). The Commodore’s wife, Julie Baird,presented the trophies.
The Commodore also announced that AlexanderMacKenzie (Seaforth) had been awarded theStarminx Starters Cup while the Junior EndeavourTrophy went to Eilidh Loudon. Kenneth MacRaeand Annan Dryburgh won the Dolan Mackenzierowing trophy – this meant that Kenneth MacRaebecame the first person in the history of the clubto win a trophy seven years in a row.
On Saturday the children’s Ragamuffin Racewas held in very calm and cloudy conditions, amarked contrast to the day before. The winner wasChloe Mclaughlin (Taeping), with Kai Gillies(Searanger) second and Calum Hay (Nan) third.
The regatta fortnight ended with the traditionaldancing in the street on a cloudy but dry day.
Ewan Crawford of StornowayRunning and Athletics Club camehome more than 14 minutes ahead ofhis nearest competitor last Saturdayto win the 2019 Marathon Hebridesin two hours, 53 minutes and sixseconds.
A total of 164 competitorscompleted the course which covered26.2 miles of the Harris coastline –starting from the A859 south ofRodel and finishing on the Seilebostmachair. The event was sponsored byLewis Wind Power.
Crawford’s closest rival was Fife-based runner Neil Smith who finishedwell ahead of third-placed LorneCrawford. Smith, who was competingfor the Anstruther club AnsterHaddies, crossed the line in 3:07:44,while Lorne Crawford came home in3:19:06 to complete the top three.
Aside from Ewan Crawford’ssuccess, SRAC were represented inthe top 10 through the performancesof club members Norman Ferguson(3:20:27) and Mark Maciver(3:28:34) who finished in fourth andfifth places respectively.
Inverness Harriers runner AmyHudson secured the title of fastestlady and powered her way to a sixth-place finish overall with a run of3:32:42. Meanwhile, Gillian Carr ofCorstorphine (3:36:24) was secondlady home and finished ninth overall.Susan Johnston marked a good day
for the Edinburgh-based club as shecompleted the ladies’ top three witha time of 3:43:28, claiming 14thplace overall.
Skye and Lochalsh Running andAthletics Club member Sam Crowefinished just shy of a top 50 finish byless than a minute, with a time of4:21:24. Anne Harley, owner of theUig Hotel in Skye, is just in hersecond year of running and finishedwhat was her first marathon in4:36:47.
For the full list of results, visit theMarathon Hebrides Facebook page.THE TOP TWENTY 1 EwanCrawford (Stornoway Running andAthletics Club), 2:53:06; 2 NeilSmith (Anster Haddies), 3:07:56; 3Lorne Crawford, 3:19:06; 4 NormanFerguson (SRAC) 3:20:27; 5 MarkMaciver (SRAC), 3:28:34; 6 AmyHudson (Inverness Harriers),3:32:42; 7 Dean Carr (Corstorphine),3:32:58; 8 Graeme Reid, 3:34:03; 9Gillian Carr, 3:36:24; 10 KennethRobertson, 3:36:54; 11 JamesMillington (Burntwood TriathlonClub), 3:39:10; 12 Scott MacRury(SRAC), 3:39:46; 13 Stuart Clark,3:43:12; 14 Susan Johnstone(Corstorphine AAC), 3:43:28; 15Michael Watson, 3:43:56; 16 AdamHolloway (Fell RunnersAssociation), 3:43:56; 17 SimonHassett (100 Marathon Club),3:45:12; 18 Gerry Wheeler, 3:45:23;19 Craig Torgersen, 3:45:32; 20Richard Sievwright, 3:47:36.
The 2019 Quiraing 10k takes placethis Saturday, with the number ofrunners set to take part already up onthe 38-strong field in last year’s race.
Last year, Hugh Campbell burstacross the line in Uig to claim victoryand set a new course record with atime of 30 minutes and 14 seconds.
Campbell knocked 46 seconds offthe previous record of 32:00 set byPaul Arcari. Although the route istechnically downhill, Campbell’stime was also the fourth fastest 10kcovered by a Scottish runner on roadin 2018.
Dean MacLeod put in a strongperformance to take the runners-upspot with a time of 35:49, ahead ofMatt Deamer (38:15) who finished inthe top three for a second successiveyear. Sarah Jamieson overcame thechallenge of Vicki Dunkel and ClaraConnell to finish as the fastest ladyin an impressive time of 45:14. VickiDunkel came home 12 secondsbehind Jamieson in 45:26, whileClara Connell crossed the line in45:54.
As we went to press 42competitors had registered toparticipate in this year’s event whichstarts at one of the island’s mostrenowned scenic locations, theQuiraing, and finishes on thefootball pitch next to Uig VillageHall.
For more information visit theQuiraing 10k Facebook page.
All still to play forin Uist’s new-lookBilly McNeill Cup
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Friday 16 August 201928 www.whfp.com
LEWIS AND HARRIS LEAGUE
Point and Westside in two-horse title raceThe league title race in Lewis andHarris is now a two-horse race, withWestside and Point ten points clear ofthird-placed sides Carloway and Backafter the latest series of matches.
Last Friday Westside led Athleticby a solitary Gordon Campbell goalat the interval, but in the second halfthey blew away their hosts as theyrattled in eight more goals to run out9-1 winners.
Ali ‘Barvas’ Macleod, ScottGraham and Alex John Morrison allnetted doubles with Luke Mackay andDan Macphail also on the scoresheetwhile Jason Guilmartin got theconsolation goal for Athletic.
On the same night reigningchampions Point shipped twoprecious points at home to Carloway
when a goal by Rob Jones just afterthe hour mark cancelled out Andrew‘Tago’ Maciver’s opener for thevisitors, who had to play the last tenminutes with only ten men after ‘DI’Maclennan received his marchingorders for a second bookable offence.
On Monday evening Point wereawarded a 3-0 win when Nessforfeited the points as they wereunable to raise a team. This followedon from Friday evening when Unitedinflicted more misery on Ness atFivepenny as a Hamish Macdonaldbrace and strikes from AndrewMackay and Chris Adams wereenough to gun down the Niseachswho could only muster a single InnesSmith goal.
Any lingering hopes Back had ofchallenging for the title were probablyextinguished at a wet and windy RallyPark when Harris triumphed by fourgoals to one. Finlay Macsween’spowerful drive into the top corner, andKieran Mulhearn getting a touch to
Malky Campbell’s corner, put theHearachs two up before LouieMacdonald reduced the deficit justbefore the break.
Back keeper Cailean Linklater sawred midway through the secondperiod for deliberate hand ball outsidethe box and, to rub salt in the Backwounds, Hugh Morrison convertedthe resultant free kick to make it 3-1.James Maclean added a fourth goallate in the match to wrap up thepoints.
The Harris bandwagon rolled on inTarbert on Monday evening whenAthletic were the visitors. ChrisThomson gave the home side an earlylead before Athletic had keeper ReeceMontgomery sent off for a latechallenge on a Harris striker.
Sean ‘Bayble’ Macleod took overin goal for the visitors but there waslittle he could do to prevent Harrisextending their lead when MartinLightbody fired home from distancebefore the break. Athletic’s woes
continued after the interval whenLewis ‘Preston’ Robinson wasordered off for a second bookableoffence.
Darren Macdonald made it 3-0 tothe home side before another red cardfor Darren Stewart reduced theStornoway side to eight players. Thenumerical advantage was apparent inthe closing stages as FinlayMacsween helped himself to a doubleto complete a 5-0 scoreline.
Harris have now won six of theirlast seven matches and this was thefirst time they had kept a clean sheetsince May 2011 – a run of 110 games!
Carloway kept their challenge forthird place going with a 2-0 win athome over Lochs, thanks to latestrikes from Archie Macdonald andFraser Macleod.
But Back are hot on their tails afterbeating United 4-1 at Goathill Park onthe same night.
Louie Macdonald converted apenalty late in the first period to give
Back the lead but another spot kickfrom Kyle Munro had United level athalf time. Macdonald restored thelead for the Blues early in the secondhalf and Euan Anderson extended theadvantage when he slid home JoelMartin’s cutback 13 minutes fromtime.
United thought they had reducedthe deficit when Paul Marshallbundled a cross from the right pastColin Macritchie, but the ref deemedit to be a hand ball and issued asecond yellow to Marshall – it seemeda harsh decision.
Any hopes of a United comebackwere dashed when Anderson grabbedhis second of the night with minutesremaining.
Back are now level with Carlowayin the chase for third place – each has20 points but Back have a game inhand.
On Tuesday morning, this is howthe league table looked:
RESULTS Lewis and Harris LeagueAthletic 1, Westside 9; Harris 4, Back 1;Ness 1, United 4; Point 1, Carloway 1;Carloway 2, Lochs 0; Harris 5, Athletic 0;Point v Ness (Point awarded 3-0 win asNess forfeited the match); United 1, Back4.
FIXTURES (all kick-offs 6.30pm unlessotherwise stated) Friday 16th August,League Back v Ness. Saturday 17thAugust, Co-op Cup Semi-Finals Westsidev Lochs (3pm); Athletic v Point 6.30pm).Monday 19th August, Moldova LewisCup Semi-Finals Harris v Westside; Pointv United.
The opening round of fixtures in thisyear’s revamped Billy McNeill Cupcompetition were played in Uist lastweekend.
In group one, North Uist Unitedfailed to capitalise after taking anearly two-goal lead over Eriskay atPaible on Friday evening.
Angie Macdougall and Fraser‘Kyles’ Macdonald had Unitedahead, but Eriskay levelled throughDom Macaulay and Thomas Steele.Further goals in a pulsating first halffrom Peter Shaw for North Uist andanother strike from Dom Macaulaysaw the teams go off for the half-timebreak level on 3-3.
The second half continued in the
same vein, with the game flowingfrom end to end. Scott Mackay gaveUnited a 4-3 lead on the hour markonly for Matthew Macdonald to firehome a superb equaliser for thevisitors. Eriskay then went 5-4 infront when Dom Macaulaycompleted his hat-trick. And withNorth Uist pushing forward theEriskay striker broke clear to make itfour on the night for himself and sixfor his side.
North Uist did find the net in theclosing minutes, courtesy of an own-goal from an Eriskay defender, but itproved to be just consolation as thefinal whistle sounded with Eriskayrunning out 6-5 winners.
Southend could rue missing thechance of getting all three points intheir home match against Barra ingroup two on Saturday, after apromising start in which they took thelead inside the first two minutes.Eddie Fitzgibbon drilled in a shotwhich the Barra keeper could onlyparry, and Innes Macdonald smackedhome the rebound.
The windy conditions at Daliburghmade the game a bit of a slog withover-hit passes and long balls fromthe Barra defence being easily dealtwith by the Southend rearguard.James Davidson had the best chanceof the half for Barra but his shot onthe angle hit the side netting.
Southend were reduced to 10 menbefore half time when Roddy PaulMacphee was shown a red card for alast-man challenge on Sean McNeilas the striker raced through on goal.
The second half was more of thesame, but the game sprang to lifewith 10 minutes remaining. Daniel‘Bhan’ Macdonald cut inside fromthe left wing and drilled a shotgoalwards only to see the ball comeback off the post. Barra then racedupfield and from a cross SeanMcNeil provided a fine finish tosquare the match.
Southend almost took all threepoints, but Shaun ‘Tottie’MacCormick saw his 25-yard freekick come back off the woodwork.
RESULTS Billy McNeill Cup, Group OneNorth Uist United 5, Eriskay 6. Group TwoSouthend 1, Barra 1.
FIXTURES Saturday 17th August, GroupOne Eriskay v Benbecula. Group TwoBarra v Iochdar Saints.
GLASGOW COLLEGES FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION
Glasgow Island, a team formed by Hebridean exiles who play in theGlasgow Colleges Football Association Premier Division, kickedoff their league campaign in Beith, as newly-promoted Royal Unionprovided the opposition last Saturday.
It was the perfect start for the islanders, with ‘Super’ AliMacdonald from Eriskay dancing through the United defence in thefirst minute and dinking the ball over the keeper for the openinggoal. With six minutes on the clock the referee awarded Union apenalty, which was duly slotted home for the equaliser.
Ayrshire is a hotbed for junior football, where the adage of “ifyou can’t get the ball, get the man” is oft heard. And there wereshades of Claudio Caniggia against Cameroon in 1990 as Harris’sMark Morrison slalomed through two bad tackles before being felledby a challenge so agricultural it could have been presented at theLochs Show last week.
The only prize the Union defender received was an early bath,the referee dispatching him with ruthless efficiency. All this andbarely 10 minutes gone in the match.
On the half-hour mark Glasow Island made their extra man count,left back Mark McGee (Stornoway) beating three players beforecurling a delicious ball to the far post where Dylan Sanderson slottedhome.
Glasgow Island continued to press after the break, the Unitedkeeper denying Dylan Sanderson with two fine saves before asensational breakaway move saw Sanderson’s brother Darren squarefor the marauding David Ballingal to score and put them 3-1 up.
Stornoway’s Steven Dunn, one of three brothers on the books ofGlasgow Island, is always a goal threat. He grabbed number four,smashing home like Trezeguez in the final of Euro 2000. The scoringwas rounded off by ‘Super’ Ali with a 20-yard strike so sweet itshould have come with a government health warning.
Glasgow Island manager Murdo John Graham (Borve) wouldhave been delighted by the performance of his team, who ran outcomfortable 5-1 winners.
Donnie ‘Maroot’ MacLeod
Glasgow Island off to perfect start
Action from last Saturday’s match
SKYE AND LOCHALSH LEAGUE
North West boost hopes of top three finish
Top two maintain race for the championship
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The top two in the William WilsonSkye and Lochalsh League showedno let-up in their battle for the title asthey both recorded emphatic winslast weekend. Sleat put Glenelg tothe sword with a 13-1 victory, butMallaig hit eight past Kyle to restoretheir three-point advantage at the topof the table.
The weekend’s action began onFriday evening with Sleatwelcoming Glenelg to Broadford.
The game was the second encounterbetween the sides in the league thisseason, with the previous match inMay having ended with aresounding 12-0 win for Sleatacross the water in Glenelg.
Unfortunately for the ‘Glen’ itwas to be a similarly chasteningexperience for them in Broadford,as the home team were once againat full throttle as they hit doublefigures to move level on points withleague leaders Mallaig.
Sleat established a commanding3-0 lead within 17 minutes thanks toBen Yoxon, Ruaraidh ‘Spod’MacLeod and Corrin Simpson.However, having scored 70 goals in
their 11 previous matches, there wasno chance of the hosts taking theirfoot off the gas, and they went on toscore four more before the break.Alex Tully struck his side’s fourthin the 19th minute before ‘Spod’MacLeod scored a double tocomplete his hat-trick and RyanO’Halloran added a seventh – hisfirst goal of the season.
In the second half the south Skyeside picked up where they left offand Corrin Simpson scored hissecond of the match. AlthoughKieran Harvey’s strike from 35yards pulled a goal back forGlenelg, it proved to be just a briefreprieve as the title contenders went
on to score a further four times.Lachlan Macinnes and CameronMorrison added their names to thescoresheet, and Ruaridh Mckenziegrabbed a brace to complete thescoring.
Over in Mallaig on Saturday, theleague leaders hosted bottom-of-the-table Kyle. It would prove to beanother long afternoon for theLochalsh side as Mallaig recordedtheir second-biggest win of theleague campaign to restore theiradvantage over title rivals Sleat.
David Currie opened the scoringwith a volley from an AndrewSneddon cross, and RyanMacDonald added a second with a
low finish following a through ballfrom Brett Macmillan. The homeside went in 3-0 up at the breakthanks to Sneddon’s low drive fromthe edge of the box.
Sneddon got on the end of aMacmillan cross to score his secondof the match with a tap-in at the backpost, and Gordy Jamieson netted afifth for the hosts with a powerfulfinish from a Ryan MacDonald pass.Aaron MacLean turned the ball homethanks to an Andy Cunningham assistbefore Cunningham scored Mallaig’sseventh with a superb diving header.
Mallaig saved the best until last,however. Young striker TomBenfield capped off a dominant
performance by the home side withan excellent solo effort in which heflicked the ball over his markerbefore firing the ball into thebottom-left corner to make the finalscore 8-0.
The victory means Mallaigmaintain their three-point lead overSleat with four games remaining.The reigning champions playGlenelg once and Kyleakin twicebefore what could be a showdownfor the title with Sleat on Saturday7th September. Sleat, meanwhile,also face Kyleakin and have twomatches to play against GA Unitedbefore they host the Blues on thefinal day of the campaign.
North West Skye boosted theirprospects of finishing in the top threewith a 5-3 away win over local rivalsPortree on Saturday.
Graham Campbell’s North Westteam recovered from a 2-1 deficit andthe dismissal of defender John Gilliesto fight back and move to within apoint of third-placed Kyleakin.
The match started positively for thevisitors with Ben Nicolson scoring hisfirst goal of the season to put NorthWest ahead after 15 minutes.
However, they found themselvesbehind at the break courtesy of aquickfire double by former LightBlues striker Iain MacCusbic. JohnGillies miscontrolled a pass near theedge of his own box which presentedPortree with an opportunity to runclean through on goal, and in anattempt to recover Gillies concededa penalty which was converted byMacCusbic. Shortly afterwards,MacCusbic grabbed a second goal toput Portree in front at the interval.
The home team’s chances ofcausing an upset were strengthenedjust three minutes into the secondhalf thanks to Ovidiu Bercea, whoselong-range effort crept past EwanGillies to put the Maroons 3-1 up.
Alex MacDonald led the fightbackfor the visitors and reduced thedeficit with a 20-yard strike from afree kick. Ten minutes later theydrew level thanks to captain IainBeaton, who headed home at theback post.
Having displayed their ability tocome back against the odds in theirrecent 4-4 draw against Sleat in theRoss Cup — though they eventuallylost on penalties — North West’s
resolve was once again rewarded asthey went on to take the lead throughGus MacDonald following a moveinvolving Chris McNab and RobbieCameron.
McNab then turned from providerto scorer with what was his first goalfor the club, to seal a 5-3 victory andenhance his side’s hopes of a topthree finish.
IN WESTER ROSS on the same day,Gairloch/Aultbea United put on aclinical attacking display to thrashPortree Juniors 8-3 in a match playedin severe rain and wind.
The islanders were forced intoplaying manager Phil McCaherty ingoal, with all four of the recognisedgoalkeepers at the club unavailablefor the fixture.
United, who were aiming tosecure their fifth league win of thecampaign, stormed into a 2-0 leadthanks to goals from Roddy ‘Doey’MacLennan and David ‘Pablo’MacGregor.
Juniors had an opportunity tohalve the home side’s advantagefrom the spot. But United had theirown player-manager in goal, andAlan ‘The Caveman’ Elder guessedcorrectly to block Andrew Holt’spenalty kick.
Last year’s Clan Donald Cupfinalists made the visitors pay forthat moment of profligacy, as ‘Pablo’MacGregor went on to score theirthird of the match straight afterElder’s heroics.
Juniors did manage to strike backthrough John ‘Woody’ Mackenzie toreduce the home side’s lead to twobefore the break.
Andrew Holt scored a second forhis side to make amends for hisearlier penalty miss, but United hitback with three more – ‘Doey’MacLennan struck his second and‘Pablo’ MacGregor grabbed a furthertwo to take his tally to four and putthe game out of sight as a contest.
Cameron MacDonald scored hisfirst goal for Juniors to make it 6-3,but Elder’s side weren’t finished as
they went on to add two more.Hector MacLennan made it 7-3before ‘Doey’ MacLennancompleted his hat-trick asGairloch/Aultbea recorded theirsecond-biggest win of the season andopened a five-point gap over Juniorsin the league table.
ON TUESDAY of last week,meanwhile, Kyleakin saw off localrivals Kyle in a 5-3 win at Douglas
RESULTS William Wilson Skye and Lochalsh League, Tuesday 6th August Kyle 3,Kyleakin 5. Friday 9th August Sleat 13, Glenelg 1. Saturday 10th August GA United 8,Juniors 3; Mallaig 8, Kyle 0; Portree 3, NW Skye 5.
FIXTURES Saturday 17th August, Ross Cup Final Sleat v Kyleakin (4.30pm, Broadford).William Wilson Skye and Lochalsh League Glenelg v Portree (6pm). Wednesday 21stAugust, League Kyleakin v Mallaig; Sleat v GA United (both 6.45pm); Juniors v Portree(7.30pm).
Park which maintains their chancesof a top three finish in the league.
The Reds are currently a point
ahead of North West Skye but haveplayed two games fewer than theirisland counterparts.
Kingussie legend Thain stillhas that scorer’s instinct
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NORTH DIVISION ONE
Kingussie legend Kevin Thain strucka hat-trick to condemn Kinlochshiel’ssecond team to a 3-1 defeat at Reraigon Saturday.
All the goals came in the first half,with Thain — who was winningCamanachd Cup medals more than30 years ago — putting the visitorsahead on 22 minutes.
The veteran attacker doubledKingussie’s advantage in the 30thminute, and while Lewis MacVicarpulled a goal back soon after Thaincompleted his hat-trick five minutesbefore the break.
Kingussie sit eighth, with Shiel10th, in the 11-team league. Shielhave five games still to play.
Meanwhile, Glengarry moved astep closer to the league title with a2-0 win against Skye’s second teamin Portree.
The victory keeps Glengarry fourpoints clear at the summit, thoughthey were made to work hard fortheir victory against a Skye sidewhich enjoyed little luck in front ofgoal.
Skye keeper Murphy Hendersonmade a fine save to deny RaymondRobertson an early opener, but theexperienced front man eventuallymade the breakthrough – he firedhome his 11th goal of the seasonafter being set up by the evergreen
former Scotland international Steven‘Deedee’ Cameron.
Garry were missing top scorerNick Dalgety, but Finlay Nicolsonadded a second before half time toput the visitors in command.
Skye rallied in the second periodbut couldn’t find a way past GordonMacDonald in the Glengarry goal,despite the best efforts of DanielMorrison, Sam MacPhee andCaitlin MacLean who all wentclose.
RESULTS Saturday 10th August, TullochHomes Camanachd Cup Semi Final KylesAthletic 0, Oban Camanachd 3. StrathdearnCup Semi Final Newtonmore 2,Glenurquhart 1; Fort William 7, Kilmallie 0.Mowi Premiership Kilmallie 1, Caberfeidh2; Kingussie v Kinlochshiel (postponed,unplayable pitch); Inveraray 2, Lovat 2;Newtonmore 5, Lochaber 1. Mowi NationalDivision Beauly 1, Skye 2; Fort William 7,Glenurquhart 1; Glasgow Mid Argyll 4, ObanCeltic 0. Mowi North Division I Inverness 4,Aberdeen University 0; Kinlochshiel 1,Kingussie 3; Skye 0, Glengarry 2; Lovat 4,Caberfeidh 2. Mowi South Division IAberdour 2, Col Glen 0; Glasgow Mid ArgyllV Kyles Athletic (postponed); LochsideRovers 4, Ballachulish 0; Tayforth 3,Inveraray 3. Mowi North Division IILochcarron v Strathspey (postponed).Mowi South Division II Ardnamurchan 0,Kilmory 8; Glenorchy 10, Bute 0.
WOMEN’S RESULTS Friday 9th August,Mowi North Division II Lochaber vInverness (postponed). Saturday 10thAugust, Mowi National DivisionGlenurquhart 1, Strathspey 3; Skye 9,Glasgow Mid Argyll 0. Sunday 11th August,Nat Div Badenoch 2, Lochaber 0. North DivII Strathglass v Fort William (walkover toStrathglass, Fort William unable to raise ateam); Kinlochshiel 4, Lovat 7; Glengarry 3,Skye 0.
FIXTURES (all throw ups 2pm unlessotherwise stated). Tuesday 13th August,South Div I Glasgow Mid Argyll v KylesAthletic (7pm). Friday 16th August, NorthDiv II Beauly v Boleskine (6.30pm).Saturday 17th August, Artemis MacaulayCup Final Oban Camanachd v Kingussie(4pm at Mossfield Park, Oban).Premiership Kilmallie v Lovat; KylesAthletic v Lochaber; Newtonmore vCaberfeidh. National Div Beauly v GlasgowMid Argyll (3pm); Bute v Skye; Strathglassv Fort William. North Div I Fort William vCaberfeidh; Glenurquhart v Lovat; Invernessv Glengarry; Kinlochshiel v AberdeenUniversity; Skye v Newtonmore (3pm).South Div I Ballachulish v Aberdour;Taynuilt v Tayforth (1pm). South Div IIArdnamurchan v Bute.
WOMEN’S FIXTURES Tuesday 13thAugust, North Div II Lochaber vKinlochshiel (7pm). Sunday 18th August,Nat Division Glasgow Mid Argyll vGlenurquhart; Strathspey v Ardnamurchan.North Div II Strathglass v Lochaber; Lovat vSkye; Kinlochshiel v Inverness; Glengarry vFort William. South Div II Oban Lorn vTayforth; Cowal and Bute v Dunadd.
Oban Camanachd will meetNewtonmore in this year’sCamanachd Cup Final, and thisweekend the Argyll side’s season ofrich promise will continue as they tryto claim the second part of a potentialcup treble.
Last Saturday Camanachd bookedtheir place in the Septembershowpiece with a 3-0 victory overKyles Athletic – their fourth winagainst Kyles this season.
Oban can justifiably claim to bethe top team in the south, but theymight yet lay claim to be thecountry’s best too should they go on
and add more silverware to theGlasgow Celtic Society Cup wonearlier in the season.
A second-half brace from DanielCameron, followed by a late AndrewMacCuish strike, ended the dreamsof a Kyles side which had reluctantlyaccepted the controversial semi-finalswitch to Mossfield after the originalvenue of Strachur was ruled out onWednesday of last week due to fearsof bad weather.
To make sure the BBC Albacameras — who were broadcastingthe match live — had adequate spaceand facilities, Inverness and Obanhad been identified as the only viablealternatives, and Kyles agreed tohead for Mossfield rather than asktheir fans to make the long trip toInverness or to force through apostponement.
Oban will hope to make homeadvantage count again this weekendwhen they face a resurgentKingussie side in the final of theArtemis MacAulay Cup.
A late deluge at the Dell meantKingussie, currently top of thePremiership, had their match withKinlochshiel called off lastweekend.
Newtonmore seized the chance toclose the gap on the leaders to threepoints with a game in hand after a 5-1 victory over relegation-threatenedLochaber.
The Spean Bridge side slipped tothe bottom of the table afterInveraray held Lovat — still insecond place, but pretty much out ofthe title running — to a 2-2 draw atthe Winterton.
Caberfeidh effectively guaranteed
their top-flight status with a 2-1 winat Kilmallie, but the Caol side sittwo points ahead of Inveraray andLochaber with all three having threegames left to play.
In the National Division, FortWilliam sealed the title in somestyle with a 7-1 thumping ofGlenurquhart at An Aird.
The win made it 12 out of 12 forthe Fort and inflicted a serious blowon Glenurquhart’s hopes of a quickreturn to the top flight.
Glen are still in second spot butfind themselves being chaseddown by an in-form Glasgow MidArgyll side who won 4-0 at hometo Oban Celtic to move within apoint of the second promotionspot, having played two matchesfewer than the men fromDrumnadrochit.
Beauly 1v
Skye 2(H.T. 1-0)
A victory at Beauly on Saturday,coupled with Glenurquhart’sthumping defeat at the hands ofchampions Fort William, kept aliveSkye’s promotion hopes.
Three wins from their final threefixtures will see the islanders finishabove the Drumnadrochit side whocurrently occupy the secondpromotion slot. However, it is third-placed Glasgow Mid Argyll who haveemerged as favourites to join FortWilliam in the Premiership next year,and Skye will still need to beat thecity side — and hope they drop atleast two points elsewhere — to haveany hope of playing top-flight shintyin 2020.
On a rain-affected surface Beaulyprovided a stiff test for Skye and weremuch improved from the side that hadshipped five goals in Portree earlier inthe season.
The hosts led at the break throughJack MacDonald, but seemed to tirein the second period and the visitorseventually made a spell of heavypressure count with two second-half
goals turning the match around to sealvictory.
Skye suffered an early blow whenattacker Jordan Murchison had tolimp off after sustaining an ankleknock as he raced in on goal.
The islanders fear Murchison’sseason could be over, with the speedyforward due to have his badly-swollenankle checked again later in the weekafter a post-match x-ray provedinconclusive.
Stewart Grant came on to replaceMurchison, slotting into midfieldwhile Ross MacKinnon moved into aSkye attack that saw plenty of the ballbut struggled to test Mackay Murrayin the home goal.
Beauly grew in confidence as thehalf wore on and their endeavour wasrewarded in the 37th minute whenJack MacDonald’s looping long-rangeeffort dropped in under the crossbar.
Skye were a different team in thesecond half and Iain Nicolson — onas a sub for Iain MacLellan — madean impact in attack, forcing home theequaliser in the 52nd minute.
The goal was the cue for a spell ofsustained Skye pressure, whicheventually brought its reward whenRoss Gordon swept the ball over theline from close range with nineminutes remaining.
Skye co-manager Allan MacLeodwas pleased with the second-halfturnaround.
He said: “It was a tricky game forus against an improving Beauly side.Heavy rain had left the grass a littleon the long side, and on Saturdaymorning there was some doubt aboutwhether the game would go ahead.
“But we didn’t panic after fallingbehind, and we got stronger as thesecond half wore on. We might havehad more goals, but securing the twopoints was what was important.
“Will Cowie continued to impressat full centre, and after Stewart Grantcame on we dominated in midfield.
William MacKinnon was once againstrong at half back, while beside himMartin Pringle had his best 90minutes of the season.
“On the evidence of Saturday’sperformance Beauly might cause oneor two problems for Glasgow MidArgyll who head there this Saturday.
“Glasgow look favourites forsecond spot, but all we can focus onis getting a win from our long trip toplay Bute this weekend. GMA andGlenurquhart have still to come toPortree — and GMA also have to goaway to Fort William — so wehaven’t yet given up hope of sneakinginto the top two.”
A league play-off between the top twoteams in women’s shinty movedanother step closer last weekend asboth Skye and Badenoch won theirNational Division matches.
Skye won 9-0 at home to GlasgowMid Argyll, while at the EilanBadenoch recorded a 2-0 victory toknock Lochaber out of the title race.
Sarah Corrigall hit four goals forSkye — taking her tally to 10 in thepast two matches — with theislanders’ other goals coming fromHolly MacLean (2), Lorna MacRae,Izzy Law and Caitlin MacLean.
At Newtonmore Zoe Reid scoredtwice to keep Badenoch two pointsahead at the top of the table.
Skye have four games left, andBadenoch three – and current formsuggests they’ll both take maximum
points to set up a play-off come theend of the season.
Elsewhere in the women’s topdivision, Strathspey leapfroggedGlenurquhart into sixth spot with a 3-1 win at Drumnadrochit.
In the north second division leadersLovat took another stride towards thetitle with a 7-4 victory overKinlochshiel at Reraig on Sunday.
The prolific Fiona Urquhart scoredfour times for the visitors, with LauraGallacher, Paige Macdonald and HolliSneddon also on target. AlainaMacLennan netted a brace, withIsabelle ‘Tibby’ MacKenzie andEilidh MacInnes also scoring for Shielwho stay in fourth place.
Glengarry kept up the chase after abrace from Nicki Grant and a LeonaFalconer strike sealed a 3-0 home winover Skye’s second team.
