Mull & Iona Life #50 Summer 2023

Mull&Iona Life

RESPECT MULL’S OTTERS

Mull artists create woolly sculptures

Mull hotel’s new recruit makes ‘pawsitive’ impression

MULL AND IONA’S FREE COMMUNITY MAGAZINE DISTRIBUTED TO OVER 1,000 HOMES AND BUSINESSES ON MULL & IONA

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Tempting job

A tempting opportunity for anyone with a sweet tooth, Scottish recruitment site HiJOBS.net is on the hunt for a couple to join an award-winning bakery in the beautiful village of Tobermory.

The two full-time roles with Island Bakery Organics will include all aspects of biscuit production, including weighing ingredients, baking, chocolate work and packing. Unusually, the position comes with private accommodation, making it perfect for a couple or friends keen to embrace island life.

The role is quickly becoming one of the most popular on the HiJOBS website. With a starting salary of £19,000 to £22,000, plus the accommodation and potential overtime, no previous experience is required. There are also opportunities for further training and progression within the 34-strong team.

These positions are ideally suited for a couple or good friends, perhaps starting out in their careers in Scotland’s rich and diverse food industry.

Stocked in Waitrose, as well as organic and deli stores across the UK, Europe, and the USA, the Island Bakery Organics’ range includes oatcakes,

shortbreads and favourites such as Lemon Melts and Chocolate Gingers.

For job seekers who value strong ethics and green credentials, few employers can match Island Bakery Organics. Leading the way in sustainable and environmentally focused food production, they use only traceable, pesticide-free Or-

offer on Mull

suited for a couple or good friends, perhaps starting out in their careers in Scotland’s rich and diverse food industry. We’re a close-knit team, employing a number of local residents, but see this as an exciting opportunity to welcome some new faces and give them a real taste of island life.”

Laura Saunders, commercial director and founder, HiJOBS, said: “This is one of the sweetest jobs HiJOBS has ever promoted. It’s rare for a full-time, year-round role that includes accommodation to come up in remote locations such as the Hebrides, which is a real barrier in attracting new talent to the region.

ganic ingredients. Powered by locally-sourced renewable energy, it’s believed to be the only factory in the world that bakes its biscuits using woodchips, also sourced from Mull’s sustainable timber plantations.

With a population of just 3,000, the Isle of Mull is renowned for its wild and unspoilt landscapes and

welcoming islanders. Regularly topping rankings as one of the most beautiful places in the UK, picturesque Tobermory is recognised the world over thanks to iconic multi-coloured buildings along the harbour front.

Joe Reade, director, Island Bakery Organics, said: “These positions are ideally

“HiJOBS prides itself on supporting rural Scottish communities and Island Bakery is the ideal example of a local and successful family-run business with the community at its heart.”

This dream job opportunity is one of thousands of Scotland-based roles available on HiJOBS. For more details and to apply for the Island Bakery Organics role visit hijobs.net/islandbakery

“Lightning” fast teen lights up Mull Sportive

Mull welcomed hundreds of cyclists to the island for its annual sportive earlier this month, with an astonishing performance from a local rider earning plaudits.

The island’s Murdo ‘Lightning’ Morrison put in an incredible ride on the shorter 70 kilometre course, starting in Tobermory, to break the previous best time by around nine minutes.

The 14-year-old crossed the finish line in 2.16.59 as the only rider of 129 participating in the under 18s category on the shorter route around the north of Mull on Sunday June 4.

Weather conditions were near perfect for the annual event, which was first organised in 2011, with 329 riders taking part across the two courses this year.

Robert Lee was the fastest of 205 riders on the longer 140 kilometre course, finishing narrowly ahead of Alistair Simpson in 4.20.08.

Ferry issues caused travel headaches as around 100 riders who had signed up had to pull-out.

This year’s sportive was organised by Joe Reade from

Island Bakery and Jeff Adams, with Jeff impressed by Murdo’s efforts on a tough, undulating route.

“Murdo Morrison was a late entry and he slowly pulled away from the other riders after I led them out along the road out of Tobermory,” he said.

“He must have ridden up the first steep climb at around 24-25 km/h and was already about five minutes ahead of the next rider by the time he reached Salen.”

Murdo’s father Colin Morrison was tracking his son at the finish line and watched as he averaged around 30 km/h to arrive back in Tobermory

in record breaking time, nine minutes ahead of the next rider.

Jeff added: “The guy who finished after him said he thought about asking him to sign his shirt afterwards because it might be worth something in years to come.

“Averaging that speed on a challenging route like that is hugely impressive because there are some brutal climbs on the shorter course, especially at Calgary and Dervaig.

“He has a huge amount of ambition and potential and has already won several duathlons and triathlons in his age group.”

HELP Appeal funds lifesaving helipad at Mull and Iona Community Hospital

An ambitious plan to build a lifesaving helipad at Mull and Iona Community Hospital is going ahead thanks to a £400,000 donation from the HELP Appeal, the only charity in the country dedicated to funding hospital helipads.

The money will cover the entire cost of the helipad.

The hospital is a 45-minute ferry journey away from Oban and around 15 minutes away by road from Glenforsa airstrip, which is currently used for medical evacuations by helicopter.

By having a permanent, purpose-built hospital helipad, the Scottish Air Ambulance and larger HM Coastguard helicopters will be able to land right next to Mull and Iona Community hospital, which will avoid the need for a transfer by land ambulance to the airstrip.

This will ensure specialist hospital treatment at another A&E hospital or major trauma centre can be accessed within the ‘golden hour’ and thus improve patients’ outcomes.

The helipad will have a state-of-the-art lighting system with settings for different weather conditions, which will be radio controlled by the incoming helicopter pilot, with a backup system at the nursing station in the hospital, enabling helicopter landings to take place around the clock.

It is likely many landings will be required every year to transport critically ill patients to the most appropriate major trauma centre or A&E hospital.

The helipad will be known as the Wilson-Thomson Helipad in recognition of the fundraising efforts of John Wilson and the late Dr Bill Thomson, without which Mull and Iona Community Hospital would not have been built.

Cheryl-Anne Paterson, NHS Highland’s senior charge nurse for Mull and Iona, said: “We

We are delighted that the hospital will soon have a helipad, the reduction in transfer time to mainland hospitals will significantly improve the life chances for our patients

are delighted the hospital will soon have a helipad. The reduction in transfer time to mainland hospitals will significantly improve the life chances for our patients when they need specialist emergency treatment.”

Robert Bertram, HELP Appeal’s chief executive, said: “Helipads save lives and the community of Mull and Iona requested our help. We had no hesitation in supporting them and donating £400,000 for this vital helipad, because when patients need to be transferred for specialist treatment, it is really important this is done as quickly as possible.”

One of the key people

behind the Mull project is Simon Jones, an aviation technical advisor from the HELP Appeal, who recently helped a similar project at Campbeltown Hospital, which the HELP Appeal also funded in its entirety.

Stuart McLellan MBE, an ambulance technician with the Scottish Ambulance Service who was also involved with the Campbeltown project, helped bring the team together to make the Mull project happen.

NHS Highland is a key partner in the project and staff at the hospital in Craignure are fully supportive of it. Neighbours Andy and Naomi

Knight are donating land for the helipad.

Mull and Iona Community Trust will, on behalf of the community, take on the responsibility for maintaining the helipad.

Construction of the helipad is under way by local fi rm TSL Contractors Ltd and is due for completion this summer.

The steering group thank Glenforsa airstrip and the local HM Coastguard teams for the many years they have organised medivacs from Mull.

It has been greatly appreciated by all the team.

Pause & Breathe is a Community Interest Company, which is passionate about providing accessible wellbeing. Staff come to the Isle of Mull several times a year, holding wellbeing, martial arts and adventure retreats.

They have two more retreats this year:

• 28th August – 2nd September:

An adventure holiday for grown-ups, this retreat includes water-based activities - kayaking, sailing and swimming; hiking; bushcraft skills and selfdefence, as well as Qi Gong and Mindfulness meditation.

• 11th-16th September: Letting Go Retreat –Mindfulness & Qi Gong, with practices themed around letting go of what no longer serves us.

Pause & Breathe is delighted to announce that for the first time it is offering sessions to non-residents, so whether you are holidaying on the island, or you live here permanently, you are welcome to join the team for any of the activities. For those from further afield, both retreats can also be residential, with participants staying at Saorphin Cottages near Bunessan.

Susie and Phil from Pause & Breathe will lead both retreats.

Both are qualified and experienced instructors, who have been travelling to Mull regularly for the last few years. In August they are joined by Jon Lloyd from Bendoran Watersports CIC and Håkan Ekenberg, whose Swedish Special Forces experience gives him a background in survival skills.

Please get in touch for more details about how to book in, whether for the full retreat experience or to join some of the activities: susie@pauseandbreathe.co.uk / 07859 335532

of lapwingsSoaring joy

Mullman

DANIEL BROOKS editor@obantimes.co.uk

The lapwings have now hatched in front of our house here at Ulva Ferry, Mull. We have seven pairs this year, as opposed to six last year.

Even a tiny upward trend is promising for a species that has suffered much in the last decades. It is a source of so much joy to have these entertaining birds rearing their young in, what is basically, our front garden.

Firstly, there is their striking black and white plumage and impressive crest. On closer inspection, however, one can see they are made up of many more colours. With purple and shades of green, they are still known in some areas as the “green plover”.

But their calls take them to the next level, surely one of the most memorable instruments of the bird orchestra. Their electronic pops, wheezes and whistles all impressively accompanied by spectacular dance, as the peewits - another common name for them - roller coaster, loop the loop and back flip their way over their nesting ground.

I have also noticed they join the short list of birds that have “drumming” or a non-vocal sound as part of their courtship performance. Usually when they have finished their more common aerial display, they flap their way over the ground creating a particular sound which is clearly intentionally adding to the display.

Snipe, which also nest along side our lapwing, are famous for their drumming. They dive

out of the sky, tail feathers vibrating creating the weirdest, bleating goat-type noise. They are known in many countries as the flying goat and in Scotland they have been known as the “heather bleater”.

Short-eared owls also do well on Mull without two of the main predators of ground nesting birds - foxes and badgers. They also “drum” or what is more commonly known as “clap” in their case. They also dive out of the sky while displaying and clap their wings under their bodies. This is another of my favourite wildlife spectacles to witness.

Lapwing are incredible parents. They defend their eggs and chicks with serious commitment and aggression. They have many species to defend them from.

In front of our house, hoodies are the most commonly attacked, followed by buzzards and ravens, but hen harriers also get violently swooped upon as they hunt and I would imagine the local barn, tawny and long-eared owls get hammered at night.

I can still hear the lapwing attacking something once the sun has gone down. A recent camera trap study on wader nests in Scotland surprisingly discovered sheep were re-

sponsible for a number of the nest failures, either through trampling or eating the eggs or chicks. I knew deer would do this. I believe many so called “herbivores” will actually supplement their vegetarian diet with meat and eggs if the opportunity arises, but it was a surprise to me sheep were doing it in some places too.

As to the extent of this particular problem facing wading birds on farm land, much more data would need to be collected. I have not, as yet, seen the lapwing attacking sheep or the cows in front of our house. Grazing animals are, in fact, well known to be good for breeding waders. They poop, providing extra insect life, and keep the vegetation shorter which is important, especially for lapwings. Watching them attacking the hoodies though is another source of great entertainment. They make contact sometimes with their attacks and do not let the crows within 200m of their nest grounds without seeing them off, often with much back up and aerial display.

Hopefully the lapwing, along with the snipe and curlew in front of our house, will have a productive year and their many predators will not eat all the chicks.

Lapwing are incredible parents. They defend their eggs and chicks with serious commitment and aggression.

Mull hotel’s new recruit makes ‘pawsitive’ impression

A Mull hotel’s newest member of staff is making a ‘pawsitive’ impression with guests.

Bosses at the Western Isles Hotel in Tobermory have introduced adorable pup Finn in a new role to meet and greet visitorsand he is making his mark already.

Finn belongs to the popular venue’s assistant manager and will be spreading cuteness and joy throughout the hotel as he welcomes guests with a wag of his tail and a friendly bark.

A hotel spokesperson said: “If you happen to visit during Darcy’s shifts, be sure to say hello to Finn as he takes

his ‘cute and cuddly’ duties very seriously. We’re all very

excited to have him as part of our hotel family.”

We’re all very excited to have him as part of our hotel family.

MULL CENTENARY HIGHLAND GAMES

Since 1923 on the “third Thursday after the first Monday in July”, Mull Highland Games have been held on the natural amphitheatre of Erray Park overlooking Tobermory Bay and the Sound of Mull. Only the war years and the pandemic have broken the sequence and this year’s event has much to celebrate. Games have been held on Mull for 150 years and the centenary this year represents the 1923 committee putting the fixture on its present sound foundation. Author

Eric Macintyre has compiled a book celebrating past athletes, officials and above all, characters, from that rich history including the 1958 parade to the Games Field with Lord MacLean of Duart, as Chieftain in the middle.

For this year’s event on July 20, games president Andrew Kain, his committee and team of volunteers have big plans. The event will be expanding, with children’s and trade stands in an adjacent field.

The memory of competitors and officials from the past 100 years will be honoured by local children in a pageant, celebrating some of the older competitors from the past. And organisers are looking to get bands for day before, games day and day after. This is a work in progress. It is also hoped Oban High School band and elements of Tobermory High school band will feature.

There will also be the third annual Mull Highland Games art prize and this year the works will be exhibited in the Western Isles Hotel from

July 15 to July 28. The prize will be judged by Charles Avery and Nina Pope.

Up to five of the two dimensional pieces will be selected for entry to the Highland Art Prize which last year was won by Mull artist David Page who will, as a result, be exhibiting at the Briggait in Glasgow later this year.

Further details of the Games and how to obtain the centenary book can be found on the Mull Highland Games website at https://mullhighlandgames. com

West Ardnamurchan Show & Sports

Friday 21st July 2023

Enjoy a fantastic family fun day in beautiful surroundings at Kilchoan’s well established Show and Sports. Agriculture Show runs from 09:30 to 11:30 and all the Main Events start at 11:30.

Attractions include: All Day BBQ & Bar; Senior & Junior Heavy Events; Junior Sports; Children’s amusements start 11.30 am; Pet Parade & Races; Tug-o-War; Stalls; Baking & Horticulture Competitions; Senior & Junior Hill Race; Live music and refreshments on the field from 5pm onwards (Rhuvaal)

More information online: Facebook@ westardnamurchanshowandsports

SHIELING HOLIDAYS ISLE OF MULL CAMPSITE

Island campsite on beautiful shore front, with breath-taking sea and mountain views.

A warm welcome awaits your arrival with your caravan, camper or tent.

Unique self-catering Ensuite Shieling Tents for camping with a difference.

Charming Cottages and new in 2022 Glamping Chalets

Forestry tracks & enchanting coastline

Ideally located for exploring Mull, with Tobermory 21 miles North and Fionnphort 35 miles south.

Close to local amenities; pub, shop, cafes, ferry & bus terminal

Hardstanding van pitches – Astroturf tent pitches -Dog Friendly

t: 01680 812496 | www.shielingholidays.co.uk |

info@isleofmullcampsite.co.uk

Shieling Holidays, Craignure, Isle of Mull, Argyll, PA65 6AY

Mull Sevens a success despite adversity

Isle of Mull Rugby Football Club saw its fair share of action recently as 24 teams flocked to Garmony for the island’s annual sevens competition.

Despite ferry booking issues, 16 men’s teams and eight women’s teams took part in the event on Saturday May 20, with only two teams forced to withdraw.

Their spaces were filled by a Mull RFC second team and a select team, with local residents doing their bit to create an energetic atmosphere.

Lochaber and Oban Lorne were both represented by ladies and men’s teams, with Mull men’s team reaching the semi-finals of the competition.

In the men’s competition, Isle of Mull topped their group with six points after winning against ICD, Too Many Pints and Stirling County.

They were defeated by a strong Boroughmuir side in the semi-finals, as Lochaber lost their four tough encounters in Group 3.

Oban Lorne finished third in Group Two, defeating Muileachs 40-0 and narrowly losing to Jordanhill, before drawing 14-14 with Boroughmuir.

In the women’s competition, Isle of Mull ladies competed against Lochaber in Group A, with the Fort side triumphing 27-12 as Oban Lorne made it through to the semi-finals where they were narrowly beaten by Cartha 14-12.

Isle of Mull Rugby Football Club club secretary Duncan Swinbanks said: “It went amazingly well, despite a ferry horror show. This threw us into confusion, but we put out an appeal on social media and we had the biggest number of locals

we’ve had come down to support it.

“It was great to see how the community responded to adversity and there was a real feeling of community spirit, which was also shown in the wonderful sponsorship we received.”

The event was also attended by British and Irish Lion Iain Paxton and Banjo, a Mull-based interior designer, who recently helped to redesign Isle of Mull Rugby Football Club’s bar for an episode of the BBC programme ‘Designing the Hebrides’.

The eventual winners were Highland and the Jordanhill Ladies team after an action packed afternoon of rugby.

It was great to see how the community responded to adversity and there was a real feeling of community spirit, which was also shown in the wonderful sponsorship we received.

Mull artists create woolly sculptures

The designs of two Isle of Mull artists are involved in a colourful Scottish art trail ahead of this year’s Royal Highland Show.

Bobbi Venter and Emma McKie are representing Argyll on the ‘Flock to the Show’ trail, featuring 38 life-sized sheep sculptures decorated by artists from around the UK.

The sheep are touring until Thursday June 22 when they will meet again at the showground at Ingliston near Edinburgh.

The campaign is celebrating the return of the Golden Shears World Sheep Shearing and Woolhandling Championships at this year’s Royal Highland Show.

It has been designed to raise awareness of the many varied challenges and causes related to farming.

Bobbi’s design, Wild & Woolly West, is sponsored by Macklin Motors and tells a story of the challenges and obstacles met by farmers and crofters in rural communities.

Bobbi said: “I admire the resilience of the people I meet, trying to survive on the edges. Struggling with fuel and transport costs, isolation, mental health and changes to farming practices and climate.

“I wanted to show the diversity of work done to support our rural mainland and island communities, often for very little reward. From the farming itself to the many small industries and, of course, tourism, providing a valuable lifeline.”

She added: “I have always been met in such places with resilience and humour and it seemed appropriate to depict their story in this comic form.”

Meanwhile, Emma’s Bell Ingram sponsored design celebrates real wool and its producers.

Emma said: “Historically sheep were always prized for their fleece. Since the stone age, wool has been one of the most effective forms of all weather protection known to mankind.

“It breathes, isolates, keeps off moisture and is temperature regulating and

self cleaning. Unfortunately, in the last few decades the mass production of synthetic fibres and fast fashion has caused the demand for natural wool to plummet.

“Most farmers now face the hardship of paying more to have the fleece sheared than they make selling it. My

design is to celebrate where real wool comes from” ‘Woolly West’ can be found at Castle Kennedy Gardens, Stranraer, and ‘Rainbow’ can be seen at Glasgow’s Buchanan Galleries until Sunday May 14, before the sheep come together at the Royal Highland Show.

I admire the resilience of the people I meet, trying to survive on the edges. Struggling with fuel and transport costs, isolation, mental health, and changes to farming practices and climate.

PLANS TO RESTORE 500HA OF MULL PEATLAND

The local Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) team held a drop-in session at Aros Hall, Tobermory, on May 16 when people learned more about draft plans for the island’s forests in North and Central Mull.

A major component of the proposals, outlined in a routine review of land management plans for forests on the island from Salen to Tobermory and Dervaig, is the restoration of around 500 hectares of peatland.

The reviews occur every 10 years and sets out proposals for how the land will be managed over the next ten years.

FLS planning forester Susannah Hughes, said: “Developing a land management plan is a hugely complex process, with many different elements that need to be addressed. Peatland restoration and habitat improvement for biodiversity need to be balanced with timber production and recreational access in what are valuable resources for locals and visitors to the island.

“And on top of that, the local lochs are a mains water

Forestry and Land Scotland invited residents to give their views on draft plans for how central and north Mull’s woodlands will be managed over the next 10 years.

supply, there are deer to manage, a lot of rhododendron to clear and scheduled monuments to look after. We’ll also be adapting the woodlands overall to make them more resilient to the impacts of climate change and the spread of tree diseases such as Phytophthora ramorum which has devastated larch across the island.

“Commercial forestry will still be a focal point where appropriate but there are quite a few areas earmarked for change over the next

decade. It’s all about ‘the right tree in the right place’ as we move forward.

“Anyone who would like to learn more about our proposals and give their views is welcome to get in touch.”

Most of the peatland restoration will be around Ardmore and Aros, with additional restoration in Aintuim, Crannich and Salen.

Anyone who was unable to make it to the drop-in session is able to find out more about the land management plan online.

The Three Isles Tour

RESPECT MULL’S OTTERS

Otter seekers on Mull are being reminded to behave responsibly and with respect.

Tourists heading to the island in search of seeing the creatures and getting a close-up on camera are already asking locals for directions to the best spots.

Mull Otter Group is appealing to wildlife photographers and visitors to be

respectful of otters and the people who live in the area.

To help get the message out, the group has reprinted its ‘Do’s and Don’t’ fl iers that can be picked up from tourist information centres, holiday stays, waiting rooms and from the island’s rangers.

By following the guidance in the fl iers, you should enjoy a longer, better quality

sighting which causes no distress to the animal.

The leafl et was designed by Carol Benetto, educational outreach co-ordinator for the otter specialist group in the International Union for Conservation of Nature, and Ruth Lord.

Last year, Mull Otter Group received backing from BBC2 Springwatch presenter Iolo Williams, who

made an appeal on live TV after reports of some photographers being spotted chasing sea otters along sea and loch shores to get a prized snap.

And there were also reports of sometimes as many as 20 to 30 cars in the one place, churning up land and congesting roads making access diffi cult for people living nearby.

If otters feel they are being watched or in danger of being chased, it could stop them from getting out of the water to dry off or from getting back to their holts. It could be a mother need-

ing to feed her young. The group is also worried about shore-nesting birds and their eggs that could be in danger of being trampled by otter watchers.

While the group does not want to spoil anyone’s holiday, it is asking people not to stake out holts for the sake of getting a photograph.

And there were also reports of sometimes as many as 20 to 30 cars in the one place, churning up land and congesting roads making access difficult for people living nearby.

And they are asking people not to advertise holts on social media - instead to be patient and enjoy Mull’s beauty.

The bottom line is that seeing an otter really is down to luck.

If you are lucky you could see an otter anywhere on Mull’s coast.