Isle of Barra news, archive

GUTH BHARRAIDH

BARRA NEWS

The campaign by the Barra youth council for Mobile phone masts for Barra provided the necessary spark to get the phone companies working together for the benefit of Barra. The long ongoing discussions and negotiations with Orange had stalled when all new installations UK wide were put on hold. The letter from the Youth council to John Allwood, Executive vice-president of Orange, and the associated publicity for the Youth Council campaign was the trigger which put the mobile service for Barra back on track.

In a letter to the Youth Council, MacNeil of Barra outlines the years of negotiations and thanks the Youth council for their campaign. Spokesman for the Youth Council, Seonnaidh Morrison stated “After working on this for quite a while, we are close to achieving our goal, and we feel that we’ve contributed to the island’s life in a positive, responsible way. It feels good to know that we’re close to getting what we wanted and that the island will benefit from this progress.”

Barra Airport had an unexpected visitor on Wednesday when Santa used the Air Service to stop off en route from Lapland before starting his deliveries for Christmas Eve. Leaving Rudolf and the rest of the reindeers behind to rest up for Christmas Eve, Santa dropped in on excited children from Eoligarry and Craigston schools who were visiting the airport at the invitation of HAIL and Loganair. Flying in on the Twin Otter, Santa obviously wished to enjoy the unique experience of landing on the Beach, instead of his usual travel through snow and ice – although I am sure there are times when Loganair could provide the snow and ice as well! Nearly 60 delighted children (and adults) welcomed Santa off the plane with his sack full of gifts and sang their hearts out, giving him a traditional island welcome.

Many, many thanks to all at Barra Airport and especially Loganair pilots, Bill and Chris for allowing Santa on their flight, from all the very happy pupils of Eoligarry and Craigston schools.

The office is closed on Monday 22nd and will re-open on Monday 5th January. The next Guth will be on Friday 9th January.

Barra Citizens Advice Bureau learned this week that their latest application to the Community Fund for further development of the Western Isles Youth Advice Service has been successful. The one year project will help to increase young people’s confidence to make informed decisions and life choices and help to deal with and overcome difficulties and barriers. This will help to reduce the disadvantage of geographical isolation and their risk of failure through lack of knowledge or advice.

The project will also work with a range of other youth service providers, statutory and voluntary, making them more aware of the broader needs of this client group and encouraging them to be more receptive to working in partnership with other agencies in delivering services to meet those needs.

Over the past 3 years the project has delivered information and advice to young people through a variety of means, with booklets, notice boards and on a personal level. The development of its own web-site and e-mail service enables the project to keep in touch with the young people off the Islands and to build links with other organisations with similar aims.

This award of Ł48,084 brings the total funding received by the CAB for the Youth Advice Service to over Ł1/4 million and has enabled the bureau to establish and expand its dedicated service for the young people of the Western Isles for 6 years, the maximum funding allowed through the community Fund. The current project has provided employment for 2 people in Barra for the past 3 years and this will continue for the duration of the latest development funding.

A three pronged approach by Western Isles Community Planning agencies is being taken in developing business facilities at Castlebay. Access and servicing works for much needed business accommodation have been substantially completed with only the final landscaping and lighting to be completed.

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and Western Isles Enterprise, with funding support from the Highlands and Islands Special Transitional Programme (HISTP), are developing the 0.5ha site in Castlebay in a Ł300,000 project to provide business accommodation. The development has been designed to a high standard and will include solar energy lighting units. The aim is to develop the site as three separate plots with a further area for future development.

The Comhairle intends to build a purpose built unit for a local hi-tech company that will allow them to move from their current small premises, take on new staff and expand their business.

Western Isles Enterprise hope to develop a second plot and has engaged a firm to carry out a feasibility study for the design of suitable units on the site.

It is intended that the third plot will be taken up by the UHI Millennium Institute for the construction of a remote learning centre and base for the OFTTI project. It is hoped that this development will also be part funded by HISTP.

The Chairman of Sustainable Development, said: "This will be a major development of business facilities in Barra which will lead to more jobs, better accommodation and increased confidence amongst the Barra business community. Working together with our Community Planning partners we are putting in place first class facilities to meet modern business demands”

Total population for Barra in the 2001 Census was 1,078. This compares to the figure of 1,200 in 1991 Census, a decrease of 10.17%. Vatersay however, appears to the only island in the Western Isles which shows an increase of population with total population in 2001 showing 94 compared to total population of Vatersay in 1991 of 70, an increase of 34.3%.

Not all is doom and gloom for Barra though. It is rumoured that there are more babies due (to date) next year in Barra than in the whole of Uist!

Census Results for Barra & Vatersay 2001
Age	5 & Under	6 - 10	11 - 20	21 - 30	31 - 40	41 - 50	51 - 60	61 - 70	71 - 79	80 - 100	Total
Barra	61	77	151	103	136	144	165	145	54	42	1,078
Vatersay	11	8	15	12	16	6	6	12	7	1	94

Many of you may be aware of the significance of internet access by “Broadband”. It is possible for many people on Barra to have access to broadband if only the Castlebay exchange is “enabled”. For Castlebay exchange to be enabled, a trigger level of 100 people must register an interest. This involves individuals registering their interest both with BT and with another Internet service provider (via the BT website). To date 16 people have registered. This figure may appear low but some may not have registered as described above. It is in Barra’s best interest that as many homes and businesses as possible register because as soon as the magic 100 is reached Bt will begin the process of enabling the exchange.

We would also ask those who have registered to e-mail the Guth. This will allow us to check that people registering are actually being counted by BT.

Recycling in the Western Isles will be easier for the public following a successful bid by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar to the Scottish Executive for funding of Ł902,000 for a range of recycling initiatives.

The money, announced this week by Environment Minister Ross Finnie, will go towards kerbside recycling schemes in the Stornoway area, an expanded bring site network in rural areas, implementing waste prevention and minimisation schemes and carrying out research and development into an integrated waste processing system for biodegradeable waste.

Cllr. Angus Nicolson, Chairman of Environmental Services, said: "This is a major boost for recycling in the Western Isles and will significantly increase public access to recycling facilities. The Comhairle has made major progress in introducing recycling initiatives and this is a further demonstration of our commitment to reducing waste and increasing recycling.
The Recycling Skips in Barra have already resulted in a 10% decrease in the rubbish being transported from Barra to go into the landfill site in Benbecula, and we could recycle much more waste than we do currently. Plastic bags and plastic bottles, tin and aluminium cans, all glass jars and bottles – make the effort to put them in the skip.

The Save Our Air Service Campaign has been continuing throughout the summer although the work been more involved with paperwork than high profile events. The Joint Air Services Committee (established by the two Community Councils, the Barra Transportation Committee and the Air Service Action Group) has been meeting and writing to the Scottish Executive, Highlands and Islands Airports and Nichol Stephen, The Transport minister for the Scottish Parliament. The Committee wishes to be kept informed and involved in any meetings and discussions being undertaken as part of the ongoing review of the Air Service (Yes! this review is still underway). The committee have also been trying to ensure that all local interests are fully consulted as part of the Review process and not only that the Steering Committee established by the Scottish Executive comes to Barra but that Barra has a representative on the Steering group and is involved in all aspects of the consultation process.

The passenger figures for the year to date for Barra show a satisfactory increase in passenger numbers for Barra airport. This is contrary to the alleged grounds for the review i.e. that the Sound of Barra Ferry would impact on the Air Service and that the direct service to Barra would no longer be viable! The Air Service Action Group fighting to retain “Our Lifeline Air Service” has hotly contested these grounds!

In October 2003, out with the main tourist season, passenger figures for Barra showed an increase of 9.3%, one of the largest increases across the HIAL area. For the year to date Barra passengers have numbered 6,023 compared to 5,724 in the same period last year, an increase of 5.2%. Based on these figures what justification is there for taking away our Air Service!

Bob Macleod, managing director of Highlands and Islands Airports, “In overall terms the latest passenger figures reflect the important role aviation plays across the region and the statistics indicate a good level of support for new and established air services

A special Shipping Services Committee meeting will be held in Oban on 11 December to respond to Coll’s complaints about next years summer timetable. A document has been circulated prior to the Shipping Services meeting outlining a number of questions and possible answers! This delay in finalising the timetables has held back the publication of Tourist Brochures and leaflets and will have a negative impact on next year’s tourist industry. The Summer timetable for next year for Barra is the best that could be achieved after much discussion, taking in the requirements of all other islands.

The Barra Transportation Committee will meet this Sunday (Please Note not Monday as advertised elsewhere in the Guth) at 4.30pm in the Fire Station to discuss the questions raised in the SSAC document.

Eorpa - 7pm, Friday 28th will cover the impact on the Highlands and Islands of the current review of Councils of Voluntary Service being carried out by the Scottish Executive.

The Service to Sports Award is presented annually in every sports council area in Scotland to recognise the outstanding contribution made by volunteers to promote and develop sport at a local level.

This year, the award for Uist and Barra has been presented to Gary Fudge. Over the years since he arrived in Barra, Gary has provided and promoted fitness training and developed a Running support network for local residents wishing to train and participate in running events throughout Scotland. Many have actively competed in the local Barrathon event.

The Fitness Group, set up by Gary, attracts between 15–30 people of all ages each session. The Circuit Training is held in the gym hall every Monday and Thursday evening. The Barra Fitness Group have also been successful in their recent “Awards for All” funding bid. The group were awarded Ł5,000 and will go towards the purchase of new equipment which will further improve health and fitness awareness within the Community. Gary’s commitment and voluntary efforts are greatly appreciated by the Barra Fitness Group and the Uist And Barra Sports Council.

MISE, produced by Media nan Eilean and funded by Comataidh Craolaidh Gŕidhlig, will revisit 10 young Gaelic-speakers throughout Scotland who took part in the original MISE series in 1995 and 1996. The new series will review moments from the previous programmes, chart the young people’s present day situations and highlight the changes that have taken place in their lives since filming the original series. The programme is presented by Cathy MacDonald.

The next programme in the MISE series will be broadcast on Thursday November 27^th on BBC2 Scotland will feature John Joe MacNeil from Barra. John Joe was 11 years old when he took part in MISE for the first time; during the filming for this series he was finishing a Hospitality course at Inverness College. The programme reflects on the hobbies and opinions John Joe had 8 years ago, and illustrates his current lifestyle.

Eight years ago, John Joe had strong opinions on the Barra Air Service, this is still true today. Since he was in primary school John Joe has been involved in the Feisean movement and today he is Chairperson of Feis Bharraigh. MISE joins John Joe and friends on a karaoke night out in Inverness and we also see John Joe at work as one of the volunteer presenters for Inverness Hospital radio. He also considers his career options and reveals his expectations for the future.

Castlebay Hall is a building site and only construction workers are allowed within the area fenced off around the new hall. The contractors, MacInnes Brothers have notified the police that there has been unauthorised entry onto the site out with the construction working hours.

You are asked to respect the Health and Safety Regulations and not to trespass onto the site for any purpose. You are also asked to notify MacInnes Brothers and /or the Police if you should see anyone trespassing onto the Construction site.

The new GP for Barra, David Munro from Kingussie, is due to take up his post from 1^st December 2003. Barra is extremely lucky in that Dr Munro was still willing to work in Barra even after the confusion that arose when the Scottish Medical Practice Committee decreed that Barra would only be entitled to 1.75 GPs following the departure of Dr Hidson to (colder) climes. That Barra will retain 2 full time GPs is a relief to the island, especially as Dr Bickle, the current GP, had stated that he would leave the island if the second post was only to be part time. Discussion with the Health Board is still ongoing for the future of the Barra Practice, but with the demise of the Scottish Medical Practice Committee due in the end of March 2004 and the new GP contracts coming into effect on 1st April 2004, we hope the future is secure.

A warm welcome is extended to Dr Munro and best wishes for his future as one of our GPs.

From the 1^st January 2004, the policy for the letting of all Comhairle premises is as follows:

When Comhairle nan Eilean Siar is about to grant a let of premises to a group (or Individual) who is likely to have a significant amount of contact with young people or vulnerable adults, the officer responsible for that let should ensure that the group has carried out a Criminal convictions Check to find out if the adults involved with the group are suitable for work with children, young people or vulnerable adults. If no evidence of checks can be produced, the let will not be granted.

Initially groups must carry out checks on new volunteers but it is also advisable that the main contact for the group also has a check carried out. For full details of this policy (and how it will affect your group) please contact Jessie MacNeil at Voluntary Action Barra on 810 401. Voluntary Action Barra is also acting as an umbrella organisation to assist groups with their checks and holds application forms for Criminal Record checks. Do not leave it too late. This policy will apply to all relevant groups from 1^st January.

Six Girls from Barra competed at this years centenary MOD in Oban and didn’t they do well. Marion Galbraith, Ardveenish, Michelle, Sarah and Caroline MacNeil, Northbay, Karen and Aileen Elder all took part, did very well and got high marks for their competitions. Few in number but high in talent! Congratulations to Michelle MacNeil for coming first in the 15 - 18 traditional competition and winning the Ann Kelly Memorial Trophy. Congratulations also to Marion Galbraith who got Silver medal in the 16 - 18 Poetry Recitation. Sincere thanks are due to Chrissie Mary MacNeil for her tutoring, Margaret MacNeil (Forbes) and Morag MacNeil for their Gaelic input and to Fiona Dasiukevich for her music input.

While credit is given to the efforts of these young people, concern is being expressed at the difficulties facing the same young people who wish to take music in school. In an island where Feis Bharraigh can attract over 150 pupils to a summer school, there are very few, if any, undertaking music to formal qualification standard through the current curriculum and the reasons for this need to be investigated.

A recent legal ruling in Europe, the Altmark ruling, may affect all services where there is a public element in provision (eg subsidy), including air, rail and ferry services. This ruling can affect service being provided under Public Service Orders (PSO) by governments within the European Union and there are already questions being asked about the current tendering proposals for the CalMac Ferry services across Scotland. The case of CalMac is also governed by the 1992 EC Directive on short sea shipping. Altmark encourages or requires a revision of the application/interpretation of the guidelines drawn up following this directive (including tendering requirements) under which the subsidy for CalMac's PSO currently has to be awarded.

The Scottish Executive have stated that they are currently considering the implications of the Altmark judgement in relation to EU rules regarding maritime state aids while other authorites are calling for the tendering programme to be halted. The Chairman of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar's Transportation Committee, Donald Manford, stated "The Scottish Executive has stated that the West Coast Ferry tendering process was a requirement of European Union legislation. Following the EU decision of 24 July this would appear to have evaporated. It would also appear that there is no reason to continue with the tendering exercise and I will, therefore, be seeking immediate clarification from the Scottish Executive on this matter".

There is discussion opinion on possible implications of Altmark on the internet at:

Almost eight weeks of hard work came to a close this week with two amazing drama productions in Castlebay. Castlebay Primary School staged “The Energy of Barra” on Friday 3rd October and the Barra Youth Theatre’s production “The Secret Dancers” was on Tuesday 7th October. Each of these successful shows were down to the hard work, talent and imaginations of the young people of Barra and Kirstin McLean.

Kirstin worked in Barra since mid August, developing a Youth Theatre and working in each of the primary schools and the secondary school. Senior secondary pupils covered many topics including interview techniques and public speaking and also addressed serious issues such as “domestic violence”. Primary school topics such as “The Clearances” and “The Victorians” were brought alive, while helping to strengthen basic drama skills. “The Energy of Barra” taught the skills necessary to make a performance. All of the pupils enjoyed this opportunity, and a great deal of positive feedback has been received, “I thought it was great. Kirstin was really nice. It was like expressing yourself. I would definitely do it again” was one comment from a primary seven pupil.

The Youth Theatre production, “The Secret Dancers” was a brand new piece of theatre. The story, characters and set, were created entirely from their own ideas. Miss McLean said “It was a very brave task, for a new youth theatre group, to make an original piece of theatre with only twelve rehearsals. Thankfully the Youth Theatre of Barra were more than up to the challenge and the results were spectacular.”

An Arts and Drama Committee has been established to try to enable this important work to continue. Please contact Trisha MacNeil 810 640 for more information.

The project was organised by Taigh Chearsabhagh and funded by the Ashden Trust, the Scottish Arts Council and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar.

In squalls of torrential rain, sleet and howling wind the under 16 girls played their tournament last Monday in Inverness. Soaked and covered in mud before the first half was over, the girls looked more like an advert for a washing powder than a football team.

Despite the conditions the standard of football was high and our goal scoring abilities and overall play were much improved on previous competition. Playing against teams made up exclusively of 4th years, our team made up of three 2nd years, six 3rd years and only one 4th year scored 10 goals in the 5 matches they played. The Barra girls won 3 matches and then lost the last 2 to come in an excellent 3rd overall.

Full credit must go the girls who were undaunted by much bigger and more experienced opposition. It is impossible to pick out the stars of the squad as they play as a team and deserve credit as such. As always their behaviour on and off the pitch couldn’t be faulted and they were a credit to themselves and the island. An excellent trip enjoyed by staff and pupils alike despite a 5am start on the last day. Will any of our trips ever go to plan?

The Team: Fiona “the tiger” MacNeil, Laura MacLennan, Kayleigh Campbell, Katie MacNeil, Catriona Nicholson, Louise MacNeil, Bridie Hidson, Sarah Ferguson Amy MacPhee, Megan Bickle

The news last week was that the Scottish General Practitioners Committee was recommending the GP services on Barra be reduced. The news was that there will not be funding for a full time replacement for Dr. Hidson, and that any new partner coming into the practice would have to be employed on a part time basis (three-quarter time).

Given the problems already being experienced by any rural area in securing the services of a GP doctor for full time posts - it will prove very difficult to persuade any doctor to move to Barra where all that is on offer is part time employment. The Minister for Health, Malcolm Chisholm, has apparently washed his hands off this problem and has intimated that it is up to the local Health Board. The implication being that the gap will be filled by locums! The island has had experience of a lengthy period when locums filled in during a period, despite their best efforts, the patients were nevertheless delighted and relieved when the Barra doctor returned to work.

There is concern, if this issue is not solved and an agreement reached about a full time replacement for the practice then the remaining partner, Dr Bickle will also review his position with regard to the GP service in Barra. The service is full time, seven days per week, 24 hours per day. The service not only provides cover for the GP practice but also for the Home and Hospital and requires two full time doctors for cover.

You are being urged to write to the Minister for Health, Malcolm Chisholm , Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh to insist on the second doctor being appointed for Barra on a full time basis. Prior to this news breaking the practice had been fortunate and had a doctor willing to come to Barra– but that was for a full time post!

Following the news last week that passenger figures for Barra had shown a considerable increase, it is important to remember that the Review of the Barra Air Service is still ongoing. The Barra Air Service Committee has been by established by the Community Councils and the Barra Transportation Committee and has been in correspondence with Stephen Nichol, the Transport Minister for the Scottish Parliament. The initial response from Stephen Nichol has not been satisfactory and the Barra committee has requested a meeting with the Air Service Review Group which has been established within the Scottish Parliament. A feasibility study into a hard air strip in Eoligarry has also been requested and this request is being considered by HIAL.

Caledonian MacBrayne have confirmed that crews have voted to accept the recent pay offer. The outcome of the RMT ballot on recent wage negotiations was that 208 members voted to accept the offer and 50 voted against it. Managing Director, Lawrie Sinclair stated that he was delighted with the outcome of the ballot and pleased that the RMT members themselves have taken the decision to avoid industrial action. He went on to say that he was sure the union and the Company could now move forward and work together to improve the business and secure the future with no threat of disruption or inconvenience to Cal Mac customers.

A service will be held on Sunday afternoon in Vatersay to mark the 150th anniversary of the loss of the Annie Jane on the Traigh Siar in 1853. The Annie Jane monument, which stands over the Traigh Siar, is a lasting reminder of the tragic ship which went on the rocks on this beach on 28th September 1853. The remains of the 350 men, women and children who lost their lives are interred here. It is thought that the ship's captain mistook the Bagh Siar for the Vatersay Sound, a short distance to the north, during a severe storm. Three quarters of those on board, crew and passengers en-route from Liverpool to Quebec, perished and were buried on the shore.

The impact of this tragic event on a small island community must have been devastating and the service on Sunday will commemorate the memory not only of those who lost their lives but also the survivors at the time and the islanders who had to deal with the tragedy.

Barra airport and Inverness Airport showed the highest monthly increase across the Highlands and Islands. At a time when the Scottish Executive are carrying out a review into the Future of the Barra Air service, the 10.8% increase in Air Service users must demonstrate to the powers that be that the Sound of Barra ferry service is not having an impact on the air service. Islanders know that it has been extremely difficult to get a booking on the plane throughout the summer, with flights being fully booked for weeks ahead.

This is a positive sign that the service is essential to the island and to the economy. Also very popular this summer has been the “sightseer” flight between Barra and Benbecula, a useful link for local people but a major attraction for visitors. However the review of the future of the Air Service is ongoing – a fact that must not be forgotten!

On behalf of the people of Barra and Vatersay we would like to extend our best wishes to Jeremy Hidson who leaves the island this weekend. Jeremy has served as GP with the Barra practice for 13 years and has also been a very active member of the Barra Coastguard team. We wish him all the best in his future career.

An excellent turnout for the Barra dancing competition held on Saturday 13th September resulted in keen competition for the trophies in each section. All competitors are to be congratulated for their hard work.

Barra Lifeboat was involved in the search for missing fisherman Murdo MacArthur from Bayhead in North Uist. The alarm was raised on Tuesday afternoon when Mr MacArthur failed to return to Griminish and a major Air & Sea search was started. The Barra lifeboat along with another lifeboat, local Coastguards and the Coastguard helicopter were involved in a massive search all night Tuesday and Wednesday. No trace of the missing fisherman or his vessel has been found. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.

Passenger and vehicle figures for the Loch Bhrusda across the Sound from Barra to Eriskay have surpassed all projected figures for the service. From the time that Cal Mac took over the run on 4th April up to the end of June the figures were as follows. 9298 passengers: 3255 Cars and Caravans: 140 Commercial Vehicles and 16 coaches. Provisional figures from 4th April 2003 up to the end of August since the start of the service are as follows: 19828 Passengers: 6576 Cars: 203 Commercials: 37 Coaches.

The news that objections have been lodged to the proposed second linkspan in Oban is of concern as it is likely that a Public Inquiry will now have to be held for this new development. The second linkspan in Oban would ease some of the timetabling problems currently being encountered in drawing up draft timetables for 2004.

Last weeks news that the Estate of Barra is to be donated to the Scottish ministers was a world wide scoop for the island paper. To make sure that the Barra people got the news first, MacNeil of Barra released a statement, only to the Guth on Thursday, 24 hours before the Scottish Executive issued the press release at Friday Lunchtime. This resulted in a flurry of media activity as UK wide press and radio hunted for information and contacts on this major news item.

That the estate is to be donated to the Scottish Ministers is, in effect, putting the land in trust while the community of Barra and Vatersay considers the opportunity for community ownership of both islands. There will be no rush forward with community ownership proposals as much more information is required before such a step is considered. And such a step will only be considered with the backing of the island crofters and residents alike. In the meantime MacNeil of Barra has provided a list of possible questions and answers to give more information to the island.

After a peaceful summer, Barra lifeboat crew found themselves much in demand when they responded to three callouts before lunchtime on Thursday. Bad weather, associated with the tail end of hurricane Fabian, resulted in force eight gales across the islands.

The first callout was to the yacht “Sofar” which ran aground in Loch Skipport in South Uist. On arrival, the lifeboat was unable to tow the yacht off as the tide had dropped, but the yacht’s crew were safe and able to get ashore without assistance.

The second callout was in response to an onshore alert that a yacht appeared to be in difficulty off the East coast of Barra. Responding to the call, the lifeboat crew checked up on the yacht and she was making her way to shelter in Eriskay.

The third callout was closer to home when the lifeboat had to assist the Castle boat which was adrift with a fouled propeller.

An excellent turn out at the Scottish Co-op Islands Half Annual Meeting held by Video Link on Tuesday evening, allowed Scottish Co-op members to express their concern at recent events in the local store. Considerable staff changes and lack of proper ordering left the store very short of most essential goods over the past two weeks. Local members have demanded a public meeting with senior management and are seeking assurances that a new store will be provided sooner rather than later. In the mean time the members are asking that levels of goods in the local store be kept at an acceptable level.

Rural Development Minister Ross Finnie and Ian MacNeil of Barra today announced agreement, for MacNeil’s donation of his crofting estate in Barra to Scottish Ministers. The 3600 hectares (9000 acres) crofting estate comprises most of MacNeil’s land in Barra. The transfer will include adjacent foreshore as well as fishing and mineral rights. Coupled with existing estates of Scottish Ministers on Barra and Vatersay, the combined estates will cover almost all the land on the two islands, which have a population of about 1300. They will extend to 6500 hectares (16,000 acres) with over 440 croft tenancies and two working quarries.

Under the agreement, MacNeil will donate the property to Scottish Ministers, subject to their paying for the cost of the transfer. SEERAD will manage the property for the Scottish Ministers until such a time as, and if requested, ownership is passed to the local community free of charge. Mr Finnie said: “I welcome the decision by MacNeil to entrust his property to Scottish Ministers. This ensures that it will continue to be managed for the benefit of the local community.” “We intend to manage this land with a view to its transfer, along with our own properties, to community ownership when the Barra and Vatersay islanders are ready to take control of the land management. “We will encourage community participation in property management through an estate charter similar to those already adopted on other estates owned by Minister.”

MacNeil added: “During my thirty-five years of active management I have tried to run the

Estate of Barra in harmony with the best interests of the crofters and of the community as a whole. In light of SEERAD’s reputation as a first-class landlord I have no doubt that it will do the same.” “A transfer to SEERAD will also open exciting opportunities for local community ownership and management, if appropriate democratic processes reveal that this is what crofters and wider community of Barra and Vatersay want.”

Both Mr Finnie and MacNeil stressed that the identity of the landlord in no way alters the

statutory rights of individual crofters. No landlord, no matter who it is, can deprive crofters of their legal rights of tenure, to purchase their housesites or crofts, to have rents subject to Land Court determination, or in the common grazings.

“The actual transfer may take several months to complete. Meanwhile, the Estate will continue to be managed as in the past. Thus, until further notice, all inquiries from crofters or others involved with the Estate of Barra should continue to be made either to the Factor, Roderick MacLean, or to me directly.” Ian MacNeil of Barra.

It was with great shock and horror that people woke on Saturday morning to hear that there had been yet another car crash on the island. At 6am on Saturday morning a car travelling along the A888 in the centre of Castlebay had left the road, turned over down a steep embankment and had come to land on its roof, where it then caught fire.

One of the occupants was able to escape and raise the alarm and a nearby resident dragged the other occupant to safety before the car burst into flames. Following treatment in Barra the two casualties were flown out by air ambulance to Glasgow’s Southern General Hospital where they are recovering, lucky to escape with their lives….

HITRANS, the Highlands and Islands Strategic Transport Partnership, are investing in high-quality stainless steel and glass bus shelters at strategic points on bus routes on the Islands.An additional 22 bus shelters are to be installed and it is expected that eight will be in Lewis and Harris, nine in Uist and five in Barra. Next year, as many as 20 more shelters will be installed. Major improvements to Bus and Ferry terminals with better facilities for passengers are also planned including the Sound of Harris Ferry and the Sound of Barra Ferry. These are only a small part of the Transport infrastructure improvements planned over the next two years.

Donald Manford, the chairman of the Transportation Committee of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, said: “The advances in the bus and ferry facilities throughout the Western Isles will certainly be welcomed by those who regularly use them. These improvements in service, shelter, quality and access will provide passengers with increased comfort for their journey and more modern transport improvements to the Islands.”

HITRANS is a voluntary partnership of all the local authorities in the Highlands and Islands, along with Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the Scottish Council Development and Industry. The HITRANS Strategy, adopted this year, is the first document to identify the common transport themes and issues and to set objectives for the next 20 year in this region.

Among its aims are investment in modernising the road network and in faster public transport to reduce journey times and improvements in integration and better choice in transport services.

The day without power on Thursday, which affected most of the Castlebay area, was to enable ongoing work on the improvements to the Electricity network round Barra and Vatersay. This upgrade, which began in 2002, has been ongoing and has seen major investment in the network of cables, poles and transformers which will lead to a much improved power supply for the future.

Nearly three quarters of a million pounds is being invested in the electricity infrastructure and equates to over Ł800 per customer on the island.

Users of the Forum are reminded that it is a discussion forum, not a means for targeting individuals, on any subject. Out of touch, petty and snide comments do not do the island any good.

This week’s featured boat is MFV Charisma CY 88, which is skippered by John Archie MacLeod, a partner in the Northbay Fishing Company. The Charisma is the sister ship to the Prowess.

We would like to offer skipper and crew best wishes and continued success with the vessel.

I am deeply irked by your attack on the service provided by the two community skips, and would be grateful for the opportunity to respond.

The service has always been fortnightly, except during known pressure periods e.g. Barra Live, when we have provided it weekly. Other than Stornoway, no part of the Western Isles has weekly collections.

The skip is for use by the community. We have discovered that businesses are using these skips to avoid paying for their commercial waste, and this is preventing the public from using them for the intended purpose. This has three effects:

I would appeal to the people of Barra to ensure that the two community skips are not abused by businesses dodging their dues. I am more than happy to come and discuss this issue with the community at any time, and if the skips are being properly used and are still overflowing, then I will guarantee that we will look very closely at the provision of further skips.

I would remind all businesses wanting to dispose of commercial waste that they should contact the Comhairle.

A number of Barra organisations have been remembered in Sir John Willison’s will. Sir John Willison, Chief Constable of Berwick, Roxburgh and Selkirk, 1952-58, of Lusley, Worcs, who died last October, left estate valued at Ł1,316,512 net.

He left Ł7500 each to the Worcestershire Branch, Outward Bound Association, the CPRE, the Police Dependants Trust, West Mercia Police Benevolent Fund, the Elders of the Church of Scotland, RC Church Northbay Barra, Alfrick Church, Barra Old People’s Home. He also left Ł7,500 plus land at Dalry, Ayrshire, to Longwill Educational Trust, a share in his estate to the RNLI, Abbeyfield Worcester Branch, the Scottish Institution for the War Blinded, John Grooms Association for the Disabled and the Cancer Relief Macmillan Fund.

Sandy, as he was known in Barra, had a long association with the island and had a holiday home in Bruernish since the early sixties. St Brendan’s Home, acknowledging their appreciation of their legacy, hope to use the funds to refurbish the residents lounge and create additional garden space for their residents.

This weeks featured boat is MFV Three Sisters BK 518, purchased by A & A MacNeil from Newcastle in April 2003. The Three Sisters is a Kingfisher Fast Catch 31 potting netting boat.

We would like to offer skipper and crew best wishes and success with the new vessel.

(Brendon, Caitlin Logan, Domhnall Iain MacIntyre, Oran Boyd , Zia Low, Rosie McGlone, Shian MacNeil, Chloe MacNeil, Adam Bari.)

Castlebay Playgroup’s first year in their new premises at the Children’s Centre has enabled the group to expand their services to providing all-day care. The newly formed Playgroup Plus secured over Ł4,000 from Childcare Partnership for supporting a 6-month trial project, and due to the demand, the service will continue. It is the first time that there has been a waiting list for children to enrol into the group.

Over the last year, the children have enjoyed numerous outings – trips to the Castle, Airport, Polytunnel, Vatersay, Christmas Dinner (thanks Jeanette!), Easter Hunt, Pony Trekking in Uist but the highlight this year was the trip to Oban to see the Singing Kettle with a personal meeting with Artie and Cilla!!

Castlebay Playgroup wish to thank everyone for their help over the year, particularly to the Barra Pre-School Committee for providing them with the excellent Centre and for the catering at the Graduation Party. Special thanks to Fiona MacDonald (Secretary) and Jeanette Boyd (Treasurer) for all their hard work, and to the Playgroup Staff for ensuring that the children had such an enjoyable year.

The next session is due to start on Monday, 1st September. If you would like to discuss the childcare options, please contact the Playleaders, Mags or Carol Tel : 810890.

Barra has two Community Councils, Castlebay and Northbay, and they have a very important role to play in the democratic structure of the Western Isles. Established by Statute, the local authority (Comhairle nan Eilean Siar) must consult and listen to the views of the Community Councils and active Community Councils can make considerable progress for their area, by raising issues with the Council and Councillor, making constructive use of Wards funding and pushing for improvements to services and facilities for the island. Active Community Councils give considerable backup to the local Councillor when campaigning for the islands. There are six community councillors required for each area, so come forward to fight for your children, their education and their facilities. All ages should be represented!! Deadline for nominations is at 4pm on Wednesday 27th August 2003.

This weeks featured boat is MFV Aurora-B, CY 813 which Eoin Boyd, Northbay purchased from Icelandic GRP boatbuilder Trefjar last year. The Aurora-B is a Cleopatra 33 potting netting boat.

We would like to offer skipper and crew best wishes and continued success with their vessel.