An Lianag

Date: SPRING 2020 IMPROVING THE ROAD TO New Job at AN CRÙBH An Crùbh

We have some good news as we can afford at a time, when for everyone who has bumped up they are working in the area. A new position has been the road to An Crùbh through the We are a small charity created at An Crùbh as part of potholes. Anyone who has been with few resources, and a trading the graduate placement scheme up to An Crùbh since Friday will subsidiary which is not expected which creates one year positions have noticed we have managed to to generate any profit until the for those who have been gradu- tar another of the worst sections end of 2021 at the earliest, so we ates for up to 4 years. The fund- of our road - the section at the are reliant for building up a fund ing covers 50% of the position, bottom. We are lucky to have for improvements on a combina- with An Crùbh Ltd covering the found a contractor who is willing tion of rental income from the other 50% of the salary. to tar short sections, as much as hall and community room, and Business Development the hard work of the Camuscross Manager, Sharon Campbell said CDI AGM, & Duisdale Fundraising group. “This is an exciting position for We hope to start a crowd- a new graduate with IT and mar- Have Your Say & funding page soon, and will be keting skills to work with us to hoping for donations small or create a new digital booking sys- Community Meal large to help us to build up our tem and a marketing strategy. tarring fund so that we can tar the This new position will improve This year’s Camuscross & Duis- whole road and parking area. our efficiency and ability to dale Initiative’s AGM will be on Look out for details which will be market all the services and activ- the 29th February at 4.00pm in An called Pitch in to Tar our Road. ities we offer to a wider audi- Crùbh. All welcome—if you’re ence.” not a member, why not come Applications can be along and join up? If you live in made via the Scot Grad website, Camuscross, Cruard, Isle Ornsay, New Disabled up until 15th March 2020. See or Duisdale, you can become a Parking Bays page 5 for the advert. full member, or, if over 12, a Jun- ior member If you live outside We are delighted that this area, you can become an asso- Siusaidh NicNèill has been suc- Online questionnaire ciate member or you could be- cessful in securing a grant of Launched come a Friend of CDI. £6,400 from Awards for All to You are also invited to take part create new, tarred, disabled park- An online version of the ques- in our big community consultation ing spaces, closer to the shop and event which opens from 2pm in tionnaire asking for opinions main building entrance. The con- about An Crùbh shop, café and the hall and a special session firmation was only received on where you can tell us what you hall has been launched. If you Friday 21st February, so more have not already filled in the pa- think at 4.30pm, after the AGM. details to follow, as we continue Please come along and tell us how per questionnaire, please take a to try to improve the building and short time to tell us what you we are doing and what else you the surroundings. This will add to think we should do. think and give your ideas and the new outdoor lighting which opinions. An email has been sent Then at 5.30pm, please join us has made access to the building for a community meal—please out to members. The link is during darkness much less haz- https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/ bring along a dish or a bottle to ardous. FWPX753 2 AN LIANAG WORKING TOGETHER TO MAKE AN CRÙBH FINANCIALLY SUSTAINABLE By Sharon Campbell

We are really fortunate to have such a fantas- profit making to future proof the facility for the ben- tic community owned facility in An Crùbh. efit of the community, as without ACL’s trading in- An Crùbh Ltd is a wholly-owned trading come this would not be a viable operation. This year subsidiary of the charity Camuscross & Duisdale is an extremely crucial year financially as the last Initiave (CDI). An Crùbh Ltd (ACL) operates the instalment of Revenue Funding from Big Lottery of trading elements - shop and café - which only co- £8,000 will be received this year, meaning ACL vers 43% of the overall floor space within the facili- needs to continue to grow the business to generate ty but pays 100% of the overheads for the whole enough income to meet the funding shortfall, pay building, along with paying an annual rental to CDI staff and cover all building overheads, with a view for the shop and café of £4,800 including vat. An that in the future any profits made will be paid up to Crùbh Ltd also pays for all staff costs including the CDI for community activities and benefit. caretaking, cleaning and maintenance and overall management of all areas and activities within the NEW DEVELOPMENTS PLANNED building, including the community areas of the hall ACL are continually trying to add value to and meeting room. the facility and service we provide, for example Hall and meeting room hire generated just Electric Vehicle Charging Points, exhibitions and over £7,000 in 2018 for CDI, but when ACL started other events. We have set in motion this year a se- the business, although equipped with a business plan ries of funding applications for various projects that we quickly learned that there were costs that had not will add to the appeal and ethos of the community been anticipated. Although costs were projected for and visitors alike. These include solar panels – to gas, electricity & woodchip along with professional offset electricity usage, campervan service points (as fees, these have proved considerably higher than an- these currently use the facility anyway) and encour- ticipated and additional costs such as £2,100 to get age people to stay and use the other facilities availa- the bins emptied, cleaning supplies at £2,500 and ble, and a community electric vehicle, to transport other costs were unexpected - giving overheads for people within the community to and from AC and the entire building coming in at just over £44,000 in possibly offer a grocery delivery service to vulnera- 2018; this does not include staffing costs, for not ble people. We are also exploring the potential of only the shop and café, but also the caretaking, getting a bus stop at the drive entrance. cleaning and management of An Crùbh’s communi- ty areas and activities. If you have any ideas for any developments you We have done very well so far to build the think would further enhance An Crùbh for the business as the revenue funding reduces over the community we serve – please get in touch. first four years, but we need to ensure that ACL is

AN LIANAG 3

Looking Back, Looking Forward by Mark Wringe

This time in 2019, as we were coming up for staff to open seven days a week. Sharon’s cheery the AGM, I was nervous about how the Board of demeanor might make you think it’s a breeze, but CDI needed new pairs of hands, fresh energy, per- don’t be fooled. It’s a really demanding role, and haps some new ideas - or even reminders of some we couldn’t ask for better. We are hopeful of suc- old ones we had forgotten. We were and still are a cessful funding applications to relieve some of the small band of volunteers, most of us with demand- burden through a graduate employment scheme. ing full-time jobs or small businesses to run, all of As it begins the 2020 season, this is the year us wishing we had just a little bit more time to spare. when An Crùbh has to stand on its own feet. It’s It doesn’t take much - an elderly parent’s illness, a already making a significant contribution to the lo- sudden work deadline - to mean there’s one less pair cal economy in Sleat, and with the continued sup- of hands at the pump. port of the community and of visitors it will take the A year on, we have some new willing hands next step of generating surpluses to provide more at the Board meetings - Penny Hardie, with experi- facilities and to support community projects. Every ence of a community venture very similar to our penny spent in the shop and the cafe works hard to own hub; Euan MacDonald, with a deep knowledge benefit this community. of finance and business; and our own shop manager, Speaking of pennies, or rather pounds, lots Jeana Wilkinson, with a finger on the pulse and a of pounds, the fundraising group have been magnif- real desire to make the whole venture a success and icent, coming up with a brilliant range of ways to Michael Rossi with his knowledge of Scots law. enjoy ourselves while raising vital funds for dull but Since early summer I’ve been feeling a bit more essential things. Thanks to them, CDI has been able confident. On the other hand, Siusaidh NicNèill has to pay for all those unsexy things like insurance, just had to step down for health reasons - and that is audit and accountancy fees, repairs, and starting a no small loss of energy and ideas. And at this year’s contingency fund for emergencies. For example, if AGM our longest-standing director, Susan Walker, in the last few days your weary bones and your ven- will step down. Not one of us will begrudge Susan a erable vehicle have enjoyed relief from the pot deeply-deserved rest after so many years of total holes in the driveway to An Crùbh, consider this. commitment, involved in every aspect of CDI and Last week’s tarring and repairs cost £2,000 - small An Crùbh. Nor can we argue with her mantra that wonder when you think we had nearly 49 inches of every organisation needs to renew itself, and that it’s rain in December and January. We are tarring the not healthy to have the same people running things road and ultimately the car park in instalments as for too long. But it’s another thought to picture not we can afford it, with expenditure to date coming to having her sitting across the table at meetings, with around £7,000. That couldn’t have been done near total recall of what we did in similar circum- without the fundraisers. And there is some more stances N years ago and why, what body or person good news - we have just heard that CDI will be advised us over X, and how we need to be mindful awarded a grant of £6,400 to improve the disabled of Y. And to remind us to keep going back to what parking. Here’s to smoother access and parking for it’s all about. More of that in a moment. everybody. This last year has been one of growing success for So as another AGM comes around the con- An Crùbh - and that is down to the dedication of our stant challenges are still there, but things are look- Business Development Manager, Sharon Campbell ing promising too. It’s time to get back to thinking and the great team that she leads. about what CDI can do, and what it’s for. What do This last year has been one of growing suc- we need? What would Camuscross and Duisdale cess for An Crùbh - and that is down to the dedica- like to make happen? We’ve come up with a few tion of our Business Development Manager, Sharon ways of asking those questions for the Have Your Campbell and the great team that she leads. The Say afternoon on February 29th. We hope you can cafe and shop, as less than half of the footprint of come along, and join in the pot-luck supper after- the building, are already subsidising the whole wards to launch the community kitchen. But if you building, paying the heating, lighting, rates, hefty can’t be there then, get in touch with any of the di- rubbish collection charges, phones and so on. Sha- rectors - we’re always glad to hear ideas. And ron has built up the business right on target as the please, ask yourself “how could I lend a hand?”. tapered support funding from the Lottery runs down Iomairt Chamas Chros & Dhùisdeil - a’ tarraing to zero, and in spite of innumerable challenges such air an aon ràmh. Camuscross & Duisdale Initia- as boiler breakdowns, lightning strikes, jammed tive - All pulling together. That’s us! wood-chip feeds, or recruiting enough seasonal staff 4 AN LIANAG

AN LIANAG 5 Creative Get Together by Susan Walker

A very Creative Get Together took place around the stove in the café. This will allow a year- on the evening of Friday 21st February and was round programme of exhibitions by featured artists, attended by seventeen artists and crafts people in changing monthly. Invitations to exhibit in this new An Crùbh café. They had been invited by Susan café exhibition space will go out as soon as the Walker and Sharon Campbell, Development Man- hanging system installation is complete. Or get in ager of An Crùbh (both on the board of An Crùbh touch if you are interested. Ltd) to discuss how to develop more arts and An Crùbh is also keen to work out whether it crafts exhibitions and events in An Crùbh. can run art exhibitions without taking up the whole Made in Sleat is an exhibition that has been community hall for a week, as has happened in the running successfully for a number of years, so the past, which means that other activities have to be discussion was focused on what other and new cancelled. This would be developed by installing ideas could also be developed to nurture artists and hanging systems along the walls of the community craftspeople, attract more visitors to An Crùbh, hall and the corridor, and purchasing cube display and encourage creativity in the local community. boxes, or plinths for 3D work. The date for Made in Sleat has not been set yet, There is also potential to develop art and but is expected to be in August, rather than July. craft workshops alongside the exhibitions and even Ideas were discussed such as an open exhi- the possibility of developing art or craft residencies. bition, covering a larger area than just Sleat, and Of course all of these ideas will take both time and inviting submissions from both professional and funding, but grant funders are already being ex- less prolific artists. The idea from Tarskavaig art- plored. ist, Donald MacKenzie, of outdoor sculptures to All of this is aspirational, but everyone at the enhance the amenity around An Crùbh was enthu- meeting agreed that there was great potential to en- siastically received. A new hanging system is in hance how An Crùbh supports and nurtures arts and the process of being installed in the inglenook area crafts. Thanks to all those who attended for your positive and creative ideas

An Crùbh are seeking a creative and adaptable individual to join their team to create a digital booking system, alongside a marketing strategy, to target a wider customer base.

£20,000 pa, 12 month placement Apply via scotgrad.co.uk By 15/03/2020

This post is part of the Technology Placement Programme supported by the Northern Innovation Hub and is part funded by Inverness City Region Deal and European Regional Development Fund. 6 AN LIANAG

SLEATFUGEES le Gwen Culbertson

Thar an dà bhliadhna a dh’fhalbh tha mi-fhìn neach-ealain Derek Robertson far an robh oidhche (Gwen Culbertson, Camuscross) agus mo charaid, laghach againn ann an Talla Dearg ag èisteachd mun Angela NicIllebhràighe (An Àird) air a bhith glè obair is eòlas aige ann an campaichean fògarraich. thrang fo ainm SleatFugees. Tha sinn air Chaidh £500 a thogail air an oidhche sin a-mhàin! tachartasan a chur air dòigh airson airgead agus aire Tha an t-airgead seo mar as trice pàigheadh airson a thogail mun obair aig The Highlands Support comhdhail cobhair bhon t-Eilean Dubh a-null thall Refugees agus aire a thogail mun dhroch thairis. shuidheachadh a tha aig fògarraich air feadh an Cha bhiodh gin dhen a seo comasach gun thaic bho Roinn Eòrpa agus An Ear Mheadhanach. Tha sinn dhaoine agus gniomhachasan sa choimhearsnachd air trì cruinneachaidhean cobhair a dhèanamh aon againn ann an Slèite, an t-Eilean agus Loch Aillse. aig An Crùbh agus dhà ann am Bun-sgoil SleatFugees are Angela MacGillivray (Aird) Ghàidhlig Phort Rìgh, chruinnich sinn còrr is 7.5 and Gwen Culbertson (Camuscross) who, with the tunna gu ruige seo. Tha an cobhair seo air a dhol support of many across Skye and Lochalsh, strive to don Ghrèig agus Iraq, ruigidh iad na campaichean- make a difference volunteering and working with fògarraich is thèid an cobhair seo sgaoileadh am The Highlands Supports Refugees. To date we have measg na daoine le sgiobaidhean saor-thoileach. raised over £10,000 through a variety of fundraising Tha na tha dol ‘s na dùthchannan thall-thairis aig events and in 2019 we organised two clothing col- na campaichean agus an obair a tha dol an seo air a lections and an illustrated talk with artist Derek Rob- Ghàidhealtachd, uile saor-thoileach. ‘S ann bho ertson - to date we have collected over 7.5 tonnes of gaol is gràdh na daoine a tha an saothar seo tighinn. aid. If you wish to get involved, have ideas or just Tro dhiofar iomairtean tha sinn air còrr is £10,000 want to keep in touch, follow us on Facebook and athogail – abair coimhearsnachd fiallaidh, còir. An Instagram: /sleatfugees or email us: sleatfu- iomairt mu dheireadh a bha againn ‘s ann leis an

The New Scots visit ended with a ceilidh in Sabhal Mòr Ostaig AN LIANAG 7

New Scots Holiday in Sleat by Jean Gillies

New Scots enjoy a meal together with community members in Portree Last summer, Strath and Sleat Church of where, among other things, the children en- Scotland was invited to take part in a pilot pro- joyed the indoor play area. On the last even- ject (New Scots Holidays) which was being es- ing, we had a ceilidh and meal at Sabhal Mor, tablished as part of the Scotland-wide New which was open to the wider community, and Scots Integration Programme (NSIP). NSIP we had a really enjoyable evening sharing our is a partnership of different organisations, in- respective music and dance traditions. cluding the Church of Scotland. The project aimed to provide holidays to refugees who had In addition to the joint activities, we all enjoyed been settled in other parts of Scotland (in our spending time at home with our families, get- case, in Aberdeenshire). ting to know them and finding out a little about We willingly agreed and were guided in their back stories. the whole process by the Church’s Refugee The adults, although all learning English, were Coordination Officer who helped to recruit local not fluent so communicating had its challenges hosts and provided training in order that we and resulted in some amusing moments! Sign would be well prepared to give our guests a language came in useful as did Google trans- warm welcome and culturally sensitive hospital- late, an app they all had on their phones which ity. Six host families were recruited, four from did the translating for us (although not always Sleat, including Marrion and Innes Grant, and accurately!). Some had taken traditional food were matched with Syrian refugee families. items with them and very much enjoyed shar- In total our guests comprised 14 adults ing them with us. and 10 children and there was great excitement on the allotted day in October when the hosts An evaluation of the holiday has since taken gathered at Kyle railway station to meet them place and although we haven’t yet seen the all. There followed 4 very busy days of getting official report, we have been told that the feed- to know our guests, of showing them our beau- back from our guests was very positive. From tiful island and introducing them to the commu- the hosts point of view, it was also a very re- nity in which we live. We were blessed with warding experience. good weather and our new friends really appre- This opportunity to engage with and make ciated the scenery and couldn’t stop taking pic- friends with people from another culture and tures on their phones! Our joint activities includ- with very different life experiences was a hum- ed a trip to the Clan Donald Centre, An Crubh bling experience and we all felt the richer for it. and to Portree 8 AN LIANAG An Crùbh Events Calendar

March 2020 Monday 2nd CDI Board Meeting – 7.30 – 9.30pm Tuesday 3rd/10th/17/24 & 31st Locomotion Class – Skye Strength 6.30 – 7.30pm Thursday 12/19/26 Yoga Gokulskye – 6.15pm – 7.45pm Friday 6/13/20/27th Capacitor/Wellbeing Class - Sheila Hamilton 11.30 – 12.30pm Friday 6th Social Media Training – Visit Sleat 1pm – 4.30pm Saturday 7th Kinnaris Quintet - SEALL – 7.30 – 9.30pm Wednesday 11th Choir Practice - South Skye Chorus – 8 – 10pm Saturday 14th Charity Clothes Swap – CDI FRG – 11 – 3pm Wednesday 18th Social Enterprise Academy - 1pm – 4.30pm Fri-Sun 27th – 29th Ashtanga – 3 day yoga workshops

April 2020 Monday 6th SCT - Environment Group Talk – 7-10pm Tuesdays 7/14/21/28 Locomotion Class – Skye Strength 6.30 – 7.30pm Wednesday 8th Sleat Community Council – 7.30-9.30pm Thursday 9/16/23/30 Yoga – Gokulskye – 6.15pm – 7.45pm Saturday 11th Café Closed/No takeaways – Private Function – Wedding Monday 13th Private Function – Hall Friday 17th Brìghde Chaimbeul with Aidan O’Rourke – SEALL -7.30pm – 9.30pm

May 2020 Monday 4th – 10th Alison Price – Exhibition – Week long photography exhibition Monday 11th – 17th Emma Siedle Collins – Exhibition – Weeklong textile exhibition Tuesday 5/12/19 Locomotion Class – Skye Strength 6.30 – 7.30pm Thursday 7/14/21/28 Yoga – Gokulskye – 6.15pm – 7.45pm Wednesday 13th Sleat Ladies Group – Private Function Hall Saturday 23rd Café Closed/No takeaways – Private Function – Wedding Sunday 24th Yoga by Fiona 5-6.30pm Tuesday 26th Jackie Kay – SEALL – 7.30-9.30pm

Short Film The Wider Sun, Set in Skye

Still from the short film The Wider Sun, written, di- rected and co-produced by Sophia Carr-Gomm, in 2018. This scene, filmed in Ard Snaosaig, near Cruard features Little Ru and the Selkie Boy, just up the hill on Cnoc a’ Phudair. The film The Wider Sun, which has been screened at fifteen film festivals in- ternationally throughout 2018 and 2019 (including at the BFI and BAFTA qualifying festivals). Sophia was also awarded Best Director at Oslo Independent Film Festival in 2018 and The Wider Sun voted as Best Short Film by Take One Magazine won Best Director of a short film at the Oslo Film Festival. AN LIANAG 9

Lachie Strummer’s HOROSCOPE for 2020

Lachie Strummer comes out of retirement to In 2020 you’ll realise that your Jupiter is offer his predictions for the coming year. To in conjunction with Saturn. This can mean only one thing. You’ll be top of every- enjoy more of his sage and pithy offerings, one’s list when it comes to party guests! go to https://www.camuscross.org/blog.asp Prepare yourself for a year of weddings, birthday parties, house warmings, retirement bashes, and You will be feeling particularly creative this even the odd bar mitzvah! year, especially when it comes to crofting stuff. This is a good time to take seaweed off You’re likely to be in a reflective mood the shore. Your Fergie is currently in line this year. What, with Neptune in conjunc- with Jupiter. Don’t be afraid to use a can of tion with Saturn and a lunar eclipse around Easystart to get the old girl going (I’m talking about Uranus how could it be any different? the tractor). Your desire to harness the power of posi- tive thinking will be all encompassing. You’ll en- Your romantic side has come to the fore in courage those around you to climb Blaven when all 2020. You may feel the urge to give that spe- they want to do is climb up the ladder to their loft! cial one in your life a gift. A decent pair of wellies never goes wrong – I always recom- This is the year when you learn to lighten mend buying a brand new pair as second up and stop taking yourself too seriously. hand wellies can seem a bit naff. Wear clowns shoes next time you visit the dentist. Buy a pogo stick. With Pluto You can see that you need to change some firmly in conjunction with Mars every- things at this moment in your life. And I thing is possible! It’s important, too, that you nur- don’t just mean your underwear. It’s time to ture body and soul. Eat healthily and buy a James take control and feel empowered! If someone Brown album. unknown contacts you by phone and tells you that your fridge could explode at any moment This year’s going to be one where you and needs replacing tell them to bugger off and get a learn to take other people’s views life! You’ll feel in complete control! onboard. With Venus and Mars in con- junction with Neptune you’ll become There’s every chance that you could receive sympathetic to those with different opin- an unexpected windfall this year. Grab it ions. You may disagree with those who consider with both hands and don’t be afraid to do a porridge a savoury dish with a sprinkling of salt, cheeky wee dance round the living room! rather than a sweet dish served with sugar, but you Mercury is in conjunction with Pluto. The Moon and won’t allow it to cause disharmony. Mars are doing weird stuff too. Although you’re often perceived as a bit of You’re keen to search for new horizons in a rebel 2020 is the year that you’re going 2020. If you’re searching for new horizons to reach out and change things for the bet- I’d definitely recommend that you buy a de- ter. Pot holes in the road between the cent pair of binoculars. You’ll work hard and humpbacked bridge and phonebox will be repaired, play even harder! You’ll be playing that hard once and for all, thanks to your persistent communi- you’ll feel like you’ve been working rather than play- cation with Highland Council’s Roads Department. ing and you’ll be completely knackered! It’s im- portant to pace yourself throughout the year. Jupiter, Mars, Neptune, and Pluto are in some weird rhombus configuration and It’s important that you take responsibility for 2020 sees the return of your mojo! Pisces your own happiness. You foresee great op- being a water sign you’ve a great urge to portunities in 2020. Even a day out in Mal- hunt down mackerel in the Summer laig is within reach! You may desire to do months. Get out there and catch some fish! This is your weekly shopping in the Broadford Co- also the year when you finally feel empowered to op wearing lederhosen. There’s nothing wrong with say ‘no’ when you don’t agree with someone else’s that. actions. Saying ‘yes’ to something you do like will seem all the more enjoyable! 10 AN LIANAG

Some fun events in 2019

Anne MacKenzie was one of the particpants who Some members of the fundraising group and other learnt how to make a basket at the Basketmaking community members at the Christmas Craft Fair workshop

The last 6 months have been very busy There was an opportunity to see the up at An Crùbh. There were two art exhibitions work of photographer Alison Price ‘The Es- in June and July; the first one showing students sence of Skye’ in the café in October; her work from the art and design course at the West prints and cards are included in the varied se- Highland College UHI Portree, Broadford & lection of art and craft available in the shop. Auchtertyre followed by the annual Made in Spring Fling and Winter is Coming Sleat exhibition. Both of them had work from brought together Blythswood, Crossroads, members of CDI . RagTag and CDI offering opportunities for all The walking group continues to meet the Charities to have a special seasonal sale. every Monday at 1pm, enjoying a warming Anything left from CDI is sorted out and goes drink afterwards in the café. Many of the group to SleatFugees (see separate article); anything have been to places they’ve never seen before so not appropriate is donated to the other chari- it’s a great opportunity to explore the Sleat pen- ties. insula and areas around Broadford and Loch- The quiz and supper night, although alsh. Every other Monday they have a shorter not technically a fundraiser, was great fun and walk from 2pm after the Sleat Community we STILL managed to raise almost £200 from Choir practice at Kilmore Parish Church. The the raffle and the winners (from Broadford!) walkers inspired the Fundraising Group to or- kindly donating their cash prize. ganise a photographic competition earlier in the The last fundraising event of the year year to make a calendar of photos from around was the Christmas Craft Fair held in the Hall Camuscross and Duisdale for 2020 from the 12 at the end of November, just after the first of images chosen. This has been sold at every the shop's late night Christmas shopping even- event and there is still time to pick one up from ing. This is the group's biggest fundraiser of the shop. the year. With 20 tables filled with handmade Classes and workshops such as Yoga; gifts and delicious edibles it had a very festive traditional & movement based, Capacitar; gentle atmosphere along with a raffle, tombola, kid’s exercise & wellbeing, sewing, and other creative games, mulled wine, mince pies and a tree classes are a frequent occurrence in the Hall, decorated with beautiful community made attended and delivered by the local and the wid- decorations. er community. There is something for everyone. AN LIANAG 11

I could have bought a red Ferrari by Penny Hardie

A little over three years ago I had a midlife cri- day that I ring and they take the time to speak to me and lis- ten to what I am telling them. They have even read my notes sis. After my fifth or sixth holiday in Scotland I drove back into the village that I had thought of as my forever before they see me. Free prescriptions and a collection ser- home and was overcome by a feeling of despair. The vice that actually works are a revelation. The best bit though, next day I put my house on the market and announced is when I have to see a doctor, people speak to each other in to the world that I was moving to Skye. That set in mo- the surgery! Where I have lived, the best you can hope for tion a hugely stressful series of events but, to cut a long from a friend or neighbour is a polite nod before they dive in story short, six months later I arrived here with all my to a magazine, conversation is a strict taboo. I have met so pets and with my worldly goods in storage. many people in the Sleat Surgery and the short waiting times I arrived just as An Crùbh opened which was a just fly by. blessing when I had a house full of builders all day, and Talking of polite conversation, I recently went back if I wasn’t there I was just staring at the sea from an old south to see friends and was looked at most strangely when I sofa the previous owner had left behind, coming to tried to have a jolly chat with sales assistants in the busy terms with what I had just done. To be honest I didn’t shops of Basingstoke. I have started to take for granted the have much else to do while I waited for BT to connect time people have for each other on Skye and the genuine me to the outside world and the Sky TV man gave me a helpfulness they show. On that note I feel that I have arrived satellite dish so that I could watch television. My mobile now that when I am asked for my Co-op loyalty card it’s in a phone hadn’t (and still hasn’t) any signal and all my ‘mustn’t lose your points’ kind of way rather than a chal- hobbies were packed in boxes in Broadford. The only lenge to see if I live here or am on holiday. I am beginning radio station I could receive was Radio 4, which, alt- to understand the art of understatement too. I recently had the hough entertaining does repeat a lot of programmes and misfortune to injure a dog that ran in front of my car. When I there are only so many poetry readings I could cope called in to the vet to see if it was OK I wasn’t sure how re- with. assured I was to hear that it was suffering from just a ‘wee I was learning very quickly about a phenome- scrape’. Three years on Skye has taught me that a wee scrape non that I had not encountered in the busy and demand- can mean anything from a scratch to amputation. I know that ing South East of England. Skye Time. The knowledge ‘you’ll need your big coat’ means weather of Biblical pro- that the satellite dish would go up on Monday, but not portions and that it probably wisest not to leave the house at which Monday. The builders were going to start work at all and there is nothing wee about a wee dram. the end of the month, without the promise of which The things that I hope I never get used to are the qui- month and in general 10am could mean any time from et roads – yes, I know they seem crazy in the summer but 8am to 10pm. I was also used to Amazon delivering the having recently spent an hour on a Wednesday afternoon to same day or at latest the next day. Waiting at least three do eight miles on the M25 I have regained my sense of pro- days for deliveries, if on-line companies would deliver portion there. I hope I never take for granted the truly fresh at all, was a new experience. It has taken me a while to air and just how beautiful my drive is when I go to work. I get the hang of choosing goods from companies that love the space, the huge skies and the distance between hous- deliver to IV postcodes rather than what I might actually es, something you won’t understand unless you have seen a want, but I am getting there. new housing estate in SE England. Best of all I love the When I registered with the doctor I was sense of community and the work that so many people put in amazed. Used to having to plead certain death in order to make island life so special. I could have bought a red to get an appointment to see someone in the next three sports car, but my midlife crisis has led me to a better way of days, I am astounded that I can see a doctor the same life.

Isle Ornsay by Penny Hardie

AN LIANAG 12 CAMUSCROSS & DUISDALE INITIATIVE DIRECTORS

Chair: Mark Wringe Tel 01471833219 Treasurer: Innes Grant Tel 01471833252 [email protected] Membership Secy Innes Grant Events, fundraising Siusaidh NicNèill retiring 29.02 Minutes Secretary Penny Hardie Susan Walker, retiring 29.02.20 CDI & ACL director Euan MacDonald Company Secy David Collins Tel 01471833475 Director Keith MacKenzie [email protected] Director Michael Rossi

www.camuscross.org www.facebook.com/camuscrossandduisdale

CDI IS YOUR COMMUNITY TRUST - WE WANT TO HEAR WHAT YOU THINK Please contact any director to ask questions, tell us what you think about what we’re doing, ask about events, activities, make suggestions, or raise an agenda point for a board meeting, or to ask how become a member or board member

Fundraising Group Upcoming Events

Charities Pop-up shop

Blythswood, Crossroads, CDI, RagTag, Young Carers

14th March 11-4 at CDI community Hall @ An Crùbh

14/3/20 Pop-up shop. Do you have any pre-loved summer clothes? 25/3/20 Charity Cafè @ An Crùbh for CDI. Baking and raffle prizes always needed. 25/4/20 Tea Dance in the Hall. Come along in your spring frocks & drag the old man for some dancing and tea. 18/4/20 Marie Curie Sale in Broadford Hall. CDI have a table. Volunteers and your quality bric-a-brac required! Watch out for other events on Facebook and posters.

Recent successful Fundraising Group events: basket weaving and Zero Waste event on Saturday 1st February

Photo: Malcolm Parsons