“The view out of Carinish Hall must be the best view from any venue I’ve ever played!”
The Singing Kettle visited Uist last month and we caught up with Artie Trezise himself to hear about his experience of visiting the island for the first time.
Artie and his wife, Cilla, travelled to Uist on Thursday 12 June in advance of their first show in Carinish Hall on Saturday morning and second in Southend Hall in the afternoon.
“It absolutely could not have happened without the community spirit in Uist,” he said. Loganair provided the flights and Artie and Cilla managed to get the kettles, instruments and a small public address system on the plane but lugging all the gear around made Artie fear he wouldn’t be able to do the show on Saturday.
“I was thinking ‘how am I going to move around with my back like this?!’ but the staff at Orasay Inn got me an appointment with Sheila who fixed me right up and I was able to go on!”
“Sometimes the children take a while to warm up and start singing along but the children in Uist were right into it from the beginning and so were the adults!”
Artie spoke very warmly of all the help he received from the Uist locals to make these shows go ahead from help with the sound to the adult chaperones who even helped tidy the chairs away at the end of the show. He also gave a shout out to Ask Car Hire who appeared very quickly with a replacement car when he discovered the one he had originally hired would not fit all the equipment in it.
And it wouldn’t be an authentic trip to Uist without a travel delay. With flights cancelled due to bad weather, Artie and Cilla could not really complain when the staff at Benbecula airport dealt with the situation so professionally and got stranded passengers accommodation for the night.
Artie stressed his appreciation for all those who were instrumental in organising the shows in Uist and was delighted to have been able to make them happen.
Grimsay Community Association held a successful family fun day at the Ceann na h-Airigh centre on Saturday 21 June, where Nick from Lady Anne Wildlife Cruises presented his generous donation towards the expansion plans for the centre.
The day saw the sale of plants from the GCA polytunnel, badge making with Simon Davies, pirate crafts with Otter Mountain and various other stalls all for the common goal of raising the £600,000 required to achieve the expansion.
At the beginning of the day Nick presented his £5,000 donation and revealed that the Carlowrie group, who own Ronay island, have pledged to donate a further £1000 towards the goal.
Anne Wilson, GCA manager, said: “We are working with John Renshaw Architects and are very grateful to the Community Led Local Development Fund for supporting this stage of the project. Our plans are on display in the porch if you’d like to have a look.
“This is an an ambitious project – we need to raise £600 000 – which will ensure long-term financial and organisational sustainability for our museum and community centre.”
Nick praised the centre and what it means for the community.
“As well as being a warm and vibrant hub for people to meet and eat, the centre houses an excellent resource centre for tracing ancestors, Croft records and old photographs. It runs workshops, special events, exhibitions, music sessions, health walks, archaeology sessions, and a plethora of activities too numerous to mention.”
GCA are holding a traditional ceilidh in Carinish Hall on 4 July to continue their fundraising efforts. Email info@grimsay.org.for tickets.
A change of leadership and a call for community engagement in new visioning plan at SnBM AGM
Members of Sealladh na Beinne Moire (SnBM) look forward to a change in leadership, increased communication and improvement in forward planning after the AGM in Stoneybridge Hall on 19 September.
The meeting began with a summary of SnBM and its subsidiaries’ activities in the previous year which showed a trend of losses or very minimal profits.
Complaints of confusion surrounding the pre-meeting presentation of accounts to members littered the evening, and a heated debate between a member and then SnBM Chair, Mary Schmoller, regarding the poor financial performance of many of the estate’s companies drew voices of support and sighs of frustration in almost equal measure.
The bulk of the argument surrounded the purpose of the various companies and called into question the use of South Uist Renewable Energy (SURE) funds to prop up losses elsewhere.
SURE showed the best performance for the 2023 year with a profit of £792,320, but this was a poor performance when compared to the £1,841,263 shown for 2022.
Grid shutdowns and lower wind speeds were blamed for the decrease in performance with 50 days of grid shutdown in 2023, compared to five days in 2022, and a lower average wind speed of 7.5mps in ’23, compared to 9.0mps in ’22.
However, according to SnBM, 2024 is forecast to be better for SURE with profits expected to be increasing to £1.2million.
Father Michael, a member of the Board in 2008, said that SURE was initially set up to provide capital for local infrastructure projects but that this was not currently happening.
The annual fee to Enercon for maintenance of the turbines is due to increase by around £100,000 in 2025 and a portion of this increase is due to go towards two dedicated staff members who will ensure that any repairs needed will be attended to within 24 hours.
Stòras CEO, Darren Taylor, assured members that the turbines had another 15 years left in them and that there were discussions of hiring a wind farm manager.
A move away from focusing on sporting and a move towards attracting a variety of visitors to the estate was welcomed, especially given the investment into Grogarry Lodge in recent years and the members desire to see the funds recuperated.
Mr Taylor also reported that cull numbers were above target and announced that funding had been secured for a PhD student to study ticks on the estate.
Stòras are also working to improve their sustainability by conducting a carbon audit, reviewing the energy efficiency of their offices and Grogarry Lodge and taking part in peatland restoration work with NatureScot.
Before opening for questions from the floor, Mr Taylor announced a collaboration with community development consultant group, Glic, to develop a plan for the future of the estate.
Vision 2030 aims to gather thoughts on what the community would like the estate to look like in 2030 and will have a focus on “community led decision making” and “practical and actionable” plans.
The initial information collecting exercise is focused on the question “What are your top priorities for Vision 2030?” and asks respondents to list three key areas they would like the vision strategy to address.
The survey can be accessed by using the QR code opposite, by going to the web address listed or by returning a physical form to the Stòras offices.
One member of the public encouraged those present to take part saying:
“There are lots of complaints about the lack of communication so take the opportunity to provide feedback.”
After a question from a member, Ms Schmoller revealed that the board did not respond to the crofting bill on behalf of the estate, leaving many present unsatisfied and leading to confusing discussions surrounding the funding available to crofters the rights they have when it comes to succession and ownership.
After the meeting, many members expressed frustration with the lack of communication between Stòras and the community but were looking forward to renewed hope of improvement in the changing of leadership and the direct consultation with the public that Vision 2030 looks set to encourage.
New member and new leadership for SnBM Board
The SnBM Board of Directors welcomed a new member at their AGM.
John Daniel Peteranna was voted in by the members with 309 votes, more than the other four candidates combined.
Dave Adey received 25 votes, Norman MacAskill had 91, Alistair Nobles had 52 and former director Calum MacMillan received 33.
Member turnout was 60.82%
Mr Peteranna has been active in engaging with SnBM, the public and Government officials through the South Uist Business Impact Group.
SUBIG have worked to bring attention to the ferry situation in South Uist and how the disruption has been detrimental for local businesses.
Stòras Uibhist has stressed that they are not able to affect any direct change to ferry services but are able to influence transport decisions due to their ownership of the harbour and the land on which the new pier is proposed to be built.
Mr Peteranna said in his nomination statement:
“Everyone knows that reliable transport links are essential for our economy and that the disruption to our ferry service in recent years is unacceptable.
I have been involved with the South Uist Business Impact Group since its inception and have met with ministers and civil servants to make the case for the Lochboisdale-Mallaig service.
It is essential we continue this campaign for our collective good.”
“We are all proud of our islands, but we must work together to create a sustainable future. Stòras Uibhist is uniquely positioned to control the path we take to secure a prosperous future for us all.
The whole ethos of Stòras Uibhist should be to benefit the community living on the estate equally.”
At the Board meeting following the AGM, Iain Stephen Morrison replaced Mary Schmoller as Chair and Ronnie MacKenzie became Vice-Chair.
Both joined the board after a period of election last year and are looking forward to leading SnBM into the future.
“I am humbled to assume the chairmanship of the largest community landowner in Scotland and promise to lead this organisation with integrity,” said Mr Morrison
“It is imperative we work to make our company sustainable, while at the same time improving the economy and environment of our estate, furthering the interests of the community.
“I am fixed in my view that, in order to realise real benefits for the people of these islands, significant reform is required at Stòras Uibhist.
“The work of change begins today.”
“We must now get on with the work of making Stòras Uibhist deliver for the people who live on the estate,” added Mr MacKenzie.
“Listening and working with the community is essential if we are to work together towards shared aims that will make our islands more prosperous.”
The Board consists of seven members: Iain Stephen Morrison, Ronnie MacKenzie, Catriona Walker, DJ Cameron, John Daniel Peteranna, Donnie Steele and Mary Schmoller.
Members of the Board also sit on subsidiary Boards for South Uist Renewable Energy and Lochboisdale Development Limited.
Five candidates put themselves forward for one spot on the Sealladh na Beinne Mòire board
Siân Swinton
As existing board member, Norman MacAskill, reaches the end of his current tenure on the SnBM board he seeks re-election alongside Calum MacMillan, another previous member of the board, and John Daniel Peteranna, Alistair Nobles and Dave Adey. The candidates were announced on the Stòras Uibhist website and social media on Monday 19th August after a short period of invitation for nominations. Members of SnBM will receive voting forms and they will have until September 11 to vote for their next board representative. The results will be announced on September 12 with the AGM to follow on September 19. Am Pàipear spoke to the candidates to find out what they think the top priorities are for the board and how a vote for them would help address those issues.
Dave Adey
What is the top priority for Stòras to address at the moment?
Stòras, through social media and its communications with members (if it happens), seems to be in some kind of limbo.
Yes, it has a list of ‘missions’ but what are the enablers to meet these ambitions?
What is its top priority? Simply put, I don’t think anyone truly knows other than to keep the machine rolling on and mess around the edges with word soup missions.
You must wonder whether these are the same ambitions of members, tenants and other groups of interested parties.
I find it quite incredible given the grandiose mission statements and very wooly aims that anyone on the board and the business can be held accountable for success and failure because nothing is obvious!
How would you fix it?
In short, stop doing the same things the same way and expecting a different outcome!
What are the identified strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats that this business faces? And can it grow and thrive given the changing world?
A more energetic process for establishing and delivering change is required. Only then can members see a plan to move forward with those responsible and accountable for delivery, ultimately the current board is responsible for moving Stòras forward or overseeing a stagnant, at best stuttering, organisation! Can the current structure do this or is change required?
Norman MacAskill
What is the top priority for Stòras to address at the moment?
Crofting is my pet project. I’ve spent the last six years as director helping with crofting townships who need assistance with infrastructure.
I spent 20 years working with the government in agriculture and research. I’ve been back in Uist for 40 years now. I’m the second oldest in a family of seven and my parents lived solely off crofting as I was growing up.
How would you fix it?
The ongoing changes in support for crofting makes me feel that we have to pull out all the stops to help crofters in the right direction to get the maximum support they need to survive.
There are big changes coming and crofters are going to need sound advice to try and access everything that is available.
We need another integrated development programme from the government like what was started in 1980. It was supposed to be renewed by the end of the century but we’re still waiting on it.
Calum MacMillan
What is the top priority for Stòras to address at the moment?
The estate has done a lot of work to help our community and local businesses. It’s now time to look after our people. The cost-of-living crisis is still with us and fuel bills will rise this winter.
How would you fix it?
I’d like the estate to give a cold weather payment to each household in the South Uist Estate areas. This would be for January, February and March. £100 each month to help with fuel costs.
We need a more reliable ferry service to Lochboisdale. The new ferry must be able to sail to Mallaig in all weathers. The estate must campaign for the new CalMac pier.
We need to get well-paying jobs into Uist, and work with the likes of CalMac or SSE to locate jobs here. There is plenty of land at Gasaigh where a small call-centre could be built.
It’s difficult for people to access services which they need, as they’re often in Balivanich.
I’m proposing that the estate leases one of the units in Lochboisdale to provide a meeting space for people to access essential services. We’d make the space free to use for Citizens Advice Scotland, Substance Misuse Services, Financial Inclusion, DWP and optician.
Alistair Nobles
What is the top priority for Stòras to address at the moment?
I would like to question the goals given to the CEO and see if these have been achieved. If not, why not?
How would you fix it?
I would like to sit with all the staff that work for Stòras and ask them their opinion of the estate and how it’s run or could be improved?
I would spend my own time looking at all the assets the estate has and see where and why they are not being used to their potential.
I would like to end the ‘not knowing’ that the community has to put up with.
Any and every decision that Stòras make will be in quarterly print in Am Pàipear.
I understand there is a need for cheaper housing and energy. There are people better placed within the community than myself to sort these but if Stòras works in a profitable way, there will be the funds to address these problems.
If given the chance, I will work hard for the community.
John Daniel Peteranna
What is the top priority for Stòras to address at the moment?
Having the community’s future prosperity as its top priority, that would then help reverse the current depopulation we are seeing.
Just surviving is no longer enough. We are all proud of our islands, but we must work together to create a sustainable future.
We need the estate to change to allow economic development to take priority. We need good paying jobs and access to all types of housing.
We need to look at what options are available to share the energy harvest currently being reaped with our community.
How would you fix it?
With hard work, good communication and good community support and a plan for all of our futures to work together towards.
I started my own business, Energee Services Limited, fifteen years ago. During that time, we have helped to train four young engineers, so far, who are now working all over the world. I am also a partner in an accommodation business that is growing each year.
I have been involved with the South Uist Business Impact Group since its inception and have met with ministers and civil servants to make the case for the Lochboisdale-Mallaig service.
BENBECULA – STORNOWAY FLIGHT CONCERNS
SIÂN SWINTON
Despite the increase in operating days for the new Benbecula to Stornoway flight, Uist residents
have not welcomed the change.
Hebridean Air is due to take over the Public Service Obligation (PSO) route from Loganair starting
on 12 April, a full two weeks after Loganair halted operations on the route. They are scheduled to
operate return flights on Monday, Tuesday and Friday in their eight seat Britten Norman Islander
aircraft at a cost of £99 per person each way.
Passenger demand vs seat availability
Concerns about passenger capacity and accessibility onto the aircraft have been raised by Uist
residents and community groups who rely on the service for medical treatment in Stornoway and
beyond.
Benbecula Medical Practice Patient Participation Group (PPG) has written to the Comhairle
detailing their concerns:
- “1. The reduced number of seats available for patients travelling to appointments in Stornoway;
- 2. The inability of consultants to hold clinics in Uist due both to the reduction in passenger capacity and the proposed scheduling of flights;
- 3. The difficulties for passengers who have mobility issues to physically access the aircraft.”
The PPG note that the ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat) clinic for April/May in Benbecula has already
been cancelled.
The ATR series aircraft used by Loganair had a seating capacity of up to five times more than the
plane now taking over the route.
Pam Roe, a Uist resident who has been making regular journeys to Stornoway for chemotherapy
treatment, told Am Pàipear about her worry of not being guaranteed a seat on the plane going
forward and how this would affect her ability to access treatment. She said:
“The Comhairle has told us that the average number of passengers on this route was six, but I
have made frequent trips for my treatment and there has never been fewer than eight passengers
and very often many more.”
When asked to provide passenger numbers for the route, the Comhairle supplied an average of 8
passengers per flight month to month for the time period March 2020 to April 2021. This period
encompasses the beginning of Covid restrictions when many treatments and operations were
cancelled and no one was travelling for leisure reasons.
A spokesperson for NHS Western Isles Board rejected the Comhairle’s passenger numbers claim:
“Any suggestion that the average passenger numbers for the service averaged no more than eight
is factually very inaccurate if you examine numbers between 2019 and 2024. It is correct that
there was a not surprising, pandemic related reduction in numbers in the 2020/21 period. Either
side of that, the numbers bear no resemblance.”
Patients unable to access the plane would face an hour long ferry journey from Berneray to
Leverburgh as well as a return car journey of up to 220 miles.
Reduced mobility access concerns
When asked about the accessibility onto the aircraft Hebridean Air said:
“The aircraft operated on these routes may impact on our ability to carry passengers with reduced
mobility. There is no mechanical aid available or suitable for assisting passengers to board/exit
this aircraft type. The door sill height is 60cm off the ground. We supply a small step-up to assist
those passengers that need it.
“We would suggest that persons of reduced mobility travel with a companion who can assist with
boarding or exiting if required. In order to ensure the safety of all passengers on board it is a
requirement of the Airline that all passengers must be able to board/exit the aircraft without the
need for staff support.”
The Comhairle has made clear that the contract for the service was awarded to the only compliant
bid. Cllr Uisdean Robertson, Chair of Transportation and Infrastructure said:
“We recognise this is not an ideal situation and we are doing everything in our power to find a
better solution. The fact is that our hands are tied by the limited budget we have at our disposal.
For the most part, this route operates as medical service, yet our Health Board make no
contribution to its cost.”
A spokesperson for NHS WI said:
“It is correct to say that the Health Board does not contribute to the grant CnES receives for the
service. The PSO route is solely a matter for, and the responsibility of, the Comhairle. Western
Isles NHS Board was not party to the assessment, preparation, tendering or awarding of this PSO
contract,
“The figures over the past five years, accepting a dip due to the pandemic in 2020/21, show a
consistent and high use of the flights. As a consequence, Western Isles NHS Board makes a huge
and significant financial contribution in terms of paying for the seats it books.”
Cllr Robertson went on to say: “Ministers have recognised our plight and have encouraged us to
work with our partners in Health. With that in mind, Hitrans recently hosted a joint meeting with
the regions NHS Boards to identify how we can collectively address some of the challenges
patients encounter. Chairs or Representatives from every relevant Health Board were there, but
the Western Isles Board was unable to send any representative at all. If we are to find a way
forward, then the Health Board needs to come to the table.”
Issues with the new proposed flights have been raised at Community Councils across Uist leading
Iochdar CC to organise a meeting with representatives of all the community councils in
attendance to address the concerns collectively.
Peter Bird, chair of Iochdar CC said: “It can’t be a public service if the public can’t use it.” Mr Bird
is keen to use the power of community councils to hold decision makers to account by inviting
them to attend a meeting where the public could, hopefully, receive replies to a lot of unanswered
questions.
Uist causeway remain in dangerous state
Heavy rain, storm force winds and coastal flood warnings issued through January brought renewed calls to make safe the low-lying causeways connecting two of Uist’s townships – in Baleshare, North Uist and in Snishival, South Uist.
In North Uist, a community pressure group is highlighting the risk to life presented by the Baleshare Causeway and pleading with Council officials to commit to upgrade works as soon as possible.
The 350 metre Baleshare causeway was built in 1962 but campaigners say the project was never completed. Crucially, they say, the culvert that was planned for the structure was never installed at the time, which has slowed the dispersal of flood water.
No repairs to the structure have been carried out since 2000, and the damage wreaked by the great storm of 2005 was never repaired.
Lynda Maclean of the Baleshare Causeway Campaign group told Am Pàipear:
“The worry is that when the tide is high or when we experience the kind of weather we have seen in recent weeks, no one can get on or off Baleshare, at least not without danger to life.
“In bad weather, those determined enough to risk the crossing face a very real chance of being washed away, a risk made greater still by the poor state of the surface of the road, with water covering the perilous holes and cracks that cover the length of the causeway.
“There is the risk of someone being swept away whilst crossing, but we also need to factor in the indirect risk of someone needing urgent care facing delays when emergency services are unable to get across.
“In January, we had to rely on the Coastguard to get carers on and off; are we really saying this is a reasonable way for Baleshare residents to access services?”
“Do we need to wait for a major incident before those in power will act?”
“We need to push and keep pressure on those in the correct places to ensure the causeway gets major works, or best case scenario, a full replacement.”
Hopes have been raised that Baleshare Causeway will benefit from the award of £20m from the Government’s Levelling Up Fund, announced in November last year, however Cllr Uisdean Robertson advised caution:
“While it is positive news that the Comhairle is to benefit to the tune of £20m, we should be aware that the allocation is likely to come with a host of restrictions. We already know, for example, that it cannot be spent on existing projects. We are pressing the Scotland Office for more information but until we get this detail, we cannot say with any authenticity how the money will be spent.”
“Perhaps Scottish Government could fund a similar resilience fund such as the Local Bridge Maintenance Fund which would target causeways serving vulnerable communities.”
Dr Alasdair Allan MSP and Angus MacNeil MP were both vocal in their support of the Baleshare cause when Am Pàipear covered the issue almost a year ago; 11 months further on and with no progress to report, both politicians have again highlighted the urgency of making the structure safe.
In South Uist, the perilous state of the causeway at Snishival is also causing concern. Am Pàipear last covered the plight of residents faced with attempting to cross the broken and partially submerged road back in December 2022 and residents say there have been no improvements since.
In March last year, the findings of a Stòras Uibhist commissioned Inspections and Options report were shared with the Community Council.
The survey looked in detail at the existing structure and concluded it was ‘serviceable and in fair condition for current light traffic only. However, it is set too low when compared to high water levels in Loch Roag and cannot always provide a safe access to the houses on the east side of the loch.’
The survey report found that the central bridge was in poor condition, adding ‘it is doubtful if it is suitable for heavy traffic; particularly fire appliances.’
The surveyors proposed improvement works at an estimated cost of £274k, which would make safe the causeway and realign the central section slightly to the south.
A spokesperson for Bornish Community Council told us:
“The engineers report has formalised what we already knew; the causeway is unsafe and needs urgent attention. While it is good to have the details set down with such authority, we are now faced with the reality of progressing what will be a very costly solution.”
Stòras Uibhist CEO Darren Taylor said he was supportive of the Snishival residents but said the community owned estate did not have the available funds to pay for the work:
“We remain committed to finding a solution for Snishival but the projected cost based on the report we commissioned is beyond the scope of the organisation at the moment. We are looking into the possibility of securing grant funding or alternative solutions.
“We will be happy to meet again with the Bornish Community Council to review all options.”
The economics of buying and selling island stock
Uist crofters are still reeling from the news that Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd (DHM) has withdrawn auctioneering services from Lochmaddy Mart.
DHM Managing Director Grant MacPherson told Am Pàipear why the decision to cease operation at Lochmaddy had been made:
“Different factors have led us to this point, including a reduction in the numbers of stock presented for sale, which has led to a reduction in the number of buyers prepared to make the two day trip, and the difficulty of finding suitable auctioneers. Costs have been increasing as revenue has fallen and it is no longer sustainable for us to keep a presence in Uist. Ultimately we are a business and we simply can not afford to subsidise non-profitable parts of our operation.”
The crofters Am Pàipear spoke to said that the fall in stock numbers mirrored a downward trend in prices, an accusation Mr MacPherson refuted:
“There is no doubt that the stock on Uist is first class; the lamb sale at Lochmaddy last year returned some of our highest prices across our marts. The stock is excellent but the numbers are just not there to allow us to cover our costs.”
Mr MacPherson confirmed the company’s commitment to stock sales in Stornoway and said that the business there was doing well. He pointed to the greater ease of travel, saying buyers could fly in and out the same day rather than risk three days away from their own farms.
The Lochmaddy mart is operated by North Uist and Benbecula Livestock (Marketing) Ltd (NUBLM), the shareholder organisation set up in 1985 to co-ordinate sales in Lochmaddy.
NUBLM Chair Donald Norman MacDonald, Clachan Farms, told Am Pàipear that the company’s Directors had been unanimous in their commitment to ensuring the safe future of the Mart:
“After all the hard work that has been done over the decades, it would be a huge loss to the islands and the economy. It would affect the smaller shareholders as the costs of transport to the mainland could make it unviable.
“We have excellent stock in the islands and with numbers falling all over the country I think in the future there will be great demand for island stock.
“We also have a good number of young crofters coming up and it is very important to support them by selling at the local mart which is also a fantastic meeting place for them.”
NUBLM say that alternative auctioneers have been approached, with Shareholders meeting on February 15th to decide the future direction of the Mart.
NUBLM Shareholder Neil MacPherson, Liniclate Township, has played a key role in supporting the Lochmaddy Mart over many years and says the news from DHM is not entirely unexpected:
“I was very saddened to hear the news from Dingwall & Highland Marts, but not greatly surprised. The number of crofters choosing to sell their stock at other venues has increased over the years and that has clearly made it more difficult for the auctioneers to cover their costs.”
“Where to sell stock is, of course, a question of personal choice, but I am afraid it has been a case of ‘use it or lose it’.”
“As to what happens next, we will have to await the outcome of our meeting in early February, when I hope we will have some alternative options to consider. It will then be for shareholders to decide how they want to proceed.”
Local crofter and NUBLM Shareholder Keith MacDonald, Trumisgarry was hopeful of a good outcome:
“Bha coinneamh aig stiuirichean Mart Loch nam Madadh air 10mh den Fhaoilleach agus iad aonaichte oidhirp a dheànamh Mart Loch nam Madadh a chumail fosgailte agus buidhean eile a tharraing a-steach airson sèilichean a chumail. Bha iad gu math dòchasach gun gabhadh seo a dheànamh as na mìosan ri thighinn ann an ùine son fèile uain a chumail mar as àbhaist deireadh an t-sàmhradh seo.”
In South Uist, the Lochboisdale Mart has avoided the same fate as its North Uist cousin.
The picture in the South end of Uist appears to be very different, where United Auctions reports a roaring trade at Lochboisdale. Director and Chief Auctioneer Donald Young told Am Pàipear:
“The logistical requirements of an island sale certainly don’t make things easy – ferries, additional travel times and costs all have the potential to put buyers off. For us, Uist stock is worth that extra effort. We had eight mainland buyers bidding at Lochboisdale last month and the prices were very good. Our cattle sale in November saw prices easily keep par with mainland sales.”
Asked if United Auctions had any plans to extend their presence in Uist, Mr Young said: “We will always be delighted to sell Uist beasts through our marts. For us, the question of frequency is a question of need; we will always seek to meet demand.”
Mr Young concluded: ‘United Auctions is 100% committed to maintaining our service at Lochboisdale; be assured, we are here for the long run.”
The first NUBLM sale at Lochmaddy Mart saw 1,323 sheep and 383 cattle sold. By
1988, the numbers had grown, with 5308 sheep and 579 cattle sold. The NUBLM records show how numbers have declined over the years
A well-deserved honour
January’s 2024 New Year Honours list included two well-respected and much-admired Western Isles names: Mrs Malina Macleod MBE, Lochportain, North Uist and Mr Norman A “Dokus” Macdonald OBE, Uig, Lewis.
Making the announcement last month, Iain Macaulay, Lord-Lieutenant for the Western Isles, said:
”The honours system offers public recognition to people from all walks of life who have given exceptional service and made a difference in their community. I am therefore delighted that Mrs Malina Macleod MBE and Mr Norman A “Dokus” Macdonald OBE have been named in the 2024 New Year Honours list. They have both provided outstanding service, in their various roles, for a considerable length of time.”
A former Matron of Lochmaddy Hospital for many years, Malina was the first Deputy Manager of the Uist and Barra Hospital in Benbecula when it opened in 2001, and went on to take the Manager’s role a few years later.
Since her retirement from the nursing profession, Mrs MacLeod has worked as a highly-valued and much sought after home-carer for local charity Tagsa Uibhist, where she has been described as ‘always going the extra mile’. Her patients and clients speak appreciatively of her devotion, skills and caring abilities.
In his statement of recognition, the Lord Lieutenant said: “Mrs Malina Macleod MBE has dedicated herself to a career in nursing and social care, spanning a period of over 60 years; her commitment and service to the North Uist community has been truly outstanding.”
Mrs MacLeod told Am Pàipear of her surprise at the news: “I’m shocked and still can’t believe it has happened!”
She continued:
“I was a medical nurse all my life. I could never go into a surgical ward without feeling nauseous!
“I don’t think I was a good manager but I was a team player and it became clear things were changing over quite a number of the early years. Bringing together two different cultures was very hard, but assuring that all would work out was the hardest and most difficult time in my whole career.
“I will never forget the day the last patient left Lochmaddy Hospital. I went to my office and wept before someone came to take a photo as I locked the door.
“I missed the chat and good fun we had but it continued. For me management was a hurdle and I was always happy to challenge, but it was always important to go back to what I knew well – caring for the most vulnerable.”
Retired Councillor and Convener of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Norman MacDonald was awarded an OBE. He has a long record of public duty, both in his native Uig and across the Western Isles thorough his work with the Comhairle, and until very recently, served as a Watch Commander with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.
Sarah Jane MacSween – Executive Head, Uist Primary Schools
Discover your inner kindness this Christmas – ‘tis the season to be jolly and kind!
As we approach Christmas, we start to hear the word ‘kindness’ and are reminded that this word is commonly used at this time of the year.
I recently heard that kindness was contagious. It got me thinking, whether this was true and more importantly, is there any evidence to back that statement? My immediate thoughts led me to events and celebrations that unsurprisingly, all occurred within school settings. A school environment is arguably the most likely place to see evidence of natural and unconscious kindness. The evidence can be found on corridor and classroom displays, children’s work and Achievement and Celebration Walls to name but a few. Kindness can also be observed through the caring and thoughtful interactions between adult and child and their interactions with each other. I then asked myself the question, is kindness something that can be learned and how and when does it get taught?
Kindness is more than random acts. Being a kind person is about having an awareness and a willingness to respond to the needs of others.
Children learn from the examples set by the adults that surround them. Some say that they begin to imitate others from the moment they are born. As their first educators, parents/carers have the duty to allow their children to experience kindness themselves first hand and so give them the best possible start in life. Of course schools play a significant role in moulding and creating our future generation. However, it is not just the work of the school; the whole community can shape and influence young learners. Family and friendship groups can also make a significant contribution to the attitudes that our children form.
One of the building blocks of kindness is to understand and respect the rights of others. Across the Uist primaries, we pride ourselves on the quality of our Teaching and Learning about rights. Our schools have achieved silver, gold and reaccredited gold Right Respecting Schools status. Teaching and learning about rights involves whole school community involvement, our curriculum, assemblies, interdisciplinary learning, focus days and weeks and the children’s creative and informative displays within the school.
The Uist primaries will continue their Rights Respecting Schools Award journeys as a means to keeping our young children at the centre of everything that we do. We are committed to putting children’s rights at the heart of our school life. We strive to create safe and inspiring places to learn, where children are respected and learn to respect others. By enabling children to have positive attitudes to themselves and others, we enable them to form relationships characterised by kindness.
The school curriculum aims to ensure that all children and young people in Scotland develop the knowledge, skills and attributes they will need to become successful learners, confident individuals, effective contributors and responsible citizens. Underlying these capacities is the capacity to be aware of the needs of others, in a way that treats them with dignity and respect.
Each year our children and our families participate in a number of ways in responding to the needs of others at Christmas. For example, families contribute generously to the Blythswood Shoebox Appeal and a Christmas Swap Shop gives families the chance to find pre-loved party gear or Christmas jumpers. Within our schools, efforts are made to reduce family expenses through the effective use of The Cost of The School Day Toolkit. Families are encouraged to sell unwanted toys/clothes etc. on the schools’ Facebook pages, where all proceeds go towards school funds. Children and their families also reach out to the needs of the wider community by supporting local and national charities, such as WICCI, MacMillan Cancer and Marie Curie.
Another important contribution was when a school and Parent Council purchased electric trikes in partnership with the local care home as part of the Cycling Without Age Scotland initiative.
Across our Uist primaries, themed assemblies and special days highlight local, national and international issues and concerns, ensuring that children are well informed about the needs of others.
A wide range of activities that demonstrate our children’s experiences of expressing kindness take place through the course of the year. These include The Poppy Scotland Appeal, harvest festivals, donations to the local foodbank, panto/concert matinee performances for senior citizens, The Big Scottish Breakfast, sharing of pre-loved school uniform items for exchange free of charge and many other important acts of kindness.
Our schools are very fortunate to have such a high level of generous support and kindness shown to us by our local communities and businesses. Through the kindness of many donors, we receive support for school projects and events such as involvement in Mod preparation, purchases of healthy break time snacks, participation in Remembrance Sunday and sharing in intergenerational activities.
When I reflect on this range of activities in families, schools and communities, I think I can say with confidence that kindness is indeed infectious and alive and well in the Western Isles.
Home grown Meals on Wheels service
Tagsa Uibhist and MacLeans Bakery launch new home-grown Meals on Wheels service in Uist.
Biadh Blasta Uibhist will supply and deliver over 500 nutritious meals to those being cared for at home this winter. The meals have been made with local Uist lamb, venison, salmon and vegetables and will be delivered using zero-emission vehicles.
Tagsa’s Local Food Development Manager, Alex MacKenzie said: ‘These delicious meals are all made using local Uist meat, fish, and vegetables. The Tagsa staff and volunteers have been working with local crofters, the North Uist Estate and with local salmon companies and have grown huge amounts of potatoes, carrots, onions, and rhubarb here at Tagsa and in the community. The meals are traditional, healthy, and nutritious and have been prepared, packaged and blast frozen by MacLeans Bakery, meeting all required food safety standards. We will start our deliveries in the week of the 20th of November, reaching a total of 23 Tagsa clients over eight weeks.”
Allan Maclean, Director of Maclean’s Bakery, said: ‘We were delighted to be asked to help our friends at Tagsa Uibhist with their project as we share a passion for local produce and community gardens. We are lucky in Uist that there are so many excellent food producers and we are strongly supportive of any project that highlights their good work. We wish them every success for the future.”
Tagsa’s CEO, Chris MacLullich added: ‘A recent study carried out by Tagsa shows that the cost of food in Uist is 28% higher than on the mainland and that the availability of fresh, nutritious food is limited due to erratic deliveries and the lack of large supermarkets. These factors combined mean that eating fresh, nutritious, and healthy food can be very difficult for many in Uist, particularly those who find it difficult to prepare fresh meals themselves. We are grateful to the Comhairle for a grant of £2,500, which goes some way to making this pilot project possible. Our hope is to do the same and scale up in the coming years.”
Biadh Blasta Uibhist will initially run for a period of eight weeks but the hope is to establish the service on a permanent basis.