4 Friday 21 February 2014 fios

when Donald died suddenly at age 83. fios as na bailtean We extend condolences to Angus John, Margaret, Chris-Ann, Donald and Angus and their loved ones is ‘top European at this time of sorrow. We also remember Dolina’s CONGRATULATIONS to Donald and Sue Macdonald surviving sister, Agnes, and her husband Richard. island’ on the birth of their baby boy. William Donald was Another sister Catriona, predeceased them born on Tuesday 11th February and weighed 8lb 7 ½ Dolag will be fondly remembered by all who knew IT WAS ANNOUNCED on oz. He is a grandson of William ‘Tuileam’ (see photo, her and we extend sympathy to them all including Wednesday that Lewis and Harris has been named ‘Europe’s Top below right) and the late Christine Macdonald. those who helped the family in providing care at Island’ by online international travel home and later in the Dun Berisay residential home. site TripAdvisor. Lewis and Harris The funeral service at Cross Free Church Continuing beat Naxos, Greece; Gozo, Malta; BEST WISHES to Joan Graham (Seonag Sheonaidh an in North Dell was conducted by the minister Rev Chalain) 22 Loch Street, formerly of 11 Habost, who is and the Orkney Islands to fi rst Greg Macdonald, assisted by Rev Angus Smith and place. TripAdvisor compiled the currently in hospital. Calum Maclean (). A collection for Lewis list based on opinions of travellers Crossroads, who supported the family for many who had visited the islands. This WE WERE SORRY TO HEAR about the death of years, was taken at the end of the service. Following is deserved recognition for our Shona Drummond, Brighton, the daughter of John the interment at Habost, friends joined the family island: a place of indescribable Drummond, 48 Habost. Our commiserations to John for refreshments and remembrance at Comunn beauty and timeless scenery. and the rest of the family at this diffi cult time. Eachdraidh Nis. Angus MacNeil MSP commented on the accolade: “This is yet another EOROPIE fantastic accolade for Lewis and GET WELL SOON to Innes Macdonald, number 14, Harris who had its fi rst documented who had his appendix removed on Wednesday visitor in 325BC, a Greek named morning in Glasgow. Pytheas, who doubtless saw a better island than he was used to CROSS in the Mediterranean. HAPPY 96TH BIRTHDAY on February 8th to Seonag “Lewis and Harris has remained a’Phut, Joan Maclean, formerly of 38 Cross Skigersta a well-kept secret ever since, with Road, now resident in Blar Bhuidhe nursing home. the impressive stones at , Love from all the family. which are older than Stonehenge, the magnifi cent scenery of the PORT Uig/Bernera area, where the IT IS WITH MUCH SADNESS we report that Dolina Lewis Chessmen were found - the Murray (Dolag Sheonaidh, nee Morrison - banntrach oldest chess set in the world - or a’ Ghaisein) 19 Port passed away at the weekend at the Castle at Amhuinnsuidhe at the great age of 94. Harris or indeed the beaches and She was twice widowed, fi rst in January 1952 when the Fjords of the East Coast from her husband John Macdonald (Iain Riasaidh – High Harris to Lochs, TripAdvisor has St Skigersta) passed away aged 35 leaving her with to be congratulated for spotting a son, Angus John, and daughter, Margaret. In the Europe’s top island. mid 1950s Dolina married Donald Murray, 19 Port (An “Lewis and Harris is a good place Gaisean) who had himself been widowed with two socially, Stornoway and Tarbert sons, Donald and Angus, after his wife, Annie, had could almost be twinned with passed away in September 1952 age 34. Galway in the West of Ireland for Dolina and Donald then had a daughter Chris-Ann. atmosphere. The most important In April 1997 Dolina was widowed for a second time thing to make a place is its people, who are both friendly and humorous in equal measure. This is a good recognition of the Katie’s Ness blog wins writing competition skills and welcome by those who KATIE MACLEOD’S BLOG about a day out in Ness, nervous at fi rst, as she (the second placed blog) was work in the hospitality industry which was featured on the front page of Fios 398, catching up quickly, but even if she had taken fi rst to those visiting the islands and I congratulate them for that. This is came out on top in a national writing competition on place, I would have still been happy knowing that a real boost for everyone involved the Holiday Hype website. Katie’s entry received more people had read and enjoyed my Ness travel tale, and in the tourism industry, which votes than pieces about jaunts to exotic locales like had hopefully been encouraged to visit the area.” continues to do a fantastic job in the Algarve, Egypt, and Morocco. Fios would like to wish Katie all the best on her promoting our islands.” Katie (pictured, below) spoke to Fios on Wednesday future travels and to thank her for the free tourism James Kay, TripAdvisor morning about her delight at winning the publicity she generated for the district. spokesman said: “An island holiday competition: “I was shocked - I never expected it to be usually conjures images of faraway so successful. I received some really nice comments palm-lined beaches, white sand and feedback on it from people too, so that was lovely and crystal clear water but the to hear. I’ll defi nitely be going on holiday with the results of this year’s awards reveal prize, but I’m still deciding when and where to go.” that the ideal island getaway might Katie continued: “I’m absolutely delighted, and be closer to home than you think.” really thankful to everyone who voted for me. I Belize’s Ambergris Caye was must say how grateful I am to everyone who voted! voted the number one island in the I was amazed at the number of votes my blog post world for the second year running. received, I never expected that, so I owe a huge thank The Ambergris Caye is the largest you to absolutely everyone who voted for me. My of the Belize islands, featuring blog ended up with 3020 votes, over 1000 more than tropical rainforests and hundreds the blog in 2nd place.” of limestone caves. It claims to As the competition drew to a close, things started have the largest coral reef system to get a little tense, as Katie explained: “I was a bit in the world.