On Tuesday 2nd June Ray Mears, survival expert and TV personality fulfilled his promise to spend the day with pupils from Castlebay School. In the past few years, Ordnance Survey has provided every Primary 7 pupil in the UK with a map of their local area. As part of this Free Maps for Schools scheme and to encourage their map skills, Castlebay School pupils entered a competition last year where they were to outline how they would like to spend the day with Ray Mears. more>>
Western Isles MP, Angus MacNeil, and MSP, Alasdair Allan, this week hailed a “massive victory" for the SNP in the islands, following Monday’s announcement of the results of the European election. The island results, which were the last in Scotland to be declared, showed the SNP on 43% of the vote locally, with Labour second on 18%. This means the SNP are up 14 percentage points locally compared to the last Euro election in 2004. Labour’s standing fell by 5 points. more>>
Ideal Location in Centre of Castlebay, Close to Tourist Office and Pier. more>>
Letter to the Transport Minister From the Community in Barra
Dear Mr Stevenson
Never has so much chaos been caused by the breakdown of one ferry.The MV Clansman broke down last Friday, there was a knock on effect on every ferry service sailing out of Oban because of the amount of work that vessel is being asked to do, the number of islands she has to serve and the complex timetable she operates. more>>
Trading Standards Officers at Comhairle nan Eilean Siar have repeated warnings about worthless guarantees following several enquiries about the issue this week.
Consumers in the Western Isles have been approached by sales representatives offering contracts for house maintenance services such as painting and roof preparations. more>>
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and the Scottish Government have this week launched an online business survey as part of the Scottish Ferries Review.
The Scottish Government are carrying out this review across all Scottish ferry routes including all domestic and private services. The review will consider current provision of ferry services and what improvements should be made to meet future needs. This review meets the Government's commitment set out in the 2006 National Transport Strategy (NTS) to "develop a long-term strategy for lifeline services to 2025". more>>
Castlebay School Cleanup
 On Thursday 30th of April pupils from Castlebay Secondary School got out of the classroom to pick up litter! Following a visit from the Councils Waste Aware Team, children from S1 to S3 collected and recycled litter from around the School, the play park and the football pitch. A massive amount of litter was collected, as well as many other items including an old bike, scooters and paint pots!
Well done to all the children who took part!
Launched by The Scottish Government
Environment Minister Roseanna Cunningham says that the Crofting Reform Bill will set communities on course for a 'stronger, brighter future'. Launching a consultation into the draft bill, Ms Cunningham demanded an end to the 'corrosive effect of absenteeism, neglect and speculation' and the development of a system which allowed crofters to shape their own destiny. more>>
Barra Community Wind Turbine goes to planning
Coimhearsnachd Bharraidh agus Bhatarsaidh have this week lodged a planning application, with CnES, for a 900KW wind turbine to be located at Scùrabhal point in Eoligarry. The application is a hefty document including an environmental statement and 12 supplementary reports to support the planning document. more>>
A new study has been commissioned to evaluate the viability of a sub-sea cable linking the Western Isles to Ireland and north England. This proposal could open huge opportunities for the Southern Isles to take advantage of developing marine renewable technologies and is a significant improvement on all prior proposals, which have offered no significant prospect for development out with Lewis. more>>
Future of Cockle Stocks Under Debate
At a well attended meeting in Northbay Hall, there was considerable discussion about the future of the cockle stocks on the Traigh Mhor, following the stock appraisal report carried out in March which put the biomass on the beach at just over 200 tonnes . At the present time there are upwards of 40 tonnes of cockles exported from the island on an annual basis. The question being debated was; Can the Traigh continue to sustain this level of fishery annually given the current depleted level of the biomass of cockles on the beach? more>>
Island Politicians Seek Information On Future Of Barra Air Services
Western Isles SNP MSP, Alasdair Allan, MP, Angus MacNeil, and Barra councillor, Donald Manford, have today approached Minister for Transport, Stewart Stevenson, to ask when a clear timetable is expected to be in place for the replacement of aircraft serving Barra. Dr Allan commented: “The air routes to Barra are a lifeline service for the island and are crucial for tourism. They are vitally important connections to the mainland and to Uist for the many islanders who use the service. more>>
Seafarers Uk Chief Executive Officially Opens Cobhair Bharraidh
Commodore Barry Bryant, from Seafarers Uk cuts the ribbon to mark the official opening of Cobhair Bharraidh after the extensive renovation work that has been carried on over the past 18months. Seafarers UK and Merchant Navy Welfare board have been very supportive of Cobhair Bharraidh. more>>
Girl Power Takes to the Air!
Captain Annag MacLeod, from Eoligarry Barra and Co Pilot Mairi Nicholson from Grimsay Island North Uist, last Wednesday, were in charge of the Flybe flight into Barra operated by Loganair. So a why a double first?
The first time that the flight has been operated by two female pilots and the fact that both these pilots were Gaelic speakers. Congratulations to Annag and Mairi on their achievements in the aviation world. more>>
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