Farewell to piper Karl
Hamish’s lifeboat pride
See Page 10
See Page 11
Ruairidh’s CATAMARAN FISHING BOAT First for isles
See Page 8
island news Edition 03
May 2012
EE FR
& ADVERTISER
PONTOONS FOR LOCHMADDY WILL COMPLETE SOUTHERN ISLES CHAIN Proposed site for the Lochmaddy pontoons.
Hopes for boost in sail tourism as pontoons extended in Eriskay, Leverburgh pontoons are out to tender, and Lochboisdale marina tenders next month.
Detailed discussions with funders are underway for a 26 berth fully serviced pontoon development for Lochmaddy. Uist’s Society of the Sea, Comann Na Mara has been working on the plans for the past 18 months with relevant stakeholders including North Uist Estate, Crown Estate, CnES Harbour Master, and SNH. CNM chairman Gus Macaulay said: “For obvious beneficial reasons in the leisure and tourism sector, pontoons at Lochmaddy have been long talked about. “The concept fell naturally into Comann na Mara’s three year development plan and so some 18 months ago we adopted the project and put it on our agenda. What you see are the outline project plans that include a boat yard, car park and a seated
HARRIS
viewing and picnic area. The pontoons will not exclusively be reserved for visiting crafts as we also hope that they will be utilised by local users. “The fruition of this project will not only benefit Lochmaddy but the island as a whole as we fully expect not only visiting yachts but a programmed season of cruise ships. We are now at the stage where we are actively talking to funders and hope that some of the preliminary work may be able to start this year.” Scottish Enterprise figures show that nightly visiting boat expenditure is around £130, with sail tourism worth close to £40million on Scotland’s West Coast. Continued on Page 3
BERNERAY
NORTH UIST
THESE ISLANDS ARE FOR SAIL! BENBECULA
SOUTH UIST
ERISKAY
island news & ADVERTISER - Issue 3
Dear Editor Light Pollution Solution The islands are excellent for night sky viewing – however suffer from light pollution from the low pressure sodium (LPS)and high pressure sodium lamps (HPS) that stay on late into the night. Any street lights on the island are of the pole type where the light bulb sits vertically and spreads light in a 360 degree area, most of which is not needed and thus wasted. Cheltenham is in the process of addressing the problem by fitting light head adaptions, that is, the pole is left, and the curved arm and head is replaced with high intensity carefully focussed LED lighting using daylight temperature fittings. With such lighting there is virtually no horizontal light pollution.This has several advantages – easier to see at night whilst driving – less light pollution in the sky allowing the night sky to be seen and the borealis when displayed.This would bring in more tourists to spend money on the island.The LED lights, once run in will last many years before a replacement is needed. HPS and LPS need attention sometimes annually.The running costs are significantly lower, allowing them to be left on longer in areas that customers need lights. Lighting is needed on the ground for safety, and the present range of LED lighting does just that, reducing the Comhairle’s Carbon Footprint thus helping to meet their energy saving targets. The Comhairle needs to save money in both energy costs and lamp replacement costs. Some of the low pressure sodium lights are very tired and need replacing. I have no association with any lighting company, however would like to see the night sky, reduce energy costs and global weather changes.
Christian Wagner Cheltenham
IN&A welcomes letters on any topic. Write to letters@islandnewsandadvertiser.com
INBRIEF
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FESTIVAL OF THE SEA
Lochmaddy will host a three day festival of th e sea this month as an Scottish Association of off-shoot of the Marine Science (SAMS) 10 day Sea Festival base SMAS Festival director Dr d in Oban. Anoushka Miller invited Uist’s Society of the Sea, to organise the Lochmadd Co mann Na Mara y festival, which takes pla ce on May 24, 25 and 26 CNM chairman Gus Macau . lay said:“SAMS wanted to extend the festival to the We have organised a pro Western Isles. gramme of events in conju nction with community offer talks, trips and enter members to tainment over the three days. The Leverburgh life its first visit to Uist as part boat is making of the Festival.” TURN TO PAGE 9 FOR FULL DETAILS
Diamond Jubilee Lunch celebrated with a The Queen’s auspicious occasion was hist staff and lunch in Balivanich Hall by Tagsa Uib masks and hats service users. Guests donned patriotic the Stepping by d and enjoyed a slap up lunch supplie a Carter Len and a Stone restaurant. Joanna Peterann provided the entertainment.
PUBLIC MEETING TO DISCUSS BENBECULA TEAMPULL PROJECT Around 40 members of the community turned out to hear a series of presentations about Teampull Chaluim Chille (TCC), the scheduled monument at 22, Balivanich. The idea of raising funds to consolidate the ruin and create a form of access and interpretation for it was put to the meeting. Catriona Garbutt of the TCC working group described the historical significance of the building and its unique features.“The Teampull tells its own silent story,’ she said. CnES community co-ordinator Marie Campbell suggested the project could be part of the Building a Better Balivanich programme and urged the working group to get ‘funding-ready’ for next year. Meanwhile local development officer Neil Campbell appealed for more information about the site from local residents and those further afield with knowledge.
Berneray bbq and SALE SEASON SreTguAlaRrTS
n its Berneray has begu le and BBQ for sa p to ebl ta monthly . er m the sum ll was packed with The community ha hile the smell of bargain hunters, w tracted walkers sizzling burgers at . down from the hills ey for the hall and The sales raise mon an opportunity to give local crafters sell their wares.
Appeal for Uist and Harris involvement in Barra bunting project If you have ever set foot on Barra or Vatersay you are invited to make a bunting flag of your own design to celebrate your link with those islands. The Barra Bunting project is underway to bring together the global community who have visited the islands. Flags have already come in from Australia and the USA. The first batch of bunting will go on display at the Barra and Vatersay Show on September 1. Organiser Sarah Maclean is holding a bunting workshop in Cothrom, South Uist on May 11 between 1.30 and 3.30pm to which all are invited. www.barrabunting.net
PAIBLE FUN RUN All 43 children from Paible school, North Uist took part in their annual fun run to raise funds for the school. They were joined by parents, community members and even visitors tackling either 3.5 km or 2.3 km route. The event raised £800 towards school activities.
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TO ADVERTISE Tel: 01876 510758/07500 041671 ads@islandnewsandadvertiser.com Managing Editor: Susy Macaulay - Design: Tim Mason
island news & ADVERTISER - Issue 2
Chairman of the Royal Yacht Association (RYA) Western Isles Sailing Development Group, Peter Keiller of Lochmaddy welcomed the pontoon plans.
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Linking the islands together in nice, easy sailing packages from Barra all the way up the island chain is ideal.
Chairman of the Royal Yacht Association (RYA) Western Isles Sailing Development Group, Peter Keiller
He said: “Lochmaddy is an attractive destination for sailors but there are very few facilities. Pontoons are the way to go and will be a huge boost for the area. “Linking the islands together in nice, easy sailing packages from Barra all the way up the island chain is ideal.” CnES has recently extended the harbour pontoons at Stocknish and Acarsaid (Eriskay), to reflect growing demand. An additional pontoon development is planned for Leverburgh, with the design and build project currently out to tender. CnES Harbour Master Roderick Jardine said: “Whilst Stocknish and Acarsaid have been designed around the needs of the fishing community, the Leverburgh pontoons are intended for more general usage, and will be suitable for the transfer of passengers to the growing fleet of day trip vessels operating in the area. “The proposal for Lochmaddy by Comann na Mara has the potential to provide a quality safe haven for visiting and local leisure craft, and the Comhairle as harbour authority looks forward to working with Comann na Mara in bringing these plans to fruition.” Lochboisdale has 52 pontoons as part of its fisheries quay development. This will have a 60m berthing face with loading and launching slipways. The pontoons will used for
mixed fisheries, aquaculture and leisure sailing use. The site will be leased from South Uist Estates to Lochboisdale Development Ltd, a subsidiary company which will take forward the development of Lochboisdale. The project will go out to tender in June for an October start date and will take around 18 months to complete. Lochboisdale Development Ltd will work with Hebridean Harbours Association to develop joint marketing and awareness raising of the Outer Hebrides as a sailing destination. Storas Uibhist development officer Kirsty Campbell said: “We consider that in addition to direct to the customer marketing there is a need to target the providers of sailing guides and websites to ensure they understand the unique experience of the Outer Hebrides and the high quality facilities which are available, or will shortly come on stream.”
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We see key gaps in the market in provision of onshore facilities, cruise ship tours, day cruises and boat trips, chandlery and service provision for leisure sailing.
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Continued from Page 1
Storas Uibhist development officer Kirsty Campbell.
She added: “We see key gaps in the market in provision of onshore facilities, cruise ship tours, day cruises and boat trips, chandlery and service provision for leisure sailing. We will be working with the local community, individuals and businesses to facilitate the development of these business opportunities to ensure that the highest local economic impact is achieved within the Lochboisdale community.” RYA Scotland development co-ordinator Toby Marshall said: “I’m thrilled to hear that the Uists are leading the way in establishing the facilities to allow larger sailing boats to cruise up past Ardnamurchan to the Western Isles, since a
Turbine first for Scotland Three new wind turbines have been erected in Uist. The Aircon 10S turbines are the first of their kind to be erected in Scotland, and second in the UK. Two have been put up for the Lochboisdale Hotel in South Uist, and one is at the home of architect Robert Fraser and his family in Carinish, North Uist. Mr Fraser formerly worked for CnES, but left a few years ago to go into private practice and fulfill his vision of incorporating renewables into buildings. The family looked at various green options for their own home but eventually opted for wind power to offset their rocketing heating bills, and plunged their all savings into the project. They chose the 15m Aircon turbine based on its German engineering, high aerodynamic efficiency blades and most importantly, quietness, being close to their home. “The price of oil has gone from 18p a litre to 75p in 10 years,” Mr Fraser said. “We looked at other options but wind power suited our needs best, as we need 10kw to offset out energy usage.” A 20 year Feed In Tariff (FIT) contract guarantees the family some income from selling their excess power to the grid. Mr Fraser estimates that it will be three to five years to recoup their £60,000 investment. Projections show that the turbine should make around £10,000 per year. Mr Fraser said: “We are delighted. The turbine is controlled and monitored from Germany, but we can see what is going on in our computer. The other day we had a heavy day of washing, cooking and cleaning and saw
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Robert Fraser and John Daniel Peteranna with the turbine blades.
The turbine being erected at the Frasers’ home in Carinish.
that we had only imported 2 units of electricity from the grid.” Lochboisdale Hotel owner Calum Macaulay said he hopes his two wind turbines will cut the hotel’s annual energy bills dramatically. He said: “We didn’t put up the turbines to make money from them, but because we wanted to make a significant impact on the energy
The Lochboisdale harbour development.
lack of facilities has, until now, hugely inhibited the growth of the sport in the Outer Hebrides. “The support of projects such as these is one of the reasons why RYA Scotland, sailing’s national governing body, formed its development groups, and I’m delighted that the Western Isles Sailing development group can offer its assistance in establishing these new facilities throughout the Uists as it will have a hugely positive impact in bringing sailing in the islands from the periphery of Scotland to more in the mainstream of the sport. “Given the absolute majesty of the Outer Hebrides coastal waters, leisure marine tourism, which has an annual turnover roughly equivalent to that of golf in the UK, is an obvious yet untapped market, so initiatives which bring in more cruising yachtsmen and women will inevitably be good for the economy of the Western Isles, and I would therefore hope that the Comhairle councillors will whole-heartedly throw their weight behind the sailing projects which are planned throughout the isles.”
consumption of the building. Projections are that the turbines should supply 80% plus of our needs.” The hotel were able to put up their turbines with the help of an Energy Saving Trust Scotland soft loan. This loan, capped at £100,000 per business, is interest-free over 8 years and available to all Scottish businesses which can demonstrate that the investment will reduce energy costs. West Coast Energee of South Uist were contracted to put up all three turbines. Director John Daniel Peteranna said: “We have excellent energy producing but very testing conditions for wind turbines here in the Outer Hebrides. With well above national average wind speeds and a saline environment to deal with, small wind turbines must be of the highest quality to survive over the long term. Although the Aircon10 is relatively new to the UK market we were very impressed with its build quality and reliable service over the past decade in its home territory along the German and Dutch North Sea coast. “Another important factor was its ultra-quiet operation, you literally cannot hear this turbine operating at 50m distance away which makes it the quietest on the market by a long stretch. We are seeing a lot of interest in small wind turbines recently and are now confident that we can offer our customers a turbine that will serve them well into the future.” Mr Peteranna added: “There is a common myth that there are problems getting grid connections, but this is not the case with the small scale turbines. Only the large turbines are affected by this restriction at the moment, and the grid capacity for all is on a first come first served basis.” West Coast Energee works from Shetland and Orkney to Lewis and Harris as well as Skye, the west coast and the Uists.
Robert and Janice Fraser are ‘delighted’ with their new turbine.
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island news & ADVERTISER - Issue 3
Local musicians on board for 1st North Uist festival A host of island musicians have come forward to play in Feis Oir Na Cruinne, the three day festival based in Lochmaddy from June 8 to 10. The list includes Keith from Face The West; Eilidh Macleod and Band; Neil Campbell and Joanna Peteranna; Na H-Eileanich; Simon Bradley Trio; Sounds Like April; Mata MacDonald; Broken Liberty, Catrin Evans and Rory McLure. Organiser Niall Johnson said: “We are now working under the auspices of Comann Na Mara which we feel is a big step forward. We’re delighted that the event has become more community-orientated and also that so many local musicians are coming forward. Musicians are coming from far and wide and excitement and anticipation is mounting.” Lochmaddy football field is now confirmed as tent city, with Lochmaddy Hall providing toilets and kitchen facilities. More information, or to get involved from Niall on 01876 500234/07890 547239/ zodiacniall@hotmail.com or Elaine: 07955 916456.
WORLD BOOK NIGHT FIRST IN UIST
Uist took part in World Book Night for the first time. Lionacleit school library and Taigh Sgire Sholais were venues for the event, whose aim is to celebrate reading and books every April 23. Sarah Myles of Sollas organised a book exchange in Taigh Sgire and gave out copies of Andrea Levy’s Small Island, printed in a special Book Night edition. She said:“The idea is you take a copy and then you pass it on to someone else once you have read it. It has a unique number which you can google to find out where it travels around the world. You need to register it first at worldbooknight.org.”
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Telephone: 01876 510257 Bayhead, North Uist
KYLES OF SCALPAY BIOMASS TRIAL ASSESSED
The biomass plantation at Kyles of Scalpay.
North Harris Trust has carried out an assessment of a biomass research project started before the Trust was formed in Kyles of Scalpay. The site is one of three in the Western Isles, including Benbecula, established in 2006 to investigate the potential for biomass production in the islands’ challenging soils and climate. Raised beds were created in a 2.5ha area and in 2008 were planted with willow, poplar, alder and sycamore, proposed for harvesting in 2011. North Harris Trust manager Mark Lazzeri said the results were very variable. He said: “The plots continue to show the problems identified in the earlier stages of the project, namely rabbit damage, variable planting technique, salt-wind scorch and variable ground conditions.” Mr Lazzeri said alder was performing better than all the other species in terms of biomass volume. He said: “Alder form nodules on their roots which allow them to ‘fix’ nitrogen in poor soils so that they are in effect generating their own soil fertility.” Willow showed the greatest variability, some thriving and some failing completely. Sycamores did well for the first two years then struggled in unfavourable conditions. Poplar fared worst due to exposure and poor drainage on the site. Mr Lazzeri said: “The trial has generated useful and interesting information on aspects of biomass production and its potential for Harris. The efficient harvesting and processing of the biomass will now become a priority for the Trust to investigate, and material from the best specimens will be used for propogation of the most vigorous straing of each species in the tree nursery the Trust is establishing at East Tarbert.”
Taigh Sgire Opening Celebrations
The Sollas community knows how to party, and for the grand opening of their hall,Taigh Sgire Sholais, they did it in style. An evening of feasting and entertainment was followed the next day by an open day and lunch. The community pulled together over a number of years to raise the funds to do up the former Dunskellar school and turn it into a well-equipped facility for all. They faced many challenges and setbacks, but their big breakthrough came when they were voted STV North winners of a Big Lottery Fund grant of £60,000 last year, enabling them to finish off the renovation and refurbishment work creating a multi-purpose venue at the heart of their community.
Curracag announces new online forum The Outer Hebrides Natural History Society Curracag has launched its new on-line wildlife forum www.curracagwildlifenews.org.uk The forum contains the latest wildlife sightings, information on forthcoming events and many open discussions on all aspects of Hebridean wildlife. It is available for all to view via the internet and can be accessed using either their personal computer or smart phone. The content is provided by anyone who registers by following a simple on-line process. Once registered, they then have the ability to post their own wildlife sightings, upload photographs, notify people of forthcoming local wildlife events, or ask and answer questions on the many discussion boards. There are nine discussion boards, each dedicated to a different branch of natural history. Curracag members will have the added benefit of some additional privileges such as private and instant messaging and will have access to their own Members Forum. All records and sightings submitted will be archived and stored for future reference and many will find their way into the Outer Hebrides Biodiversity Recording (OHBR) database, another Curracag initiative. These will then feed into the National Biodiversity Network (NBN), a national collaborative project of many individuals and organisations making all biological records freely and easily available to everyone.
Issue 3 - island news & ADVERTISER
CalMac promises action to resolve over-capacity and over-booking issues CalMac has promised action to resolve over-capacity on its ObanLochboisdale direct and Uig-TarbertLochmaddy routes during the summer,but the company has not yet revealed what it will do. CalMac’s acting managing director Gary Robertson, brought in on a six month troubleshooting contract, met representatives from community councils in South Uist, North Uist and Berneray to respond to community concerns and demands as part of what CalMac is calling a ‘re-focus’ of services. Mr Robertson promised action to resolve over-capacity problems on Friday and Saturday sailings over the summer, but would not confirm yet what will be done. He ruled out a second ferry on the Uig triangle as too expensive. He also ruled out ‘fair pricing’- price hikes to manage demand- saying this was not a feasible procedure on a route with so few sailings. The community councils have asked for extra sailings on these routes at busy times. Any extra sailings would need to be approved, budgeted for and trialed after the Government’s Ferries Review response at the end of this year. Mr Robertson promised efforts to control over-booking by cracking down on block bookings by hauliers or
Last call to nominate your unsung heroes Nominations for Uist’s Volunteer Awards must be in by May 11.
MV Hebrides at Uig, Skye.
individuals booking several sailings ‘just in case.’ He said there would be consultation on the re-introduction of a last-minute cancellation/no show policy. The 45 minute check-in rule remains due to a 30% increase in traffic volume since RET, so that 30 minutes is not now enough, Mr Robertson explained. He added: “We are proposing to revert to a first come first served basis on the wait list instead of a numbered system which can cause misunderstanding and resentment as a car at the back of the queue goes on board and others who arrived earlier are left behind.” Mr Robertson revealed that the
CalMac online booking service was undergoing a complete overhaul to enable customers to register online and control their own booking process from start to finish, stating their needs and preferences and printing out their own tickets and boarding card, airline style. Mr Robertson said: “We are testing the website at the moment and this service should go live in about two months. We hope to have a scanning system aboard by the end of the year to check people in. The ticket will be linked right to the individual through this system. The system will also be made available through smartphones.”
Scottish Water says Lochmaddy might supply water to Bayhead Scottish Water continues to deliberate long-term solutions to North Uist’s water problems.
It has emerged that extending the proposed new Lochmaddy plant to supply Bayhead is one of the options on the table. Representatives of the utility visited the island to explain the upgrades that have been carried out at the Bayhead treatment plant.
A spokeswoman said: “The longer term solution for Bayhead is also being considered and the option to extend the proposed new Lochmaddy plant to supply the current Bayhead zone is being investigated. Central to the options we are considering is delivering the best long-term solution for our customers. “We have recently completed an investment of over £700,000 to improve the Bayhead water treatment works. This investment centred around
SPRING CLEANS IN BENBECULA AND SOUTH UIST Families turned out to give Balivanich and Iochdar a spring spruce-up. In Balivanich, Skye Brannigan, 13, (pictured) filled six large bags of Skye Brannigan with her £10 note. rubbish, but for her pains found a £10 note half eaten by snails. The grime-busters cleaned up broken glass and plastic litter from the centre as far as Uist riding school and the airport. The Iochdar cleaning crew was led by Dr Kate Dawson and started at the school. Dr Dawson said: “We got as far as Cuidhe na Gamhne. The playground sand has been weeded and raked, and we got about 10 bags of rubbish and three bags to recycle.”
us adding a new filter to the works which enhances its performance in periods of poor raw water quality.” She added: “Work will begin by the end of June in Locheport to excavate and clean or replace cast iron T pieces within the network. This should increase flow following pressure testing which suggested that they were furred up. The project will last from eight to ten weeks. Any customers who want further information should call our customer helpline on 0845 601 8855.”
Storas Uibhist directors election process begins Nominations are now open for Sealladh an Beinne Moire directors. They close at 4pm on Friday May 25. The elections open on Monday June 4 and close on Thursday June 21. The results will be announced on Friday June 22 and the AGM will take place on Thursday June 28. Any non-member wishing to vote in election needs to have completed membership form in by 5pm on Friday May 18 to be eligible to vote.
Meanwhile a ceilidh to celebrate the 5th anniversary of the South Uist community buy-out was held in Iochdar hall. Stòras Uibhist chairman Angus MacMillan urged people to continue to have ambition and to “demonstrate courage’ regarding actions to be taken to fulfill and further the aspirations of the community in the Stòras Uibhist area.
Gordon MacDonald of Volunteer Centre, Uist is urging everyone to cast their vote for that relative, colleague or friend who does so much for the wellbeing of community through their volunteering efforts. Mr MacDonald is organising an awards ceremony on June 1 in St Mary’s Benbecula to honour the winners of the four categories:Young Volunteer of the Year; Over 25 Volunteer of the Year; Lifetime Commitment towards Volunteering; and Volunteering Group/Organisation of the Year. He said:“We’ve had a good response so far, but nominations close on May 11, so don’t miss out. Remember to put as much information as you can on the form and really sell the person. Our panel of judges will have to make tough choices.” Mr MacDonald added that he has been delighted by the enthusiasm of the community and organisations for the awards ceremony idea. He said:“Tagsa Uibhist has sponsored the lifetime commitment award, but not just with a trophy to take home. They have sponsored a beautiful crystal trophy which they want to see awarded every year.” Judging will take place between May 14 to 18. Nomination forms can be requested from uist@volunteeringwesternisles.co.uk or by telephoning 01870 602604.
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island news & ADVERTISER - Issue 3
Emigration Conference for Berneray Exploring over 200 years of emigration from Berneray is the theme of a one day conference this August in Berneray Community Hall. The conference is hosted by Berneray Historical Society, led by researcher Peter Kerr. Mr Kerr is just over halfway through an 18 month project, A’ tilleadh ar n-eachdraidh, dhachaigh (Bringing our history home) exploring the story of emigration from Berneray. Mr Kerr said: “Berneray’s history is deeply woven through the history of Harris whilst also connecting with that of several of our southern neighbours, especially North Uist.
WEAVER OF GRASS CELEBRATED The story of Angus MacPhee, the Weaver of Grass is now permanently celebrated in Kildonan museum, South Uist.
Members of Angus MacPhee’s family gathered in Kildonan Museum for the opening.
Members of Angus’s family gathered in Kildonan from far and wide for the opening of an exhibition of his life and work creating objects from grass.
“I shall be revealing some of the discoveries made in the first year of the project at the conference, and this will include tales of local emigrations, as well as of those who ventured to the North American and Australasian continents.” He added: “This project will continue long after funding finishes, for Bringing Our History Home is inevitably a never-ending story.” The conference is on August 3, open to all. A £5 registration fee is requested in advance, and will include a light lunch, refreshments and the conference brochure. Mr Kerr can be contacted for a registration form, or by new contacts with Berneray connections at peter.kerr@hebrides.net.
Angus MacPhee came from a crofting family from Iochdar, and as a child learned to make ropes and netting from grass. He served with the Lovat Scouts in World War II, but seemed unable to cope on his return. In 1946 he was admitted to Craig Dunain hospital in Inverness. For the following half century Angus chose not to speak, but he created objects from grass The artefacts will remain and sheep’s wool, on permanent display.
such as clothing, boots and horses bridles and nosebags. Shortly before he died in 1997, The woven artefacts attracted a lot of attention. he returned home to South Uist. During the opening ceremony of the exhibition. Angus’s nephews and nieces spoke movingly of the uncle they held in great affection. “He used to call his home in Balgarva ‘the proper place’,” recalled nephew Iain Campbell.
ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE - R.DOIG LTD OPTOMETRIST
Robert Doig and Mary Mould in the Balivanich practice.
The eyes have it! For optometrist Robert Doig the eyes are a window to your health IN&A editor Susy Macaulay writes: Things were getting a bit fuzzy in the mid-vision. I broke two pairs of specs taking them on and off to see around the kitchen. Peering at the computer through one functioning lens was giving me headaches. Time to see our optometrist, Robert Doig. Mr Doig has a practice in Stornoway, but comes regularly to the Uists. Conveniently, he was in his Balivanich practice when I called in to make an appointment and before long I was in the gentle twilight of his consulting room, staring at letters and lights. There was a puff of air into the eyes to measure the pressure, practice manager Mary Mould got me onto a machine to assess my peripheral vision, and big excitement, I had my retinas photographed.
In 2006, he bought the old HIE office in Rathad My peepers appeared as perfectly round blobs of jelly with veins like river tributaries, and various strange MhicEoin, Balivanich where he spends at least one week a month looking after patients. He still has his portable dapplings. I found them rather disconcerting, but to Mr Doig, they equipment to take out to people who are housebound. During my consultation, Mr Doig told him a great deal about my talked often of his love of the Uists and general health. commitment to offering the best He explained that using the possible eye care to our small fundus camera to photograph community. patients’ retinas is essential for It was also an intriguing thought that diabetic screening and during his 18 years in his own practice, detecting and monitoring a Mr Doig has treated 22,000 patients. number of other conditions. That’s 44,000 eyes he knows inside out. “The emphasis of all our Practice manager Mary Mould, who is tests is to aid in the detection originally from Benbecula, said: of those changes which might “People don’t always realise what they need further treatment,’ he have here. For Mr Doig, eye health is the said. “Eye health is our Mr Doig has a gamut of high-tech equipment at most important thing, not selling specs.” absolute priority.” his disposal. The practice has a family feel. After I Surrounded by a battery of high-tech testing and monitoring equipment, it occurred emerged from my consultation, a wedge of delicious to me that in our small community we are very lucky to home-made sponge cake was offered to me, made by Mary’s mother, Katie. have such facilities. (“She’s one of Robert’s Mr Doig said: “It is important to have in a permanent location the best possible equipment available for legions of fans,” Mary confided.) I donned patients.” His statement belied his 28 years of hard work to bring my new pair of cute and above all cheap first-class eye care to the Uists. He first started coming to the Uists in 1984, doing the glasses and the cake rounds of village halls to treat patients. At that time he appeared in glorious was working for C. Harper, the optometrist in Stornoway. detail. I don’t need to go In 1993, he set up on his own in his grandmother Ishbel’s old shop in Kenneth Street and bought portable for another check-up Retinal photographs help diagnose for two years. Pity. equipment for his trips south. and monitor certain conditions.
Issue 3 - island news & ADVERTISER
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Crofting Benbecula crofter’s fears for the future of crofting 2012 has been a good lambing overall, reflects Archie (Sketch) Macaulay of Creagorry. But something is bothering him. Where are the youngsters to follow in his footsteps? Sketch, whose family croft is No 4 Hackleit, has a cupboard full of trophies for his sheep. He is passionate about his herd. He is particularly proud of his blackfaces. He has named his Blackie herd Beccaross, after his two children, Rebecca and Ross. Sketch will tell you tales of all his sheep, from show champions to cast ewes- it’s obvious he loves them all. But there’s the rub. Sketch says he learned everything he knows from his great mentor and inspiration, Angus John Monk of Lionacleit. After 30 years enjoying Angus John’s wit and wisdom, sharing tales and the odd dram with him in sheds and pens, Sketch says he too is ready to pass on all that wisdom to youngsters. “But where are they?” he asks. “I couldn’t name ten.” Sketch still talks sheep with his old mentor, although Angus John is now taking a back seat. “Angus John likes this time of year,”
Sketch said. “He likes to lamb mid-April. He put the ram in on November 22 without fail. I now help lamb for him, and quite a few of my neighbours who are too old for it.” Sketch has tried to encourage his son to take an interest in sheep by giving him some Hebrideans to start his own herd. Time will tell, he says, but so far none of Ross’s friends are interested. “They prefer computer games.’ Sketch said. “I can’t see them doing what I do, staying up all night with ewes, lambing in the snow, pulling out breech lambs. Angus John taught me how to do that.” Sketch started building up his own herd as a lad of 15. He learned to shear early,
Sketch’s sheep are his pride and joy.
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I can’t see crofting lasting ten more years. The land will go to rack and ruin, nothing but old grass.
Archie (Sketch) Macaulay
‘‘
Sketch is building up his blackface herd.
Sketch pays tribute to the man who taught him all he knows about sheep, but wonders where the youngsters are for him to mentor in his turn.
and began to trade his shearing skills for sheep. He remembers with fascination Angus John’s blade shears, 55 years old, cleaned, sharpened, oiled, always kept perfect. That leads him on to remembering Angus John’s dosing gun, a brass one also kept in immaculate condition. “You could fill Beinn Mhor with all the sheep he’s dosed,” Sketch said. But his concern for the future pulls him out of his reminiscences. Government schemes must change to provide incentives to attract young people in, he says. “Something like a retainer to help with feed costs,” he said. “The paperwork puts them off too, you have to do mountains of it for peanuts in return. You have to comply with every last detail or pay the money back. It doesn’t encourage
Machair Art students observe rotavating Students from Lionacleit school drew and photographed rotavating taking place on a croft in Daliburgh. The exercise was part of Machair Life’s Machairart project, a collaboration between local artists Olwen Shone and Laura Donkers with Machair Life to encourage young people to learn about and observe the year-long cycle of machair. Eleven students headed for DJ Peteranna’s croft to observe rotavating being carried out by Machair Life assistant Donald MacInnes using Machair Life’s tractor and rotavator. Project manager Rebecca Cotton said: “The students were raring to
Angus John Monk has been Sketch’s mentor for 30 years.
youngsters to go in. And if you have a croft on the east side, there’s nothing. You need more help. It’s hard to get going.” His prognosis is dark. “I can’t see crofting lasting ten more years. The land will go to rack and ruin, nothing but old grass.”
What are your solutions to keeping crofting alive and attracting new blood into it? Contact IN&A on editor@islandnewsandadvertiser.com to express your views.
Derek Mackintosh taking part in the exercise.
go and started drawing and taking pictures immediately.” Olwen Shone said: “We have such an enthusiastic group of young people who seem to be grasping the positive message about looking after this environment and the potential of sustainable crofting.”
PEAT CUTTING It is that time of year again – please call to book your peat cutting.
Angus 01876 510293/07970 218904 Or Roddy Archie 07990 748154 Peats are also available for sale in large tote bags.
Call Angus for information.
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island news & ADVERTISER - Issue 3
Fishing Harmony reigns at the Wee Pier A very different kind of fishing boat has appeared at Lochmaddy’s Wee Pier. It’s a Sutton Workboat catamaran, one of only thirty in the country. Harmony is owned and skippered by Lochmaddy fisherman Ruairidh Nicholson, who makes his living fishing for langoustine and lobster in the waters around the Uists. Very different in appearance from conventional fishing craft, the 26ft catamaran promises greater speed, efficiency and comfort for its crew.
Mr Nicholson, 33, took delivery of his £185,000 investment last month, and from the off, he was impressed. With his brother Donald Archie, he sailed her from Newhaven on England’s south coast where she was built, to Uist in 84 hours. “The wind was behind us all the way, which saved around ten hours,” he said. “But the two nanni-diesel engines are 115hp each, so we could cruise at 10 knots very fuelefficiently.” Greater all-round efficiency was the main attraction of his choice of new fishing vessel. He commissioned fisherman - turned boat builder Dave Sutton to build his boat, which was a year in the making. Mr Nicholson said: “I had a small Cheetah cat to fish for lobsters on the west-side and found she was very good. I thought bigger
Ruairidh Nicholson.
must be better, and went with the Sutton Workboat. Being a catamaran she is larger and more stable, she doesn’t roll but rides up and down with the waves. There are less severe angles and extremes.” The smoother ride helps productivity, and motivation, Mr Nicholson said. He said: “I expect here to boost my overall productivity by at least 8% over the year. It works in many ways. You have a smoother ride, so things don’t go flying and it’s easier to carry out your tasks. You are confident she will take you through a bad day, even if it ends up with a force 7 or 8. You are under cover to protect you from the wind, and from the sun, which is better for the person working and the catch. “She has self-hauling mechanism to pull the creels aboard so they land in front of you, which is much better. There is also a system for letting the creels out the back which avoids the crew man throwing them out and putting himself constantly in danger. It’s much safer, quicker, easier and less work for the same catch.” With the creels automatically dropping from the back of the vessel, the crew member is free to do other tasks, such as closing boxes, washing the deck down or even having a snack break.
Dave Sutton developed the Sutton Workboat based on his many years owning and operating fishing boats from Newhaven. Listening to fishermen already using catamarans, he worked with naval architect Danny Goldmsith to design his workboat. It is Sea Fish Industry Authority approved, MCA compliant and uses materials such as nidaplast honeycomb, closed cell foam and combination matt to create a strong, lightweight vessel 7.53m in length, with a beam of 4.95m and draft of 1m.The deck area is 31 square meters.
Mr Nicholson has noticed a definite improvement in the health of his back since taking delivery of his new boat. “Your arms and legs are working much less hard to cope with the movement of the boat, “he said. “You don’t have to tie everything down all the time.” Harmony is equipped with £4,500 of electronic equipment which includes 3D chart plotting capability to let the crew see with accuracy where their catch should be. Mr Nicholson reckons that Sutton Workboats will catch on in the islands, but with such a big investment “you’ve got to be 100 per cent at the fishing, and put your heart and soul into it,” he said. He is also planning passenger trips aboard Harmony during the summer.
Issue 3 - island news & ADVERTISER
You are invited to a
Three day mini-festival of the sea PART OF THE
SCOTTISH ASSOCIATION OF MARINE SCIENCE’S 10 DAY FESTIVAL OF THE SEA May 18 to 28 in Oban
Co-ordinated by Comann Na Mara in partnership with the community of the Uists, Berneray and Harris Lochmaddy May 24 - 26 All events free unless stated
The Magical Monachs An hour sailing through the serpentine channels of the North Ford and a further hour’s sea crossing followed by four hours ashore on these magical islands off North Uist. Depart Kallin harbour Thursday May 24 at 10am Friday May 25 at 11 am Price: adults £60, under 16s £40. Event led by Nick Ingledew of Lady Anne Boat Trips. Booking essential: 01870 602403
Somerled, theVikings & the kingdom of the sea An illustrated talk by Niall Johnson Thursday May 24, Taigh Chearsabhagh at 7.30pm
Photographic Exhibitions On the theme of the sea, based in Lochmaddy and Taigh Dearg Hotels, and Taigh Chearsabhagh.
St Kilda: Our dual world heritage A presentation on the history of St Kilda to the present day by Alasdair MacEachen, who has undertaken many excursions to St Kilda over the past thirty years. Friday May 25, Taigh Chearsabhagh, 7.30pm
Leverburgh life boat open day The new lifeboat, commissioned in Leverburgh on May 2 will make its first public appearance in the Uists. Saturday May 26 from 11am at Lochmaddy Pier.
Rescue activities Rescue simulations by the Coastguard Cliff and Rescue team from Benbecula, assisted by Lochmaddy Search and Rescue Team
Rock pool explorations A closer look at the creatures living in the intertidal zone with Lisa Palmer. Saturday May 26 from 3-4.30pm, meet at the car park opposite Lochmaddy Ferry Terminal.
Guided boat trips round Lochmaddy Niall Johnson of Uist Outdoor Centre will take you round Lochmaddy Bay to spot wildlife and tell you of its history. Saturday May 26. Price: adults £25, under 16s £15. Booking essential: 01876 500480 / info@uistoutdoorcentre.co.uk
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island news & ADVERTISER - Issue 3
Music
Farewell to Karl Uist bids a reluctant farewell this month to virtuoso piper Karl Wallner from Austria. Karl,28,has finished two years of study at Lews Castle College Benbecula campus,and returns home with a view to starting a Piping School in his home town of Carinthia. Karl’s late entry to piping and his rapid projectory to becoming a player of extreme prowess sounds like the stuff of legends. He first heard bagpipes aged 17, at a concert by Canadian band The Real McKenzies. He said: “I got a special feeling, it was a familiar sound, like it was always inside me, already there, and I was prompted to learn how to play.” Karl, who is trained as a hearing aid acoustician, began seeking a teacher in Austria, but it was two years before he found someone to start him off on the chanter. Romana Brunner was teaching bagpipes in Salzburg after she had heard the pipes on holiday in Ireland. Romance entered the mix, as she is now Karl’s girlfriend. With absolutely no musical background, Karl persevered on the chanter for four or five hours a day. The only other exposure he had to bagpipe teaching was in six monthly workshops held in his country and run by Irish and Scottish pipers including David Johnston and Robert Watt. After 13 months, he graduated to the pipes and took to his local woods to practice. He said: “ I found it hard. I couldn’t blow the pipes for more than a couple of minutes. Then there was a workshop and David Johnston adjusted by reed for me, it was too hard. I made a lot of progress after that.” Joining the Carinthian Pipes and Drums Band was the next step, and Karl was rapidly promoted to pipe sergeant. He soon began playing solo, winning shelf-loads of trophies. In 2008, he founded the Austrian Bagpipe Association. Then his life took the twist which would bring him to Uist. Irish piper Robert Watt had told him about the Uists and encouraged him to come here on holiday. Karl and his
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girlfriend decided to follow his advice, and after attending Piping Live in Glasgow, made their way here. Fortuitously, they ended up staying with author Flora MacDonald in Carinish. On hearing they were pipers, Flora, who has a musical group, invited them to play with local musicians, including Carinish violin-maker Eric Jackson. Eric told them about the traditional music course in Benbecula, and by the end of the next day, Karl had met then-tutor Will Lamb, and signed up for the NC certificate. He said: “I played pipes for the Thursford Christmas Show in Norfolk to earn money to come and do the course.” After his first year at the college, Karl returned home to earn more money to return and do the HNC. He has now completed this part of his musical journey, and returns to Austria this month. He said: “I am sad to leave. I have enjoyed it here. I need to go home and earn money, but I would like to find a way of joining a pipe band in Scotland and playing in the Worlds. “My plan is to start a piping school in Austria, but it is a big leap.” Karl now has a full set of David Naill silver hand-engraved pipes to take his playing to the rest of the world. His college tutors, friends and the people of the Uists wish him all the best for the future.
RETURN OF THE UIST MÒD Mòd Ionadail Uibhist returns after a break of ten years. It will be held in Iochdar school on Friday June 1 and Saturday June 2. Vocal, oral and instrumental competitions will be held on the Friday, with chanter piping and dancing on the Saturday. Saturday night sees the traditional closing concert, also at the school. There are 92 categories, available to view at acgmod.org. The closing date has now passed for entries. The judges are still being finalised. The re-formed committee is chaired by Fiona Macaulay, who said: “We have a good number of entries, especially in the junior section.” Anyone looking for more information about the event can contact Fiona on finona@gnes.net or secretary Sarah MacEachen on 01870 610384.
Photos courtesy of Alexandra Wehsner Photography. www.alexandra-wehsner.com
McCallum visits Uist Gaelic choir The Comann Na Mara Gaelic choir has begun rehearsals with a visit from South Uist world-famous singer/tutor Paul McCallum. Mr McCallum visited the choir to appraise their voice and give direction. He said he hoped to give support to the choir whenever his commitments permitted. Meanwhile, Runrig brothers Calum and Rory MacDonald have granted permission to the choir to use any songs from their catalogue royalty-free.
The brothers, originally from Lochmaddy, have also made available their annual £500 Comann Na Mara scholarship to help the choir work towards next year’s National Mòd. Choir secretary Cathie Laing said: “We already have 30 singers on board, and we encourage more to come along. You don’t need to be a Gaelic speaker and you don’t need to come every session.” Rehearsals take place on two Mondays every month in Lochmaddy Hall.
Ingrid Henderson, a highly regarded clarsach teacher at home and abroad will teach clarsach at this year’s Ceolas. (July 1 to 6). Her husband and brother will also be there, teaching fiddle. All the tutors are booked and excitement is growing among local youngsters with the return of Andrea Boyd to teach youth piping. This year Sarah Hoy will teach youth fiddle. Singing tutors for 2012 are Rona Lightfoot, Kathleen MacInnes and Gillebride MacMillan – a strong Uist contingent who are steeped in the language and songs of the place. Adult piping has also very strong Uist links with Angus MacKenzie and Allan MacDonald. Angus MacKenzie’s skills will strengthen the Cape Breton connection with dance with Margie Beaton, Frank McConnell and Alison MacLeod. Dawn Beaton will once again represent the Cape Breton fiddle tradition to ensure that the dancing night will be spectacular. The musicians for dance, Angus Nicolson, Ewen Henderson and Fin Moore, will support them. Tickets for evening events can be booked in advance at Ceòlas office: 01878 700154
Issue 3 - island news & ADVERTISER
People
Dr Stephen Bird, South Uist’s new GP.
South Uist welcomes new doctor
IN&A sends warm congratulations to North Uist’s Julie Fowlis and her husband Eamon Doorley on the birth of their second child, Niamh Màiri on April 12. Julie said:“Little Niamh is named Màiri after my late grandmother in Houghharry, she is a joy and her little sister Aoibhe is a great help too.” The busy mum has recently been appointed Gaelic artist in residence for the Tobar an Dualchais/Kist o Riches website and will act as an ambassador for the oral archive project.
South Uist has a new GP. Dr Stephen Bird, 53, is the successor to Dr John Buckmaster who has retired from the single-handed practice after 12 years. Dr Bird was born in London of medical missionary parents who worked extensively in the Middle East. He studied at St Andrews and Manchester Universities, sponsored by the Royal Navy. He graduated into the Navy as Surgeon Lieutenant, and served with the Royal
Marines at Condor in Arbroath. He completed his seven year naval career at RN Hospital, Haslar, Gosport and began work in NHS Tayside and Fife. His specialisms are ENT and trauma - but above all, he says, he loves looking after his patients. As a single-handed GP with a patient list of 1070, Dr Bird is permanently on-call, something that holds no fear for him. He said: “I want my patients to have the
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same level of service as patients anywhere in the country.” Dr Bird is married to Fi, a real food campaigner, author of Kid’s Kitchen and a forthcoming book on wild food. She will be going back and forth from South Uist to fit in with work and family commitments. The couple have six children. Their eldest son is working in Singapore, and
moving to Sydney, their second son is a teacher of English in London, their only daughter is studying medicine in Edinburgh and the youngest three boys are at boarding school. The family developed a love of the islands after holidaying in South Uist. Dr Bird went on to undertake a number of locums on the island over the past few years. “The place is lovely, the people are lovely,” Dr Bird said from the new family base in Askernish.
FLODDABAY MAN IS LIFEBOAT HONORARY PRESIDENT The arrival of the Leverburgh lifeboat is a source of particular joy and pride to one Harris man. serve Harris and North Uist some two years ago. He has subsequently been made honorary president of the shore committee, something he describes as a ‘huge honour.’ At 72, Mr Taylor finds himself on the wrong side of age barriers to serve either as crew or on the shore committee. He says his honorary appointment means the world. He said: “I’ve received a number of honours in my life but this is the one I cherish the most because of who it came through, most likely the local committee and the South Harris community council. “For me, honorary means to keep out of the way, but be able to stay involved on the edges with people you respect.” Mr Taylor, a former electronics engineer in charge of looking after the islands’ Decca navigator system, the precursor to GPS, first had to find out if there was sufficient manpower within a short radius of Leverburgh to form a
crew. In his case to RNLI he was able to present at least 30 potential names. After that he formulated the case for the lifeboat and presented it to RNLI. He was able to show that there were enough call-outs a significant distance from Barra and Stornoway to justify a lifeboat to cover the area in between. Mr Taylor said: “I can’t give RNLI enough credit, because there was no argument, they were immediately convinced of the need. It was asking them to take a huge leap of faith, and money.” He praised the Harris community for immediately starting fund-raising for RNLI on hearing that a lifeboat was being committed to the area for a trial period. He said: “The school children raised £327 from Guy Fawkes and Halloween, the new café at the MacGillivray centre raised £1400 at their opening, and we had a coffee morning recently which raised £1600. The Western Isles may be the most economically challenged part of the UK, but they’re also the most generous.”
Neil Campbell, chairman of the Leverburgh Branch said:
‘‘
“There is no doubt that the lifeboat would not be arriving on May 2 without the dogged determination of Hamish to convince firstly the community and then the RNLI that a lifeboat was required and could be crewed by the population of South Harris. He identified the gap in existing lifeboat coverage with Leverburgh at its centre,he researched the marine incidents over the last few years and showed that were a lifeboat stationed in Leverburgh that it would have been able to respond quicker than the shoulder stations of Barra, Stornoway and Portree.”
‘‘
Hamish Taylor of Floddabay steered the successful submission by South Harris community council to RNLI for a lifeboat to
Hamish Taylor.
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island news & ADVERTISER - Issue 3
Gàidhlig/Gaelic Gaidhlig/Gaelic Floraidh Nic Dhomhnaill/ Flora MacDonald.
The Secret Sea Flora MacDonald
An Cuan Diomhair Floraidh Nic Dhomhnaill Rinn mi sgriobhadh agus rannsachadh airson proiseact a steidhich taigh Chearsabhagh. Gabh sinn cuairt air cul Eubhal is Ronaidh is eileanan Caolas na Harradh. Rinn mi mìneachadh air cairt iùil an aite agus dh eadartheangaich mi na h-ainmeanan Gaidhlig gu Beurla. Thug seo dhomh dealbh eachdrail air a chearn iomallach seo. Thuig mi gur e EirinnIch a cheud threud a thàinig a dhuirich an seo. Tha seo foilliseach bho na h–ainmeanan:, Bagh an Eireinich, Beinn an t-Sagairt agus Beinn an Druidhnich. Tha Soutrain ri taobh Loch Hacklet agus bha iad seo ri an cleachadh bho Linn an Iarrainn. Buinnidh na laraircih seo dhan chreideamh Cheiltich agus do Theampuill Mhicheil sna Ceallan. Tha e athnichte gun tàiinig na Lochlannaich an deidh sinn agus tha moran ainmeanan ann mar Eubhal, Bhoisinis is Leirinish. Thainig an uairsin na ceann cinidhean agus an dara Linn deug.Be iadsan Mac Leoid na Hearradh agus Domhnaillich Shleite. Tha Cnoc Fhionnlagh is Cnoc Ruaridh ann agus be Ruairidh Mòr ceanard nan Leòdaich. Tha Bagh Morag air cul Eubhal agus chòrdadh e rium fiosrachad fhaighinn orase? Chan e a mhàin na trèudan a tha air an talamh seo ach cuideachd na cleachaidhean is na sgìlean a bha aca. Tha moran dhan na chreutairean air an ainmicheadh Bagh an Fheidh, Oban NaMuc Mhara Gob nan caorach, Loch an Tairbh mar eisimpleir. Tha a cairt iùil ag ainmicheadh Airighean Dubha, Aire Mhor, Loch Nan Cart far am bidh ciobairean, buaichailean agus maighdinean na h-àiridh a sealltuinn ris na creutirean. Bhiodh na daoine a cleachadh feòil nan creutairen airson biadh agus malairt. Bha an tarbh air a chleachdadh ann an seann sgeulachdan Ceiltich. agus tha e air a chomharrach aig Sabhal Mor Ostaig. Tha ainm na lusan ann cuideachd mar am brìsgein agus an crotal a bhiodh iad a cleachadh airson dathan. Tha na ainmeanan a toirt dhuinn dealbh air cumadh an àite mar a tha. Eilean Garbh, Creag an iasgair Loch Gheornan agus Beinn na Bile. Tha gach cnoc is gob is lochais eileain is bagh air an ainmeachadh. Chaneil ioghnadh ann nach eil duine beo a nis air an talamh chruaiòh chreagach ghobanach seo.
I visited the East side of North Uist, Eval, Rona and the islands of the Harris sound. I was the writer of the Secret Sea project organised by Taigh Chearsabhagh. Being a historian I was interested in researching information on this deserted area of Uist. My first task was to study the map and translate the place names up to one hundred into English. This was a rewarding and enlightening experience. It revealed a fascinating insight into the place, the people, their culture and commerce over the centuries. There were names which indicated early Irish Celtic settlements: Irishman’s Bay, Priest Hill, Druid’s Hill and a souterrain (Iron age) These sites would have been sites connected with St Michael’s Temple in Kallin. The next group to arrive were the Norse, ref. Thor Island, Thor being the God of Thunder and Bagh Lierinish, a location used for trading between North Uist and Waternish. Following this era was the Clan System and names such as Finlay and Roderich, possibly people of important stature. The two clans associated with this area are the MacDonalds of Uist and the MacLeods of Harris. Roderick was an important MacLeod chief. Both clans were involved in the seaweed war. The names revealed the vegetation possibly eaten by early settlers, silverweed. There are references to bracken, marram grass and hemp used in rope making and sails. There are numerous names for animals sheep, cows, pigs lambs, whale and deer. These would all have been used for food. The bull is mentioned and was the symbol of Celtic mythology now used by Sabhal Mor Ostaig. The shape of the terrain is named by lochs, bays islands hills and headlands. The skills and occupations of the people are on the map: Monk’s Cells, Parliament Rock, Satire Point, Sheep Point, Smith Island and numerous sheilings. “The deserted ruins which were visited by kings, druids, poets and shepherds lay cold and silent covered in grey beards and the mists of time.”
Tha na làraich air an do thadhal Righrean, Draoidhean, Lochlanaich Na h-iasgairean is na ciobairean Nan tobhtaichean fuar falamh Làn de fhiasgagan glas aòsdmhor.
Self Catering I N C A R I N I S H , N O RT H U I S T
Flora MacDonald has been writing for many years and has had five books published. Her last book “Cocoa and Crabs” won second place at the Tesco Summer Read in 2010 placing her between Iain Banks and Ian Rankin. She has several works pending publication which include her life story, a dye book and several poetry and children’s books. She has many interests; art music and social history. Flora is a trained community artist who has been involved in teaching and setting up groups in these interests.
A charming and cosy traditional Uist cottage ❀ Sleeps 4 - 6 and is conveniently situated for touring the islands.
❀ Uist is a paradise of peace and quiet and a haven for wildlife and birds. Telephone Flora on:
01876 580743 Mobile: 07748 935204
email: floraidh1@gmail.com or www.sykescottages letting agents
Issue 3 - island news & ADVERTISER
13
Reviews Foula : The Time of my Life ‘Islomania’ is a real word, writes Gordon Herries Davies. It was coined on 25 October 1962 in that long extinct weekly The Listener. In the Oxford English Dictionary the word is defined as meaning ‘a passion or craze for islands’. The word thus describes a mental state, but here I pose a question. Is islomania a mental state to be found in humans anywhere upon the surface of our globe? Is islomania just as likely to show itself in Tombouctou as in Timaru, in Lhasa as in Largs ? Or is islomania a condition to be found only in restricted parts of the world? In short, is islomania like influenza, universal in its provenance, or is it, like malaria or bilharzia, confined to clearly marked regions? On no evidence whatsoever I offer the suggestion that islomania may be endemic only among populations living within, say, four hundred miles of salt-water. Here in the British Isles islomania reaches epidemic proportions. Retired folk retreat to islands. Millionaires buy islands. Cuba, Corfu, and Mauritius are all favoured holiday
destinations. Churchill waged convoy battles to replenish the George Cross Island. Margaret Thatcher fought an entire war to regain some islands. Stevenson’s Treasure Island has passed a century amongst the bestsellers. At the BBC Desert Island Discs is now a classic. And, of course, the Islands Book Trust exists expressly to publish books relating to the Scottish Islands. In 1954 Christopher Mylne was a schoolmaster in Edinburgh when he espied an unusual advertised vacancy. A teacher/laymissionary was required for the Shetland island of Foula. Islomania seized him. He applied, was interviewed, and the post was his. From April 1954 to October 1955 he lived on Foula, the most remote inhabited island within the British archipelago. He shared the island with some 70 people belong to 21 households, and in his school he had but 5 pupils. But if human inhabitants were scarce, the same could not be said of the birds. For an enthusiastic ornithologist such as Mylne the avian riches of Foula were by no means the least of the island’s attractions. His index of bird species mentioned in the text runs to 65 different varieties of bird. Sadly Mylne was afflicted with duodenal ulcers and he eventually decided that to persist upon Foula was to dice with death. At any moment he might require surgical attention ‘beneath
IN&A Reader
This book is the story of Mylne’s eighteen Foula months. The time-span is brief; the island is small; the author’s book is large in quarto format. He is thus able to depict Foula of the 1950s in considerable detail. The islanders received him with warmth, and here Mylne repays his debt to Foula by offering a thoughtful and deeply sympathetic portrait of a community where subsistence crofting as a way of life was then coming to an end. A tough life it was in so rigorous and isolated an environment. Not the least of the many memoires I carried from this fascinating volume is that of Meggie Ratter, aged 84, trundling home the peats for herself and her elder sister in one of Foula’s characteristic wheel-barrows. The book will be enjoyed by any victim of islomania who seeks escape to a remote, wind-swept island where birds abound. No point upon Foula lies more than a mile from the sea; upon every one of Mylne’s pages we may hear the roar of the ocean. But the book is far more than escapism. It is a valuable record of the way things were – of a life-style now gone. This is an historical document possessed of much human appeal. Mylne has
returned to Foula several times since 1955 and he has found there ‘astonishing changes’. The island, he suggests, presents in a manageable microcosm many problems identical to those being faced by vastly larger communities upon our globe. Lessons to be learned in Foula may well prove to have global application. A second book on Foula is promised in development of this interesting theme.
The Islands Book Trust, 2011. ISBN : 978-1-907443-15-2 £20. Professor Gordon L Herries Davies was born in England and he first visited the Long Island in 1952. He now resides in North Uist, but most of his life was spent in Ireland. He has been a Fellow and Fellow Emeritus of Trinity College, the University of Dublin, since 1967 and a Member of the Royal Irish Academy since 1979. His published works have mostly been devoted to geomorphology and to the history of Irish science. He was the first General Editor of the Dictionary of Irish Biography, and his most recent book (2007) was the bicentennial history of the Geological Society of London.
IN&A Reader
OFFER
COMPETITION
These Islands, We Sing is the first major anthology of poetry from the Scottish islands. Edited by award-winning island poet Kevin MacNeil, it is as rich and diverse as the islands which have bred or grown the poets whose work is contained within it. Giants such as Sorley MacLean, Iain Crichton Smith and George Mackay Brown stand alongside newer poets including Jim Mainland, Aonghas MacNeacail, Meg Bateman, Alex Cluness, Jen Hadfield and many more. The popular, the personal, the classic, the new and the previously unpublished are celebrated together in poetry and place in this outstanding anthology. Let it transport you.
the lights’, so, with deep regret, he resigned his post and returned to the Scottish mainland.
by Christopher Mylne
Win a set of Norman Maclean’s comic novellas including the latest, Contracts
These Islands, We Sing is published by Polygon, £9.99 (paperback) but readers of the Island News & Advertiser can receive £2 off (and free p&p in the UK) by calling 0845 370 0067 (office hours) and quoting reference INA612.
Uist’s own Tormod turns on the TV with his latest hilarious novella, Contracts. With £10 million up for grabs from the Government to kick-start the new Gaelic broadcasting revolution there is no shortage of vain, deluded and downright greedy executives and creative-types ready to crawl over each other to get a share. Tormod reveals all in this thinly veiled story of the difficult birth and excruciating growing pains of Gaelic television.
Contracts is published by Birlinn on May 17 price £7.99 (paperback) but Island News & Advertiser has three sets of Norman MacLean’s hilarious comic novellas – Dearest Dacha, Tricksters and Contracts – to give away to the first three readers who send their name and address to editor@islandnewsandadvertiser.com Mark your email TORMOD.
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island news & ADVERTISER - Issue 3
Sport
Combinedcrossword CRYPTIC AND COFFEE TIME
CUSTOM PRINTS
CUSTOM PRINTS UIST AND BARRA FOOTBALL FIXTURES 2012
UIST AND BARRA LEAGUE Reporter: Archie MacCorquodale
Early April saw the restart of the Uist and Barra football league under the new sponsorship of Custom Prints. Iochar Saints, the reigning champions have again shown the way with a solid start over the first three weeks winning all their matches. They started with a good solid home victory against Benbecula by 5 goals to 2. Their next fixture was away to a North Uist side who had despatched a Southend side by 6-1 in their first fixture. Saints again proved too strong with a 3-0 win which rather flattered the North Uist side. Saints travelled to Eriskay for their week 3 fixture and again returned victorious with a hard fought 3-2 win. Having won their first game against Southend then a defeat against Saints, North Uist travelled to Barra and shared the spoils in a 2-2 Draw but they will bouyed by the start they have made to the season. Barra who promised so much last season found themselves on the wrong end of a heavy defeat against Southend losing 7-2 but with a victory over Eriskay and a home point against North Uist they will consider it a solid start. Benbecula meanwhile lost both opening weeks fixtures against Saints 5-2 and then at home to Eriskay by the odd goal in 5 but the managed to get back on the winning trail with a home win against rivals Southend by 3 goals to one. Eriskay also have a win and two defeats against their names with a victory over Benbecula being cancelled out with defeats to Barra and Saints. Saints have already opened up a five point lead at the top of the table and in the coming weeks the other sides can’t let the gap expand too much if the hope to challenge for the title. PL
W
D
L
PTS
Saints
3
3
0
0
9
N.U. utd
3
1
1
1
4
Barra
3
1
1
1
4
Benbecula
3
1
0
2
3
Eriskay
3
1
0
2
3
Southend
3
1
0
2
3
APRIL W/E 8th
week 1
W/E 15th
week 2
N. Uist v Saints Benbecula v Eriskay Southend v Barra
10) Ball of left-overs eaten often during the last War (7)
Eriskay v N. Uist **** Proposed date for Saints v Southend (coop cup Saints v Barra) Barra v Benbecula
MAY W/E 6th Also HAC R1
week 5
7) Malady attacking a whole community (8)
9) Down there where the barbecues are busy (5)
Southend v Benbecula Eriskay v Saints Barra v N. Uist
W/E 29th week 4 ****
CLUES DOWN
8) Found in Australia especially, a milky desirability (4)
Barr v Eriskay Saints v Benbecula N. Uist v Southend
W/E 22th week 3
CLUES ACROSS
11) All about acquisition and disposal of merchandise (5) 13) Stagger, stupefy and overwhelm with surprise (7)
Saints v Barra Benbecula v N. Uist Eriskay v Barra
Tues 8th week 6 Southend v N. Uist Wed 9th Benbecula v Saints Thurs 10th Eriskay v Barra
16) Raise from the ranks and honour accordingly (7)
Friday 11th Select training with Peter Budge SFA coach
17) Conduct wherever the person has to go (5)
Thurs 17th Select training Liniclate 7pm W/E 20th week 7
Barra v Southend Saints v N. Uist Eriskay v Benbecula
18) Designated post holder (7) 20) Pleasantly over-endowed with weight (5)
Thurs 24th Select training Liniclate 7pm W/E 26th week 8 Saints v Eriskay Also Benbecula v Southend HAC R2 N. Uist v Barra JUNE June 1st June 10th
Midsummer tournement Liniclate school coop cup Benbecula N. Uist Barra Lochs
v v v v
N. Uist v Eriskay Southend v Saints Benbecula v Barra
W/E 24th Week 10
Barra v Saints N. Uist v Benbecula Southend v Eriskay
JULY W/E 1st
24) Arise with no visible means of support (8)
Westside United Harris Eriskay
W/E 17th Week 9
June 26th June 27th
23) Become involved in buying and selling (4)
R.J.M.C. Southend v Eriskay Saints v N. Uist
CLUES ACROSS
Tie 1 Tie 2
winner tie 1 v Benbecula winner tie 2 v Barra
Saturday 7th July R.J Macleod Cup Final Liniclate school 2pm
UIST AND BARRA FOOTBALL FIXTURES 2012
island news Edition 01
March 2012
EE FR
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1) Dryer of gyrational ability (4) 2) Placed at the end - an afterthought in the book perhaps (8) 3) National feathered symbol of a double island far away (3) 4) When a heavenly body covers another in passing (7) 5) Head of the whole bangshoot (4) 6) Way of talking when referring to specific things (8) 12) As is the air very high up in the sky (8) 14) Was once the standard but is now superseded (8) 15) Found on the church above the people (7) 19) Isolated area quite separated from its surroundings (4) 21) Once was tame turned now to a friend (4) 22) Lover of forbidden fruit (3) CLUES DOWN
7) Widespread disease (8)
1) Twirl (4)
8) Hydrated silica (4)
2) Appendix (8)
9) Beneath (5)
3) Flightless bird (3)
10) Meat cake (7)
4) Hide from view (7)
11) Commerce (5)
5) Governor (4)
13) Amaze (7)
6) Idiom (8)
16) Advertise (7)
12) Obscure (8)
17) Escort (5)
14) Out of date (8)
18) Holder of authority (7)
15) Tall tower (7)
20) Go for (5)
19) Land mass (4)
23) Transact (4)
21) Pal (4)
24) Rise unaided (8)
22) Time before (3)
Solutions on page 15.
Issue 3 - island news & ADVERTISER
Paw Prints
Welcome to Paw Prints, where your animals get their chance to shine.
Ozzy and Gizmo live with Kathleen and Colin Russell in Balranald, North Uist.
A first ever trip to the Outer Hebrides this summer is on the cards for young Robbie, who lives with IN&A readers Sheena and Tommy Milroy in Newtonmearns, Glasgow.
Rosie, the office cat at IN&A, helping/ hindering put the latest edition to bed.
IN&A staff fell for this playful kitty who entertains visitors to the Burnside Chip Shop,South Uist.
Snowflake is a frequent visitor to the Uists, bringing with her Maria, Catherine and Jamie Oliver from Edinburgh.
Buttons is quite happy to be mum to Smokey the kitten. They live with the MacLellan family in Tigharry, North Uist
Ziggy is a small Jack Russell puppy with a big personality. He lives with Eilidh and Graeme Todd, Kallin, Grimsay.
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!
North Uist
BOARDING KENNELS Bayhead, North Uist Open all hours We are a small family run Boarding Kennels who want to look after your pets as you would. Individual needs catered for including; ● Medication given ● Daily beach walks for dogs ● Heated beds for cats ● Large outside exercise pens for dogs. ● Collection and delivery service across the Islands Please call Gillian to inspect our facilities or to discuss individual requirements on:
01876 510223 or 07922 178880
15
SOLUTIONS: ACROSS: 7) Epidemic, 8) Opal, 9) Under, 10) Rissole, 11) Trade, 13) Astound, 16) Promote, 17) Usher, 18) Officer, 20) Plump, 23) Deal, 24) Levitate. DOWN: 1) Spin, 2) Addendum, 3) Emu, 4) Eclipse, 5) Boss, 6) Parlance, 12) Rarefied, 14) Obsolete, 15) Steeple, 19) Isle, 21) Mate, 22) Eve.