"#$$%& ' % Don’t forget Mother’s Day on Ury) '$ &$( (Ah) '$ &#&#" ($# # ) Sunday the 15th March... *++,-*,,!/012 Treat her to something special! &$ .(8. &1$(&$$* ( *2 34 &( $$&$"$ -. ) /...0 ) ($$(* ( ,$-. ) /./0 ! " 6,$(( ppp'\Zki^mphke]pZk^ahnl^'\h'nd " ! !7ryyShqT hDyrsGrvCT !S6 ,-/3-!,04+4 MARCH OFFER # !" # !$%&' "$ &$$ $ ( ) !$ 2$ 5 &$$') 6 $$'(&& 5$ ( 66$55 BUFFET NIGHT WEDNESDAYS 5pm - 9pm 6 starters - 6 mains plus lots more Adults £17.50 Under 10s £6.50 Under 5s FREE BANGLA SPICE Indian & Bengali Cuisine Church Street Tel: 700418/701118 FFerryerry ggoodood iindeed!ndeed! RReports,eports, pphotographshotographs iinn SSectionection TTwowo Est 1990 STORNOWAY BALTI HOUSE mv Loch Seaforth's Master, Captain Lewis MacKenzie Authentic Indian Cuisine ! ()"*)" )"*)" !#Tu7rhpuT rrT hDyrsGrv !" " #$% & '%#" + " ,-
22 Francis Street 8hyy GhCyvr Stornoway # '$ & '%$ • Insurance Services RMk Isle of Lewis HS1 2NB •# Risk Management t: 01851 704949 •# Health & Safety ADVICE YOU CAN www.rmkgroup.co.uk TRUST EVENTS SECTION ONE 2 04/03/15 - 01/04/15
What's in Section One
Where's Ya Bin? Across Europe – Mark's story ...... Page 9 Minister inducted to new church ...... Page 22 Tendering for future ferry services gets under way ...... Page 27 EVENTS cinema focus ...... Page 10 Business prize chance for young people ...... Page 22 2015 FilmG shortlist announced ...... Page 27 £25,000 appeal over building plan ...... Page 11 Harris Golf Club launches drive for new recruits ...... Page 23 Love story of sea eagles ...... Page 28 Local parties make their poll choices ...... Page 24 Stories of Stornoway…by D.S. Murray ...... Page 28 Ravenspoint/The Islands Book Trust ...... Page 12 Campaign grows for emergency tug ...... Page 24 Songwriters join up for 20th anniversary show ...... Page 29 Lewis play to be seen nationwide ...... Page 13 Intercontinental appeal for Island seaweed-based products ...... Page 25 Putting Marvig on social media map of world ...... Page 30 Mink-link to rat population explosion rejected by wildlife experts ...... Page 14 Four go to Iceland in pancreas cancer challenge ...... Page 26 NHS update ...... Page 32-33 Dazzling new look as Tangles shines in new home ...... Page 15 Public urged to respond to consultation on fl ood risk ...... Page 26 Turning a corner and a bit of soil ...... Page 33 Itʼs showtime at an Lanntair for Grinneas ...... Page 16,17, 20 & 21 Broadband nightmare for town business ...... Page 27 BBC Alba ...... Page 34 an Lanntair guide...... Page 18-19 Offi cial opening for shop and café ...... Page 27 Business Gateway...... Page 35
Bobby's Pages … your best guide to services and events What's in Section Two
Meditation: saying 'thank you' to our minds ...... B2 STORNOWAY, BROADBAY, LOCHS, PAIRC & EAST LEWIS Viewpoint ...... B3 Accommodation...... C1 Decorating, windows, joinery ...... C4 Plant hire ...... C8 Katie Macleod's Letter from America - March 2015 ...... B3 Activities ...... C1 Eating out/Eating in ...... C4 Plumbing/electrical ...... C8-C9 Spiritual journey via Israel and Orkney ...... B4 Advice and assistance ...... C1 Fuel ...... C4 Public Notices ...... C9 So you have decided to go to the Citizens Advice Bureau ...... B4 Gardens, gardening ...... C4 Air conditioning ...... C2 Renewable energy ...... C9 Triumph for Calum on Snowman Rally ...... B4 House and home ...... C4-C5 Religious services ...... C9-C10- Antiques...... C2 Hobbies, arts & crafts ...... C5 Comunn Eachdraidh Nis ...... B5 Supplies ...... C10- Beauty, hairdessing and massage therapy ...... C2 IT and digital ...... C6 The Linda Norgrove Foundation ...... B5 Taxis ...... C10 Barbers ...... C2 Karate lessons ...... C6 Building our communities ...... B6-B7 Live music events ...... C6 Trailers ...... C11 Building Services ...... C3 Motor services and car hire ...... C7-C8 Training ...... C11 Environmental Health and Trading Standards Advice ...... B8 Constituency services ...... C3 Pest control ...... C8 Transport and storage ...... C11 Public Performance Calendar ...... B9 Cleaning ...... C3 Photography ...... C8 Venue for hire ...... C11 Harbour Highlights ...... B10 On the bridge…itʼs Lewis Mackenzie ...... B11 GAIRM NAN GÀIDHEAL EXHIBITION OPENS IN HARRIS EVENTS IN WEST LEWIS ...... C13 & C15 ...... C17 Ullapool, ahoy, as new ferry takes to the seaways at last ...... B12-B14 A PANFUL OF FISH: THE MULLETS ...... C18 Chance for Isles to share in £60bn new industry as oilfi elds age ...... B15 EVENTS IN STORNOWAY & EAST LEWIS ...... C14 NEW BOOKS AT WESTERN ISLES LIBRARIES ...... C19 Stornoway Primary Newsdesk...... B16 EVENTS IN HARRIS ...... C15 CALMAC CONNECTS ...... C20 Lewis & Harris Youth Club Association ...... B16 Dancing for Crossroads ...... B17 ACTIVITIES, SERVICES IN WEST LEWIS C12 - C13 ACTIVITIES, SERVICES IN HARRIS C16 - C17 Battle Of The Bands 2015 ...... B17 Naidheachdan Gàidhlig ...... B18-B19 Local grassland group looks at rush management ...... B21 Social crofting, social benefi t ...... B21 Past is just a stone's throw away in the future! ...... B22
HOW TO CONTACT US Editor: Fred Silver 01851 705743 [email protected] Advertising Development Co-ordinator: Dona Johnson [email protected] [email protected] or 07887 494088 Feature writer/reporter: Iain A Macsween 01851 705671 [email protected] Feature writers: Roz Skinner, Katie Macleod Social Media and Events Co-ordinator: Melissa Silver 01851 705749 or [email protected] Design and layout: Andrew Jeffries NEXT EDITION: The deadline for information and advertising is Tuesday March 24th The newspaper will appear on Wednesday April 1st Additional design: Keith Stringer Harris information: Mike Briggs 01859 502376 EVENTS is published by Intermedia Services, Accounts email: [email protected] Offi ces 1-3, Clintonʼs Yard, Rigs Road, Stornoway, HS1 2RF Tel: 01851 705743 Free listings information: text your details to YOU CAN NOW TEXT YOUR ADVERTS TO 07887 494088 07887 494088 or e-mail to [email protected] 04/03/15 - 01/04/15 3 EVENTS SECTION ONE + , !" # $%! - . / &
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30 Francis Street • Business Advisory Services Stornoway Isle of Lewis • Marketing & Social Media HS1 2ND • Administration Support T: 01851 707219 • Human Resources E: [email protected] W: www.orbit.agency • Training & Development
#I uT rrThqvpxT hCT!69 Ury) '$ &$&('hi th qrpx ! Great prices on all your pets’ needs ! EVENTS SECTION ONE 4 04/03/15 - 01/04/15
Hebridean Connections A unique website, bringing tens of thousands of records from the islands’ historical societies together in one place. Fìor dhaoine, fìor bheatha - Real people, real lives A vast resource where a worldwide audience can find out A project that brings people together around a shared about island people and their way of life in times gone by. interest in the history and culture of the Outer Hebrides. An initiative that promotes volunteering and develops IT skills within the community. - ##-#
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Visit our We off er a wide range of services and product support, including: store • IT Support and Maintenance to see our • Computer Repairs, Sales and Upgrades collection of • Suppliers of IT Hardware and Software luxury Harris • Desktop, Laptop and User Support Tweed cloth, • Server and Network Support • Wireless Installations and Support garments • Backup Solutions and handmade • Print and eDocument Solutions gifts and • Telephone System Support accessories • Offi ce Relocations/Extensions and New Builds • On-site and Remote Support 25 North Beach Street, Stornoway HS1 2XQ • Professional, friendly and reliable service Tel: 01851 700046 If you don’t see what you need above, just ask! www.harristweedhebrides.com [email protected]
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Broadford, Isle of Skye, IV49 9AP Tel: 01471 822 555 www.strathprint.co.uk EVENTS SECTION ONE 6 04/03/15 - 01/04/15
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] 04/03/15 - 01/04/15 9 EVENTS SECTION ONE Where's Ya Bin? Across Europe – Mark's story
Review by Fred Silver and readable pace. And when just after arriving in Spain, Mark ark Haubrick is a familiar fi gure around What Mark perhaps has not appreciated is that fi nds his second sets of boxer shorts has fallen off his bag while drying en route as he walked, MStornoway, known from working in gives us as readers a unique, ground-level insight he searches out a shop for some new ones and Tesco and from his long personal campaign into what life is like at street-level across a whole continent. fi nds himself buying Calvin Klein replacements. against what he sees as the evil of divorce. When I was in Romania in 1970, travelling The world has indeed shrunk! And in 2014, nine years after his marriage broke through the Danube delta, it was a world so far Mark is straightforward about how he down completely, he took his campaign on the removed from my home in Lancashire that it is approached the trip - without a lot of advanced road with an attempt to walk around the world. almost impossible to imagine. We were completely preparation for some of the aspects - and it In the end he managed, as a fi rst stage, to walk out of contact with the outside world for many is fascinating to see how he approaches and across Europe - and now he has published a book days, in a land organised in the way it had been deals with each challenge as they arose on his about his experiences. for thousands of years, dependent on agriculture, expedition. I don't think I am as surprised as For anyone who has used the mechanism largely devoid of electricity and telephones, and he seems to be about the welcome he receives of divorce to escape from the emotional and traditional in a way that only a very few people time after time across the continent which, by physical agony of an abusive or sterile marriage, living in the Western Isles can now remember. the route he used, involved eight nations - and Mark's devotion to his cause will be almost Now the world is so similar and industrialised clearly the issues which he raises about the value incomprehensible. that Mark had a choice of wheelie-bins from which of relationships are universal and struck a chord to select his travelling companion at his Romanian But we all tend to admire the single-mindedness time after time. starting-point. And for those people in Uig and that such deep personal belief creates – and Mark There are loads of gems of incidents scattered elsewhere, constantly battling to maintain their found this from many people as he crossed the throughout the book, including a variety of Internet connections, there is the galling news continent from his starting point in Romania. encounters with the police and traffi c laws. And in that right across some of the poorest areas of As those who followed Mark's adventures on Europe there is wifi access and world-wide web the fi nal section Mark ends up on the international his Facebook page or in EVENTS will know, he connections! And what it did mean was that Mark pilgrim trail heading across France and Spain took to the roads in Romania with his possessions was rarely out of direct contact with his children towards Santiago de Compostela, effectively a in a locally purchased wheelie-bin - hence the back in the UK, able to actually see them and talk motorway-like fl ood of people on foot. title of his newly published book, available from to them on Skype. So, wherever you are on the roller-coaster of the Stornoway Religious Bookshop, which is marriage, this is also a book about the Europe as And for those who regret the impact of fast- Where's Ya Bin? Across Europe - by Mark "Where's Ya Bin? Across Europe." food and Americanisation, there is the alarming it is today, seen from the ground. Mark himself Haubrick - available from the Stornoway Religious Mark, as it turns out, is a perfectly capable news that MacDonalds is ubiquitous – at one comments as he heads back home using a train diarist, with a light and enthusiastic style of writing stage Mark appears simply to be travelling from travelling at 200 kph to cross Spain, the world Bookshop in Kenneth Street, priced £8.99. Also and, because of the process of Facebooking one to another, confi dent in the technological and looks very different when you fl ying across it from available on-line from Amazon and elsewhere - which underlies it, all the book maintains a lively culinary provision which the outlets offer. what is like when you are in direct contact with it. just try searching for the title in Google.
BSc (Hons) Geography
Key features: • A three-year accelerated • Coursework based assessments, Honours degree no fi nal exams • Field trips to multiple sites • Delivered by highly qualifi ed including Cairngorms and Swiss and experienced, research active Alps staff • All course content available • Guaranteed postgraduate study online coded in HTML5 options (subject to Honours • High employability of graduates classifi cation) in geography and course • Available for recruitment emphasis on employability skills from September 2015
To fi nd out more, visit: www.uhi.ac.uk/geography For tasters of the course content go to: showcase.uhi.ac.uk/geography EVENTS SECTION ONE 10 04/03/15 - 01/04/15
an Lanntair
BIG HERO 6 (PG) 108MINS PELO MALO (15) 95MINS 30TH ANNIVERSARY FILM: With the voices of Scott Adsit, Ryan Potter, A touching and humorous drama from THE GOONIES (12A)114MINS Daniel Henney, TJ Miller. An entertaining Venezuela, chronicling the life of nine- A gang of young misfi ts search for a animated adventure based on a Marvel year-old Junior, who fears he has pelo lost treasure near their rural hometown, Comics series. In the futuristic city of San malo ('bad hair') and wants to straighten where their homes are under threat from Fransokyo, 14-year-old genius Hiro looks it to resemble one of his pop star idols. encroaching developers. Constantly evading up to his older brother Tadashi. Tadashi His mother, unemployed and frazzled from danger from hidden booby traps and a is a student at the Institute of Technology, the pressures of raising two children in an ruthless criminal gang, the friends doggedly where he has developed an infl atable unforgiving city, has serious misgivings; follow an old map, hoping all along that it will robot named Baymax, with whom Hiro she suspects her son is gay.... lead them to the riches that can save them forms a special bond. Cast: Samuel Lange Zambrano, Samantha Castillo, Beto Benites, Nelly Ramos, María and their families from eviction. Thursday 5 March 5.30pm an Lanntair Emilia Sulbarán. Cast: Sean Astin, Josh Brolin, Jeff Cohen, Corey Feldman, Kerri Green, Martha Plimpton. Friday 6 March 5.30pm an Lanntair Tuesday 10 March 8pm an Lanntair Friday 13 March 5.30pm an Lanntair Saturday 28 March 2.30pm an Lanntair Saturday 14 March 2.30pm an Lanntair WHIPLASH (15) 106MINS STILL LIFE (12A)92MINS Andrew Neiman is an ambitious young Screen Machine jazz drummer pitted against Terence For decades, John May has worked for a Fletcher, an instructor equally known London council, fi nding the next of kin of for his teaching talent and his terrifying THE HOBBIT - those who have died alone. Abruptly advised methods. Transferred into Fletcher's band, of his redundancy, John embarks on his Andrew’s passion to achieve perfection THE BATTLE OF FIVE ARMIES (12A) 144 MINS fi nal assignment. Searching for the relatives quickly spirals into obsession as his Having reclaimed Erebor and a vast of an elderly neighbour, he uncovers a life ruthless teacher continues to push him to treasure from the dragon Smaug, Thorin of love, misadventure and regret – and the brink of both his ability and his sanity. Oakenshield (Richard Armitage) sacrifi ces an abandoned daughter. As friendship Cast: Miles Teller, JK Simmons, Paul Reiser, Melissa Benoist, Austin Stowell. friendship and honor in his search for the blossoms, John’s outlook begins to open. Thursday 12 March 8.45pm an Lanntair Arkenstone, despite Smaug's fi ery wrath Cast: Eddie Marsan, Joanne Froggatt, Karen Drury, Andrew Buchan, Neil D'Souza. Saturday 14 March 8.45pm an Lanntair and Bilbo's (Martin Freeman) desperate Thursday 5 March 8.30pm an Lanntair attempts to make him see reason. Saturday 7 March 8.30pm an Lanntair Meanwhile, Sauron sends forth legions JUPITER ASCENDING 2D & 3D (12A)127MINS of Orcs in a sneak attack upon the Lonely Mountain. As the ultimate fate of Middle Earth hangs in the balance, the races of Men, PADDINGTON (PG) 95 MINS Jupiter Jones, a young Russian working Elves and Dwarves must decide whether to unite or die. illegally in Chicago, has her life turned Wednesday 4 March 8pm Tarbert A young Peruvian bear travels to the city upside-down when she meets hired hunter Thursday 5 March 5.30pm Tarbert in search of a home. Finding himself lost Caine Wise. As Caine reveals Jupiter's and alone, he begins to realise that city extraordinary role in an interplanetary life is not at all as he had imagined, but ruling family, she suddenly fi nds herself PADDINGTON (PG) 95 MINS then he meets the kindly Brown family. in mortal danger from three members of It looks as though his luck has changed, the galactic Abrasax dynasty, each keen to A young Peruvian bear travels to the city until this rarest of bears catches the eye of take control of the Earth and end her life. in search of a home. Finding himself lost a museum taxidermist... Cast: Mila Kunis, Channing Tatum, Eddie Redmayne, Sean Bean, Tuppence Middleton. and alone, he begins to realise that city life is not at all as he had imagined, but Thursday 19 March 5.30pm an Lanntair then he meets the kindly Brown family. It Saturday 7 March 2.30pm an Lanntair Friday 20 March 8.30pm an Lanntair looks as though his luck has changed, until this rarest of bears catches the eye of a WILD (15) 115MINS museum taxidermist... TRASH (15)114MINS After years of reckless, destructive Three young boys live in a garbage dump behaviour, Cheryl Strayed makes a rash Wednesday 4 March 5.30pm Tarbert on the outskirts of Rio de Janeiro, where decision. With absolutely no experience, they spend their days searching for items and driven only by sheer determination, they can use or sell. When they come Cheryl hikes alone through more than a THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING (12A) 123MINS across a wallet containing cash and a key, thousand miles of the Pacifi c Crest Trail. they soon fi nd themselves fi ghting for their For young Stephen Hawking (Eddie Wild powerfully captures the incredible Redmayne) the future looks limitless: his lives, with a corrupt local police force trying true story of one young woman forging to get their hands on it. brilliant mind ensures his success as a ahead on a journey that maddens, cosmologist, while his relationship with Cast: Rickson Tevez, Eduardo Luis, strengthens, and ultimately heals her. fellow Cambridge student Jane Wilde Gabriel Weinstein, Martin Sheen, Rooney Mara Cast: Reese Witherspoon, Laura Dern, Thomas Sadoski, Keene McRae, Michiel Huisman. (Felicity Jones) promises a fulfi lling Portuguese and English with English subtitles Thursday 19 March 8.30pm an Lanntair personal life. But when he is diagnosed with Friday 6 March 8.15pm an Lanntair Friday 20 March 5.30pm an Lanntair motor neuron disease, he and Jane face Saturday 7 March 5.30pm an Lanntair the tragedies and triumphs of a boundless genius trapped in an all-too-frail body. THE SECOND BEST EXOTIC Cast: Eddie Redmayne, Felicity Jones, Charlie Cox, Emily Watson, Simon McBurney KINGSMAN: THE SECRET SERVICE (15) 129MINS MARIGOLD HOTEL (PG) 122MINS Thursday 5 March 8.30pm Tarbert Based on the acclaimed comic book, This charming sequel fi nds the residents and Kingsman: The Secret Service tells the staff of the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel for the story of a super-secret spy organisation Elderly and Beautiful as busy and entangled Cinema Classifi cations that recruits an unrefi ned but promising as ever – whether they're embarking upon street kid into the agency's ultra-competitive joining the Jaipur workforce, negotiating the (U) UNIVERSAL – Suitable for all. A U rated fi lm should be suitable for audiences aged training programme, just as a global threat tricky waters of an exclusive relationship, four years and over. emerges from a twisted tech genius. juggling two eligible (and very wealthy) (PG) PARENTAL GUIDANCE – General viewing but some scenes may be unsuitable for young suitors, or trying to fi t two fresh arrivals into children. A PG fi lm should not disturb a child aged eight or older, however parents are "Perhaps the riskiest mainstream movie in a single remaining vacancy.... years... Bond with the stabilisers taken off." - Empire advised to consider whether the content may upset younger or more sensitive children. Cast: Bill Nighy, Maggie Smith, Judi Dench, Richard Gere, Dev Patel. Cast: Taron Egerton, Samuel L Jackson, Colin Firth, Mark Hamill, Mark Strong, Michael Caine. (12A) – Suitable for those aged 12 years and over. No one younger than 12 may see Friday 27 March 5.30pm an Lanntair Thursday 12 March 5.30pm an Lanntair a 12A fi lm in a cinema unless accompanied by an adult, and fi lms classifi ed 12A are Friday 27 March 8.30pm an Lanntair not recommended for a child aged below 12. An adult may take a younger child, if in Friday 13 March 8.30pm an Lanntair Saturday 28 March 5.30pm an Lanntair Saturday 14 March 5.30pm an Lanntair Saturday 28 March 8.30pm an Lanntair their judgement, the fi lm is suitable for that particular child. In such circumstances, responsibility for allowing a child under 12 to view lies with the accompanying adult. (15) – Suitable only for those aged 15 and over. No one younger than 15 may see a 15 fi lm in a cinema. (18) – Suitable only for adults. No one younger than 18 may see an 18 fi lm in a cinema. Please note that you may be asked for proof of age when attending any screening. Information supplied by the British Board of Film Classifi cation www.bbfc.co.uk 04/03/15 - 01/04/15 11 EVENTS SECTION ONE
£25,000 appeal over building plan
he Christian school, what’s that all The pupils receive every opportunity afforded it is no Utopia. What it offers is an alternative open to anyone and we would love to hear from Tabout? It’s a question often asked of an to pupils in mainstream education whilst learning Christian approach to education and one that has anyone who has further interest or questions on organisation that is often misunderstood. through a biblical worldview. The quality of benefi tted many children since its inception. It is 01851 700134. Based out in Newmarket, you may miss education is crucial in every school and this one it perched on a hill amongst a group of is no different with past pupils speaking highly of houses; yet it stands out in its purpose. the school and thriving as they progress through With a growing roll, the typical sounds life. echo from the grounds, goals being scored, The school is headed up by Mr Samuel Markoff shouts of “what’s the time, Mister Wolf” who travelled more than 5,000 miles with his and screams of “You’re it” carried on the wife and a family of four children to take up the wind at break time. It’s a regular school. position of principal teacher. With a wealth of experience and a passion for excellence through Pupils from Primary 1 through to primary 7 receive a standard education with the usual Christian education, the school has continued subjects being taught – science, English, maths, to make good progress under his leadership. history, geography, music and drama, arts and Ably assisted by the other teachers Mrs Anne- crafts, languages and PE. Marie Macleod and Ms Rieder, and a wide range of support staff which includes classroom However the one distinctive difference is assistants, art and music teachers. that the school is founded on the principle that Christianity and Biblical truth must be central to A crossroads has now reached now and, as the whole curriculum. "You shall love the Lord so often since its commencement in 1999, it has your God with all your heart, with all your soul, decided to move forward in faith to establish its TThehe CChristianhristian SSchoolchool BBuildinguilding AAppealppeal with all your mind and with all your strength, and own purpose-built premises. The commitment your neighbour as yourself." Luke 10 v 27 is signifi cant, the undertaking enormous but that 8800 ddaysays fforor ££25,00025,000 is nothing new. The school is supported solely A typical day starts with a Bible reading, prayer by donations, receiving no state funding and and praise followed by Maths, Languages and he Christian School is seeking your help offer and our new aim is to raise enough money to has faithfully navigated the many challenges History. After-school clubs are also on offer Tto establish its’ own premises, ensuring a buy our own building. that have come its way through the years. With and there are specifi c ones for sport, and an sustainable and high quality Christian-based a dedicated band of supporters and parents, But why are we thinking of relocating, you may enterprising craft club. This terms’ PE activity is education for the young people of our island. ask? swimming, bringing the usual terror to the new who are encouraged to be involved as possible We have outgrown our current building and starts as they move from splashing hopelessly in in the day to day running of the school, it has Over the next 80 days we hope to raise need to move to a modern, purpose-built facility the shallows to dunking heads and pencil dives persevered and developed a wonderful and £25,000 that will provide us with a springboard in which will give us the scope to support more with confi dence. At present the children are busy diverse community of people. our attempts to ideally secure land and develop children and young people. We require more preparing for a school performance based around The school is a small entity but rich in a purpose-built school. We have identifi ed land space to provide our current services and want the Vikings, each child is excited about their part atmosphere and warmth. It encounters the same and are, once again, stepping out in faith. With to have the ability to offer more, as there is an and is having fun being creative, making outfi ts issues as every school does with playground an expanding role and growing interest not just increasing number of families interested in and learning songs. disputes, cut knees and different challenges, in primary education but for secondary provision the school. Yet some may be unaware of our also, these are truly exciting times: existence. As one parent recently commented, Things never stand still at the school, wanting to "I've lived in Stornoway for a while and never create a legacy which the community can be part knew that a Christian school existed." It would be of and involved in, it plans to as we are always advantageous to have a visible presence in the looking to improve the educational provision we community. Will you help? Can you help? Follow our appeal updates on our facebook page How long will the Building Appeal run?
We are aiming to run the appeal over a short a new home for the school please time scale from mid-March to the end of May. What will be the outcomes when this project A challenging timescale but we want to keep succeeds? the momentum going and have a number of Our vision is that by relocating we will achieve fundraising events planned. The fi rst will mark the following outcomes: the launch of the campaign and will take the form of a Light Lunch in the MA Memorial Hall • Improve the learning environment we (Kenneth Street) on Saturday 14th March from currently provide for pupils and allow the 12-2pm. school to grow We also plan to have a Fun Day on May 1st • Increase educational provision across and a Tea party with school performance at the primary and secondary education end of May, more details to follow…… • Increase our community profi le and reach How can I help? out to the wider community We always need the support of volunteers • Highlight the value of a Christian and if you would like to become involved in this education to the general public project in any way please get in touch. Also If • Reduce our running costs and hence you would like to make a donation to help us fi nd improve our sustainability. EVENTS SECTION ONE 12 04/03/15 - 01/04/15
Spicy Friday!
Would you credit it? Two Black Friday’s in consecutive months! Who knows, maybe it happens all the time but I’ve never spotted it before. Either way we’re not going to let it get to us Starters here in South Lochs, as we’re planning a night at Ravenspoint which will brighten up any Friday - 13th or otherwise. Tom Yum Soup Vegetarian Spring Rolls Following on from the fabulous fare prepared by chef Kenny Thai Beef Salad Dan Campbell for a packed house in January, inspired by Mixed Pakora (chicken & vegetable) ingredients from our own local larder, his eyes are now very Shish Lamb Kebabs firmly fixed on distant shores!
Mains This month, by popular request, he’s again digging out his spicier recipes and treating us to Thai and Indian cuisine. Tom Pla raad prik: Fried fish with chilli sauce, garlic, Yum Soup and Pla Raad Prik may seem like a long way from palm sugar and herbs roast venison and steamed mussels, but the common theme in Pork Satay all of Kenny Dan’s cooking is his reliance on the best local Thai Tom Yum baked Chicken meat and fish to provide the base for his delicious dishes. Thai fried noodles with Chicken Chicken Stir-fry with fresh basil, mushroom and snow peas Chicken Tikka Bhuna We had a full-house last month and were delighted to welcome Lamb Rogan Josh visitors from other parts of the island. Why not treat yourselves to a Friday night out in a lovely part of Lewis, where good food Vegetable Curry and a friendly welcome are guaranteed? Be sure to book early! Steamed rice
Guest chef, Kenny Dan Campbell is back again to bring you another great night out with the very best Thai and Indian cuisine. Book now!
£20 per head, BYOB. Booking essential. 01851 880236 04/03/15 - 01/04/15 13 EVENTS SECTION ONE Lewis play to be seen nationwide H n acclaimed World War One theatre "Gibson's pupils write back to tell him about the !"#$% Aproduction that portrays the grief and reality of what they were experiencing so that he & '!"#$% ( !"#$% )! #'*' " +, would understand, and we see the devastating guilt of a headmaster who encouraged '# ./ 0%% )) '!"#$% ( !"#$% )! #'"' &# '+' pupils to fi ght in the confl ict is to tour effect it had on Gibson himself as he was '' . . 2 )) !"#$% )!#'&"' & """ across Scotland for the fi rst time in March. consumed with guilt.” '" H/ / / / / 3 4 $ ) '!"#$% ( !"#$% Sequamur - created by Isle of Lewis writer The performances utilise many historical '* H/ / / / / 3 4 $ ) 5"#$% )! #""" &&& ""&& Donald S. Murray – tells the poignant story in artefacts from the time – including the letters sent Gaelic of William J. Gibson, the headmaster of to William Gibson – and there are also multimedia !"# !" $ %&' ( The Nicolson Institute in Stornoway between aspects including relevant clips and video from & ) $+ ,- !" $ %&%%. 1894 and 1925. World War I. ,# ./ ./ 60 2 0 '!"#$% ( !"#$% )! #""" &&& ""&& An enlightened and charismatic teacher, Muriel Ann continued: “The use of real World ,' ./ ./ 27) / %8 9 : 2 2 ; < !"#$% )! #""" &&& ""&& Gibson believed in the power of progress through War I footage and photography, text from the education. He genuinely believed that service in young soldiers’ actual letters to Gibson, the WWI would bring a new enlightened age to Britain recollections of how Gibson was and his ability to Q R Q !" - but endured personal turmoil following the death inspire and lead others, enables a performance $ %&%'( that is thought-provoking, dramatic and powerfully of 148 of his own pupils. [ R [ R Sequamur (Latin for ‘let us follow’), will tour six emotive.” R locations across Scotland – Glasgow, Edinburgh, Erica Morrison, Chief Executive of Pròiseact ( + ! ! Oban, Fort George Chapel, Skye and Aberdeen – nan Ealan, said that: “This unique story has a with 14 performances planned. The play is being universal resonance in other parts of Britain where =0%0 %0) % : ) )2404 $)< 9< 0<8 \ 24 2 ) ? ? @ :0 2) )) % 9 2 staged by Pròiseact nan Ealan (PNE), The Gaelic young men went to war. It was important for us 2: 2 $ 2) ) : $ @ ) : %2< < 024 9 : 2 % 2 ) ; ) % 2: 4 @ 2 'A'*5 Arts Agency, with signifi cant support from Creative that the production directly related to each of the $)< 9 : 2 ?0) % ) 2: 2 4 2 @ %0 2: 02: $ %% 2 @ B$ % 2) [)% Scotland. Other funders include Bòrd na Gàidhlig, six communities it will visit by linking in advance $ D 2 ; 7 24 9) 2 2: \ 2 ? ): 9 04 97 9 2 5 the Scottish Government, Comhairle nan Eilean of the performance with World War I historians in ) ) : %% % ; )) ? 2 0 @ 2% ? ?)) 2 ): ? % 4 2 $)< ; @ )) 9 Siar and Highland Council. each region. 2 : ? )) @ 24 $ ? %2 5 The 60-minute play is performed in Gaelic but "The historians are being asked to research is designed to be fully assessable to all, with records of the school leavers who died in WWI live simultaneous translation via headphones. in that area. A localised commemorative roll of Afternoon workshops and performances suitable honour drawing on this factual material will be for schools in each region will also be provided. featured in the multimedia commission and will be Muriel Ann Macleod, producer of Sequamur, unique to each place the play is presented. , * - said: “There is great anticipation ahead of the “Other community engagement activities will Sequamur tour following the wonderful reception include workshops in Gaelic or English focusing on + , - . the play received when it was performed at An new writing and performance for communities and Lanntair in Lewis last year. senior secondary schools. After show discussions ! " # $% &' ( “The writer, Donald S. Murray, has created will also follow some evening performance where an exceptional script that explores not just the audience members can meet the cast and writers ) events involving William Gibson, his pupils and and discuss aspects and issues presented in the % *% World War I, but themes surrounding charismatic show. leaders who lead young people to war both then “We were delighted with the reception and in the present day.” Sequamur received in Lewis last year and this Donald S. Murray, the poet and writer who comes positive reaction has assisted us with our plans Mothers Day Special originally from Ness, said: “William Gibson genuinely to tour with the production. We are immensely believed that war service would be a positive for grateful to Creative Scotland, as well as Bòrd na both the individual and would aid advancements Gàidhlig, the Scottish Government, Comhairle in society more generally, but we witness how nan Eilean Siar and Highland Council, for unprepared the novice British army recruits were for their support to allow Sequamur to be seen by N the horrors of industrialised warfare. audiences across Scotland.” qvprh y Plea on electricity bills iv qixvtqvp ower giant SSE must do more to reduce Highlands and Islands where many people are in Ury) '$ &%( % Pthe 2p per unit surcharge being paid by fuel poverty and extreme fuel poverty. electricity consumers in the Highlands and He said: “It is ridiculous that in an area which islands. actually produces clean electricity that people are That was the call from a delegation from the genuinely living in hardship and not being able to area who were meeting representatives of SSE in properly heat their homes. February at the fi rm’s headquarters in Perth. "For a company that made £1.5bn of profi t The Highlands and Islands representatives last year to effectively wash their hands of this also asked that SSE look into strengthening the is unacceptable. We would ask SSE to take this Hydro Benefi t Replacement Scheme which was matter seriously and do something from their originally designed to equalise prices across the own vast resources for their customers in the UK but is now way below the amount brought in by the 2p surcharge. Highlands and Islands.” Angus McCormack of the Western Isles Poverty The Highlands and Islands delegation ! Action Group said it was disappointing that SSE’s consisted of Mr McCormack, John Maciver of Chief Executive did not meet with them but they Hebridean Housing Partnership, Donnie Mackay had asked the company representatives to explore from Skye and Lochalsh Housing Association and further what could be done to reduce prices in the Di Alexander from Lochaber Housing Association. EVENTS SECTION ONE 14 04/03/15 - 01/04/15 MMink-linkink-link ttoo rratat ppopulationopulation eexplosionxplosion rrejectedejected bbyy wwildlifeildlife eexpertsxperts
By Iain A MacSween Already this year, one island resident had to have his car written per cent of all mink on the Western Isles. off, after rats got in and chewed through the panels, devouring T’s almost unthinkable that anyone would lament the “Last year we caught 26, most of which were juveniles,” he said. wiring and even eating the airbags. Idemise of the mink from Hebridean shores. “When you consider that when we started out we caught 52 in one They are a formidable pest – but with the right approach the week, you can see what’s happened to the numbers. Yet amazingly, a growing number of complaints are being made problems presented by rat infestations can be averted. “The key “Our aim was to eradicate mink from the Western Isles - that to Scottish Natural Heritage, from islanders who say one pest has thing is removal of available foodstuff - it is as simple as that,” said is what we were tasked to do by the Scottish Government and been replaced with another much worse – the rat. Bob. “I keep chickens. I feed little and often so there isn’t any Europe. But is the recent explosion in rats purely down to the fact that waste food about.” “They saw it as vitally important as American mink (regarded there are now no more mink left to keep numbers down? Removal of fallen stock, and careful storage of compost, can as one of the most destructive of Invasive non-native species in According to Bob Chaffer, Foreman of the Hebridean Mink also mitigate attracting the pesky vermin. Europe) damage the ground-nesting wader species which are seen Project, defi nitely not. “Mink would not be able to kill and eat “Don’t put things like fence posts, wood piles, etc close to the as internationally important not just for the Outer Hebrides for the enough rats to affect the overall population of rats,” said Bob. wall of a house which could act as harbourage,” said Bob. “It’s islands, but for the world. From an ecological point of view it is “Rats are commensal rodents, which mean that they live with pretty hard to stop a rat getting in as they can climb any vertical vital.” man and are associated with man. That is why substance apart from glass. “We are happy to offer advice on rat control, but it is a personal they have been so extremely successful. “But drain pipes can be proofed by putting scrunched up chicken responsibility under law to control vermin that may cause a hazard The lowest common denominator in wire in at the bottom of fall pipes. to health or foodstuffs on your land or property. dictating ultimate rat populations is “This will let water out but offer resistance to rats getting in. A “If you cannot do this, the council can enforce relevant legislation available food.” rat will quite easily travel up a four inch pipe.” to come enter the premises and get the problem under control, with The indirect relationship between “If physically able, start a control programme around your the owner or tenant then ultimately footing the bill.” the removal of mink and increasing rat premises. Buy indicator blocks which are attractive to rats in populations, said Bob, was due more to the fi rst place. They can be placed in drain pipes and can then be the fact that more people are now keeping checked for gnawing. chickens again. \ “If you see signs of gnawing then put in a poison block, especially “We have seen a massive increase in the if you have livestock or feed birds in your garden. Always be aware amount of chickens and water fowl that are being kept on the of the danger rodenticides present to other wildlife and pets. Ensure islands in the last fi ve years,” said Bob. “I recently spoke to a that only the rats can access any poison. supplier in Skye who was bringing over 5,000 chickens each year. “Feeding birds is a big problem – again, it always comes back “With that amount of chickens there is much more food on the to food.” ground, more eggs available, and more food being broadcast to rats.” Scarily, a fully grown rat can get through a space of only inch and Labelled as ‘adaptive omnivores’, rats will eat virtually anything. a half. “They only have two bones in the skull and the skull goes ] ^ On the Mohs Scale of Mineral Hardness, diamond is number seven. fl at,” said Bob. “Once the skull is through, then they are in.” [ Rats’ teeth come in at 6.4, and because they are always growing, rats are always chewing to keep them fi led down. Having previously worked with the Ministry of Agriculture, and having studied rats extensively, Bob is an expert on both rats and So formidable are their teeth, Bob recalls one incident where a mink. The Hebridean Mink Project, he says, has now eradicated 99 rat was able to chew its way into a refrigerator.
Splendour in the delights of the first Town Hall Event’s
Charit Wedding Exhibition Saturday 14th March 11am to 4pm Stornoway Town Hall ! " # $%&" ' N %"")' Come along and support our benefi ng chari es: Lewis & Harris Breast Cancer Support Group Hebridean Men’s Cancer Support Group Ac on for Children Stornoway Tickets are priced at £12 each and are available from Third Sector Hebrides, Francis Street (01851) 702632 04/03/15 - 01/04/15 15 EVENTS SECTION ONE Dazzling new look as Tangles shines in new home By Roz Skinner hen you walk into Tangles Hair Design Wat their new location in 6a Bells Road, you could be forgiven for thinking you had walked into a palace! Stylish drawings on the walls, depicting chandeliers and ornate chairs, lead you up the stairs and into the luxurious reception area. Golden mirrors hang on the walls of the salon area and its sheer space makes it feel like a ballroom! You might expect, given the grandeur of the decor, that the atmosphere would be stiff and formal - but nothing could be further from the truth! Qualifi ed hairdressers, Maggie Martin, Joan MacLeod, Emma MacKenzie, Julia MacIver and Marianne MacLean, are best friends as well as colleagues and the atmosphere of the salon refl ects the warm and welcoming nature of their friendship. All of the team are brimming with excitement about their new salon, which had its offi cial open day on the 6th of February. "We invited our family and friends to have a look at the fi nished result," explains Maggie Martin. "And our clients, who weren't due in, immediately wanted to see the Left to right: Joan MacLeod, Maggie Martin, Marianne MacLean, Emma MacKenzie and Julia MacIver new look! We could all breathe again and relax What has been the reaction of clients - seeing school." And, again, they are unanimous about There is real evidence of the girls' enduring and enjoy the wine and cakes!" the salon for the fi rst time? "Everybody comes what their favourite aspect of their job is. "The friendship in the amount of time they spend Tangles was previously based on Kenneth in and says: 'Wow!'" the girls remark. "A few clients," Joan MacLeod says. "We have regular together, even outside work hours! "Although we Street, and remained there for eight years. have actually said they wished they had known and loyal clients, and when we can make them all work together, we don't really see much of each Maggie outlines the reasons for the move, it looked like this, so they could have dressed leave here feeling great about themselves, that is other," laughs Joan. "It can be so busy and we saying: "We wanted more space! Previously, our up! It was lovely to see their reactions and we an amazing buzz." are focused on our clients. To unwind, we catch salon was only about the size of the reception hope they feel that they've come in to a top-class The girls at Tangles are also available for up at the weekends and spend time together." area here! We had to scatter the days we came salon." wedding and bridal hairdressing, both in their The girls do have plans for the future of the in, as there simply wasn't enough room for us all Each member of the team brings an individual salon and at the bride's home. "We believe in salon, but, at the moment, they want to enjoy their to work together at once!" fl air to Tangles, but they are all united by passion going above and beyond for the client," Joan says. new workspace. "We want to say a big ‘thank The move also gave the team a chance and love for their job. Ask each of them, and Working side-by-side with the beautician, the girls you’ to our loyal clients throughout the years," to update their look. "We spent the whole of they all say this was what they always wanted exert themselves to make each and every bride Joan says. "We hope they enjoy the new salon December and January, and, even though we to do. look her beautiful best on her wedding day. and new faces are always welcome too!" have different tastes, we all agreed on the decor "None of us ever did anything else," Maggie - and we're all still talking! We'd all like to thank says. "We all went straight into it when we left our family and friends for their help with it too!"
! "N$ !" % "&'! " ' $ () *%+S +$('.)* EVENTS SECTION ONE 16 04/03/15 - 01/04/15 IIt’st’s sshowtimehowtime aatt aann LLanntairanntair fforor GGrinneasrinneas
Photographs by Roz Skinner
n electric atmosphere fi lled an Lanntair as the Grinneas Members of an Lanntair’s “family”, past and present, gathered arts provision in Scotland, was created in the 1970s and 1980s. Anan Eilean open exhibition in the 30th anniversary from all over the world to commemorate three decades since And the beginning of the idea of an Lanntair coincided with a year of the arts centre got under way on Saturday evening the show held in the Town Hall in 1985, with those present change in the policy of the Scottish Arts Council as it moved - February 28th - with the blazing lights and artistic good including Sam Maynard, the visionary photographer whose away from directly providing services - like actually running cheer defying the constant rain outside. vision for Internet development in Stornoway proved to be galleries - to supporting community-based groups to provide decades ahead of its time. artistic development. The room was fi lled with artists – including Willie Fulton and Looking back 30 years, Lindsay Gordon praised the work his wife Moira, who have been involved in the show since its of the board members, then and since, and the paid staff who inception – and with many of those involved in the stewardship of were involved at the time, and some of whom were still working the arts project since the fi rst gleams of its lantern light glistened for an Lanntair now. An Lanntair was far removed from its from a Government-backed work programme back in the 1980s. original beginning as it was now a huge multi-faceted, multi- Long before the offi cial start at 7.30pm, the gallery was functional arts centre. "I am delighted…at the success of an thronged with people looking at the 350-plus works on display Lanntair," he said. from more than 110 artists. Lynne Maciver said that the 30th anniversary was "an opportunity to refl ect and look back on all that's been achieved" The offi cial part of the evening began with a brief welcome by the arts centre over the years. The centre both encouraged from Elly Fletcher, the chief executive of the arts centre; international art, music and drama to come to the islands and followed by a speech from Lindsay Gordon, Director at Peacock took art produced in the islands out to the rest of the world, Visual Arts in Aberdeen and formerly head of visual arts at the by supporting the local creative output. She drew attention to former Scottish Arts Council at the time when an Lanntair was the range of work included in this year's programme, ranging fi rst mooted. from historical research on the legacy of Colin Mackenzie, from Then the vice chair of an Lanntair’s board Lynne Maciver Stornoway, who became Surveyor-General of India, and the talked of the current Board’s perspective and ambitions for fi rst man to map the sub-continent, to this year's early summer the future, and this was followed by former Board member exhibition relating to the TV retelling of the Katie Morag stories. Brian Wilson, chairman of Harris Tweed Hebrides announcing Lynne said that "30 years of success demonstrated the the exhibition prizes sponsored by HTH, and reminding importance of an Lanntair in the community." the audience to look back not only to the foundation of the gallery in 1985 but the long struggle of the then staff and board Brian Wilson drew attention to the work of the staff of an members to create the new building opened in 2005. Lanntair and its then board members during the fraught years that led up to and included the construction and opening of Finally Malcolm Maclean, one of the original founders who is the present centre in 2005. He also pointed out that while also now on the Board again, gave a personal recollection of the present years were being described as ones of austerity, the original opening event for Grinneas nan Eilean, featuring the foundation year of an Lanntair in 1985 was "a time of the great Bayble-born writer Iain Crichton Smith. austerity with a capital A." Yet, because it was a great idea, it In her remarks, Elly Fletcher thanked everyone who had had fl ourished as a result of the "determination and vision" of submitted work for the exhibition and also the team of staff at those involved. an Lanntair who had installed the show which, she said, was Brian said that Harris Tweed Hebrides, which is sponsoring "no mean feat'. the exhibition’s Purchase Prize, wanted to be more involved Lindsay Gordon, Director at Peacock Visual Arts in Aberdeen and Lindsay Gordon looked back to the historical context of the with the arts centre in the future. The Judges Prize awards went formerly head of visual arts at the former Scottish Arts Council at foundation of an Lanntair in the mid-1980s saying that most of to John Norgrove, and Simon Rivett. And the Harris Tweed the time when an Lanntair was fi rst mooted what we take for granted as providing the structure for modern Hebrides Purchase Prize went to Kenneth Burns. 04/03/15 - 01/04/15 17 EVENTS SECTION ONE
Presenting the prizes… Brian Wilson, former an Lanntair board member and chairman of Harris Tweed Hebrides Elly Fletcher, Chief Executive at an Lanntair
Malcolm Maclean, founder and board member at an Lanntair
Lynne Maciver, vice-chair of an Lanntair's board EVENTSEVENTS SECTION SECTION ONE ONE 18 04/03/15 - 01/04/15 18/
Kenneth Street, Stornoway, Western Isles, HS1 2DS | web: www.lann an Lanntair Box Offi ce: 01851708480 | an Lanntair Restaurant: 01851 708492 | email: info@ Registered Charity N
Sùil air am Màrt Story of St Kilda March at a glance...
Thu 5th Big Hero 6 3D (PG) 108mins 5.30 Still Life (12A) 92mins 8.30 Fri 6th Big Hero 6 2D (PG) 108mins 5.30 captive brought Contemporary Dance Class 16+ 6.30 Trash (15) 114mins 8.15 Sat 7th Paddington (PG) 95mins 2.30 Trash (15)114mins 5.30 Still Life (12A) 92mins 8.30 Tue 10th Pelo Malo (15) 95mins 8.00 to life on stage Thu 12th Kingsman: The Secret Service (15) 129mins 5.30 Whiplash (15) 107mins 8.45 Fri 13th Big Hero 6 3D (PG) 108mins 5.30 Contemporary Dance Class 16+ 6.30 Kingsman: The Secret Service (15) 129mins 8.30 Sat 14th Big Hero 6 3D (PG) 108mins 2.30 Kingsman: The Secret Service (15) 129mins 5.30 Whiplash (15) 107mins 8.45 Thu 19th Jupiter Ascending 2D (12A) 127mins 5.30 Wild (15) 120mins 8.30 Fri 20th Wild (15) 120mins 5.30 Contemporary Dance Class 16+ 6.30 Jupiter Ascending 3D (12A) 127mins 8.30 Thu 26th Islands Book Trust: John Love – A Saga of Sea Eagles 7.30 Fri 27th The Second Best Marigold Hotel (PG) 122mins 5.30 Contemporary Dance Class 16+ 6.30 The Second Best Marigold Hotel (PG) 122mins 8.30 Sat 28th 30th Anniversary Film: The Goonies (PG) 114mins 2.30 The Second Best Marigold Hotel (PG) 122mins 5.30 The Second Best Marigold Hotel (PG) 122mins 8.30 Mon 30th Borderline Theatre: The Straw Chair 7.30 Tue 31st From Felt to Fleece workshop 7.00
By Iain A MacSween “The story is rather fi ctionalised, but it closely follows Lady he true story of an aristocratic Scottish lady who was Grange, who is being held on St Kilda, and a young 17-year-old woman called Isabel who has come to St Kilda from Edinburgh with Tkidnapped and banished to St Kilda is being brought to her husband, who is the new minister there. life again through a play that will arrive at an Lanntair on Monday March 30. “The production focuses on the duality of Lady Grange being abducted and banished against her will to St Kilda, then having this This year’s tour of ‘The Straw Chair’, penned by award-winning young wife arrive on the island, feeling that she too has been put in A Saga of Sea Eagles author Sue Glover, is a revival of a play which last toured Scotland a similar situation through her husband. more than 27 years ago. A rare chance to hear John Love, South Uist based naturalist, author “The two characters bond, and Isabel develops throughout the and illustrator, talk about Scotland’s Sea Eagle Reintroduction Revived by Borderline Theatre and Hirtle Productions, the play’s play, becoming aware of what marriage is, what life is like outside of project, with which he has been involved since 1975. central character is Rachel Chiesley, or Lady Grange as she is now Edinburgh, and how life is lived in the Hebrides.” more commonly remembered. John will have copies of his new book, ‘A Saga of Sea Eagles’, “The overriding issues are about liberty, love, female available to purchase afterwards. Wife of James Erskine, a Scottish lawyer with Jacobite sympathies, empowerment, and what life was like during that era.” All welcome – Members £5/ she fell foul of her husband when their marriage dissolved and she Although there will be small pieces of Gaelic in the production, the Non-members £8/Under 15s Free threatened to expose his leanings towards the cause of Bonnie show will be mainly in English. Cuine When: Prince Charlie. Thursday 26th March at 7.30pm Lasting two hours, Rishaad says that ‘The Straw Chair’ represents On the night of January 22, 1732, in an effort to secure her silence, a long-held ambition of Borderline to get relevant productions on to Erskine hired two Highland noblemen to abduct his troublesome Highland stages. spouse. “There was interest originally in doing this tour for its 25th anniversary Grinneas nan Forcibly uprooted, she was held captive in Perthshire, Inverness, but we didn’t have the necessary funding in place,” he said. on Skye, and on Heisger (the Monach Isles), before eventually being transferred to St Kilda in June 1734. He added: “As a company, for 41 years Borderline have been dedicated to touring across Scotland in rural locations. Eilean 2015 Needless to say, she hated her new home. In her journal, she wrote: “A viled neasty, stinking poor Isle” and insisted that "I was in “We want to engage with audiences in the Hebridean sector of 28th February – 26th April great miserie in the Husker (Heisgeir) but I'm ten times worse and Scotland, and this play has a tremendously Hebridean aspect to it. Grinneas is a showcase for artists from - or resident in - the worse here.” Her misery led to her early death, in Waternish, Skye, “It’s wonderful to be opening our tour in Stornoway and then taking Western Isles and each ‘edition’ contains a huge and varied in 1745, and she is buried in Trumpan Church. further performances to Skye, Great Bernera, Harris and South Uist range of work; drawing & painting - land and seascapes, portraits, Rishaad Moudden, Assistant Producer at Borderline Theatre, with a play that is of direct relevance to the audiences there. abstracts – as well as different crafts, photography and sculpture. It told EVENTS: “This play was originally performed at the Traverse “It’s a play we think they will really appreciate and enjoy seeing.” is a real window on the creative life of the Islands and an excellent Theatre in Edinburgh, and has since toured America, France, Cuine When opportunity to display and celebrate your artwork. Croatia, Czechoslovakia, Poland, but this is its fi rst Scottish tour Monday 30th March at 8.00 since 1988. Tickets - £10/£9/£8 19 04/03/15 - 01/04/15 19 EVENTSEVENTS SECTION SECTION ONE ONE ntair.com @lanntair.com No: SC003287
Bùth Shop
In colour we trust - new Arts centre opens Spring stock in an Lanntair’s the door to adult Shop
RICE, the Danish home wares and accessories line learners is coming to an Lanntair. These gorgeous dishes will colour you happy when you are cooking and baking, By Iain A MacSween over the world, taking on new musical challenges and expanding his washing and cleaning, relaxing and enjoying the undreds of adult learners have already benefi tted from repertoire, and now spends most of his days playing and teaching magic of everyday life. around Scotland. Hnight classes held at an Lanntair. Joanna George will host the course ‘From Fleece to Felt’. The fi rst And a new range of classes is set to attract many more, with three weeks will concentrate on making felt from a sheep’s fl eece. literally something to appeal to everyone. This process involves pulling, carding and wet felting techniques. Said Moira Macdonald, Education and Outreach offi cer at an Course entrants will also use forms to make slippers, handbags etc. Lanntair: “We’re delighted that established artists in the visual arts, Using the felt made, the next three weeks will be spent designing music, drama and dance will be sharing their technical knowledge and making practical products. and skills with adult learners through an Lanntair’s new series of Amy Dawson will teach students the basic features of the evening classes. accordion. She will be teach a few well known, simple traditional “There’s something for everybody, whether they are looking to tunes, including correct fi ngering and left hand accompaniment. increase their skills in an art-form or have an opportunity to be more Tunes will be taught by ear and music provided at the end of the creative. The classes are very social - a great way to meet new lesson. By the end of the six week block, students should be able friends.'' to play some simple tunes using both left and right hand off by heart. A ‘Taught Life Drawing’ course will provide instruction to those This is a class for beginners or those with a little experience. You wishing to learn more about drawing from the fi gure as well as will need to own or borrow an accordion. If you’re planning to buy providing a regular opportunity for more experienced artists to hone one, course tutor Amy can provide advice. their skills. A fun and informal Gaelic language drama class for anyone The sessions will also look at how artists have worked from the interested in acting, will be led by Drama Artist Rachel Kennedy, fi gure historically and from more contemporary sources. Basic former resident drama development worker at Pròiseact nan materials will be provided, and artists will be drawing from a clothed Ealan. Students will experiment with characters, scripts and drama model techniques. No previous experience is necessary. Whether you’re new to music, or if you have had a neglected And completing the fantastic range of courses available, old guitar sitting around for a while not being played, a six-week Claire Whyman will give ballet lessons. Claire’s classes – held at beginners’ course run by Fin Loening offers an opportunity to learn both lunchtime and in the evening - will introduce the basics of the basics of the instrument in an informal group setting. ballet technique, arm and feet positions, barre work, basic steps The course will aim to cover some basic chords and strumming and posture and alignment. Using beautiful classical music, patterns, giving participants the building blocks to play any style of participants will be able to develop grace and poise as they learn music, as well as learning some traditional tunes. simple sequences. No dance experience is necessary. Growing up in Edinburgh, Fin Loening was around music from an early age, and soon picked up the guitar. Rooted in the Scottish For more information on these classes, and Irish traditions, Fin forged connections with musicians from all please visit www.lanntair.com EVENTS SECTION ONE 20 04/03/15 - 01/04/15
Grinneas nan Eilean 2015 28th February – 26th April Photographs by Roz Skinner 04/03/15 - 01/04/15 21 EVENTS SECTION ONE
Music for guests on the opening night of Grinneas nan Eilean 2015 EVENTS SECTION ONE 22 04/03/15 - 01/04/15 Minister inducted to new church
By Iain A MacSween Kenny I. Macleod urged him to ‘study Rev David Macleod and wife Mairi cut HERE was standing room as if his life depended on it’. Quoting Spurgeon, he added: “Before you can the cake at the induction. Pictured left is Tonly in Tarbert Community give it, you have to get it.” Donnie Livingstone who was one of David Centre on Tuesday February Macleod's elders in Lochcarron 10, as the newly formed North Interim moderator Rev Dr Iain Harris Free Church celebrated D. Campbell then addressed the the induction of its new minister. congregation, acknowledging that they did not have a church building, Rev David Macleod accepted the ‘but that is OK. We are living in the call from North Harris in January, glorious age of the new covenant. having previously served as minister “We don’t need a temple because in Lochcarron Church of Scotland. Christ is your temple and by the Rev Macleod (40), is married to ministry of Holy Spirit and through the Mairi and they have three young girls word of God you will be able to see – Anna (9), Grace (6), and Lois (3). the beauty of God. Rev Calum Iain Macleod (Lochs), “As you gather in Christ’s name Moderator of the Western Isles week by week under the ministry Presbytery, preached at the induction, of the pastor that God has set over taking his message from the fi rst you, and as He opens to you the chapter of Joshua. As God had been treasure of God’s word and lifts up the with Moses, so too had he pledged excellency of Jesus Christ, preaching his commitment to Joshua, the new a full and glorious atonement based leader of the children of Israel. The on all that Christ is and does, your Lochs minister focussed specifi cally temple will be where you worship in on verse 17: “Just as we fully obeyed His name. Moses, so we will obey you. Only may “Through the word you will be able the Lord your God be with you as he to see the beauty of Christ, and that was with Moses.” will be all you need to go out and The narrative of steps was then serve Him in the world.” read out by Rev Malcolm Macleod, Following the formalities, those Shawbost, before the new minister present enjoyed a sumptuous array of signed his call and accepted the right food laid on by the ladies of the Bays hand of fellowship from members of Community Centre, before embarking presbytery. on more informal fellowship and Addressing the new minister, Rev worship together. Business prize chance for young people
By Roz Skinner and supporting them." othrom – the Gaelic word for The four prizes on offer consist of one £500 and C"opportunity." An appropriate name, three of £250. Judges will be asked to allocate
then, for the Community and Development one prize for a person under 21 and one for the Best Social Enterprise Idea. The young person organisation based on South Uist. can then use their prize money to invest in their To further the opportunities, Cothrom launched business. "The money will act as an incentive to Enterprise On The Edge, a programme funded develop their idea," Thomas relates. "Once they by RBS Inspiring Youth Enterprise to help young have done that, they can be referred on to other people in the Outer Hebrides turn their enterprise agencies which can invest in them. dreams into realities. In turn, Enterprise On The “But these young people are shrewd - for Edge is launching the Inspiring New Business example, they may have large up-front costs for competition, with the deadline set for Thursday, their business, but their money-saving approaches March 26th at 5pm. can sometimes half those costs. I am just so Thomas Fisher, who leads the Community impressed with the young people - willing to put so Deadline is on Friday, March 27 at 5PM Economic Development team at Cothrom, explains much energy, sometimes even their own savings, Cothrom Learning Centre the purpose of the competition is to reach young into their ideas." Ormiclate, Isle of South Uist HS8 5SB people, from the ages of 16 and 30, who are based The award ceremony will take place in the middle in the Hebrides and inspire them to develop their of April. Thomas says: "This event in Uist will business and social enterprise ideas. celebrate the young people involved in the project, The competition has been deliberately designed but will also be integrated into an event to promote Do you have an enterprise idea that you would like to develop in to help the young people grow their ideas, from the the value of mentoring and coaching within the the Outer Hebrides? fi rst seed of inspiration, to the point where they are community. By linking the enterprise and coaching ready to submit an application to get their business aspects, we will celebrate the young people's Are you aged 16 to 30? up and running. achievements and highlight the entrepreneurial spirit of the islands." Do you want to win one of four cash prizes from £250 to £500? Although the competition is designed as a way of accessing young people with ideas, Thomas More opportunities will be available in the future For more details or to secure an application form, please contact says that young people are encouraged to for young women who wish to further their business the Enterprise on the Edge project at Cothrom by seek support in developing their business idea ideas. Thomas explains: "We are exploring the for the competition. Enterprise On The Edge opportunity of setting up a group or network. Phone: 01878 700918 itself, and agencies like Prince's Trust Youth The Uist community organizes an International Website: www.cothrom.net Business Scotland, Business Gateway, FirstPort Women's Day event every year. This year, it will Email: [email protected] for social enterprise and Include-Us for younger FB: www.facebook.com/enterpriseontheedge take place on the 7th of March in Daliburgh and entrepreneurs, can all help to develop their plans. will have sessions on Women In Enterprise. If Engaging with such agencies will also help them participants would like to join in an informal network explore opportunities for grants or loans to set up of Women In Enterprise, Enterprise On The Edge in business. will support that." Enterprise on the Edge is funded by Thomas stresses the importance of encouraging In the meantime, do you have a business idea the young people to run with their business ideas. germinating in the back of your mind? Or a social "That is so important," he explains. "Passion enterprise vision that you are passionate about? and vision are key qualities for entries in the If so, contact Enterprise On The Edge on 01878 competition. Enterprise On The Edge provides 700918, email them at enterpriseontheedge@ coaching, but this is very much to explore the cothrom.net or follow them on Facebook at www. young person's aspirations and visions for the facebook.com/enterpriseontheedge to learn more future, running with the energy of the young person about the competition! 04/03/15 - 01/04/15 23 EVENTS SECTION ONE
The Ryder Cup trophy arrived in a helicopter last year
HHarrisarris GolfGolf ClubClub launcheslaunches drivedrive fforor nnewew rrecruitsecruits By Roz Skinner he Isle of Harris Golf Club in Scarista, TSouth Harris has life members all over the world – and now it is launching a recruitment drive locally with a 50 per cent cut in membership fees for 2015. The club's appeal has stretched as far afi eld as Brazil, America and South Africa, with these non- residents of Lewis and Harris opting to become a Life Member of the club – a scheme which allows them to play the course as frequently as they wish during any times they are on the islands. Arguably, the worldwide popularity of the Golf Club serves as a testimony of how unique and beautiful the nine-hole links course is. The Harris Golf Club was one of only fi ve clubs in Scotland visited by the Ryder Cup last year. "This was a great honour and very prestigious," Club Captain, Mal Hall, enthuses. "It was very special - the trophy arrived in a helicopter and landed on the course!" Mal highlights the dazzling views as his favourite aspect of the course. "You just cannot imagine them. As it is a links course, it runs right along the coastline. The course is situated amid contrasting views - the dramatic hills of Harris to the right and the wonderful white beaches to the 6vvhvs rrir left!" wvur8yihurr y vprs! The landscape also serves to add interest and natural hazards to the course. "The course is $ ssur! $hhysrrUuvrpvhyssr undulating, so a little up and down," explains Mal. "There is always a 'breeze' near the sea and that vyhhvyhiyr rvqrsurvyhq adds to the challenge of the course. There are a few fairly stiff inclines - you won't exactly need !$rrxp rs irtvr climbing boots, but you will defi nitely know about it after you've done it!" Th vt! s6 vy% $vy& $hTv @Tp 2015 will see the Golf Club organising a recruitment drive to invite new faces to come "We started off with under 80 people coming, TpuyuhyyUuvv vtvruvt rh and experience the course. A tempting incentive with 40 people playing in the morning and 40 in thrh Tuyqqrpvqrpvrhqirprh to join the Club will be the 50% drop in fees the afternoon." Mal says. "It's now so popular, we for new members in 2015 - with prices falling have the competition taking place over two days Hrir vyyrwurhirrsvpuh0yhvtpuh yhvt from £100.00 to £50.00. Also on offer will be and we have to close the book at 120! The prize adult coaching and the reintroduction of junior is part of the attraction as the winner receives a hthrvurs ruhv vqr sy qvthqsp r coaching at the Sir E. Scott School. Harris Golf Club Tweed jacket. That's something Exciting competitions take place regularly. xrrvtsv,6rqrrsuvp rhyhyvss urhir people really love!" Among the most popular is the Nick Faldo competition - named after the famous golfer who Mal admits that he did not always appreciate uhys vprrir uvssr played the course in the early 1990's. "The green golf. "I didn't start playing until my adult life - I fee back then was £5.00 and Nick Faldo felt duty was much more into football, squash, tennis and "Tuhwv phuhrur v hpvrhqyhurv bound to pay it," Mal says. "We told him it wasn't badminton!" he smiles. "I wrongly thought golf necessary, but he insisted. We got him to sign tysvur vtu qvth S vyyir was a bit too slow. When I came to the island the fi ve pound note and it is still in a frame. We call it the Faldo Fiver and play the competition for 14 years ago, I had never played, but I took it p rhrqhur8yivTph vh6yhrpq qswv tys it over two evenings and 36 holes! It's a much- up at the age of 58. When you play 18 holes, loved trophy and many strive to get their name on you have covered about a four-mile walk. That phpuvtvyyhxryhprH rqrhvyhqqhrirpsv rq the base of it!" keeps you fi t - added to the swinging movements A whole weekend in August is devoted to the of your upper body, and the mental workout, as Life Members competition and the Harris Golf golf is a strategic game. It keeps players fi t, both A rvs hvphpHhyChyy '$($!%%( Club Open. The Life Members competition takes physically and mentally." place from Friday morning until Friday lunchtime Added to that is the social aspect of the game. &&''!&"(&'A rhvyhyuhyy&5thvyp - then the Harris Golf Club Open commences until the late afternoon on Saturday. Open to "You play a lot with other people," Mal says. "And P Ehr9r '$($! %" &''#$'# #& anyone with a handicap of 22 and below, the our club has a reputation of being a very friendly number of entrants to this competition has grown club. We welcome everybody, no matter what A rhvywhrqr$5hyp astoundingly over the years. their standard, to come along and have fun!" EVENTS SECTION ONE 24 04/03/15 - 01/04/15 Local parties make their poll choices
a h-Eileanan an Iar’s sitting MP Angus NBrendan MacNeil has been confi rmed as the SNP’s candidate for the islands at the UK General Election in May. Angus was the sole nominee and was unanimously reselected by SNP branches within the constituency. After the Western Isles Constituency Association meeting held in the Rodel Hotel, Isle of Harris, on Saturday February 28, Angus MacNeil said: “It has been a privilege to serve the people of Na h-Eileanan an Iar for 10 years as an MP and I am delighted to be given the opportunity once again by the local SNP to seek the support of people across our islands in the forthcoming General Election. “Just as the polls have moved dramatically towards the SNP nationally, we see the same with voters here saying they are moving from Labour to SNP. But we are taking nothing for granted. “The SNP has a rock solid record of standing up for Scotland. It is completely unacceptable that people fi nd themselves needing the support of food banks in a wealthy country. The fundamental problem is that the wealth is moving up the way and leaving more and more people in poverty. That is quite simply wrong, and it is these issues that the SNP have championed at Westminster and which I would continue to Angus MacNeil MP with constituency association delegates at the Rodel Hotel, Isle of Harris champion as MP. “In January we saw the Labour Party vote MP for 10 years and there are a great many issues on the forthcoming election." is time for change and a time for real leadership with the Tories to continue austerity, with further to be dealt with in Westminster that affect each Ruaraidh says that, given previous election at Westminster. and every one of us in Na h-Eileanan an Iar and planned cuts of £75 billion, taking money from results in the Western Isles, it is not surprising that “This will only come from understanding the SNP will always argue for Scotland’s interests the poorest in society, and in a similar Labour/ Liberal Democrat ambitions for the constituency the needs and aspirations of the people that on every one of these issues.” Tory pact they have voted to spend up to £100 will be different to others – however, that doesn't politicians are here to serve. Politicians must stop mean that his role or the role of any other billion on the abhorrent building of new nuclear Meanwhile, Ruaraidh Ferguson, aged 53, from seeing themselves as a special breed, destined to weapons. Cuts we see locally start off at Tong, has been selected as the Western Isles candidate in the election should be diminished. be ‘statesmen’. Westminster. Liberal Democrat candidate for the forthcoming The September referendum revitalised Scottish “I will be someone who will put local people fi rst, “The SNP voted against further cuts and we Westminster Election on May 3rd. politics and he sincerely hopes that this continues voted against renewing Trident and these are the Ruaraidh, originally from the Scottish Borders in this election and that as many communities someone who will understand their problems and principles I will continue to follow.” moved to the Island in 1987. In the 2007 Election as possible organise hustings to discuss the represent and fi ght for their interests. My number Westminster election issues. one priority is to help people make the best of their “A vow was made by Labour, the Tories and for the Scottish Parliament, he stood as the Liberal the Lib-Dems together in the fi nal days of the Democrat Candidate. Meanwhile, the Western Isles Conservative lives. Association has announced the selection of referendum campaign - a vow that polls show Ruaraidh feels that one of the key issues in this “Last September, the Western Isles electorate Mark Brown as their Prospective Parliamentary the clear majority of people across Scotland election will be the way that the UK's constitution delivered a message. A message that saw our Candidate for the Westminster election. expect to be delivered. One of my aims as MP needs to be reformed and made fi t for purpose. United Kingdom saved. A message that saw our for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, is to hold Westminster He says: "Much of the party manifestos on Mark, 41, manages a portfolio of Small and Scottish Parliament strengthened. to account on these promises and to keep the offer for this election will be largely irrelevant Medium Scottish-based Enterprises for a global “This May, I encourage the Western Isles pressure on the UK Government over the many to the constituents of the Western Isles and independent Invoice Financier. electorate to continue delivering in the best issues that I see affecting families across our Scotland, as the elected MP will have no direct He said: “I am proud and honoured to have interests of Scotland. Delivering a vote for the islands.” vote in Westminster on the health, transport and been selected as the Scottish Conservative Na h-Eileanan an Iar Constituency Association education issues affecting Scotland. candidate for the Western Isles. Having fi rst only Party with a long-term economic plan that is working hard for Scotland. SNP’s Convener, Margaret Martin said: “I am “These along with many other matters are, quite visited the Outer Hebrides some 23 years ago delighted to confi rm the reselection of Angus rightly, the devolved responsibility of the Scottish and with regularity over the past two decades I am Alasdair Morrison, the Western Isles candidate MacNeil again in Na h-Eileanan an Iar. Government in Edinburgh, yet surprisingly seem delighted to have returned to seek election in May. for the Labour Party, was selected last year and “Angus has been a hard-working and respected to have formed most of the current Island's debate “My message is a simple one. I believe that it has been on the campaign trail since then. Campaign grows for emergency tug rotests erupted from all across the environment. We call on the UK Government Meanwhile SNP Westminster Transport And the Labour Party's candidiate for the Ppolitical spectrum in February over the to reassess and fi nd a long term solution to this spokesperson and Western Isles MP Angus General Election in May, Alastair Morrison, wrote lack of an emergency tug or towing vessel crucial issue.” MacNeil MP will again be calling on the to the Scottish Secretary urging the government Department for Transport to reinstate the to reinstate a tug boat in the Minch in order to on the West Coast of Scotland. Convener Councillor Norman MacDonald emergency tug provision following the grounding safeguard mariners and the marine environment, attended a meeting with the Secretary of State for Despite widespread opposition, the Stornoway- at Ardnamurchan Point. as well as fi shing, aquaculture and tourism jobs Scotland on Thursday 26th February along with based service was withdrawn in March 2012 as which depend on it. part of cost-cutting measures by the coalition the Leaders of Shetland Council and Highland Currently there is only one emergency tug vessel covering the whole of Scotland’s coast. Angus Alasdair Morrison said: "The cargo ship which government in Westminster. Council and Depute Lead Councillor for Argyll and Bute Council, to discuss the provision of ETVs. MacNeil MP said: “Once again we have seen has run aground off Ardnamurchan serves as a Now Comhairle nan Eilean Siar is again how vulnerable we are without an emergency tug warning of the dangers that threaten our fragile pursuing the case for an ETV to be based in the Councillor MacDonald, said, “I believe that the vessel. Is the West Coast of Scotland, the most marine environment. West of Scotland, after a large cargo ship that ran incidents over the past few months highlight the westerly point of Britain, simply too far away from "Whilst we are pleased that at this point there aground near Ardnamurchan Point. The Kingdom very serious risks around our coastal waters. It is Westminster to be a priority? has been no reported pollution, this would appear of Fife tug arrived on the scene after travelling absolutely essential that we have adequate safety “The lack of an emergency tug vessel meant to be very fortunate. There was a signifi cant delay north from the Clyde whilst the Orkney based measures in place to respond swiftly to incidents there was no quick response. We had a lucky after the ship grounding before the only available ETV, the Heracles, was also deployed but took 24 so that we can protect lives and minimise the risk escape this time because of the cargo on board tug arrived in the area due to the distance it had hours to arrive on the scene. of environmental damage. the ship, but next time it could be much more to travel. Comhairle Leader, Cllr Angus Campbell, said, "Thankfully nobody was seriously hurt in the serious. "We once had a tug, based in Stornoway, “This is another occasion when, thankfully, there most recent incident at Ardnamurchan, but we “Despite the sophisticated navigation equipment which allowed a more immediate response. That were no injuries but which could have been a remain very concerned, as do colleagues in on board ships, accidents will happen and an is the service which must be reinstated. Does vastly different story. neighbouring councils, about the current situation. emergency towing vessel is an insurance policy. there have to be a serious incident before the "The removal of the ETV from Western waters We will continue to seek a reinstatement of a west We need to protect the environment and our government listen to the people and accept we has increased the risk to mariners and to the coast based ETV.” fi shing industry." need a dedicated tug in the Minch waters?" 04/03/15 - 01/04/15 25 EVENTS SECTION ONE Intercontinental appeal for Island seaweed-based products
By Iain A MacSween rom his fi rm’s new premises in Westview FTerrace, Malcolm Macrae is preparing to send out a shipment to Australia. “There was someone from Australia on holiday in Harris and they saw the products on sale here in the islands,” he told EVENTS. “They sent us an email saying they were involved in that kind of industry in Australia, and asked if they could be our distributor out there, as they felt there was a real demand for this kind of thing over there.” It’s the kind of situation Malcolm has found himself in ever since he launched his ‘Ishga’ range of skin products, all derived from Hebridean seaweed. Together with Martin Macleod, Malcolm (44) established the Hebridean Seaweed Company in Arnish, back in 2006. Now employing eight people, they harvest seaweed with their specialist cutting boat, before refi ning it to be used for animal feed. So nutritious is the refi ned seaweed, shipments are even sent to the Far East for rich sheiks to feed to their camels. With a Masters degree in Chemistry, and married to Joanna, who is a beautician, Malcolm recognised another market for his product. Having been asked to supply seaweed for a spa within Glasgow’s luxury ‘Blythswood Square’ hotel, he set about using seaweed for a skincare range. ‘Ishga’ was born, and has snowballed into the latest must-have skincare product. “Things have Malcolm Macrae in his fi rm's new gone better that I could have imagined,” said premises in Westview Terrace Malcolm. “We have a really good story behind the product, and people are sold straight away when But, he insists, he will never depart from an we take them up and show them the islands. early commitment to making ‘Ishga’ as personal Only last week one of the spas we supply ordered a brand as possible. “I would never want it to be two buckets of Hebridean sand. They really go a robotic production-line sort of venture,” he said. for the island aspect.” “If we have to, we will employ more people just The order books for ‘Ishga’ products also to ensure that the individual care and attention contain addresses in the USA and China, said goes into each product. Malcolm. “We created a brand wheel which contained the “The Chinese love the fact that what they are values we wanted. That was one of them, so the day getting is a genuine Scottish product,” he said. we deviate from that we take away from our ethos.” “Also, seaweed in China represents prosperity, so they’re very keen on it. And what of the company name? “It’s a “We have a wee Saltire on our product boxes and phonetic spelling of ‘uisge’, the Gaelic for water,” they really go for that. They love all things Scottish.” said Malcolm. “We use water for all our products, and we are based in the Western Isles, so we While ‘Ishga’ grows from strength to strength, decided it was appropriate.” Malcolm is aware that he may need to expand on the four staff currently working out of his new To check out the latest ‘Ishga’ product range, Stornoway premises. visit www.ishga.co.uk.
Products are available locally at KJ Macdonalds Chemist, An lanntair, Harris Tweed Hebrides, Stornoway Airport Shop and at Harris Tweed Isle of Harris in Tarbert
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Now at 47 Westview Terrace HS1 2HP EVENTS SECTION ONE 26 04/03/15 - 01/04/15 Four go to Iceland in pancreas cancer challenge
By Iain A MacSween HEN her friend’s husband was Wdiagnosed with pancreatic cancer, Nicola Nikpavlovich was determined to act. Browsing the Internet, she stumbled upon a website that offered the chance to raise funds for charity by trekking across Iceland. And so, after contacting three of her pals, in July this year Nicola will fl y out to Reykjavik with Fiona Macleod, Anne Lundon, and Lorraine Macritchie, braving relentless Arctic conditions to raise vital funds for what is largely an underfunded illness. Nicola and Fiona were both bridesmaids for their friend Fiona Harding at her wedding to husband Jim. Only two months after that fairy- tale wedding, Jim was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Sadly, he passed away last month, on Thursday February 19. Explained Nicola: “When I heard Jim had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, I knew immediately that I wanted to do something to help. I was intrigued, because until then, I hadn’t even heard of pancreatic cancer. I didn’t know what it was. “I discovered that it has the lowest survival rate of all cancers, and yet it receives the least amount of funding from cancer charities.” Having previously done a sky-dive for charity, Nicola set about fi nding a challenge that would be exciting and original at the same time. "I know people who have done Kilimanjaro, Peru, and the Great Wall of China,” she said. “Then Iceland popped up, and I thought that since I didn’t know much about Iceland or pancreatic cancer, why not join the two together?” Nicola Nikpavlovich and Fiona Macleod Nicola consulted Jim’s wife Fiona, who was more than happy to endorse her fundraising We’ll have all our warm gear, but also sunscreen, headbands from Diane Mackenzie, of Stornoway adventure. And Jim himself was thrilled at the as we expect windburn. Sewing and Embroidery, Nicola was stunned idea, describing it as ‘crazy but great’. “The temperature can drop to -15 degrees, so to learn that Diane’s father Murdo had himself Fiona Macleod and Anne Lundon quickly we have to be ready for it.” succumbed to pancreatic cancer. added their names to the list, while Lorraine “It was an amazing coincidence,” she said. Macritchie signed up to the challenge to raise Already, the generosity of islanders has shone “When I told Diane why we were doing the funds for Bethesda. “The challenge itself lasts through. “I held a bingo night in January and fi ve days, of which we will be trekking for three,” raised £1,111, which was absolutely fantastic,” fundraising challenge, she immediately said she said Nicola. said Nicola. would provide the headbands free of charge. That was very generous of her.” “We will be trekking for up to 12 hours a day in “Local businesses were superb in coming extreme conditions. It looks pretty brutal!” forward and donating prizes for the raffl e. Added Nicola: “I am a leader at Brownie’s, so I am used to fundraising. But what’s different about The girls have been advised on what “Fiona is hosting a music night in the Woodlands equipment to take with them, such as protective Centre on Friday March 13, and I’m having this is that everyone I’ve spoken to so far knows thermal gear, proper clothing, and specialist another charity night in the Sea Angling Club on little or nothing about pancreatic cancer. Victim…Jim Harding sleeping bags. Saturday March 28, where ‘Rock Island Line’ will “Hopefully our challenge will help raise “We won’t get away with £9.99 sleeping bags,” be playing. awareness of it, while giving it a fi nancial boost at For Jim Harding’s story, see http://www. Nicola laughed. “And on Saturday April 25 we will be bag- the same time.” pancreaticcancer.org.uk/information-and- “We’ve been told to expect the unexpected as packing in Tesco’s.” To donate to the Iceland trek challenge, visit support/real-life-stories/patient-stories/ the weather out there can be so unpredictable. Having ordered special Harris Tweed https://www.justgiving.com/Nicola-Nikpavlovich/. inoperable-pancreatic-cancer/jim/. Public urged to respond to consultation on fl ood risk
public consultation on the most will be contained in the fl ood risk management the consultation in writing, printed copies of Councillor Uisdean Robertson, Chair of the Acomprehensive assessment of fl ood strategy and local plan. These outline the most the material along with feedback forms will be Partnership, said: “Flooding from the sea as risk and its impacts ever complied in sustainable combination of actions to help tackle available on request from the Council Offi ces in well as well as on low lying land is of immediate Scotland has been launched by the Scottish fl ooding in areas identifi ed as being at the greatest Stornoway and in Benbecula. concern for many communities across the Outer risk across the islands. Hebrides. Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) and The consultation is accessible via the ‘Citizen The consultation is open to everyone and “This is a new inclusive approach to managing the local authorities. Space’ website at https://frm-scotland.org.uk members of the public, businesses and other fl ood risk at local level and it is important to make For the Outer Hebrides the consultation, which interested parties are encouraged to take part where the information has been developed in sure your views are heard by responding to the can be viewed at: https://frm-scotland.org.uk, by making your views known before Tuesday partnership between SEPA, Scottish Water and consultation. This will help shape how we deal is being run jointly by SEPA and Comhairle nan 2nd June. For people without internet access, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar taking advice from with and manage fl ooding throughout the islands Eilean Siar and publishes draft information that or for those who would prefer to respond to individuals and local organisations. in the future.” 04/03/15 - 01/04/15 27 EVENTS SECTION ONE Broadband nightmare for town business Offi cial
By Iain A MacSween Because Keith’s business uses plugins which are trying to claim compensation from BT. “I told BT that Stornoway businessman has lost authenticated online, he was unable to do any work our day rate was £180 and we had been fully booked opening whatsoever without a broadband connection. “I asked doing scoring for documentaries and TV. Athousands of pounds in revenue after BT Zen to get my broadband back because I had clients gave his phone line to another customer. “I had taken a full week off to do that and I had even coming in,” he said. bought new plugins for that project. for shop Keith Morrison, aged 31, who runs Wee Studio, “They told me to pay a reconnection fee of £75 “So I asked for compensation of £180 per day, plus says his ordeal has been an ‘absolute nightmare’ and which I paid instantly. They then said as soon as I had the £75 reconnection fee which I paid out to Zen. is now warning customers to be on their guard should my number returned they would reconnect within a and café “I thought that was extremely reasonable as it didn’t something similar happen to them. minimum of fi ve days.” Keith told EVENTS: “My broadband provider Zen include compensation for embarrassment, or missed By now, says Keith, he was ‘pulling his hair out’. work.” he new Shawbost Shop and sent me a message saying I was about to get a “I went through Twitter and was getting emails from To his astonishment, BT made a counter offer of £69 TCafé at Raebhat House is letter from BT saying that they were going to give my Heads of Complaints at BT asking how I had got their - in total. “That doesn’t even cover the reconnection to be offi cially opened by the physical phone line to someone else. number. to Zen,” said Keith. new An Taobh Siar agus Nis “I got the letter saying another customer had asked “I spent 20 hours on the phone in total, speaking He added: “It’s just all been a total disaster. Every Councillor, Alistair MacLennan. to take over my line and if that was not right, then to to 16 different people.” Desperate, and fearful of time I phone BT I get transferred to different places. contact them straight away.” the potential impact the situation presented to the The offi cial opening will be Each call I’ve made so far was roughly 45 minutes Extremely concerned, Keith immediately contacted health of his company, Keith contacted his MP, Angus Councillor MacLennan’s fi rst from lifting the phone to having to re-explain to BT to ensure that his line would not be taken from Brendan MacNeil. “I can’t thank him enough,” he offi cial engagement and will take someone what the situation is. him, and was assured that the process had been said. “Because of him I now have my old number place on Friday March 13 at 2pm cancelled. back. He pulled some serious strings.” “Then they tell you that you are in the wrong at Raebhat House, Shawbost. department and you have to hold for another 45 “Two people had moved in nearby and applied to However, despite this glimmer of hope, Keith is still Following early retirement minutes, before you are transferred again. Then you BT for a phone line,” he said. “It’s a case of the wrong without a broadband service. “I now have my number from his post as Social Worker will accidentally get disconnected.” address. back but I still cannot get broadband as the people with Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, “I thought it had been cancelled as BT told me as who ordered the other number asked for broadband Keith isn’t alone in his ordeal. Annie Delin, who Michael Fitzpatrick, saw a gap in much. Then Zen double checked, and it hadn’t been to be put on the line,” he said. is a presenter with Isles FM, had a near-identical the market for a village shop and issue. She said: “This happened to us when a new cancelled at all. I was talking to BT, and Zen were “Broadband gets allocated to a physical line, not the café and launched his business neighbour moved in and asked for a line. BT gave talking to BT Wholesale, who I simply could not get in number that’s on the line. on February 12th. The café is touch with. There was no way for me to get in touch them ours, including our number. It took two weeks to due to open later this month. “Zen can’t start to reconnect my number until that and stop it from happening.” get our number back (they were at fault as they gave The village shop stocks a broadband gets cancelled. us no notice they were terminating our line and our Keith spent an entire week on the phone to BT to wide variety of fresh and frozen “BT cannot cancel the broadband because they payments were bang up to date). stop his number from being taken from him, but to his produce, local produce, some put broadband on a number and that number is now horror, on February 23, his line was switched to a new “However, it took six months and an OFCOM crafts, coal and much more, with gone. number. enquiry before we got the admin untangled, our credit new items of stock each week. “I asked a woman at BT what I should do, and she rating cleared and compensation of £250. “When I phoned my mobile from my offi ce phone Horshader Community said ‘I don’t know!’ She then suggested getting in it was from a new number. I had received a letter “Ofcom said the key was that I had kept a record Development Trust owns Raebhat from BT saying it wasn’t going ahead and even had touch with Zen, but Zen cannot cancel an order that of every call I made to BT, including what number I isn’t theirs!” House, and Mr Fitzpatrick leases a screenshot from an operator saying it wasn’t going dialled, how long I waited and the name of the person the premises from the Trust. to go ahead.” Keith is now experiencing yet more diffi culty in I spoke to. It’s soul destroying.” Tendering for future ferry services gets under way
he selection process for the next Clyde and sustainable economic growth. We have made stakeholders are kept fully informed throughout “I hope that SNP members in the islands will Tand Hebrides Ferry Services (CHFS) clear our commitment to supporting them by the procurement exercise. urge them to support our friends and neighbours contract is now under way, Minister for ensuring we deliver safe and reliable services for “I also remain clear that there will be no who work for Cal-Mac. Since the referendum I Transport and Islands Derek Mackay ferry users. unbundling of services, and reiterate that the have advocated that we need a 'Team Hebrides' announced in February. “The Contract Notice is the fi rst formal step in tender will be taken forward as a single contract. approach to matters of community importance.” taking forward a competition for the next CHFS He wrote to Angus MacNeil MP and Alasdair The next contract will run from 1 October 2016 “We are now focused on ensuring a fair and contract, which will run from 1 October 2016. Allan MSP on 5 February 2015 and said: “You will for up to eight years. Scottish Ministers will provide open competition that leads to getting the very be aware of the concerns about the re-tendering up to £1bn of funding to support the enhancement “We are looking to award a contract that runs best deal for all of the communities of the Clyde of the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services (CHFS). and development of these lifeline ferry services, in for a period of up to eight years. This will make and Hebrides.” These concerns have been clearly expressed addition to fares revenue. it more attractive to potential bidders by giving Since 2007 the Scottish Government has provided by the trade unions representing Caledonian the operator more opportunity to deliver service ferry services and associated infrastructure in This funding will also ensure the continued improvements and effi ciencies over the course of MacBrayne crew and staff (RMT, Unite, Transport application of Road Equivalent Tariff to CHFS Scotland with almost £1billion of support. The latest the contract. fi nancial estimates suggest that some £800million- and Salaried Staff Association, the offi cers’ union routes, bringing signifi cantly reduced fares and “The tendering team began the preliminary £1billion of public subsidy funding will be provided Nautilus International) helping to support the tourist industry on the islands. procurement steps last year, but this effectively by Scottish Ministers to support the Clyde and “This uncertainty is causing alarm right across A Contract Notice has been submitted to the starts the selection stage of the process and we are Hebrides lifeline ferry services over the duration of the network and in the islands, where many of our Offi cial Journal of the European Union, signalling now encouraging potential bidders to come forward. the next 8-year contract . friends and neighbours are employed in valuable the Scottish Government’s intention to take “A full public consultation exercise was But Alasdair Morrison, Labour Candidate for jobs. forward a competition for the provision of the undertaken during the Ferries Review, which the 2015 General Election has criticised current “Of particular concern is a matter reported in services from October 2016. helped to defi ne the shape of future ferry services. Western Isles MP Angus MacNeil and MSP this week’s West Highland Free Press where it Mr Mackay said: “The Clyde and Hebrides Ferry The Ferries Plan, published in December Alasdair Allan, claiming the Islands need to unite states that the Scottish Government is actively Services play a crucial role in the day-to-day lives 2012, will form the basis of the contract. This against what he describes as looming privatisation discussing 'sub-contracting' routes to the private of our island communities, enabling continued engagement process will continue so that all key across the Caledonian MacBrayne network. ferry operators.” 2015 FilmG shortlist announced ilmG, MG ALBA’s Gaelic Short Film judging this year’s FilmG categories and to see the As ever, schools in the Western Isles have also times. John Murdo MacAulay from the Isle of FCompetition, has announced the next crop of fi lm-making talent coming through. It done extremely well with two fi lms, ‘An Gealladh Lewis had his fi lm ‘Briste’ (Broken) shortlisted for shortlists for this year’s competition with is extremely important and very encouraging for Meallta’ (Deceitful Promise) by Castlebay Best Drama, which is one of the awards sponsored budding fi lmmakers, community groups the future of the Gaelic media industry. High School and ‘Gealladh Gemma’(Gemma’s by Creative Scotland, the FilmG Theme Award as and school groups from around the country “The fi lms are all very different and cover a Promise) by the Nicolson Institute both making the well as two of the fi lm’s actors, Ellen MacDonald ‘Best Film’ shortlist. making the fi nal cut. wide range of interests with something there and Erica Morrison, being shortlisted for Best for everyone. I’d like to wish all the shortlisted It wasn’t just school pupils who showed their This year’s FilmG theme, ‘Gealladh’ (Promise/ Performance. ‘Sgeulachd a Bhana Bhlasta’ (The fi lmmakers the very best of luck and I look forward talent for fi lmmaking. The Open category, which is Vow) inspired an array of new ideas and stories from story of the Tasty Van) by Ishbel Strachan from to seeing them at the awards ceremony in March.” for aspiring fi lmmakers over the age of seventeen the Isle of Skye was also shortlisted for the Best fi lmmakers making it an exciting yet diffi cult job for and community groups, also included some real the jury to pick out the best from this year’s entries. In the Youth category, schools in the Highlands Documentary and for the FilmG Theme Award. are well represented with Portree, Plockton, gems. The shortlist for the Best Community Film All the shortlists are now available online on The jury panels comprised of a variety of BBC Mallaig, Milburn and Ardnamurchan all being was dominated by fi lms from the Highlands and ALBA and freelance industry professionals, shortlisted. Most notable is Lochaber High School’s Islands, two of which, ‘Siuthad a’ Sheònaid’ and the FilmG website, where you can also view all including Actor and Director Tony Kearney, TV fi lm ‘An Agallamh’ (The Interview), about a school ‘Madainn Mhath Breatainn’ (Good Morning Britain) entries in this year’s competition. The winners will Presenter Linda MacLeod, as well as BBC ALBA’s boy who self-harms, which has been shortlisted have also been shortlisted for other awards, Best be announced at the prestigious FilmG awards Head of Service Margaret Mary Murray. for ‘Best Film’ as well as the lead actor, Fergus Music Video and Best Drama, respectively. ceremony taking place at the Old Fruitmarket in Margaret Mary said: “It was a real pleasure Munro, being shortlisted for his performance. These weren’t the only fi lms shortlisted multiple Glasgow on Friday 27 March. EVENTS SECTION ONE 28 04/03/15 - 01/04/15 Love story of sea eagles
arch 26th sees a chance for people to hear about the Squadron from Kinloss. The author of a new book, ‘A Saga of Sea Eagles’, a very personal Mreintroduction of Sea Eagles in a talk by John A. Love Over the next decade, 82 eaglets from Norway were fl own to the account of his experiences working with eagles over four decades, at an Lanntair arts centre – John was one of those most Isle of Rum by obliging RAF pilots, and there John Love, project John will be coming to an Lanntair in Stornoway on 26th March to involved in the success of the original project on Rum. manager for the NCC, had the job of preparing them for their new give what he says is his fi rst talk about sea eagles here since the 1980s. So don’t miss this wonderful opportunity to hear all about With a wing span of seven feet, the sea eagle is the fourth largest adult lives in Scotland. the ground-breaking reintroduction project which has brought so eagle in the world. Likened to a ‘fl ying barn door’, because of its It takes fi ve years for sea eagles to mature and there were a many benefi ts, not only to those of us here in the islands, but also to stiff rectangular wings, you know one when you see one. They couple of early breeding setbacks, but in 1985 the fi rst wild sea Scotland and the wider UK. are native to the UK but were hunted to extinction here over the eagle chick in Scotland for 70 years was successfully reared. Since centuries, the last one being shot in Shetland in 1918. then the birds have fl ourished and now there are more than 45 This event is organised by the Islands Book Trust. For further Conservationists began to moot the possibility of reintroducing sea breeding pairs living in Scotland. information please email [email protected] or ring eagles back to Scotland soon after the war, however early attempts Having spent ten years on Rum managing it, it’s safe to say that 01851 830316. All are welcome - £8 or £5 for Islands Book Trust failed and it was not until the mid-1970s that a long term project John Love is the leading expert on the reintroduction project. Prior Members and the event is free for under 15s. got under way, under the auspices of the Nature Conservancy to his sojourn on Rum he was involved in an attempt to reintroduce Urras Leabhraichean nan Eilean - The Islands Book Trust is a Council (NCC) as it was then. Also involved were the Norwegian sea eagles on Fair Isle, and he has also spent time in Norway registered Scottish charity SC032682 Registered Offi ce: Laxay national conservation agency and, somewhat surprisingly, RAF 120 studying the birds. Hall, Laxay, Isle of Lewis, HS2 9PJ Stories of Stornoway…by D.S. Murray
By Iain A MacSween “The engine got swamped just outside Stornoway,” said Mr Murray. “So they were taken ashore, given baths, and even had NE of several events to mark the 150th anniversary of the pipe band perform for them.” OStornoway Port Authority was held in the Woodlands Centre on Friday February 13. He added, laughing: “Sandy Matheson recalls, much to his chagrin at the time, that his mother reallocated his chocolate ration ‘SY StorY’, a book comprising several poems penned by to some of them.” renowned Ness writer Donald S. Murray, was launched, featuring The ‘Astrid’ eventually set off for Canada at 4am on Saturday several striking illustrations by Douglas Robertson. 17th July, and was met by the Stornoway fi shing fl eet returning Introducing the evening, Port Authority chairman Bert Frater said home, each drifter saluting the vessel with their sirens as they that Mr Murray had been approached some time ago to see if he sailed past. would be interested in writing a poem to commemorate the 100th ‘SY StorY’, continued Mr Murray, was not just a book about anniversary. shipping accidents and loss of life. Contained within were also “What he has produced is history and verse of notable events of many humorous and light entries. Stornoway’s story,” he said. “Where there is yin, there has to be yang,” he said. This came in Adding that a series of similar commemorative events would be the form of his own personal experiences with Stornoway Harbour, announced in due course, Captain Frater introduced Donald S. as well as some purely fi ctional pieces of work, born entirely from Murray to the stage to explain the origin of the new publication, his own imagination. perform some readings, and sign copies for those in attendance. “Coming from a small community, you cannot write about real As he set about the business of creating the book, said Mr people and have a joke about them,” he said. “You have to make The 160 survivors spent up to eight days in open lifeboats before them up, otherwise the relatives will come up someday, hammer at Murray, he was instantly challenged by two stark components in rescue. the writing process – light and dark “The history of Stornoway is your door, and demand revenge for what you have written about very traumatic and dark over the last century,” he said. Several more people lost their lives in the days that followed the their long lost cousins! It is amazing how art can sometimes imitate rescue as a result of their exposure to the elements and drinking life.” “There have been a number of disasters, the biggest being the salt water. ‘SY StorY’ is a treasure trove of reminiscences and anecdotes, ‘Iolaire’, but there was also the ‘Norge’, which had a tremendous and is simply a must-have piece of work for anyone who has an effect on the town.” “It was astonishing to hit virtually the only rock in the whole of the Atlantic,” said Mr Murray. interest in the history of the town. It is another jewel in the crown The sinking of the ‘Norge’ has invariably been relegated to second for Donald S. Murray, who is justifi ably gaining national acclaim for place when one considers maritime disasters off Stornoway. “That seems to me to be an incredible act. The skipper was in the quality of his recent works. disgrace, but he ultimately helped save an awful lot of people on Yet in terms of lives lost, it dwarves the wrecking of the ‘Iolaire’. It Next in the pipeline for him is the nationwide tour of his play was on 28 June 1904, that the ‘Norge’ ran aground on Hasselwood that boat.” ‘Sequamur’, based upon the former rector of The Nicolson Institute, Rock, close to Rockall, on St Helen's Reef. Another incident recorded in ‘SY Story’, said Mr Murray, was that William J. Gibson. Convinced that sending his school-pupils to The Danish passenger liner had been sailing from Copenhagen of the arrival of the fi shing vessel ‘Astrid’ in Stornoway in 1948. On fi ght in the Great War would be to their benefi t, he was emotionally to New York. According to Sebak's comprehensive account, over board were 29 Estonian refugees fl eeing Soviet rule, who had set crushed when 148 of them never returned. 635 people died during the sinking, among them 225 Norwegians. sail from Gothenburg, in Sweden, destined for Newfoundland. ‘SY StorY’, published by Birlinn, is now available priced £12.99 04/03/15 - 01/04/15 29 EVENTS SECTION ONE Songwriters join up for 20th anniversary show
By Iain A Maciver new collaboration, bringing together a trio of Asongwriters, has produced a collection of songs for the current generation, fusing diverse styles from three different island backgrounds. ‘Between Islands’, the work of Kris Drever, from Orkney, Arthur Nicholson, from Shetland, and Willie Campbell, from Lewis, will be heard for the fi rst time in public this summer when it is premiered at the Hebridean Celtic Festival, which is marking its 20th anniversary. The collaboration project was devised by an Lanntair, the arts centre in Stornoway - which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year - and will start the centre’s week-long programme of events during HebCelt from 15-19 July. Alex MacDonald, Head of Performing Arts and cinema at an Lanntair, said: “Between Islands came about because of an idea I had about celebrating the wealth of talent the islands have collectively; an exploration of our ties rather than our differences. “It seemed to me that we could make something very special happen by pairing the right people, and I certainly think we have struck gold with this fi rst project. So much so that we plan to extend the idea and include other art forms such as fi lm or craft in the future, as well as aiming for a musical collaborative project each year. In fact I am already planning the next one - based on the fi ddle tradition – and this time featuring three very talented young island women. “Opening the HebCelt with this concert feels entirely appropriate. Both organisations are of course celebrating signifi cant anniversaries this year, and this project is a clear illustration of our continued close relationship and in particular our shared aim of promoting island talent.” Kris Drever is widely acclaimed as a solo artist, collaborator, and member of folk superstars Lau. Named as ‘Best Newcomer’ in the BBC Radio Two Folk Awards in 2007, he has produced several solo albums and also had successful collaborations as a trio with John McCusker and Idlewild’s Roddy Woomble and as a duo with Eamonn Coyne (from Treacherous Orchestra). Shetlander Arthur Nicholson released his debut album Sticks & Stones in 2013 to signifi cant acclaim and the following year won a coveted award for outstanding artists at the Danny Kyle Open Stage at Celtic Connections. Kris Drever, Willie Campbell and Arthur Nicholson. Lewis-born Willie Campbell, formerly of guitar pop outfi t Astrid In addition, there will be a return to the stage of Shine, made up of group Halcyon, new band Malin; indie pop and folk-rock six-piece and Glasgow group The Reindeer Section, has produced a number Corrina Hewat, one of the world’s leading harp players and sought- Sunshine Social; and Earths, a folk and punk four-piece from the of albums, both solo and with evolving local collective, The Open after as a player, composer, arranger and teacher; Mary Macmaster, Borders. Day Rotation. He has also collaborated with award winning poet considered to be one of the most innovative players of the metal- HebCelt fans will recognise familiar faces in the new band Kevin MacNeil and, more recently, Calum Martin on Dalma, Willie’s strung harp in the world; and Lewis-born singer Alyth McCormack debut Gaelic album. who tours extensively with acts such as Paddy Moloney and The Malin which combines some of the best Hebridean creative talent, Willie said: “I enjoyed every minute of the writing process for Chieftains. including Jane Hepburn (fi ddle), Alasdair Maclean (accordion), and DC Macmillan (drums) together with the sublime vocals of Between Islands. The three of us have our own distinct ways of Caroline Maclennan, HebCelt’s director, said: “Once again award-winning Gaelic singer Catriona Watt with mainland based approaching song writing, but without a doubt the environment you we have compiled a diverse and, we hope, thoroughly engaging live in comes through so there's defi nitely a strong presence of the programme for an Lanntair during the festival. It will showcase Craig Muirhead (keyboards) and Cameron Drummond (pipes). The islands in the songs and themes that are familiar to all three of us. the best of our traditional music and present our cultural heritage band featured in HebCelt:Land, which was part of the Edinburgh “I hadn't heard Arthur’s or Kris's songs before the project, but we in modern and engaging ways whilst celebrating the ongoing Hogmanay celebrations. clicked really easily in terms of writing. Also, voices don't always collaboration between our respective organisations.” Also performing are young indie pop and folk-rock six-piece blend and complement each other the way ours seem to. HebCelt, which was voted Best Event or Festival at the Highlands Sunshine Social, a group of multi-instrumentalists well known to “I'm so looking forward to playing these songs to an audience for and Islands Tourism Awards in November, has already announced Glasgow audiences and Earths, a folk and punk four-piece from the fi rst time in an Lanntair.” the fi rst additions to an international line-up set to celebrate its the Borders. landmark year. An Lanntair’s programme will also include Curaidhean na Caroline Maclennan added: “We are delighted to confi rm these Camanachd (Shinty’s Heroes, a production exploring the centenary This includes Grammy-nominated Afro Celt Sound System, next additions to the 2015 line-up. They represent an exciting mix of the Great War and the traditions of shinty played on Scotland’s Glasgow-based Treacherous Orchestra and Highland outfi t The of well-established and emerging talent, Scottish performers and west coast. Elephant Sessions. international artists which added to those already announced will Musical Director Gary Innes and writer, broadcaster and shinty They will be joined by singer songwriter Chastity Brown, from help us prepare a party to remember for our 20th anniversary. historian Hugh Dan MacLennan will be joined by singer Kathleen Minneapolis; Canadian folk group Le Vent du Nord; Indian singer- "We look forward to adding more names to the line-up in the MacInnes, acclaimed piper Duncan MacGillivray, and musicians songwriter, producer, and fi lm score composer Raghu Dixit; Ewen and Allan Henderson. Michigan roots ensemble Lindsay Lou & The Flatbellys; and Jamie coming weeks.” An Lanntair will also host the return of popular Gaelic group Na Smith's MABON, an inter-Celtic band from Wales. The festival’s landmark 20th year kicked off on 1 January, as part h-Òganaich – featuring founding members Margaret and Donnie Renowned Scottish singer Karen Matheson, will be heading her of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay celebrations, when artists representing MacLeod - who are widely credited with reviving interest in Gaelic own band which will include husband and fellow founder member HebCelt performed at a special ceilidh being held as part of a series music in the 1970s for a younger generation and infl uencing many of Capercaillie, Donald Shaw; and is joined in the festival line- of free live gigs in the Old Town. HebCelt:Land was one of two of musicians who followed in their footsteps, including Capercaillie. up by singers Siobhan Miller and Iain Morrison; electro/techno events held as part of ‘Scot:Lands’ to receive a 4 star-review.
p^eho^lmhkghpZr'\hf EVENTS SECTION ONE 30 04/03/15 - 01/04/15 It's disa-pier-ed! Exceptionally high tides on February 21st left Marvig Pier underwater
Photographs by John J Maclennan
Putting Marvig on social media map of world
e have friends all over the world – the people of Lewis Walways knew this but the age of Facebook and other social media is making this more true than ever before. One example of the island's worldwide reach is the Facebook page for Marvig – Capital of Lochs, created by John J Maclennan, whose family has deep connections to the area and who now owns a house there. John explains his motive in setting up the page "was so that I (and perhaps others) could learn more of this fascinating coastal Lewis fi shing village, its history and its characters." Now the Facebook group associated with the page has almost 200 members. John says: "The great thing is it links exiles from Marvig who are literally all over the world. It has also produced some very interesting historical photographs and snippets." John's Maclennan roots lie in croft number 6 Marvig where his great-grandfather Alexander Maclennan lived all his life. His grandfather, also called John, moved to Stornoway in the early 1900s. John retired after 30 years from his work for the Stornoway Port Authority - formerly the Stornoway Pier and Harbour Commission – in 2010 and the house at 5 Marvig came on the market. He bought it and has spent the last few years extending and renovating it. "This house has an interesting history too, being called “Cnoc na Lìon” literally 'The Hill of the Nets' as the herring nets were laid out on that hill to dry," John explains. To this day the remains of a stone jetty can be seen below the house at 6 Marvig which is still referred to as “Quay Alasdair Bhan” after John's great-grandfather who built it. Both John's grandfather, who was involved in the herring industry, and his great-uncle Alexander moved to Stornoway. Alexander set up business in the shop that later became Charles Morrison’s hardware store - now the premises of Digby Chick. Now the Marvig – Capital of Lochs Facebook page is offering exiles from Marvig a new chance to share not only the past but also the present and future of this community. 04/03/15 - 01/04/15 31 EVENTS SECTION ONE
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Podiatry patient information NHS Western Isles is currently in the process of replacing one of its older electronic patient systems with a modern system. The system will be rolled out to all Allied Health Professional services, but has currently only been introduced in the Podiatry Department. "Whilst every effort is being taken to ensure the new system runs effectively, with as little disruption to patients during this time, it is possible that there may be minor glitches as we change systems. Patients also may experience appointment letters looking different, or letters arriving earlier or later than normal if you regularly attend a clinic. "If patients experience any issues, please let the service know by using the contact details on the appointment letter, and we will sort out any issues for you as soon as possible. When phoning, please ensure you leave details of your name, telephone number, address and a brief message of how we can assist you. "We would like to apologise for any inconvenience experienced by patients while we modernise systems." Refurbishments at Health Centre Work under way at the Stornoway Health Centre Essential work to refurbish the external areas of Stornoway Health Smoking is the biggest cause of premature death in the UK and Centre started during February. is the biggest cause of ill health in Scotland. It is now estimated to ‘Harris Health Hub’ on target The work involves replacing the fl at roof and also insulating and claim over 13,000 lives each year and costs the NHS in Scotland an The Harris Health Hub is on target for completion by the end of rendering the external walls. estimated £200 million per annum. For these reasons NHS Western March. Refurbishments are expected to take around four months and Isles aims to discharge its public health duties responsibly and will The new Health Hub will increase dental provision in Harris, the work is likely to have a substantial impact on the availability always act to discourage and consequently prevent smoking. with two dental surgeries being created – one of which will be of parking at the Health Centre, leaving a very limited number of Smoke Free Hebrides provides free, confi dential advice, help used as a training facility. There will also be an additional multi- parking spaces. There will also be some noise disruption during purpose clinical area for visiting services, such as physiotherapy and support to anyone in the Western Isles who would like to quit the project. and podiatry, and there are plans for additional offi ce space for smoking. The service offers one-to-one, group, telephone, text We apologise to patients for the inconvenience caused by community nursing teams. or email at times suited to the needs of each individual. Contact this improvement work, and ask that everyone is patient and details are as follows: Lewis and Harris 01851 701623; 01870 The local Medical Practice also forms part of the new Harris understanding to ensure that this essential work can be completed Health Hub, so that the building becomes one multi-purpose 602588; Barra 01871 810895 on schedule. clinical hub. Smoke Free across NHS Western Progress on new birthing suite Help us to further Work is now well underway on a new birthing suite, encompassing Isles premises and grounds a birthing pool, in Western Isles Hospital. It is hoped that the improve how we care for you NHS Western Isles is reminding members of the public that all NHS new facility will be completed within the next two months. Work If you have recently experienced health services in the Western Western Isles premises and grounds are smoke-free. started on the modernisation programme in October 2014, and has Isles, why not provide feedback through Patient Opinion? It takes All premises and grounds have been smoke-free since November progressed well. The suite will include a birthing pool, labour ward around fi ve minutes to share your story online. 2013. bed, toilet facilities and a shower. Patient Opinion is an independent site where you can share your experiences about the care or treatment you have received locally. The comments are passed on to NHS Western Isles to help us make improvements, when your experience could have been better. Where your experience has been positive, NHS Western Isles will share your story with staff so that they are fully informed about what has made a positive difference to you as a patient. Share your experience through Patient Opinion - http://www. patientopinion.org.uk/services/nhs-scotland.
! ! # $% & ' & ' ( ) ( ! ! The Harris Health Hub is on target for completion by the end of March 04/03/15 - 01/04/15 33 EVENTS SECTION ONE
Would you recognise the signs of a stroke? Turning a corner and a bit of soil
Think FAST and save a life. o a lot of people the idea of growing a few things, fl owers One person who has been working the land a bit as a hobby is Matt Tor food, is a good thing even in the far north. Bruce, who has been growing vegetables on a croft on Point for the last This is the message being reiterated by NHS Western Isles, two And a lot of people will have tried doing it, maybe grown some three years and selling some of the produce each summer. He is on years after it launched the FAST (Face, Arm, Speech, Time to call the committee of the Lewis and Harris Horticultural Producers and has 999) campaign locally in March 2013. bulbs and tried a few spuds and then given up – it is a challenge to grow things when rain, drought, cold, the family and the rest of life also been active in creating some allotments in the Castle Grounds in Stroke affects approximately 80 residents in the Western Isles get in the way. Stornoway. They are at the back of the College and on College land – every year, and NHS Western Isles is reminding people across the the old College croft. It is now fenced and some plots are beginning to For people living on the islands though, growing crops was an Outer Hebrides of the signs to look out for to potentially save a life. take shape while others need tenants who are prepared to actually get integral part of life until 50 years ago. Supplies from the mainland stuck in and make the land part of their life again. Stroke is the third biggest killer in Scotland after heart disease were variable and normally expensive, so growing basic vegetables and cancer. It claims the lives of 1 in 8 women and 1 in 10 men was part of life, as was cutting trailer loads of peat each summer. Breaking a piece of land back into use does take a lot of time so and leaves thousands more with some form of permanent disability. It was a hard way of life – physically; so when the chance to stop the return takes a year or two to come along, but is rewarding. Taking home a pail of spuds for the fi rst time is something to remember Thankfully in the Western Isles, there is growing evidence that working that way came along, most people got used to it. We started living like people in the Central Belt who could shop for food in a and, yes, they do taste better than even the most expensive shop people are now able to recognise a stroke when it’s happening. bought spuds. This is as a result of campaigns like Chest, Heart and Stroke supermarket and, instead of cutting peat for two weeks, could go away for a holiday. Growing crops and fl owers also makes you realise the changing Scotland’s (CHSS) ‘FAST’ test. At the same time, you have to lose something to realise that you seasons as well as a way of checking how your own body is coping The FAST message was developed by leading stroke physicians used to have it. Growing things on Lewis is possible and is also a way with exercise – it is a way of keeping you grounded as well as part and focuses on how an attack affects the face, arms and speech. of keeping fi t. I remember that Aimsir Eachain wrote about the notion of life. The ‘T’ represents time to call the emergency services. of exercise machines in a Sports Centre in Stornoway – machines Further details about the allotments and the LHHP are available To spot the signs of a stroke, just remember the word FAST, where like mechanical peat cutters that you stand at and weights to throw on facebook by typing Lewis and Harris Horticultural Producers or • F stands for FACE. Can the person smile normally? Does around in neat lines on the gym fl oor as you would on the moor. by contacting Matt Bruce at achnaha@madasafi sh.com their mouth droop? • A is for ARM. Can they lift both arms normally? Vegetables on display at a Lewis and Harris Horticultural Producers show • S is for SPEECH. Can they speak clearly? and • T is for TIME. Time to call 999 if any of these signs are present. The FAST test is aimed at members of the public and is also used by paramedics to diagnose stroke prior to a person being admitted to hospital. By diagnosing the possibility of stroke before reaching hospital, it is possible for appropriate referral to a stroke unit to be made as quickly as possible. Stroke can happen at any age NHS Western Isles is also highlighting the fact that stroke is not just something that happens to older people. Approximately 1 in 4 of the people who have a stroke are under 65 so it’s not just a disease of old age. Of the 12,000 strokes that will happen throughout Scotland this year, around 1,000 will be people under 55, and 100 of them will be under the age of 30. Coming to terms with having a stroke is something that many younger people have diffi culty with. They may have never been ill previously or had any risk factors for stroke. NHS Western Isles Chief Executive Gordon Jamieson said: “There has been a huge change in attitude to stroke in recent years with a growing understanding that it should be treated with the same sort of urgency as a heart attack, because rapid treatment can make a huge difference to the odds of surviving or being left with some form of long term disability. That is why NHS Western Isles is re-energising the FAST campaign. Remember, think FAST and you could save a life!” For more information visit Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland at www.chss.org.uk. EVENTS SECTION ONE 34 04/03/15 - 01/04/15 ALBA
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Tha BBC ALBA air a ruith le MG ALBA ann an co-bhuinn ris a’ BhBC. | BBC ALBA is run by MG ALBA in partnership with the BBC. 04/03/15 - 01/04/15 35 EVENTS SECTION ONE PRINCE’S TRUST SUPPORTED BUSINESSES
Jaime Morris recently also happy to take orders. She will discuss your opened a body- requirements with you and will show you some OUTER HEBRIDESHEBRIDES BUSINESS BUSINESS GATEWAY GATEWAY is delivered is a Comhairle by Comhairle based nan service Eilean piercing studio on samples so you can choose what suits you best. Siar and offers a range of support and advice aimed at individuals setting up Francis Street, Sarah operates through her Facebook page: offering a range of support and advice to individuals setting up or Stornoway called www.facebook.com/islandgiftboxes. indeveloping business orbusiness existing enterprisesbusinesses withacross plans the for islands. growth. To To further further discuss Voodoo Body- Andrew Maciver your ideas and requirements and to fi nd out your eligibility for additional Piercing. As she opened The One your ideas and requirements and to nd out your eligibility for additional previously trained as fi nancial assistance, including the Prince’s Trust, please call our local offi ce Pound Store on assistance please call our local of ce and we will be pleased to direct a dental nurse, she Church Street, and we will be pleased to direct you to one of our advisers - 01851 822 775. is scrupulous about Stornoway last you to one of our advisers - 01851 822 775. adhering to very high year and recently health & safety and received some hygiene standards. funding from Jaime received PTYBS to enable The guidance advises: funding from PTYBS him to fi ll his SCOTEDGE FUNDING to help her buy the The One Pound Store • how to comply with new VAT rules on the shelves with a on Church Street place of supply of digital services that came required equipment and be able to open the wide variety of into force on 1 January 2015. doors of her very own business. Jaime takes stock. He has a take-away coffee machine and advance bookings and is also open to customers • how to register for HMRC's VAT Mini-One a varied range of goods to buy and you can who impulsively walk-in. She keeps people up get either one or more things for £1. Updates Stop Shop (MOSS) and still benefi t from the to date about availability through her Facebook Round six of the ScotEdge funding is currently are added to the business Facebook page: UK's VAT registration threshold for sales to page: www.facebook.com/stornowaypiercing. in progress and will be open for applications UK consumers. www.facebook.com/StornowayPoundStore until 11.59pm on Wednesday 11 March 2015 Sarah Graham On 1 January 2015, the VAT rules for cross- Elizabeth Nutt has received some funding with prizes of up to £100,000 available to the identifi ed the need border Business to Consumer supplies of 'digital from PTYBS to help her set up her own interior winning businesses. There are three competition for a bespoke gift services' (for example broadcasting, telecoms design business. She is in the process of categories: Scottish EDGE, Young EDGE and basket service and e-services) changed. Broadly from that date, working on a website to promote her services but Innovative EDGE. and received is ready to take bookings or discuss your design VAT must be accounted for in the Member State some funding from To fi nd out more and for details on the eligibility requirements now. Elizabeth’s email address is – where the consumer normally is, rather than PTYBS to help her criteria please visit www.scotedge.com [email protected]. where the supplier of the service is established. buy the items she Donald Ross MacLeod recently received some HMRC have also issued more general needed to invest funding from PTYBS to set up as a self-employed CRAFT, FASHION & guidance on the change to all businesses which in her business. joiner. His email address is [email protected]. TEXTILE 1-TO-1s can be found on https://www.gov.uk Sarah creates her Island Gift Boxes own gift baskets PTYBS has also offered some funding to local XpoNorth Crafts, Fashion and Textiles through A CALL OUT TO SCOTTISH for any number of special occasions and is hairdressers to help them set up as self-employed. Emergents is delighted to announce a new series of thirty minute 1-to-1s across the Highlands and FOOD PRODUCERS Islands with Pamela Conacher who heads up the Edinburgh International Science Festival has holiday prize draw) linked to their multi touch Craft, Fashion & Textiles programme. BUSINESS GATEWAY APP launched a call out for food producers from point Brilliant Moments campaign. VisitScotland The Stornoway sessions will take place on across Scotland to get involved in the 2015 provide the prize fund and look after creative/ 27 April and will be an opportunity for you to Science Festival. They are looking for people design of the prize draw page, all artwork, meet with Emergents and, where appropriate, who would be interested in running a stall at website entry mechanic and online data capture. to access the services they provide to support SciMart, the science themed farmers market, on If you are interested, please contact Laura designers career development. Emergents work Sunday 5 April 2015 at Summerhall. Mitchell, Assistant Brand Manager, for further with all designers working in Craft, Fashion information on [email protected] and Textiles who are already in business in the Further information and how to get involved is Highlands and Islands or who plan to be in the available on www.sciencefestival.co.uk TAKING STEPS AGAINST coming year. YEAR OF FOOD AND DRINK The 1-to-1s last up to 30 minutes and due to WORKPLACE SLIPS Download the essential free app from Business demand for places will operate on an application Gateway today. Available on Android and iOS system. To register your interest please visit Slips and trips continue to be the biggest cause phones and ideal for all businesses. Whether https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/ of workplace injuries - so it is really important that you’re established, a start-up, or even just have footwear being offered to your workforce offers an idea to branch out on your own, MyBusiness is SUPPLIERS OF GOODS, them the right level of slip resistance. your invaluable resource for all things business: The Health & Safety Laboratory (HSL) http:// Essential guides WORKS & SERVICES www.hsl.gov.uk/ have launched a new footwear No matter what stage your business is at, our Scotland’s Year of Food and Drink 2015 is in rating scheme called 'GRIP.' GRIP provides easy to follow guides and tutorials will take you full swing and needs your support to make free information to health and safety managers through every step of the way. Business plans, it the success that it can be. As a reminder, so that they can make informed, evidence based Payroll, VAT – all demystifi ed. Should there be The portal Public Contracts Scotland (PCS), please visit our dedicated website at http:// decisions before purchasing resistance footwear. anything you’re still not sure about, you can ask launched in August 2008, is a vital ingredient www.scotlandfoodanddrink.org/events/year- The new HSE white paper 'Get a GRIP' explains us directly through the app. of-food-and-drink-2015 to fi nd out more about how the scheme works and where you can get in enabling the Scottish public sector to provide Practical advice valuable free contract information to suppliers. how to make the most of this opportunity. Take further information about which footwear has Supplier registration is free, allowing you to advantage of the marketing resources and been rated. That’s why we’re here. With the MyBusiness search for high and low value contracts. You download the logo to use extensively across your app you can link to us directly. Send us an email To request your copy, please e-mail or request a call-back and we’ll be in touch. also have the facility to download attached business. Get involved with the monthly themes [email protected] quoting documents, send in responses, view the notices and tell us about your activities. GRIPWPHSE. More hours in the day that you have expressed an interest in etc. Join the conversation on twitter by using the If only. But your personal planner is the next Register for free to receive regular e-mail hashtags #TasteScotland and #eatscottish EMPLOYER best thing. Set yourself reminders and deadlines alerts of public sector opportunities at http:// to keep on top of everything you need to do. www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/register_v2/ VISITSCOTLAND RECRUITMENT FUNDING Free business workshops Supplier_Register.aspx Whether you’re starting up, thinking of For guidance about the whole tendering PARTNERSHIP expanding or trying to navigate your way round process, including PCS, book onto the Tendering tax legislation, there are workshops providing Workshop taking place in Stornoway on Monday OPPORTUNITIES valuable business skills. Also they’re all free! Find 23 March. VisitScotland’s Communication Partnerships out when and where - and book yourself a place. team are looking for food and drink partners to VAT AND DIGITAL SERVICES support their consumer campaign during the Find out about the range of fi nancial support Download the Business Gateway app today to available to Scottish businesses who want to fi nd out how we can help your business. HMRC have issued some additional guidance for Year of Food and Drink, via specially branded recruit new people by visiting the Funding for small businesses which supply digital services to products, on-pack promotions and digital activity. consumers in other EU Member States. VisitScotland aims to inform the public about the Skills website at https://www.ourskillsforce.co.uk/ Year via a win/value - add message (usually a funding-for-skills/employer-recruitment-incentive/ EVENTS SECTION ONE 36 04/03/15 - 01/04/15
Published by Intermedia Services, Offi ce 3, Clinton’s Yard, Rigs Road, Stornoway Tel: 01851 705743 Printed by Highland Web Offset, Dochcarty Road, Dingwall Ullapool, What's in Section Two Meditation: saying 'thank you' to our minds ...... B2 Viewpoint ...... B3 Katie Macleod's Letter from America - March 2015 ...... B3 Spiritual journey via Israel and Orkney ...... B4 So you have decided to go to the Citizens Advice Bureau ...... B4 ahoy! Triumph for Calum on Snowman Rally ...... B4 Comunn Eachdraidh Nis ...... B5 The Linda Norgrove Foundation ...... B5 Report and photographs Building our communities ...... B6-B7 by Iain A MacSween Environmental Health and Trading Standards Advice ...... B8 Public Performance Calendar ...... B9 fter months of controversy gills turned green when, as I queued to Harbour Highlights ...... B10 buy my ticket in the Stornoway terminal Aabout ferry vessels, terminals On the bridge…itʼs Lewis Mackenzie ...... B11 and services, the mv Loch Seaforth offi ce, a sign on the counter declared: Ullapool, ahoy, as new ferry takes to the seaways at last ...... B12-B14 actually started on the Stornoway- “CROSSING MAY BE ROUGH.” I Ullapool route on Friday February immediately reasoned, ‘for ‘MAY’, read Chance for Isles to share in £60bn new industry as oilfi elds age ...... B15 ‘WILL’. 13th. Iain A MacSween, a seasoned Stornoway Primary Newsdesk...... B16 journalist and musician, was sent Only the day before, numerous sailings Lewis & Harris Youth Club Association ...... B16 had been cancelled across the Cal Mac Dancing for Crossroads ...... B17 by EVENTS to see if the new boat network due to strong winds, and even on was striking the right note with dry land I could now make out white horses Battle Of The Bands 2015 ...... B17 passengers. This is his report. galloping along the coastline of Holm. Naidheachdan Gàidhlig ...... B18-B19 “I don’t get seasick.” This was my bold Behind the desk, Dolanna Macleod Local grassland group looks at rush management ...... B21 reply to my editor when I was asked if I sensed my apprehension and sought to Social crofting, social benefi t ...... B21 would be up for a voyage to experience reassure me. Past is just a stone's throw away in the future! ...... B22 sailing on the new Caledonian MacBrayne “It’ll be fi ne,” she said, and I’m sure I vessel ‘Loch Seaforth’. detected a smirk. “I sailed on it a few days But, for all my bravado, I’ll admit my Continued on page B12 or at www.welovestornoway.com
EVENTS is published by Intermedia Services, Offi ces 1-3, Clintonʼs Yard, Rigs Road, Stornoway, HS1 2RF Tel: 01851 705743 EVENTS always welcomes contributions, listings, photographs and information about Island activities – and we are very happy to have advertisements as well, since we donʼt charge for the newspaper. EVENTS SECTION TWO B2 04/03/15 - 01/04/15 Meditation: saying 'thank you' to our minds
By Terri McGeoghegan Hebrides Harmony
here there is peace and meditation, "Wthere is neither anxiety or doubt" Before you read the entirety of this article, I'd like to give you a task. Read the following instructions, and complete the task within the next minute. "Close your eyes, and empty your mind entirely of your thoughts, for 30 seconds. Yes, that's all I want you to do. "Go." (…) If you have done my little task, then I've no doubt you succeeded in closing your eyes, but the thought process that followed was more than likely this: I feel ridiculous sitting here with my eyes closed…I have more important things to be doing than this…What's the point in this? I was asking you to do a form of basic meditation. Meditation is a simple idea in theory, so that it becomes a part of your constant routine. but in practice, it is possibly one of the most I wanted to become better at this myself, and through the nose, and breathe out quickly through who better to ask about it than Carly herself. diffi cult disciplines to master. Asking ourselves Find the right environment where outside the mouth and ribcage, creating a 'rushing' She refers to her meditative, yogic alter-ego to think, act, and speak are all functions we stimuli isn't an issue: this may be your living sound. This can be repeated several times. Your think nothing of. But asking ourselves to empty as Carlyoga, due to the contrast in her state of room or conservatory. The room must be a nice, mind will wander when you are fi rst starting out, our minds of thoughts and maintain this for a mind between the meditative state and the warm temperature, and loose clothing is advised. but don't give up - just try and bring yourself back sustained amount of time is a task. non-meditative state. Her response was as Ensure the television is off as well as your phone. round to concentrate on your breathing. philosophical as ever: Keep the lights low and if possible light some Benefi ts of Meditation Create a visualisation, a sort of sanctuary to "As I sit quietly, I can watch my thoughts and candles. You may need to let others in the house Meditation is a practice that has been around for clear my monkey mind of so much rubbish that know that you don't want to be disturbed. come to every time you meditate. It will help you thousands of years, most notably from when it fi nd a sense of serenity, as well as helping you makes its way in there. As a highly-strung person, If you feel very energised, it might be an idea to was developed in India between 500-600BCE. block out other thoughts from your daily life. This I have a tendency to get uptight and anxious. do some gentle yoga stretches fi rst to help unwind According to Buddhism, "meditation is the only may be a sandy beach, a fl ower fi lled meadow or Since I've learned to meditate (just sit quietly and and shrug off excess energy. This can also help real antidote to our own personal sorrows, and simply sitting beside an open fi re (you don't have breathe) I can make some space in my head. you sit in your meditative pose for longer without to the anxieties, fears, hatreds, and general to have been there in reality). Take in the sights, In my yoga classes, I say, I know it's practically discomfort. confusions that beset the human condition." Its impossible to 'empty' our minds, but a little extra sounds and scents - and spend as much time as To prepare for meditation, you normally sit benefi ts are vast, both physically and mentally. room makes a big difference. you need here. cross-legged on the fl oor, if possible on a yoga Meditation helps to: Another meditation technique is to do a body "Since I have met meditation, Carlyoga makes mat or on a cushion. If this is uncomfortable, you Reduce stress and anxiety more of an appearance in my everyday life. My can kneel, or even lie down. Press the thumb scan - this involves focusing on one body part Lower blood pressure close family question where this inspirational and and index fi ngers together lightly, known as the at a time and then consciously relaxing it. Start Reduce tension related problems (headaches, composed person comes from but when I am in 'Gyan Mudra' - this is the most common hand from either the top or the bottom of the body. For insomnia, muscle and joint problems) Carlyoga mode, everything seems clearer and position used in yoga, and is a powerful pose for example, visualise your lower back, think how it she focusses only on the present moment. Carly, feels, and if there is any tension in it, consciously Increases serotonin levels which boosts mood meditation. however, gets caught up in the why, the how, relax it, then move onto the upper back. Keep You might want to put on some relaxing music Helps to focus and sharpen the mind the when; and going with the fl ow seems diffi cult doing this until you have consciously relaxed to assist your positive mind set. I like instrumental Helps to gain clarity and peace of mind sometimes. We should all meditate and get to every body part. songs instead of lyrical songs - it stops you from know how to have some control over the thoughts You'll notice that the mental benefi ts are far being aware of the music and helps to keep it in When coming out of meditation, gradually that dominate our existence." greater than the physical. This is largely because the background. I typed "yoga music" into Youtube reawaken the body by moving your fi ngers of the powerful way in which meditation reduces Practising meditation and listened to some very soothing music while and toes, and opening your eyes slowly. It is our stress. Meditation prevents stress from writing this article! sometimes nice to sit like that for a minute or so You could start small, with dedicating fi ve minutes getting into our systems, as well as releasing to appreciate how different you feel from when a day to meditation, increasing this to 10-15 once Close your eyes. This is particularly benefi cial accumulated stress that is in our systems. you started your meditation practice, either that you've got used to the practice. Here, I have for beginners in meditation, as it blocks out visual day or since you started altogether. Meditation and yoga outlined the beginnings of a meditation practice, stimulants. Try not to 'clench' your eyes closed, or on the other hand, try not to fall asleep! Making meditation a part of your life will help to Meditation and yoga go hand-in-hand, so it is with some ideas to help quiet your mind and focus calm the mind, create inner peace and eventually no surprise that meditation came to my attention inwardly. There are many different approaches Tune in to how you are feeling. Are you reach a higher spiritual being. in a yoga class. I attend local yoga-guru Carly's to meditation, but the foundations are always the stressed? Tired? Irritable? Unsettled? Whatever classes weekly, and have done so for a couple same. it is, become aware of it. We ask our minds to work, work, work, but of years now. Her emphasis on meditation in this Choose a time of day to meditate that suits you Now, release whatever it is you are feeling, and never fully give them a break - even when we block of classes has been much more apparent - do you feel like you would benefi t more from concentrate on your breath entirely. Start with a sleep our minds are awash with thousands of than in previous classes, and it's clear to see meditation at the start your day, or would it be stress-relieving breathing technique, such as the images and thoughts. So say 'thank you' to your that Carly views this as a crucial part of the yoga more suitable to practise this in the evening? Try 'Ujjayi breath', also known as the 'ocean breath'. mind by allowing it peace and clarity, albeit if it's practice. to do your meditation at the same time every day To do this, you breathe deep into the lower belly only for fi ve minutes a day… -,#7 $0-+ .0-.#027 V -02�, /3'27 #*# 1# #04'!#1 !-3*" '2 # 0'%&2 $-0 7-3[ ]VH1:C1 _%1 7 VCV: V R01 V` Q` # $ % # & # 1118JQ` .V`JV_%1 78HQ8%@ # $ * !/24 & 7 7 !-22'1& /3'27 #*# 1# -+. ,7 & 04/03/15 - 01/04/15 B3 EVENTS SECTION TWO Katie Macleod's Letter from America - March 2015 Imagine a world without holidays…it's right here in the USA!
n Scotland, as winter turns slowly to old Christine Amorose, a California native and Even in Christine’s situation, it’s a scenario far to be relaxed and rejuvenated,” she says. “I Ispring this month, many minds are turning current Brooklyn resident who loves to travel and almost impossible to imagine in a Stornoway also try to work remotely when I can, even if that's to thoughts of summer holidays. Maybe is making it her mission to celebrate each birthday offi ce. Work emails were the last thing on my just a day or two in a new place before going you’re considering taking the caravan to of her twenties in a different country. mind while cycling around Amsterdam last autumn off the grid. I take advantage of business travel Horgabost for a week or two, setting off “Even if a company has a generous vacation (sorry, Fred!)[Nothing to apologise for. Ed] . But whenever possible, and try to add a day or two in for a family holiday in the Borders, or even policy, many Americans are hesitant to take it for the reluctance to leave the desk for a fortnight that destination.” fear of not seeming hard-working enough - or they in the sun starts to make some sense when you Her experiences of living and working abroad in fl ying further afi eld to somewhere with learn that the minimum wage here is $7.25 an hour go on vacation and continue to work. I think our France and Australia have infl uenced her attitudes sunshine like France, Spain or Florida. (about £4.69); that waiters earn as little as $2.13 personal ambition and inability to relax (and let too. “The work-life culture there defi nitely taught (£1.88) before tips; that some can work more than It’s a different story on the American side of the other people help us) adds to our sky-rocketing me that it's possible to work hard and be ambitious 40 hours a week and receive no overtime pay; and Atlantic. People aren’t planning their relaxing, stress and anxiety levels.” and also truly value a good vacation.” that workers have little legal protection against two-week summer holiday because they don’t get Christine’s one of the lucky ones: her role as holidays. Yes, you read that correctly. Americans being fi red. “I was so surprised that when people went an account manager at Vimeo allows her 10 paid on vacation at my job in Australia, they went have no legal right to paid time off work – not for vacation days, unlimited sick days (“essentially, Americans can thank a law almost 80 years old holidays, and not even for pregnancy or illness. for their lack of work-life balance. The Fair Labor completely off the grid - for up to four weeks at a stay home until you get better”), and the fl exibility time! In other words, the company didn't collapse In fact, the USA is the world’s only advanced Standards Act of 1938, described last year as “a to work remotely. “Our offi ce also closes for a because someone stopped answering emails; economy that does not require employers to relic” by the BBC, regulates maximum weekly week between Christmas and New Year's Eve instead, everyone else stepped up because they provide paid holidays, and almost one in four and we get a half-day on the Friday before bank working hours, minimum wage, overtime, and Americans receive no paid holidays at all. As the child labour, but fails to so much as hint at paid knew they'd be granted the same relaxation when holidays. Defi nitely way more generous than the they were out of the offi ce.” Boston Globe reports, that puts America in line standard 10 vacation days! I would always want time off. That’s considered a perk to be discussed with the likes of Nepal, Pakistan, and Sierra Leone. more (who doesn't?), but I think we have a very between you and your employer (or decided According to the International Labour For a self-confessed travel addict like myself, fair deal.” without question by the latter). Organisation, Americans work 260 more hours a year than their British counterparts. Like Christine, that fact that holidays are a luxury most Americans She admits that she doesn’t feel she could take While fi gures show that many Americans aren’t I’m all for being hardworking and ambitious, but I don’t have is a hard one to stomach. In the U.K. more than fi ve or seven days off in a row without taking any paid holidays at all, there are some do believe that hard work has to fi t within the larger you can expect at least 28 days of annual leave; in “getting any pushback” in the offi ce, or without fear who are determined to make the most of their time the U.S., the average is ten days a year. Whether of returning to a never-ending pile-up of emails. off, even if, at ten days a year on average, it lags context of a life well-lived – something that, sadly, it’s a long weekend in Harris at the Broch, or a two- “But I do feel grateful that I'm easily able to take far behind that offered to counterparts in the U.K. seems to be an all-too-rare concept in my newly week trip to a Kenyan beach, I’m used to taking fi ve days off in a row - which can basically be a and Europe. Christine, who also runs the popular adopted home. time off work without feeling guilty about it. In nine-day vacation with weekends - without anyone travel and lifestyle blog C’est Christine, is one of So when you’re planning that annual summer America, it’s quite the opposite. getting upset. My team loves to travel, so everyone them. holiday, spare a thought for those across The Pond: “Americans certainly live to work, and it shows is keen to help out when someone else is going “I make the most of holidays and weekends with they’re probably in the offi ce, with no prospect of a in our attitudes toward vacation,” explains 26 year somewhere awesome!” short trips: I've found that I don't have to go too sunny escape.
with up to fi ve Asian males, because he said she had been '100 A total eclipse of the heart… per cent consensual in every incident'." In another case, a police Viewpoint offi cer told a teenage victim: "Don't worry – you aren't the fi rst girl to be raped by … and you won't be the last." And a councillor told obscured by clouds one of the offi cial enquiries: "he believed the Asian men accused of n September 23, 1987, I was living in Beijing when grooming girls for sex had in reality been ‘fooled’ by girls aged 14 OI missed an almost total solar eclipse. I was busy say? Well, there should be…there's turning ferry traffi c to and from and 15 whose clothing and make-up made them ‘look more adult." writing an article on my Amstrad word processor and, Raasay, bus stops, several minor road junctions, a hotel and a blind Yet for more than 125 years, the law on sex with 12 to 15-year- bend. So slow down… although I knew the eclipse was due, and noticed that old girls has been crystal clear. The girl cannot give consent. That's it was going dark outside during daytime, I was so Other challenges…sections of the road between Portree and it. A lot of attention has been paid to the idea that the police feared Sligachan have narrow bridges, one of which cannot allow two concerned with my writing that I totally forgot about it. being described as racist, as most of the perpetrators were of cars to pass. One such bridge on the top of the hill is located Pakistani origin. Little attention has been paid to why they did not On Wednesday August 11, 1999, I was hard at work as editor of in the centre of a piece of straight road which looks good for care about the thousands of female victims over almost 20 years. the Stornoway Gazette, producing that week's newspaper, when overtaking…but you will not be able to pass a truck there! That disregard is based on English social classifi cation – these the Western Isles were affected by a total solar eclipse. Because And then there's all the fun of the A82 beside Loch Ness up to were poor, working-class girls and like those whose horrifi c fates of work, and cloud-cover, I missed that eclipse, too. Inverness and down to Glasgow from Fort William…although many were revealed in the 1880s by a campaign in the Pall Mall Gazette Now, on Friday March 20, I get a third chance to get near a prefer to use the A87, A86, and A889 to reach the lower parts of the newspaper by a ferociously determined journalist called W.H. solar eclipse…because Lewis and Harris, particularly to the west A9. Could this just be a really good time to stay at home? Stead, they were simply seen as appropriate sexual fodder for men. and north of the Islands, will be on the edge of a total eclipse Clearly, in some matters, times don't change. which will traverse the North Atlantic, passing directly over the By the way, for those tut-tutting about what the girls' parents Faroes and Spitsbergen/Svalbard and plunging those islands Rotherham, sex and the were doing, the reports record instances where fathers attempting back into total winter darkness. to rescue their daughters were arrested by police. The abusers At around 9.44am that day, at Port of Ness and a fraction earlier class-ridden English were not. And on one occasion, a girl who had gone to the police at Aird Uig, around 95/97 per cent of the sun should be obscured to make accusations, was texted and threatened by her abuser In last month's Viewpoint, "Footballers, sex and the strait-laced by the moon on its orbit around the earth…unless the whole lot is while in the police station. The offi cial report suggests that English", we looked at the way English laws on sexual contact obscured by clouds, of course. the abuser could only have known she was there because an were being tightened to criminalise a whole range of normal informant from inside the station had told him. And just a reminder…the sun is that blindingly bright orb in the sexual behaviour. Within days of that article being published, a sky, excessive exposure to which can leave your skin hanging off second report into the Rotherham sex abuse scandal showed an in brittle shreds…do not look directly at it with a naked eye! additional and stereotypically English element: class. Remembering the Cold War… As explained last month, guidance from the English Director Only those of a certain age will remember the height of the of Public Prosecutions now indicates that a woman is unlikely to For those who take Cold War between the West and the Soviet Union, with the consent to sex and that a man has to prove that she did, and that building of the Berlin Wall and the Cuban missile crisis. At that she was free to do so. The experience of girls in Rotherham shows time in the early 1960s, the leaders of the Free World were all the Skye Road… this type of approach is seen as applying only to middle-class girls, in battle-hardened veterans of World War Two - President John F much the same way that Victorian businessmen in London exploited During parts of April and May, there will be no vehicle ferry service Kennedy; President Charles de Gaulle; Prime Minister Harold teenagers from working class and rural homes for sex on the way from Stornoway to Ullapool…instead, the Isle of Lewis is supposed Macmillan and so on. to be going to sail to Uig in Skye, vastly increasing the journey time home to their delicate and well-protected wives and daughters. Now as NATO and the EU blunder into a crisis with Russia, between Stornoway and Inverness, and sending travellers towards There have been two major offi cial reports into the Rotherham look whose fi nger is - or could be - on the button to launch nuclear Glasgow by a much slower, narrower set of roads. sex abuse scandal, one of which came out at the start of February weapons – Barack Obama, a lawyer and former community For those unfamiliar with the supposed trunk road across the Isle this year. They make harrowing reading. It is diffi cult to believe they refer to a town in Yorkshire, in England, in this century. worker; François Hollande, a former special political adviser and of Skye, here's a few hints. First, watch out for potholes. There are career politician; and David Cameron, a former special political several lengthy sections of decaying road with potholes capable What publicity there has been, refers to failures by the Council and social services; the police have somehow remained almost adviser and career politician. And given the UK General Election of destroying a car's suspension if hit hard. Second, watch out for in May, the other candidates for UK leader are Ed Miliband, former standing water on uneven sections of road - in heavy rain, very untouched, despite allegations that some offi cers were actually involved in this systematic abuse of girls as young as 11. special political adviser and career politician; Nick Clegg, former large pools of water can form on parts of the road, for instance near political lobbyist and career politician; and Nigel Farage, former Glenhinnisdal. Third, watch out for frustrated drivers overtaking on In 1875 and 1885, the age of sexual consent for girls in England commodities trader and well-known beer enthusiast. bends. There are a series of sweeping bends between Portree and was raised in two stages from 12 to 16. That means that any Sligachan, near Sconser, and around Broadford that attract drivers man who had sex with a girl younger than 16 was committing a Of this sorry bunch, Nick Clegg might have a slight advantage into reckless overtaking manoeuvres. I would expect to have crime. Parliament decided that a girl of that age was not a woman, as he speaks four other languages…French, Dutch, German, and to slow down drastically or stop at least twice to avoid head-on capable of understanding what she was getting herself into by Spanish. But sadly not Russian! collisions on any journey in the summer between Uig and Kyleakin. having sex. Yet in one incident in Rotherham "a police offi cer So…any suggestions on which would be the best hills to head for… Fourth, there's no overall speed limit at Sconser…so what, you dismissed the case of a 12-year-old girl who had been having sex or maybe it's time for the Western Isles to twin with Novaya Zemlya... EVENTS SECTION TWO B4 04/03/15 - 01/04/15 P Spiritual journey via Israel and Q Orkney he monthly Baha’i talk for March will be given by !"# !$"%#&'# TColleen Macleod, entitled ‘From South Africa to the ( # ) Scottish Islands – A Personal Spiritual Journey’. Colleen was born and brought up near Durban in South Africa, and moved to the UK with her family when she was fi ve years old. She said: “We settled in Kent, and when we had moved from South Africa we had taken with us a book on Baha’i that my uncle had given us. “Although my parents never read it, it sat in a bookcase and I would occasionally read from it. But it was on a visit to Israel to see my uncle that I fi nally became a Baha’i myself, when I was 20 years old.” Together with her father and sister, Colleen set about establishing R a Baha’i Assembly on all Scottish islands – and Orkney was the fi rst Dealing with debts and to reach its target of nine members. She moved to Orkney – initially for a year – to help with the formation of the Assembly, and now coping with cash crises fi nds herself still there, almost 46 years later. ! “Had the Western Isles reached its target of nine members fi rst I Debt never comes alone…it's the product could well be living there,” she said. Added Colleen: “I have visited of crisis in people's lives, often a crisis ! Stornoway once before and I loved it. I’m very excited about that people were not expecting or prepared coming back.” for. Most of these are not brought about by the people themselves - through excessive spending - but through events – deaths, births, illnesses and job losses. Here we offer hints on what to do… So you have decided to go to the Citizens Advice Bureau – money advice – and speak to someone about your debt problem. Scary?! Triumph for Calum
hat will happen? What will I say? What will they Wsay? What will they think of me? Firstly, you should call fi rst to make an appointment so that you are not sitting in a waiting room for ages or you might on Snowman Rally even just be given an appointment for a future date. brilliant result on this year's Snowman Rally for top We don’t want that to happen any more than you do. We A fastest unoffi cial time in the Starlet; Ali Nomie pipped Dave Brommie understand how you feel, how diffi cult it may have been for local rally driver Calum George Buchanan who fi nished by 0.1 of a second to take the win on the Track 2. you to come to see us, and we want you to leave us feeling a 1st In Class, 1st 2wd +1st Rwd + 14th Overall which is an There are loads of pictures on Lewis Car Club's Facebook page lot better. amazing result against all the top spec 4wd cars currently as we know some of you love a picture. When you come in we would like you to bring everything competing in the Scottish Rally Championship. The date for this year's Aries 13 Hebridean Rally 2015 is now with you to do with your debts. The last letter or statement Saturday 21st February saw the First Round of the 2015 Motortest confi rmed for the weekend of Saturday 15th August. from your creditors will be ideal. Championship and a brilliant turnout with nine hardy souls braving Lewis Car Club and Western Isles Classic Car Club are holding We will have a chat about you and how it all happened – we the heavy snow all morning and had a great morning's fun. a Classic Car + Classic Motorcycle static show on Saturday 6th do not judge and everything you tell us is confi dential. June between midday and 4pm at Creed Park Motorsport Facility There were excellent layouts as per usual by Andy Twort who in conjunction with visiting car clubs Northern Fords and Scottish We will go through what your options are – yes, there manned his post in terrible conditions all morning – well done, Andy. are lots of things that can be done to assist our clients who old School Escorts and Caithness Car Club. Kevin Carmichael, have fi nancial diffi culties – short term or long term. We have Martin Palmer has upgraded to a newer Fiesta and had some World Champion Motorcycle Stunt-rider and the Flying Fifer in his mentioned them all before but will go through them with you excellent runs; Crazy Chris had the fastest offi cial time on Track 1 Ford Anglia will both be putting on displays. Lewis Car Club will be when we have our chat. with the snow-tyre equipped Volvo Estate; Derek Beaton had the putting on Motorsport displays during the day. With your permission, we will write to your creditors, which tells them that you are dealing with your problem. We will give you an income and expenditure form for you to fi ll in over a couple of weeks. When we have that, we will invite you back in for another wee chat to discuss it and to see if or what you can offer them. By this stage, your creditors should be writing to and phoning ! " ! me and giving you a break. ! " # Not too scary now we hope? Call us. " ! $% " %& ! ! ' ( ! * + + ' " ! ! , ! , - . / " ! " 0 ! ' ! , - + 1 2 " ( %3 4 ' $&%5 ! %5 2 ( 6 7 2 (
Helen Smith, Senior Money Adviser WICAS Money Advice, 41-43 Westview Terrace Stornoway, Isle of Lewis HS1 2HP [email protected] Tel: 01851 700088 Fax: 01851700088 p^eho^lmhkghpZr'\hf 04/03/15 - 01/04/15 B5 EVENTS SECTION TWO
COMUNN EACHDRAIDH NIS | naidheachdan
MARCH ! ( % - $ / + & Date Menu Cost Delivery 10/03 Stewed Sausages/ £5.20 12–1pm Potatoes 13/03 Mince/Potatoes £5.20 12–1pm 17/03 Chicken Casserole/ £5.20 12–1pm Potatoes 20/03 Stewed Sausages/ £5.20 12–1pm Potatoes 24/03 Mince/Potatoes £5.20 12–1pm 27/03 Chicken Casserole/ £5.20 12–1pm Potatoes We are looking for pictures of tractors, old and new, across the district (Ness to Ballantrushal area) for an 31/03 Stewed Sausages/ £5.20 12–1pm up and coming event. If you have any please email Hot Meals Delivery Potatoes Available to buy from CEN and various local outlets for £19.99 Pilot Project: March – May we will scan the originals and return them to you. The Comunn Eachdraidh is starting a pilot APRIL ) + !,) & ' $ scheme delivering hot meals every Tuesday and Date Menu Cost Delivery Friday between 12–1pm to those in the Ness to Comunn Eachdraidh Nis Ballanstrushal area. Please be sure to order a day 07/04 Chicken Casserole/ £5.20 12–1pm in advance, to allow the food to be prepared and Potatoes Saturday 21st March delivered to you on time. This meal will also be 10/04 Stewed Sausages/ £5.20 12–1pm 12–2pm available as a special in the café to sit in. Potatoes Entry by donation To place an order please call us on 810 377 or email: 14/04 Mince/Potatoes £5.20 12–1pm 17/04 Chicken Casserole/ £5.20 12–1pm Alzheimer Scotland Fundraiser Potatoes The café will be open as normal during this time. 21/04 Stewed Sausages/ £5.20 12–1pm Potatoes ! # $ % ** Orders must be placed by 12pm the day before Comunn Eachdraidh Nis it is due to be delivered. ** 24/04 Mince/Potatoes £5.20 12–1pm CEN has a new updated website featuring more in Mon–Fri: 12–4pm 28/04 Chicken Casserole/ £5.20 12–1pm depth information on WW1. The new site can be Potatoes Takeaway option available. found at www.eachdraidhnis.org. [ !!!" #"$ % $% ! " &'(!!)* +!M- M.(* the linda norgrove foundation Paying for surgery to give children a better chance in life
ince its conception, the Linda Norgrove can now walk properly. She’d had to give up SFoundation has paid for surgery for school for a year while she underwent treatment poor children from all over Afghanistan. but is now fi t enough to rejoin her classmates. Operations are performed at the French Mohra was about two years old when she had Hospital in Kabul and the children and their an operation for cleft lip and palate. Doulat says families stay at the Medical House Home for the it’s barely noticeable now. duration of their treatment. Malalai wasn’t able to walk until she was six Most of the children come from remote provinces years old. After a year of treatment she is now of Afghanistan, travelling great distances with able to go to school and has ambitions to go on to their families and sometimes staying for weeks university in the future. until their recuperation is complete. Lorna Norgrove says ‘It’s a shame that our John and Lorna Norgrove visited the Medical supporters can’t meet with these children as well House in 2012 and were impressed by the level because, if they could, it would really bring home of care and support that was being given. Then the huge changes made to young children’s lives the house was run by a British nurse who trained by their relatively modest donations’. local Afghans who are now in charge. The Foundation has given $10,000 (£6,475) to Doulat Bibi Aliyar , project manager for the pay for surgical procedures for children this year. Foundation based in Kabul, visited the home You can read more about their work in recently and met three of the children who Afghanistan on the website or on Facebook. received treatment thanks to the Linda Norgrove www.lindanorgrovefoundation.org/ Foundation fund. Facebook: /lindanorgrovefoundation Doulat reports that 13 year old Shegofa whose initial surgery the Foundation was able to fund, Twitter: @Lindafoundation
p^eho^lmhkghpZr'\hf EVENTS SECTION TWO B6 04/03/15 - 01/04/15 BBuildinguilding oourur ccommunitiesommunities Praise for staff as Education chief moves on By Iain A MacSween “We struggled with some posts, and more HE outgoing Director of Education at recently, we had vacancies in Sgoil and Loch and in Sgoil and Rubha. Tthe Comhairle has paid tribute to the ‘dedication and commitment’ of staff and “I’m happy to say that we advertised, and we offi cials during his tenure. now have colleagues who were born and brought up here, went to the mainland to train, and have Peter Carpenter (55) joined the Comhairle in now come home. 2013, and leaves at the end of March to take up a post in Abu Dhabi. “I think that is brilliant. To get our own people back, who are Gaelic speaking, is really important Having previously worked with HM for us.” Inspectorate, it was on an inspection visit that Peter fi rst became acquainted with the islands. The Comhairle’s objective was now to increase “I was working in the Middle East, but I wanted the number of schools in Gaelic Medium to come home and saw the Comhairle post education, said Peter. advertised,” he told EVENTS. “It’s great to have six schools move forward “Having some knowledge of the Western Isles with Gaelic schools status, and that is tribute to and having been impressed by what I had seen, work of my predecessor, Seonag Mackinnon. and the excellent new schools that were being “We now have about half of all of our P1 pupils built, I thought this was the kind of post I could in Gaelic Medium education.” contribute to.” And, he added, opportunities would now be On commencing his new role, he immediately available for secondary pupils to study core became aware of some challenges he hadn’t subjects in Gaelic, thanks to the introduction foreseen. “On a national level there were of a one-year post graduate course offered by signifi cant changes in exams that were being Peter Carpenter the UHI. introduced in secondary schools,” he said. met head-on, and the fruits of that labour are now “Largely speaking, we are now able to offer The new North Uist school was expected to “We now have Nationals 4 and 5 replacing evident for all to see. “I cannot take any credit, but all National 4s and 5s, and in practically every be complete in the summer, and along with the Standard Grades, and there has also been the there has been a great amount of work achieved subject we have the new Higher available.” fantastic new school premises created through introduction of the new Higher. by very committed and dedicated staff,” he said. Sgoiltean Ura, the Western Isles was leading the “The introduction of that was a real challenge, to Another unexpected issue, said Peter, had way in education provision for its youngsters. “It’s demonstrated a tremendous degree of been presented when trying to recruit new support schools and teachers to deliver that new Peter, originally from Newcastle, is married to commitment to do the best thing for our children. course content, as well as the new examinations. teachers to the Western Isles. “I realised how wife Sue, who is a Primary school head teacher It was all a totally different approach to the way “Other Education authorities such as Glasgow challenging it was to bring people to the Western in Dubai. He has two daughters, one of whom we teach our children here in the islands.” are doing old Highers in Geography and a new Isles as probationer teachers and head teachers,” is in Dubai with Sue, while the other lives in Yet, says Peter, it was a challenge which was Higher Maths for example. It is a mixed picture. he said. Glasgow, as does his son. Consultant brought in to integrate children’s services By Iain A MacSween Protection Committee for South Lanarkshire environment, have parents who are supported Council. to care for their children and to ensure help is he consultant hired by the Comhairle available with the challenges facing them and Tto prepare the new Integrated Speaking to EVENTS, she explained the getting in the way of maximising their children’s Children’s Services Report is Safaa Baxter, importance of ensuring that the plan was as comprehensive as possible for the Western Isles. potential. For example mental health or drinking former Chief Social Work Offi cer at East excessively,” she said. Renfrewshire Council. “The children’s service plan is a statutory document that all Local Authorities have to “The seven SHANARRI (Safe, Healthy, Born and educated in Alexandria, Egypt where, produce and the Council has to agree the plan as Achieving, Nurtured, Active, Respected, in 1975, she obtained a B.A. degree in Social it is a requirement under the Children (Scotland) Responsible, Included) indicators are the same, Work and Community Development. During her Act, 1995” she said. but interpretation of them depend on local fi rst two years of living in Scotland, Mrs Baxter issues.” “The plan will cover a 3 year period from worked as a volunteer in Clydebank, working 2015-2018 and will show the ‘golden thread’ Increasing breastfeeding is one of the targets during this time with both young and older from national outcomes to local outcomes in the for NHS. Mrs Baxter said it is important to have people. She gained employment as a qualifi ed Children Service’s Plan outcomes.” policies in place where parents could go out and social worker with Strathclyde Regional Council have a social life, and also be able to feed their in 1977. Here in the Islands, said Mrs Baxter, a strategy children. had recently been devised for children who had Mrs Baxter was a local authority employee for been diagnosed with autism. “Similarly, if you are a working mother and you 37 years and worked at various levels of seniority Safaa Baxter cannot get back home until after school fi nishes, in social work across a number of local authorities “We will now look at how we can support what kind of facility might be able to support you? rated, year on year, as excellent or very good and health boards. Her last employment with families within the area in relation to this particular by the Care Inspectorate. The latest children “You want to be a pro-active citizen who can, East Renfrewshire Council, from which she issue,” she said. service report was in 2014 and again received by choice, go out working and provide for the retired in April 2014, was as Chief Social Work “Obesity is another aspect requiring our exceptionally high ratings from the Care family, but at the same time ensuring that your Offi cer and the Community Health and Care attention, as we have a number of young children Inspectorate. family is safe, and that is where the strategy must Partnership’s Head of Children, Criminal Justice who are overweight. look at supporting families to fi nd solutions.” and Addictions services. Her responsibilities Since retiring, Mrs Baxter has been involved “We have to ensure that within our strategy She added: “It’s all about making sure spanned all local health and social work services. in children’s services consultancy work with families are encouraged to promote healthy Dumfries and Galloway Council. She is also that children, young people, families and the eating and activities, maintaining a healthy Over her last 13 years of service, Safaa was engaged in leading on Signifi cant Case Reviews community itself have the opportunity to express weight. Chair of the Child Protection Committee, the both with that Council and separately with their views about what would make a difference Children’s Service Plan and the Alcohol and Fife Council. Mrs Baxter has been appointed Every local authority and parent want their to them and their children in the long run. Drugs Partnership. as a Board Member with the Mental Welfare children to be successful, confi dent, healthy, and “We must use existing facilities in the best way Under her stewardship, East Renfrewshire Commission of Scotland and is also the newly safe, said Mrs Baxter. possible so that children can get the best start achieved a number of inspection assessments appointed, independent chair of the Adult “We would want them to live in a safe in life.” 04/03/15 - 01/04/15 B7 EVENTS SECTION TWO BBuildinguilding oourur ccommunitiesommunities
OUTER HEBRIDES CHILDREN’S OUTER HEBRIDESOUTER CHILDREN’S HEBRIDES SERVICES CHILDREN’S PLANNING SERVICES QUESTIONNAIRE PLANNING QUESTIONNAIRE SERVICES PLANNING In your view, are the aims and values of the Children’s Services Plan the correct ones? (Please ✓) The Outer Hebrides Yes ❏ No ❏ Children and Young People Partnership is working Is there anything you feel has been missed and should be added? (Please explain) to develop a Children’s Services Plan to meet the needs of all children in the Outer Hebrides. The plan is to be completed Tell us what would help children and young people to achieve: by June 2015. Safaa • In school Baxter, a Children’s Services Consultant, with many years’ experience in Children’s Services, has • At home been asked to support the process of producing the Outer Hebrides Children • In the street Service Plan on behalf of the Community Planning Partnership. In addition, a group has been set • In the community up, involving all partner agencies who work with children and young people, How can the Outer Hebrides Partnership help children and young people to be: to look at what services are needed which could • Successful learners be provided over the next 3 years. It is important that the • Confi dant individuals plan takes into account not only what the Government requires of the partnership, or what the local authority’s priorities for communities are, but also the views of communities themselves. Therefore, a cornerstone of the process is the engagement of • Effective contributors children, young people, families and carers. The partnership needs your support and ideas on how the partnership can be better and meet the needs of children and young people in the next 3 years, and beyond. • Responsible citizens The vision, aims and objectives which we hope to achieve are set out below. Our Shared Vision The Outer Hebrides Children and Young People partners are committed to working in partnership to How can we help children or young people become better educated, better trained and more skilled? get it right for all our children and young people in the Outer Hebrides. Our Aim The Partnership’s ambition for children and young people in the Outer Hebrides is that they become How can we help improve the mental health and well-being of children and young people? confi dent individuals, effective contributors, successful learners, and responsible citizens. These aims are based on the GIRFEC well-being indicators and the Curriculum for Excellence four capacities, as outlined in the diagram below: How can we ensure that children and young people have the best start in life? Our Values The agreed partnership core values for the delivery of Children’s Services will support the continued delivery of high quality services. These include: How can we prevent/reduce the harmful effects of alcohol in order to make communities safer and healthier? • Children and young people are at the centre of everything the Partnership does • The partnership acts in the best interests of children and young people • Children and young people receive help when they need it How can we increase physical and social activities to make communities physically and mentally healthier? • Help is proportionate, timely and appropriate • The help provided will improve the child or young person’s situation and reduce risk • The best interests of the child or young person are at the centre of all policymaking and decisions that affect them How can we address poverty and inequalities so that the people of the Outer Hebrides have an improved standard of living? • Children and young people are listened to, and kept informed as to how their views are being taken forward • Children, young people and families are supported to achieve the capacities described in the Curriculum for Excellence, well-being wheel How can we improve the quality of the infrastructure to ensure that the Outer Hebrides are better connected? • All children and young people are involved in decisions that affect their lives In order to ensure that the views of children, young people, their families and carers are taken into account, the partnership is facilitating a number of consultation events, including surveys, focus groups If you are responding to this questionnaire as a private individual, please indicate your age range (Please ✓) and pupil council consultations. 5-11 years ❏ 12-16 years ❏ 17-19 years ❏ 20-26 years ❏ Over 26 ❏ It would be very helpful if you were able to take a few moments to complete the questionnaire (below) to tell us what you think should be in the plan. We are particularly interested in how you feel we can help children and If you are responding to this questionnaire on behalf of an organisation, please indicate the type of organisation young people to feel safe, healthy, active, nurtured, achieving, respected/responsible and included. (e.g. youth group, church, community council) Any information received would be treated confi dentially. You do not need to provide your name or school, but it would help to know your age to ensure we properly take into account the views of younger and older children. This questionnaire and the Outer Hebrides Directory of Services for Children and Young People application form for organisations is also available at www.welovestornoway.com at the top of the left hand side menu • www.welovestornoway.com/images/Education_forms/ICSP_Questionnaire.pdf • www.welovestornoway.com/images/Education_forms/childrens_services_directory_form.pdf • www.surveymonkey.com/r/OHCSP2015 EVENTS SECTION TWO B8 04/03/15 - 01/04/15
Consumer & Environmental Services Comhairle nan Eilean Siar Environmental Health and Sandwick Road, Stornoway Isle of Lewis HS1 2BW Tel: 01851 822694 Fax: 01851 705349 E-mail: [email protected] Trading Standards Advice Web: www.cne-siar.gov.uk/envserv/ Facebook: CnES-Consumer- Fly-tippingEnvironmental-Services
ly-tipping is the illegal dumping of • Fly-tipping is a serious environmental • If you are found guilty of fl y-tipping, Fwaste – from a bin bag of household crime which can result in a fi xed any vehicle used may be confi scated rubbish to large quantities of tyres or penalty notice of £200 or you may – even if it does not belong to you. construction waste. Fly-tipping can be be prosecuted and risk a fi ne of up to • Fly-tipping damages the local environment found anywhere, from local authority £40,000 or 12 months in prison. land to roadsides to private land. It is • Fly-tipping can become a fi re hazard • Fly-tipping is unsightly and detrimental a serious environmental crime which • Commercial and Industrial waste not only blights some of Scotland’s to the environment. It also has a producers have a duty to use a legal most beautiful attractions, but can negative impact on tourism and the waste disposal method to discharge pose a risk to humans and wildlife. local economy their Duty of Care for their waste • Commercial and Industrial waste Storm damaged producers must be able to prove that they have disposed of their waste in a legal manner There is no need to fl y-tip, instead use the asbestos roof? facilities that are provided locally, such as the local household waste recycling centres at Did you have storm damage after the January storms? Creed Park, Habost (Ness), Urgha (Harris), Damaged asbestos roof? Rueval (Benbecula) and Barra & Vatersay • Please dispose of any asbestos waste safely. Waste Management. Alternatively, bulky • Always keep asbestos wet when working with it to items of household waste can be uplifted dampen down the fi bres for a charge of £20 (for up to 5 items) by contacting Cleansing on 01851 822669. • Any broken pieces should be wrapped in thick gauge plastic, sealed then wrapped in thick plastic again and WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I sealed. (black bin bags or polythene sheeting, and duct SEE SOMEONE FLY-TIPPING? tape will do) Don’t put up with it – report it. If you report DO NOT DISPOSE OF ASBESTOS it, the rubbish can be removed, and with IN YOUR NORMAL WASTE BIN your help, the crime investigated. If you see someone fl y-tipping or would like to report Asbestos is classed as hazardous waste and if you are found an area where fl y-tipping has taken place, to be disposing of it illegally, you are liable to be prosecuted and/or fi ned please note the following: Please call Bennadrove Landfi ll site on 01851 822 673 and • The date, times and places of the arrange to have your asbestos waste disposed of properly. occurrence; Remember – Asbestos fi bres can cause lung cancer and • What the waste looks like and how lung diseases much of it there is • A description of any people and vehicles involved, along with vehicle registration numbers If you see anyone dumping rubbish illegally, then call the Dumb Dumpers Stop Line on 0845 2 30 40 90 or visit www.dumbdumpers.org There is absolutely no excuse for fl y-tipping Food Hygiene Wheelie Bin Information Scheme Comhairle nan Eilean Siar launched the Food Hygiene Information Scheme throughout the Outer Hebrides in 2012. The Food Hygiene Information Scheme effectively 'opens the door' to the kitchen and/or food areas. This will increase consumer confi dence and help people make informed choices about where they eat or buy their food. The scheme is Repairs designed to give straightforward information about how each food outlet fared at its last food hygiene inspection. The scheme applies to all food outlets that supply food to consumers in the If your wheelie bin is damaged, your authorities taking part in the scheme. Each food outlet is asked to display a certifi cate on the door or window of their premises, saying whether they have bin can be repaired free of charge. passed their hygiene inspection or whether improvement is required. The scheme was developed by the Food Standards Agency (Scotland) and Please contact Cleansing provides information on the standards of hygiene in food outlets throughout most Services on 01851 822 669 local authority areas in Scotland. Further information on the Food Hygiene Information Scheme is available at to arrange the repair http://www.cne-siar.gov.uk/foodsafety/food-hygiene-scheme.asp 04/03/15 - 01/04/15 B9 EVENTS SECTION TWO
" ' $ '( ) $ '( !) , # -' S! -/ 0 , *+ *+' '! !*1 ! " # #$ &'!' ! $%$&$'()*+),-)*&. ' " /0,12&$ Apprenticeships set Comhairle nan Eilean Siar honoured omhairle nan Eilean Siar has country’s leading procurement innovators, Cbeen honoured alongside the UK including the Driver and Vehicle Licensing up for school pupils procurement community’s fi nest at the Agency, University of Glasgow and South London National Government Opportunities (GO) SEN Commissioning Programme. Excellence in Public Procurement Awards Comhairle Convener, Cllr Norman MacDonald, oung people in CnES schools are Successful completion of the Health and Social 2015/16, a sold-out black-tie ceremony said, “I am delighted that the Comhairle’s work in Yto have the opportunity to choose Care Foundation apprenticeship by the end held at The Midland Hotel in Manchester on procurement has been recognised at a national courses designed to provide work skills, of S6 will enable school leavers to gain SSSC level. We spent £19.6m locally in the last fi nancial competencies and SQA qualifi cations recognition and directly apply for jobs in the sector Thursday 26 February. year which was 44% of the overall total. This required the Engineering and Health & (or FE/HE courses). The Engineering option The Comhairle was awarded the Procurement was an increase of 8% on the previous year Social Care sectors. fulfi ls a full year of a Modern Apprenticeship - Team of the Year Award for Local Government and and demonstrates our continued commitment before leaving school, increasing employability Consortia, an award sponsored by 365Agile Limited. CnES – in partnership with Skills Development and access to FE/HE courses. to do all we can to support our local suppliers Scotland, Lews Castle College, employers, Hosted by BiP Solutions Ltd, for the past 15 and improve competitiveness in a challenging “Beyond standard school courses, ‘Foundation SQA and Sector Skills Councils – plans work- years the National GO Awards have been the procurement environment. The Comhairle also apprenticeships’ offer industry-recognised based progression pathways (including some benchmark by which excellence and progress made procurement savings of £866k in 2013/14.” ‘Foundation Apprenticeships’) for pupils in senior qualifi cations including SVQs.” explains Skills in public sector procurement and commissioning Helen Mackenzie, Head of Exchequer Services phase in The Nicolson Institute, Castlebay, and Enterprise Offi cer Iain Stewart. “Young has been measured. at Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar said, “This award Lionacleit and Sir E Scott schools. people in school years will gain fi rst-hand work competencies, and become more employable All this year’s entries were reviewed by a shows that even the smallest councils in the United With staggered Senior Phase options from and effective contributors.” panel of 12 judges, made up of experts in UK Kingdom can excel in procurement. Working as a August this year, the aim is to have islands-wide procurement and commissioning, including Sally team we’ve pulled together to deliver real benefi ts provision from 2016. These programmes and other school/work/ college vocational education opportunities Collier, Chief Executive Offi cer, at the Crown to people in the Western Isles. The improvement Available at levels SCQF 5 and 6 (old Credit (Energy, Crofting/Local Food Production, Harris Commercial Service; Simon Hill, Managing which has been made is down to everybody Standard Grade and ‘Higher’) the two-year Tweed, Construction, Maritime, Hospitality) are in Director at YPO; and Peter Smith, Managing who buys things for the Comhairle, not just the courses combine ‘on the job’ work skills with accord with ‘Developing the Young Workforce’, a Editor at Spend Matters Europe. procurement and creditors team.” school/college academic study for S5/S6 pupils. national strategy launched in December last year. This year’s winners included some of the Visit www.goawards.co.uk for further details.
What we achieved in 2013/14
M Support to the creative and cultural sector included the award of 17 Arts Revenue arch grants to arts organisations throughout the Outer Hebrides. Examples include support to the Island Book Trust, Harris Arts, Barra and Vatersay Island Produce 2015 Show, Sgoil Lionacleit Pipe Band, Rural Nations (to take arts performances to rural venues from the Butt to Barra), and to Regional Screen Scotland to tour the Screen Machine Mobile Cinema in Harris, Uist and Barra. Another successful round of the Visual Artists/Craft-Maker Awards for 2013/14 in partnership with Creative Scotland, supported 8 projects by artists and craft makers who live and work in the Outer Hebrides. Individuals funded included Beka Globe who will showcase her stunning macro black and white images of machair flowers in an exhibition in Edinburgh in October 2014 and basket-maker Dawn Susan who attended a master-class in craft techniques in Arbroath. The Comhairle continued to support the Hebridean Celtic Festival, Ceolas, Feisean nan Gaidheal, An Lanntair and Taigh Chearsabhagh through funding agreements, enabling an extensive and vibrant cultural programme to take place throughout the islands. The Comhairle has been successful in attracting Heritage Lottery Funding of £4.6m for the redevelopment and restoration of Lews Castle, Stornoway. The funding package also comprises grants from Historic Scotland, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the European Regional Development Fund. The project will create an innovative, mixed-use facility, comprising of a new museum and archive for the Outer Hebrides and a hospitality/tourist accommodation element leased to and run by a commercial Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat operator. First steps towards developing a Heritage Network started with a collaborative conference in October 2013 between the Commuin Eachdraidh, independent 7 museums, key stakeholders such as tourism and the new Heritage Service. The Comhairle is working in Partnership with The Stornoway Trust, who own the Castle Grounds, on a project to regenerate the park surrounding the Castle. This 14 project has secured Round 1 Heritage Lottery funding. The objectives of the project are to: Transform Museum nan Eilean and Tasglann nan Eilean Siar (Hebridean Archives 21 Project) through the provision of a new museum and archive with enhanced facilities and increased capacity to support and co-ordinate heritage activities throughout the Outer Hebrides. 28 Create an integrated heritage service that will widen participation in heritage activities and support learning throughout the Outer Hebrides. M Repair and restore Lews Castle and bring it back into productive use. àrt Provide a hospitality and event-related business opportunity in an historic setting. Provide an accessible historic venue for a wide range of functions and events. 2015 Create a significant visitor attraction that will stimulate further interest in and regeneration of Lews Castle and Grounds. Francis Street. Photo courtesy of Alick Matheson EVENTS SECTION TWO B10 04/03/15 - 01/04/15 Harbour Highlights
THE BOARD OF STORNOWAY PORT . * 3 4 & 5 AUTHORITY IS SEEKING NEW CEO ' 6789' The Board of Stornoway Port Authority is seeking an exceptional 2 : 2 leader to drive the administration and growth of the port over the +; * coming years. Stornoway is a Trust Port and remains an Independent vv)h hrvyrh t Statutory Authority operating commercially, retaining profi ts for port development and maintenance. In recent years the Board has shprixph hrvyrh undertaken a number of strategic development initiatives which have signifi cantly improved the harbour facilities. Stornoway Port A ixvtUry) '$ &#&$ Authority employs a staff of 28. It is expected that the new Chief Executive Offi cer will have proven skills in Administration, Business and Organisational Development, Budgetary Control and Financial Management. A proven track record in port management would be advantageous. The Salary Package including allowances is in the range £60,212 to £62,915 per annum with placement according to experience. Application Form, Job Description and Person Specifi cation are available in writing from Mr John J Maclennan, Interim Chief Executive, Stornoway Port Authority, Amity House, Esplanade Quay, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, HS1 2XS. By Telephone 01851 70 2688, by email [email protected] or via the website mmvv LLochoch SSeaforth'seaforth's MMaster,aster, CCaptainaptain LLewisewis www.stornowayportauthority.com MMacKenzie,acKenzie, aatt tthehe sship’ship’s bbowow rreadyeady fforor tthehe Closing date for receipt of applications is: 12 March 2015. ssailingailing oonn FFridayriday 113th3th FFebruaryebruary ST AYLES SKIFF REGATTA IN MAY MV LOCH SEAFORTH AND HER Stornoway Rowing Club are planning to hold an inaugural Outer FIRST PASSENGER SAILING Hebrides St Ayles Skiff Regatta The new ferry built for the Stornoway to Ullapool route has made over the weekend of Friday 29th its fi rst passenger sailing on Friday 13th February 2015. The and Saturday 30th May 2015. £42m mv Loch Seaforth had previously successfully completed This is in collaboration with the R berthing trials at the two harbours. Stornoway Port Authorities 150-year celebrations. There are a number of St Ayles Skiffs either in build, or completed throughout the islands and it is hoped that the various ! " # $% clubs will wish to attend this event. If their own club skiff is not yet & ' ( ready to take to the water we are able to share at least one skiff O so that all clubs can take part. We will be inviting one or two clubs [ P from across the Minch to join us. # % St Ayles Skiffs in action at As the various Skiff the Ullapool 2012 Regatta builds are completed Photograph by John Britten it is anticipated that all the island clubs will wish to hold ! # their own events $ & ' ($' and this may lead to an inter island series of social and competitive rowing weekends, and add CRUISE MARKET STALLS 2015 – to the overall spirit of the St Ayles Skiff coastal rowing community. OPEN TO ALL APPLICATIONS The May Stornoway event which we are calling 'Row Stornoway' As a part of Stornoway Port Authority's 150th Anniversary is intended to be a family friendly event with friendly competitive celebrations, the Port is planning to set up cruise market stalls rowing races on the Saturday and social events on the Friday. from 24th March until 9th October 2015. The market stalls will Racing will be over a 2-kilometre course, starting in the inner be located in the ferry terminal during each cruise ship visit and harbour just off the fi sh market and down to a mark off the mouth will be available to all retailers on a seasonal basis who wish to of the river Creed. We are not using individual racing lines and all promote and sell local products within the available space. skiffs taking part will round the same mark, and need to observe a 2015 is set to be another record breaking year for the port safe distance between them and any nearby or approaching skiff. authority with 45 cruise liner calls (http://stornowayportauthority. A good view of the racing will be afforded from the Castle Grounds com/cruise/). We expect approximately 15,000 cruise passengers and Cuddy Point. There is a good path running parallel to the course. to land at the port this year and anticipate 230,000 passengers to The racing crew categories will be all female, all male, and mixed. arrive and depart from Stornoway. The fi rst cruise ship is scheduled We will not have individual age categories. The Cox may be any on Tuesday 24th March, so please apply online by midnight on gender in any crew, and for the mixed at least two rowers will be ## $### ) Tuesday 10th March 2015. Application form are available at: male. There are no fees to enter, but each club and crew will need to * ) stornowayportauthority.com/cruise-market-stalls-2015/. complete a registration form, and all taking part will be expected to + , - be wearing suitable clothing and buoyancy jackets. . We look forward to hearing from you! * / ! 01 This column is supplied to EVENTS by the Stornoway Port Authority ' R & & & P##$### # # # Stornoway Port Authority, TEL: 01851 702688 # % P2 2 Amity House, Esplanade Quay, FAX: 01851 705714 Mobile: 07720946961 ) + , -./ Stornoway, Isle of Lewis E-Mail: [email protected] ! ( 0 ( 1 2/ , -./ HS1 2XS. Web: www.stornowayportauthority.com 3 ( 3 3 22 , -./ Stornoway Port Authority is a Public Independent Statutory Body holding Trust Port Status and is governed by local and national legislation. $ 4 5 5 5 6 5 The Port Authority is controlled by an independent appointed board. There are no shareholders or owners, and any surplus is reinvested in 5 ' ($' the port and facilities for the benefi t of all users and stakeholders. There are over 100 ports in the UK holding Trust Port Status. 04/03/15 - 01/04/15 B11 EVENTS SECTION TWO On the bridge…it’s Lewis Mackenzie
By Iain A MacSween mv Loch Seaforth's Master, Captain The man in charge of the new Stornoway ferry Lewis MacKenzie with Interim SPA Chief says his new role is the highpoint of his career. Executive John J Maclennan (right) visiting Loch Seaforth during its lay over Lewis Mackenzie, aged 44, is the Master of the berthing in Arnish £42 million mv Loch Seaforth. Here, in his own words, he tells how he chose upon a life at sea, and the decisions he took which led him to his new position. “Little did I think back in early 1988, when musing over my career options, that the path I chose would lead to command of the new Stornoway/Ullapool ferry – mv Loch Seaforth. “From a young age I had wanted to pursue a career at sea, and with strong family ties to the islands, always being around the ferries and small boats, this did nothing to quell the idea. “It was therefore the best news when I heard I had been accepted for a cadetship with P&O, and I was excited at the opportunities that lay ahead. Both my papas from North Tolsta were particularly proud and took a keen interest in my early progress, and enjoyed my yarns from sea. “My grandfather, the late Allan Mackenzie (73 North Tolsta), was a proud seafarer like so many in the islands, and his memory is something that has spurred me on to do my best in all I do. “My fi rst trip to sea was in October 1988, as a Deck Cadet with P&O Containers Ltd, and my fi rst ship was the mv Tolaga Bay which I joined in Southampton for a voyage to the Far East. “With P&O I got the opportunity to sail to many great places around the world, but my favourite route was to South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. “On returning to Cal Mac I was appointed “On that particular voyage we would sail Master of the mv Clansman which serves the from Tilbury (London) southwards crossing the islands of Coll, Tiree, Barra and South Uist from equator to Cape Town and then via the Cape of the mainland port of Oban. Good Hope to Freemantle, Adelaide, Melbourne, “This was a time I really enjoyed, on a Burnie (Tasmania), Sydney, Auckland, challenging route within the Cal Mac network. Wellington, and Port Chalmers. I was appointed as one of the Masters on “For a young man it was a dream come true the new mv Loch Seaforth in June 2012, and to travel the world, doing a job you loved. The since that time have been involved with the new return voyage to Europe was via Cape Horn, vessel’s plans, build process, and preparations before heading north and passing close by the for entering service in February 2015. Falkland Islands. A lasting memory on this route “I consider this to be a real privilege and was watching the albatrosses soaring above certainly a career highlight. The whole project the waves. They were amazing to watch in the “After completing my training and studies at certifi cate and was promoted to Chief Offi cer has been challenging but very interesting, so I Southern Ocean, and there was certainly time to Warsash Nautical College in Southampton, I shortly after. am pleased to have been a part of it. It has not pass, on the long four-hour watches for 31 days! passed my 2nd Mates certifi cate in April 1991. “My fi rst full time command came at the age come without a lot of hard work, and you often “Then, following further sea-time, and studies of 36, when in June 2006 I was appointed relief feel the weight of responsibility for decisions. at Glasgow Nautical College, I completed my Master on mv Hebrides and mv Isle of Lewis. “I have been very lucky to have been working Chief Offi cer’s certifi cate in December 1993. In “As well as a great sense of achievement, this early 1994 I was promoted from 3rd Offi cer to and sharing those decisions with the other two was quite a humbling experience too, as you 2nd Offi cer, and my career continued with P&O captains – Capt. John Gillies and Capt. Byron realise the responsibility you have for the safety Containers through until May 1995, when I left to Griffi ths. We’re all looking forward to taking the of the ship, passengers, and crew. Although join Caledonian MacBrayne Ltd. ship into service, where I’m sure she will prove trained for the job, you never fully appreciate or herself a good match for the Minch! “The fi rst Cal Mac ship I joined was the ‘MV learn how to do it until you are there actually doing Hebridean Isles’ in Uig. This was a real change it! I can tell you good gale focuses a Captain’s “The vessel was launched on 21 March, 2014. from ‘deep sea’ and gave me the chance to have mind like nothing else can! She has been built in Flensburg, Germany, by the more of a home life. shipyard FSG. They have a great reputation for “I left Cal Mac for a time, from July 2008 until quality and are industry leaders in building Ro-Ro “Quickly I adjusted to the ferry operations and February 2010, to become a Marine Pilot at passenger vessels of this kind. although faster paced, I began to really enjoy the Aberdeen Harbour. During my 18 months in job. There was so much to learn at fi rst, but my Aberdeen, I piloted around 1500 ships, from “When I am off-duty, I like to go hill-walking, ship mates were so helpful and the craic was the latest offshore vessels to large old cargo read, and spend quality time with my family back good. ships. This was a real development in my career in Inverness. I am married to Christeen, and we “At times it did not feel like a job, and I can still and gave me a much better understanding of have a daughter Caitlin, who is 11 years old. say that today after nearly 19 years. ship handling overall, and the use of tugs to “Cal Mac is a great company with a long history, Captain Lewis Mackenzie as a young cadet In February 1998, I gained my Master’s manoeuvre large ships in confi ned spaces. and I am very proud to be part of the journey. p^eho^lmhkghpZr'\hf EVENTS SECTION TWO B12 04/03/15 -
Ullapool, ahoy, as new ferry takes to the seaways at last
Joan Mackenzie & Mary McDowall
Continued from page B1 On the ‘Isle of Lewis’, this is where passengers ago and it was really smooth.” would scramble on a busy sailing, vying for a seat with a view, or more importantly, somewhere I gave a nonchalant ‘Whatever, I’m not to lie down and get some shut-eye. bothered’ kind of look, thanked her for her comforting words, and trotted up the gangway. The Observation Lounge on the ‘Loch Seaforth’ What strikes you immediately as you board the is totally different. new £42 million ferry is the sheer vastness and Instead of block seating which passengers space in which to move around. previously brought together on which to lie down, Admittedly, this was a relatively quiet sailing, the room instead has rows of individual seats, but reminiscences of bottle-neck queues and meaning draping oneself across several seats is people everywhere on the ‘Isle of Lewis’ seemed now an impossibility. far in the distant past. Because there are seats But as I sat down I instantly felt comfortable, on the ‘Loch Seaforth’, literally, everywhere. and reckoned I could sleep here no problem. As I sought to relieve myself of my rucksack, Beside me was Olive Morrison, originally from the man who took my ticket gave a cheery smile Shawbost and now living in Aberdeen. and said: “Good afternoon and welcome aboard.” She was returning home and this was her It was a nice touch, and the fi rst such welcome I’d second time on the new ferry, having travelled had in over 30 years of sailing on Cal Mac ferries. over the week before. She told me she travelled I made my way to the coffee bar to grab a seat, between Stornoway and Ullapool frequently, and and took a few minutes to decide where to settle. was ‘very impressed’ by the new vessel. As I pondered, a stewardess approached me and “It’s much more stable than the ‘Isle of Lewis’, Her own opinion of the new ship was equally “We weren’t sure where to go when we came enquired if I would like her to get me a coffee. and I would say it is much more comfortable too,” enthusiastic. “There’s more to do, and it’s more Again, customer service par excellence. she said. “There is very much more room, and I on board but we’re slowly fi nding our way child-friendly than the ‘Isle of Lewis,” she said. around,” laughed Joan. “We were sitting facing This was all new to me, and I was impressed. think the children who are always running around “The children’s section on the ‘Isle of Lewis’ was the back for a wee while and we noticed there Having been given a guided tour of the ‘Loch will love that.” up at the top, whereas this is nice and central, so was quite a swell but we didn’t feel it.” Seaforth’ by Captain Lewis Mackenzie earlier in In front of me was Rosalind Stewart, from it’s much easier for parents with pushchairs.” the month, it had been mentioned that free WIFI Back. She was also a frequent traveller on the Back up in the Observation Lounge I spoke to would be available throughout the vessel. ‘Isle of Lewis’, and she much preferred the layout She added: “It’s really nice. There are loads Willie Mackay, ClubGolf regional manager for the of chairs for everyone to get a seat, and it looks Highlands and Islands, based in Dornoch. But as I attempted to secure a connection, of the seating on the ‘Loch Seaforth’. really smart.” I was met with a wall of blank. I stopped a “I wasn’t one for lying down on the seats He was glad I had approached him, as he was steward, who informed me that the masts were anyway,” she said. “I prefer this. It’s nicer and it’s As I gulped down another coffee in the in his own words ‘blown away’ by the new ferry. in place, but Cal Mac had not secured planning more roomy.” Mariner’s Restaurant, I overheard a couple of “I think this new ferry is going to make things permission for them. Moving downstairs, I heard activity coming from ladies remarking on how impressed they were diffi cult for the Western Isles, as I think people When I asked when this permission was likely the Cal Mac Kids Club section, so inquisitively with the ‘Loch Seaforth’. On approaching them, are going to be fl ocking here to come and travel to be granted, I was told: “March. Maybe.” If I’m followed my ears to see what was happening. I learned they were Joan Mackenzie and Mary on this new boat,” he said. MacDowall, both from Lochs. being honest, this was disappointing. As it turns out, I was met there by an old “I think the B&B’s and hotels are going to fi nd I’d expected WIFI and looked forward to school-friend, Chirsty Macleod, originally from “It is just lovely,” said Mary. “It’s nice and themselves fully booked all the time. experiencing it on the crossing for the fi rst time. Scalpay and now living in Back. She was with steady on the crossing, whereas the old ferry wouldn’t have gone at all.” “Also, the service is second to none, and the But I determined not to let it negatively affect my her son Joshua, aged one-and-a-half, and said staff are all absolutely fantastic. voyage. “It’ll be sorted in March,” I told myself. he was revelling in all that was on offer within the Detecting my Harris accent, she added “Maybe.” new children’s section. mischievously: “The Harris ferry didn’t sail “Yes, there is an issue with the WIFI, but once that is sorted it will be a really fi rst-class ferry.” Coffee ingested, I made my way to the “He’s loving it,” she said. “Everything is so yesterday but this one did!” Observation Lounge upstairs. bright and colourful. He’s really enjoying himself.” How times have changed, we agreed. Continued on page B14 - 01/04/15 B13 EVENTS SECTION TWO EVENTS SECTION TWO B14 04/03/15 - 01/04/15
New ferry takes to the seaways Continued from page B12 The ‘Loch Seaforth’ is a truly outstanding On the return voyage back to Stornoway, I vessel, whose quality and effi ciency is matched decided it would be only proper to sample the and then some, by its excellent crew. fare on offer in the Mariner’s. Despite my initial concern, I was not seasick, Having reluctantly come to the conclusion although the waves which buffeted the ship on that a full breakfast was wholly inappropriate at both crossings bore testimony to the severe 6pm (they stop serving them at 11am anyway), conditions outside. I settled for Barra-landed haddock, deep fried Yes, there is no bar, but alcoholic drinks are and served with chipped potatoes, garden peas available throughout the ship. and side salad, tartare sauce and lemon wedge. I’ve always been a fan of Cal Mac’s food, and, If you think that will stop Gaels from having true to form, it was outstanding. a hooley on the way back from the Mod, think again. Retiring to a spacious table at the back of the Editor's Note: The careful reader will observe Mariner’s, I spread out all my gadgets on the that Iain crossed to Ullapool and then returned table to get this article fi led. Electric sockets are Joshua Macleod not an issue on the ‘Loch Seaforth’ – there are straightaway. This was in February during a loads of them. I wrote this in blissful comfort, stormy week. I did the same double journey on but one tiny gripe is the lack of lockers on the the Isle of Lewis on its fi rst day in service back new ferry. Having to lug around my laptop and on July 31 1995, on a silky calm, sunny day. Is associated paraphernalia every time I went for a there anyone - apart from a crew member - with coffee proved to be pretty awkward. But this is a constitution strong enough to have done that in just me nit-picking. the Suilven? From www.welovestornoway.com on 12 February 2015
tornoway Pier number three was a but I really look forward to getting to sail on the Shive of activity this afternoon, as 'Loch Seaforth'. Caledonian MacBrayne opened the doors "The observation lounge is really smart, and of its new £42 million 'MV Loch Seaforth' the views will be incredible." ship to the viewing public. Hundreds of people took up the invitation of the guided tours, between 1pm and 3pm. The ferry will again be open tonight from 6pm until 8pm. Of all the members of the public we interviewed after the tours, not one had a negative thing to say about the new ship.
Rosalind Stewart Karen Maciver and Logan
Ellie Cardwell
Ellie Cardwell commented: "It looks so clean and so chic inside. I would say it was ten times better than the 'Isle of Lewis', and the crew I spoke to said the same thing. They all love it." Alex Maciver, of Tolsta, said he was impressed at how 'roomy' the Loch Seaforth was in comparison to the 'Isle of Lewis'. "I think it will give off a very relaxed atmosphere for travellers," he said. "I really like the observation seating upstairs. It looks like that will be a popular place to go and relax." Angus Maclean Karen Maciver took the tour with her wee son Angus Maclean, originally from Ness, was Logan. slightly more pragmatic. She said: "The new ferry is so nice, it's much, "It's very nice," he said. much more impressive than I expected. "But for what it cost, so it should be!" "I don't get to travel as much as I would like, Willie Mackay 04/03/15 - 01/04/15 B15 EVENTS SECTION TWO
TThishis yyear’sear’s rresolution:esolution: PProtectrotect yyourour Duncan Skinner of the John Kearney, Hebridean Engineering Society Technical Director, Wood Group PSN, Chance for Isles llovedoved oonesnes ffromrom fi rere
ith the New Year underway, Highlands just ten years and then needs replacing. to share in £60bn new W& Islands Fire and Rescue Service On top of that, for those who live in a multi- are asking people to make one of their storey home or a larger property a single smoke resolutions for 2015 to check their smoke industry as oilfi elds age alarm may simply not be enough. Last year, nearly alarms are within date and in the right place to protect their home. half of all household fi res where the smoke alarm By Fred Silver materials, and in environmental engineering as the did not give a warning were because the alarm Group Manager Phil Green of the Prevention he Arnish Yard in Stornoway could fi nd various components were broken up and allocated was not close enough to detect the fi re. to re-use or disposal. There are around 600 different and Protection department said: Ta major role in the future as part of the Please make sure that your alarms are within installations in the North Sea fi elds. This work could "At this time of year, many people will be huge decommissioning industry which date and up to the job. extend over many decades and develop expertise thinking of what they can do - big or small - to will develop as the North Sea oil fi elds which would be available for countries in other part make a fresh start and improve their lives, homes To keep your alarms reach the end of their lives, the Hebridean of the world as well. and wellbeing. A smoke alarm can offer vital Engineering Society heard at a meeting in in working order Duncan Skinner spoke of how the network of protection for you and your loved ones, but most Lews Castle in February. Islanders across the world could be used to bring people simply fi t and forget – they don’t know if it • Test your smoke alarm by pushing the button Following a series of meetings with college skills back to the Islands and ensure there was the might be coming to the end of its lifespan. regularly students, and with offi cials from Comhairle nan expertise available to develop a decommissioning "For most of us, there is nothing more important • Check the packaging for your smoke alarm to Eilean Siar, John Kearney, Technical Director, programme based at Arnish. than keeping our loved ones safe and secure. So make sure it’s still up to date Wood Group PSN, and Duncan Skinner, who John Kearney pointed out that the North Sea this month please make sure you have enough heads the society and helped found PSN, deposits were now an old fi eld, a mature fi eld working smoke alarms in your home and help to • Make sure there is at least one smoke alarm on explained how they felt that the Stornoway base dating back more than 40 years. The economics protect your loved ones in 2015." every level of your home could be moved into position to exploit this new of production were changing, particularly at a time • Fit smoke alarms on landings and hallways and industry - which could be worth £60 billion in total. Smoke alarms – when oil prices were lower, and Wood Group, as in rooms which have an electrical appliance In 2011, just fi ve years after Mr Skinner and Bob a service contractor, was being expected to come Did you know? • Take a moment to check on your less able loved Keiller borrowed $300 million to buy PSN from up with new ideas to make the fi elds cheaper A smoke alarm can give someone the few extra Halliburton subsidiary KBR, they were sold for $1 to run and more effi cient. This included looking seconds they need to escape in a fi re. ones to ensure they’re fully protected billion to Wood Group. This not only brought an at ideas like sharing services, such as supply But while the majority of homes across the To request a Home Fire Safety Check exceptional return for investors but also allowed vessels and helicopters. This was the fourth or country now have an alarm fi tted, most people are telephone us FREE on 08000 12 13 12 or Duncan to devote his time towards helping others fi fth downturn but with an ageing workforce, there not aware that the average alarm has a lifespan of visit our website at www.hifrs.org. through various social enterprises – and the was still plenty of opportunity for new people to Hebridean Engineering Society. become involved in the industry. He spoke of how the island networks of Looking at the work that was going to be involved contacts across the world, built on decades of in decommissioning, John Kearney said it was a work in the oil industry and centuries of work in long way from just cutting things up…it involved the Merchant Navy, could be brought to assist the materials management, project management, development of an industry in the Islands – and expert knowledge about hazards, and determining provide a chance not only for young people to what could be done with the materials which were work in an industry in the Islands but also to bring recovered from breaking up the installations. others back home. Brian Wilson said he had fi rst come into Wood Group - which had a core of executives contact with the industry 40 years ago when with Hebridean backgrounds - worked in 50 reporting as a journalist on meetings in Lewis countries, has racked up more than a billion about the expected development of oil reserves hours of experience in the industry, has 43,000 in the nearby eastern Atlantic. "There was a employees, and has a central position in the confi dent expectation that oil and gas would be continued development of the industry. discovered off the West Coast," he said. In the He praised the work ethic of people from end, despite 12 periods of exploration between IS YOUR HOME AT RISK? Lewis who joined Wood Group and other parts 1980 and 2006, only one fi eld was identifi ed and FOR A FREE HOME FIRE SAFETY CHECK CALL US ON: of the industry – they were renowned for the this was not found to be economically viable. But excellence of their training and the quality of their the oil industry did become important locally, fi rst work."Young or old, everyone in this industry will through the development of the Arnish yard and vouch for that," he said. then through the supply of skilled labour to the 08000 12 13 12 Also speaking at the meeting was former North Sea, and later across the world in other oil- Energy and Industry Minister Brian Wilson and producing areas, like Brazil and Azerbaijan. all three emphasised how the recent fall in the "It's given men working here a better standard or 01851 705855 oil price presented opportunities for development of living than anything else," he added. But and innovation. They looked back to the oil price it has also drawn people out of the place. The crisis of 1997-8 when prices per barrel fell below decommissioning industry could be a chance to A friendly visit from our uniformed staff $10. This has provoked both the Government and reverse that. the industry to look at everything they did in order Duncan Skinner said this could become a £60 can be arranged to advise you on: to make the industry more viable – and provoked billion industry…and yet only two or three projects the internationalisation of many Aberdeen-based have been completed so far. This created an • Making a fi re plan for your home companies which had formerly limited their opportunity for Highlands and Islands Enterprise horizons to the North Sea. and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar to demonstrate • Any risks that may be present in your home Now there was a chance to get in almost at the what Arnish could provide. Meetings had been • Ways of reducing or eliminating those risks start of a £60 billion industry as the equipment held with offi cials and councillors earlier in the and machinery on various fi elds end their lives in day. Lews Castle College itself could do more to • Checking your smoke alarms are effective the North Sea and have to be brought ashore and attract attention from fi rms based in Aberdeen – dismantled. This would require highly sophisticated "you have to keep selling it, again and again,"he • Fitting FREE smoke alarms where needed contract management skills, plus expertise with said. EVENTS SECTION TWO B16 04/03/15 - 01/04/15 LEWIS & HARRIS YOUTH CLUBS ASSOCIATION EVENTS aims to tell more about the activities of the Lewis and Harris Youth Clubs Association.
Gaelic Campers ‘Let it go’ Freezing winds with hammering hail and snow inspired the participants of the fi nal Gaelic camp of the winter season to theme the art activities around the movie ‘Frozen.’ They recited sections of the The primary 7s recently held a sports hall athletics event to raise funds for their annual school script, and sang the songs as if they had written trip to the mainland. Pictured are some of the participants. them. In fact, if there is to be Gaelic version of Frozen, then the Gaelic media people should get this youth group to do the voiceovers. "We’re very pleased with the response to the Gaelic camp project,’ said Scaladale centre manager Sean Stephen. "Every group has been fantastic" he added. "We are trying to inspire the young people of the island to learn more about their rich history and culture, and along the way we teach about the language, we cater for all aptitudes and abilities. To the fl uent we are fl uent, to the learners we’re learners." The Scaladale centre and the LHYCA would like to thank all those who make the camps possible, the volunteers and funders, but especially the parents and young people.
To commemorate World War 1, the primary 7s held a concert in the school, which was well attended by parents and guests. This was part of their curriculum work.
Super Sandwick win Lipton u-12 Quiz
The team was called ‘Twenny Whan’ and the quartet from Sandwick youth club fi nished number ‘Whan’… The quiz was hard fought and three teams were separated by only two points ‘Twenny Whan’ (Sandwick) 83 points 1st, ‘Scottish Monkeys’ Knock 82 points 2nd, ‘Cheeky cheetahs’ (Airidhantuim) 81 points 3rd. Pictured are Stornoway Primary School and Daliburgh Primary School before they played each The delighted group other in the Scottish Schools Primary 7-Aside Competition held in Tarbert. were even more pleased when they were presented with £20 Argos vouchers. 04/03/15 - 01/04/15 B17 EVENTS SECTION TWO Dancing for Crossroads
The Lynn Maclean School of Dancing is busy rehearsing for a performance in an Lanntair which will be held on 21st March. This event is to raise funds for the Dance School and our local Crossroads branch. The dancers will be performing in two shows. The fi rst show is in the afternoon – It's a Musical World – covering dances from Mary Poppins, High School Musical and Annie – to name just a few – and all the ballet and Highland dancers from the Dance School will be taking part. The second show, in the evening will be a variety performance with Tom MacIver as MC. The Senior Dancers will be joined by Anna Murray, The Nicolson Institute Band, Louisa Maclean Barron and Katie Graham along with other local artists, singers, bands, folk group, pipers, Jayne Macleod and the traditional Step Dance Group, Step by Step, winners at the Hebridean Celtic Festival. BATTLE OF THE BANDS 2015
attle of the Bands 2015 returns after a Applications for Under 18s are available at Bvery successful 2014 fi nal. The fi rst The Nicolson Institute offi ce and at Pointers. For showcase of 2015 will be at Pointers Youth over-18s, they are available from Davie Bell at Centre in Stornoway on Friday March 6th, Students Services in Lews Castle College. If you followed by the second showcase on Friday are not a student at the Nicolson or Lews Castle March 13th in the same venue. The fi nal College, are under 25 and would like to enter will be held on Friday March 27th in The the competition please contact Graeme Miller at Woodlands Centre. Community Learning and Development at 01851 822714 for an application form. The showcases are open to all singers, On Saturday 7th March in the Woodlands songwriters and bands out there aged 14 to 25 Centre it’s the outstanding Folk Rockers Hunter & years. Battle of the Bands was primarily seen as a the Bear - “inspired by artists such as The Band, band competition but last year the emphasis was Dire Straits and Bruce Springsteen, Will Irvine on the Song. and Jimmy Hunter started to write and perform The Battle of the Bands team from Community as a duo with Jimmy playing lead guitar, mandolin Learning and Development is looking for young and backing vocal, whilst beside, him Will on the people aged 14 to 25 to perform original songs, rhythm guitar and singing lead vocals. cover songs and Gàidhlig covers of contemporary songs. Bands, groups, ensembles, duos and solo "Having started the band in Newcastle, where Musical Events in Lewis and Harris artists can enter and can sing a song in each they were studying at University, they moved to category or just one. The main priority is taking London in 2012 to bring their own brand of power part and including all aspects of the musical folk to the huddled masses. Gareth Thompson, Day Venue Artist Time culture on the island. drums and Chris Clark, bass, completed the line- Thursday 05/03/15 Caladh Inn Lewis & Harris Accordion & Fiddle Club 8pm up in 2014 to bring you a live set-up you don’t want A Gàidhlig cover song was included last year to to miss. Having garnered universal praise for their Thursday 05/03/15 McNeillʼs Open Mic Night 10pm-1am help encourage young people with musical talent Jamie Bell (Metronomy, Richard Ashcroft, The Thursday 05/03/15 Star Inn Willie Campbell 10pm-1am in both English and Gàidhlig to work together and Rifl es) debut EP ‘Dusty Road’ upon its release the fi nal had an eclectic mix of ten performances Friday 06/03/15 Pointers Youth Centre Battle of the Bands 2015 Showcase 1 7pm last year, the group headed back into the studio as a result. Saturday 07/03/15 Woodlands Centre Beyond presents Hunter & the Bear +Laurence Fox with Joe Kearns (Ellie Goulding, Sons & Lovers, + Iain‚ Spanish‚ Mackay + Sophie Davies 8pm Mara, a traditional three piece won the best Take That, Eric Clapton) to record ‘Before I Come Thursday 12/03/15 McNeillʼs Open Mic Night 10pm-1am English Cover Song prize with “Riptide”, the Home’ which received support from BBC R2 & Thursday 12/03/15 Star Inn Willie Campbell 10pm-1am delightful and gifted harpist and singer Daisy Nash BBC Introducing. won the Gàidhlig Cover Song prize with D’Orainn, Friday 13/03/15 Pointers Youth Centre Battle of the Bands 2015 Showcase 2 7pm 2014 was a very busy year for the group, a Gaidhlig version of Elton John’s “Your Song” and starting off supporting Eric Clapton on his UK tour. Friday 13/03/15 Woodlands Centre Woodlands Centre's – an Evening of Rock & Blues – Tormod an Dunan won Best Original Song with his Hunter & The Bear travelled all over the country Charity Fund Raiser with Willie Campbell & the Open Day Rotation beautiful Gaidhlig song “Nach Robh Fhios Agad”. +Strange Brew+Bayhead Mud Kings+Iain Spanish Mackay 8pm performing at Cornbury, Belladrum, T in The Park The categories in the competition are for Best Thursday 19/03/15 McNeillʼs Open Mic Night 10pm-1am & Larmer Tree amongst others.” - http://www. Original Song, Best Cover Song and Best Gàidhlig beyondhighlands.com/ plus the welcome return Thursday 19/03/15 Star Inn Willie Campbell 10pm-1am Cover Of A Contemporary Song. Each category of Laurence Fox with local supports Iain ‘Spanish’ Thursday 26/03/15 McNeillʼs Open Mic Night 10pm-1am has a prize of £75 cash for the winner on the night Mackay and Sophie Davies…. Thursday 26/03/15 Star Inn Willie Campbell 10pm-1am of Final, March 27th in the Woodlands. Please put these dates in the diary and encourage any Friday 13th March in the Woodlands Centre Friday 27/02/15 Woodlands Centre Battle of the Bands 2015 FINAL pm talented young people to get involved. there is “an Evening of Rock & Blues” Charity Fund Thursday 02/04/15 Calaadh Inn Lewis & Harris Accordion & Fiddle Club 8pm Raiser in aid of Pancreatic Cancer UK featuring: THE SHOWCASES AND FINAL DATES ARE: Thursday 02/04/15 McNeillʼs Open Mic Night 10pm-1am Willie Campbell & the Open Day Rotation, SHOWCASE 1 - Friday March 6th, Pointers Thursday 02/04/15 Star Inn Willie Campbell 10pm-1am Strange Brew (Fiona ‘Chasm’ Mackenzie - vocals, Stornoway at 7pm Kenny Stewart - guitar, Chris Martin - bass, Although at EVENTS we try our best to get all up-and-coming events in the SHOWCASE 2 – Friday March 13th, Pointers Angus ‘Bubble’ Mackay - drums, Alex Tearse - paper, it’s a challenge as EVENTS is only a monthly paper! Stornoway at 7pm keyboards), Bayhead Mud Kings (members of For all the latest gigs happening in Stornoway and East Lewis, THE BATTLE OF THE BANDS FINAL is The Broken Ravens in full Blues-mode) and Iain go to www.welovestornoway.com and click on ‘Gigs’. on Friday March 27th, THE WOODLANDS ‘Spanish’ Mackay…. Jori CENTRE at 7pm EVENTS SECTION TWO B18 04/03/15 - 01/04/15 Comhairle Gaelic Classes If you live in Lewis, are a Gaelic learner and would like to support your children more with their learning then Comhairle nan Eilean Siar’s Community Learning and Development classes offer a range of Naidheachdan classes, at differing levels, to develop Gaelic language skills. The classes which are running at the àidhlig moment are as follows: 1. Beginners 1 Stornoway Town Hall Mondays, 4-5pm 2. Beginners 2 Stornoway Town Hall Mondays, 5-6pm 3. Intermediate Sgoil an Rubha Thursdays 7-9pm There are also Homework Support classes which take place at the following times: Stornoway Town Hall Mondays, 2pm-3pm Stornoway Town Hall Mondays, 6.30pm-7.30pm Sgoil an Rubha Wednesdays, 2pm-3pm Stornoway Town Hall Thursdays, 11am-12pm Sgoil Dhalabroig Sgoil a’ Bhac Thursdays, 2pm-3pm Stornoway Town Hall (for SY Primary) Fridays, 2pm-3pm Latha na Gàidhlig Laxdale School Fridays, 3.15pm-4.15pm Chaidh Latha na Gàidhlig a chumail ann an Sgoil Dhalabroig air an 30mh den Fhaoilleach 2015. If you would like to fi nd out more about these classes contact course tutor Chrisella Ross on: Chaidh bùithtean obrach a chur air dòigh airson an Sgoil Àraich agus a’ Bhun-Sgoil, le sgoilearan [email protected] or contact the Learning Shop on 01851 822718. a’ faighinn cothrom a bhith a’ gabhail pàirt ann an seisean ‘’Bookbug’, Dràma, Dannsa Gàidhealach, Geamaichean Active Schools, Goilf, Leasan Cànan agus Seinn is Fealla Dhà - uile tro mheadhan na Clasaichean Gàidhlig na Comhairle Gàidhlig. Ma tha sibh a’ fuireach ann an Leòdhas, ag ionnsachadh na Gàidhlig agus airson taic a-bharrachd Chaidh fàilte a chur ro phàrantan tighinn chun na sgoile airson foghlam tro mheadhan na Gàidhlig a thoirt do ur cuid chloinne tha clasaichean air a thabhann leis a’ Chomhairle, Tha clasaichean ann fhaicinn ann an suidheachadh làitheil. Bha aoighean cuideachd an làthair a’ riochdachadh na diofar airson diofar ìrean agus uile ag amas air sgilean cànain a leasachadh. ‘S iad na clasaichean a tha a’ cothroman cosnaidh a bha ri fhaotainn do dhaoine aig a bheil Gàidhlig. Tha sinn fada an comainn ruith an-dràsta: Sarah NicEachain, Stòrlann, Iain Stephen Moireasdan, Am Pàipear, Màiri Ann Chaimbeul, Comann na 1.Fìor Luchd Ionnsachaidh 1 Talla Bhaile Steòrnabhaigh, Diluain, 4f-5f Gàidhlig, agus Christine NicGuaire, Active Schools agus Shona Nic ’illFhiallain, Janice NicAoidh agus 2.Fior Luchd Ionnsachaidh 2 Talla Bhaile Steòrnabhaigh, 5f-6f Ceitidh Martindale, an dà chuid airson tighinn a bhruidhinn ri pàrantan agus a bhith ag obair leis a’ 3.Eadar-mheadhanach Sgoil an Rubha, Diciadain 7f-9f chloinn, is iad cho fi alaidh le an cuid ùine. Clasaichean airson taic le obair dachaigh: Bha cofaidh agus tì ann cuideachd airson airgead a thogail dha ‘The Leanne Fund’. Mòran taing Talla a’ Bhaile, Steòrnabhagh, Diluain, 2f-3f dhan h-uile duine a rinn fuine air a shon seo agus a thug seachad beagan airgid air an latha fhèin. Talla a’ Bhaile, Steòrnabhagh , Diluain, 6.30f-7.30f Sgoil an Rubha, Diciadain, 2f-3f Talla a’ Bhaile, Steòrnabhagh, Diardaoin, 11m-12f Gàidhlig le Gàire Sgoil a’ Bhac, Diardaoin, 2f-3f Talla Bhaile Steòrnabhaigh (airson pàrantan Bun-sgoil Steòrnabhaigh), Dihaoine 2f-3f Chaidh duaisean Gàidhlig le Gàire na mìos seo a thoirt seachad do: Sgoil Lacasdail, Dihaoine, 3.15f-4.15f Calum MacMillan, Neil Donan MacMillan, Kyle MacDonald, Ewen Peers, Lucy Lindsay, Mìcheal Ma tha fi osrachadh a dhìth oirbh cuiribh fi os gu Chrisella Ross air [email protected] no cuir fòn MacLellan, Murron Watson & Caitlyn MacInnes. gu 01851 822718. 04/03/15 - 01/04/15 B19 EVENTS SECTION TWO SGOILTEAN NAN EILEAN SIAR AIR AN DEAGH RIOCHDACHADH AIG FARPAIS FILMG
ha Roinn Foghlam is Seirbheisean dhuais; Am Bhidio Ciùil as Fheàrr agus cuideachd TChloinne Chomhairle nan Eilean Siar an Duais airson an Neach Film Òg as Fheàrr. air leth toilichte ainmeachadh gun deach Thuirt Catrìona Stiùbhart, Cathraiche sgoilearan bho Sgoil MhicNeacail, Sgoil Comataidh Foghlaim agus Seirbheisean Choimhearsnachd Bhàgh a’ Chaisteil agus Chloinne: Sgoil Lionacleit ainmeachadh anns a’ “Rinn iad uile fìor mhath an ìre seo den fharpais gheàrr liosta de fharpais chliùiteach FilmG. a ruighinn. Tha seo na dhearbhadh air an obair Bu chòir sgoilearan Bharraigh a bhith moiteil ionmholta a tha a’ gabhail àite anns na sgoiltean oir tha iad air a’ gheàrr liosta ann an trì diofar agus na coimhearsnachdan againn. Chaidh roinnean. Tha am fi lm An Gealladh Meallta air mòran saothair a-steach gu bhith a’ cruthachadh adhart airson an duais airson am Film as Fheàrr Dìomhair air a’ gheàrr liosta airson Duais Breatainn. Tha a’ bhuidheann òigridh seo air a na fi lmichean seo agus tha mi a’ guidhe gach agus Duais Ghàidhlig FilmG. Tha am bhidio Ghàidhlig FilmG. ruith le Iomairt Ghàidhlig Iar Thuath Leòdhais. soirbheachas do gach sgoil, sgoilear agus ciùil aca An Saighdear air a’ gheàrr liosta airson Ach, chan e na sgoiltean a-mhàin a bha Chaidh Alex John Moireasdain air adhart buidheann coimhearsnachd”. Duais Bhidio Ciùil as Fheàrr. soirbheachail ann a bhith a’ ruighinn nan cuairtean cuideachd airson an duais airson an Cleasaiche Thèid Cuirm nan Duaisean a chumail ann an Chaidh dà fhilm bho Sgoil MhicNeacail deireannach den fharpais. Chaidh buidheann as Fheàrr. Glaschu air Dihaoine 27 Màrt agus bidh gach ainmeachadh ann an dà dhiofar roinn; Gealladh òigridh à Siabost, ‘Tàirneanaich’, ainmeachadh Tha caileag òg as na Hearadh cuideachd air sgoil agus coimhearsnachd a fhuair troimhe air Gemma airson am Film as Fheàrr agus An t-Àm air a’ gheàrr liosta airson am Film as Fheàrr agus a bhith soirbheachail. Chaidh am fi lm aig Emma an riochdachadh aig an tachartas a ghabhas àite ri Teachd airson Duais Ghàidhlig FilmG. cuideachd airson an Duais Coimhearsnachd NicLeòid, Scalpaigh Bheag Mo Ghràidh-sa aig an Seann Fruitmarket. Faodar sùil a thoirt air Tha am fi lm aig Sgoil Lionacleit An Gaol airson an dràma èibhinn aca Madainn Mhath ainmeachadh air a’ gheàrr liosta airson dà dhiofar fi lmichean na bliadhna seo aig www.fi lmg.co.uk. Old Testament resource now online Tha an t-Aonad Ioma-mheadhain aig Comhairle Thuirt Morag Rothach: nan Eilean Siar dìreach air crìoch a chur air “Anns a bliadhna 1999 bha sinne aig Comhairle goireas foghlaim ùr. Tha Leabhraichean an Seirbhis Saor Thoileach na Hearadh mothachail t-Seann Tiomnaidh a-nis ri fhaotainn tro e-Stòras gu robh am Bìoball air teip ann am Beurla, ach agus cuideachd tron cheangal a leanas http:// nach robh e idir anns a’ Ghàidhlig. Bha fi os biobull.e-storas.com/. Dh’èirich am beachd- smuain beagan is dà bhliadhna air ais nuair againn cuideachd gu robh iomadh seann duine a thàinig Mòrag Rothach, a bha aig an àm na air an robh dith fradharc a bha a’ miannachadh Comhairliche, a bhruidhinn ris an sgioba mu am Bìoball a chluinntinn nan cànan fhèin. Bha chlàraidhean a bha aig Comhairle Seirbhis Saor- fhios againn gun robh an Tiomnadh Nuadh air a thoileach na Hearadh. Air na clàraidhean seo dhèanamh mu thràth agus dh’aontaich sinn an bha diofar dhaoine bho air feadh na h-eileanan t-Seann Tiomnadh a chlàradh. ‘S e Hamish Mac a’ leughadh leabhraichean an t-Seann Tiomnaidh. an Tàillear a rinn an obair clàraidh air feadh na Mhìnich Evelyn Coull NicLeòid, Manaidsear an h-eileanan – bha còrr air da cheud gu leth duine, t-Aonaid: fi r agus mnathan, a’ sàs anns a’ phròiseact. Ach mar a tha saoghal teicneolais a gluasad, “’S e goireas air leth tarraingeach a tha seo agus tha mi cho taingeil gun d’ tàinig Mòrag thugainn le dh’fheumadh na clàraidhean seo a ghluasad gu na clàraidhean. Leis gu bheil e a-nis ri fhaotainn CD. Tha mi fad ann an comainn an sgioba aig ann an cruth ùr-ghnàthach bi cothrom aig daoine Aonad Ioma-mheadhain Chomhairle nan Eilean èisteachd ann an àite sam bith aig àm sam bith. Siar airson seo a dhèanamh agus gu bheil e a-nis Gu mì fhortanach, chan eil cuid den fheadhainn ri lorg air e-Stòras. Mar seo, cha tèid a’ ghoireas a bha an sàs anns na clàraidhean còmhla ruinn prìseil seo a chall ach bi e fosgailte do dhuine sam an-diugh ach dh’fhàg iad dìleab a tha an dà chuid bith èisteachd ris, chan ann a-mhàin an-diugh ach prìseil agus feumail. airson ginealaichean ri teachd.” EVENTS SECTION TWO B20 04/03/15 - 01/04/15
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Crofting \ Services Grhqvt ur h v 6t vpy r hq S hy Srrh pu @qphv hq 8yvt Local grassland group looks at rush management
AC is currently facilitating a local grassland group. The By topping and cattle grazing Sgroup aims to transfer knowledge from research to • Livestock don’t tend to graze rushes, but cattle can destroy crofters and vice-versa. tussocks by trampling. If cattle are available, they can be used This is one of three grassland groups across Scotland established to restore a very rushy pasture to a more open grassy sward. with support from the Scottish Government Success through This is especially effective when the rushes have been cut low Knowledge Transfer and Exchange Programme (supported by the to the ground. Scottish Funding Council SFC). • Cattle can graze the aftermath. This late in the season, there is no The recent meeting of the grassland group looked at the topic danger of cattle trampling nests, so a higher stock density can be of rush management; the group met at Barvas Glebe Farm used. If the stock density is too high, the resultant poaching will (by kind permission of Alan and Norman Kerr). The group were damage the rest of the sward and the soil. Rushes can become joined by Victoria Anderson, RSPB and Calum Murray who both particularly prevalent where soil is exposed by poaching. demonstrated their different pieces of machinery suitable for cutting • Where the rush sward has been opened up and includes a lot rushes. of grass, graze before topping. This reduces the amount of cut Victoria Anderson, RSPB spoke to the group regarding the material left to rot, which can kill grasses and impede drainage different methods for managing rush pasture including drainage if not removed. improvements, topping and cattle grazing. By topping and herbicides SAC will be holding another demonstration event early in March; if • Broad spectrum herbicides may destroy non-target plants. you would like to attend, please call 01851 703103 for more details. Where ground conditions allow, use a weed-wiper to reduce The following information gives an overview of the discussion led impacts on nontarget plants. Consult SEPA about the use of by Victoria Anderson, RSPB at the event. herbicides in or near water. HOW CAN I MANAGE RUSH COVER? • It may be impractical to cut rushes in the wetter fl ushes, in • Glyphosate and MCPA may be used in this way and is particularly effective when used on re-growing rush. In both By topping which case these may be left if they only comprise a small cases, read the product label carefully before use. proportion of the fi eld area. If the rushes cover a larger area, • Topping areas of the fi eld after the last wader chicks have fl edged By reseeding is the most effective fi rst step in controlling rush infestation. The they can be controlled by cattle trampling during aftermath best time to do this depends on the birds using the fi eld. August grazing. • In some areas, it may be appropriate to manage rushes by reseeding grassland on a long-term cycle. is a safe time to cut, as the latest chicks (usually snipe) will have • Annual topping is important. fl edged by then and the rushes won’t have set seed. • Using lime when reseeding to ensure the pH is at a suitable • Removing cuttings from the fi eld is desirable as cuttings can • Where the options detailed below are not possible, a second level helps to suppress rush growth. cut, four to eight weeks later, will help to reduce rush cover in mulch down to create new niches for rush regeneration. • An Environmental Impact Assessment may be needed before the following year. • Cut rushes as low as possible for best results. reseeding. Check with SGRPID if you are unsure. A new regular crofting column in EVENTS Scottish Crofting Federation Join the SCF Social crofting, social benefi t Membership of the Scottish Crofting Federation is an investment in lachbeg Croft in the Black Isle hosted This is, the argument goes, fair enough as it is the future of crofting. Ga unique event in February, bringing perceived by government that people want cheap Care Farming Scotland, the Scottish food. So food production is subsidised and it is Crofting Federation and Social Farming sold at cost or below cost so that we, the general Your support will strengthen the voice across Borders, (based in County Leitrim, population, can enjoy inexpensive food. Ireland), together with over 30 attendees But in the ‘benefi ts’ setting what is the of crofters, crofting communities all of whom are involved with the land and justifi cation for those who have the better land social care. They met to share knowledge and the greater ability to earn from the market and to explore the concept of social farming to get a higher income support payment, whilst / social crofting as a model for community those less-abled, on the marginal and remote care across the Highlands and islands. land, get the least? The therapeutic use of farming practices, Let's look at it in the context of income support offering placements on family farms as a social to non-farming families. Would we think it is okay service, has been around for decades in other for a well-to-do person ‘on benefi ts’ to claim a countries and is recognised as an extremely higher payment than a poorer person? Would successful model of treatment and rehabilitation. it be acceptable for those that can demonstrate It is a viable option for achieving improved quality that they have more already to get higher social of life for people who use health and social payments? Would we consider it fair to use the services in rural areas. The vision is a simple one, welfare system to pay higher levels of public and one that many crofters would aspire to in money to those that have the greatest means of fragile Highland communities. It gives the chance looking after themselves? for family farming and crofting to offer a distinct Farmers in ‘the power house’ of Scotland social benefi t. boast of their ‘effi ciency of scale’ and their ability This got me to thinking about the term ‘social to produce exports, yet get the highest levels Registered in Scotland as a Limited Company No: SC218658 Registered in ScotlandRecognised as aas Limited Scottish Company Charity No: SC218658SC031919 benefi t’. ‘Benefi ts’ has another connotation. Who of income support from the public purse, per Recognised as Scottish Charity No: SC031919 do we think of when we say someone is ‘on hectare. Are they really effi cient then? Is it a good benefi ts’ or ‘on income support’? Unemployed business model? people? People with disabilities? People in social wwwww.crofting.org So instead of paying for ineffi ciency how www.crofting.org crisis? Do we think of farmers and crofters as ‘on www.crofting.org about moving more CAP money into the rural income support’? 01599 530 005 development budget where it can support 01599 530 005 One of the stated objectives of the Common initiatives such as social farming / social crofting [email protected] Agriculture Policy is ‘income support’. Nearly £600 that provide a real tangible benefi t to society. [email protected] million goes out in payments of public funds to farmers every year in the form of Basic Payments. Patrick Krause, SCF EVENTS SECTION TWO B22 04/03/15 - 01/04/15
Not all the objects in the new Here is another mystery object museum will be from ancient which you will be able to see in times. The purpose of the the new museum at Lews Castle. displays will be to give a broad This ‘bat’ shaped implement is view of life in the islands made of whalebone and was and this missile, which Mike found at Paible on the Isle of Loftus (left) has just fi nished Taransay in about 2002 and restoring, is one of the most given to the Museum nan Eilean unusual. through Treasure Trove. It is a Prototype Starburst It has a short handle and is (Javelin 515) Missile slightly curved or bulging presented to Museum nan outwards on one side and Eilean, Sgoil Lionacleit, fl attish on the other. The edge by R.A.Range, Hebrides in opposite the handle has had August 1988. Mike said: “It is teeth cut into it but they are something of a Frankenstein mostly worn away. The whole object, made up of bits of thing is fairly brittle and the other missiles, I guess, as it Conservation Offi cer Mike was a prototype, and has all Loftus has had to treat it with sorts of strange gadgetry all stabilising solutions to prevent over it.” It is also covered in it crumbling to bits. reference numbers, codes The question is: what do you think it is for? Someone used a lot of time and skill to fashion it from and labels, the most important a whalebone which was possibly washed up on the shore on Taransay, or perhaps brought from the of which, as far as Mike is whaling station at Bunabhainneadar. Whatever it was, it served a purpose. If you have an idea of concerned, are the large red what that purpose was you can send it through to us on [email protected] or via our EVENTS letters saying “INERT”. facebook page. Past is just a stone's throw away in the future!
he Lews Castle Phase 2 contract being undertaken by Graham TConstruction is racing ahead. It includes the new Museum and Archive building, creation of a new glass roofed courtyard café area with toilet facilities, full restoration of the public rooms on the ground fl oor of the castle and external landscaping works including a new visitor car park. The museum and archive works have been completed and the fi t-out contract for the museum exhibitions will start on site in early March with completion of the Phase 2 works soon after. The Museum and Archive and the ground fl oor rooms of the Castle will be completed in the summer with a full public opening in October, when a selection of the Lewis Chessmen will take their place in the new museum. Mike Briggs went along to Museum nan Eilean to see a most intriguing exhibit which will be joining the chessmen on display.
s the opening date for the new Museum rugged times women would surely have had too Aand Archive at Lews Castle roars much to do running the family and looking after towards them, the staff of Museum nan the thatched hovel to be able to footle about with Eilean are toiling away to get the exhibits such time-wasting enterprises. ready to go on show. The stone ball in Michael’s hand was found While the time ahead of them seems to be in Laxay, just outside Stornoway, at some time compressing, the span of ages behind them is near the turn of the 19th Century. It is made seemingly expanding as more and more evidence of horneblende gneiss, a rough and almost of human occupation of our islands is gathered sparkly rock which is relatively easy to carve but ready for display. vulnerable to rough handling. It was Michael’s job, using his pharmacopoeia of esoteric solutions, to Almost all of these items will pass through stabilise the rock to prevent it being worn away. the hands of Conservation Offi cer Michael Loftus and for almost all of them there will be an The ball and fi ve similar ones discovered in obvious function, whether domestic or medical, the islands link the Outer Hebrides with sites mechanical or decorative, agricultural or musical. throughout Scotland (and fi ve further afi eld) Almost all. There are exceptions. And it was one where 420 other such balls have been found. The vast majority hail from Aberdeenshire. But does such exception which Michael was working on as But there is one important quality they all share: fascinating to ponder in their new Lews Castle this mean there was a sort of Aberdeen Stone Ball the countdown clock ticked towards the end of mystery. facility. To allow us to study the work of some Emporium where travellers picked up mementos February. highly-skilled, utterly patient ancestor and consider of their visits to put on their proto-mantlepieces No-one knows what they were for. The greatest Nestling in his blue latex-sheathed hand was how it fi tted into his otherwise rudimentary and back home, or were the island artefacts carved experts over the years have come up with theories a dark, round stone, about the size of a tennis harsh life is exactly what the museum team sets by local talent who caught the stone-carving bug including ceremonial axe heads, identity tokens, ball, with six fl attish, rounded lumps carved onto out to do. elsewhere? weights, lucky charms, game pieces, throwing its surface . He hefted it gently. “Perfect weight weapons, fortune diviners, status symbols, even And some might even get the chance to clasp It has to be said that the Laxay ball is, for throwing,” he mused, “but it seems they didn’t erotic paraphernalia. One researcher suggested this mysterious object in their hands as part of comparatively, as common as muck. It has six throw them.” that the lumps and incisions gave them the same the museum’s outreach programme which will lumps. So do almost half the others, including the “They” in this case, were the people who lived in low drag as do the dimples on golf balls and that be taking display items out into the community in ones found in Bernera and Balallan. The Kyles, northern Scotland in late Neolithic times, between they were thrown great distances in games which heritage loan boxes. Harris stone has seven knobs and the Benbecula 3,200 and 2,500BC. While they were not hacking might have ranged from one settlement to another and Lochboisdale ones four. Some have two Imagine that: holding something which has at things with stone axes, hunting fi sh, fowl and (men again, surely, rather than women). knobs, some three, some eight, nine or ten. They been created by and cupped in the horny hands of furry things and trying their hands at the novel go up to a staggering 160 knobs. Some have But none of the stones is seriously chipped someone who walked these shores 3,000 years or technology of farming, some of the fur-clad men incised decoration, but most are plain. Some are or marked. They were obviously kept safe and more ago. Your skin where their warm skin had been. were spending hours messing about with lumps of fi nely worked, others very crude. Some deeply treated gently. And yet, there they are, plugged in Perhaps, while surveying or, perchance, holding rock – a sort of Neolithic equivalent of playing Call carved; others with only shallowly-etched knobs. the mud somewhere in Lewis or the Uists. Why? this prized exhibit you will be struck by inspiration of Duty on the Xbox. They are made in a variety of stone and are all It is a wondrous treat that Museum nan Eilean as to its function. If so, the museum staff would be For men it must have been. Even in those approximately the same size. is able to offer us something so frustratingly delighted to know your opinion. 04/03/15 - 01/04/15 B23 EVENTS SECTION TWO
Glittering success…restoration of the Castle Ballroom
With the regeneration of Lews Castle on course for completion in 2015, ‘EVENTS’ will keep readers updated on progress and plans for this exciting project – a unique combination of heritage and hospitality. A new museum and archive, on the site of the original glasshouses, will link to open and covered courtyards providing, learning and community spaces, a café and shop. With external repairs completed, internal works to the Castle are progressing well with the grand rooms on the ground fl oor being gradually restored to their period splendour. Visitors will have access to these rooms, which will be available for hospitality and function use. A glass-roofed courtyard with a café and shop will provide a link between the old and the new. Led by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, the £13.5 million project involves funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund, Historic Scotland, EU, and the View shows the new Scottish Government. Bord na Gaidhlig is assisting with the Gaelic- led museum, archive and interpretation in the museum. outer courtyard in the The fi nal phase of the project, to provide luxury accommodation on foreground– copyright the upper fl oors of the Castle, is at the detailed design stage and more Malcolm Fraser Architects. information will be provided in future updates. Looking at the development of displays and content for Lews Castle Museum and Archive project EVENTS SECTION TWO B24 04/03/15 - 01/04/15
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