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Tagsa Uibhist’s new project offers Uist residents chance to grow food in polycrubs

March 2, 2017

Members of the community are being offered opportunities to grow food for themselves and their families in allotments, greenhouses and polycrubs through a new project led by Tagsa Uibhist.

‘Grow Your Own Community’ will aim to teach people more about the links between growing food, avoiding food waste and acting on climate change, at the same time strengthening social cohesion and developing a low carbon future for Uist.

Tagsa Uibhist won a grant of £128,411 from the Scottish Government’s Climate Challenge Fund to set up the project. ‘Grow Your Own Community’ will run for one year, beginning on 1st April 2017 and continuing until 31st March 2018.

Activities planned as part of the project include providing young families and social housing residents with low carbon community growing facilities and developing a carbon literate network of horticultural trainers, volunteers and a Mental Health and Wellbeing Support Worker. It is also planned to deliver a practical community workshop programme on how to use and re-use local waste materials for food growing purposes.

In addition, ‘Grow Your Own Community’ will work to achieve a significant CO2e reduction in food miles by working with local organisations and businesses to increase outlets for locally grown potatoes, and by increasing capacity in the islands crofting community to produce and promote machair potatoes as a highly-prized, island grown product that uses traditional knowledge and practices, as well as locally harvested seaweed as a low carbon fertilizer.

‘Grow Your Own Community’ offers free support to help people learn how to grow food for their households, as well as supplying information on reducing food waste and climate change.

CALL FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST FROM THE COMMUNITY:

‘Grow Your Own Community’ would like to hear from residents in the community who would be interested in having a polycrub installed near to where they live so that they can learn to grow food almost on their doorstep.

‘Grow Your Own Community’ is looking for the following:

A level site of at least 5m x 13m.
Ideally would be near to social housing and young families.
Ownership or permission to use the site must be forthcoming.
A written statement is required from community council to confirm all the above.
Once agreement is met, planning permission must be sought by the community council as soon as possible.

‘Grow Your Own Community’ will provide the following:

Poly Crub 4m x 12m ( http://www.nortenergy.co.uk/).
All construction costs.
Internally built raised beds, including topsoil and manure.
Support worker for each site to assist you with all your growing needs.

Laura Donkers, Project Leader said: “This is a wonderful opportunity for even more local people to benefit from the food growing project that has been running for the last two years. Now we will be able to develop more ‘Grow Your Own Community’ hubs across the islands, and increase the supply of machair grown potatoes through the ‘Potatoes for Schools’ initiative that encourages crofters to grow extra potatoes for use in the islands schools’ canteens.”

Peter Keiller, Chair of Tagsa Board of Trustees said: “Tagsa Uibhist is delighted that the Climate Challenge Fund has recognised the success of the Local Food for Local People project by awarding a further years funding. Our aim is to further extend the project into all areas of our community, to bring people together and engage everyone – the young, the old, the disabled and disadvantaged, in realising the potential to increase local food production in Uist. This project is an important part of Tagsa Uibhist’s vision of building a vibrant, strong and caring community where we work together to look after each other.”

Derek Robertson, Chief Executive of Keep Scotland Beautiful commented: “Climate change impacts all of us and we need collective action to tackle it, so we were delighted to have supported so many communities from across Scotland in preparing applications for the latest round of the Scottish Government’s Climate Challenge Fund.

“We congratulate all those community-led organisations awarded Climate Challenge Fund grants and look forward to working with them as they implement their projects.”

The Climate Challenge Fund is £9.97 million in 2017-18, with the Scottish Government contributing £9.09 million to the fund, while £0.88 million comes from the European Regional Development Fund. Since the fund launched in 2008, £85.8 million has been awarded. Keep Scotland Beautiful, an environmental charity, manages the fund on behalf of the Scottish Government.

Chief Executive of Stòras Uibhist resigns

January 27, 2017

Stòras Uibhist has announced the resignation of its Chief Executive.

Fraser Quin has only been in post for six months and is said to be leaving by mutual consent.

In a statement issued this afternoon, Stòras Uibhist said Dr Quin is leaving for personal reasons.

Dr Quin said: “I am sorry to announce my resignation from Stòras Uibhist at this time. I have greatly enjoyed my time in South Uist and my contribution to the community company and the islands. I will miss the staff and the many friends I have made in South Uist.”

Angus MacMillan, Chairman of Stòras Uibhist, said: “The board accepts Fraser’s decision to move to other challenges in his business life. The board are extremely grateful for his significant input at a time of transition in Stòras Uibhist. Fraser has shown great energy, drive and vision in taking the community company forward in his time in South Uist”.

Stòras Uibhist is the community land owner of the 93,000 acre estate covering the islands of Eriskay, South Uist, and part of Benbecula.

Dr Quin took over the role of Chief Executive from Huw Francis in July last year. He was previously Chief Executive of the Eric Liddell Centre in Edinburgh.

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CalMac supermodel finds a home in Lochmaddy

January 6, 2017

Lochmaddy port manager Mary Morrison with port assistant John MacDonald and senior clerk Sandra Rankin together with the MV Hebrides model on the day she arrived.

A new supermodel has made her way to Lochmaddy. She comes dressed in black, white with a hint of red, and intends to stick around for a while.

However, this particular model is unlikely ever to cut a dash on the catwalks of London, Paris or Milan as she prefers the quieter west coast life.

She is also not likely to go out and about much within the community – local people, on the other hand, will be more than welcome to go and visit her in her new home.

For the model in question is a scale version of CalMac’s much-loved MV Hebrides, the familiar vessel that serves the Uig-Lochmaddy-Tarbert triangle.

She previously made her home in Gourock at the company’s HQ, but a change of scene called and she has made a new life in the port office at Lochmaddy.

Some of the first islanders to pop along and take some inspiration from her and her real-life, much bigger sister were pupils from Balivanich Primary School’s art class. While some of the students decided to paint and draw the actual MV Hebrides as she made one of her regular calls at the North Uist port, others opted to make the new indoor model their muse.

Balivanich Primary School students made the model the focus of one of their art classes.

The model is quite large at more than a metre long and nearly half a metre in height and has taken pride of place on loan among the many CalMac artefacts already on show as part of an exhibition mounted by port assistant John MacDonald.

John is delighted with the new addition to the port.

He said: “It’s absolutely great to see the model here in Lochmaddy right beside the pier where her much bigger sister calls in.

“We’re really proud to have her here and I’m sure that loads of people from the island, as well as visitors coming through the port, will enjoy seeing her. It was fun to have the children from Balivanich here painting her – they were amazed by the model and really enjoyed the opportunity.

“The paintings they did were all fantastic and we really look forward to being able to put one of them up in the offices here.”

John’s exhibition at Lochmaddy port, which show cases his extensive collection of CalMac artefacts, has been changing and growing for about two years and has become a very popular feature for both locals and tourists alike.

Police appeal over Benbecula heating oil theft

January 3, 2017

Police in Benbecula are appealing for witnesses to the theft of domestic heating oil in the Nunton area of Benbecula.

If anyone has seen any vehicles or persons acting suspiciously in that area between 13th December 2016 and 2nd January 2017 please contact Benbecula Police Station (details below).

Residents are reminded to secure their oil tanks in order to deter opportunist thieves.

Any person with information please contact PCN0869 Elizabeth MacKay or Duty Officer at Benbecula Police 101.

Information can also be left anonymously by using CRIMESTOPPERS 0800 555 111.

Latest severe weather advice (21st December 2016)

December 21, 2016

Wild weather is set to hit the islands over the next couple of days.

An amber notification warning of severe weather from the Met Office remains valid from 12noon on Friday 23rd December until 6am on Saturday, 24th December 2016 with a spell of very strong south to south-westerly winds is expected to develop on Friday.

Gusts of 80mph are likely quite widely, with westerly winds gusting to 90mph likely across parts of western and northern Scotland later on Friday and overnight into Saturday. Winds will then ease on Saturday morning.

People are advised to be aware of the potential for some structural damage – this more likely across the northwest of the warning area – as well as disruption to power supplies and travel, with restrictions on bridges and disruption to ferries.

Anyone looking to change a booking on a Flybe flight with Loganair on 23rd or 24th December – for which they already hold a reservation to travel – are asked to check seat availability on their desired alternative on preceding days at www.flybe.com then to give Loganair a call on 0344 800 2855 with a booking reference.

Ferry services are very likely to be disrupted on Friday 23rd December and possibly Saturday 24th December.

Bus services are expected to continue as normal throughout Thursday 22nd December. However, there is likely to be disruption to services on Friday 23rd December.

Members of the public are advised to travel with care. Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and Police will be monitoring all causeways.

It is advised that any loose debris be secured, with the construction industry asked to secure scaffolding and any lose items on building sites.

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar is asking family, neighbours and friends living nearby to assist and support elderly and vulnerable people.

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) is reminding members of the public to take extra care if using candles during any power cuts which occur due to winter storms. In the event of a loss of 999 services, all fire stations will be manned by emergency services.

SSE is on alert and has put in place its contingency plans to deal with any damage the storm may cause to the electricity network. Any customers who lose their electricity supply are urged to contact SSE on 105 to report damage or highlight neighbours or friends who may need extra help.

All services are subject to further disruption and a final update for this weekend, will be given at lunchtime tomorrow.

Updates will be provided via the Public Information section of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar’s website.

Clàr chridheil na Nollaig aig BBC ALBA a’ toiseachadh a-nochd!

December 15, 2016

Toisichidh clàr na Nollaig aig BBC ALBA a-nochd (15 Dùbhlachd 2017) is e luma-làn phrògraman a chòrdas ris an teaghlach air fad.

Am measg na tha anns a’ chlàr, tha mòran phrògraman aithriseach, prògraman còmhraidh agus prògraman chloinne air leth inntinneach, cuide ri Cèilidh na Bliadhn’ Ùire agus seirbheis Nollaig bho Eaglais na h-Alba ann an Inbhir Gòrdain.

Seo taghadh…

Ceann an Rìgh

Diardaoin 15 Dùbhlachd aig 8.30f

Prògram aithriseach sònraichte mu dheidhinn mar a chaidh ath-chruthachadh a dhèanamh air aodann Raibeart am Brusach. Thathar air a bhith a’ dèanamh ìomhaighean den Bhrusach fad linntean ann an dealbhan, snaighidhean agus filmichean – ach cha robh càil a dh’fhios aig duine cò ris a bha e coltach. Tha am Proifeasair Caroline Wilkinson, air teicneòlas 3D a chleachdadh gus ìomhaigh a chruthachadh dhan Bhrusach agus chithear seo sa phrògram.

Scotstar: Teasairginn Èiginneach

Diardaoin 15 Dùbhlachd aig 9f

A’ toirt dlùth dhealbh dhuinn air an obair ion-mholta a tha Scotstar a’ dèanamh. Is e sin sgioba de dhotairean, banaltraman agus parameidigs a bhios rim faotainn 24 uair san là, 365 là sa bhliadhna gus dèanamh cinnteach gum bi daoine a tha a’ fuireach air feadh Alba agus a tha air leth tinn, comasach air sàr fhrithealadh fhaotainn a dh’aindeoin ’s càite a bheil iad a’ fuireach. Bidh iad a’ feuchainn ri daoine tinn a chumail beò is iad a’ siubhal air rathaidean agus anns an adhair, gan toirt gu ospadal bho na ceàrnaidhean as iomallaich ann an Alba. Bidh e air a chraoladh air

An Aghaidh Mhòr (Trusadh)

19 Dùbhlachd aig 9f

Bho Santa Claus Land gu Shabbymore, tha an Aghaidh Mhòr air a bhith tro amannan soirbheachail agus amannan nas dùbhlanaich thar nam bliadhnaichean. Ach fiù ’s san latha an-diugh tha e follaiseach gu bheil e fhathast na àite sònraichte do mhòran. Tro sgeulachdan an fheadhainn a tha a’ fuireach agus ag obair ann, seann dheilbh film agus dealbhan pearsanta a dhùisgeas cianalas agus a thogas gàire no dhà, seo sgeulachd baile beinne sònraichte. Diluain

Taigh Thorcuil

An oidhche ron Nollaig (24 Dùbhlachd) aig 10f

Tha Torcuill MacLaomainn air ais, agus tha e a’ cur fàilte air aoighean sònraichte airson na Nollaig. Còmhla ris tha Donnie ‘Dòtaman’ MacLeòid, rionnagan Bannan Debbie NicAoidh agus Dòmhnall Eòghainn MacFhionghain agus neach-buannachaidh Bonn Òir a’ Mhòid Joy Dunlop. Tha ceòl ri chluinntinn bhon chòisir Atomic Piseag agus an còmhlan Tidelines agus bidh geamannan is fealla-dhà gu leòr a’ dol.

Ciùin an Oidhche

An oidhche ron Nollaig (24 Dùbhlachd) aig 11f

Tha sinn a’ cruinneachadh ann an Eaglais na h-Alba ann an Inbhir Ghòrdan, Siorrachd Rois a’ comharrachadh agus a’ cuimhneachadh stòiridh na Nollaig tro leughaidhean agus laoidhean. Am measg na bhios a’ gabhail pàirt, bidh Còisir Ghàidhlig Inbhir Pheofharain, Seinneadairean Inbhir Ghòrdain, Ellen NicDhòmhnaill agus Rionnagan Rois. Agus gheibh sinn sealladh de dhiofar choimhearsnachdan a tha a’ cur ri eachdraidh, dreach agus beatha làitheil na sgìre – le iomradh air cuimhneachain cogaidh na coimhearsnachd Phòlannaich, an eaglais mar challa do mharaichean, nàbachd na sgoile agus àite a’ mhinisteir ann an saoghal ball-coise.

An Dara Teud: Na Trads

Diciadain 28 Dùbhlachd aig 9f

Sàr phìosan bho na Trad Awards 2016, bho Thalla Caird, Dùn Dè. Tha Màiri Anna NicUalraig, Tony Kearney agus Linda NicLeòid a’ còmhradh ris an luchd-ciùil, an fheadhainn a bhuannaich agus rionnagan na h-oidhche.

Druthag na Hearadh

Oidhche Challainn aig 8.30f

An dèidh seachd bliadhna ag ullachadh agus dà bhliadhna a’ togail, tha taigh-staile na Hearadh deiseil. Tha an sgeulachd seo a tha air a h-innse ann an trì earrannan a’ leantainn chùisean bhon toiseach chun an là an-diugh. Buinidh an luchd-obrach air fad dhan choimhearsnachd ionadail agus canar an ‘Tarbert Ten’ riutha. Is e saoghal gu tur ùr a tha ann dhaibh ach tha iad airson dearbhadh gu bheil iad comasach air nì ùr a chruthachadh anns na Hearadh.

Gladys

Oidhche Challainn aig 9f

Sgeulachd dhriùiteach mu Gladys NicIain, màthair, seanmhair agus sean-seanmhair à Àth Tharracail air Costa Siar na h-Alba agus an turas pearsanta iongantach air an deach i. Tha Cathy NicDhòmhnaill a’ toirt taic do Ghladys a rugadh ann an Èirinn faighinn a-mach mu a teaghlach agus mu a h-òige. Is ann a-nis às dèidh iomadach bliadhna agus pailteas de cheistean a tha an sgeulachd inntinneach seo a’ tighinn gu solas an là.

Cèilidh na Bliadhn’ Ùire 2016

Oidhche Challainn aig 11.30f

Oidhche Challainn air BBC ALBA, agus sinn a’ cur fàilte air 2017 bho Chaisteal Chiatach Shruighlea le Cèilidh na Bliadhn’ Ùire. Bidh aoighean na h-oidhche, Cathy NicDhòmhnaill agus Tony Kearney ann an Talla Mhòr a’ Chaisteil còmhla ri aoidhean ainmeil, nam measg bidh cuid den luchd-ciùil thraidiseanta às cliùitich a chì àrd-ùrlar, Julie Fowlis, agus a còmhlan-ciùil le Éamon Doorley, Donnchadh Siosal, Calum Stiùbhart agus Tony Byrne. Cuideachd a’ seinn bithidh Fiona Cheanadach, Rona Lightfoot agus Sìneag Nic an t-Saoir.

Airson na cloinne tha Na Saboteurs dràma ùr, èibhinn mu chlann a tha mì-thoilichte gu bheil an athair air iarraidh air an tidsear aca tighinn chun an taighe airson dìnneir (Là na Nollaig aig 6.30f) agus Rannan Rapach, air a tharraing bhon sgrìobhadh aig Roald Dahl – agus am madadh-allaidh ag innse nan stòiridhean – Dimàirt 27 Dùbhlachd aig 5.15f.

Agus càite am biodh sinn às aonais spòrs? Ann an Spòrs na Bliadhna 2016, tha Calum Dòmhnallach a’ toirt thugainn an taghadh as fhèarr bho shaoghal Spòrs 2016. Bithear a’ coimhead air ais air na Geamannan Oilimpigeach ann an Rio, Sgioba ball-coise nam Ban aig Alba troimhe gu farpais Euro2017 ‘s farpais ball-coise na Euros a bha stèidhte anns an Fhraing. Chithear cuideachd camanachd, rugbaidh, teanas, agus gu leòr eile. Dimàirt 27 Dùbhlachd aig 8f.

BBC ALBA’s fabulous festive schedule gets underway tonight!

December 15, 2016

BBC ALBA tonight (15th December 2017) kicks off a Christmas schedule packed with entertainment for all the family!

During the festive season viewers will be treated to new documentaries, chat shows and delightful children’s programmes, as well as the return of the unmissable Hogmanay cèilidh and a Christmas Eve celebration service from Invergordon Church of Scotland.

Highlights from the upcoming BBC ALBA festive schedule include…

The King’s Head (Ceann an Rìgh)

Thursday 15th December at 8.30pm

Ceann an Rìgh is an exclusive documentary about the very first reconstruction of the face of Robert the Bruce. Bruce has been depicted for centuries in paintings, sculptures and films without anybody ever knowing what he looked like. Professor Caroline Wilkinson, the UK’s leading expert in craniofacial reconstruction, has used cutting edge technology to create a 3D portrait of Bruce, which will be revealed in the programme.

Scotstar: Scotland’s Flying Doctors (Teasairginn Èiginneach)

Thursday 15th December at 9pm

Thursday 22nd December at 9pm

Thursday 29th December at 9pm

This series offers unprecedented access into the work of the Specialist Transport and Retrieval Team, known as Scotstar. A team of doctors, nurses and paramedics are on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to ensure Scotland’s most critically ill patients have access to life saving care no matter where they are. By air or by road, the team must keep critically ill patients alive while transporting them to hospital from Scotland’s most remote rural areas.

Aviemore (Trusadh: An Aghaidh Mhòr)

Monday 19th December at 9pm

Aviemore has had its share of ups and downs over the years, from Santa Claus Land to Shabbymore. But it is still a very special place for many Scots. Through personal reminiscences and anecdotes, tales of those who live and work there, as well as archive film and photographs, this documentary is the story of a much-loved Scottish mountain town.

Torcuil Lamont – Christmas (Taigh Thorcuil – Nollaig)

First episode on Christmas Eve at 10pm

Torcuil Lamont finally gets his own chat show and this week he’s celebrating Christmas with Donnie Dotaman, Bannan stars Debbie Mackay and Dòl Eoin Mackinnon and Mòd medallist Joy Dunlop. There’s music from Gàidhlig choir Atomic Piseag and Tide Lines, as well as party games, Torcuil-style!

BBC ALBA’s Christmas Eve celebration (Ciùin an Oidhche) (Christmas Eve at 11pm) comes from Invergordon Church of Scotland in Ross-shire. Featuring music from Dingwall Gaelic choir, the Invergordon Singers, Ellen MacDonald and Ross-shire Junior Gaelic Choir the ecumenical celebration will be led by Rev Kenneth MacLeod and Rev Duncan MacLeod. The programme will also focus on some of the different communities that enrich this area, with features on the Polish Community’s annual Remembrance Service, the church’s support of Invergordon’s maritime community, the spirit of Christmas in the classroom, and the chaplain’s role at Ross County Football Club.

Highlights of the Trads (An Dara Teud: Na Trads)

Wednesday 28th December at 9pm

Highlights and music from the Trad Awards 2016, from the Caird Hall, Dundee. Presenters Mary Ann Kennedy, Tony Kearney and Linda MacLeod meet the musicians, winners and stars of the event, both onstage and behind-the-scenes.

A Little Drop of Harris (Druthag na Hearadh)

First episode on Hogmanay at 8.30pm

After seven years in the planning and two years of construction, Harris is about to get a distillery. This three-part series follows the story of its creation and first year of operation. The distillery staff have all been recruited locally and are collectively known as the ‘Tarbert Ten’. They are all new to the business, but are keen to prove they are capable of making history in Harris.

Gladys

Hogmanay at 9pm

Heartwarming story of Gladys Johnston, a mother, grandmother and great grandmother from Acharacle on the West Coast of Scotland and her remarkable journey of discovery. Cathy MacDonald helps Irish-born Gladys uncover her true family history and to discover much about her early years. This is a story which has been filed away in a drawer for nearly thirty years and is only now seeing the light of day.

Hogmanay Cèilidh 2016 (Cèilidh na Bliadhn’ Ùire 2016)

Hogmanay at 11.30pm

BBC ALBA brings in the New Year at the iconic Stirling Castle. Cathy MacDonald and Tony Kearney host the celebration cèilidh with one of Scotland’s best-loved singers, the multi award-winning Julie Fowlis, accompanied by acclaimed musicians, Éamon Doorley, Duncan Chisholm, Calum Stewart and Tony Byrne. A cast of singers including the internationally renowned singer Fiona Kennedy, ‘one woman cèilidh’, Rona Lightfoot and the celebrated Sìneag MacIntyre will ensure that 2017 will receive a musical welcome against a spectacular backdrop in the heart of Scotland.

For children, new programmes include The Saboteurs (Na Saboteurs) a hilarious new drama about children disrupting their dad’s forays into the world of dating (Christmas Day at 6.30pm) and Revolting Rhymes (Rannan Rapach), a new spin on the classic series of poems by Roald Dahl – this time it’s the wolf telling the stories – goes out on Tuesday 27th December at 5.15pm.

For sports fans, there will be the Sports Review 2016 (Spòrs na Bliadhna) (Tuesday 27th December at 8pm) presented by Calum MacDonald. Covering the Olympic Games in Rio, Scotland’s women’s football team qualifying for the European Championships in 2017 and the Euro 2016 championships held in France. There will also be shinty, rugby, tennis, and many other sporting highlights from a memorable sporting year.

£1million boost for Cnoc Soilleir from Scottish Government

December 14, 2016

Design concept for Cnoc Soilleir. Image: John Renshaw Architects (2015)

£1million has been pledged by the Scottish Government to support the Cnoc Soillier project.

Working in partnership, Ceòlas and Lews Castle College UHI hope to establish a dedicated centre for Gàidhlig music, dance and cultural heritage in Daliburgh, South Uist.

Announcing the support today, Deputy First Minister John Swinney said: “I am pleased to confirm £1 million in Scottish Government support towards the development the Cnoc Soilleir project.

“The establishment of a multi-functioning Gàidhlig education and arts centre in Uist will create over 40 full-time equivalent jobs in the coming years and generate significant benefits for the local economy. It will also secure a sustainable future for Gaelic in the area, in line with this government’s commitment to supporting the language in communities and in education at all levels across Scotland.”

Read all about the plans for Cnoc Soilleir in the latest edition of Am Pàipear – out now.

New ferry for North Uist almost half finished

December 13, 2016

MV Hebrides will be replaced on the Lochmaddy-Uig-Tarbert route in 2018.

Steel fabrication for two new 102-metre ferries for the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Network – one of which is set to run on the Uig-Lochmaddy-Tarbert triangle route – is approaching the halfway point.

Transport Minister Humza Yousaf has been given a progress report on the project during a visit to Ferguson Marine Engineering Limited (FMEL) on the Clyde.

Currently known as Hull 801 and Hull 802, the first steel was cut for the new vessels in February.

Each ferry is designed to carry 127 cars or 16 heavy goods vehicles (or a combination of both) and up to 1000 passengers. They will be capable of operating across a range of drafts and speeds to meet the requirements of the current operator, CalMac, to service a wide range of ports and routes.

The ferries will be ‘dual-fuel’ vessels so they can operate on liquefied natural gas (LNG) and marine diesel. LNG is significantly cleaner, emits less carbon and has been adopted by ferry operators in Northern Europe in response to tighter sulphur emissions regulations.

Each vessel will enter into service following berthing trials, sea trials and crew training, usually 2-3 months after delivery.

CMAL is set to launch a competition in early 2017 to invite communities to help name the new vessels.

Mr Yousaf said: “It’s been fantastic to visit the yard in person and see the work being carried on these new ferries from close quarters. Not only have I seen real progress on this important project, but I’ve also been able to witness the fantastic skills and expertise of the workforce in action here on the Clyde.

“The new vessels will be welcome additions to the Clyde and Hebrides Ferries Network. Their dual-fuel systems mean they will be able to use cleaner fuel, whilst also future-proofing them for the advent of tighter emissions regulations.

“It’s no secret the current ferry fleet is being pushed to its full potential in order to provide the increased level of services that communities are looking for. So these new ferries will help CalMac continue to provide safe and reliable services for the communities that depend on these vital links.

“It is also very encouraging to see the Ferguson Shipyard thriving. The Scottish Government is committed to creating vital jobs to boost local economies and the award of this contract helped Ferguson Marine safeguard its workforce, as well as take on more staff and apprentices.

“I look forward to seeing these new ferries take their place in the West Coast ferry fleet.”

Jim McColl OBE, Chairman of shipyard owners Clyde Blowers Capital, said: “It is a matter of great pride for everyone at Ferguson Marine that we are on schedule for the halfway stage of steel fabrication for these two innovative vessels. What makes it remarkable, is that we are doing so at the same time as continuing to totally transform the shipyard. Already, our new assembly shed has altered the Port Glasgow skyline, but it’s only one part of sweeping changes.

“While all of this is going on, we continue to develop our design and build skills, always with an eye on leading the market, wherever the opportunity exists.

“The two dual fuel ferries we are building for CMAL are the first of their kind in the UK and follow on from the battery hybrid ferry, MV Catriona, which went into service in September. Her sister ship, MV Hallaig, was the world’s first hybrid ferry, built by Fergusons in 2011.

“We enjoy a great partnership with CMAL. It is quite unique to have a customer who is always asking you to push the boundaries. It means we are working together to bring back the glory days to the lower Clyde and help build long term confidence in the future of wider Inverclyde.”

Erik Østergaard, Chair of CMAL, said: “The two dual-fuelled ferries will be a welcome addition to our fleet. Not only will they provide a fully flexible, year-round service for the island communities, they will do it with cleaner, more sustainable fuel technology. The vessels will be capable of running on marine gas oil, as well as liquefied natural gas, which is lower in emissions. LNG is used successfully in marine transport in Northern Europe and CMAL is committed to leading the way in Scotland with innovative and sustainable ferry design.”

Why the ongoing poultry lockdown is essential…

December 13, 2016

Last week, the Scottish Government ordered that all poultry and captive birds must be kept indoors for 30 days, if appropriate and practicable, after an alert over avian influenza. Here, North Uist based veterinary epidemiologist Selene Huntley explains why the lockdown in place until 6th January 2017 is essential…  

So we have all been told by the government to move our poultry indoors. Not an easy feat for some, especially for those of us that are new to keeping poultry and therefore don’t have a ready-to-go system in place. I am rather more used to giving this sort of advice to curb animal disease, rather than taking it myself, so thought I could impart some of my knowledge to any fellow newbie backyard poultry owners out there of why this measure, although inconvenient, is completely necessary.

The reason for these stringent requirements is that a strain of bird flu virus has been steadily marching across much of Europe and beyond over recent months, leaving wild birds dead in its wake and resulting in compulsory slaughter of infected commercial flocks on the continent in an attempt to prevent it from spreading amongst domestic poultry.

Should this strain, known as H5N8, arrive in the UK, it would be bad news for the commercial poultry industry and backyard poultry alike. At the moment, the most likely source of infection is wild birds of any species, with the highest risk coming from migrating birds, hence the reason why your birds need to be tucked in safely inside even before it arrives on our shores, if indeed it does. There is no point in closing the stable door after the horse has bolted, as they say.

This strain of bird flu is a different strain to those that are usually associated with human disease and is therefore currently assigned as low risk to humans. That said, flu strains are notorious for mutating so it’s always necessary to be cautious and keep good hygiene measures when handling poultry.

This is not the first time that poultry owners have been asked to take this action, nor will it be the last. If you are thinking of keeping poultry, it’s worth sparing a forethought as to how you would house your birds for these occasions when they do need to be kept indoors. So how can you house your birds practically in an emergency? Ideally you would keep them in their chicken coop, if big enough, or you could keep them in their coop as usual at night and perhaps move them into cages in a garage or shed during the day so that they have bit more room to move about (extra-large dog crates with some of your usual chicken bedding in would do the job for a handful of hens, although a bit messy).

We are lucky in that we have a garden shed which we have hurriedly converted to a more spacious hen-house for a month. For anyone considering moving birds into your own home as a makeshift solution, this is not an option, least of all your kitchen, as poultry can carry some harmful bacteria that you really don’t want to consume with your afternoon tea and biscuits!

There will be some of you who genuinely have nowhere to move your poultry. The government stipulates that in these cases, all possible measures be taken to ensure that birds do not come into contact with wild birds (and this includes their droppings). In these cases, as an absolute minimum, runs would need to have a solid roof to prevent wild bird droppings from falling into the coop and have small-aperture chicken-wire walls such that no small birds can get in or out. However, this sort of approach is a bit ‘leaky’ as there is the potential for small critters such as mice and voles to move infected droppings in on their feet. It may sound far-fetched but these are feasible ways in which this virus could spread.

Whatever approach you use, it is also necessary to implement strict biosecurity measures such as disinfecting shoes (for example in a foot bath) when entering or leaving the run or area around the coop, keeping disinfectant fresh and at the correct concentration and making sure no vermin can get access to poultry feed or water.

These regulations are to be implemented for 30 days, until 6th January 2017, but please see the Scottish Government website and the DEFRA website for up to date information.

 Selene Huntley worked as a vet in practice before becoming interested in the ‘bigger picture’ of animal disease, subsequently working as a veterinary epidemiologist in government and academia. She currently works freelance from her home in North Uist.