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Royal honour for Lochmaddy port assistant

July 13, 2016

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John MacDonald – a CalMac port assistant at Lochmaddy – was invited to join the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh at an exclusive gathering last week.

In recognition of his work to bring together an archive of David MacBrayne artefacts and memorabilia, John was nominated to join a group of just 30 people from across Scotland for a private reception at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh.

calmacexhibition-1

Both the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh spent plenty of time with the small gathering, chatting to all the invitees and hearing about the various items of interest which they have individually achieved.

“I spoke to both the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh individually,” said John.

“The Queen was very nice and interested in what I had done. The Duke of Edinburgh was very chatty and had a great sense of humour.

“It was a real surprise – I hadn’t known anything about it until about a week before. The day I got home to find the invitation – which is now part of the exhibition at the port office – I felt honoured and really proud that the archive and exhibition had caught someone’s attention to the extent that they nominated me as a CalMac representative.

“It was a real day to remember and I’m humbled to have had the opportunity.”

Sadly, because it was a private reception, no photography was allowed, but John has put the invitation on display with the other artefacts and he has memories which he treasures and will now live on.

John has worked for CalMac for 10 years, but his interest in the company began years before and has seen him amassing this special collection over more than two decades. He gathers the items from far and wide, including junk shops and book shops, as well as the likes of eBay. But his collecting is also well-known on the islands and further afield and he is often offered pieces directly from an owner who would like to see them cared for.

The items on display represent just a small fraction of the objects he has brought together over the years and, since the exhibition began last year, he has added to the display regularly to show more artefacts and to keep people coming back. John also showed some of his collection at Taigh Chearsabhagh, the museum and arts centre based in Lochmaddy, where it was well-received.

Filed Under: News, Tourism, Transport Tagged With: CalMac, John MacDonald, Lochmaddy

End of year showcase for local art students

May 22, 2015

Michelle Letowska, Dennis Magee and Anne MacKenzie.

Michelle Letowska, Dennis Magee and Anne MacKenzie.

Art students from Lews Castle College UHI – based at Taigh Chearsabhagh – have marked the end of a successful academic year with the opening of the annual Open Studio exhibition last night.

Running from now until 20th June, the show features work created using a variety of different media, ranging from drawing and paintings to sculpture and video-based pieces.

As ever, the launch of the exhibition was well attended, with friends and family members, alongside former students and art enthusiasts, keen to catch a glimpse of some of the work created by the students.

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Opening the exhibition, Anne MacKenzie, NC Art and Design Course Leader, thanked her fellow tutors Dennis Magee and Michelle Letowska, visiting lecturers, life models, staff at Taigh Chearsabhagh and the wider community for its support of the students and courses.

Addressing the students, she added: “You have all worked so hard and have been a joy to work with.

“Good luck for your future studies.”

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Lews Castle College UHI offers an NC in Art and Design and BA level 1 and 2 courses, with opportunities for full-time and part-time study. Courses are based at Taigh Chearsabhagh and applications for next session are welcomed.

No previous experience is required for the open access NC. It is considered ideal for portfolio preparation or those seeking to re-engage with art for a year or more, particularly adults returning to education.

More advanced students can study for the first two years of a degree in art, the remaining two years being completed through Moray College.

Anyone interested in finding out more about the courses can e-mail leart@uhi.ac.uk or telephone 01876 500 871.

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Filed Under: Art, News Tagged With: Art, Lews Castle College, Lochmaddy, North Uist, Open Studio, Taigh Chearsabhagh, UHI

Charolais X bullock from Glebe tops trade at Lochmaddy

April 29, 2015

Glebe's sale-topper going through the ring at Lochmaddy Auction Mart.

Glebe’s sale-topper going through the ring at Lochmaddy Auction Mart.

Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd sold 87 store cattle, 1 breeding cow and 79 store sheep at its sale at Lochmaddy Auction Mart on Friday 24th April 2015.

Bullocks (43) averaged 220p and sold to 261.8p per kg for a 275kg Limousin cross from 21 Grenitote, Sollas, and £1080 gross for a 525kg Charolais cross from Glebe, Tigharry.

Heifers (44) averaged 212p and sold to 266.7p per kg for a 345kg Limousin cross from 8 Clachan Sands, Lochmaddy, and £980 gross for a 450kg Limousin cross from 4 Tigharry, Lochmaddy.

Breeding cattle (1) sold to £1000 gross for a Simmental cross in calf cow from 22 & 10 Balemore, Bayhead.

Store lambs (53) sold to £50 for Cheviots from 7 Middlequarter, Sollas. Ewes (15) sold to £80 from 4 Tigharry, Lochmaddy.

Rams and wedders (11) sold to £82 for Suffolk x wedders from 18 Illeray, Baleshare.

A Dingwall & Highland Marts spokesman commented: “A mixed show of cattle on offer resulted in a hesitant demand.”

Other leading prices can be viewed here:

http://www.dingwallmart.co.uk/wwwroot/PDF/Sale-reports/2015/Apr/lsr240415sc.pdf

Filed Under: Crofting, News Tagged With: Cattle, Dingwall & Highland Marts, Lochmaddy, Sheep

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 – 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.”

Filed Under: Local Government, News, Transport Tagged With: Alasdair Morrison, By-election, Ferries, Labour, Lochboisdale, Lochmaddy, Roslyn MacPherson, SNP

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

January 23, 2015

wifi icon. 3d illustration

·   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.

Filed Under: News, Technology Tagged With: 3G, Angus MacNeil MP, Balivanich, Lochboisdale, Lochmaddy, Mobile, Tarbert, Vodafone

Auction sales scheduled for this week cancelled

January 12, 2015

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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.

Filed Under: Crofting, News Tagged With: Lochboisdale, Lochmaddy, Sales

Call for immediate return of MV Hebrides to North Uist

January 12, 2015

MV Hebrides pictured in Lochmaddy in better weather,

MV Hebrides pictured in Lochmaddy in better weather.

MV Hebrides must return to the Lochmaddy-Tarbert-Uig route immediately, a North Uist councilor has demanded, as the repeated failure of the vessel currently servicing the triangle to sail to Lochmaddy threatens to bring about an “emergency situation”.

In an e-mail to Alasdair Allan MSP, Cllr Uisdean Robertson highlighted that three times last week MV Finlaggan – currently operating between Skye, North Uist and Harris – managed to sail to Tarbert but not Lochmaddy.

MV Hebrides is currently covering the Ardrossan-Brodick route.

Bad weather has hampered the performance of its cover in the Outer Hebrides, MV Finlaggan, which is not running today (Monday 12th January) due to strong winds.

MV Finlaggan is widely considered inappropriate for the North Uist route after a series of cancellation hit spells on the run in recent winter. CalMac has however maintained the vessel is fit for the triangle route and merely affected by severe weather risking safety.

Writing to Alasdair Allan, Cllr Robertson said: “It is now patently obvious that the Finlaggan has a problem with the Lochmaddy leg. It seems that it finds the Tarbert leg easier to manage.

“At this time of year, having our ferry MV Hebrides, the best sea going vessel in the fleet, sailing in sheltered water while this community suffers is unbelievable and unacceptable.

“The weather has been dreadful, but if you check, you will see the Finlaggan manages far more sailings into Tarbert than into Lochmaddy during bad weather.

“As this is fast becoming an emergency situation, with a bad forecast for the next few days, [Transport Minister Derek Mackay] has to ask CalMac to bring the Hebrides back by Tuesday to provide this lifeline service to and from the Uists.”

Cllr Robertson also called for Transport Minister Derek MacKay – who is also Minister for Islands – to visit North Uist and discuss the situation in person.

Filed Under: News, Transport Tagged With: CalMac, Lochmaddy, MV Finlaggan, MV Hebrides, North Uist, Uig, Weather

Balivanich Police Station to close temporarily for maintenance work

November 18, 2014

Balivanich Police Station will close for 6 weeks on 24th November.

Balivanich Police Station will close for 6 weeks on 24th November.

As part of a planned maintenance schedule, on Friday 21st November 2014,  Balivanich Police Station will be closed for approximately 24 weeks whilst essential work is carried out within the premises.

All officers and staff will be relocating to Lochmaddy Police Station during the temporary station closure.

As of Monday 25th November, for the duration of the temporary station closure, a service desk at Lochmaddy Police Station will be open to the public on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays between the hours of 9.30am and 3.30pm.

There is a public telephone kiosk near to Balivanich Police Station should a member of the public need to contact the police. This can be done by dialling the non-emergency number, 101, or in the case of an emergency, by dialling 999.

 

Filed Under: News Tagged With: Balivanich Police Station, Benbecula, Lochmaddy, Police

Memorial to Beinn Lee air crash victims to be unveiled this month

September 16, 2014

Crew of the B-24D Liberator Bomber that crashed on Beinn Lee.

Crew of the B-24D Liberator Bomber that crashed on Beinn Lee.

A memorial plaque to commemorate USA airmen who died on Beinn Lee during Word War Two will be unveiled later this month.

Ten American soldiers lost their lives on 15th September 1943 – 71 years ago this week – when their B-24D Liberator Bomber crashed on the hill just above Lochmaddy.

Site of the plane crash on Beinn Lee.

Site of the plane crash on Beinn Lee.

After several months of fundraising and preparatory work by local volunteers, a permanent commemoration of the tragic accident is to be installed at North Uist War Memorial. It will be unveiled at a dedication ceremony on 29th September.

A plaque honouring the memory of the ten soldiers will be fixed into the rock face adjacent to the main War Memorial. Its wording reads as follows:

Version of the plaque that will be unveiled at Clachan on 29th September.

Version of the plaque that will be unveiled at Clachan on 29th September.

Rev John Smith, who himself served in the Royal Air Force (RAF), will unveil the plaque.

Four current members of the RAF will attend the ceremony and children from each of the three schools on North Uist will lay wreaths at the memorial.

In recent months, to coincide with the centenary of the beginning of World War One, much maintenance work has been completed around the memorial grounds at Clachan.

The war memorial itself has been thoroughly cleaned, with missing lettering replaced and re-painted.

Paths have been cleared, weeded and covered with chippings. Trees have been cut back, while railings, seating and the memorial gates have been given a fresh coat of paint.

Newly tidied grounds of North Uist War Memorial.

Newly tidied grounds of North Uist War Memorial.

The rock face, which will feature the plaque dedicated to the Beinn Lee crash victims, has also been cleaned. A part of the plane’s exhaust has been retrieved from Beinn Lee and will sit on a ledge close to the memorial.

The unveiling and dedication ceremony will take place at the North Uist War Memorial, Clachan, at 6.30pm on Monday 29th September.

Look out for posters in public places for more details.

Filed Under: News Tagged With: Beinn Lee, Lochmaddy, North Uist, USA, WW2

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