Mull&Iona
SUMMER 2022
Issue 46
STOP BULLYING OUR OTTERS
Life
MV LOCH FRISA SAILS ON SHIP-SHAPE COMMUTER ROUTE MULLMAN’S SEARCH FOR LEGENDARY ORCAS MULL AND IONA’S FREE COMMUNITY MAGAZINE DISTRIBUTED TO OVER 1,000 HOMES AND BUSINESSES ON MULL & IONA
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Theatre,Exhibitions, Live Gigs, Creative Learning, Workshops, Classes and much more... We are delighted that our latest touring production In The Weeds has been selected to be part of the prestigious Made In Scotland showcase at this year’s Edinburgh Festival. Mhairi Killin and Fergus Hall with Tom DeMajo, Miek Zwamborn and Susie Leiper: On Sonorous Seas exhibition at An Tobar Gallery. Frankly, The Smiths are established as Scotland’s premier tribute to The Smiths, and play regular shows across the country. The four piece delve deep into the indie legends’ back catalogue, performing lengthy shows that will please both the casual and devoted fan.
An Tobar Café and Gallery are open seven days a week from 10am - 4pm, serving amazing coffees, drinks, meals & cakes (gf & vegan). We have outdoor seating with the best views in town, and we’re dog friendly!
antobarandmulltheatre.co.uk 01688 302211
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welcome fàilte
FRONT COVER PICTURE An otter relaxing on green grass. Photograph courtesy of shutterstock.com
EDITORIAL editor@obantimes.co.uk
ADVERTISING
Suzanne Taylor 01631 568000
PRODUCTION Kevin McCubbin
PUBLISHED BY
Wyvex Media Limited, PO Box 1, Oban, PA34 4HB Tel: 01631 568000 www.obantimes.co.uk
contents 4 7 8 12 14 16 20 23 24 27 28 32 34
Murder on Mull Flying disc golf takes off on Mull Stop bullying our otters Clean sweep for Tobermory beach MV Loch Frisa sails on ship-shape commuter route Mull Youth Theatre makes connections Red tape deadlock forces family to quit as refugee hosts Get ready for Mull Fiddle Week Mullman’s search for legendary orcas First shout for RNLI new recruit Charity can help make unpaid carers’ role easier Key worker housing crisis is stifling Mull Mull community council news
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Murder on Mull
Many Mull legends are featured in Helen Fields’ new murder book – including Lochbuie stone circle and Mackinnon’s Cave Award-winning crime writer Helen Fields returns to Mull as the murder scene for her 12th book, The Last Girl To Die, due out in September. The Last Girl to Die explores every worst parent’s nightmare, as teenage girls go missing from their homes on Mull in the middle of the night, only to be discovered the next day brutally murdered in an ancient pagan ritual. Helen discovered a number of legends about the Isle of Mull during her research, many to do with the witches of Mull which she uses in the book, including the legendary Mull witch Doideag, who was said to be more powerful than the clan chief and responsible for the sinking of a Spanish galleon. Also at the heart of the novel is the ancient LochWith a background as both a prosecutor and defence buie stone circle: nine counsel, Helen Fields has a depth of knowledge about granite rocks that sit silently crime that lends to her writing. in their own natural amphitheatre, overlooked by legend has it that the area is family barrister working for the slopes of Ben Buie. haunted. both the prosecution and Although most visitors find Helen, who has backthe defence, sets murder it a place of tranquillity, ground as a criminal and a in the novel in Mull’s famous
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Mackinnon’s Cave – one of the deepest sea caves in the Hebrides, where legend tells of a piper who was walking his dog in the cave and came to a sticky end when a female ogre became unimpressed with his performance. The dog survived but emerged crazed and hairless with fright. Deep inside the cave lies a large, flat slab of rock, which is known as Fingal’s Table, which was used as an altar by hermits and early followers of the Christian church and also features in the novel. tries, Eleven of Helen’s Helen will be appearing at other books have all been international crime writing set in Scotland, her previfestival Bloody Scotland in ous bestselling titles have Stirling this September. been against the backdrop Selling in the of Edinburgh, USA, Canada Glasgow, and AustralBraemar and The deeper she asia, Helen’s the Cairndigs into the books have gorms, Roslin island’s secrets, won global Glen, North the closer danger recognition. Berwick, TanIn 2020 tallon Castle, creeps – and the Helen’s novel, Old Pentland more urgent her Perfect Kill was Cemetery, and quest to find the longlisted for Eilean Donan killer grows the Crime WritCastle. ers Association Twice shortIan Fleming listed for the Steel Dagger. McIllvanney Scottish Crime In 2020 Perfect Remains Book of the Year and a pubwas shortlisted for the lished author in 22 coun-
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Bronze Bat, Dutch debut crime novel of the year. Helen also writes as HS Chandler, and has released legal thriller Degrees of Guilt. Her audio book Perfect Crime knocked Michelle Obama off the number one spot. The Last Girl To Die is out in paperback on September 1, published by Avon and priced £7.99 In this latest book, 16-year-old Adriana Clark’s American family moves to the ancient, ocean-battered Isle of Mull in search of a new life. Then she goes missing. Faced with hostile locals and indifferent police, her desperate parents turn to private investigator Sadie Levesque. Sadie is the best at what she does. But when she finds Adriana’s body in a cliffside cave, a seaweed crown carefully arranged on her head, she knows she’s dealing with something she’s never encountered before. The deeper she digs into the island’s secrets, the closer danger creeps – and the more urgent her quest to find the killer grows. Because what if Adriana is not the last girl to die?
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Flying disc golf takes off on Mull Visitors to Aros Park on Mull will soon be able to try out a new free activity – disc golf. The sport is popular in the United States but is now a fast-growing sport worldwide. Players need to make their way around a course using a flying disc instead of clubs and golf balls, and metal baskets replace the holes. The baskets have hanging chains above them that are designed to catch the discs which then fall into the basket for a score. Try your hand at disc golf - a new sport craze The trial began this month on Mull at Aros Park and anyone can play the nine-hole course free. A 90,000 professional players help improve mobility and small supply of flying discs who compete in regular, boost health and wellbeing will be available at Forestry and we think it’s going to be prize money tournaments. and Land Scotland’s park But it is also a great and a very popular addition to site to let visitors try out the the park.’ easy sport for people to sport. take up and enjoy, says disc It will be Jo Maclean, golf organiser Ben Bolton. Mull’s secIt’s often FLS area visitor He said: ‘There are around ond disc golf referred to as services man90 courses across the UK course after the ‘best sport ager, said: ‘This Fanmore, west but only about 20 in Scotis a great idea land and this one in Aros of Ballygown, you’ve never that certainly Park will be the second which is host heard of’ adds a new on Mull and in the west of to the annual and fun twist Scotland as a whole. Mull Classic to a walk in the ‘It’s a great twist on the Tournament. forest. Versions of the sport have idea of a healthy walk and ‘It’s often referred to as is much less expensive than been around since the the ‘best sport you’ve never 1920s when lids from old golf and – for some people heard of’ but it’s a fantastic tins would be pitched to– a lot more fun, too. activity that’s great fun for ‘I’d recommend anyone to wards a circle. The modern families and also for more give it a go and start pracversion of disc golf dates competitive players. from the 1970s, is played in tising. Once you’ve tried it ‘It’s a bit of fun that will you’ll be hooked.’ 40 countries and has over
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Stop bullying our otters Sightings have been made of some Mull visitors ‘chasing’ otters along sea and loch shores because they are so desperate to take home a prize holiday snap. Otter seekers on Mull are be- done to stop the problem. One idea from the last ing told to stop their bullying community council meeting behaviour. The call comes from a wild- ‘to stop bullying our otters’ was to get CalMac to put life group on the island and out an otter-aware advisory is being backed by BBC2 announcement before ferry Springwatch presenter Iolo Williams, who made a live TV passengers disembark – similar to the one about appeal from Mull for tourists how to use passing places and photographers to show properly. more respect to otters and Police are already stephumans who live there. Sightings have been made ping up patrols at known otter hot-spots and Mull of some visitors ‘chasing’ Otter Group is working on a otters along sea and loch revised flier for shores because visitors. they are so desIt’s a massive A spokesperperate to take son for Mull home a prize on-going Otter Group holiday snap of concern. They said she had the enchanting are physically seen otters bemammals. chasing otters, ing ‘chased’ up Otter hotstopping them to a mile away spots on Mull are being from getting out from where they want to be. crowded by of the water to ‘It’s a massometimes 20 dry off or from sive on-going to 30 cars in getting back to concern. They the one place, their holts are physically churning up chasing otters, land and constopping them gesting roads making access awkward for from getting out of the water to dry off or from getting people living nearby. back to their holts; it could Concerns of harassing otbe a mother needing to feed ters and annoying residents her young. have reached Mull commu‘It’s not everyone who is nity councillors who are now inviting police and Mull Otter harassing our otters but we need help to promote Group to join a future meetmore sensible behaviour and ing to discuss what can be
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would welcome any support. It’s not going to be easy. Visitors and some photographers might not think they are harassing them but if what they are doing is stopping otters from going about their normal behaviour – then it is a serious problem. ‘I’ve seen people running along the shore and the otters can’t get out when and where they need to. ‘We also need people to stop advertising holt locations on social media. We’d ask people to be patient, enjoy Mull’s beauty and you might just see an otter anytime. Please don’t just stake out a particular holt to get a photo,’ said the spokesperson. And added: ‘We don’t want to be draconian about it; we don’t want to ruin anyone’s holiday. We just want people to be responsible.’ Springwatch presenter Iolo Williams, who has been filming with young wildlife enthusiast Murdo Morrison, highlighted the need for respect during a broadcast last week, giving out advice on how to watch otters responsibly and saying footage caught by the show’s cameraman was taken from at least 40m away.
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It was a grand effort from the Tobermory beach clean team.
CLEAN SWEEP FOR TOBERMORY BEACH Beach cleaners in Tobermory Seachange Wines and Inverarity filled a large Morton Spirits. skip with We were all A good rubbish in just pondering the turnout of one day with poor boatsman residents their haul, helped, including a car who watched assisted by engine. that slowly The clean-up disappear below younger family members. was organised the waves At a feast in by Tobermory MacGochans at Beach the end of the Association and supported by MacGochans, day, prizes were awarded
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including rewards for the two most interesting items collected – an old coin and a fully working diver’s watch. ‘We were all pondering the poor boatsman who watched that slowly disappear below the waves,’ said Duncan Swinbanks of The Tobermory Beach Association.
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MV LOCH FRISA SAILS ON SHIP-SHAPE COMMUTER ROUTE long-looked forward to by CalMac’s latest ferry, with islanders and would be ‘lifea price tag of £10.5 million, changing’. launched this week with the For decades, islanders promise of all-year round have been asking and commuter travel between pushing for a second boat Oban and Mull. for the winter Former Mull time-table councillor MaryWhat a special service and at Jean Devon had night we all had last they have the honour of got it. launching and in Dervaig on She said it renaming the Saturday. This is would also be MV Loch Frisa clearly a strong life-changing at Craignure community for giving work using a 12-yearopportunities to old bottle of islanders who Tobermory no longer had to go off island whisky in the ceremony for employment. in front of invited guests, About two-thirds of including dignitaries and the crew already live on crew. Mull - remaining staff Mrs Devon said Loch are still searching for Frisa’s arrival had been
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accommodation, some are temporarily in hotels. Mrs Devon also gave a nod to Ross of Mull crofter Ronnie Campbell who had chaired the Mull and Iona Ferry Committee for years and had first raised the question of a second boat decades ago to work all year round on the route. ‘Ronnie is sadly no longer with us, but he would have been glad to see his work and the work of the Mull and Iona Ferry Committee that he chaired for many years was not in vain. ‘It is good to see the boat finally here,’ she said. Guests had to wait just a little longer than planned while crew practised opening
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the new ramp that was one of the major modifications made during a £4.5 million refurbishment at Leith other work included fitting a sewage plant to make it worthy for Scottish seas. The vessel, built in Turkey and formerly called MV Utne, previously operated in Norway and was the first pre-used boat to be purchased to join the CalMac fleet out of 650 second-hand boats offered in the past six years, said CMAL chief executive Kevin Hobbs. Mr Hobbs said the quest continued to find more second-hand boats for
routes around Scotland. Winners of an art competition for primary schools were also among guests, receiving prizes for their pictures that will be permanently on show aboard the boat. A specially commissioned painting was unveiled too. The winners were P1 pupil Darcy and P7 pupil Izzy from Tobermory Primary School and P5 pupil Hazel from Ulva Primary School. Thanks were given to everyone who worked hard to bring the MV Loch Frisa into service. The Loch Frisa cost the Scottish government £6
million in October and it was ‘wonderful’ to see her come onto the route, said Mr Hobbs. He added it had ‘not been easy’ because of Covid and getting parts needed from abroad, including China. Plans to ‘slowly, slowly’ bring the Loch Frisa into service saw the ferry start to officially carry paying passengers in mid-June, in tandem with the MV Coruisk’s timetable and alongside the MV Isle of Mull, with Frisa eventually taking over Coruisk’s timetable. MV Coruisk is moving onto the Mallaig to Armadale route.
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Mull Youth Theatre makes connections After lunch the team Senior actors from Mull moved to the main stage, Youth Theatre travelled to spending the Beacon two hours Arts Centre in Greenock We are so proud in technical and dress recently to of them and rehearsals take part in they should be before their the National very proud of performance of Theatre’s themselves. It The Ramayana Connections Reset by programme. was a privilege Ayeesha Connections to spend a Menon. The is a youth joyous few main stage was theatre festival days in their massive and a that was hardworking little daunting, established 27 but Mull Youth years ago and company Theatre rose to champions the the occasion. talent of young The performance was people from across the UK. exemplary, the actors held The day started early with the stage and the audience introductions to another with great participating company skill. Their and then on to hours of workshops for vocal training, mentor, director bonding and inspiration.
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and technical manager took them through their paces and many new skills were learned. A spokesperson for An Tobar and Mull Theatre said: ‘We are so proud of them and they should be very proud of themselves. It was a privilege to spend a joyous few days in their hardworking company.’ The cast included Millie Mitchell-Stephens, Louise Chauvet, James Chauvet, Edie Thorne, Flora Thorne, Lonneke Hutton, Ellie Turnbull, Ayla Purfit, Dominic Hill, Ben Western, Lottie Le Jeune, Bea Caskie, Ava Olden, Eilidh MacDonald.
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CELEBRATING 25 YEARS! Mull and Iona Community Trust was formed as a membership based charitable organisation in 1997. Currently celebrating its 25 year anniversary it’s certainly not resting on its laurels and continues to strive to find and shape island based solutions with the support of the community and the dedication of its volunteer directors and committed staff team. Starting with just one staff member, the Trust now has 25 employees (approx. 13 full time equivalent) working on a range of projects and initiatives. The projects are all designed to deliver a clear strategy to support repopulation, regeneration, economic activity and to address issues of social exclusion and geographic isolation. The Trust established the first community operated Countryside Ranger Service in Scotland which provides
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a range of activities and advice, addressing land access issues and enabling residents and visitors to responsibly enjoy all that the islands have to offer. Ardura Community Forest provides a base for a Well-being project officer, often working with the Ranger Service to provide activities and opportunities to enjoy the outdoors for all ages! Recycling and re-use has featured as part of Trust’s environmental activities for many years and is underpinned by the very successful Island Castaways charity shops in Craignure, Bunessan and seasonal shop in Tobermory. Lack of affordable housing remains an issue that affects the islands, and the Trust strives to address this by owning and operating seven affordable homes. This is in addition to campaigning for additional houses to be built by housing associations. The
Trust continues to explore other solutions to deliver more housing and to lobby Government for policies to benefit our communities. Working with and supporting sparsely populated communities in the North West areas of Mull enabled the Trust to develop a community owned pontoon facility and community transport service to attract visitors to the area, in addition to providing paid employment. To help the islands attract and retain families and a working age population, the Trust has been campaigning for formal childcare options. They continue to work with Scottish Government, Argyll and Bute Council and the Scottish Childminders Association Scotland to address this and explore the options to work together to improve childcare and childminding opportunities, which will in turn provide
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employment. With a statistically higher proportion of self-employed and small businesses on the islands, supporting these businesses to grow and thrive is a significant part of the work of the Trust. MICT built An Roth Community Enterprise Centre in Craignure providing offices, meeting rooms and training facilities enabling training
courses to be brought to the island. Further support for businesses includes Nonhebel Park, which provides small business premises and storage options. Nonhebel Park supports 18 businesses in the area and is already fully occupied just two years from when it first welcomed tenants. Sandy Brunton, Convenor
and one of the founding members of the Trust said, ‘The Trust was formed at a time when community planning and empowerment was in its infancy. I’m extremely proud and privileged to be involved with the Trust for the last 25 years and all that it has achieved across the islands and the positive impact for our communities’.
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Red tape deadlock forces family to quit as refugee hosts of passports, driving licences, A Mull couple offering to share their idyllic six-bedroom utility bills, wage slips and bank statements for each home with Ukrainian refumember of our family. gees claim they have been ‘My wife and I do not own deemed unsuitable as hosts passports or driving licences, because they do not have passports or driving licences. we conduct all of our business online, do not receive or Dr David Fuller, whose retain any relevant documenKilliechronan home has two tation. acres of gardens next to a ‘We are thus deemed sea loch overlooking moununsuitable to provide bed and tains, said his family signed up for the government spon- board for some homeless, traumatised sorship scheme individuals. the day after it People are ‘This bureauwas launched quitting. It’s as if cratic impasse in March but have now been the government has resulted in us having no alforced to withscheme was ternative but to draw because designed to fail withdraw from of a bureaucratthe scheme and ic deadlock. thus deny accommodation to ‘Apart from two or three a homeless family,’ he said. emails from the Home Office Dr Fuller said it made him of a generally informative nature, we had heard nothing question whether the relevant specific until recently,’ said Dr government agencies were serious about accepting Fuller. refugees. ‘Then an email question‘Had we known a family in naire, now from Argyll and the Ukraine we could have Bute Council, asked us for general information about our paid their fare to the UK, house, what accommodation given them use of a six-bedroom house with two acres it offered, who lived here, of gardens, 200m from the what access we had to local shore of a sea loch and overtransport and the like. looking the mountains, and ‘This was followed by an let them stay on, for as long officious demand for copies
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as proved necessary. ‘What has gone wrong? We even had a Ukrainian flag ready to welcome them,’ he said. A spokesperson for Argyll and Bute Council said it was aware of concerns raised by the Mull family but Scottish government guidance stated that Enhanced Disclosure checks must be carried out on anyone wishing to participate in the sponsorship scheme. ‘We are aware of the concerns raised by the family and we have provided them with additional guidance and support, including details of identification documents that can be used for Enhanced Disclosure checks. ‘We are sorry that they felt the need to withdraw their application, but the safeguarding of refugees is of paramount importance to Argyll and Bute Council and is not something we would overlook,’ said the council spokesperson. Dr Fuller said no additional guidance and support had been given. The council was asked if it had matched or placed any Ukrainians yet in the Oban,
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Oban helps Ukraine founder Shauna MacKenzie setting up the free clothes shop at The Rockfield Centre for refugees when they arrive Lorn and Isles area and, if so, how many so far, but those questions were referred to its Freedom of Information team for a response which had not been received at the time of going to press. Argyll and Bute Council also referred anyone interested to online Scottish government guidance for the sponsorship schemes for Ukrainian refugees to find out what action it (the council) is currently taking in terms of placing Ukrainian refugees in homes across the district and to get an overview of what support would be provided. Shauna Mckenzie, who set up the Oban Helps Ukraine campaign and appeal, said she knew of other would-be hosts who had quit the government’s sponsor scheme because of frustrations,
including continued UK visa delays. ‘The heart and will to help is here but UK visa delays and struggling to get information and straight ‘‘yes’’ or ‘‘no’’ answers to questions from authorities is making it very difficult for people. ‘People are quitting. It’s as if the government scheme was designed to fail. ‘We have upwards of 20 Ukrainians in our area who were matched and privately sponsored with more in areas such as Tayvallich, but I know of none yet who have been placed through the government sponsorship scheme. ‘The council only sent out an email questionnaire to potential host families weeks ago asking for more information about them and their home,’ she said.
Checks will be carried out on privately-arranged host families but retrospectively, said Shauna. Shauna herself is trying to help seven people who are still waiting for their UK visas so they can come to Oban - but they only had until mid-June before they had to leave Poland. ‘What happens is they have to go to homes elsewhere in other countries if their UK visas don’t come though. ‘We’ve had cases of people here renovating their homes to make sure they are appropriate, for example to be safe for toddlers, then it all falls through because UK visas don’t arrive in time and their Ukrainian families have to go elsewhere,’ she said.
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Mull Funeral Services
Isle Of Mull
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GET READY FOR MULL FIDDLE WEEK Mull Music Makers are over the moon to be hosting the island’s second Fiddle Week this August. The event builds on the success of last year when almost 40 young people came together from Mull, the Highlands and Argyll to take part. The five-day course is open to school-age players from across Argyll and Bute and begins in Salen on Monday August 1. During the week, youngsters will be immersed in the spirit and energy of traditional music as they learn to play rhythmically in new arrangements composed specially for Mull Fiddle Week by lead tutor Patsy Reid. ‘After the wonderful inaugural summer school of 2021, I’m delighted to be returning to Mull this August to curate the second Mull Fiddle
Week,’ said top Scottish fiddle player and composer Patsy. She added: ‘One of the things I loved most about last year’s event was the fact all the young players were able to spontaneously perform together at the clock tower in Tobermory with no music stands or sheet music. ‘It’s going to be fun. I can’t wait.’ Workshops will focus on learning to play traditional fiddle tunes by ear. There will also be creative composition classes exploring traditional melodies, harmony, accompaniment and groove. More advanced players will explore bowing techniques, articulation and ornamentation relevant to traditional style. An expert team of tutors, led by Patsy, will travel to Mull and stay for the week.
‘Last year we had a tuba player from Ardnamurchan, a multi-instrumentalist from Skye as well as young promising violin/fiddle players,’ said Mull Fiddle Week organiser Laura Mandleberg. Lucy Houston, who took part in 2021’s Mull Fiddle Week, added: ‘This was one of the best weeks of my life. It was so much fun and such an incredible learning experience.’ This year there will be several performance opportunities to help develop performers’ confidence, including pop-up performances and informal sessions in island venues. ‘We are extremely grateful for funding support from Creative Scotland’s Recovery Fund for Arts Organisations and other grants, including the Scottish Sea Farms’ Heart of the Community Fund,’ added Laura.
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MULLMAN’S SEARCH FOR LEGENDARY ORCAS I woke up in my car at 4.50am and started to search the seas for the legendary orca John Coe and Aquarius from north west Mull. I scanned the waves for more than three hours and saw one unidentified whale, one minke and lots of very distant dolphins jumping around. By midday I was in my friend’s sail boat in Tobermory heading out to see what we could find in perfect glassy conditions. On the way, I received a call from the Sea Life Surveys skipper telling me that John Coe and Aquarius were off Ardnamurchan lighthouse NOW! We could not believe our luck, but, we were travelling at four knots and
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so were very aware we might not catch up with them. We excitedly chugged on. Approximately an hour later, we spotted the SLS vessel right out on the hazy horizon heading towards Coll. We assumed they were following the orca and changed course for that direction. Another hour passed before we finally got a glimpse of that six foot dorsal fin we had been searching for, yet we were still at least 3km away! We plugged on following at a distance - only my telescope could pick out the fins for another hour until we could see them with our binoculars. Fortunately, they were travelling slowly, just pottering along for a cetacean that
can shoot along at at least 25 knots if they want, so we were slowly catching up with them. Then I spotted a minke whale right beside the orca. I expected the minke to porpoise off with the killers in hot pursuit, but they appeared to either be completely unaware of each other, or, they completely ignored one another. The minke slipped off in one direction and JC and A in the other. An hour later we were still at least 1km behind them, when they passed another minke at close quarters, then a huge grey seal that was bottling very close to JC. These orca are sadly presumed to be the last two
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John Coe into the sunset. Photograph: Aaron MacLean
near Staffa many years ago of their group and are type when I worked as a guide on 2 killer whales. Orca around the Sea Life Surveys boat. A the world have very distinct necropsy of one of our group cultures where whole eco found minke whale baleen in types specialise on particular the stomach contents, so this prey items. One group might proved minke were on the only eat fish, another might mix it up a bit and eat fish and menu for this group. Maybe the orca were simply full? seals. Or maybe they Although there are not able to is still a lot to We went ashore hunt such large learn about to spend some prey without our orca, it is a larger pod? believed that time with Yet another they eat only the puffins thing we do not other cetaceans. and immerse know about It has never ourselves in the these amazing been confirmed amazing energy animals. that they prey on We needed seals. of Harp Rock fuel, so The only kills went into that have been Arinagour on Coll and witnessed, is of them killing left them heading porpoise. I am one of the off towards the few that have been fortunate Dutchman’s and enough to witness such a kill when we saw Nicola, likely to Tiree. When we came back out be John Coe’s or Aquarius’s we went across mother, with another male to Lunga on the from the group called Floppy Treshnish isles to Fin catch and eat a porpoise
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drop anchor for the night. Something I have long since wanted to do. We went ashore to spend some time with the puffins and immerse ourselves in the amazing energy of Harp Rock with its tens of thousands of nesting sea birds. The noise is as spectacular as the view. I sat with puffins around me and scanned the mirror calm seas for more whales. I soon picked up the tall dorsals of John Coe and Aquarius again towards the south end of Tiree and watched as they headed further south into the sunset. A perfect day, so grateful. Daniel’s Mullman tours are now up and running. Check out his website at mullman. co.uk
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First shout for RNLI new recruit Tobermory RNLI’s newest crew member is keeping it in the family. Aged just 18, Bobby MacLeod Gunn, who joined the volunteer crew following a long family tradition earlier this year, has just had his first shout. Bobby’s great-grandfather Bobby MacLeod, the acclaimed accordionist, was on the crew in the 1940s and was instrumental in the reopening of the lifeboat station in 1990. And his grandfather, Robert M. MacLeod was a mechanic on the Waveney class 18 was to help a yacht with lifeboat when the station engine failure in the Sound reopened and later became of Mull. On their way to the the honorary secretary - a yacht, the crew assisted the job now known as lifeboat Tobermory Harbour Authority operations manager. RIB which was dealing with Bobby’s uncles Robert another yacht that had broNorman MacLeod and ken its mooring in the strong Donald MacLesouth-easterly od also both wind. The This was a served on the lifeboat quickly busy couple crew for many brought the years, and his of days for our yacht alongside dad Paul ‘Gunthe harbour volunteers. ny’ Gunn is the pontoons The informant current station before heading on Tiree did mechanic. out to assist absolutely the This month the yacht with right thing by the volunteer engine failure. crew responded Crew pagers calling the to three shouts had gone off Coastguard in 36 hours, 24 hours earlier including going after the UK to the aid of a woman on a Coastguard alerted them to yacht with a serious head a woman on a yacht with injury and carrying out a a serious head injury who search in rough weather off needed casualty care before Tiree. being transferred by the lifeBobby’s first shout on May boat to hospital in Oban.
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Pagers sounded off yet again on May 18, just before 11pm, after a report of a flare being sighted in Gott Bay on Tiree. The crew were tasked to carry out a search with the Coastguard and rescue helicopter from Prestwick. On arrival in Gott Bay after an 80 minute passage in rough weather with gale force winds and two-to-three-metre seas, the lifeboat was stood down because the helicopter’s search had revealed nothing untoward. Tobermory RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager Dr Sam Jones said: ‘This was a busy couple of days for our volunteers. The informant on Tiree did absolutely the right thing by calling the Coastguard. If you see anything which suggests that someone might be in trouble at sea, dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.’
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CHARITY CAN HELP MAKE UNPAID CARERS’ ROLE EASIER A carers charity is reaching out to the missing 80 per cent of carers in North Argyll who it could be helping. There are an estimated 3,200 carers across Oban, Lorn and the Isles but North Argyll Carers Centre says only about 20 per cent are registered with them. The charity wants to get word out about the work it does to support unpaid carers and see if there is anything it can do to make the caring role a little easier or help them take a bit of time out for themselves. An unpaid carer is anyone who cares, unpaid, for a friend or family member who, due to illness, disability, frailty, a mental health problem or an addiction, cannot manage without their support. North Argyll Carers Centre
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manager Judith Hawcroft says there are lots of reasons why unpaid carers do not access the support they need. ‘Many people do not want to identify themselves as unpaid carers. Often people feel that looking after someone they care about when they need it is a natural part of life. ‘They do not feel they need to be recognised for this or
deserve to have help for themselves. ‘Most of us will be a carer for someone during our lifetime and also need someone to care for us. ‘Unpaid carers will put the person they care for before themselves and often do not take breaks and get the rest, medical attention and support they need. This can lead to them feeling exhausted, isolated and stressed and becoming unwell. ‘The demands of the caring role can increase so steadily that these feelings can creep up on someone and they can suddenly find they are at breaking point without realising how physically and mentally tired they have become. ‘Some feel there is a stigma about being a carer and asking for help from a charity.’ Judith says the mission at North Argyll Carers Centre is
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Members of North Argyll Carers Centre’s Tobermory ‘Time for Me’ group making woolly creations
As well as providing a not about financial support, listening ear, North Argyll it is about looking at the Carers Centre runs groups, whole person and finding clubs, hobby activities, day ways that each individual trips, residential retreats, they work with can be advice, helped to carry information on caring in the and informal way they feel Many people advocacy for able. do not want carers from the Some people to identify age of eight are afraid that if themselves as upwards. they accept the ‘It would label of ‘unpaid unpaid carers be wonderful carer’ they will if over the be expected months to come we can to do everything for the make contact with the many person they care for and will be overwhelmed by that carers out there who we don’t yet know. expectation.
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‘The support someone receives is tailored to their needs and can be as light touch as an occasional phone call to check in, if that is all that is required. ‘Being connected with us means that if anything changes for a carer or the person they care for, the team at North Argyll Carers Centre can step in quickly to put the help in place to prevent that becoming a crisis,’ said Judith. To get support from North Argyll Carers Centre, contact 01631 564422 to find out more.
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The award-winning Whitehouse Restaurant in Lochaline is re-opening under new ownership The Whitehouse Restaurant in Lochaline has recently been sold to new owners Chris and Agi Stanley Fotos. The couple are new to Lochaber but not to the Highlands as they have lived in Port Appin for several years before moving to the south of the country in pursuit of career development. Now they are glad to be back in friendly Lochaline and away from the hustle and bustle of the Central Belt. Chris and Agi have worked in some of the best known restaurants across the country such as the The Airds Hotel and Restaurant in Port Appin and the Chez Roux brand. Now they are ready to take charge of their own establishment where they intend to follow in the footsteps of previous owners Sarah Jones and Jane StuartSmith, putting slow food and low food miles at the forefront of the business. Their ethos is
to make sustainable fine food accessible to everyone. Sarah Jones said: ‘It was a hard decision to sell the Whitehouse after nearly 20 years, but we have no regrets as we know it is in excellent hands and Agi and Chris will make it thrive once more. We are delighted the Whitehouse lights will be shining again soon together with great food and a warm welcome.’ Chris and Agi would like to
thank both Sarah and Jane for their help and unwavering support. ‘We hope to be able to build on all their hard work by creating a fine dining restaurant that has the community at its heart and focuses on the sustainability of its output.’ The Whitehouse is open for lunch and dinner TuesdaySaturday.
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KEY WORKER HOUSING CRISIS IS STIFLING MULL Accommodation is urgently needed for at least 260 workers across Mull and Iona. The lack of key worker accommodation is stifling businesses, hampering the islands’ economy and negatively impacting on essential public services, says a report. A feasibility study commissioned by Mull and Iona Community Trust (MICT) shows there is an ‘overwhelming’ housing need for staff working at island businesses, as well as schools, healthcare and other public sector organisations. MICT’s general manager Moray Finch says funding will now be sought for an accommodation pilot scheme, working with Argyll and Bute Council, Highlands
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and Islands Enterprise, businesses and other stakeholders. More than 50 businesses responded to the survey that formed the report, with more than 75 per cent of them confirming the lack of accommodation was impacting them, restricting the number of staff they could recruit and creating problems keeping workers two thirds of them said the situation was limiting plans to grow their businesses. Results showed accommodation is needed right now for 127 workers and for 133 others across the islands. Given the survey was only a sample of businesses, the reality of actual demand is much higher, says the report that recommended MICT
should go ahead with developing accommodation for key workers and consider a pilot project working with Argyll and Bute Council. Moveable pods, modular new build accommodation and shared accommodation options are just some of the ideas put forward in the report that makes a strong case that investment from the council’s £70million Rural Growth Deal would have a significant positive impact. One third of businesses which took part in the survey said they would be willing to invest in a solution but the report acknowledged delivering key worker accommodation would not be straight forward. Up until now, plans have been restrained by issues including access to land and
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the survey and its findings, funding, as well as landlord saying it will be helpful. legislation that does not fit Funding for the Mull and well with seasonal staffing Iona Key Worker Housing needs. Study Executive SummaOwner of Mull’s Island ry came from the Rural Bakery Joe Reade said: Communities Ideas into ‘The scarcity of affordable housing on Mull is the single Action fund, supported by the Scottish government biggest barrier to a secure economy and healthy socie- and delivered by Inspiring Scotland. ty on our island. Meanwhile, As an employer Mull-based TSL we find it inThe scarcity builders have credibly difficult of affordable answered an to recruit, at all housing on Mull SOS by CalMac levels. We have is the single by offering ambitions to island accomgrow, but one biggest barrier modation for 14 of the biggest to a secure workers startrisks and costs economy and ing on the new we face is the healthy society Loch Frisa ferry inability to on our island which came int recruit the adservice in June. ditional staff we The ferry operneed to do that. ator says it is continuing to MICT is to be applauded look at options and apprecifor this initiative, which will ates all the help. hopefully begin to address Finding accommodation this critical issue.’ for key workers is also an Argyll and Bute Council’s issue on Coll, where social head of development and housing charity ACHA has economic growth Fergus just agreed a lease on one Murray has also welcomed
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of its houses so health workers have a place to stay. A conditional job offer has now been made to fill a long-vacant live-in nursing post. Talks also began earlier this year about ACHA buying and doing up two empty NHS Highland houses in disrepair on the remote island so they can be returned as affordable homes. Out on Coll, Argyll and Bute Council has just one house for education staff. The refurbished school house is for the headteacher’s use, whose post is split between the island’s primary school in Arinagour and Kilninver Primary School back on the mainland. Although ACHA has not had a request to help house other teaching staff living on the island, such a request would be considered,t said its chief executive Alastair MacGregor.
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Mull community council NEWS Tobermory post deliveries are no longer under an Oban manager, Mull community councillors have heard. The Tobermory depot now has its own delivery manager. The community council has written to Royal Mail with concerns about deliveries in the Tobermory area and that exhausted mail workers were being asked to cover double-shifts due to staff shortages. Recruitment for more posties is continuing, with a vacancy for the Salen round
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filled recently. Community councillors hope the change will help improve deliveries. The last CC meeting also heard 95 per cent of people surveyed by Mull and Iona Ferry Committee (MIFC) are in favour of CalMac bringing in a fairer ticketing system similar to one that runs successfully on a Danish Island that sees islanders get better access to services. ‘Our next job is to keep pushing to get this system or something like it adopted,’ said MIFC chairman Joe Reade.
The community council also asked its newly-elected Argyll and Bute councillor Andrew Kane to chase up long-awaited replies from roads and amenities chief Jim Smith. Convener Tom Nelson said: ‘Letters sent in January and February without any reply from a paid officer is not acceptable.’ Incidences of fraud are increasing on Mull and police want to make sure people are aware of the problem which will be flagged up on the CC’s website.
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