Five candidates put themselves forward for one spot on the Sealladh na Beinne Mòire board
Siân Swinton
As existing board member, Norman MacAskill, reaches the end of his current tenure on the SnBM board he seeks re-election alongside Calum MacMillan, another previous member of the board, and John Daniel Peteranna, Alistair Nobles and Dave Adey. The candidates were announced on the Stòras Uibhist website and social media on Monday 19th August after a short period of invitation for nominations. Members of SnBM will receive voting forms and they will have until September 11 to vote for their next board representative. The results will be announced on September 12 with the AGM to follow on September 19. Am Pàipear spoke to the candidates to find out what they think the top priorities are for the board and how a vote for them would help address those issues.
Dave Adey
What is the top priority for Stòras to address at the moment?
Stòras, through social media and its communications with members (if it happens), seems to be in some kind of limbo.
Yes, it has a list of ‘missions’ but what are the enablers to meet these ambitions?
What is its top priority? Simply put, I don’t think anyone truly knows other than to keep the machine rolling on and mess around the edges with word soup missions.
You must wonder whether these are the same ambitions of members, tenants and other groups of interested parties.
I find it quite incredible given the grandiose mission statements and very wooly aims that anyone on the board and the business can be held accountable for success and failure because nothing is obvious!
How would you fix it?
In short, stop doing the same things the same way and expecting a different outcome!
What are the identified strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats that this business faces? And can it grow and thrive given the changing world?
A more energetic process for establishing and delivering change is required. Only then can members see a plan to move forward with those responsible and accountable for delivery, ultimately the current board is responsible for moving Stòras forward or overseeing a stagnant, at best stuttering, organisation! Can the current structure do this or is change required?
Norman MacAskill
What is the top priority for Stòras to address at the moment?
Crofting is my pet project. I’ve spent the last six years as director helping with crofting townships who need assistance with infrastructure.
I spent 20 years working with the government in agriculture and research. I’ve been back in Uist for 40 years now. I’m the second oldest in a family of seven and my parents lived solely off crofting as I was growing up.
How would you fix it?
The ongoing changes in support for crofting makes me feel that we have to pull out all the stops to help crofters in the right direction to get the maximum support they need to survive.
There are big changes coming and crofters are going to need sound advice to try and access everything that is available.
We need another integrated development programme from the government like what was started in 1980. It was supposed to be renewed by the end of the century but we’re still waiting on it.
Calum MacMillan
What is the top priority for Stòras to address at the moment?
The estate has done a lot of work to help our community and local businesses. It’s now time to look after our people. The cost-of-living crisis is still with us and fuel bills will rise this winter.
How would you fix it?
I’d like the estate to give a cold weather payment to each household in the South Uist Estate areas. This would be for January, February and March. £100 each month to help with fuel costs.
We need a more reliable ferry service to Lochboisdale. The new ferry must be able to sail to Mallaig in all weathers. The estate must campaign for the new CalMac pier.
We need to get well-paying jobs into Uist, and work with the likes of CalMac or SSE to locate jobs here. There is plenty of land at Gasaigh where a small call-centre could be built.
It’s difficult for people to access services which they need, as they’re often in Balivanich.
I’m proposing that the estate leases one of the units in Lochboisdale to provide a meeting space for people to access essential services. We’d make the space free to use for Citizens Advice Scotland, Substance Misuse Services, Financial Inclusion, DWP and optician.
Alistair Nobles
What is the top priority for Stòras to address at the moment?
I would like to question the goals given to the CEO and see if these have been achieved. If not, why not?
How would you fix it?
I would like to sit with all the staff that work for Stòras and ask them their opinion of the estate and how it’s run or could be improved?
I would spend my own time looking at all the assets the estate has and see where and why they are not being used to their potential.
I would like to end the ‘not knowing’ that the community has to put up with.
Any and every decision that Stòras make will be in quarterly print in Am Pàipear.
I understand there is a need for cheaper housing and energy. There are people better placed within the community than myself to sort these but if Stòras works in a profitable way, there will be the funds to address these problems.
If given the chance, I will work hard for the community.
John Daniel Peteranna
What is the top priority for Stòras to address at the moment?
Having the community’s future prosperity as its top priority, that would then help reverse the current depopulation we are seeing.
Just surviving is no longer enough. We are all proud of our islands, but we must work together to create a sustainable future.
We need the estate to change to allow economic development to take priority. We need good paying jobs and access to all types of housing.
We need to look at what options are available to share the energy harvest currently being reaped with our community.
How would you fix it?
With hard work, good communication and good community support and a plan for all of our futures to work together towards.
I started my own business, Energee Services Limited, fifteen years ago. During that time, we have helped to train four young engineers, so far, who are now working all over the world. I am also a partner in an accommodation business that is growing each year.
I have been involved with the South Uist Business Impact Group since its inception and have met with ministers and civil servants to make the case for the Lochboisdale-Mallaig service.
PLANA GÀIDHLIG AIR LETH AIRSON A CHOIMHEARSNACHD AIR FAD
FIONA MACVICAR
Thàinig na daoine a th’ air cùl iomairt ùr – Plana Gàidhlig Uibhist còmhla air an 19mh là den Mhàirt
gus bunait a stèidheachadh airson na tha iad ag ràdh a bhith ‘na inneal-atharrachaidh’ airson na
Gàidhlig agus Uibhist.
Chan eil Planaichean Gàidhlig ùr, ach tha sgioba na pròiseict air a bheil e an urra ri leasachadh
Plana Uibhist soilleir gu bheil an obair seo gu math diofraichte bho na chaidh roimhe.
Thathas ag ràdh gu bheil Plana Uibhist ‘ar-a-mach’, leis gu bheil e dha-rìribh air a
chumhachdachadh bhon talamh suas – is mar a dh’innis aon neach-uidhe:
“Chan ann mu dheidhinn buidhnean corporra is poblach a tha seo a’ cur riaghailtean sìos, tha e
mu dheidhinn coimhearsnachd Ghàidhlig làidir, ghnìomhach a’ cur an cèill na h-iarrtasan aca
fhèin.”
Tha am pròiseact Plana Gàidhlig Uibhist air a stiùireadh leis an Oifigear Leasachaidh Gàidhlig Joe
MacNèill, a dh’innis do Am Paipear carson a tha am Plana seo eadar-dhealaichte bho chàch:
“Tha planaichean Gàidhlig, mar a tha fios againn, gan ullachadh le ùghdarrasan poblach ann an
Alba. Tha iad sin cudromach anns an roinn phoblaich airson Gàidhlig a chleachdadh nan obair
làitheil. Le plana sgìreil, tha cumhachd agus dùil aig coimhearsnachd Uibhist a thaobh mar a bu
chòir Gàidhlig a leasachadh gus am bi a’ Ghàidhlig ri fhaicinn agus ri cluinntinn air feadh Uibhist.”
Thuirt Iain Mac a’ Mhaoilein, Stiùiriche Leasachaidh aig Bòrd na Gàidhlig, ri Am Pàipear:
“Air feadh na coimhearsnachd Ghàidhlig san fharsaingeachd, tha daoine a’ coimhead air an obair
seo le ùidh a’ sìor fhàs. Chan e a-mhàin gu bheil mòran spèis ann don dòigh anns a bheil Uibhist
air tighinn còmhla gus Plana coimhearsnachd a chumadh, ach tha fìor dhòchas ann cuideachd air
na dh’fhaodas an deagh obair seo a lìbhrigeadh.
“Tha comas aig an obair a thathar a’ dèanamh anns a’ choimhearsnachd, agus às a leth, a bhith
brosnachail agus tha mi làn dùil gun toir e buaidh air leasachadh na Gàidhlig anns na
coimhearsnachdan Gàidhlig anns na bliadhnaichean ri teachd.”
Thuirt Shona Masson, Oifigear Foghlam Gàidhlig, aon den fheadhainn a bha an làthair aig
tachartas a’ Phlana:
“Tha mi a’ smaointinn gu bheil e air leth cudromach fios a bhith againn gu bheil tòrr obair mhath
air a dhèanamh mar-thà gus faighinn chun na h-ìre seo. Gun teagamh tha dùbhlain ann. Tha
taigheadas ceangailte ri atharrachaidhean ann an cànan is cultar na Gàidhlig; tha trioblaidean
còmhdhail a’ bagairt air. Chan e naidheachd a tha seo dhuinn ann an Uibhist – tha fios againn dè
tha a dhìth agus dè tha sinn ag iarraidh atharrachadh.”
“Bidh an rud a tha math dha na raointean leasachaidh seo math don Ghàidhlig aig a’ cheann thall.
Feumaidh sinn dèanamh cinnteach gu bheil a’ Ghàidhlig aig cridhe de tòrr den obair sin; chan
urrainnear a dìochuimhneachadh, tha i air leth cudromach.”
“Tha e gu math furasta a bhith air ar bogadh sìos leis na dùbhlain, ach feumaidh sinn an dòchas
fhaicinn. Tha an cunnart bho na dh’ fhaodadh tachairt mura dèan sinn rudeigin ro mhòr, agus
chan e suidheachadh a tha sin a tha duine againn airson fhaicinn. ”
Bha Christina Mhoireasdan, Oifigear Ath-shluaigh aig Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, soilleir gum
feumadh a’ Ghàidhlig a bhith air a faicinn ann an co-theacs chùisean agus chothroman nas
fharsainge:
“Tha e sgoinneil gun urrainn dhuinn uile suidhe còmhla agus beachdachadh air planaichean, ach tha feum againn air a’ bhun-structar an sin gus taic a thoirt dha; taigheadas, còmhdhail, cùram-
chloinne is msaa, tha e uile ceangailte ri chèile. Airson Gàidhlig a shoirbheachadh, feumaidh sinn daoine a bhith an seo aig cridhe a’ chùis. Feumar aithneachadh a bhuaidh làidir a tha aig feartan
bhon taobh a-muigh air a’ chànan.
Tha e soilleir gu bheil tòrr obrach ri dhèanamh, agus gu bheil cothrom aig mòran bhuidhnean
beagan uallaichean a ghabhail orra airson a’ chànan adhartachadh agus taic a thoirt dhi.”
Bhruidhinn Eilidh NicIain, Oifigear Leasachaidh aig Taigh Chèarsabhagh, air càit am bu chòir dhan
obair tòiseachadh:
“Is e an rud a tha cudromach gu bheil a’ Ghàidhlig air a bruidhinn le daoine aig an taigh, anns a’
choimhearsnachd, anns na bùthan agus na h-àiteachan dhan tèid iad, agus gu bheil daoine a’
faireachdainn comhfhurtail agus comasach air sin. An toiseach, feumaidh sinn aithneachadh gu
bheil trioblaidean ann, fiù ‘s ann an Uibhist, chan eil a’ Ghàidhlig cho làidir ‘s a tha sinn ag iarraidh
a bhith. Tha e na mhisneachd dha-rìribh a bhith a’ faicinn na tha de dhaoine an sàs sa Phlana, ach
cuideachd a’ bruidhinn air am beatha dachaigh fhèin, am foghlam aca fhèin, dè bu toil leotha
fhaicinn.”
Bhruidhinn Joe MacNèill air cho cudromach sa tha e ruighinn a-mach chun a h-uile duine sa
choimhearsnachd bho gach seòrsa beatha agus chuir e cuideam air gur e com-pàirteachadh
farsaing sa choimhearsnachd an ath cheum: “Tha beachdan gach neach sa choimhearsnachd
cudromach do Phlana Gàidhlig Uibhist agus tha sin dha-rìribh am prìomhachas.”
FURTHER CONSULTATION FOR SCOLPAIG SITE
North Uist’s new sub orbital rocket facility reached another milestone last month with the launch
of the ‘Spaceport 1 Airspace Change Consultation’.
The latest window for stakeholder feedback pertains to the proposed introduction of a change in
designation of airspace in the vicinity of Scolpaig, North Uist. The work is being led by QinetiQ
and seeks to ‘establish a safe volume of ‘segregated’ airspace around the Spaceport 1 (SP-1)
launch site on the Outer Hebrides (as shown in Figure 1), to facilitate sub-orbital rocket launch, by
late 2024.’
Although the Spaceport site in Scolpaig lies beneath unregulated airspace, it is just a few miles
from the MOD Hebrides Range at Geirinis. The documentations supporting the proposal states:
“The SP-1 launch site sits outside the existing MOD Danger Areas and as the launch of rockets
poses a risk to other airspace users, there is a need to segregate the launch activity from other
users of the airspace. This can be safely achieved through the establishment of a small volume of
airspace in the form of a Danger Area, around the launch site that is connected to the existing
Danger Areas D701 (MOD Hebrides Range).”
Planning consent for the project limits the number of rocket launches from the site to 10 per year,
but the paperwork suggest backup launch days may be required as a result of weather or
technical delays. In its proposal, QinetiQ confirms that the airspace restrictions are unlikely to be
activated more than 20 times a year.
The documentations also states that: “Benbecula airport will continue to operate normally during
the times that SP-1’s airspace is activated. There may be minor track deviations required for
specific approaches, but these are no different than those routinely flown for weather
considerations, so will have no effect on pricing.”
All information associated with the application can be viewed on the Civil Aviation Authority’s
airspacechange website under Spaceport 1 Scolpaig North Uist. The site also provides links to
the consultation portal and includes published responses to the proposal.
A drop-in session is being held at Hosta Hall, North Uist on Wednesday 17 April from 1pm to
7.30pm. Organisers say the event will offer an informal opportunity for interested parties to find
out more about the airspace change proposal and what it means to them; it will also provide the
opportunity to leave formal feedback if required and an opportunity to offer help in submitting a
response to the consultation.
The consultation remains open until 24th May.
‘Challenging but interesting’ times ahead for tourism
The challenges and opportunities facing Uist’s tourism sector were explored in a day-long conference hosted by Outer Hebrides Tourism at the start of November.
All sectors were represented at the well-attended event in Cnoc Soilleir, with a national view provided by Scottish Tourism Alliance and Visit Scotland and plenty of local insight contributed by Outer Hebrides Tourism (OHT) and the local business operating here in Uist.
OHT CEO Sarah Maclean spoke of the Outer Hebrides as a globally recognised destination, highlighting the value of strong marketing. Ms Maclean referenced the success of OHT’s Made in the Hebrides promotion and its Eat, Drink, Hebrides initiative, which had fuelled visitor interest, and this year had earned the organisation a Scottish Food and Drink Excellence Award.
Presentations from Uist Unearthed, Stòras Uibhist and Ceòlas highlighted the work being done to promote Uist’s language, landscape and cultural history.
Lindsay Robertson, of Loch Skipport based Long Island Retreats, showcased the growth in agri-tourism, highlighting how marketable ‘Uist’ branded experiences and produce can be.
Agritourism in Scotland is currently worth around £60m, with the farm retail sector contributing an additional £110m to the economy. The Scottish Agri Tourism strategy seeks to grow that income to £250m by 2030 and the hope is that Uist can play a key role in this burgeoning sector.
If it was clear that tourism opportunity knocks for Uist, it was clearer still that numerous challenges lay ahead.
Ms MacLean said that, while visitor numbers had seen increases in 2021 and 2022, figures for this current season evidenced that occupancy rates were down on previous years.
Chief among the challenges was the devastation wreaked by the loss of the Lochboisdale ferry, which had left a good number of tourism operators out of pocket, and some out of business.
The new Visitor Levy (Scotland) Bill was set out as both challenge and opportunity.
Proposed in May this year, the Bill will grant local authorities the right to introduce an additional charge when a visitor pays for overnight accommodation.
Both the Scottish Tourism Alliance and Outer Hebrides Tourism had given the Bill their support, highlighting that money raised by the sector could provide much needed support for local tourism infrastructure. The Comhairle supports the introduction of the Visitor Levy but has yet to confirm if and how it will be applied in the Western Isles.
The Levy is expected to add a 4% surcharge to booked accommodation and will be charged and administered by local providers.
The Scottish Parliament held a public consultation on proposals, reporting that the majority of those responding were against the Bill, saying the proposals were ‘viewed by many respondents as an unwanted policy being forced on a struggling sector.’
Amanda Leveson Gower echoed the Parliament’s findings, saying that the administrative burden would sit with already stretched local businesses and act as a disincentive for visitors:
“It’s difficult enough for guests as it is. Getting here is a risk and if guests are stranded on Skye they can end up paying £300 or more in emergency accommodation costs. When ferries are cancelled, and as a consequence, stays are cancelled at short notice, it will be accommodation providers who are faced with reimbursing the levy charges. Frankly, I am hugely disappointed that OHT and the Scottish Tourism Alliance are supporting the Bill.”
Further legislative burden is facing the sector as a result of the Short Term Lets licence, which requires all providers of tourism accommodation to register their business with their Local Authority. In September, the Comhairle reported that it had granted 236 licences, and was still processing 180 applications, with a further 65 pending.
The highlight of the day was the the inaugural Our Tourism Community Awards.
The new annual Awards recognise, congratulate and celebrate businesses that deliver amazing experiences for visitors in the Outer Hebrides, champion innovation in the face of challenging times and showcase best practice.
Anne MacLellan from Hougharry, North Uist won two top accolades; the Best Accommodation Business Award for Balranald Campsite and the Best Food and Drink Experience Award for the Dunes Cabin. The award for Best See and Do Experience was awarded to Vatersay-based Mingulay Boat Trips, with Best Green Sustainable Business Award going to Castlebay Marina.
Anne MacLellan was thrilled with the Awards, telling Am Pàipear: “We’re absolutely delighted… The campsite business was established in 2012 initially with only myself working there. The campsite and the dunes cabin have now grown to employ 11 members of staff during the season. These prestigious awards recognise the great job done by my amazing team who make the visitor experience a special one. We’re grateful to all our customers, friends and family who voted for us and support us throughout the year. Ceud Mile Taing.”
Summing up the event, OHT Development Manager Mairi Thomson said: “It was a fantastic day, with a full house of tourism and hospitality businesses, community organisations and stakeholders, a brilliant line-up of inspiring and interesting speakers, mouthwatering seafood by Lochmaddy Bay Prawns and a wee tipple of Downpour from North Uist Distillery to celebrate the winners of our inaugural awards.”
Lochboisdale pier development plans spark heated debate
At the Stòras AGM, the Lochboisdale pier development was an issue of hot debate, with members clashing with the board on matters relating to the ownership of the project, the scope of the development, the terms of the CMAL lease and the possible amendment of a Harbour Empowerment Order.
In 2019, the SnBM board made the decision to progress the new pier with Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL) as developer, agreeing the broad principles of a lease that would see CMAL build and own the structure and receive the income derived from it; in return, CMAL would pay an annual rent to the estate for the length of the lease.
At the meeting, the view was expressed that Stòras had undervalued the opportunity of the new pier by allowing CMAL to take ownership of the project.
CEO Darren Taylor said: “It has been, and remains, the position of the board that the best interests of the community are served by the new ferry terminal being built by CMAL. This also means ongoing repairs and liability will sit with them and not us.”
A Stòras member accused the board of selling the community short, asking: “why tie us to a 50 year lease?”
Chair Mary Schmoller replied: “Because that’s what they asked for. This is a £50m project and CMAL are not going to build it without a 50 year agreement.”
The question of income from the pier was also raised. One member cited the example of the publicly owned Lochmaddy Pier, which earned the Comhairle substantial income from pier duties.
Darren Taylor confirmed current pier income for the Gasay marina was in the region of £100k per annum, with £50k coming from aquaculture and the rest from fishing and leisure activities.
After the meeting, Am Pàipear asked for clarification on this issue, and Mr Taylor confirmed:
“No lease has yet been finalised but when the Heads of Terms were agreed back in 2019, the lease was set at 50 years. Those negotiations were based on an expected start date of 2025 and given that the project is so late, I think it’s fair to say there could be room further discussion.”
Mr Taylor added that the expected annual income from the lease would be in the region of £75k to £100k per annum, but confirmed this too was still open for negotiation and stressed all design, construction and maintenance would not sit with Stòras.
At the meeting, disappointment was expressed that the project had been limited to a ‘just a ferry port’, rather than the wider harbour development opportunities laid out at the time of the community buyout.
The board said the decision to progress the project in its current scope was a pragmatic approach to the urgent requirement for a new ferry port.
A member called from the floor saying Stòras didn’t understand the value of their asset. Another concern raised was the potential for CMAL to turn away cruise ships and other opportunities that could generate income for the estate.
Mr Taylor said the organisation had no intention of ‘giving away the golden goose in terms of cruise ships’ and later added that a CMAL ferry terminal would not preclude future port developments.
The ‘Lochboisdale and Gasay Port (Harbour Empowerment) Order is a legal document conferring statutory harbour authority status to Lochboisdale Development Ltd and setting out the powers and duties associated with the harbour’s operation.
The application for the Order was lodged at the end of 2014, and finally granted by Scottish Government ministers in March 2016.
At the meeting, it was explained that necessary changes to the Order were being considered.
Scottish ministers confirm go-ahead for Scolpaig development
The Comhairle has welcomed a decision by Scottish Government not to call in the Spaceport 1 planning application for ministerial determination.
Scottish Government confirmed its intention to wave through the development in a letter to the Comhairle dated July 24th, saying: “It is not Scottish Ministers’ intention to intervene in this application by either issuing a direction restricting the granting of planning permission or by calling in the application for their own determination. Accordingly, you, as determining authority, are hereby authorised to deal with the application in a manner you think fit.”
The Comhairle has confirmed that the decision taken by its Planning Applications Board to approve the application will now stand.
A Comhairle spokesperson said: “This is another important step forward in the plan to establish Spaceport 1 – a suborbital, vertical launch facility at Scolpaig, North Uist.
“Following receipt of the formal decision notice, our focus will turn to discharging the planning conditions and delivering on the mitigations laid out in the Environmental Impact Assessment.
“Spaceport 1 will provide an opportunity for the economy of the Outer Hebrides to grow and diversify and will provide much needed local, professional jobs and training opportunities. Prospective launch companies are already looking at working with local businesses and establishing an on-island presence to support launches in future years. Even at this early stage, it is acknowledged by the launch industry that Spaceport 1 – and the Outer Hebrides – has a critical role to play in the expansion of the Scottish and UK space sectors.”
The campaign group Friends of Scolpaig has greeted the announcement with dismay, saying that the development has not been given time for full consideration.
A spokesperson for the Group told Am Pàipear:
“The Scottish Government Planning and Environmental Appeals Division was duty bound to fully consider and review the submission before concluding its decision. It is difficult to imagine that this requirement could have possibly been carried out in full in the 28 day period between the Comhairle’s submission and the deadline for their deliberation. The submission was made up of detailed plans, illustrations and diagrams and literally thousands of pages of technical reports and opinions, we feel no comfort that this exercise can have been executed with any proper scrutiny.”
The Group says that the Comhairle set out to bypass requirements for the longer period of public consultation required for larger developments by carefully structuring the site within a two hectare boundary:
“It was a cynical move that delivered a double blow for Uist; for not only did it effectively shut down any meaningful opportunity for the public to assess and comment on the dozens of complex reports the Comhairle submitted with its application, but worse, it forced the access road to the launch pad right through the farm steadings. If the site had moved beyond a two hectare ‘red line’ boundary, the road could have skirted the historic buildings entirely. As it is, the Comhairle has successfully avoided the longer statutory 12 week consultation period for larger developments and Spaceport 1 will be going ahead without any proper scrutiny of the project’s supporting evidence.”
The Comhairle has yet to confirm a timeline for construction but said it is anticipated that the first launch from Spaceport 1 could be in late 2024 or early 2025.
Deputy FM announces £2m boost for Cnoc Soilleir
Monday 27th March was a big day in Scottish politics; the last in office for outgoing First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and Deputy First Minister John Swinney, and the first for new FM Humza Yousaf.
From a Uist perspective, the news headlines didn’t come from Holyrood, but from a bright, sunny Daliburgh, where Mr Swinney used his last day in post to announce an additional £2m of funding to allow the construction of the 200 seat auditorium needed to complete the Cnoc Soilleir project.
Mr Swinney was at Cnoc Soilleir to Chair a meeting of the Convention of the Highlands & Islands, a forum he has led since its inception in 2007.
Leaders from the Local Authorities and strategic bodies forming the COHI cohort were in attendance, along with Transport Minister Jenny Gilruth, who was there to answer for the Government on the troubling issue of island ferry services.
Introducing the meeting, Mr Swinney set out his long association with the Cnoc Soilleir project:
“I first came to visit this site in 2017 when Màiri MacInnes, Chair of Bòrd na Gàidhlig, lured me to the edge of a field, where all I could see was some rough ground and some fencing. She told me of her vision for a centre that would be a focal point for the appreciation of Gaelic language, culture and craft and how the only thing standing between the development of this rough ground and that vision was Scottish Government funding. I’m pleased to say we were able to work with colleagues from HIE, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and Scottish Government to get to the point of establishing this wonderful building.
“When I came to open this building last year, Màiri used the opportunity to explain the significance of this wall behind me; the significance of this wall being that she doesn’t want it to be there for much longer! Phase 2 of the project will see this wall make way for the new auditorium. I’m delighted that the Government is able today to announce a capital contribution of £2m to support this next phase of work.”
Summing up his introduction, Mr Swinney said: “I can’t think of a finer way to end my ministerial career than here on such a fine day in South Uist.”
Comhairle Leader Paul Steele said the Deputy First Minister had been the strongest possible supporter of the Convention since taking office in 2007 and had never missed a meeting in those years. Mr Steele thanked Mr Swinney for the purposeful and intelligent way he had chaired the meeting and for his wider commitment to the Highlands and Islands, presenting him with a gift to remember his experiences here in Uist.
Cllr Steele concluded by saying: “This is a time of deep financial uncertainty and we are dealing with financial challenges on a scale not known in the living memory of most members.”
The day’s agenda covered the importance of providing suitable and affordable housing, of halting population decline and of supporting the Gaelic language and culture.
The Government’s plans on Highly Protected Marine Areas were raised, with elected members sharing concerns at the impact proposed restrictions would have on local marine based businesses.
The continuing issues with our islands’ ferry service was also on the agenda, with Transport Minister Jenny Gilruth in attendance to hear the heartfelt contributions from delegates. It was recognised that the £580m investment Scottish Government had made in supporting the service with new ferries was welcome, but that the urgent and pressing requirement of an interim fix remained a priority.
Ms Gilruth said she had done everything she could to secure interim vessels to tide the service through, but that securing ‘additional tonnage’ that would work in a Scottish island context was not straightforward. In recent weeks the announcment of a £9m, nine-month charter of MV Alfred had offered some hope of service resilience over the summer.
Ms Gilruth was widely praised for her personal commitment to the issue, with a number of delegates agreeing that she has made more effort to meet with and hear from stakeholders than any of her predecessors.
Following the meeting, Màiri Maciness commented on the £2m of additional funding for Cnoc Soilleir, saying: “This announcement of £2m is gratefully received. It will open doors for us to negotiate with the other funders about the shortfall we now have. HIE and CNES are working closely with the Cnoc Soilleir team to progress applications. It’s a very positive message from Scottish Government that they recognise the value of Uist as a resource for Gaelic learning and development.”
Supplementary Environmental Information published
The long awaited Supplementary Environmental Information (SEI) to the Environmental Impact Report on the Spaceport 1 development was published on the Comhairle’s planning portal at the start of February, kicking off an additional four week period of public consultation.
The submission included more than 100 new documents, ranging from maps, illustrations and photographs to technical reports and surveys.
The Spaceport 1 development at Scolpaig Farm has had a mixed response from the community, with some welcoming the economic value of the project and others citing environmental and cultural heritage concerns.
The developers have set out the beneficial economic impacts associated with both the construction and operation of the site, saying by year three of operation, Spaceport 1 will be providing 23.26 Full-Time Equivalent jobs and generating turnover of £6.45 million.
Those raising objections included the Friends of Scolpaig Tower group, which has campaigned against the development. The Group says it is “fighting to protect this area of exceptional natural beauty and biodiversity from the inappropriate development of a commercial spaceport.”
The Group’s concerns include the impact on the single track road between Carinish and Scolpaig, which will be subject to clearway restrictions during launch periods and will not be upgraded as part of the development.
The location of the development has also proved controversial, as it is sited on Scolpaig Farm, a well-preserved 19th century agricultural holding, and close to Scolpaig Tower and the Iron Age Dun on which it was built.
As part of the SEI requirements, developers were asked to extend their survey work to include a structural assessment of the Tower.
Consultants Harley Haddow were commissioned to undertake the structural survey and the Report they returned makes up part of the SEI submissions.
The Report confirms that a site inspection was carried out in August 22, covering Scolpaig Tower, the Farm and its associated buildings. The surveyors were able to carry out a visual inspection of the outbuildings, ‘externally and internally where possible’, and made their inspection of the Farm itself from the perimeter only. Scolpaig Tower was subject to a ‘visual assessment from loch side only, given the compromised access arrangements, with subsequent photographic/video survey undertaken separately by Fraser Architecture.’
On the question of Scolpaig Tower, the surveyors state that: “Our view is that the tower is highly sensitive, either to wind loads or perhaps even vibration from running traffic or even, say, operatives setting up a scaffolding frame. It may be that the only way to ensure longevity of the tower whilst minimising risk to those operatives charged with the work is to take down the tower, by hand.”
In its response to the consultation last year, the North Uist Community Council summed up community feeling by saying:
“The Community Council recognises that there is divided opinion on the proposal and does not provide judgement in favour of or against the proposal. We do, however, provide the following comments:
“There is strong community desire for creation of sustainable employment to help stem population decline and provide quality employment opportunities. There is, however, some scepticism that the number of projected FTE jobs will materialise and that they will manifest as full-time roles in North Uist or elsewhere in the local area…… The lack of suitable and available housing is a significant problem for businesses trying to recruit staff in the locality. Similar challenges can be envisaged for any job opportunities that are created via the Spaceport…
“The EIA presents arguments of no detrimental environmental impact; there are some community concerns that some detrimental impact could result. There is some concern as to how the safety of activities will be assured, particularly given the experimental nature of some activities…
“There is some concern of the possible impact to fishing activity; although this may only be for a limited number of days a year when there could be contention in short good weather windows…
“We acknowledge there is a sizeable construction phase and would encourage that work is contracted wherever possible to local contractors. It is acknowledged that the lease of Scolpaig Farm for agricultural use is a positive outcome.”
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar acquired the full 687 acres that make up the farm in June 2019. The Farm and the Tower are scheduled monuments.
The Spaceport 1 development is being led by a consortium that includes Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, HIE, QinetiQ, Rhea Group and Commercial Space Technologies Ltd.
Development plans for the Spaceport were first submitted in the summer of 2019 but later withdrawn after more than 600 objections were raised. In November 2021, the developers showcased revised plans for a scaled down project, which generated 223 objections.
As Am Pàipear went to print at the end February, there were only four new responses from members of the public to this new consultation, one neutral and three against.
With the final submissions now returned, the Comhairle’s planning department will review the application proposal and the consultation comments from members of the public and specialist consultees before preparing its report and recommendation for consideration by the Planning Board of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar in due course.
£393m investment to generate 1,300 jobs across three island groups
The long awaited Islands Growth Deal was finally and formally ratified by the UK and Scottish Governments and the three island Authorities of Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles at a special ceremony in Orkney on January 20th.
Uist councillor and Comhairle Leader Paul Steele attended the ceremony, along with Lord Offord of Garvel, the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Scotland, Ivan McKee MSP, Minister for Business, Trade, Tourism and Enterprise, Cllr James Stockan, Leader of Orkney Islands Council and Cllr Emma Macdonald, Leader of Shetland Islands Council.
The Islands Growth Deal delivers a joint UK and Scottish Government commitment of a £100 million investment in the future economic prosperity of the three island groups, and is set to generate an anticipated 1,300 jobs and a further £293 million in match funding over the next ten years.
Of the 16 projects and programmes detailed in the Deal, five are specific to the Western Isles, with a further number benefiting across the island groups.
Four Uist projects are expected to benefit from the investment, including the proposed South Uist Food Hub, a Creative Practice Hub at Taigh Chearsabhagh, the St Kilda Viewpoint visitor centre at Beinn Riabhach on North Uist and the Comhairle’s controversial Spaceport development at Scolpaig Farm.
Cllr Steele described the programme as ‘highly ambitious, but achievable’, and thanked the many community and council members who had supported the project from the start.
Cllr Steele said: “The signing of the Islands Growth Deal is both the culmination of a vision set out by the Islands Councils and the UK and Scottish Governments and the beginning of the implementation of that vision.”
It is a milestone towards achieving our aims of securing 1300 jobs and £393m of investment over 10 years through the Islands Deal, using the resources of our Islands and capitalising on our natural assets and most importantly, our people.”
Ivan McKee MSP, Scottish Government Business Minister said: “This Growth Deal will be a game-changing initiative for our islands – enabling sustainable economic growth and delivering new and internationally significant port infrastructure that will play an important role in achieving net zero targets.
“This £50 million Scottish Government investment will support the transition to renewable energy sources – including equipping the workforce with new skills – and trial emissions reduction initiatives on islands. It will drive innovation in key space, food and drink and creative industries sectors; help develop significant tourism and cultural attractions and expand education provision.
“We are determined that our islands should be attractive places to live and work and are able to maximise their contribution to Scotland’s sustainable economic transformation.”
UK Government Minister for Scotland Malcolm Offord said: “This will not just boost local economies and create jobs, but also empower communities to get the most out of the many assets and attributes that make the islands such unique and special places to live.
“This deal is packed with a broad range of high-impact projects, whether it’s leading the transition to net zero or developing ‘must-visit’ destinations such as the St Kilda trail.”
Community estate plans on show
Sealladh na Beinne Mòire (SnBM) held its Annual General Meeting in Talla an Iochdair on the evening of 24th November. Around 50 members of the community braved the foul weather to attend the event, with a full contingent of Directors on hand to support CEO Darren Taylor and his team.
Mr Taylor presented an Operational Review of the business, talking through the SnBM accounts and setting out key issues of interest. The audited accounts posted for 2021 showed income totalling £2,840,455 and expenditure of £1,825,493, leaving a pre-tax/depreciation profit of £1,014,962, and net profit of £20,080.
A more detailed overview showed an uplift in income for most areas of the business, with golf, fishing and a combined Grogarry Lodge/sporting function all returning modest profits and Lochboisdale Harbour returning a loss of £107k. South Uist Renewable Energy Ltd reported a sharp fall in income from £2,375,000 in 2020 to £1,993,000 this year as a result of a marked reduction in wind and over 30 days of maintenance-related downtime.
The results of the recent helicopter deer count were presented, confirming 216 stags, 684 hinds and 198 calves, making a total 1,198 beasts. Cull targets for 2022/23 were listed as 255 in all, with 143 culled to date. Members were also presented with cull targets for the next six years, which the Company suggest would bring the total deer herd down to just over 600 by 2028.
The target herd size listed is considerably higher than previously stated and after the meeting, Am Pàipear asked why the figure had changed. The SnBM position was confirmed as: “We had previously settled on an optimal herd number of around 450 and our cull targets for the coming years are heading that way. We would like to see the positive impact of our new zero tolerance policy of shooting all beasts to the west of the main road and within village boundaries on the east side of the estate. It may well be that if the deer are staying out of the way and not causing any damage that we can maintain a herd of around 600 without negative impacts.”
SnBM reported over £500k of external grant income, supporting two temporary posts and progressing a range of other projects.
Updates were provided on key projects, including the Smart Clachan housing development planned for Lochboisdale, the development of a local food production hub at Grogarry Steadings, and a ‘Strategic Visioning’ study to set out draft plans for Lochboisdale’s regeneration.
Details of £35,000 worth of community donations through 18 separate allocations were also detailed.
All 14 questions submitted by members ahead of the AGM were answered on the night and SnBM has confirmed these will be available to view on the Stòras website.
Questions asked during the meeting covered a broad range of subjects, including deer stocking plans, flooding impacts and the allocation of costs across sporting, gamekeeping and Grogarry Lodge functions.
When asked to set out their long term vision for Uist, the Directors cited the requirement to resolve the core issues Uist faces, including housing and ferry provision. The need to free up unused land to allow young people to croft and build homes was a common theme, as was the requirement to work together.
John Daniel Peteranna encouraged the Board to raise their sights to bigger, more aspirational projects, for example by pursuing the possibility of innovative new energy solutions.
Father Michael MacDonald urged the Board to look again at the radical drainage plans set out in the original business case for the community buyout of the Estate.
Of all discussions on the floor, only one comment elicited applause from the assembled audience when Iain Stephen Morrison stated his disappointment that no coherent vision for Uist had been set out by the Board. Mr Morrison said: “I think I’ve been to every AGM this organisation has held. Back in the beginning, there would be queues stretching out of the door, but tonight the room is half empty.” He continued: “I urge you to open up and bring the people with you. If you don’t, the price will be failure.”
Chair Mary Schmoller responded by reminding all members that the next AGM will be held next summer and that four Director posts would be open for election.