It was standing room only in the Centre for Grimsay today (17th June 2015) as Grimsay Community Association held the first weekly market of local food, plants, art and crafts.

Supported for the next year by a grant from the Big Lottery’s ‘Awards for All’ fund, markets will be held every Wedesday between 3 and 6pm at the Centre for Grimsay.

Dozens of people flocked to the former church this afternoon for a slice of some home baking and the chance to buy from a broad range of local plants and vegetables, seafood and crafts.

It is expected that the range of food, crafts and art available will vary throughout the year, depending on availability and seasonality.

However, on a week-by-week basis, items offered for sale will include plenty of baking and preserves, vegetables from a variety of local growers including the ‘Local Food for Local People’ project at East Camp, local meat, bedding plants from Margaret MacDonald, as well as handcrafted, artisan wares from Sollas Bookbinders and Shoreline Stoneware amongst others.

Uist Wool is offering a limited edition range of ‘CALANAS Collection’ yarns, launched earlier today, and available to buy exclusively at the local community market.

Afternoon teas were and will be served alongside the market.

Stalls are available to artisans and producers throughout the year on a regular or infrequent basis. Markets will be staffed by Grimsay Community Association, so even if you are unable to attend your stall, your produce can be sold on your behalf.

Uist producers of local foods, arts and crafts who are interested in selling at the market should contact Matthew Topsfield on mtopsfield@icloud.com or 07775 812036.