Monthly Archives: March 2012

Comhairle candidates offered free video interviews

Posted on March 31, 2012 | 26 Comments

If you are a candidate for the council and feel you have something to offer the people of the Western Isles, let them know. I will interview any candidate by Skype or by telephone. Skype can also include video, if you have access to a decent webcam.

Videos on this blog can be viewed by thousands of people each day. Make it entertaining and you could become an internet sensation overnight. If you don’t have Skype yourself, you will know someone who does. Probably at least 10. Every village has at least one Skype user. Ask around.

No face-to-face candidate interviews as that could be unfair because it would be easier for, for example, candidates near to me and therefore potentially unfair to Uist and Barra candidates. My blog is not a regulated, statutory broadcaster so I don’t have to be fair – I just prefer to be.

Fill your boots, candidates. I will record up to 10 minutes with you. I will ask you some set questions which may or may not include the following:

1. Why would you be a good councillor?

2. What would be your priorities?

3. How can the island economy be improved?

You can also give me up to three questions to ask you. It will all be Q&As as presentations are almost always mind-numbingly boring for listeners and viewers. Just be honest – be yourself.

Do a good video interview setting out your priorities and you could romp home. Yay. Go on, the sooner you call me the more viewers will see and hear you before the election. It’s fun. Sitting members and new candidates equally welcome.

Remember – for the clearest video and audio, you should download the latest version of Skype from the skype.com website. Don’t download it from another site with a similar name. That is how to get viruses.

If you just can’t get to grips with Skype, because there is a bit of a learning curve at first, there are other simpler ways get similar results.

To take part, leave a message for me on Stornoway 703000 any day up to 10.30pm.

The list of candidates:

BARRA, VATERSAY, ERISKAY AND SOUTH UIST: David Blaney (Independent); Peter Carlin (Independent); Calum Macaulay (Independent); Angus Macdonald (Independent); Ronnie Mackinnon (Scottish Labour Party); Allan F Macleod (Independent); Gerry Macleod (SNP); Calum Macmillan (Independent); Donald Manford (SNP); Donnie Steele (Independent) and Eric Wallis (Independent).

BENBECULA AND NORTH UIST: Neil Macdonald Beaton (Independent); Archie K Campbell (Scottish Labour Party); Michael Maclean (Independent); Uisdean Robertson (Independent); Martin Taylor (Independent) and Andrew Walker (SNP)

HARRIS AND SOUTH LOCHS: Catherine Macdonald (Independent); DJ Macrae (Scottish Labour Party); Philip Robert McLean (SNP) and David Cameron Wilson (SNP).

UIG AND NORTH LOCHS: Bill Houston (SNP); Annie Macdonald (SNP); Norman Alexander Macdonald (Independent); Norman A Puss Macdonald (Independent); Catherine Mary Maciver (Independent); Cudig Macleod (Independent) and Barry Steven Shelby (Independent).

POINT: John Norman Orica Macdonald (SNP); Iain Don Maciver (Independent); Alasdair Macleod (Independent); Norman M Macleod (Independent); Donald John Macsween (Independent); Donald Nicholson (Independent) and Zena Stewart (Independent).

STORNOWAY SOUTH: Angus Campbell (Independent); Keith Dodson (Independent); Bob Duncan (SNP); Rae Mackenzie (SNP); Uilleam Macleod (Independent); Angus McCormack (Independent) and Charlie Nicolson (Independent).

STORNOWAY NORTH: Ahmed Mohammed (SNP); Neil Campbell (Independent); Iain Maclean Macaulay (Independent); Jackie Mackay (Independent); Roddie Mackay (Independent); Iain Mackenzie (Independent); David Morrison (Independent); Gordon Murray (SNP); Murdo Angus Murray (Independent) and Kevin Paterson (Scottish Labour Party).

BROAD BAY: Donald Finlayson Crichton (Independent); John A Maciver (SNP); Kenneth A Maciver (Independent); Alasdair Nicholson (Independent) and Catriona Stewart (Independent).

WEST SIDE AND NESS: Alastair Dunlop (Independent); John Mackay (Independent); Alistair Maclennan (Independent); Kenneth Macleod (SNP); Iain Morrison (Independent) and Kenneth Macleod Murray (Independent).

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Posted in council

Cheap seats on the plane this weekend

Posted on March 30, 2012 | 3 Comments

Loganair is offering a Spring bonus for its customers this weekend with a seat sale on flights to and from The Western Isles.

Passengers travelling on the flights, which the airline operates under its franchise agreement with Flybe, will be able to enjoy a 25% discount from the fare for every seat on every flight if they book online between 0001hrs on Friday 30th March and 2359hrs on Sunday 1st April.

Air Discount Scheme (ADS) members will be eligible for the discount in addition to their existing 40% reduction. However, neither the ADS nor the sale discounts apply to the mandatory airport taxes and Air Passenger Duty elements applicable on each journey.

Similar sales in recent times have generated an enthusiastic response from customers, leading to the decision to offer another weekend discount across the Western Isles routes.

Loganair’s Chief Operating Officer Jonathan Hinkles said: “The 72-hour sale promotion over the coming weekend is designed to help those still planning a getaway over the Summer Holidays and beyond to take advantage of great deals on flights between Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness and Benbecula.

“We’re expecting that this will be an incredibly busy weekend online as everyone logs onto www.flybe.com/ads to take advantage of this fantastic deal.”

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Posted in Uncategorized

Shock as squillions announced for island concessionary travel

Posted on March 29, 2012 | Leave a comment

Millions of pounds are to be spent by the SNP on concessionary travel in the Western Isles, according to their announcement today.

Sorry, scrub that. Hundreds of millions of pounds are to be spent by the SNP government on concessionary travel in the Western Isles.

They made the ridiculous announcement early this morning. There has been no correct or clarification and its now nearly 4pm. Dozy journalists are writing up the earth-shattering news with gusto.

One councillor has already “welcomed” the news with tongue firmly inserted in cheek.

You couldn’t make it up. Actually Transport Scotland did exactly that. It’s all a load of old codswollop caused by sloppy cut and pasting by PR drongos.

http://www.hebrides-news.com/concessionary-travel-scheme-29312.html

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Posted in Government

Peninsula ablaze across Loch Leurbost

Posted on March 28, 2012 | 2 Comments

There were severe wildfires around the islands on Tuesday night. The view of a hill in Uig ablaze was spectacular, particularly for those on Great Bernera who could see it across Loch Roag. Other fires were dotted around Dalbeg, Dalmore and several other areas.

The Lochs area too was lit up as fire crews battled to contain damage to grazings. Here at Loch Leurbost, the fire followed a line of dry grassland round the shore. If you look hard at the main burning area in this photo by Mrs X, you may be able to see the eerie image of the head and shoulders of a man. Spooky.

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Posted in Uncategorized

Thoughts on the RET protest

Posted on March 27, 2012 | 19 Comments

Outer Hebrides Transport Group

Hi All,

Apologies for the delay in writing to thank you all for your support at the Day of Action on Saturday. I have been laid low with the flu since my return from Lewis!

The turnout was amazing and I was personally pleased so many made the trip from Uist to support our attempts to get the SNP Government to see sense. It was rather disappointing that Alasdair Allan, Angus Brendan MacNeil and Donald Manford all had busy diaries last Saturday, and were unable to engage with the hundreds who came to demonstrate their grave displeasure about their Government’s ferry fare increases. (We find this all the more intriguing because we understand that the Town Hall had been booked for an SNP sale of work last Saturday).

Sadly, unless we hear otherwise, the first 50% instalment will be imposed this week and we have to look forward to another similar increase a year from now.

I have attached a letter from Angus John MacLeod from Hotel Hebrides in Harris where he illustrates what this massive rise will mean for his business. It’s will also chimes with the input from other businesses across the islands.

I will be in touch later to discuss how we can continue the campaign. To those of you who are encouraging us to give the same input for an Air Discount Campaign – we will have to take stock and see how best we can deal with the ferry issue and what input the OHTG can have in the ADS campaign.

Kindest regards.

Gail Robertson
Co-ordinator
Outer Hebrides Transport Group

_____________________________________________

Dear Sirs,

As one of the largest private sector employers in Harris, we are desperately concerned about the impact of this week’s massive ferry fare increase. I was very pleased to join the marchers at Saturday’s protest and delighted that all of our islands were so well represented at what was a remarkable articulation of islanders’ outrage at this ferry tax.

Tourism is hugely important to the economy of the islands. Many in Harris have invested heavily to improve facilities and make the visitor experience more enjoyable. We are in direct competition with the highland west coast and particularly with the Isle of Skye, who have no ferry fares at all as a cost to their businesses – let alone huge hikes in already expensive fares. Indeed, in the case of Skye, they have had their bridge tolls abolished altogether.

We welcome RET on domestic vehicles which as increased numbers travelling to our islands but all of the supplies required to service them once here of course come in on commercial vehicles – up to 6 pallets a week in the height of the season for our own business. It is at this point that we feel at a distinct disadvantage as visitors’ feel that everything is a lot more expensive and with these further increases we will be simply less competitive still. It will threaten the viability of many businesses. All we are asking for is a level playing field.

It is a direct hit on families and businesses and it will also stifle future investment now that we have learnt that another 50% increase will be imposed next year. The Government has to listen.

Kind regards.

Angus J MacLeod
Hotel Hebrides
Tarbert
Isle of Harris
HS3 3DG

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Posted in ferries, RET

Allan’s disappointment at Labour stance on tax cut for wealthy

Posted on March 27, 2012 | 5 Comments

SNP MSP Alasdair Allan has challenged Labour in the Western Isles to explain why their MPs were not prepared to join the SNP in the House of Commons yesterday in voting against a tax cut which benefited only Scotland’s 15,000 wealthiest people. Instead they chose to abstain on this issue.

Alasdair Allan commented: “While the Western Isles MP, Angus MacNeil, and his SNP colleagues voted yesterday to oppose UK Government plans to cut income tax for the wealthy, Labour were curiously silent.

“The Chancellor’s budget failed island pensioners and motorists yet he managed to cut income tax for the tiny number of people who earn over £150,000.

“You would have thought that with a budget whose priorities were as wrong as this one’s Labour might be at least have voted on this issue, yet no Scottish Labour MP’s were prepared to join the SNP in making their opposition know in this vote.

“The SNP believes that this budget does nothing for Scotland, and certainly not for the Western Isles, and unlike some others is prepared to say so.”

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Posted in Labour Party, SNP

It’s not too late if you fancy it …

Posted on March 27, 2012 | 2 Comments

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar

PRESS RELEASE

27 March 2012

Closing Date For Comhairle Nominations This Week

Nominations for election to Comhairle nan Eilean Siar close at 4pm this Thursday – 29^th March 2012.

Nomination papers must be submitted by then by anyone wishing to stand in the election which will be held on 3^rd May 2012.

Returning Officer Malcolm Burr said: “The Nomination period ends on Thursday at 4 p.m. so I would urge anyone who is thinking of standing for election to the Comhairle to complete their nomination papers as soon as possible and hand these in at any Comhairle Office.”

Nomination papers are available from Comhairle offices in Stornoway, Tarbert, Balivanich and Castlebay or from the Comhailre’s website ( http://www.cne-siar.gov.uk/electionoffice/lge2012/nominationpack.asp)

Nominations cannot be accepted after 4pm on Thursday 29^th March.

→ 2 Comments

Posted in council, Labour Party, SNP

Who’s the driver of that lorry coming over the Hill?

Posted on March 25, 2012 | Leave a comment

Many vehicles from companies all around the islands were on Saturday’s protest. For instance, here is a lorry from the Shawbost area:

I wonder who’s at the wheel of that lorry. Someone said it was two of the most annoying people who are never off the telly. Hmm, who could that be? Let’s just zoom in, lighten the photo and have a look …

It’s Harry and one of the twins. I don’t know if that is Edward or, er, or J? Don’t know what had made me think of Brian Wilson and Alasdair Morrison.