Local news from our community organisations

‘All aboard’ at Ceann na h-Àirigh and the Grimsay Boat Haven!
An update from Grimsay Community Association, which manages the community heritage and visitor centre at Scotvein, Grimsay:
“We recently played host to some fantastic workshops to coincide with the Outer Hebrides Wildlife Festival. Small groups of enthusiastic participants have made stake and strand baskets, ceramic hanging fish, and knitted gansey fish inspired by our current exhibition ‘SHOAL.’
SHOAL is a travelling exhibition of knitted herring curated by the Scottish Fisheries Museum in Anstruther. The fish can be seen swimming happily above the beautiful Grimsay Boats until 2 September.
GCA is also delighted to be hosting the Herring Girls Exhibition, which was created by Commun na Mara and was previously on display in the former school at Lochmaddy. This exhibition also runs until 2 September and is well worth a visit.
As part of Art on the Map 2022, the workshop at Ceann na h-Àirigh became an exhibition space showcasing the wonderful creations which have emerged from workshops and courses held at the centre over the last four years.
The week-long ‘Workshop Exhibition’ was very well attended by both visitors and the artists themselves, and GCA would like to thank everyone who contributed work and the volunteers who kindly gave their time to talk with visitors during the week long event.
The cafe is now under new management, so if you’ve not been for a while, come and visit. There is certainly plenty to see and do.
If you are interested in taking part in GCA’s workshops and courses, or have ideas for future courses, please get in touch: info@grimsay.org / 07789 306223.”
Uist Wellbeing Directory
The new Wellbeing Directory for Uist brings together all the information we need to support good mental and physical health and well-being in post-pandemic times. There are helpful ideas for simple exercises and activities you can do on your own, or as part of a family, group of clubs, as well as information on national and local initiatives aimed at maintaining or improving your wellbeing and the contact details of organisations that can help you on your way.
The Directory covers the five ’steps to wellbeing’: connect, be active, take notice, learn and give! The Directory has been produced with support from CnES, Uist & Barra Sports Hub, Cothrom, Community Learning and Development, UCVO, UBSC, Active Schools and Sgoil Lionacleit and is being distributed around the community.
Moran Taing dhuibh uile!
Sgoil Uibhist a Tuath thank those whose financial contributions and support enabled pupils to travel to the mainland in the Comunn Na Gàidhlig’s Cuach na Cloinne football competition. “We are extremely grateful to LOCH DUART Salmon for purchasing 30 bespoke football kits for our school. These kits will allow pupils of all ages the opportunity to represent the school in future football tournaments and festivals. Our football team looked very smart alongside other teams during their games.
“Our sincere thanks also go to the following businesses and organisations for their support:
• MacAulay Askernish £500 donation
• Energee Services LTD, Frobost £450 donation
• North Uist Junior Football Club £300 donation
• Effie at Ask Car Hire for the hire of the minibus
• The Courtyard Marriot Hotel at Inverness airport
Moran Taing dhuibh uile!
Commemorating the Marloch’s departure
A new statue is to be commissioned to commemorate the centenary of the Marloch’s departure from Lochboisdale in 1923, as Storas Uibhist Director Donne Steel explains: “In the 1920s, 595 passengers left the Hebrides in a single week on two ships, the Marloch, which departed from Lochboisdale, and the Metagama, which left from Stornoway a few days later. Whether pushed by circumstance or pulled by the promise of better days, waves of islanders broke upon the shores of places like Prince Edward Island and Cape Breton in Nova Scotia.
“The idea to create this statue came from a desire to reflect on our history, but also for future generations to remember those that left.
“We get many visitors to the Islands who wish to learn more about their history and genealogy, we need something to show the Islands remember our history too.
“Not only a time to reflect, but we should take heart, and pride too from the resilience of those that left the Islands and made their contribution, often a significant one, to the communities of other countries that received them.
“We would be keen to hear from local artists interested in working with us to create a memorial. The project is subject to funding and timescales are currently uncertain.”
The statue will be erected in the garden at Lochboisdale pier, looking out over the bay where the Marloch sailed.
Further updates to follow as the various Marloch centenary projects develop.
USA success for Maria
Congratulations to 14 year-old Maria Monk, whose recent trip to the USA was rewarded with not one, but two major highland dancing wins.
Maria won the North Atlantic Championship and the North America Open Championship, beating off stiff competition to lift the trophy in both events.
Maria travelled with her dance teacher Fiona MacNeil and fellow students to take part in the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games in Linville, North Carolina, a huge four-day affair attracting tens of thousands of tartan clad fans of ‘the mother country’.
The experience was one Maria will never forget: “It was the most amazing experience, and one that will remain with me forever. I was absolutely over the moon to have won two championships whilst over in America and i would like to thank my dance teacher for this wonderful opportunity. I have made lifelong memories and I look forward to my next adventure.”
Although Maria isn’t a Uist resident, she has full Uisteach status, being the daughter of Iain (Benbecula) and Margaret (Lochboisdale) Monk. Maria lives in Glasgow where her mother is Deputy Head of Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu, along with her aunt, Catriona Campbell, who is the Head at Àrd-sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu.
Clanranald sword on public display
Kildonan Museum has a new artefact in its Clanranald collection – a five ball spadroon. The sword is estimated to be dated 1780s, the time of the 18th chief of Clanranald and would have been used by himself or a close family member. The sword has the clanranald crest on the scabbard.
The sword has been loaned by Angus Robertson, and joins other artefacts lent to the museum by the MacDonald family.