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island news Edition 13

April 2013

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& ADVERTISER

WHEN MUIRBURN TURNS TO WILDFIRE Hundreds of trees burnt, numerous small mammals and insects dead, a golden eagle’s eyrie licked by flames, an ideal breeding ground for raptors destroyed - just some of the environmental impact of last month’s out of control muirburn on moorland between Locheport and Carinish, North Uist.

RAVENHILL CONSTRUCTION The fire was set on Carinish Common Grazings on a dry day with winds of 25mph. It was left unattended and quickly went out of control, blazing for more than 24 hours and starting several underground peat fires via rabbit burrows.

From Beinn na Choille it extended to the roadside at Carinish, and required attendance by firefighters from Lochmaddy, Benbecula and Lochboisdale.

They had to raid the loch in the area for water to fight the flames.

The fire burnt the stock fence in three places and badly damaged two electricity poles. The road was closed to traffic for around two hours.

North Uist Estates factor George MacDonald said: ‘This was a dangerous fire and a bad example of how to conduct muirburn, none of the proper precautions appear to have been followed and a lot of damage has occurred as a result.

“It is not generally realised that individual shareholders are not entitled to carry out muirburn for this is a right that is reserved to grazing committees who are responsible for the management of the common grazing.”

The fire affected a breeding area for several species of bird.

RSPB Western Isles Conservation Officer Robin Reid said: “The recent burn at Carinish was particularly destructive, burning through a golden eagle breeding area where the resident pair would have been about to lay, and destroying a part of a native woodland scheme that may take decades to recover.

“Several species of bird, including herons and eagles lay their eggs before the end of the permitted muirburn period and fire will force them to abandon their nests, causing breeding failure. Many species also rely on heather for shelter, feeding on, or nesting in.

“Whilst burning small areas may lead to temporary displacement of wildlife until the vegetation recovers, burning large areas can dramatically alter the habitat forcing birds and other wildlife to abandon these areas for many years. If you intend to carry out muirburn but are unsure whether burning is likely to cause disturbance to nesting birds such as golden eagles and sea eagles please get in touch with the RSPB for advice on the sensitive areas to avoid.”

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The Muirburn Code-turn to page 8

THE FREE MONTHLY NEWSPAPER OF THE HEBRIDES

2

island news Edition 01

March 2012

EE FR

& ADVERTISER

Is the FREE MONTHLY NEWSPAPER OF THE HEBRIDES NEWSDESK

01876 510758 editor@islandnews andadvertiser.com

INBRIEF

island news & ADVERTISER - April 2013 Issue 13

Murder most foul is set to unfold on Skye this month as Sabhal Mòr Ostaig UHI stages its first ever murder mystery weekend.

Guests are invited to attend the ‘wedding of the year’ at the college but joy turns to horror as the drama ensues.

The event, in Gaelic, starts on Friday April 5, and is part of the college’s 40th anniversary celebrations. More information under Short Courses at www.smo.uhi.ac.uk

ill h rk o Y r fo s d n fu e is ra s 2 S Romantic

MacMillan Cancer Support’s annual sale of work will take place in Paible School on Friday May 10 at 7.30pm.

Entrance £2/£1 Home baking, preserves, plants,

ads@islandnews andadvertiser.com

Paper, pens and pencils are available to local nurseries, schools, artists and community groups from the charity Humanos Aid International.

The stationery is donated by Asda from goods which are not suitable for resale because for example the

Managing editor:

AVAILABLE In 60 outlets from Tiree to Stornoway: also Oban,Inverness and Glasgow

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Admission £2/£1

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Refreshments will be ser ved.

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Proceeds to church funds and Christian Aid (Syria and Middle East Crisis Appe al)

fish, crafts. Refreshments in the canteen.

The committee regrets no second-hand clothing or jumble accepted.A limited number of books accepted for the bookstall.

Paper and stationery donations available

Susy Macaulay

Paible School

MacMillan Sale of Work in Paible school

01876 510758

Tim Mason

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leit S2 tutor Ms Johnson’s Sgoil Lionac project for g isin dra fun a class undertook write , nth mo t las tal Yorkhill Hospi n Biddulph. nca Du and lay cau Dominic Ma low yel It involved selling red and chers to tea and s carnation flowers to pupil e red Th y.

Da es be delivered on Valentin low yel the e, anc flowers represented rom s £2 wa It p. shi nd frie of flowers were signs per flower or 20p per card. wers from ilies to support them with We expected to buy the flo but she and their fam st, Ui uth So in iri’ Ma ‘Fluraichean their illnesses and injuries. e nat do to y Mairi’ for usl ero gen y ver decided Thank you to ‘Fluraichean the for .63 rs and also to them.We have raised £104 supplying us with the flowe project. who contributed to the hospital. help children anyone The money will be used to

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Humanos director Billy Chung will be bringing these and other donations from Tesco,Morrison and Aldi to the islands shortly.

Contact the charity on 01887 840278 or hai@humanos.org.uk for more information.

Àite na Gàidhlig ann am beatha an latha an-diugh Dà òraid Ghàidhlig shaor an asgaidh a chomharrachadh ceannbliadhna daoimein Cholaisde a’ Chaisteil UHI Gàidhlig ann am foghlam - Diardaoin 16 Cèitean 2013 aig Sgoil MhicNeacail, Steòrnabhagh, ri a toirt seachad leis an Oll Frances Mhoireach, Reachdair Sgoil MhicNeacail, agus Seonag NicFhiongain, a leig dhith a dreuchd mar Stiùiriche Sheirbheisean Foghlaim agus Chloinne, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar.

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April 2013 Issue 13 - island news & ADVERTISER

3

Food Bank planned for Southern Isles Plans are being developed to assist people in food poverty in the Uists and Barra.

The Eilean Siar Food Bank is seeking local support for developing its service in Uist and Barra.

The food bank in Stornoway has been accepting referrals from agencies for food parcels since October 2012 and now organisers are looking at ways of better serving the whole community.

The food bank originally grew from work by New Wine Church in Stornoway, distributing food on a referral basis.

Now New Wine Church is in partnership with the Trussell Trust, a charity which works with local communities to combat poverty, to run the Eilean Siar Food Bank.

The work of organising the opening of the food bank is moving forward and it is expected to open towards the end of April.

It will provide somewhere people can go to pick up emergency food parcels arranged for them by referring agencies such as Citizens Advice, social work and NHS. To avoid the difficulties of distribution to the Southern Isles, a food bank is planned for Uist and Barra. This will take some time but the Eilean Siar Food Bank will continue to offer a delivery service to Uist and Barra.

Spokesman Gavin Lawson said: “We

Bedroom Tax implications ‘disturbing’says HHP As the Bedroom Tax comes into force this month, many tenants say they can only pay it by cutting down on essentials like food and heating, according to social landlord, Hebridean Housing Partnership (HHP).

The tax is being introduced with the objectives of reducing Housing Benefit expenditure, increasing mobility and reducing under-occupation of properties.

Tenants who have one spare bedroom will be liable for 14% of their rent, which equates to about £10 per week. If they have two spare bedrooms, it will mean a deduction of 25%, or around £17 per week.

These changes affect more than 300 tenants across the Western Isles, including 95 in Harris, Uist and Barra.

The situation is causing HHP significant

concern, John Alick MacQuarrie of HHP Balivanich told Island News & Advertiser.

He said: “If tenants are under-occupying their homes, they will be penalised. However, the obvious solution of down-sizing is difficult to achieve here due to an undersupply of smaller properties.

“For instance in Barra, HHP owns just over 100 houses and the turnover of small properties amounts to about three per year.

Given that one quarter of HHP’s Barra tenants will be affected by the bedroom tax, it leaves them with few options.”

have a commitment to provide to those in need across the islands, so although it might take a while to get a formal food bank open in the Southern Isles, we are looking for volunteers at this early stage in order to help with food deliveries.”

Mr Lawson said there is need for greater awareness among the agencies that the food bank is there to assist people in need.

He said: “People can feel fearful and upset, but we are there to assist them in a completely non-judgmental way, restoring hope and dignity to those in need.”

He added: “We have received generous support from people since we opened the

Mr MacQuarrie said he was disturbed to hear that tenants will be cutting down on essentials to pay the tax.

He added: “If rent arrears accrue, HHP’s finances and services could be affected. This could mean a slow down in repairs and investment works, and this would also have an effect on local contractors and jobs.”

The Government has made some provision for cases of extreme hardship through funding provided to local authorities for Discretionary Housing Benefit. Tenants who fall into this category are encouraged to apply early to the Comhairle for this award.

Mr MacQuarrie said: “Any tenants who find themselves in this situation should speak to their Area Housing Officer, in the first instance.”

He said some people have already terminated their tenancies to avoid being penalised.

“Generally, it is single people who have given up tenancy and have moved back home, “he said. “We also have some families who moved into the private sector, where the house is the right size but the rent is more expensive.

Eilean Siar Food Bank but donations are always welcome. People can be assured that every penny donated will be used to help those in need in the Western Isles.

We’re very grateful to Grillburger who have been making sure we can get food boxes delivered to where they’re needed.”

Mr Lawson asks anyone wishing to volunteer or contribute in any way to establishing a food bank in Uist to get in touch with him via Island News & Advertiser on 01876 510758.

Mr MacQuarrie spoke of the wider social implications of the tax.

He said: “Here the reality is that a home is often a home for life. Now parents of children who have grown up and left the island will be penalised for having an additional bedroom.

“It may force them to move to a smaller house which means that the family home is gone and there is no longer a room available for returning family members.”

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Harris eagle walks resume ŵďŝƟŽƵƐ ĨŽƌ Scotland Àrd-amas airson Alba

Weekly golden eagle spotting walks have started up for the summer in North Harris.

RSPB Scotland and the North Harris Trust are working in partnership to provide a golden eagle walk every Wednesday from April 3 to September 18.

The Grade B walk follows the track through Glen Vigidale, and on to the small summit of Tom Ruisg, with panoramic views down Loch Langavat. Last year there was a 100% success rate of seeing eagles on these walks.

The walks will be lead alternately by the North Harris Ranger Service and RSPB Scotland and are free

Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) is ĨĂĐŝůŝƚĂƟŶŐ Ă ƐĞƌŝĞƐ ŽĨ ŝŶĨŽƌŵĂƟŽŶ ƐĞƐƐŝŽŶƐ ĂďŽƵƚ ŚŽŵĞǁŽƌŬŝŶŐ ǁŝƚŚ ƌŝƐĞ h<͘ of charge, although donations are accepted.

MEET: Bogha Glas car park (NB 186 115) DISTANCE: 4.5 miles For further information please contact Matt Watts, ranger@north-harris.org, 01859 502222, or Robin Reid, robin.reid@rspb.org.uk , 01859 511136/07929587921

dŚĞ ƐĞƐƐŝŽŶƐ ǁŝůů ďĞ ŚĞůĚ Ăƚ͗ Dark Islands Hotel, Balivanich tĞĚŶĞƐĚĂLJ ϮϰƚŚ Ɖƌŝů Ăƚ ϵ͘ϯϬĂŵ Borrodale Hotel, South Uist tĞĚŶĞƐĚĂLJ ϮϰƚŚ Ɖƌŝů Ăƚ Ϯ͘ϬϬƉŵ Castlebay Hotel, Barra dŚƵƌƐĚĂLJ ϮϱƚŚ Ɖƌŝů Ăƚ ϵ͘ϯϬĂŵ /Ĩ LJŽƵ ŶĞĞĚ ƚƌĂŶƐƉŽƌƚ ƚŽ ƚŚĞ ĂƌŬ /ƐůĂŶĚƐ ,ŽƚĞů͕ ƉůĞĂƐĞ ĐŽŶƚĂĐƚ ĂƚŚĞƌŝŶĞ ƵŶƐŽŶ ŽŶ Ϭϭϴϳϴ ϳϬϬϵϭϬ Žƌ EĞŝů ĂŵƉďĞůů ϬϭϴϳϬ ϲϬϯϴϲϯ

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www.hie.co.uk

4

island news & ADVERTISER - April 2013 Issue 13

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Concerns about waste at isles Co-ops Questions about Carnan and Askernish for Storas Uibhist Express your view in 400 words: editor@islandnewsandadvertiser.com IN&A does not take responsibility for the views expressed or facts mentioned in readers’ letters.

The recent public consultations carried out by Storas Uibhist regarding a range of future projects to be funded from the Carnan wind farm raises some interesting questions.

As the turbines have yet to turn, was this a publicity show to draw attention away from the current problems with these turbines?

Will most of the wind farm revenue be expended on Estate projects and running costs instead of benefitting the whole community?

The wind farm development has had a turbulent and protracted history. Despite a

Storas Board meeting in early 2007 in the sergeant’s mess in Balivanich, at which Brian Wilson the ex-Energy Minister pointed out that grid connections were ‘like gold dust’ it took until March 2010 for Storas to discover they had been prevented by a local wind turbine installer, who gained his 10 megawatt grid connection in early 2007.

Why was the power cable not installed at the same time as the turbine erection, which has lost 6 months of generation revenue over the past winter?

What is the reason behind an attempt by Storas Uibhist

to approach elected directors to sign confidentiality agreements (gagging orders)?

As a crofter it is very sad to hear that an agreement made on May 13, 2009 between Storas Uibhist, Askernish Golf Club and the Askernish crofters has not been honoured. The Golf Club agreed to pay Askernish Crofters Township 50p per visitor round in compensation for their 9 hole course extension. The crofters to keep stock off the machair grazings and course between 15th May and 15th October each year.

To date the township has received no payments from the Golf Club but have honoured their side of the agreement. Why has this been allowed to happen?

Askernish crofters may be minded to re-open their Land Court action, especially as the Land Court upheld the crofters rights regarding land around Snishival Mill last November.

Archie MacDonald 7 Torlum Benbecula

It is striking to see how the Co-op is operating off the mainland of Scotland.

Food waste is still ongoing as I put pen to paper about the practices of the Co-op Group.

Just recently while visiting the isles and visiting in the various Coops new facts have been brought to my attention.

Take for example the recycle bag the Co-op has in the shops. Just a few shops offer these to customers, while others have them under the counter, out of sight.

On Skye, the green plastic Co-op bag is handed out free (e.g.

Broadford) to the shopper, but once you are on the Western Isles , you need to pay £0.06 for the bag. Yes, I know the Co-op will reply ‘it is because of the ferry and fuel’, so it is no surprise no one buys this bag.

I will not mention specific Co-op stores, but some are struggling with overstocking, as they can’t place orders, but just receive large volumes when lorries arrive.

This means, large volumes of especially meat and other products, with a short shelf life are discarded if unsold.

Don’t get me wrong here, it is a good thing we have these stores on the isles, but is it asking too much to look at how HQ is running these shops?

A drastic reduction of plastic would also benefit our eco-system and land refill.

Cucumbers, tomatoes, apples, bananas, and other fruit and vegetables, have to be washed anyway, before we can eat them, so why all this wrapping? Is this really necessary?

About six months ago, the Co-op shops started £0.10 -yes you read it - ten pence items. Let’s call this ‘last offers, before the wheelie bins’ or in Co-op words ‘end of shelf, not fit for consumption’.

No longer is this available, so these products end up in the wheelie bins at the stores. What a waste!

I do hope that Co-op HQ is looking into these policies, and make some urgent changes.

Billy Chung Director/Founder) Humanos Aid International SC042807 Grandtully, Perthshire

April 2013 Issue 13 - island news & ADVERTISER

5

Benbecula hotel to become college student accommodation and teaching hub The Isle of Benbecula hotel in Creagorry is to house music students from Lews Castle College UHI Benbecula campus from September this year.

The students will be in residence from September until the beginning of June, after which the building will revert to a hotel for the tourist season.

The hotel has been closed to guests for some time, with the Old Creagorry bar only open to the public on Friday and Saturday nights.

The bar will continue to be open to the local community on those nights after the students take up residence.

The hotel’s large function room will provide an ideal venue for concerts, enabling students to practice their performance skills.

Other spaces in the hotel will be used for teaching and rehearsal space.

There are 20 bedrooms in the hotel, to be rented out to students at £350 per month.

The students will have use of the kitchens.

A person responsible for the students’ wellbeing and the premises will be available 24/7.

The move came from conversations between music course leader Anna Wendy Stevenson and hotel owner Stephen Peteranna.

Ms Stevenson said: “The music courses started in Benbecula in 2000 with an NC in traditional music and Gaelic, then we added the HNC in 2006, and last year we were given the leadership of the new BA in applied music for UHI. The profile of the Uists as a place to study music has really grown. We’re experiencing a big growth in the amount of students choosing to come to Uist, so this has led to the need for additional accommodation.

“The hotel is within walking distance from the college, so it will cut out some of the transport issues students have experienced over the years scattered all over Uist.

“The hotel will become a regular feature of the community’s nightlife, with entertainment on tap. We have fantastic

©Dylan Macphee

Music course leaders Anna Wendy Stevenson and Simon Bradley in front of the Isle of Benbecula hotel.

musicians on our courses who are keen to play together.”

The hotel will be inaugurated as a venue this month as music students from all over the Highlands and Islands converge on Uist for an intensive weekend of music and teaching on April 11.

This will be the first UHI music residency to take place in Uist and will

Enterprising youngsters organise medieval banquet in Kisimul Castle Barra youngsters are to host a fund-raising medieval banquet in Kisimul Castle this summer.

Secondary pupils came up with the idea as their summer business venture, part of the Comhairle’s Include-Us programme to support young people to stay on their own islands and to develop entrepreneurial skills.

The summer enterprise venture for youth in the Uists and Barra has been instigated

by Include-Us support worker Gordon MacDonald.

He said: “We have a small budget to support the youngsters in a business venture over the summer, but the idea must come from them, and be executed by them. It’s all about an insight into the world of self-employment and what it’s like to see a business idea through from start to finish. Uist youngsters are working on their ideas at the moment.”

Include-Us workers have been delivering a programme of classes in Sir E Scott school in Harris, the Nicolson Institute in Stornoway, and Castlebay and Lionacleit schools, exploring the theme of entrepreneurship.

Mr MacDonald led sessions for S3s based on a ‘Can Do Attitude’.

Young Stornoway entrepreneur Keith Morrison from the Wee Studio was the guest speaker in Sir E Scott school, giving pupils (pictured) insight into how he took his idea from initial concept to successful business.

He said: “I hope my journey in running my own business will give pupils an insight and may inspire them to explore local

opportunities.”

Mr MacDonald said: “Keith is the embodiment of the ‘can do attitude’ we want to help instil in our island youth.”

The Include-Us team will deliver similar sessions to all secondary schools in the

Western Isles, and plan to build on the sessions with innovative ways to promote island enterprise as a viable option for island youth.

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feature a free public performance of the students’ critically acclaimed Celtic Connections concert in January in Glasgow.

(turn to Music, page 15)

6

island news & ADVERTISER - April 2013 Issue 13

‘Mother of all shredders’ installed at riding school Lochboisdale Coffee Shop & Post Office has ■

Computer/Wifi Access

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Espresso Coffee, Home Baking

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Variety of Paninis & Bagels

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Cheeseburger and Chips, Grill Menu

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Homemade Salar Salmon pate

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In our Shop we have Retro Sweets, Costume Jewellery, Harris Tweed Handbags and Mice.

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Wide range of Contemporary Greetings Cards, Local Artwork and Canvas Prints

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Not forgetting our Mr Whippy Ice Cream, it’s Heavenly!

A giant industrial paper shredder has been installed in Uist Community Riding School (UCRS) in Benbecula.

It is capable of shredding and baling vast quantities of waste paper for livestock bedding which will ultimately create compost from the resulting manure heaps.

Post Office, Kenneth Drive, Lochboisdale, South Uist HS8 5TH

Tel: 01878700313 f: Lochboisdale Internet Coffee Shop T: UistCoffeeShop

Sophie Templeton and Harris beneath the giant shredder.

Sue MacDonald is delighted with the paper bedding.

The massive machine arrived from Stornoway in pieces. With the help of a forklift, diagrams and local electricians the UCRS team, led by Sue MacDonald, brought ‘the mother of all paper shredders’ as they call it, back to life.

Assembling the baling part of the machine is a challenge still to be conquered, but in the meantime the shredder is producing massive bag loads of bedding suitable for horses, sheep and cattle.

Mrs MacDonald said: “It’s better for the horses than straw, which can bring in

unhealthy organisms, and it’s far cheaper. Our last winter bedding bill was £400, but with this machine we’re only paying for the electricity.

Shops are donating their waste newspapers, and private individuals are more than welcome to bring along their waste paper.”

The horses’ soiled bedding is mucked out onto the East Camp manure heap, where it will provide compost for the East Camp Horticultural and Social Project.

RSPB is using small piles of the shredded paper in the corner of fields, to encourage stinging nettles which in turn will attract corncrakes.

Mrs MacDonald said: “Next winter we will have bales for sale to anyone who needs bedding for their livestock.”

Uist & Benbecula Accordion and Fiddle Club pays tribute to the late Roy Burgess With the passing of Roy Burgess, the Uist and Benbecula Accordion and Fiddle Club has lost its long-standing, hardworking, nonagenarian Treasurer, writes Christine Mitchell.

But more than that, we have lost everything else that he gave to the Club: his unfailing support, his musical knowledge, his encouragement particularly to the younger musicians and his good-humoured friendship.

Roy rarely missed a Club ceilidh night, where he took charge of the donation box with military precision.

He kept an eagle eye on the proceedings, ensuring with an audible “cluck” and a tap of his watch, that we started and finished on time. Who will keep us punctual now? When musicians played, they were never alone…. Roy would be unwittingly joining in: sometimes finger-tapping, sometimes humming, giving us a tantalising hint of his past medalwinning baritone voice. Latterly, he had taken to recording the music at the Club on a rather antiquated tape recorder.

There was always much

hilarity when a sudden burst of the previous set interrupted our playing as his finger caught the wrong button.

Indeed, the Club will not be the Roy Burgess. same without him!

When his health and stamina allowed, Roy came on many of the Club trips to other islands, including Barra and Harris, where he enjoyed meeting acquaintances from his banking career throughout the islands.

He was great company on these trips and regaled us with many stories of his past, remembered in enviable detail.

When a couple of the Club musicians went into the hospital to play for Roy a week before he died, he was asked for his own choice of final tune. Without hesitation, he asked for the Club’s signature tune “Father John Macmillan of Barra”. There will now be an added poignancy when we play it, as we always do, at the start of every Club ceilidh night. The thoughts of all the Club members are with his wife Anne and all who respected and cared for Roy Burgess, an affable and courteous gentleman.

Alexander Roy M Burgess 1918-2013

April 2013 Issue 13 - island news & ADVERTISER

7

LOOKING FOR A HAIRDRESSER? PAINTER? GRASSCUTTER? TAXI? Turn to page 23 for The Advertiser, Island News & Advertiser’s growing directory of local services.

Be part of it. Call 01876 510758

Feasibility study for business premises in Benbecula A study has been commissioned to look at the need for commercial premises in Benbecula.

Local businessmen and women have long complained at the lack of office space in Balivanich and the Southern Isles in general.

At present, businesses are occupying eleven council houses in Balivanich, at a time of housing shortage.

The £17,000 feasibility study commissioned by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) will look at the condition and availability of existing commercial property, establish the level of demand and research potential sites and budgets for new build.

The study has been procured through Torrance Partnership and has been awarded to Robert Fraser Architects.

An HIE spokeswoman said: “It is intended that the existing and potential future business community is engaged as an integral part of this exercise and adverts will be placed in local press in due course.”

Angus Doyle in the Voove shop.

Outer Hebrides Commerce Group coordinator Gail Robertson urged the business community to respond to the consultation.

She said: “Now is the time for people to have a say on what their own requirements are if this study is to be properly informed.

As the study gathers information in regard to the need for commercial premises and the lack of existing availability, the individual requirements of each business will have to be assessed too. Every business has different needs and a ‘fit for purpose’ for one may not

Teisteanas ann an Ceannardas Leasaich do mhisneachd

be fit for another. The study will therefore require to be quite extensive and open to suggestions from all sectors of business to establish the actual need. Affordability is an issue for a lot of small businesses and this will also have to be considered and assessed.”

Meanwhile businessman Angus Doyle (pictured) of Voove IT Solutions said he had never been happy to have the Voove shop occupy a house which could be a home for family.

When CnES told him recently he could not employ an additional member of staff because he did not have adequate parking spaces, he decided to look at all options.

Mr Doyle said: “We are trying to secure private financing for a build in order to be able to employ more staff and offer more services to the people of the islands. We hope to also offer small, purpose built commercial retail and office space to

other start-ups struggling to find suitable business accommodation if at all possible.

We are awaiting the results of the HIE feasibility study and we remain in contact with the local community companies and trusts on possible solutions should HIE not progress with a build phase themselves.”

He added: “With talk of new homes being built locally, we need industry and jobs to support these new residents.”

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8

island news & ADVERTISER - April 2013 Issue 13

A Herculean task

Continued from front page

All hands to the pump to manoeuvre Hercules into place. Photo courtesy of George MacDonald.

It was quite a logistical challenge, but a life-size carving of a famous bear is now in position in woods in North Uist.

Not Pooh,not Paddington - it’s Hercules,the trained grizzly who went AWOL on Benbecula during the filming of an Andrex commercial in 1980.

Hercules roamed free for 24 days before being spotted swimming, shot with a tranquilliser dart, netted and flown by helicopter back to his frantic owner, Andy Robin.

The statue was commissioned by Langass Woodland Trust in their drive to make the woodland an educational and recreational resource.

It’s thought Andy Robin himself might attend the official opening.

The Carinish fire burned for 24 hours, damaging electricity poles and fencing. ©Dylan Macphee

Scottish Natural Heritage issued the following advice to crofters undertaking muirburn: Follow the Muirburn Code (copies available from the local RPID office): ●

Burning is only permitted within the muirburn dates (between 1st October and 15th April)

●

Make sure you have enough people to control the fire

●

Let your neighbours and the fire service know your plans

●

Do not burn if the weather is unsuitable (too dry or too windy - above force 4)

●

Do not burn uphill on steep slopes

●

Avoid burning within half a mile of areas where eagles are likely to be nesting, after February.

Most moor fires in the Uists have been started by individuals dropping a match and then walking off. There is a list of 16 offences in the Muirburn Code that could result in prosecution. ●

Leaving a fire unattended

●

Burning at night

●

Being unable to control a fire

●

Burning outwith the statutory burning season

Uncontrolled moor fires regularly cause damage to nesting birds, woodland, and

neighbouring fences.

Once the underlying peat catches fire they can burn for days. It is also an offence to: ●

Intentionally or recklessly harass protected birds

●

Cause damage to any woodland

They often spread close to roads resulting in cost to the fire service as they try to put it out. It is an offence to: ●

Allow a fire to spread within 30m of a public road.

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Create smoke that is a nuisance to residents.

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Last month the fire service was called out to more than a dozen wildfires from Stornoway to Barra affecting hundreds of acres of heath and grassland, burning fence posts, electricity posts and sileage bales.

April 2013 Issue 13 - island news & ADVERTISER

9

Crofting Anneke Kraakman at Bunait.

Call for isles growers to stick to pure seeds Uist-based biodynamic horticulturalist Anneke Kraakman has called on crofters and gardeners to preserve the purity of the isles’eco-system by using ‘true’seed rather than hybrid and non-organic varieties.

Ms Kraakman operates Bunait, her market garden in Cnoc An Torrain, North Uist on biodynamic principles.

She is also one of the co-ordinators on the East Camp Social & Horticultural

Project at East Camp, Benbecula.

She said: “On the islands we still have an excellent and pure environment for biodiversity. Things like TB in cattle and varroa in bees are absent which means there exists a fine balance which

we need to maintain. One way of doing this is to use seeds from conservation or organic growers like Stormy Hall Seeds, Tamar Organics or the Real Seeds Catalogue.

“At the end of the season when crops have done well, you can decide to save your own seeds that are then more used to local conditions.”

Ms Kraakman went on: “Many crofters already save their own seed from the corn, and more gardeners could consider doing this. It’s not hard, all it needs is patience, space and protection from the wind.”

She added: “In the Carmina Gaedelica there is a verse that blesses and reveres the seed at this time of year. In Gaelic culture, planting and harvesting were done to the rhythm of the moon, which many people will remember to this day.

It’s very like the biodynamic system.”

Ms Kraakman is one of the growers for Bogsa Uibhist, the local veg box scheme which started last year. She will start supplying the scheme again from May. She said she welcomes visitors to Bunait to learn more about the biodynamic system of gardening.

She can be contacted at anneke.kraakman@googlemail.com

New blog to tackle “turmoil”in crofting law A new blog by specialist solicitors, Inksters, has been set up to air issues arising from changes in crofting law.

In three weeks the firm posted eleven crofting lawrelated news items on their general website, prompting Brian Inkster to set up the new blog.

Mr Inkster said:“Most of these posts relate to the debacle created by the Crofting Commission when they suddenly announced that they were no longer processing applications to decroft made by owneroccupier crofters. That matter remains unresolved with a statement awaited from the Scottish Government on what it is going to do about it.

“Their action, to date, has not been as decisive as the U-Turn they recently took on the question of the Raasay crofters and their sporting rights.”

Mr Inkster added: “Crofting law appears to be in turmoil in a way that it has possibly not been seen since it was introduced in 1886. The time is surely ripe for a crofting law blog to air the issues arising in an open, clear and transparent way.”

The blog can be found at www.croftinglawblog.com

NSA Highlandsheep show in Dingwall

A one-day specialist sheep event will take place on Thursday May 30 in Dingwall.

NSA Highlandsheep is being organised by the Scottish Region of the National Sheep Association and will be hosted at Dingwall Mart by Dingwall and Highland Marts Ltd. It will feature 100 trade stands, 30 sheep society exhibits, a comprehensive seminar programme, practical demonstrations, educational exhibits, a sheep dog trial, various competitions, farmers’ market, meat cutting/cookery demonstrations and other events of relevance to sheep farmers.

A unique multi-breed show and sale of being offered for the following breeds – pairs of breeding ewe hoggs will be one Beltex, Bluefaced Leicester, Charollais, of the novel features of the event and is Jacob, Lleyn, North Country Cheviot expected to attract a large entry of (hill), North Country Cheviot (park), Scottish Blackface, Mules, Shetland, quality sheep.

The show and sale will feature up to 13 Suffolk, Texel and Zwartbles. Closing breeds which will compete for a £200 date for receipt of entries is Tuesday, first prize in each section, second prize April 30. Both MV accredited and nonof £100 and third prize of £50. All sheep accredited sheep are eligible. entered for the show must be offered for More information on sale.

“The sale will provide buyers with a www.nsascotland.org.uk rare opportunity to source high quality breeding stock at what is believed be the first ever collective multi-breed show and sale of ewe hoggs in Scotland,” said NSA Scotland development officer, George Milne.

BASED ON ORDNANCE SURVEY MAP Judging will commence at TO CROFTING COMMISSION 10.00am and the sale will take STANDARDS AND REQUIREMENTS place at 3.30pm.

The Smallholdings, Kinloss An entry fee of £50 (+ VAT) IV36 3TS Tel: 01309 Web: www.altypeplans.co.uk will apply and classes are Email: info@altypeplans.co.uk 692004

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10

island news & ADVERTISER - April 2013 Issue 13

Gàidhlig/Gaelic Gaidhlig/Gaelic Fàilte air an Dùthaich

WELCOME TO THE COUNTRY Kenneth McManus

Coinneach MacMhanais ‘S e fear do mhuinntir Ghlaschu a th’ annam ach chan eil na freumhaichean agamsa sa bhàile mhòr seo cho domhainn.Thàinig mo sheanair air taobh mo mhathar à Malaig. Air taobh m’ athar, thàinig mo shinn shinn sheanair à Dùn nan Gall. Cha robh na Gàidheil an còmhnaidh a’ faighinn fàilte ann an Glaschu – gu h-àraid na h-Èireannaich.

Thairis air na linntean tha mìltean air a bhith a’ dòrtadh a-staigh do Ghlaschu, agus tha fhathast. O chionn beagan bhliadhnaichean ‘s iad muinntir na h-Eòrpa an ear a th’ air a bhith a’ tighinn. Bha na Pòlainnich ann an toiseach; ach tha mòran dhiubh air a dhol dhachaigh o chionn ‘s gu bheil eaconamaidh na Pòlainn fada nas fheàrr na bha e. A-nis, tha na Ròma ann.

Chaidh an cumail sios anns an dùthaich aca fhèin, Romània. Mar sin chaidh cothroman foghlaim ‘s sgilean a thogail a chumail bhuapa. Bhon a fhuair an dùthaich aca a-staigh dhan Aonadh Eòrpach tha mòran dhiubh air an dùthaich fhàgail a’ lorg beatha nas fheàrr.

Tha sgìre faisg orm ann an taobh a deas Ghlaschu, Cnoc a’ Ghobhainn (Govanhill) far a bheil mòran de mhuinntir Ròma a-nis.

Tha an sgìre a’ dol fodha: droch thaigheadas, cion cosnaidh,‘s deoch ‘s drogaichean. Mus tàinig na h-Eòrpaich bhon taobh an ear thàinig mòran Àisianaich dhan àite.Tha iad fhathast ann agus cha toil le na h-Àisianaich agus na Ròma càch a chèile.Tha sabaidean air a bhith ann eatorra.

Chunnaic mi boireannaich Ròma a’ dol tro na bionaichean-sgudail ann an Sràid Bhictoria, prìomh shràid Chnoc a’ Ghobhainn.‘S fhurasta fhaicinn gun robh Riaghaltas Ròmania ri gràin-cinnidh. Ciamar a fhuair iad cead fhaighinn a-staigh san Aonadh Eòrpach? Cha chreid mi nach eil poilitigs a’ Chogaidh Fhuair againn fhathast.

Fhuair Riaghaltas Romàinia às le na rinn iad ann a bhith a’ faighinn cuidhteas de mhìltean de dhaoine nach robh iad ag iarraidh. Abair saoghal.

I’m a Glasgow man, but my roots in this big city are not so deep. My grandfather on my mother’s side came from Mallaig. On my father’s side, my great- great grandfather came from Donegal. Gaels were not always welcome in Glasgow, especially the Irish.

For generations, thousands have poured into Glasgow, and continue to do so. In recent years the influx has been from eastern Europe. The Poles came first. Many of them have have returned home as the economy has improved in Poland. Now we have the Roma. They have suffered oppression in their own country, and have therefore been denied educational and training opportunities. Since the entry of their country to the European Union, many of them have left to seek a better life.

There is a district near me, Govanhill, where many Roma now live. The disrict is in a state of decline with poor housing and alcohol and drug abuse. Before the influx of eastern Europeans, many Asians settled in the area,They’re still here and relations between them and the Roma are poor. There have been a number of violent incidents between members of the the communities.

I’ve seen Roma women rummaging in the bins in Victoria Road, the main street in Govanhill. It’s very obvious that the Romanian government has been guilty of racial discrimination.

How were they allowed to gain entry to the European Union? The Romanian government was able to expel thousands of people it condsidered undesirable. What a world we live in!

TWO NORTH UIST JAM DISHES – AND THE CARMINA GADELICA CONNECTION Tormod , mac bràthar an t-Urr MacLeòid, a’ toirt sùil gheur air fear de na soithichean-silidh ........Rev MacLeod’s nephew, Norman, examines one of the dishes.

Tìodhlac Mhic Ghille Mhìcheil Bho làithean òige bha an t-Urr. Ruairidh MacLeòid eòlach air a bhith a’ faicinn an dà shoitheach-shilidh seo anns an dachaigh ann an Loch nam Madadh. A rèir coltais cheannaich athair iad aig rup, ’s dòcha aig Taigh Mòr Bhaile MhicPhàil. Tha fear de na soithichean aig Ruairidh agus am fear eile aig a phiuthair, Crisidh Pheadarsan, ann an Steòrnabhagh. ’S ann bho chionn beagan bhliadhnachan a thuig e gu bheil ceangal sònraichte eadar na soithichean seo agus sgoilear a rinn obair iongantach as leth beul-aithris nan Gàidheal.

Air an darna fear de na soithichean tha an sgrìobhadh seo: Mr Macniel Newton from A.A.C. 12th Jan 1872 ’S e a tha ann an A. A. C. Alastair Mac Ghille Mhìcheil (1832-1912) a chruinnich beairteas a thaobh beul-aithris nan Gàidheal a chaidh fhoillseachadh ann an leabhraichean Carmina Gadelica. Chruinnich e mòran den stuth sin nuair a bha e na ghèidsear ann an Uibhist.

Air an t-soitheach eile tha an sgrìobhadh seo Mrs Macniel from M.F.C. 12th Jan 1872 ’S e M. F. C. bean Alastair, Màiri Frangag, (Màiri NicBeathain), a bhuineadh do Chataibh agus a thug cùl-taic da cèile nuair a bha esan a’ cruinneachadh beul-aithris.

Nuair a rinneadh Cunntas an t-Sluaigh ann an 1871 bha Alastair agus Màiri a’ fuireach ann am mansa Thrùmaisgearraidh. (Bha an tUrr. Dòmhnall MacGhilleathain à Tiriodh na mhinistear ann an Trùmaisgearraidh aig an àm sin.) Bha am mac a bu shine aca,Alastair, aois dà bhliadhna, ann an “Taigh-tuathanaich Bhaile Mhic Phàil” an latha a chaidh na hainmean a chlàradh. Rinn Mac Ghille Mhìcheil a dhachaigh ann an grunn àiteachan ann an Uibhist.

Bha Uilleam MacNèill (Uilleam a’ Chaolais) na fhear-baile ann an Uibhist a Tuath agus ann am Beàrnaraigh mu mheadhan na naodhamh linn deug.

(Tha e coltach gur e an neach a rinn an sgrìobhadh air na soithichean a litrich an tainm mar seo: Macniel.)

From his youngest days Rev. Roddy MacLeod remembers two jam dishes being in his parents’ home in Lochmaddy. His father probably had bought them at a house sale, probably at Newton House. He now is the keeper one of them and his sister, Chrissie Paterson in Stornoway has the other.

It was only in very recent years that he appreciated the significance of the jam-dishes.

On the handle of one dish there is this inscription: Mr Macniel Newton from A.A.C. 12th Jan 1872 A.A.C. is in fact Alexander Carmichael (1832-1912) who, while working as an exciseman in Uist, collected the amazing traditional material which is published in the different volumes of Carmina Gadelica.

The other dish has the inscription: Mrs Macniel from M.F.C. 12th Jan 1872 M.F.C. is clearly Alexander Carmichael’s wife, Mary Frances (Macbean). She was born in Sutherland and gave great support to her husband while he was noting down material from Gaelic tradition.

At the time of the 1871 census Carmichael and his family are shown as living in the manse of Trumisgarry, where Rev. Donald MacLean (from Tiree) was minister. Interestingly enough, the eldest son, Alexander, aged two,at the time, is shown in the 1871 census as living (perhaps temporarily) at “Newton Farm House.”

A. A. Carmichael lived in different parts of Uist while based in the islands..

William MacNeil (Uilleam a’ Chaolais) was a tacksman in North Uist and Berneray in the mid-nineteenth century and is buried on the island of Pabbay.

(The spelling “Macniel” on the jamdishes appears to be an error by the engraver.)

Tha ar duilleag cunbhalach dà-chànanach Gàidhling ’s Beurla air a thoirt thugaibh le taic bho Bhòrd na Gàidhlig Our regular Gaelic-English page is brought to you with the assistance of Bòrd na Gàidhlig.

Deasaiche/Editor: Eairdsidh Caimbeul/Archie Campbell

Wedding Special island news & ADVERTISER

Marriage in

Announce your

Photos courtesy of Lynne Kennedy Photography

island news & ADVERTISER

Your announcement will be this size.

Wedding

Why not announce all your family events engagements, babies, graduations, milestone birthdays, In Memoriam.

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II

island news & ADVERTISER

Wedding Special

The lure of an island wedding How many people can say they’ve had more than 30 weddings in their own living room?

Donald Campbell of Lochmaddy can make such a boast, as former ‘parlour registrar’ for North Uist.

Between 1992 and 2008, his living room was the office for civil wedding ceremonies, which often spilled out into his gardens with their panoramic views of Blashaval.

With couples allowed since 1977 to get married in any location, Donald was often required to officiate on beaches and hillsides, hotels and cottages.

“Many were visitors coming specially to Uist to get married here,” he says.

“Often they had no connections with the islands at all, they just wanted to get married here. They came from everywhere, Cornwall, Eastern Europesome still keep in touch to this day.”

His work as a parlour registrar came to an end in 2008, when registration offices were established in the council offices in

Lewis, Harris, Benbecula and Barra.

Donald’s own marriage in Lochmaddy in December 1961 ended up on the pages of a national newspaper.

“My best man Finlay was in the bar when he met two men, one a photographer and one a reporter with the Scottish Daily Express. They were in Lochmaddy to cover a court case,”Donald said. “They heard about our wedding and asked Finlay if they could go along and take pictures. Finlay said yes, of course.

“The following day they got in touch to say they were so sorry, had been called back to Glasgow but asked if it would be alright if the bride could get dressed an hour or so earlier to take pictures of her leaving her home, and if the groom could get dressed earlier so

that they could take my photograph outside our house in Minish. This is what they did.”

Donald and his late wife Sheila’s wedding went off in grand style in Lochmaddy with more than 300 guests and a foot-high pile of telegrams.

After their wedding, the couple set off for their honeymoon to Sheila’s aunt’s Donald Campbell with the photo of his late wife Sheila, taken house in Paisley, stopping off

by Scottish Daily Express photographer on their wedding day. at the Lochboisdale Hotel for used my knife and managed to get the dinner prior to the crossing to Oban. food out for a midnight feast.

Donald reminisced: “We heard the “The boat came in eventually and we boat was running late, so we were still set off. In calm waters around Tobermory sitting there at midnight when a man next day we got up and went to the bar, came over to us and said, are you and the barman was sitting reading a hungry? We admitted we wouldn’t paper. He looked at us and said, is that mind something to eat, and it turned out your photo in the paper? And there it he was a traveller who came to Uist two was in the Express.” or three times a year, selling Fray Bentos Not quite as instant as in today’s social corned beef and crisps, so he went and media age, but fast enough to make the fetched a few tins of corned beef and happy couple famous before they had packets of crisps. He didn’t have even reached the mainland. anything to open the tins with, but we

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island news & ADVERTISER

Wedding Special

III

Advertisement Feature

The dress is made to measure.

Why not your ceremony? © Anthony MacMillan

Is there a special place you’ve shared?

Is there a song that means so much to you both? What are the most romantic words that could ever be spoken? Whatever they are, these could all be part of your wedding!

In Scotland today, more and more couples are choosing a Humanist wedding. The 112 Celebrants of the Humanist Society married 2975 couples in 2012, making us the third-largest and fastest-growing provider of

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Scottish weddings. So if you decide on a Humanist wedding, you’ll be in good company.

Humanists like ourselves believe that each of us lives one life, and it’s right that we live that as best we can, supporting one another and sharing with our fellow human beings all of the burdens that life brings, and all of the pleasures that life has to offer. And that of course is what marriage is all about – supporting and being there for each other through good times and bad, in times of happiness and times of sorrow, whether the going be easy or difficult.

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SMILE! Abigail Treffry shares her experiences of photographing weddings on Barra The beautiful beaches help to create a relaxed atmosphere, providing a stunning backdrop for couples enjoying the first and most special moments of their married lives together.

Barra is certainly a beautiful place to get married. It’s always wonderful to be involved in family weddings here, I also covered some lovely small weddings last year where the bride and groom had no family connections to the island.

One German couple was touring in a tiny camper van and married at the CnES council office. We then spent an

settings at the beginning of the day before photographing the bridal party getting ready. I always feel very privileged to be included in a couple’s wedding celebrations and never fail to be moved by the day. I hope that this comes across in the work that I do. hour together avoiding drizzly rain to capture some lovely photographs and they left a generous donation for a local charity before continuing their journey through the Isles.

So much thought and preparation go into making a wedding, large or small.

It’s my job to do justice to everything that people invest in their big day. I always scout locations before-hand and often photograph decorations and place

Abigail Treffry has a degree in fine art photography from Glasgow School of Art. She is based in the Isle of Barra, her work can be viewed at abigailtreffry.com

14

island news & ADVERTISER - April 2013 Issue 13

Wildlife

Richardson’s Canada Goose. ©Steve Duffield western-isles-wildlife.co.uk

Extraordinary month for birds in the Uists Birdwatchers from all over the country have been making for Balranald Nature Reserve to see a rare male Harlequin Duck, writes Outer Hebrides bird recorder Brian Rabbitts.

Harlequin Duck at Balranald.

By Brian Rabbitts

Found by a local birdwatcher it is the 18th to appear in British waters. The Hebrides have now hosted the last three records of this species the other two being a female at Coll in 2004 and a male at St Kilda in 2007.

As the North Uist bird is in first-winter

It has now been in residence at Balranald plumage it has yet to attain the more colourful plumage of an adult. Iceland is for more than a month, with birders the only European country where coming from all over the country from as Harlequin Ducks breed and the population far afield as Wolverhampton and London as this is the first male to (about 14,000) is largely be seen in British waters resident. It may be that for a very long time. the Outer Hebrides birds Also spotted in the area, have originated from and all long-stayers, have further afield from the been two Snow Geese, a partially migratory Richardson’s Canada population of eastern Goose and a RingCanada. necked Duck.

The duck had a close Other unusual ducks shave with an otter on Glaucous gull in North Uist. have been a Pochard and February 27. It was By Brian Rabbitts a Green-winged Teal. resting on the rocks when Flocks of fifty or more Pochard were not an otter came out of the water and lunged unknown on Uist lochs up until the late towards it.

The duck flew off in alarm but was none 1980s but nowadays two or three per year the worse for the encounter as it was back have become normal. It is possible that birds that turn up at this time of the year on the rocks some hours later.

Green-winged teal. ©Steve Duffield western-isleswildlife.co.uk

are on their way back to breed in Iceland.

The Green-winged Teal, like the Ringnecked, originates from North America.

Only a few Iceland and Glaucous Gulls have been around this winter (in some years there are good influxes). Some other sightings have included nine Lapland Buntings on the machair (a good number for the time of year) and a small number of Snow Buntings. Later in the spring we might expect some Lapland Buntings to be in summer plumage as they pass through on their back to Greenland.

Spring migration is already underway with seabirds heading towards their breeding colonies. Other summer visitors will soon be arriving but most not in any numbers until well into April or early May.

April 2013 Issue 13 - island news & ADVERTISER © Claire Watson Photography.

Mike Russell with Domhnall Ban and members of Sgoil Lionacleit Pipe Band.

15

Music

Sgoil Lionacleit triumph in school band championships

Sgoil Lionacleit Pipe Band took best debut band prize at the first ever Scottish Pipe Band Championships in Edinburgh last month.

Some 400 students descended on Broughton High School, representing 45 bands from 39 schools.

Sgoil Lionacleit Pipe Band, under the tutelage of Domhnall Ban, shone among 21 other bands in their category to take home the trophy, presented by education

minister Michael Russell, and a cheque for £500.

The band was the only one competing from the Outer Hebrides.

Pipe Major Mairi MacInnes said: “When we won we were so shocked. We couldn’t believe it, we were so excited.

“Being pipe major of the band is great but being pipe major and collecting our prize for the pipe band was the best feeling ever. I keep re-living that moment and honestly it doesn’t feel real. I was in tears and so was everyone.”

Mairi added: “All the early mornings and

the travelling was worth it in the end to come back with first prize.”

The band played on the ferry on their return, and were shocked to find a heroes’ welcome when they returned with friends and family out in force to greet them with a banner and balloons.

Music residency at Isle of Benbecula Hotel UHI BA Hons Applied Music students from across the Highlands and Islands will descend on Uist this month for a weekend residency.

It’s the first time such a residency has been held in Uist.

The residency, from April 11 to 14, will also see the Isle of Benbecula hotel used as a teaching, rehearsal and performance venue ahead of plans to turn it into student accommodation and teaching hub in September (see p 5).

The students will enjoy rehearsal, sessions and tuition, and also the opportunity to play at informal sessions in Creagorry Bar and sing with local singers Paul McCallum and Cathie Laing.

The public are invited to a ‘Tea and Tobar’ concert at 3.30pm on Saturday April 13 in the newly refurbished function room in the hotel.

This will be a repeat performance of the students’ Celtic Connection concert in January this year.

Music course leader Anna Wendy Stevenson said: “The material for the concert was all generated from research into the archives of Tobar an Dualchais [Kist o Riches, the online archive of Gaelic and Scots folklore recordings].

Course leaders Anna Wendy Stevenson (front row right) and Simon Bradley (back row third left) with Benbecula music students. ©Dylan Macphee

“Much of that material has been collected in Uist so it’s fantastic to bring the students here. We’re actually going to meet family descendants of some of the people who were recorded on the Tobar an Dualchais website.

“Everyone is welcome to the concert.

We’ll serve tea, sandwiches, cakes and we’ll make it an open event so that people can can find out what’s going on with the venue,

Renaissance singers tour Outer Hebrides Edinburgh University Renaissance Singers will perform in Our Lady of the Sea church in Barra on Wednesday April 10, Eriskay Church at lunchtime on Thursday April 11 and St Mary’s church, Benbecula that evening at 7pm.

www.donald-black.com

The group head to Harris on Friday April 12, where they will visit St Clements in Rodel for an informal sing.

On Saturday April 13 they will sing in St Peter’s Episcopalian church, Stornoway.

meet the students and see how the academic provision works for UHI and Lews Castle’s role in it. We’ll also tell people about our programme events in our new engagement with the Isle of Benbecula hotel.”

There will be regular weekend music sessions from now onwards, culminating in the grand finale of the academic year- the end of session public concert on Thursday June 6 at 7.30pm.

For Sale - Assignation of Croft Tenancy A rare opportunity to purchase a 3 bedroom traditional stone built house and croft tenancy in the picturesque area of Ormiclate, South Uist. The property enjoys panoramic views over Loch An Duchasaich, the machair and the hills of South Uist. The property is within walking distance of stunning white sandy beaches.

The croft extends to 17.85 Ha and benefits from a stone built byre.

Offers over £145,000 Please contact Uist Property on 01870 602228 for further information

16

island news & ADVERTISER - April 2013 Issue 13

From mountain festival to wildlife observatory John Muir Day April 21 2013 marks the 175th anniversary of the birth of John Muir, the Scots-born American explorer, widely regarded as one of the founding fathers of modern conservation. Events are taking place across Scotland throughout 2013 to celebrate his life and legacy.

As a small boy growing up in Dunbar, Muir loved to walk along local beaches at the height of fierce storms, revelling in the elemental forces of nature. In America, he fell in love with the breathtaking beauty of the remote Sierra Nevada mountains and campaigned for their protection, helping to establish the world’s first National Park.

He was one of the first people to recognise the vital importance of wild places, both for people and wildlife.

Island News & Advertiser looks at the work of the John Muir Trust in Lewis and Harris The John Muir Trust (JMT) has had an active but low profile presence in Lewis and Harris for the past ten years.

The Trust has been involved in land buy-outs, the development of land management projects and events, and a rolling programme of conservation projects staffed by volunteers.

Mick Blunt has been JMT’s Western

Isles area manager since 2004. He is currently involved in a joint project in north Lewis with the Galson Trust and RSPB to develop a new wildlife observatory at Loch Stiapabhat, a local nature reserve in Ness which provides a vital feeding area for birds migrating to and from their Arctic breeding grounds.

With North Harris Trust, he helped set up the Harris Mountain Festival,

JMT volunteers beach cleaning.

Last year, JMT teamed up with new community landowner West Harris Trust to help in a number of ways, including producing an interpretation plan for visitors to West Harris.

Mr Blunt said: “By working with other like-minded landowners, both community owners and private estates,

The John Muir Trust (JMT) was established in the UK in 1983 to safeguard our wild lands and raise awareness of the value of such places. The Trust has been working in the Western Isles for the past ten years.

Harris Mountain Festival 2012 guided walk.

Exhilarating, inspiring and essential Wild places are special. That’s why we work to protect and enhance them for now and future generations.

now an annual fixture celebrating the island’s spectacular natural environment.

He said: “Our first involvement in the Outer Hebrides was an invitation from the North Harris Trust to become a partner in its historic buyout of the North Harris Estate in March 2003. The estate contains some of the finest wild land in the UK, with stunning mountains, lochs and wildlife. Over the past decade we have supported NHT in numerous land management projects, and retain a seat on the board of directors.”

JMT volunteers come over to Lewis and Harris every year to help with conservation projects.

Mr Blunt said: “Activities in recent years have included beach cleans, footpath repairs, clearing invasive gunnera plants and tree planting. Volunteers come from all over the UK and sometimes from Europe too, and from all walks of life. They are united by a love of wild land and a desire to put something back into these wonderful places.”

If you love the natural world, please join us.

Call us on 01796 470080 and ask about membership (quoting Western Isles) or joinus@jmt.org

we can help people to care for, enjoy and benefit from a much greater area of wild land than we could ever own ourselves. To put this in perspective, the North Harris Trust alone owns more land than all the John Muir Trust properties combined.’

JMT volunteers working in Harris.

NORTH HARRIS TRUST WALKS APRIL Thursday 18, 11am-3pm Hushinish to Loch na Cleavaig Meet: Hushinish car park (NA 992 120), Distance: 5 miles Level: Grade B Circular walk across machair grassland, past white sand beaches,into N Harris hills. Rough coastal path with some steep sections. Bring lunch.

APRIL Thursday 25, 1- 4pm Rhenigidale to Loch Trolamaraig Meet: Rhenigidale (NB 223 016), Distance: 3 miles Level: Grade B Area steeped in history. Easy walk along the shoreline path past evocative ruins to the head of Loch Trolamaraig.

www.johnmuirtrust.org The John Muir Trust is a Scottish charitable company limited by guarantee (Charity No SC002061 Company No SC81620).

Registered office: Tower House, Station Road, Pitlochry, PH16 5AN

The volunteers repair a path in Ness, Lewis.

APRIL Saturday 27, 10am – 2.30pm North Harris Trust 10th Anniversary Walk - Amhuinnsuidhe to Hushinish Meet: Start of track on right just to the east of Amhuinnsuidhe Castle (NB 052 077) Distance: 7 miles Level: Grade B Footpath out to spectacular Glen Cravadale,along the coastline to Hushinish,stop for lunch on a remote beach. Booking essential. Bus back to Amhuinnsuidhe from Hushinish,in time for a tour around the castle.

More information and to book a place contact Matt Watts – ranger@north-harris.org or call 01859 502222

All walks free, donations welcome. No dogs.

April 2013 Issue 13 - island news & ADVERTISER

17

Neighbours

Violet oil beetle. © John Walters

Spotlight on Inner Hebrides in quest for rare beetle Black oil beetle. © D Nesbitt

The islands of Coll,Tiree and Mull are the focus of a hunt for a rare beetle with a bizarre life cycle.

found on Tiree and Mull, as the larva hitch a lift on the back of solitary wild bees, so it would be great if people could look out for them there.

“Adult oil beetles can grow to an impressive 3cm long. They get their name from a toxic oily substance they release from their legs to deter predators, but are totally harmless as their favourite foods are dandelions, buttercups and soft grasses.”

The females like to dig their burrows on bare ground, so can often be seen walking across footpaths.

Short-necked oil beetle. © John Walters

rediscovered in South Devon in 2007.

Three years later it turned up on Coll, and the invertebrate conservation charity Buglife says it has a good chance of turning up in Tiree and Mull also.

Dr Scott Shanks, Buglife project officer in Scotland said: “Short-necked oil beetles could potentially be

Dr Shanks said:“It doesn’t look like we have any records of oil beetles from the Outer Hebrides, but that doesn’t mean to say they aren’t there, particularly as the young can potentially be carried by bees for a fair distance. There are records of black and violet oil beetles from Skye, which is probably the nearest.”

Colonsay Book Festival and Festival of Spring Colonsay’s second Book Festival has a stellar cast, with appearances from guests Ian Rankin, Candia McWilliam, Maggie Ferguson, Sara Sheridan and Marie Hedderwick, John Burnside, Angus Peter Campbell and Ron Butlin. www. colonsaybookfestival.org.uk The book festival takes place on April 27 and 28, and

is followed by a three week Festival of Spring from April 29 to May 19.

Events range from walks to arts and craft workshops, baking, dancing, exhibitions, ornithology and archaeology. Prompt booking encouraged.

Email springfest@isleofcolonsay.org.uk or phone 07850 230000

on Canna

The females dig burrows to lay their eggs. After hatching the larvae crawl onto the vegetation and hop aboard passing wild bees, back to their nest to eat its eggs and store of nectar and pollen.

This interdependence means that oil beetles are a good indicator of the health of the countryside.

The short-necked oil beetle (Meloe brevicollis) was thought to be extinct in the UK for more than 50 years until it was

EXCITING BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY

The hunt is part of Buglife’s survey this year focusing on Scotland’s three species of oil beetle, the short-necked, the black and the violet oil beetle, all threatened.

The beetles can be found on machair, heath, moors, cliff tops and dunes. Their numbers have dwindled due to the loss of flower-rich habitats and the decline of the wild bee, upon which they depend for a curious part of their life cycle.

●

The National Trust for Scotland is offering the lease of the Tearoom/Restaurant located next to the Bothy along with an accommodation lease.

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The commercial building is located close to Canna House and commands a prominent location on the harbour front.

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The business has the potential to benefit from our 9,000 yearly visitors from tourships, day trippers, holiday guests and our recently installed community yacht moorings facility.

We look forward to welcoming new residents to join our island community.

Please apply via e-mail to the following: theisleofcanna@gmail.com

18

island news & ADVERTISER - April 2013 Issue 13

Archaeology Uncovering the ancient secrets of Loch Paible foreshore A team of archaeologists from St Andrews University and volunteers from Uist’s Access Archaeology group have carried out an exploratory dig on the foreshore of Loch Paible , North Uist.

They dodged the tide and endured high winds and snow flurries to coax the sand and peaty deposits along the shoreline to yield their secrets.

At least five sites of potential interest had been noted in a previous Historic Scotland survey of the area, and three extremely rare wooden finds by Fergus, Earl Granville marked it out as potentially very significant.

He found two bowls and a small paddleshaped object with a hole in one end. The objects are being held in Stornoway, with one bowl so far dated to the Iron Age. During the dig, the team found a pointed

wooden stake, burned at one end, of considerable interest to project leader Tom Dawson of St Andrew University.

He said: “It is in a fantastic state of preservation, excellent for radiocarbon dating.

“We also exposed more of a wall which goes round the headland and disappears under the machair which is where Erskine Beveridge claims there is a doune.

Tom Dawson.

Circular and square structures were found on the foreshore.

Painstaking exploratory work on Loch Paible foreshore.

Peaty layers have built up against the side of the wall containing peat ash, pottery, bone, shell and many other fragments of wood.”

1 Using sophisticated geophysics technology, the St Andrews team plotted the solid masses underground on the site, with one circular area possibly confirming the existence of the doune.

On the foreshore the team excavated in 1m grid squares to get an idea of the potential of the area.

Mr Dawson said: “The water course in this area has changed direction in the past ten to 15 years from south to north, exposing peaty layers, walls and several structures of different shapes and sizes.

The tide here is strong and fast, and we know in recent history there were signs of circular structures stretching to the west, but they have already been lost.”

He added: “ We are taking back samples of the soil along the foreshore for analysis.

It is peaty, but high in sand, so we want to find out how it has been formed” The three week dig was funded by Scotland’s Coastal Heritage At Risk Project (SCHARP) together with the Crown Estate, Historic Scotland, St Andrew’s University and CnES. The dig will now be evaluated, with the possibility of a further excavation of the site in future.

Look SCHARP when you’re walking on the coast Help from the public is being sought by a new nationwide project to record information from Scotland’s 12,000 coastal archaeological sites onto an online database.

At the heart of the Community ●

Wide selection

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Local meat, fish, eggs and seasonal veg

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Fresh baking

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Friendly service Daily papers

Open Monday to Saturday, 8am to 6pm

Telephone: 01876 510257 Bayhead, North Uist

Scotland’s Coastal Heritage At Risk Project (SCHARP) invites all coastal walkers to enter information and photographs of the archaeological sites they see when they are out and about.

The Outer Hebrides has no less than 4,000 coastal sites, including 25% of the 940 sites SCHARP deem to be of the highest priority in the country.

Interested parties should register at www.scharp.co.uk to contribute to the project’s Shore UPDATE section.

The website contains Sites at Risk maps which include Western Isles sites and monuments and record information.

There is also a free ShoreUPDATE phone app so that members of the public can enter

records or submit new sites via their phone.

The public will also be involved in selecting at least 12 sites threatened by coastal erosion for ShoreDIG, a project to supportmore detailed work on the sites, ranging from excavation and survey to interpretation and virtual reconstructions.

ShoreDig projects will be community-led, with SCHARP providing funding, training and professional support.

For more information visit the SCHARP website or email info@scharp.co.uk

April 2013 Issue 13 - island news & ADVERTISER

THE GUILD SALE

Community

BRING AND BUBuYy sale in d The Guild Bring an all ur Clachan Ch ch H £1900 d ise ra 23 ry on Februa s. nd fu for church

Dancers head to British championships

Hebrides: ISLANDS ON THE EDGE Episode 3 of the New BBC Scotland Natural History Series Special BBC preview to thank our communities for their help and co-operation

At a Screen Machine near you ● 13-25 April 2013: 6.30pm start at all venues ●

Saturday 13 April The Pier, Castlebay, Barra Tuesday 16 April Borrodale Hotel, Daliburgh, South Uist Thursday 18 April Community Hall, Lochmaddy, North Uist Sunday 21 April Dark Island Hotel, Liniclate, Benbecula Tuesday 23 April East Tarbet, Harris Tickets are free of charge and must be pre-booked.

Email scotland.events@bbc.co.uk or telephone 0141 422 6211

Members of the Island Dance Crew (IDC), the Benbecula-based Irish dance group led by Lorna Laird, are heading to Swindon to compete in the British World Irish Dancing Association championships on June 5.

The event is a milestone for the group, formed less than two years ago. To raise funds for the trip, IDC laid on a St Patrick’s Day show in the Dark Island Hotel, which raised £450.

Earlier this year IDC were put through their paces in a workshop run by champion dancer Kirsty Laird of Eireann Go Bragh School of Irish Dance in Glasgow.

Local businessman runs for Carinish school

Lorna said: “The girls thoroughly enjoyed it. It was ten hours of dancing and our legs were killing us next day.”

Lorna praised the community for the support they have shown to IDC. She said: ‘I’d like to thank everyone for all their support. We’ve had donations from Kallin Shellfish, the Dark Island, Celtic Uist Supporters Club, MacInnes Bros and there’s more to come. We raised £191 ourselves through bag packing at the Co-op. Every penny will go towards giving the kids the opportunity of dancing on the mainland.”

Dancers from age 4 to 16 and above are invited to join IDC. Call Lorna on 01870 602820.

©Dylan Macphee

Bayhead shop, Clachan Stores and Langass Lodge for holding my sponsorship forms, to Roddy at Custom Prints for making the two tops I wore on the day, and to everyone who sponsored me.”

The Alternative Miss Uist competition was a stunning success.

Comic Relief: ‘doing something funny for money’at Sgoil Lionacleit A week of lunchtime antics at Sgoil Lionacleit saw a hefty £1137.74 roll in for Comic Relief.

Comic Relief:Bethan’s icing on the cake

Bethan sold her baking outside the Bayhead shop.

When she realized Comic Relief was coming up, Bethan MacLellan, 10, rolled up her sleeves and took to the kitchen of her Hougharry home.

The accomplished young baker made a selection of scones, chocolate truffles, buns and cakes, then put into action the next part of her plan.

She set up a stall outside Bayhead shop, and started selling her baking. Within 45 minutes she had sold out, netting an impressive £128 for Comic Relief.

Bethan said: “Thank you to the Maclean brothers for letting me pitch outside, and to everyone who bought baking and gave donations.”

Fund-raising sports massage Reflexologist Cheryl Taylor raised £25 for MacMillan Nurses Support by offering massages to runners after the Benbecula 10k. She is pictured here with Shona Morrison who won the female category.

Shona described the massage as ‘fantastic, just what I needed.’ Cheryl has raised thousands of pounds over the years for medical charities offering sports massages at races.

Stuart Menzies of Menzies Private Hire in Carinish presented the pupils of Carinish school with a cheque for £1116 after completing the Benbecula 10k (see page 20) The money will go towards the school’s charities including Trianaid, Unicef and MacMillan, and also to improving the school’s public gardens and ball park.

A delighted Stuart said: “Thanks to

19

Stuart Menzies with pupils of Carnish school.

Pupils organised an assault course challenge on Monday, competed against staff in a special ‘Would I Lie to You?’ Quiz on Tuesday and battled each other in the great Lionacleit Sumo challenge on Wednesday and Thursday.

Mrs Carter provided a ‘joke-a-thon’ on Thursday, with pupils raising money to put an end to her terrible jokes!

On Friday pupils came to school wearing red or dressed all mixed up to show support for Red Nose day.

A hugely successful bake sale was also held, with S6 pupils working secretively with Miss MacDonald to organise an incredible Harlem Shake/YMCA flash mob performed to the amazed onlookers during morning break.

Friday lunchtime saw the hush-hush ‘big event’ unfold in the form of an ‘Alternative Miss Uist’ competition, with Mrs Reid compering as several S6 boys accompanied by Mr Fraser and Mr Hogg glammed it up as candidates for the title of Miss Alternative Uist 2013.

The competition was a stunning success with pupils and staff sharing in the good humour of the event to raise money for serious problems.

With Red Noses being sold in the school and donations flooding in for the various events, the school managed to raise the sum of £1137.74, a testament to the generosity and kindness of the Uist community, managing to raise such a large sum of money during times of economic difficulty.

Angus B MacNeil MP Constituency Office, 31 Bayhead Street, Stornoway Isle of Lewis, HS1 2DU

All enquiries welcome

Tel 01851 702 272 E-Mail: macneila@parliament.uk

20

island news & ADVERTISER - April 2013 Issue 13

Sport First: William MacRury.

Third: Alastair MacDonald.

Second: Angus Campbell.

MacRury wins Benbecula 10k Stornoway youth worker Willie MacRury won the first road race of the season, the Benbecula 10k, with a time of 36.13.

First female was Shona Morrison with 45.22.

Stuart Menzies.

Stuart triumphs for Carinish school Local businessman Stuart Menzies, 41, completed his first race since his school days on a high. He had decided to enter the 10k to raise money for Carinish schoolabout £100, he thought. An appeal on his Facebook page brought the Uist community’s generous spirit to the fore and he was able to present a cheque for £1116 to the school. (see page 19) Stuart said he was on cloud nine after the race, which he completed in 53.33. “I’m wired to the moon. People’s generosity has been amazing,” he said.

The field of 42 runners enjoyed sunny skies for the race, with a slight breeze to keep them cool.

Mr MacRury, 28, of Stornoway Running and Athletics Club said he was happy with his time considering his winter training had not been geared towards the 10k.

He said: “I’ve been training for the Island Games this year in Bermuda, but I’ve not qualified by a few seconds. We’re appealing, and I hope to be able to go to the Games but I decided to come down and have a go at this race.”

The grandson of Katie MacRury of Nunton, Mr MacRury has many relations in Benbecula. His father Neil was running the Inverness halfmarathon that weekend.

Mr MacRury paid tribute to his runner-up Angus Campbell (37.20) He said: “Angus Campbell pushed me all the way. He should quit football and take up running. He was right with me at the 5k mark.”

Mr MacRury’s time left intact the 2006 record of 34.49 set by Iain MacCorquodale.

First female was keen local runner, Shona Morrison, who set the female race record in 2007 with 42.26.

This time she came in with 45.22, “faster than last year,” she said.

The 47 year old has been running since she was 34, and has notched up three Inverness full marathons. She treated herself to a post-race massage courtesy of reflexologist Cheryl Taylor. (see page 19)

Second: Lena Carter.

First: Shona Morrison.

Third: Amy Campbell.

Pictures by Dylan MacPhee

Benbecula 10k first three winners MALE William MacRury Angus Campbell Alastair MacDonald

36.13 37.20 40.20

Benbecula 10k first three winners FEMALE Shona Morrison Lena Carter Amy Campbell

45.22 48.22 50.23

Support our Boys!

RNLI fundraising football match Southern Isles Emergency Select v Police (Lewis/Harris) Saturday April 13, 3pm Lionacleit pitch, Benbecula with entertainments, refreshments and a flying visit from the coastguards

Man of the Match sponsored by Island News & Advertiser Followed by buffet and dance (ticket only)

CO CHOMUNN AN IOCHDAIR LTD

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Dark Island Hotel. Buffet starts 6.30pm. ●

Tickets from local outlets and police stations

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Barrathon fully subscribed in six minutes The Barra Half Marathon’s 250 places were filled just six minutes after online registration opened.

There is now a waiting list for other hopefuls.

Facebook: Southern Isles Emergency Services Cup

HAND REFLEXOLOGY WORKSHOP Saturday April 20, 2013

Isles’first full marathon next year The first ever full marathon in the Outer Hebrides will take place in Stornoway next year, hosted

by Stornoway Running and Athletics Club.

Dark Island Hotel, Benbecula

10am - 4pm. Limited to 10 delegates £50 Per Person Refreshments And Lunch Included

Phone Cheryl Taylor On

01870 603754 to reserve your place and not miss out

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22

island news & ADVERTISER - April 2013 Issue 13

Paw Prints

Welcome to Paw Prints, where your animals get their chance to shine.

Patch chilling out. He lives in Berneray with Juliet Worboys and Ian Hoyle.

ool Inca is a regular visitor to the Old Sch the with s stay House in Baleshare, where she I’ll and n dow Gleesons. She says: “Come on make a real rap-PAW with you.”

in e out at visitors. She lives ary.

Tara likes to stick her tongu sem Ro ff, sta of ef chi r Tam and Balivanich with her brothe

Drift with his be st cuddles, climbi friend Chloe. He loves ng on you and runn the beach. He li ves with Katie in ing on Iochdar.

Chester is one of Uist Communty Riding School’s ponies, seen here with one of his best

friends, Chloe.

Email your hi-res photos to pawprints @islandnewsandadvertiser.com with your name and address,your pet’s name and anything you’d like to say about them. Then look out for your photo on IN&A’s Paw Print page over the coming months!

April 2013 Issue 13 - island news & ADVERTISER

23

THE ADVERTISER YOUR NEW DIRECTORY OF LOCAL SERVICES

To advertise in this new section please call 01876 510758 ads@islandnewsandadvertiser.com Agricultural Contractor & Plant Hire Digger & Tractor Hire, Landscaping, Access Roads, Agricultural Sheds Building Sand, Gravel, Concreting John Allan MacLellan Tel: 01876 510304 Mob: 07786 430989

Building and Roofing Contractors New builds, Renovations, Roof specialists.

Archie Beaton Tel: 01871 890 374 Mob: 07788 263 080

Business Services The Western Isles Occupational Health, Safety and Business Support Consultancy.

Sandwick Management Systems Call Donald on 07788 963497 Email: donaldsandwicksystems.co.uk

island news & ADVERTISER

Have 4 lines in the directory for as little as £8.00 Car Commercials Plant & Marine Repairs Available for Hire 15 to 57 Seater Buses 6M Luton Vans.

HEBCO Howmore, Isle of South Uist Tel: 01870 620 345 Mob: 07900 806 638

Graphic Designers Hebridean Graphics t: 01876 500469 / 07836 640524 www.hebrideangraphics.com

Grasscutters Island Grasscutting N. Uist - Berneray - Grimsay Call Tom: 0794 7910562

Cycle Shop Cycle hire, sales, repairs.

Rothan Cycles Tel: 01870 620283 rothan@hebrides.net www.rothan.com

Hairdresser Shear Design Unisex salon Bayhead, North Uist Call Joanne 07825 741436

Painter and Decorator

Insurance Services Are you paying over the odds for your insurance?

Let us offer you a great deal on your personal and business insurance.

Call us now for a no obligation quotation Tel: 01870 60 22 22 email: info@macleodinsurance.co.uk Macleod Insurance Services

All types of decoration undertaken.

Ally MacKenzie Tel: 01870 602725 Mob: 07723013884

Photographic Printing & Graphic Design Clothing, Workwear Canvas, Photo Restoration Balloons & Banners Custom Prints 01870 602515

Licensed Tearoom and Shop

Pregnancy Crisis

Groceries, Gifts, Snacks Summer evening meals Ardmaree Stores The Lobster Pot, Berneray Tel: 01876 540288

Free confidential counselling W.I.Pregnancy Crisis Support Text or phone: 07901966101 Email: westernisles@ careconfidential.com

Sewing Services Dressmaking, Alterations Upholstery, Digital Embroidery The Sewing Studio Tel: 07767 838823

island news & ADVERTISER

Have 9 lines in the directory for as little as £18.00

Sign Makers Signage - Vehicle livery - Labels Design - Manufacture - Install Hebridean Graphics t: 01876 500469 / 07836 640524 www.hebrideangraphics.com

Taxis Airport, ferry, school runs Staff runs & small contracts 24/7 service Menzies Private Hire Tel: 07833 357241 www.mph247.co.uk

island news & ADVERTISER

Have 6 lines in the directory for as little as £12.00

Taxis Isle of Barra local taxi Tel: 01871 810012 Mobile: 07974 071255

Taxis

Training

Prompt Reliable Service Sketch’s Taxis Tel: 01870 603427 Mob: 07909 637161

Opportunities for Learning Cothrom Ltd Tel: 01878 700910 www.cothrom.net

Be seen in the

ADVERTISER FLAT RATE

£2 per line, minimum three lines

Have your business seen throughout the islands for as little as £66 PER YEAR. Flat rate £2 per line, minimum three lines, minimum eleven insertions. Call 01876 510758/ads@islandnewsandadvertiser.com to book your space.

APRIL REFUSE COLLECTION SCHEDULE FOR UISTS & BARRA Barra Refuse Collection – April 2013

REFUSE & RECYCLING COLLECTIONS IN HARRIS April 9

Criochan, Brevig, Skallary, Leanish, Earsary,Bolnabodach, Bruernish, Northbay, Ardveenish, Ardmhor, Airport, Eoligarry

Tuesday 9 Apr, 23 Apr Residual Collection

UIST

Shops, Hotels, Hospital, Castlebay School, Vatersay, Heather Hill,Tangasdale, Borve Craigston, Allasdale, Cuithir, Grean, Cleat, Northbay Inn

Thursday 11 Apr, 25 Apr Residual Collection

East Gerinish, Rhughasinish, Lochcarnan, Iochdar, Ardnamonie, Ardivacher, Ardmore, Creagorry, Liniclate & school,Torlum, Hacklet, Uiskevagh, Petersport,West Camp, Balivanich, Locheport, Berneray, Clachan Sands,Vallique, Loch Portain, Cheesebay, Lochmaddy, Minish, Blashaval, Dunganichy.

Criochan, Brevig, Skallary, Leanish, Earsary, Bolnabodach, Bruernish, Northbay, Ardveenish, Ardmhor, Airport, Eoligarry, Northbay Inn, Grean, Cleat, Cuithir, Allasdale

Monday 1 Apr, 29 Apr, Paper/card 15 Apr Blue Bin

Glen, Garrygall, Ledaig, Castlebay Shops, Hotels, Hospital, Castlebay School, Horve, Kentangaval, Nask,Vatersay, Heatherhill,Tangasdale, Borve, Craigston

Tuesday 16 Apr Blue Bin 2 Apr, 30 Apr Paper/card

Glen, Garrygall, Ledaig, Castlebay Shops, Hotels, Hospital, Castlebay School, Horve, Kentangaval, Nask,

Thursday 4 Apr, 18 Apr Residual Collection

Monday 8 Paper/Card 22 April Blue Bin

Langass Lodge, Hougharry, Middlequarter, Lochmaddy commercials, Clachan-na-luib, Carinish, Baleshare, Claddach Carinish, Grimsay, Island Flodda, Gramsdale, Griminish, Nonton, Aird, Muir of Aird.

Mondays 1, 29 April Paper/Card 15 April Blue Bin Clachan, Claddach district, Bayhead, Knockintorran, Balemore, Kyles Paible, Paible, Sollas, Hosta,Tigharry, Grenitote, Ahmore, Balranald, Langass Lodge, Hougharry, Middlequarter, Lochmaddy commercials, Clachan-na-luib, Carinish, Baleshare, Claddach Carinish, Grimsay, Island Flodda, Gramsdale, Griminish, Nunton, Aird, Muir of Aird.

Tuesdays 9/23 April Residual

Tuesdays 2, 16, 30 April - Residual

Smerclate, Garrynamonie, South Lochboisdale, South Boisdale, North Boisdale, Daliburgh Commercials and West of; Kilphedar, Strome, Eriskay, Glendale, Kilbride, Rangehead; Hacklet eastwards; Uiskevagh, Petersport,West Camp, Balivanich/Aird, Creagorry commercials, Liniclate commercials, Liniclate Muir, Uachdar, Dunganichy.

Stoneybridge,Locheynort,Daliburgh,Lochboisdale,Garryhellie,Askernish, Milton, Kildonan, Bornish, Howmore, Howbeg, Drimsdale, Stilligarry, Drimore, Gernish, Rangehead, Rhughasinish, Lochcarnan, Iochdar, Ardnamonie, Ardivacher, Ardmore, Creagorry, Liniclate & school,Torlum.

Wednesday 10 April Blue Bin 24 April Paper/Card Stoneybridge, Locheynort, Dalibrugh, Lochboisdale, Garryhellie, Askernish, Milton, Kildonan, Bornish, Howmore, Howbeg, Drimsdale, Stilligarry, Drimore, Gernish, Rangehead, Liniclate commercials, Balivanich commercials.

Thursdays 11/25 April Residual Clachan, Claddach district, Bayhead, Knockintorran, Balemore, Kyles Paible, Paible, Sollas, Hosta,Tigharry, Grenitote, Ahmore, Balranald,

Wednesdays 3 April Paper/Card 17 April Blue Bin Eriskay, Glendale, Kilbride, Smerclate, Garrynamonie, South Lochboisdale, Daliburgh commercials, Daliburgh- west of Borrodale Hotel, South Boisdale, North Boisdale, Kilphedar, Strome, Rangehead, DI, IOBHH.

Thursdays 4/18 April Residual Locheport, Berneray, Clachan Sands,Vallique, Lochportain, Cheesebay, Blashaval, Minish, Lochmaddy commercials, Bayhead, Claddach, Clachan, Carinish, Balivanich.

Island News & Advertiser is published by Island News & Advertiser Ltd, Sandary Lodge, Isle of North Uist, HS6 5ED Printed by Cumbrian Newsprint, Newspaper House, Dalston Road, Carlisle CA2 5UA