Lochboisdale Archives

Lochboisdale market open for business!

July 4, 2016

If you are looking for local produce or a unique gift, then Lochboisdale could be your one-stop-shop this summer.

Organised by Lochboisdale Development Ltd (LDL) and based within Talla a’ Chidhe, markets will run every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 12noon to 7pm until 7th August.

Local businesses represented at the market include Salar Hebridean Smokehouse, MacLean’s Bakery, Custom Prints, Hebridean Soap Shack and Handmaid Creations. Many more have items for sale with more producers welcome to join the market over the coming weeks.

Markets got underway last week and welcomed dozens of people from across the islands keen to see what is for sale.

Like and follow Lochboisdale Harbour on Facebook and Twitter for market updates.

HIE reports successful year in the Outer Hebrides

May 16, 2016

Lochboisdale Harbour.

Economic development agency Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has reported a successful year of investment and job creation in the region for 2015 and 2016.

An estimated 855 jobs are expected to be created or retained in the region as a result of HIE’s investments last year, 130 of them in the Outer Hebrides area.

A summary of the organisation’s year-end figures shows turnover among supported businesses and social enterprises in the Outer Hebrides will increase by £4 million as a result of HIE’s investments.

This year has seen the opening of two major infrastructure projects in the Outer Hebrides, including Lochboisdale Port of Entry.

17 jobs were created following the opening of the Isle of Harris Distillery in Tarbert.

Also, with £2.8m investment from HIE, work will soon commence at the HIE owned site at Breasclete on the west side of Lewis where BASF Callanish Ltd occupies a factory making omega 3 rich fatty acids for use in pharmaceutical and dietary supplements. The company is expanding its operations to take advantage of its continuing global growth. Eighty high quality jobs will be supported and a further 20 jobs created in the life science sector as part of this project in the next three years.

Progress continued to be made in specific sectors such as creative industries, food and drink and tourism. Significant investments in these sectors include £300,000 to Harris Tweed Hebrides for a major expansion project which aims to create up to ten jobs.

The Outer Hebrides’ seven account managed communities continue to gain confidence and move towards sustainability through a number of community developments. HIE funds local development officer posts in North Uist, Barra, Galson, Lochs and Harris.

HIE’s administration of the Scottish Land Fund (SLF) continued to support community land and asset acquisition across Scotland, including the Pairc, Barvas, Gallan Head, Keose, and Carloway Estates this year.

Just over 40 percent of households and businesses in the Outer Hebrides can now access the new high-speed fibre broadband network. Customers can order in a number of areas including Back, Barvas, Garrabost, Shawbost and Stornoway. Latest areas also include parts of Carloway, Callanish and Leverburgh in Harris, bringing the total homes able to access higher broadband speeds to more than 6,000.

The Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband project, being led in the region by HIE, is investing £146m in a new fibre optic infrastructure. The project has seen subsea cables laid to the Outer Hebrides bringing fibre optic capacity to the islands for the first time. Services delivered though new fibre cabinets in local towns and villages will have reached 75% of Outer Hebrides premises by the end of this year.

Rachel Mackenzie, HIE area manager for Outer Hebrides, said: “We are putting a lot of emphasis on account management and relationships with businesses that have growth potential and ambition. Each year we set challenging goals that deliver measurable benefits for those clients, and that enables the region to contribute to Scotland’s economic growth.

“At the same time, our commitment to community development, much of which is also underpinned by account management, has achieved excellent results. Community ownership of land and assets continues to grow, helping to improve the resilience of some of our most fragile areas. There is similar growth among many social enterprises, which helps tackle inequality, create jobs, develop skills and boost the economy.”

“Our role is to foster those qualities and invest in initiatives that stimulate and enable growth. I am delighted we have been able to make such good progress and look forward to working with partners and clients to continue to grow the region’s economy in the years ahead.”

Activities to improve the region’s appeal to young people meanwhile included the extension of ScotGrad , the popular graduate placement programme run in the region by HIE, to include placements with local businesses and social enterprises.

Professor Lorne Crerar, Chairman of HIE, added: “Many of the challenges facing our economy last year remain with us still. Oil prices are still very low. Public sector budgets are under pressure; something that will affect social enterprise in particular. However, a growing resilience, coupled with the innovation and drive across the business sector means that the Highlands and Islands is well placed to meet these challenges, continue to grow and prosper and remain competitive internationally.”

Balgarva bullocks sell to £1340 at Lochboisdale

April 29, 2015

John Morrison’s bullocks sold to £1340, £1320, £1240 and £1190 respectively.

United Auctions held their Annual Spring Sale of all classes cattle and sheep at Lochboisdale Auction Mart on Friday 24th April 2013.

All classes of cattle sold in keeping with current trends with stronger, short keeping types proving hard to cash due to the current downward spiral of values for prime cattle whereby finishers are receiving £120/£150 less for finished cattle.

However, younger stores were easier sold as was all classes of sheep but in particular fleshier sorts.

Bullocks from John Morrison, 50 Balgarva, sold to £1340.

Limousin yearling bullocks sold to 257 pence per kilo whilst Limousin Heifers from 7 Griminish sold to 223 pence per kilo.

Another factor affecting the trade of cattle, was the lack of farm assured animals offered for the sale.

PRINCIPAL LOTS & PRICES:

BULLOCKS –

LimX:

£1340, £1320, £1240 & £1190 – 50 Balgarva : £900 – 14 West Gerinish

SHx:

£710 – 393 Garrynamonie

HEIFERS –

LimX:

£770 – 7 Griminish : £680 – 224 Stoneybridge : £670 – 3 Milton

BREEDING CATTLE –

£1350 – 291 Daliburgh

CAST COWS –

£960 – 8 Milton: £810 – 1 Ormiclate

SHEEP –

Wedders:

£60 – No8 Accarsaid, Eriskay

Ewes:

£83 – 6 Milton : £64 – 409 Smerclate

Morrison: “SNP must state opposition to closure or downgrading of Lochboisdale Harbour”

March 11, 2015

Alasdair Morrison – Labour candidate for the Western Isles.

Alasdair Morrison has demanded that SNP politicians state clearly that they oppose the closure or any downgrading of Lochboisdale Harbour as allegedly advocated by SNP candidate Rosyln McPherson.

In a statement issued yesterday (10th March 2015), Mrs MacPherson, who is SNP candidate for the upcoming Benbecula and North Uist by-election, said: “There will always be times when weather conditions make sailings impossible, but the key to providing a lifeline ferry service during a severe winter is maximising capacity in between these spells.

“The only practical way to achieve this is by recognising the importance of the Lochmaddy to Uig route as the shortest and most efficient connection with the mainland for the Uists.

“Like many in the community, I welcome the fact that CMAL, Calmac and the Transport Minister are all due to visit Uist in the near future, at the invitation of our MSP, to discuss some of the issues we face here in service redesign. Direct dialogue between the community and decision makers is an important aspect of shaping our future ferry services – hearing the views of service users is paramount.

“However, individuals and communities representing their particular needs is only part of a longer term solution. I believe the Comhairle has a role to play in promoting a radical rethink across all areas such as vessel design and deployment, terminal facilities and timetabling throughout the Western Isles – speaking on behalf of the whole region, but acknowledging and championing the particular needs and benefits of the key routes such as between Lochmaddy and Uig.”

Reacting today, Mr Morrison described Mrs McPherson’s comments as “worryingly stupid and astonishing.”

He said: “Her statement betrays exactly what is being discussed at a senior level within SNP headquarters in Stornoway – Roslyn MacPherson is closely attached and involved with everything that both MP and MSP say and do.

“For decades the islands realised success by ensuring we worked together. We saw many councillors forgoing investment for their own areas so that major infrastructure developments could be built. Eriskay and Berneray causeways and Scalpay bridge would never have been built if councillors took the parochial and narrow view being advocated by Roslyn MacPherson and the SNP.

“We need clear and unambiguous statements from Angus Brendan MacNeil and Alasdair Allan opposing the nonsense that Lochboisdale should close and that Lochmaddy become the only port in Uist. Mrs MacPherson’s statement is – to borrow a phrase – an unpardonable folly – and the agenda within it must be vigorously opposed.”

MP asks CalMac to explain lack of sailings to Lochboisdale

March 2, 2015

Na h-Eileanan an Iar SNP MP, Angus MacNeil, is contacting Martin Dorchester, Managing Director, Caledonian MacBrayne, regarding the recent lack of ferry sailings into Lochboisdale.

Commenting, Mr MacNeil MP said: “There is understandable mounting frustration in the community that the ferry is not calling into Lochboisdale. This has caused difficulties for travellers and also local businesses who depend on the ferry to transport goods.

“We need to know if the reason for this disruption is weather related or an issue with the vessel. If it is weather related, CalMac should take steps to amend the timetable to avoid the bad weather.”

Morrison: Lochboisdale-Mallaig route must be in ferry tender document

February 19, 2015

Alasdair Morrison has called for a Lochboisdale-Mallaig service to be in the tender document for ferry services.

Labour candidate for Na h-Eileanan Siar, Alasdair Morrison, has written to the SNP urging them to support him in a cross-party initiative that would focus on improving ferry services to Uist and Barra. He has also demanded that the Lochboisdale – Mallaig route be an integral part of the tender document the Scottish Government is due to publish shortly.

See text of letter to Alasdair Allan MSP and Angus MacNeil MP below:

Dear Angus and Alasdair

Sadly, you have failed to reply to any of my reasonable requests to co-operate on a cross-party basis on issues of importance to the people and communities of our islands. Notwithstanding your baffling silence on these matters it is my intention to campaign positively and work with any like minded person, regardless of political affiliation.

Can I once again appeal to you to support our communities and insist that the Lochboisdale-Mallaig ferry route be part of the tender document the Edinburgh Government is putting together? You will be conversant with the shambolic three year winter trial your Government imposed on South Uist. It simply isn’t working. However, we should now work together to rectify the situation. Councillors, community councils and tourism organisations have all stated that they want to see a proper all year trial on this route. Can I ask you to publicly state that you will urge the Transport Minister Derek Mackay to put in place a meaningful trial and that he also puts the Lochboisdale – Mallaig route in the ferry tender document that will shortly be published.

I would also urge you to insist that the tender process be completed before the Scottish Parliament elections so that the people of theses islands can clearly see which parties and representatives are actually fighting to improve services.

I do hope that you will respond to this request.

Leis gach deagh dhùrachd,

Alasdair Morrison

Labour: Lochboisdale-Mallaig ferry trial is a sham

February 3, 2015

Highlands and Islands Labour MSPs, Rhoda Grant and David Stewart, together with Labour’s prospective pandidate for the islands, Alasdair Morrison, say the three year pilot of the Lochboisdale-Mallaig ferry service is a sham as the trial is only being run in winter time when there is a high probability that services will be cancelled due to bad weather.

Having been contacted by a number of constituents about the unreliability of the service, Mrs Grant discussed the situation with the land owner, Stòras Uibhist, and tabled parliamentary questions asking how many times the service had been cancelled since the trial began in November 2013, if there were plans to extend the trial to run during summer months and how much it would cost to run a year round service.

The figures returned show a 49% cancellation rate during the first year of the trial with the figure increasing to 60% in the first two months of the second year. The MSP was also advised that there are no plans to extend the trial into summer months and that the winter pilot service will be evaluated over the full three year pilot period before decisions about the way forward are taken. Mrs Grant was advised that the SNP government has not considered the costs of running a year round service as the trial is ongoing.

Commenting on these figures, Rhoda Grant said: “While we initially welcomed the progress Labour made in pushing for a trial, it has become very clear that it is impossible to accurately evaluate the worth of the pilot, given the number of cancellations that have been experienced. People can’t depend on the service running and it will therefore be underused.”

Labour’s prospective candidate in the islands, Alasdair Morrison, said: “When it comes to ferry services the Scottish Government has form – very poor form. The so-called pilot on Lochboisdale-Mallaig route is an insult to the communities of South Uist. Clearly, the pilot was set up with a view that it would fail. This requires serious political intervention. Currently our islands are lumbered with a politically impotent MP and MSP. They are afraid and unable to stand up to their political masters and fight for what islanders actually need.”

David Stewart, Shadow Minister for Transport and the Islands said: “This is yet another ferry debacle that the minister, Derek Mackay, is presiding over. He must take the needs of the people of South Uist seriously and sanction a year round trial to gauge an accurate level of demand.”

Balivanich, Lochboisdale, Lochmaddy and Tarbert shortlisted to receive 3G mobile coverage

January 23, 2015

· Balivanich, Lochboisdale, Lochmaddy, Tarbert, named as four of 100 rural communities across the UK shortlisted for the Vodafone Rural Open Sure Signal programme

· Community-led initiative with Vodafone brings much needed mobile coverage to help boost rural economy

· Vodafone spending more than £1 billion on its UK network and services

Vodafone UK has announced the beautiful rural communities of Balivanich, Lochboisdale, Lochmaddy and Tarbert in the Outer Hebrides are four of the 100 rural mobile not-spot communities shortlisted to receive 3G coverage under its Rural Open Sure Signal programme.

The communities have until now suffered from unreliable mobile coverage and slow network speeds. With the installation of Vodafone’s innovative Sure Signal technology, the local communities will benefit from high quality 3G voice services, and much needed access to the internet via mobile devices, contributing positively to business and everyday life.

The names of the latest communities shortlisted to join the Rural Open Sure Signal 100 programme have been announced. The list includes communities from across the UK including Trevose (Cornwall), Benacre (Suffolk), Sandness (Shetlands) and Silchester (Hampshire). Vodafone will now start working with the Village Champions on a full assessment of the application made to take part in this community-led initiative, with the service expected to go live this year.

The Rural Open Sure Signal 100 programme is a national initiative by Vodafone UK to provide reliable mobile access to up to 100 rural communities in mobile not-spot locations. Launched in July 2014, with support from local MPs, councils and rural action groups, the programme has received an overwhelming response from around the country. Applications have come from island communities in rural Shetlands to rural communities in County Tyrone in Northern Ireland, picturesque villages on the south west coastline as well as along the east coast in Norfolk.

Mobile connectivity plays a vital role in keeping communities in touch and helps support local economies. However, rural and remote locations often miss out on advantages provided by modern communication tools, due to the complexity of delivering network coverage. This can be because of the geography of the area or difficulties with planning permissions in places of outstanding natural beauty. The Rural Open Sure Signal programme uses innovative ‘femtocell’ technology to provide an alternative solution to bring mobile access in locations where it isn’t possible for networks to provide coverage through traditional means.

Isles MP Angus MacNeil, who supported this programme locally and urged local communities to apply said:

“This is certainly a welcomed initiative from Vodafone, which has the potential to improve mobile telephone coverage to 3G standard for many not-spots in rural and island areas.

“I am hopeful that in the next round of applications, other places in the islands will apply and be successful.

“I was pleased to attend Vodafone’s reception yesterday at Westminster, with Anne MacLellan from Lochboisdale.”

Jeroen Hoencamp, Vodafone UK Chief Executive, said: “I am delighted Balivanich, Lochboisdale, Lochmaddy and Tarbert have been shortlisted as four of our 100 ROSS communities and I’m excited about the transformation this pioneering programme could bring to these communities. The communities who have worked with us to introduce Open Sure Signal have all told us how life has improved markedly, from the ability to make an appointment at the local doctor to telling their families they are running late for lunch. We are committed to investing hugely in our network and using innovative technologies such as Sure Signal to provide coverage to rural communities means we can reach areas where it’s been impossible to reach using traditional means.”

Vodafone’s Rural Open Sure Signal programme has now seen the connection of 13 rural communities across the UK. Communities connected so far have been enjoying social media using mobile internet whilst businesses, from GPs to pubs to a mussel farmer in the Shetlands, now have mobile signal to help make their businesses work better.

As well as using Rural Open Sure Signal to plug rural “not-spots”, Vodafone is spending more than £1 billion on its network and services across the country, including extending its 4G coverage to 395 cities and towns and thousands of smaller communities across the UK.

LAT announces tree distribution programme for 2015

January 15, 2015

LAT will be co-ordinating the purchase and distribution of 20,000 trees.

The Lochboisdale Amenity Trust (LAT) will be co-ordinating the purchase and distribution of nearly 20,000 trees, to arrive in Uist in late March.

The allocation for 2015 will represent the third and final year of the distribution program, funded by Oxfam Unwrapped.

The aim of the project has been to promote the use of trees as wind-breaks for crofts and gardens, and to increase the area of woodland in Uist.

Tree species have been selected in consultation with local specialists and The Woodland Trust. They include Pine, Birch, Willow, Rowan, Hazel and Sycamore.

Trees for 2015 will be allocated with support canes, spiral guards, starter fertilizer, and mulch mats to ensure good growth and keep the weeds at bay. Information and guidance will be
provided for the responsible planting and care of trees.

Applications for trees will be accepted from Uist and Barra from now until the end of February. LAT strongly encourages applications from the Lochboisdale and Daliburgh areas. Applications will be assessed on the program criteria and those successful will be invited to collect trees for planting before April.

For applications or further information please contact Stuart Curtis at Failte, Lochboisdale.
Telephone: 01878 700 303. Closing date: 28th February.

Auction sales scheduled for this week cancelled

January 12, 2015

Sales due to take place at both Lochboisdale and Lochmaddy Auction Marts this Thursday (15th January 2015) are now both cancelled.

Auction companies Dingwall & Highland Marts and United Auctions called off the sales due to the bad forecast.

Both sales of cattle and sheep are now scheduled for Thursday 22nd January 2015.

Check www.dingwallmart.co.uk and www.uagroup.co.uk for updates.