Posts Tagged ‘Benbecula’

Children will pay less on Western Isles flights

Aug 12th, 10 / 1 Comment

YOUNG fliers in the Western Isles are set to save their parents money following following Flybe franchise carrier Loganair’s slashing of the cost of its children’s tickets.
From today (Thursday, August 12), children aged between 2 and 11 years of age inclusive travelling with an adult between Stornoway and Benbecula or Benbecula and Barra can travel for just the cost of airport taxes on their journey, or around £15 for one-way travel.

Previously, children were charged at two-thirds of the cost of the adult fare plus the £15 airport charge.

The move is designed to make Western Isles air travel highly attractive for family journeys, and will continue for the foreseeable future.

There are no “book before” deadlines or restrictions on applicable travel dates; instead, parents can expect to pay only airport taxes for their children no matter when they choose to fly or how they decide to book.

Commenting on the announcement, Loganair’s Commercial Director Jonathan Hinkles said: “With the new school year about to start, we recognize that families will soon be dealing with the additional time pressures which come from balancing busy lives.

“Benbecula and Barra”


“In many situations, Flybe’s fast, convenient inter-island air service might be the only practical way to ensure families can reach sporting events in time or get the chance to visit their friends and relatives regularly.

“We’re confident that our new pricing structure will help to ensure that air services remain an attractive and wholly affordable alternative to car and ferry travel within the Western Isles.”

Adult fares between Stornoway and Benbecula start from £34.99 one-way including airport taxes.

The offer does not apply for unaccompanied minors, who are accepted for travel on all Loganair point-to-point services but for whom the applicable child fare (67% of the adult fare plus taxes) remains payable, and cannot be used in conjunction with adult Economy Plus (full fare) tickets.

Earlier this week, Loganair announced that its July passenger figures on the inter-island services had exceeded the levels seen last July when the Stornoway-Benbecula route was operated by Highland Airways.

Flights between Stornoway and Benbecula operate twice every weekday in each direction and there is a weekdaily return service between Benbecula and Barra.

The services are operated by Flybe franchise carrier Loganair under an agreement with the Comhairle nan Eilean Siar.

Hebrides Today brings you the latest news from the Western Isles

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MSP questions security measures at Stornoway airport

Aug 2nd, 10 / 1 Comment

Highlands and Islands Labour MSP Rhoda Grant has raised concerns about intrusive personal searches being carried out by security officers at Stornoway and Benbecula.

She has written to Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd (HIAL), the operators of the airports, who have promised to investigate the issue.

Mrs Grant explained: “I recently visited the Western Isles and was surprised to hear the number of complaints people made regarding the security arrangements at Benbecula and Stornoway airports.

“Locals felt that security checks were extremely intrusive and undignified and that staff showed a lack of respect for customers. This meant it was off-putting to fly.”

”Stornoway and Benbecula”


She went on: “While everyone understands the need for security checks, the people I spoke to had also faced security checks on the mainland when making a return journey and found them to be professional.

“Therefore it was not the fact that they were being security checked that was the problem, it was the manner in which this was carried out.”

In a reply to Mrs Grant, Inglis Lyon, HIAL’s Managing Director, said that the provision of security was brought in house from an external provider to a HIAL subsidiary, Airport Management Services (AMSL).

He said: “I will raise the matter directly with the Security Manager Alan Shaw and the Airport Managers at both Stornoway and Benbecula, Duncan Smith and Tim Smith respectively.”

Hebrides Today brings you the latest news from the Western Isles

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Russell Takes New Curriculum to Benbecula

Jul 23rd, 10 / 1 Comment

Parents will get a chance to put their questions about the new Curriculum for Excellence directly to Education Secretary Michael Russell this summer.

A series of public events will be held to give parents, teachers and others who care about the future of Scottish education the chance to air their views and have their voice heard at the highest level of government. Curriculum for Excellence, due to be rolled out across all schools from August, is expected to be a recurring theme.

The road shows builds on the recent launch of engageforeducation.org which has created an ongoing dialogue on education between the public and the Scottish Government. The first events will take place in Inverurie, Alloa and Benbecula, with more to follow over the coming year.

Mr Russell said: “I firmly believe Scotland has a great system of education, with many, many good schools, teachers and pupils. Curriculum for Excellence is all about building on the strengths of the current system and making sure all pupils have the skills they need for the jobs of the future.

“Curriculum for Excellence.”


I know that some parents still have questions about the new curriculum. I recently wrote to the parent of every Primary 7 child and now I’m taking to the road to give them a chance to have their say and have their questions answered.

These events build on the innovative Engage for Education website (www.engageforeducation.org) I recently launched which also gives people a chance to have their views on education heard. Thousands of people have already visited this ground-breaking site and many are taking part in conversations about a range of diverse topics.

There is always room for improvement and I believe listening to the views of teachers, parents and others who care about education is an important part of finding out what more can be done. I hope the people of Scotland will grab this opportunity to engage in a genuine dialogue with the Scottish Government.”

Gerry McTiernan on behalf of the National Parent Forum of Scotland: “We are looking forward to continue working in partnership with the Cabinet Secretary and the Scottish Government and we welcome the lines of communication that have already been opened for parents on engagement with Curriculum for Excellence.”

Hebrides Today brings you the latest news from the Western Isles

Stornoway News

Gold stars for Borve Guest House

Jul 20th, 10 / 0 Comments

Benbecula business, Borve Guest House in Torlum, is the latest Hebridean business to come out shining, receiving a four star gold award under VisitScotland’s Quality Assurance scheme which recognises exceptional hospitality and service.

“Friendliness on arrival”


Borve Guest House is a family run establishment that pays particular attention to detail. Owned and run by Calum and Gretta Campbell for over 19 years, they have built a strong reputation for quality and service with many of their customers returning to stay with them time and again.

The coveted ‘Gold Star’ accolade was launched by VisitScotland to highlight establishments within the Quality Assurance scheme who have gone the extra mile to exceed customer expectations.  Often seen as front line ambassadors for Scotland’s tourism industry, the recipients display genuine enthusiasm for the hospitality they offer. These establishments show a real commitment to service and customer care in everything they do from the welcome and friendliness on arrival, to the quality of the food, and the final farewell.

“Visitors to return”

Gretta Campbell of Borve Guest House, said: “Customers choosing Borve Guest House know they will experience one of the highest quality Guest Houses in Benbecula at an affordable price. I know I am providing the best for my customers and this benefits tourism in the Hebrides, creating high quality accommodation for discerning guests. I am delighted to be awarded the VisitScotland four star gold award.”

Tony Mercer, Head of Quality & Standards, VisitScotland said: “I’m delighted that the hard work and dedication of Borve Guest House has been rewarded with VisitScotland’s four star gold award. In general guest houses and bed & breakfasts play a huge role in bringing thousands of visitors and millions of pounds to the local economy, and most importantly inspiring visitors to return in the future.”

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Stornoway News

Presiding officer starts summer programme in Benbecula

Jul 7th, 10 / 1 Comment

The Scottish Parliament’s Presiding Officer,Alex Ferguson MSP , is launching his 2010 Summer engagement programme in Benbecula.

He is holding a reception for the Parliament’s updated travelling exhibition ‘Moving Stories’ at the Museum na Eilean  on Wednesday 7 July.

The unique interactive exhibition, which has travelled the length and breadth of Scotland, highlights ten individuals’ experiences of engaging with Parliament during the first ten years of devolution.

During the reception, Mr Fergusson will meet local representatives from a range of community groups including councillors, teachers and museum staff. He will also meet Gaelic speaker John Macleod who features in the Moving Stories exhibition and has been involved with the Parlaiment in several ways, including lodging a petition with thePublic Petitions Committee calling for the introduction of a Gaelic Language Act.

“Peoples’ lives”


He will also meet staff from Grimsay Boatshed Trust who run the only boat building course of its kind in Scotland – which is leading to a revival in traditional skills which have served islanders for centuries.

A 10.5 foot wooden Grimsay style boat – a type still used by the fishing community in North Uist – made by local pupils in partnership with the Trust will also go on display at the entrace toSgoil Lionacleit school.

The Presiding Officer said: “I can’t think of a better way of launching my third and final summer engagement programme than by visiting the Western Isles and highlighting this exhibition which shows how ordinary members of the public have worked with their Parliament in raising issues and bringing about positive change.

“My summer programme also aims to bring the Parliament to people across Scotland to show that engaging with Parliament really can make a difference to so many peoples’ lives.

“Holyrood’s work”


“I am thrilled to be visiting Benbecula on this, my final summer programme, as Presiding Officer. By the end of this programme I will have visited every region of Scotland and met a number of truly inspiring, hard working and innovative groups and individuals.”

The Moving Stories Exhibition will remain at Museum nan Eilean until 30 July when it moves to Stornoway.

This is the third summer programme undertaken by the Presiding Officer. By the end of this tour Mr Fergusson will have visited more than 30 different organisations in every region of Scotland during his past three summer programmes.

The programme provides an opportunity for the Presiding Officer to learn from local people and groups about how the Scottish Parliament is communicating with them and encourages them to do more to engage with Holyrood’s work.

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Benbecula running track officially opened

Jun 7th, 10 / 0 Comments

On Saturday the 12th June 2010 the Running Track at Liniclate, Isle of Benbecula, will be officially opened by Beth MacLeod, who represented Scotland on 68 occassions in rugby union and Mairi Levack, who is a founder member and lynchpin of North Uist Athletics Club.

The official opening will be held before the start of the inaugural Uist and Barra Community Games.

“Jog Scotland Groups”

The project which was funded by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and sportscotland will provide a sporting facility for a whole spectrum of users and it is hoped that the facility will be well utilised.

The track can be used for walking groups, those wishing to improve their fitness and agility for other sports as well as the variety of track and field events enjoyed by many:

Councillor Archie Campbell, Chair of the Sustainable Development Committee at Comhairle nan Eilean Siar commented:

“I am delighted that the facility at Liniclate is now fully operational.  The Comhairle continue in their commitment to providing quality accessible sports facilities and the additional funding made available by sportscotland enabled the progression of this project.  I am confident that the facility will be a valuable asset within the Uist community and groups such as the vibrant North Uist Athletics Club, the Jog Scotland Groups and Comunn Spòrs a’ Chinn a Deas will made full use of it”.

“Existing football pitch”

sportscotland Chief Executive, Stewart Harris said:

“sportscotland is delighted to have worked with Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar on the development of the Liniclate running track. It is a fantastic development, in a picturesque setting, which will assist the development of athletics in the Uists. sportscotland has been able to provide technical advice and support for the project, along with an investment of £200,000.  The new facility will benefit the local community, schools and athletes by giving them the opportunity to participate or train in running, long-jump, triple-jump, shot putt, hammer and discus. The incorporated floodlights will allow all-year-round use of the track facilities as well as the existing football pitch.”

The opening will commence at 10am with refreshments being served to invitees, and following some opening words from Councillor Campbell at 11am, the track will be officially opened and Beth and Mairi will start the warm-up lap for the first Community Games.  All in attendance will receive a commemorative medal.

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Hebrides airport passenger figures down

May 14th, 10 / 1 Comment

Passenger figures at Stornoway and Benbecula have dropped by almost a third as a result of the Iclandic volcanic ash cloud .

Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd has released its total passenger figures month on month for April and year to date 2009/10 vs 2010/11

For the month of April, the HIAL group saw a 32% decline over all 11 airports, carrying 70,070 passengers against 103,109 in 2009/10.

“Material impacts”

The most severely affected airport being Islay which saw a decline of 37.8%, carrying 1,381 in April against 2,221 in April 2009/10.

Commenting on the figures, HIAL Managing Director Inglis Lyon said:

“This is desperately bad news for all concerned; passengers, airlines and airports alike and we

continue to work with the authorities to investigate ways in which some of the more material impacts can be mitigated against.”

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MPs will push for fair fuel regulator

Mar 4th, 10 / 0 Comments
Angus MacNeil

Angus MacNeil

“Fuel up 11.46% since 2008″

Latest figures from the AA revealing that drivers have endured recent petrol tax increases up to five times higher than in other European countries, show why the SNP is right to propose a fuel duty regulator says SNP MP Angus MacNeil.

According to the AA the burden of fuel duty and VAT on a tank of petrol in the UK has gone up by 11.46% since the Pre-Budget Report at the end of November 2008. This compares to just 2.23% in Austria and an average increase for 10 mainstream European countries, including France, Germany, and Holland, of 5.07%.

Commenting Mr MacNeil said:

“We all know that Labour has admitted that they will yet again use fuel tax to hammer household motorists and hauliers to pay for their bank bail out.

“However these latest figures from the AA confirm that Labour and Gordon Brown have learnt nothing from their years in government.

“Sky high fuel taxes”

“Sky high fuel taxes imposed by Gordon Brown, and latterly Alistair Darling, are indiscriminate and effectively a poll tax on wheels.

“And it’s not just hauliers who suffer but ordinary families struggling to run a car for normal use. The effects of sky high fuel taxes also impact on prices in the stores with costs rising to deliver food and other products to the shops.

“It shows how much Labour has become out of touch that they should target ordinary people in this way to pay for the bail out of a banking system failure they helped create.

“I can categorically say that the SNP MPs will continue to oppose Labour’s arbitrary fuel tax hikes and propose the introduction of a fuel duty regulator at the Budget to ensure price stability as well as lower fuel taxes for remote areas.

“Scotland should be reaping the benefits”

“An oil rich nation like Scotland should be reaping the benefits from our offshore resources – not watching as North Sea revenues flow into a black hole in Treasury coffers while the Scottish budget is slashed.”

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Local Businesses interested in reaching Nordic countries invited to meet trade experts

Mar 4th, 10 / 0 Comments

“Potentially lucrative trading links”

Highlands and Islands businesses with interests as diverse as forestry, manufacturing, marine science, fine foods and textiles are taking advantage of an opportunity to meet with trade specialists from the Nordic region.

Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) is hosting the fact finding opportunity in an effort to develop further potentially lucrative trading links with our Scandinavian and other northerly neighbours.

In partnership with Scottish Development International (SDI), the UK Trade and Investments Nordic team will be in Inverness on Wednesday 17 March.  They will give an overview of their region, with its population of 25 million people, and will then offer individual meetings to discuss each business’ specific needs.  Businesses of any size who are interested in applying should contact HIE before Wednesday 10 March.

“Excellent trading opportunity”

“There are long standing cultural and trade links with the Nordic region.   The Highlands and Islands share a number of business interests and their close proximity and good transport links make them an excellent trading opportunity,” said Norma MacDonald, HIE’s senior development officer with the international team.

One businesswoman already signed up is Helen Lockhart from Assynt, in North Sutherland.  She has been running her creative textiles company, Ripples Crafts, since 2008.  She is keen to see if there is an opportunity to supply her hand dyed yarns and knitting kits to Scandinavia, which has a strong traditional knitting culture.

“This is a fact finding trip for me.  I have had some success in exporting to America and Europe and am interested to see if there is a market for my unique yarns either to hand knitting pattern designers, wool shops or to distributors.”

Two members of the business team from the internationally renowned marine research institute, the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS) based in Oban, are to meet with the Nordic team.

“Identify emerging business opportunities”

“Our core business activities span several market sectors including renewable energy, biofuel R&D, mining, and marine technologies.  In these areas, SAMS provides commercial services on a global scale, however, we have had little involvement in the Nordic Region. At this event, we are keen to identify emerging business opportunities as well as build new collaborations within our existing markets,” said Dr Keri Page.

Traditional music publishing business, Taigh na Teud, based in Skye is hoping to gain advice on ways to grow opportunities for cultural exchange.  Christine Martin researches, collects and collates traditional tunes in original music books, and has been running the business for 25 years. She commented:

“There is a strong link between Scandinavian music and Scottish music, and the Nordic countries enjoy a very strong fiddling culture.  I already have some links with clubs in Norway, Sweden and Denmark, and am interested in exploring whether there is a market to promote Scottish music through shops and publishers, with a reciprocal arrangement here.”

Any local business interested should contact Norma MacDonald at HIE in Inverness 01463 244478 for an application or download an application form from http://www.hie.co.uk/Nordic-awareness-event.htm

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NHS waiting lists

Mar 4th, 10 / 0 Comments

“We welcome this review of New Ways”

Commenting on the Audit Scotland report Managing NHS waiting lists – A review of new arrangements published today, Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said:

“We welcome this review of New Ways – the new system of managing NHS waiting lists.

“We have made significant changes to the way patient waiting lists are managed. Before New Ways tens of thousands of patients were held on ‘hidden waiting lists’ with no treatment time guarantees, now these people are treated within the Scottish Government’s waiting time targets.

“Plans are already underway”

“New Ways has also introduced more flexibility so that appointments and treatments can be made to suit patients’ individual needs and schedules. This means that appointments and are less likely to be cancelled and patients who would previously have had to wait indefinitely can get the care and treatment they need.

“Waiting times are now at an all time low. Staff across the health service have worked extremely hard to make these changes and will continue to keep this progress going.

“We are committed to supporting ways that put patients first in the health service and plans are already underway to put the recommendations made by the report in place.”

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Gaelic learning week

Mar 3rd, 10 / 0 Comments

During Easter  Stòras Uibhist are offering a unique opportunity to Gàidhlig learners to spend a ‘Learning Week’ in South Uist and its surrounding communities, enhancing and developing their use of Gàidhlig through a total immersion programme.

The Learning Week will be based at the exclusive Grogarry Lodge http://www.grogarrylodge.com an all inclusive basis.

“Range of culturally based activities”

The week will take the format of interactive tuition in the mornings, followed by a wide range of culturally based activities related to the learning sessions including hill / machair walks, museum and cultural tours, an autobiographical presentation by a local bard, fishing and weather permitting, an exciting and thoroughly memorable boat trip to the second most southerly island of the Western Isles; Mingulay.

Evening entertainment will encompass a range of opportunities to see, hear and take part in traditional dancing, song, ceilidhs and music sessions – so bring your instruments!

“Homeland of the Gaels”

This is an exceptional opportunity for learners at an intermediate level to experience Hebridean culture and apply their Gaelic in an informal atmosphere in the homeland of the Gaels within the exquisite and historical island setting of a traditional Estate lodge.

The programme will run from 10am Monday the 5th April 2010 with departures on Saturday morning, 10th April 2010.
For further details please go to www.storasuibhist.com/gaelic-week or contact Deirdre MacEachen on 01878 700101 or e-mail deirdre.maceachen@storasuibhist.com

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Seeking a major reform of Crown Estate in Scotland

Mar 3rd, 10 / 0 Comments

Michael Foxley

“Marine energy development”

The Highland Council’s Leader Councillor Michael Foxley underlined the Council’s commitment to major reform of the Crown Estate in Scotland when he gave evidence to the UK Government’s Treasury Sub-Committee, which is reviewing the role of Crown Estate in Scotland
In reinforcing the Council’s written submission, Councillor Foxley told the sub-committee at Westminster that a vital concern of the Council was the need to secure major local financial community benefits (in addition to employment, training and business benefits) from marine energy development around the Highlands and Western Isles.

In supporting the renewable energy sector in the Highlands, the Council saw huge opportunities for the development of marine renewable energy in the Pentland Firth.

“Benefit from offshore renewables”

To this end, the Council was now working with the Crown Estate Commissioners and its Highland and Islands local authority partners and Highlands and Islands Enterprise to agree a Memorandum of Understanding with the Commissioners.

He said: “We need to learn from the mistakes of the past to ensure that Highland and Islands communities benefit from offshore renewables. We should seek community benefits similar to those gained by the Shetland oil fund.”

He stressed the Council also wished to see conditions conducive to sustained investment in the Highlands and Islands. The Council accepted that unnecessary delays in allocating leases combined with recent reports of three-fold increases in transmission charges may increase uncertainty, particularly at the early stages of development. Clarity and stability were important prerequisites for potential developers of marine energy.

“New Opportunities for Public Benefits”

He added: “A further concern is that marine renewable energy development takes place in a sustainable manner that is fully integrated with the marine spatial planning process at a national and local level. The importance of appropriate consultation as part of this process is obvious. Highland Council wishes to see greater efforts to fully integrate the role of the Crown Estate Commissioners with the marine planning process at national and local level in Scotland. This implies a need for greater integration with Marine Scotland, which will shortly have responsibility for marine planning and licensing, with the passage of the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010. ”

Councillor Foxley told the sub-committee the Council was a leading force in commissioning a report entitled “The Crown Estate in Scotland – New Opportunities for Public Benefits”, because of a longstanding dissatisfaction with the Crown Estate in Scotland in terms of dealing with fish farming and harbour and port developments. It was his view that harbour authorities and trusts, who control the waters around ports, should own and control the sea bed.

Councillor Foxley concluded: “I am pleased that we took this opportunity to present our views and we got a fair hearing from the Treasury Sub-Committee. Hopefully, something positive will come from this review.”

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Gaelic: A Winner at Scottish Ski Centres?

Mar 3rd, 10 / 0 Comments

A research project is set to get underway to assess the impact and benefits of bilingual signage at Scotland’s ski centres.

The Gaelic and English signs, at the Lecht, Glenshee, Nevis Range and Glencoe ski centres, were installed 12 months ago under a scheme operated by Comunn na Gàidhlig (CnaG), on behalf of Highlands and Islands Enterprise.

Now, given the excellent skiing conditions being enjoyed across the country, it is hoped to take advantage of the high visitor numbers to look into their awareness and attitude towards the bilingual signage.

CnaG chief executive Donald MacNeill said:

“The recent wintery weather and surge in visitors at Scotland’s Ski centres is providing great exposure for the new Gaelic presence at these centres. It’s an ideal opportunity to examine the effectiveness of the bilingual signs among skiers and boarders from the Highlands and afar who are attending the centres; a lot of whom may never have come across signs with Gàidhlig and English before.

“The bilingual signage scheme has run successfully for a number of years with some 100 companies having taken advantage of the opportunity, so we already know it’s worthwhile in raising the profile both of Gaelic and the participating company or business. What this new research is about is trying to find out whether the presence of these signs affects the general interest in Gaelic; encourages people to think about Gaelic in a different light; or if visitors are more attracted to places with Gaelic.”

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Culture, Gaelic language, Lewis News, News Archives, Stornoway News

Stornoway Sports Centre Campaign

Mar 2nd, 10 / 0 Comments

Users of Lewis Sports Centre are planning to challenge Western Isles Council’s Sunday policy through a Judicial Review.

The move follows the recent refusal of a legal aid application which would have funded the costs of the legal action.

Uisdean Macleod, the spokesman for the users group, said:

“This route is the last resort but seems to be the only realistic option available as the council seems determined to stick to its never-on-a-Sunday policy, which only applies in Lewis and Harris.  We believe the council is acting unreasonably and irrationally in this matter and is in breach of the Equality Act 2006.”

On the refusal of the recent legal aid application, he said:

“The refusal was not a reflection on the likelihood of a successful challenge. As a matter of fact, the Legal Aid Board took the view that because opening the Sports Centre on Sundays would benefit the wider community, the legal case should be funded by the community.”

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‘Deer cull should continue’, says Scottish Wildlife Trust

Mar 1st, 10 / 0 Comments

The largest charity organisation dedicated to the protection of Scottish wildlife has called for starving deer to be culled across Scotland.

Calling for an extension of the stalking season of female deer which ended earlier last month (15 February) in line with current legislation (Deer (Scotland) Act 1996), the Scottish Wildlife Trust (SWT) today claimed that culling starving animals which are battling to survive through harsh winter conditions, would prevent inhumane suffering as well as helping to halt further damage to Scotland’s environment.

Simon Milne, SWT’s Chief Executive, explained:  “We are a wildlife protection charity calling for more deer to be culled.  I understand that this might surprise some people, but our reasoning is sound.  Red deer numbers have been steadily increasing in recent decades to the point where, in some areas, they are causing damage to the natural environment. The most obvious impact is on young trees that have little chance of growing into the forests of future when large numbers of deer are browsing for food.

“As the harsh winter weather continues, some wildlife species are struggling to cope. Red deer are facing a double whammy – they were already stressed because too many animals were competing for limited food resources and now they are being subjected to a long and cold winter. Our deer are ill-equipped to deal with prolonged winters because, by and large, they are living in conditions that do not suit them.  Red deer are really a woodland species and the now treeless environment of many parts of Scotland simply does not satisfy their basic need for shelter, particularly in bad weather.  Too many deer and not enough food is resulting in starvation.

“In parts of Scotland large numbers of deer can currently be seen gathered at roadsides pawing the snow in an attempt to uncover the frozen vegetation .  Rapidly losing condition due to exposure and lack of food many will slowly starve to death.  Extending the culling season means that stalkers can continue to shoot any deer that are suffering or too weak to survive until the spring.

“There is no quick fix to this problem, in fact it will take decades to achieve a balanced deer population.  Deer numbers must be reduced in many areas to a sustainable level which is a difficult, time consuming and expensive business.  The regeneration of our native highland woodland is a priority and requires a massive, sustained and long term effort to achieve; then we might start to see red deer living as they are meant to, as healthy forest animals.  The SWT hopes these are problems which will be addressed in the forthcoming Wildlife and Natural Environment Bill.”

Deer populations in Scotland have reached an unsustainably high level due to the absence of any natural predators.  Scotland is home to two native deer species, the red deer and the roe deer.  Together it is thought there are over 350,000 deer inhabiting Scotland today, around twice the population of half a century ago.

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Western Isles MSP welcomes backing for winter weather payments

Mar 1st, 10 / 0 Comments

Alasdair Allan MSP

Western Isles  MSP, Alasdair Allan, has today welcomed the backing of Scotland’s Housing Minister, Alex Neil, for the campaign to have winter weather payments calculated by taking wind chill into account.

Mr Neil has recently been corresponding with Helen Goodman MP, Under-secretary of State in the UK Department of Work and Pensions on this issue.

Mr Neil draws Ms Goodman’s attention to a number of areas which demonstrate that the effect of extreme cold weather can often be worsened in rural parts of Scotland due to the wind chill factor.

The UK Government’s winter weather payment system does not presently recognise this, being calculated purely on the number of degrees of frost.

Alasdair Allan commented:

“As both Angus MacNeil and I have pointed out this winter, there is a compelling case for the winter weather payment system to be revised to take into account the wind chill factor.

This is especially true in the Western Isles, which suffers the highest fuel poverty in Scotland at a shocking level of 47%.

“While the cold weather payments remains the same across the UK, the cost of heating a home does not, and so this benefit is not fit for purpose. The extremes of weather that we face in Scotland, and in the islands in particular, need to be recognised by the UK Government to ensure that this benefit better meets the needs of our pensioners and families.

“This issue is one that both Angus Macneil and I have raised a number of times. I am pleased that the Scottish Government has also been getting involved, by actively lobbying the UK Government, under whose authority the benefits system still comes.”

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Scottish producers go for gold

Mar 1st, 10 / 0 Comments

Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) is ensuring Scottish companies don’t miss the opportunity to go for gold at the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

QMS has registered on CompeteFor – the chosen web site for London 2012 supply chain opportunities – which will enable it to highlight any red meat procurement opportunities to the industry.

It’s been estimated that in the course of the games more than 75,000 supply chain opportunities totalling about £8 billion will be awarded and Quality Meat Scotland wants to ensure that visiting athletes get the chance to taste some of the world’s best red meat.

Laurent Vernet, Head of Marketing for QMS, said: “London 2012 and the upcoming Glasgow Commonwealth Games are both great opportunities for Scottish products to shine at one of the world’s most prestigious events.

“With thousands of hungry athletes to feed over the three weeks of the games, what better way to highlight the quality of our nation’s food by sourcing their red meat from Scotland.

“With the internationally regarded PGI status held by Scotch Beef and Scotch Lamb they would be the perfect calibre of product to serve to the thousands of top sportspeople and trainers coming to London for the games.

“We’d advise any interested companies to register on the site now to ensure they know about any opportunities as and when they appear as it’s a great chance to get your products featured on a national and international stage.”

The CompeteFor site not only identifies opportunities in the London 2012 supply chain, it also enables related businesses to identify potential partners for the formation of consortia and onward supply chains.

Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead said: “It’s great to see QMS rising to the challenge and offering Scottish red meat companies expert advice on how to strike gold and benefit from such high-profile events. We are also working with partner agencies including Scottish Enterprise and Scotland Food & Drink to help Scottish businesses win as many contracts as possible.

“Sporting events – including the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow – present an ideal opportunity to enhance our credentials as a land of food and drink. Working together we are spreading the word that Scotland is the destination for high quality produce. The prize is a great one – a healthier, wealthier, more environmentally sustainable nation/country.”

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First Isle of Lewis whisky makes history

Feb 25th, 10 / 0 Comments

The first cask of whisky distilled on the Isle of Lewis in 170 years left the island yesterday (Thursday February 25) having being collected at a ceremony held at the distillery in Uig.

A group of whisky enthusiasts were given a chance to taste the new dram at Abhainn Dearg – meaning ‘red river’ in Gaelic.

Among them was Lewis-born Mike Donald from MacSorley’s Bar in Glasgow who travelled to the island to sample the ‘Spirit of Lewis’, as it will be known, and bring back a small cask for the bar.

Also among the visitors was Alba Imports from Germany who collected a cask of the new spirit which will be opened at the Limburg Festival – the largest whisky festival in Europe.

In addition, they plan to deliver a presentation at the festival about the distillery following their visit to the island.

This is Abhainn Dearg’s first opportunity to reach more than 3000 buyers from across the world and the distillery aims to double its production and increase the quantity of island grown barley that it uses over the coming year.

The single malt from the Isle of Lewis’s first distillery takes a minimum of three years to mature and the business expects to produce its first bottling next year, in time for the Royal National Mod’s return to the Outer Hebrides.

The company is working with Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) to identify its goals and create a growth plan.

HIE shares the business’s aspirations to build on the worldwide interest their unique island produced dram is already creating.

Owner Marko Tayburn said: “This is a momentous occasion today. We are grateful to Alba Importers for promoting us in Germany and Europe and we wish MacSorley’s Bar every success and look forward to working with them both in the future.”

HIE’s Gordon Macdonald said: “History is being made this week with the first whisky leaving the island. Abhainn Dearg has put Uig and the Outer Hebrides on the international whisky map.”

Chair of Sustainable Development at Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Councillor Archie Campbell said: “I am delighted that the new Abhainn Dearg whisky has reached this stage. Mr Tayburn is an excellent advocate for innovative entrepreneurship and I wish him every success for the future. I am confident that the whisky will be a success.”

Abhainn Dearg is one of 350 growing businesses and social enterprises from across the Highlands and Islands with which HIE has been building a long-term client relationship over the past two years.

The aim is to create development plans which will have positive outcomes for businesses and their communities. The closer working relationship and shared goals means that HIE support can flow from the needs of the business.

Hebrides Today brings you the latest news from the Western Isles
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Culture, Features, Lewis News, News Archives, Stornoway News

NHS Western Isles Launch new language guide

Feb 25th, 10 / 0 Comments

A NEW guide launched yesterday (wed 24th feb) to help patients understand the health service … in 17 different languages.

The guide is available online and as a DVD and will be a great help to anyone whose first language is not English, as well as those with poor literacy.

It has a voice-over in 16 languages – including English and British Sign Language – offering an uncomplicated introduction to the NHS and information about how to get help from different professionals, including doctors, dentists, opticians and pharmacists.

Cabinet Secretary for Health & Wellbeing, Nicola Sturgeon, told  Hebrides Today:

“Our aim is to put patients at the heart of the NHS and make them partners in their own care. Initiatives like this will help us achieve this.”

The online video and DVD uses a mixture of filmed footage of the NHS in action and five case studies telling the stories of different patients and their families.

Hebrides Today brings you the latest news from the Western Isles
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Lewis News, News Archives, Stornoway News, Uists

Parking charges unfair to air travellers in Western Isles

Feb 25th, 10 / 0 Comments

By Gregg Adams

Rural island communities face new charges when using air transport links to mainland airports.

Highlands and Islands Airports is considering introducing car parking charges at its airports in Stornoway, Orkney and Shetland.

Highlands and Islands Airport say it had its budget cut by a million pounds by the Scottish Government and the charges are needed make up the shortfall.
Charges were due to be introduced this year but following a public outcry and now HIAL will consult over the issue.
Mairi McDonald from Stornoway told Hebrides Today: “They are just trying to make as much money as they can out of the travelling public.  The government already subsidise fares between Stornoway and the mainland and HIAL are forever announcing how busy the airport is here – do they think it would be this busy without that subsidy?

“HIAL should find other ways of raising funds rather than hitting communities who depend on a lifeline air service.”

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