The people of Uist are calling for a public meeting and for the Chief Executive of Lloyds Bank to visit the islands to witness first‑hand the impact that the closure of the Bank of Scotland branch in Balivanich will have on the community.

This demand follows the closure of the Lochmaddy branch in February 2024. Bank of Scotland, which is owned by Lloyds Bank, has announced that the Benbecula branch — including its cash machine — will close in July. Once this occurs, only a single bank will remain across the whole of Uist: the Royal Bank of Scotland branch in Lochboisdale, which operates just two days per week.

For many residents, this will mean travelling 26 miles from Balivanich or 52 miles from Berneray to access their nearest bank, often requiring a half‑day journey. This is further complicated by the absence of bus services between Bayhead and Lochmaddy Post Office, and by the reliance on ferry services that are frequently disrupted by weather. The RBS mobile banking van currently visits Uist only two days per week.

A total of 2,071 people have signed a petition opposing the closure, which has been sent to Lloyds Bank Chief Executive Charlie Nunn. Alongside the petition, detailed information was provided regarding local weather conditions and the frequency of ferry cancellations, highlighting the vulnerability of island transport links.

Mr Nunn has been invited to Benbecula to hear directly from residents and local businesses about the consequences of the closure. The community is urging that any public meeting include both local and national representatives, as well as decision‑makers from Lloyds Bank and First Minister John Swinney. Many have questioned why Uist should not receive the same level of engagement as Stornoway and Barra, which have previously hosted ministerial visits.

To date, no response has been received from Lloyds Bank.

The Leader of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Paul Steele, has confirmed that he would be willing to meet Mr Nunn should he visit the islands. Meanwhile, efforts are under way to organise a public meeting on the issue next month.

Western Isles MP Torcuil Crichton stated that he has been in contact with Bank of Scotland and that the bank appears firm in its decision to close the Benbecula branch. He is pursuing an alternative initiative: the establishment of a banking hub in Uist, where multiple banks would jointly provide services.

However, Mr Crichton noted that current rules present obstacles.

“According to the criteria, you need 10,000 people in the area for a banking hub,” he said. “In Uist, there are only 4,500 people. We need to change the rules for banking hubs, and I am raising the issue with ministers and the banks.”