UNRELEASED AND NEVER-BEFORE SEEN FOOTAGE
Thursday 31st December at 9pm on BBC ALBA
BBC ALBA brings viewers inside the unique story of one man, his music and the country that embraced him with the documentary special "Johnny Cash” which is to be transmitted on Hogmanay at 9pm.
The film sheds new light on the life and legacy of the "Man in Black”, giving viewers unprecedented access to a wealth of rare materials, including never-before-seen footage and photos, intimate interviews with Cash's family, children, and several life-long friends, and 27 of Johnny Cash's recordings, many used in the programme for the first time.
At the time of his death in 2003, no other entertainer in history had brought together people of such diverse creeds, politics, and persuasions as Johnny Cash. With hits spanning six decades from the 1950s into the 21st century, Cash sought to advocate his beliefs and unify people through his music.
Wading into the controversies of his time, Cash was a man who believed in God but was a friend to the Devil, a patriot and a drug addict, a friend to Presidents and an ally to prisoners. His America was not red, white or blue; it was black.
The documentary explores the prominent themes of Cash's life including love of the land, freedom, justice, family, faith and redemption through exclusive interviews, photos and unreleased music and footage.
Interviews include Cash's sister Joanne, son John Carter Cash and daughters Cindy Cash and Rosanne Cash, childhood friends and fellow band mates as well as Bob Dylan, Sheryl Crow, Al Gore, Loretta Lynn, Snoop Dogg, Steve Earle, and Merle Haggard, all of whom are connected to Cash in surprising ways.
The special features 27 of Cash's songs as well as unreleased and never-before seen footage including the 1965 "Johnny Cash Show" featuring a solo performance of "Five Feet High and Rising," outtakes from the recording studio with Cash and Bob Dylan from his elusive ‘Eat the Document’ documentary and rehearsal footage for a Highwaymen recording session.
The Cash family, Johnny's sister, son, and other relatives, take viewers to rural Dyess, Arkansas to Cash's childhood home and visit brother Jack's grave which elicits a moving, impromptu singing of "Will The Circle Be Unbroken."
Johnny Cash has been produced by Ann Morrison at MacTV and will be transmitted on BBC ALBA on Thursday, 31st December at 9pm.
Thursday, 17 December 2009
Wednesday, 16 December 2009
UNITE says "Diageo workers' courageous fight wins them a better deal"
A much-improved and unconditional offer from Diageo has been accepted by its Scottish workforce, Unite the union said.
The union and the workers had been fighting for a fairer redundancy deal to compensate the hundreds of workers set to lose their jobs with the distillers as it forces through its restructuring plans next year.
After months of campaigning, and amid the threat of industrial action by the workers to hit the company early in 2010, Diageo agreed to increase the termination payments by £4000 to £9000 per person, and remove altogether its previous conditions that the payment would be based on productivity and attendance. Diageo has also opened up the pension scheme to allow part of the packages to be paid in to workers' pension pots, enhancing both the retirement lump sum and the pension.
Workers voted on the proposals in workplace ballots at the Kilmarnock, Shieldhall and Port Dundas plants. The offer was accepted by almost four to one.
Jennie Formby, Unite national officer for the food and drinks sector, said that there was widespread sadness that Diageo would not listen to reason on its plant closures but that the workers deserved every credit for the fight for fairness:
"The final package is one that provides benefits for members that are second to none. But we firmly believe that without the courage and determination of the workers, and the excellent leadership of their union stewards, we would not have seen any movement from the company. The fighting spirit the workers demonstrated throughout the whole campaign let Diageo know that they simply could not walk away from these communities without fair and proper compensation.
"Every site had a very clear majority to accept, with Kilmarnock as the largest site showing an 80% acceptance, which is a very clear endorsement of the proposals.
"Of course we are very disappointed not to have been able to save sites from closure, but this is a painful reminder that it is only too easy in the UK for companies to close sites in this way. We have advised Diageo management of the result and also confirmed that our campaign is now formally at an end."
The union and the workers had been fighting for a fairer redundancy deal to compensate the hundreds of workers set to lose their jobs with the distillers as it forces through its restructuring plans next year.
After months of campaigning, and amid the threat of industrial action by the workers to hit the company early in 2010, Diageo agreed to increase the termination payments by £4000 to £9000 per person, and remove altogether its previous conditions that the payment would be based on productivity and attendance. Diageo has also opened up the pension scheme to allow part of the packages to be paid in to workers' pension pots, enhancing both the retirement lump sum and the pension.
Workers voted on the proposals in workplace ballots at the Kilmarnock, Shieldhall and Port Dundas plants. The offer was accepted by almost four to one.
Jennie Formby, Unite national officer for the food and drinks sector, said that there was widespread sadness that Diageo would not listen to reason on its plant closures but that the workers deserved every credit for the fight for fairness:
"The final package is one that provides benefits for members that are second to none. But we firmly believe that without the courage and determination of the workers, and the excellent leadership of their union stewards, we would not have seen any movement from the company. The fighting spirit the workers demonstrated throughout the whole campaign let Diageo know that they simply could not walk away from these communities without fair and proper compensation.
"Every site had a very clear majority to accept, with Kilmarnock as the largest site showing an 80% acceptance, which is a very clear endorsement of the proposals.
"Of course we are very disappointed not to have been able to save sites from closure, but this is a painful reminder that it is only too easy in the UK for companies to close sites in this way. We have advised Diageo management of the result and also confirmed that our campaign is now formally at an end."
Mather says "UK GOVERNMENT SLAMS DOOR ON SECTION OF SCOTTISH TOURISM INDUSTRY"
TREASURY QUIZZED OVER HOLIDAY LETS DEBACLE
SNP Business and Enterprise spokesperson at Westminster Mike Weir MP has heavily criticised the UK Government after it emerged in the finer print of the Pre-Budget Report (PBR) that the Treasury is threatening the survival of small self-catering businesses across Scotland by refusing to classify operating such an enterprise as a trade.
The definition given in the UK Government's PBR means that those operating bed and breakfast businesses are classified as having a trade while those who run self-catering lets are classed as landlords.
Mr Weir has tabled a series of emergency questions to the Treasury in a bid to uncover why the UK Government is pursuing this action. He has also tabled an EDM in parliament. His actions are vigorously supported by Jim Mather, MSP for Argyll & Bute.
Mike Weir said:
"This is a huge disappointment for the tourism industry in Scotland.
6000 small holiday letting businesses across Scotland are a vital part of our rural economy. They cannot be allowed to suffer as a result of this technocratic stitch-up.
People who run self-catering lets are professionals offering a whole host of services from cleaning to providing information on local attractions. They must often conform to strict quality standards to gain VisitScotland ratings. To suggest that they operate the same service as residential landlords and are less skilled than people who also offer a simple meal is insulting and wrong."
Jim Mather stated
"The SNP Government at Holyrood has helped many self-catering operators with its small business bonus, only for the Treasury to pull the rug from under their feet with this sort of ill-considered proposal.
These proposed changes will put many businesses at risk and jeopardise the valuable local trade that holiday lets generate for pubs, restaurants, shops, newsagents and other local businesses - often in remote rural areas where jobs and customers are at a premium. This is a serious threat and one that informed sources would have identified.
With our tourist authorities putting their energies into improving the standard of welcome that visitors to Scotland experience in bright, welcoming, well-equipped and furnished accommodation, it is unthinkable that the Treasury appears prepared with this proposal to slam the door on those in the front line.
This is "the nightmare before Christmas" for many small businesses and the Treasury has to seriously re-consider the consequences of this. I will certainly be taking the matter forward with my colleagues and supporting the efforts of Mike Weir."
SNP Business and Enterprise spokesperson at Westminster Mike Weir MP has heavily criticised the UK Government after it emerged in the finer print of the Pre-Budget Report (PBR) that the Treasury is threatening the survival of small self-catering businesses across Scotland by refusing to classify operating such an enterprise as a trade.
The definition given in the UK Government's PBR means that those operating bed and breakfast businesses are classified as having a trade while those who run self-catering lets are classed as landlords.
Mr Weir has tabled a series of emergency questions to the Treasury in a bid to uncover why the UK Government is pursuing this action. He has also tabled an EDM in parliament. His actions are vigorously supported by Jim Mather, MSP for Argyll & Bute.
Mike Weir said:
"This is a huge disappointment for the tourism industry in Scotland.
6000 small holiday letting businesses across Scotland are a vital part of our rural economy. They cannot be allowed to suffer as a result of this technocratic stitch-up.
People who run self-catering lets are professionals offering a whole host of services from cleaning to providing information on local attractions. They must often conform to strict quality standards to gain VisitScotland ratings. To suggest that they operate the same service as residential landlords and are less skilled than people who also offer a simple meal is insulting and wrong."
Jim Mather stated
"The SNP Government at Holyrood has helped many self-catering operators with its small business bonus, only for the Treasury to pull the rug from under their feet with this sort of ill-considered proposal.
These proposed changes will put many businesses at risk and jeopardise the valuable local trade that holiday lets generate for pubs, restaurants, shops, newsagents and other local businesses - often in remote rural areas where jobs and customers are at a premium. This is a serious threat and one that informed sources would have identified.
With our tourist authorities putting their energies into improving the standard of welcome that visitors to Scotland experience in bright, welcoming, well-equipped and furnished accommodation, it is unthinkable that the Treasury appears prepared with this proposal to slam the door on those in the front line.
This is "the nightmare before Christmas" for many small businesses and the Treasury has to seriously re-consider the consequences of this. I will certainly be taking the matter forward with my colleagues and supporting the efforts of Mike Weir."
"Right to Buy" could be suspended
COUNCIL AND ITS PARTNERS TO CONSULT ON PRESSURED AREA DESIGNATION PROPOSAL
Argyll and Bute Council and local Housing Associations, who together comprise the housing partnership HOMEArgyll, are preparing an application to the Scottish Government for Pressured Area Designation (PAD) for areas of acute housing shortage within Argyll and Bute.
If successful, some tenants - i.e. those who commenced their tenancy after 30th September 2002 - in the designated areas may have the Right To Buy their home suspended, initially for a period of five years.
The proposal is being considered as a way of helping to address the significant shortage of affordable housing in a number of communities across Argyll and Bute.
Any suspension of Right To Buy would mean that a number of houses, which could otherwise have been sold off to sitting tenants, will continue to be available for let to those local families and individuals who are considered to be in the greatest housing need.
Argyll and Bute Council’s Housing and Communities Spokesperson, Councillor George Freeman, said:
“We need to consider all the options that are available to us to try and increase the supply of affordable housing across Argyll and Bute.
“Some areas are suffering from serious shortages of affordable rented accommodation, which is having an impact on individuals and families on housing waiting lists throughout the region.
“Although the PAD proposal will not impact on the majority of tenants across Argyll and Bute, I believe that the process we are considering will hopefully prove an effective measure in helping to ensure that there are more affordable properties available for those who need them.”
The Council has now completed its initial analysis of housing need data and supporting evidence and identified the potential areas for inclusion in the PAD application.
Together with housing association partners, the authority is now undertaking a period of consultation with social sector tenants, waiting list applicants, and local residents in general.
Anyone with an interest in this issue is invited to contact the Council at the address below and express their view via phone, email or letter by 15th January 2010.
Housing association tenants who have queries regarding their own tenancy and their eligibility status for Right To Buy should contact their local housing association office in the first instance.
When the consultation exercise has been completed, a report will be submitted to the Council’s Executive and to members of the Argyll and Bute Strategic Housing & Communities Forum, as well as the boards of the individual Housing Associations.
Only when this has been done will any decision as to whether or not to submit an application to the Scottish Government for Ministerial approval be taken.
If the application is eventually submitted and approved, not all Housing Association tenants will be affected, even within the designated areas.
In addition, all eligible Right To Buy tenants will retain that right – it will simply be suspended, in the first instance, for five years.
The areas to be considered for PAD, based on current and historic housing needs and demand assessments, are:
COWAL - Ardentinny; Benmore; Blairmore; Colintraive; Dunoon/Kirn; Glendaruel; Innellan; Kames/Tighnabruiach; Kilmun; Lochgoilhead; Millhouse; Sandban; Strachur; Strone; Toward
BUTE - Kilchattan/Kingarth
MID ARGYLL - Lochgilphead; Ardrishaig; Cairnbaan; Craignish/Ardfern; Crarae; Crinan; Eredine; Inveraray; Kilmartin; Tayvallich
KINTYRE - Gigha; Macrihanish; Penninver
ISLAY, JURA & COLONSAY - Ballygrant; Bowmore; Bridgend; Bruichladdich; Keills/Port Askaig; Port Charlotte; Port Ellen; Portnahaven; Jura; Colonsay
LORN - Oban; Appin; Balvicar; Barcaldine; Benderloch; Bonawe; Clachan Seil; Connel; North Connel; Dalmally; Dunbeg; Kilchrennan; Kilmore; Kilmelford; Kilninver; Lochawe; Taynuilt; Lismore; Luing; Port Appin
MULL & IONA - Bunessan; Craignure; Dervaig; Fionnphort; Salen; Tobermory; Iona
COLL & TIREE - Coll; Tiree
HELENSBURGH & LOMOND - Arrochar; Cardross; Kilcreggan; Helensburgh; Luss; Rhu
For further information regarding the PAD process, or to provide comments on the proposed submission please contact:
Allan Brandie, Research & Development Officer, Argyll and Bute Council, Dolphin Hall, Manse Avenue, Dunoon, Argyll, PA23 8DQ
Tel: 01369 70 8679.
EMAIL: allan.brandie@argyll-bute.gov.uk)
The full text of the draft PAD submission isavailable online at www.argyll-bute.gov.uk
• The HOMEArgyll partners are Argyll and Bute Council, Argyll Community Housing Association, Dunbritton Housing Association, Fyne Homes and West Highland Housing Association.
• The Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 allows Scottish Ministers to designate any part of a local authority area as a ‘pressured area’ for up to five years at a time, where the demand for social housing outstrips supply and it can be shown that this situation will be adversely affected by tenants exercising their right to buy. The result of the designation is to suspend the right to buy for certain tenants living in the area for a period of up to five years.
• Since the introduction of the Right To Buy in 1980, over 5,600 former Council homes have been sold throughout Argyll and Bute, amounting to over 50% of the original stock.
• The Council transferred its housing stock to the Registered Social Landlord - Argyll Community Housing Association (ACHA) - in 2006. Since then, the number of homes sold through Right To Buy has continued to deplete the affordable homes available to meet local needs.
• In total, the Registered Social Landlord sector in Argyll and Bute currently provides less than 7,900 social rented properties, and on average there are only 800 lets available annually to meet the needs of the local communities. There are some 3,000 households on the HOMEArgyll waiting list.
• In addition, the number of households suffering the most severe form of housing need, i.e. those households deemed to be homeless for whatever reason, continues to increase year on year.
• The shortage of affordable housing both in the social and owner occupied sector has resulted in a high level of demand for accommodation in those areas.
• To tackle this problem Argyll and Bute Council and its Registered Social Landlord partners believe that applying for Pressured Area Designation, under the terms of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001, would make a contribution to help stabilise affordable housing stock numbers and help meet local housing needs.
• Twelve local authorities across Scotland have already successfully applied to use the Pressured Area mechanism – East Renfrewshire, Highland, South Ayrshire, Moray, Fife, Dumfries and Galloway, Perth and Kinross, Aberdeen, North Ayrshire, Aberdeenshire, North Lanarkshire and Stirling.
Argyll and Bute Council and local Housing Associations, who together comprise the housing partnership HOMEArgyll, are preparing an application to the Scottish Government for Pressured Area Designation (PAD) for areas of acute housing shortage within Argyll and Bute.
If successful, some tenants - i.e. those who commenced their tenancy after 30th September 2002 - in the designated areas may have the Right To Buy their home suspended, initially for a period of five years.
The proposal is being considered as a way of helping to address the significant shortage of affordable housing in a number of communities across Argyll and Bute.
Any suspension of Right To Buy would mean that a number of houses, which could otherwise have been sold off to sitting tenants, will continue to be available for let to those local families and individuals who are considered to be in the greatest housing need.
Argyll and Bute Council’s Housing and Communities Spokesperson, Councillor George Freeman, said:
“We need to consider all the options that are available to us to try and increase the supply of affordable housing across Argyll and Bute.
“Some areas are suffering from serious shortages of affordable rented accommodation, which is having an impact on individuals and families on housing waiting lists throughout the region.
“Although the PAD proposal will not impact on the majority of tenants across Argyll and Bute, I believe that the process we are considering will hopefully prove an effective measure in helping to ensure that there are more affordable properties available for those who need them.”
The Council has now completed its initial analysis of housing need data and supporting evidence and identified the potential areas for inclusion in the PAD application.
Together with housing association partners, the authority is now undertaking a period of consultation with social sector tenants, waiting list applicants, and local residents in general.
Anyone with an interest in this issue is invited to contact the Council at the address below and express their view via phone, email or letter by 15th January 2010.
Housing association tenants who have queries regarding their own tenancy and their eligibility status for Right To Buy should contact their local housing association office in the first instance.
When the consultation exercise has been completed, a report will be submitted to the Council’s Executive and to members of the Argyll and Bute Strategic Housing & Communities Forum, as well as the boards of the individual Housing Associations.
Only when this has been done will any decision as to whether or not to submit an application to the Scottish Government for Ministerial approval be taken.
If the application is eventually submitted and approved, not all Housing Association tenants will be affected, even within the designated areas.
In addition, all eligible Right To Buy tenants will retain that right – it will simply be suspended, in the first instance, for five years.
The areas to be considered for PAD, based on current and historic housing needs and demand assessments, are:
COWAL - Ardentinny; Benmore; Blairmore; Colintraive; Dunoon/Kirn; Glendaruel; Innellan; Kames/Tighnabruiach; Kilmun; Lochgoilhead; Millhouse; Sandban; Strachur; Strone; Toward
BUTE - Kilchattan/Kingarth
MID ARGYLL - Lochgilphead; Ardrishaig; Cairnbaan; Craignish/Ardfern; Crarae; Crinan; Eredine; Inveraray; Kilmartin; Tayvallich
KINTYRE - Gigha; Macrihanish; Penninver
ISLAY, JURA & COLONSAY - Ballygrant; Bowmore; Bridgend; Bruichladdich; Keills/Port Askaig; Port Charlotte; Port Ellen; Portnahaven; Jura; Colonsay
LORN - Oban; Appin; Balvicar; Barcaldine; Benderloch; Bonawe; Clachan Seil; Connel; North Connel; Dalmally; Dunbeg; Kilchrennan; Kilmore; Kilmelford; Kilninver; Lochawe; Taynuilt; Lismore; Luing; Port Appin
MULL & IONA - Bunessan; Craignure; Dervaig; Fionnphort; Salen; Tobermory; Iona
COLL & TIREE - Coll; Tiree
HELENSBURGH & LOMOND - Arrochar; Cardross; Kilcreggan; Helensburgh; Luss; Rhu
For further information regarding the PAD process, or to provide comments on the proposed submission please contact:
Allan Brandie, Research & Development Officer, Argyll and Bute Council, Dolphin Hall, Manse Avenue, Dunoon, Argyll, PA23 8DQ
Tel: 01369 70 8679.
EMAIL: allan.brandie@argyll-bute.gov.uk)
The full text of the draft PAD submission isavailable online at www.argyll-bute.gov.uk
• The HOMEArgyll partners are Argyll and Bute Council, Argyll Community Housing Association, Dunbritton Housing Association, Fyne Homes and West Highland Housing Association.
• The Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 allows Scottish Ministers to designate any part of a local authority area as a ‘pressured area’ for up to five years at a time, where the demand for social housing outstrips supply and it can be shown that this situation will be adversely affected by tenants exercising their right to buy. The result of the designation is to suspend the right to buy for certain tenants living in the area for a period of up to five years.
• Since the introduction of the Right To Buy in 1980, over 5,600 former Council homes have been sold throughout Argyll and Bute, amounting to over 50% of the original stock.
• The Council transferred its housing stock to the Registered Social Landlord - Argyll Community Housing Association (ACHA) - in 2006. Since then, the number of homes sold through Right To Buy has continued to deplete the affordable homes available to meet local needs.
• In total, the Registered Social Landlord sector in Argyll and Bute currently provides less than 7,900 social rented properties, and on average there are only 800 lets available annually to meet the needs of the local communities. There are some 3,000 households on the HOMEArgyll waiting list.
• In addition, the number of households suffering the most severe form of housing need, i.e. those households deemed to be homeless for whatever reason, continues to increase year on year.
• The shortage of affordable housing both in the social and owner occupied sector has resulted in a high level of demand for accommodation in those areas.
• To tackle this problem Argyll and Bute Council and its Registered Social Landlord partners believe that applying for Pressured Area Designation, under the terms of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001, would make a contribution to help stabilise affordable housing stock numbers and help meet local housing needs.
• Twelve local authorities across Scotland have already successfully applied to use the Pressured Area mechanism – East Renfrewshire, Highland, South Ayrshire, Moray, Fife, Dumfries and Galloway, Perth and Kinross, Aberdeen, North Ayrshire, Aberdeenshire, North Lanarkshire and Stirling.
Tuesday, 15 December 2009
Business Gateway to help small businesses with self assessment
Entrepreneurs throughout Argyll & Bute will soon have the chance to access invaluable business support via a free online workshop.
This exciting new pilot scheme run by Business Gateway is specially designed to help all of Argyll & Bute’s self employed to meet their self assessment deadline, a necessary element for all businesses.
With the online tax return of 31st January fast approaching, Business Gateway will be ensuring that those who sign up to watch the broadcast will be given practical support to help them complete their tax return correctly and on time.
It will also allow people who live in rural areas to fully access this support without leaving their home or office.
All of Business Gateway’s Highlands and Islands offices are coming together to deliver the webcast, which will broadcast twice on Tuesday, 14 January and will provide first class advice on self assessment.
Whether you are an existing business owner that wants to brush up on your tax knowledge, or you have recently became your own boss and need to learn how to complete your self assessment, this workshop will give you the skills you need.
The live 45 minute webcasts will be presented by former BBC and Newsnight reporter Simon Willis, who will be interviewing and raising vital issues with a tax expert from Her Majesty’s Customs and Revenue.
Viewers will be able to submit questions throughout the broadcast which will be dealt with in a Q&A section towards the end of the workshop. This will allow local business owners to raise the problems or issues they are facing and receive instant expert advice.
Kate Fraser, Senior Development officer, Business Gateway said: “We acknowledge that for many local business owners travelling to our workshops can be difficult due to their rural location, especially during the winter months. This is an attempt to solve that problem and give everyone in the area the opportunity to benefit from our services.
“We are very excited about this new development and hope that this pilot broadcast is a success. It is great that we are able to introduce new ideas and initiatives that will help and support even more local businesses.”
In order to bring this service to local business owners, Business Gateway has teamed up with DP Digital Media, the technology branch of Inverness based company Developing Partners.
To register for the webcast which will be shown live at 12.30 p.m and again at 7 p.m, email irene@developmentpartners.co.uk
Business Gateway provides practical help, advice and support for new and growing businesses throughout Scotland. To find out more about how it can help you set up and develop your own business visit www.bgateway.com or call 0845 609 6611
This exciting new pilot scheme run by Business Gateway is specially designed to help all of Argyll & Bute’s self employed to meet their self assessment deadline, a necessary element for all businesses.
With the online tax return of 31st January fast approaching, Business Gateway will be ensuring that those who sign up to watch the broadcast will be given practical support to help them complete their tax return correctly and on time.
It will also allow people who live in rural areas to fully access this support without leaving their home or office.
All of Business Gateway’s Highlands and Islands offices are coming together to deliver the webcast, which will broadcast twice on Tuesday, 14 January and will provide first class advice on self assessment.
Whether you are an existing business owner that wants to brush up on your tax knowledge, or you have recently became your own boss and need to learn how to complete your self assessment, this workshop will give you the skills you need.
The live 45 minute webcasts will be presented by former BBC and Newsnight reporter Simon Willis, who will be interviewing and raising vital issues with a tax expert from Her Majesty’s Customs and Revenue.
Viewers will be able to submit questions throughout the broadcast which will be dealt with in a Q&A section towards the end of the workshop. This will allow local business owners to raise the problems or issues they are facing and receive instant expert advice.
Kate Fraser, Senior Development officer, Business Gateway said: “We acknowledge that for many local business owners travelling to our workshops can be difficult due to their rural location, especially during the winter months. This is an attempt to solve that problem and give everyone in the area the opportunity to benefit from our services.
“We are very excited about this new development and hope that this pilot broadcast is a success. It is great that we are able to introduce new ideas and initiatives that will help and support even more local businesses.”
In order to bring this service to local business owners, Business Gateway has teamed up with DP Digital Media, the technology branch of Inverness based company Developing Partners.
To register for the webcast which will be shown live at 12.30 p.m and again at 7 p.m, email irene@developmentpartners.co.uk
Business Gateway provides practical help, advice and support for new and growing businesses throughout Scotland. To find out more about how it can help you set up and develop your own business visit www.bgateway.com or call 0845 609 6611
Monday, 14 December 2009
ARGYLL AND BUTE LIFTS SUNDAY LICENSING RESTRICTIONS
Argyll and Bute’s Licensing Board has agreed to allow the sale of alcohol in off licenses from 10am on a Sunday.
The decision was made following consultation with the Local Licensing Forum.
Any license holder who wishes to open from 10am on a Sunday is now being asked to write to the Licensing Board as soon as possible, applying for a variation to their hours.
This procedure would normally carry a fee of £160. However, as a one-off gesture, the Board has agreed to reduce that fee to £20.
Previously, Argyll and Butegenerally restricted alcohol sales to after 12.30pm on a Sunday, a policy which a few other Licensing Boards across Scotland still have.
However the Board’s Chairman, Councillor Daniel Kelly, said various consequences of that policy were brought to the Board’s attention which persuaded members to review the situation.
“One of these was that off license outlets in Argyll and Bute felt they were being unfairly disadvantaged,” Councillor Kelly said.
“Some of our neighbouring authorities allow earlier opening, and local license holders felt they were losing trade over the borders.
“In addition, people in Argyll and Bute often have to travel a significant distance to their local shops. Some were setting off early on a Sunday morning, buying their groceries and then discovering that they couldn’t get a bottle of wine until 12.30pm.”
Another area of concern was Argyll and Bute’s standing as one of Scotland’s most popular yachting destinations.
“We had reports from shops and off licenses around the coast that boats were coming in on a Sunday to restock their provisions, only to discover that they couldn’t buy alcohol until after 12.30pm. Often, they were having to leave before then to catch the tide,” Councillor Kelly said.
“So, after consultation and careful consideration, the Board has now agreed to amend its current policy. From the next Board meeting on February 4 2010, we will be prepared to consider applications for 10am opening on Sundays.
“We have always known that certain decisions we have taken in the past might need to be reviewed at a later date, and this was one such occasion. We will of course continue to monitor the impact of all our policies on license holders, their customers and the wider Argyll and Bute community.”
Any license holder who wishes to apply for a variation to Sunday hours should write to the Clerk to the Licensing Board, Argyll and Bute Council, Kilmory, Lochgilphead PA31 8RT. The £20 fee should be included in the envelope.
Applications to be considered at the February 4th meeting must be received by the Board no later than Thursday, January 7 2010 to allow for the statutory 21 day advertising period.
The decision was made following consultation with the Local Licensing Forum.
Any license holder who wishes to open from 10am on a Sunday is now being asked to write to the Licensing Board as soon as possible, applying for a variation to their hours.
This procedure would normally carry a fee of £160. However, as a one-off gesture, the Board has agreed to reduce that fee to £20.
Previously, Argyll and Butegenerally restricted alcohol sales to after 12.30pm on a Sunday, a policy which a few other Licensing Boards across Scotland still have.
However the Board’s Chairman, Councillor Daniel Kelly, said various consequences of that policy were brought to the Board’s attention which persuaded members to review the situation.
“One of these was that off license outlets in Argyll and Bute felt they were being unfairly disadvantaged,” Councillor Kelly said.
“Some of our neighbouring authorities allow earlier opening, and local license holders felt they were losing trade over the borders.
“In addition, people in Argyll and Bute often have to travel a significant distance to their local shops. Some were setting off early on a Sunday morning, buying their groceries and then discovering that they couldn’t get a bottle of wine until 12.30pm.”
Another area of concern was Argyll and Bute’s standing as one of Scotland’s most popular yachting destinations.
“We had reports from shops and off licenses around the coast that boats were coming in on a Sunday to restock their provisions, only to discover that they couldn’t buy alcohol until after 12.30pm. Often, they were having to leave before then to catch the tide,” Councillor Kelly said.
“So, after consultation and careful consideration, the Board has now agreed to amend its current policy. From the next Board meeting on February 4 2010, we will be prepared to consider applications for 10am opening on Sundays.
“We have always known that certain decisions we have taken in the past might need to be reviewed at a later date, and this was one such occasion. We will of course continue to monitor the impact of all our policies on license holders, their customers and the wider Argyll and Bute community.”
Any license holder who wishes to apply for a variation to Sunday hours should write to the Clerk to the Licensing Board, Argyll and Bute Council, Kilmory, Lochgilphead PA31 8RT. The £20 fee should be included in the envelope.
Applications to be considered at the February 4th meeting must be received by the Board no later than Thursday, January 7 2010 to allow for the statutory 21 day advertising period.
NFUS SEES POTENTIAL IN CROFTING REFORM BILL
NFU Scotland has welcomed the launch the new Crofting Reform Bill in Inverness today (Thursday, 10 December) and looks forward to helping the Scottish Government shape a Bill that truly delivers for active crofters.
The Union believes that the Bill is significantly improved since its publication in draft form in May 2009, but still contains areas of concerns for its 700-crofting members. NFUS has pledged to work with Scottish Government to ensure that the final Bill put forward for parliamentary approval will better tackle issues such as absenteeism and croft abandonment.
Scottish Environment Minister, Roseanna Cunningham, launched the Bill. Speaking at its launch, the Chair of the Union’s Crofting, Highlands and Islands Working Group, Mrs Jo Durno said:
“The Bill, in itself, will not be the salvation of crofting but it does have the potential to support our objectives of keeping croft land in active crofting.
“Our crofting members have given us a clear steer on legislative changes they think are needed to deliver their vision for crofting in the 21st century. Some of those are addressed in the Bill while others merit further discussion. We are committed to working with the Scottish Government to ensure that the planned legislative changes deliver for active crofters and take crofting communities forward.
“The Minister had already reacted positively to concerns voiced by many of our members prior to today’s publication of the Bill. It was already agreed that an occupancy requirement, which would mean houses built on former croft land have to be used as main residences, would not be included in the Bill. It was also previously confirmed that there are no plans to end the Crofting Counties Agricultural Grants Scheme and the Croft House Grants Scheme. These are schemes that deliver vital funding into crofting communities.
“These previous announcements addressed some of the primary concerns that our crofting members had expressed when consulted in the summer of 2009 on the draft bill and which we raised in a private meeting with the Minister this summer.
“At the Minister’s request, we have also fed in the thoughts on alternative approaches to tackling thorny subjects such as absenteeism as well as croft abandonment and neglect. NFUS still holds reservations that the Bill fails to properly look at these areas. To help shape the Bill, we will be offering further evidence as Stage 1 of the Bill’s approval proceeds through the Scottish Parliament.”
The Union believes that the Bill is significantly improved since its publication in draft form in May 2009, but still contains areas of concerns for its 700-crofting members. NFUS has pledged to work with Scottish Government to ensure that the final Bill put forward for parliamentary approval will better tackle issues such as absenteeism and croft abandonment.
Scottish Environment Minister, Roseanna Cunningham, launched the Bill. Speaking at its launch, the Chair of the Union’s Crofting, Highlands and Islands Working Group, Mrs Jo Durno said:
“The Bill, in itself, will not be the salvation of crofting but it does have the potential to support our objectives of keeping croft land in active crofting.
“Our crofting members have given us a clear steer on legislative changes they think are needed to deliver their vision for crofting in the 21st century. Some of those are addressed in the Bill while others merit further discussion. We are committed to working with the Scottish Government to ensure that the planned legislative changes deliver for active crofters and take crofting communities forward.
“The Minister had already reacted positively to concerns voiced by many of our members prior to today’s publication of the Bill. It was already agreed that an occupancy requirement, which would mean houses built on former croft land have to be used as main residences, would not be included in the Bill. It was also previously confirmed that there are no plans to end the Crofting Counties Agricultural Grants Scheme and the Croft House Grants Scheme. These are schemes that deliver vital funding into crofting communities.
“These previous announcements addressed some of the primary concerns that our crofting members had expressed when consulted in the summer of 2009 on the draft bill and which we raised in a private meeting with the Minister this summer.
“At the Minister’s request, we have also fed in the thoughts on alternative approaches to tackling thorny subjects such as absenteeism as well as croft abandonment and neglect. NFUS still holds reservations that the Bill fails to properly look at these areas. To help shape the Bill, we will be offering further evidence as Stage 1 of the Bill’s approval proceeds through the Scottish Parliament.”
NOLLAIG BHON GHÀIDHEALTACHD – A HIGHLAND CHRISTMAS ON BBC ALBA
BBC ALBA invites you to join the Channel this Christmas Eve for a very special Gaelic ecumenical service from Ness Bank Church, Inverness.
Rev KD MacLeod (Church of Scotland) will lead the service, with readings and prayers from Rev Ronnie Morrison (Free Church) and Father James MacNeil (Catholic Church).
Soloists Kathleen MacInnes, Maggie MacDonald and James Graham are accompanied by local musicians The Caledonian Canal Ceilidh Trail, who will perform a medley of Christmas classics. Pupils from the Inverness Gaelic Primary School (Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig Inbhir Nis), the Inverness Gaelic Choir and the Ness Bank Congregation join together to sing favourite Gaelic carols. The carols are subtitled in Gaelic so viewers at home are able to join in.
Christmas is a time for family and friends, but not everyone is able to spend Christmas Day at home with their loved ones. The programme will cover some of the work that The Salvation Army in Inverness is doing to help the homeless and less fortunate, as well as joining The Highland Hospice and Marie Curie Cancer Care team to learn about the services they provide for families over the Christmas period.
The pipes and drums of The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, currently stationed in Germany, send their Christmas messages home to love ones, with Trooper Ben Duncan piping us into Christmas Day.
Nollaig bhon Ghàidhealtachd is produced by Eyeline Media for BBC ALBA and will be transmitted on Christmas Eve, Thursday 24th December at 11pm and repeated on Christmas Day at 3.25pm. A special recording will also be played out on Radio nan Gàidheal on Christmas Day at 12.03pm.
Rev KD MacLeod (Church of Scotland) will lead the service, with readings and prayers from Rev Ronnie Morrison (Free Church) and Father James MacNeil (Catholic Church).
Soloists Kathleen MacInnes, Maggie MacDonald and James Graham are accompanied by local musicians The Caledonian Canal Ceilidh Trail, who will perform a medley of Christmas classics. Pupils from the Inverness Gaelic Primary School (Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig Inbhir Nis), the Inverness Gaelic Choir and the Ness Bank Congregation join together to sing favourite Gaelic carols. The carols are subtitled in Gaelic so viewers at home are able to join in.
Christmas is a time for family and friends, but not everyone is able to spend Christmas Day at home with their loved ones. The programme will cover some of the work that The Salvation Army in Inverness is doing to help the homeless and less fortunate, as well as joining The Highland Hospice and Marie Curie Cancer Care team to learn about the services they provide for families over the Christmas period.
The pipes and drums of The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, currently stationed in Germany, send their Christmas messages home to love ones, with Trooper Ben Duncan piping us into Christmas Day.
Nollaig bhon Ghàidhealtachd is produced by Eyeline Media for BBC ALBA and will be transmitted on Christmas Eve, Thursday 24th December at 11pm and repeated on Christmas Day at 3.25pm. A special recording will also be played out on Radio nan Gàidheal on Christmas Day at 12.03pm.
NOLLAIG BHON GHÀIDHEALTACHD – A HIGHLAND CHRISTMAS ON BBC ALBA
BBC ALBA invites you to join the Channel this Christmas Eve for a very special Gaelic ecumenical service from Ness Bank Church, Inverness.
Rev KD MacLeod (Church of Scotland) will lead the service, with readings and prayers from Rev Ronnie Morrison (Free Church) and Father James MacNeil (Catholic Church).
Soloists Kathleen MacInnes, Maggie MacDonald and James Graham are accompanied by local musicians The Caledonian Canal Ceilidh Trail, who will perform a medley of Christmas classics. Pupils from the Inverness Gaelic Primary School (Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig Inbhir Nis), the Inverness Gaelic Choir and the Ness Bank Congregation join together to sing favourite Gaelic carols. The carols are subtitled in Gaelic so viewers at home are able to join in.
Christmas is a time for family and friends, but not everyone is able to spend Christmas Day at home with their loved ones. The programme will cover some of the work that The Salvation Army in Inverness is doing to help the homeless and less fortunate, as well as joining The Highland Hospice and Marie Curie Cancer Care team to learn about the services they provide for families over the Christmas period.
The pipes and drums of The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, currently stationed in Germany, send their Christmas messages home to love ones, with Trooper Ben Duncan piping us into Christmas Day.
Nollaig bhon Ghàidhealtachd is produced by Eyeline Media for BBC ALBA and will be transmitted on Christmas Eve, Thursday 24th December at 11pm and repeated on Christmas Day at 3.25pm. A special recording will also be played out on Radio nan Gàidheal on Christmas Day at 12.03pm.
Rev KD MacLeod (Church of Scotland) will lead the service, with readings and prayers from Rev Ronnie Morrison (Free Church) and Father James MacNeil (Catholic Church).
Soloists Kathleen MacInnes, Maggie MacDonald and James Graham are accompanied by local musicians The Caledonian Canal Ceilidh Trail, who will perform a medley of Christmas classics. Pupils from the Inverness Gaelic Primary School (Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig Inbhir Nis), the Inverness Gaelic Choir and the Ness Bank Congregation join together to sing favourite Gaelic carols. The carols are subtitled in Gaelic so viewers at home are able to join in.
Christmas is a time for family and friends, but not everyone is able to spend Christmas Day at home with their loved ones. The programme will cover some of the work that The Salvation Army in Inverness is doing to help the homeless and less fortunate, as well as joining The Highland Hospice and Marie Curie Cancer Care team to learn about the services they provide for families over the Christmas period.
The pipes and drums of The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, currently stationed in Germany, send their Christmas messages home to love ones, with Trooper Ben Duncan piping us into Christmas Day.
Nollaig bhon Ghàidhealtachd is produced by Eyeline Media for BBC ALBA and will be transmitted on Christmas Eve, Thursday 24th December at 11pm and repeated on Christmas Day at 3.25pm. A special recording will also be played out on Radio nan Gàidheal on Christmas Day at 12.03pm.
Bothan air a’ Phrèiridh on BBC ALBA, 25th Dec at 9pm
Bothan air a’ Phrèiridh (Cabin on the Prairies) is a fascinating new documentary, a Gaelic road trip going back to the mid 20th century yet firmly rooted in the 21st century.
It’s a journey of discovery on an emigrant’s road to the ‘Far West’ of Canada and back again, portraying family stories and separations both overseas and at home.
The hour-long documentary on BBC ALBA, from the writer’s personal perspective, follows the return of a Benbecula-born Gael, Ewen MacKay (Isle of Skye-based joiner and father of six), to the Canadian prairie homestead where his mother, Bealag MacKay was born at the beginning of the ‘Dirty Thirties’ out in the Canadian West.
Bealag’s father, Seonaidh Paterson, had emigrated in 1924 to the Canadian province of Alberta, a year after the Marloch had sailed from Lochboisdale, South Uist, with hundreds bound for the same destination.
Once set up on his prairie homestead, Seonaidh married Flora MacLellan, also from South Uist, who later died when Bealag was only an infant. So Bealag grew up in Alberta, on the farm of her mother’s sister’s family in Clandonald. Her father was mostly absent during this time, turning his hand to various odd jobs to make ends meet from farming his own land, to working as a lumberman, to winning medals and prize money in local rodeo events as a ‘steer wrestling’ (bulldogging) Gaelic Cowboy.
By the end of the 1930s though, the Gaelic Cowboy suddenly left and brought his daughter back across the North Atlantic to live with relatives in Benbecula, a distant homeland she had never seen.
A young girl with little Gaelic at first, Bealag remained in Benbecula throughout the 1940s and beyond, marrying a local man, Iain MacKay, and going on to raise a family of five of whom Ewen is the youngest. Seonaidh also remained on the Islands and in his remaining days, stayed in the house of his daughter Bealag and her husband Iain. In his last conscious hours, he called out in Gaelic that his beloved prairie horses were escaping from his failing grasp.
Iain MacPherson, a friend of Ewen MacKay from his years living in the Isle of Skye, first met Ewen’s mother Bealag on a New Year trip to Benbecula. Pulling out her Alberta birth certificate and her father’s rodeo cup, she had told him part of her life story of coming and going.
In the documentary, Ewen along with Iain (an Alberta native like Bealag) set off in search of both the final and initial threads of the tale from the Western Isles and the Isle of Skye to the endless prairie of Red Deer and the dusty hills of Clandonald.
Bothan air a’ Phrèiridh has been produced for BBC ALBA by Pelicula Films, written and presented by Iain S MacPherson and directed by Mark Littlewood. The hour long documentary will be transmitted on BBC ALBA on Friday 25 December at 9pm.
It’s a journey of discovery on an emigrant’s road to the ‘Far West’ of Canada and back again, portraying family stories and separations both overseas and at home.
The hour-long documentary on BBC ALBA, from the writer’s personal perspective, follows the return of a Benbecula-born Gael, Ewen MacKay (Isle of Skye-based joiner and father of six), to the Canadian prairie homestead where his mother, Bealag MacKay was born at the beginning of the ‘Dirty Thirties’ out in the Canadian West.
Bealag’s father, Seonaidh Paterson, had emigrated in 1924 to the Canadian province of Alberta, a year after the Marloch had sailed from Lochboisdale, South Uist, with hundreds bound for the same destination.
Once set up on his prairie homestead, Seonaidh married Flora MacLellan, also from South Uist, who later died when Bealag was only an infant. So Bealag grew up in Alberta, on the farm of her mother’s sister’s family in Clandonald. Her father was mostly absent during this time, turning his hand to various odd jobs to make ends meet from farming his own land, to working as a lumberman, to winning medals and prize money in local rodeo events as a ‘steer wrestling’ (bulldogging) Gaelic Cowboy.
By the end of the 1930s though, the Gaelic Cowboy suddenly left and brought his daughter back across the North Atlantic to live with relatives in Benbecula, a distant homeland she had never seen.
A young girl with little Gaelic at first, Bealag remained in Benbecula throughout the 1940s and beyond, marrying a local man, Iain MacKay, and going on to raise a family of five of whom Ewen is the youngest. Seonaidh also remained on the Islands and in his remaining days, stayed in the house of his daughter Bealag and her husband Iain. In his last conscious hours, he called out in Gaelic that his beloved prairie horses were escaping from his failing grasp.
Iain MacPherson, a friend of Ewen MacKay from his years living in the Isle of Skye, first met Ewen’s mother Bealag on a New Year trip to Benbecula. Pulling out her Alberta birth certificate and her father’s rodeo cup, she had told him part of her life story of coming and going.
In the documentary, Ewen along with Iain (an Alberta native like Bealag) set off in search of both the final and initial threads of the tale from the Western Isles and the Isle of Skye to the endless prairie of Red Deer and the dusty hills of Clandonald.
Bothan air a’ Phrèiridh has been produced for BBC ALBA by Pelicula Films, written and presented by Iain S MacPherson and directed by Mark Littlewood. The hour long documentary will be transmitted on BBC ALBA on Friday 25 December at 9pm.
Jamie McGrigor MSP - speech on Rural Broadband
Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Con): I congratulate my good friend Murdo Fraser on bringing to the chamber today's extremely important debate and on prompting the Government to send an e-mail this afternoon to tell us of 71 upgrades, the first of which will be finished by March 2010. I thought that that e-mail might pre-empt my speech but, having looked at the list, I see that it does not include any of the exchanges that I am going to complain about.
The minister will be aware, as the constituency MSP for Argyll and Bute and from the repeated correspondence that he has had with members such as me, that there are far too many rural communities in the Highlands and Islands that still receive an inferior service and poorer value for money in comparison with their urban equivalents.
One constituent in rural Argyll told me this week that she is paying a whopping £40.54 per month for broadband through Avanti, which she finds does not work half the time. When she rings Avanti to complain, the company tells her that, because it is raining either in London or in Argyll—which is quite often—the satellite is not working. Furthermore, she receives no refund for any lack of service, she is bound into a minimum one-year contract, and even when the system is working it is often so slow that sometimes the service times out before things download.
Watching BBC iPlayer, which people in the cities take for granted, can be a frustrating experience that leaves people tearing their hair out. That is surely unacceptable, and sadly—judging from my mailbag—such an occurrence is not an isolated case. I am led to believe that the cheapest Avanti option is £23.50 per month, which is much more expensive than many of the competitive city broadband packages and an amount that means that the package is out of reach for many people on low incomes. Indeed, the fact that the uptake of Avanti broadband by those who previously indicated an interest is only around 50 per cent suggests that cost is putting people off.
Another constituent in Argyll tells me that, despite the fact that he lives only 100m from the BT exchange, his broadband provider can only give him 2 megabits per second. His neighbour, who is with a different provider and thus uses a different line from the exchange, can get 8 megabits per second. Such inconsistency understandably annoys and dismays people; they just feel conned.
I will briefly mention the continuing and passionate campaign of my constituents in Northbay on the island of Barra to secure a better broadband service for their community than the one that is currently provided by the connected communities broadband network, which is owned and managed by Highlands and Islands Enterprise. My constituents on Barra continue to make the case to me that the con com wireless solution has just not worked for them; they want the local BT exchange to be upgraded. One of my constituents said to me, "What kind of con is con com?"
My constituents in the rural and island parts of my region want efforts redoubled to secure affordable, fast and reliable broadband for all. That must mean working with BT and urging it at every opportunity to renew and upgrade the BT telephone exchanges. I am glad that 71 exchanges are being upgraded, but there are still many more. Upgrading the exchanges will enable BT to cope with the demand that exists in communities throughout rural Scotland.
BT seems to be saving money by getting rid of rural telephone boxes, which it says there is no longer any need for. The upgrading of rural exchanges is a new, modern need that BT can fulfil, and I hope that the Government will encourage it to do so.
The minister will be aware, as the constituency MSP for Argyll and Bute and from the repeated correspondence that he has had with members such as me, that there are far too many rural communities in the Highlands and Islands that still receive an inferior service and poorer value for money in comparison with their urban equivalents.
One constituent in rural Argyll told me this week that she is paying a whopping £40.54 per month for broadband through Avanti, which she finds does not work half the time. When she rings Avanti to complain, the company tells her that, because it is raining either in London or in Argyll—which is quite often—the satellite is not working. Furthermore, she receives no refund for any lack of service, she is bound into a minimum one-year contract, and even when the system is working it is often so slow that sometimes the service times out before things download.
Watching BBC iPlayer, which people in the cities take for granted, can be a frustrating experience that leaves people tearing their hair out. That is surely unacceptable, and sadly—judging from my mailbag—such an occurrence is not an isolated case. I am led to believe that the cheapest Avanti option is £23.50 per month, which is much more expensive than many of the competitive city broadband packages and an amount that means that the package is out of reach for many people on low incomes. Indeed, the fact that the uptake of Avanti broadband by those who previously indicated an interest is only around 50 per cent suggests that cost is putting people off.
Another constituent in Argyll tells me that, despite the fact that he lives only 100m from the BT exchange, his broadband provider can only give him 2 megabits per second. His neighbour, who is with a different provider and thus uses a different line from the exchange, can get 8 megabits per second. Such inconsistency understandably annoys and dismays people; they just feel conned.
I will briefly mention the continuing and passionate campaign of my constituents in Northbay on the island of Barra to secure a better broadband service for their community than the one that is currently provided by the connected communities broadband network, which is owned and managed by Highlands and Islands Enterprise. My constituents on Barra continue to make the case to me that the con com wireless solution has just not worked for them; they want the local BT exchange to be upgraded. One of my constituents said to me, "What kind of con is con com?"
My constituents in the rural and island parts of my region want efforts redoubled to secure affordable, fast and reliable broadband for all. That must mean working with BT and urging it at every opportunity to renew and upgrade the BT telephone exchanges. I am glad that 71 exchanges are being upgraded, but there are still many more. Upgrading the exchanges will enable BT to cope with the demand that exists in communities throughout rural Scotland.
BT seems to be saving money by getting rid of rural telephone boxes, which it says there is no longer any need for. The upgrading of rural exchanges is a new, modern need that BT can fulfil, and I hope that the Government will encourage it to do so.
Wednesday, 9 December 2009
‘Soillseachadh’ ùr Albannach a’ faighinn maoin tasgaidh co-obrachail de £5.29 millean
Tha maoineachadh de £5.29 millean airson rannsachadh gus taic is
ath-bheothachadh a thoirt air cànan is cultar na Gàidhlig gu bhith air a
cho-roinn eadar ceithir institiudan foghlaim àrd-ìre ann an Alba ann an
ro-innleachd rannsachaidh ùir.
’S e com-pàirteachais rannsachaidh a tha ann an Soillse, a tha a’ gabhail a-steach Institiud nam Mìle Bliadhna (OGE) agus Oilthighean Obar Dheathain, Dhun Èideann agus Ghlaschu. Tha Comhairle Maoineachaidh na h-Alba (SFC) a’ cur £1.866 millean ris le £2.483 millean a’ tighinn bho na h-institiudan, £0.541 millean bho Bhòrd na Gàidhlig agus £0.4 millean bho Iomairt na Gàidhealtachd’s nan Eilean.
Thèid am maoin tasgaidh a chleachdadh gus sàr luchd-rannsachaidh fhastadh, naoi sgoilearachdan ollamhachd a stèidheachadh thar nan institiudan com-pàirteachaidh, le co-dhiù ceithir dhiubh an co-bhoinn ri buidhnean aig a bheil ùidh sa Ghàidhlig, agus co-labhairt bliadhnail air a chumail gus lorgaidhean nan rannsachaidhean a thaisbeanadh.
Bidh e na phrìomh dhleastanas aig Soillse fios a chumail ri Riaghaltas na h-Alba mu na prìomhachasan eaconomach is sòisealta airson na Gàidhlig. Bidh na ceithir institiudan ag obair an com-pàirt le prìomh bhuidhnean, leithid Bhòrd na Gàidhlig, gus am fiosrachadh a chaidh a chruinneachadh bhon rannsachadh a cho-roinn airson fios a chumail ri oidhirpean nàiseanta is ionadail gus tionndadh a thoirt air crìonadh na Gàidhlig agus gus cleachdadh na Gàidhlig a bhrosnachadh ann an ceàrnaidheanan far nach eilear ga bruidhinn gu dualchasach.
Thuirt Mark Batho, Àrd-oifigear an SFC: “Tha eachdraidh bheairteach is ioma-dhathach aig Alba agus chluich a’ Ghàidhlig pàirt chudromach san eachdraidh sin. Tha sinne dhan bheachd gu bheil e cudromach gum bi cànan is cultar na Gàidhlig air a bhrosnachadh gus a bhith a’ cinneachadh is a’ leasachadh agus tha mi toilichte gun urrainn dhuinne agus na com-pàirtichean eile rannsachadh a mhaoineachadh gus am pàirt sònraichte seo de dhearbh-aithne na h-Alba a chumail beò.”
Thuirt Mìcheal Ruiseal, Rùnaire a’ Chaibineit airson Foghlam is Ionnsachadh Fad-beatha: “Tha mi cinnteach gun cluich an com-pàirteachas seo pàirt chudromach ann a bhith a’ dealbhadh mar a bhios sinn a’ gluasad air adhart le ar n-obair ann a bhith ag adhartachadh na Gàidhlig thar nam bliadhnaichean a tha romhainn. “Feumadh sinn ginealach ùr de luchd-labhairt Gàidhlig a chruthachadh gus meur bheairteach de bheatha chultarail na h-Alba agus coimhearsnachd cànain sònraichte ann an Alba a dhìon. “Seach gu bheil com-pàirtichean Soillse sgaoilte air feadh gach ceàrnaidh den dùthaich, chithear gu bheil oidhirpean ga dèanamh air feadh Alba gus stad a chur air an crìonadh ann an àireamh luchd-labhairt na Gàidhlig.”
’S e com-pàirteachais rannsachaidh a tha ann an Soillse, a tha a’ gabhail a-steach Institiud nam Mìle Bliadhna (OGE) agus Oilthighean Obar Dheathain, Dhun Èideann agus Ghlaschu. Tha Comhairle Maoineachaidh na h-Alba (SFC) a’ cur £1.866 millean ris le £2.483 millean a’ tighinn bho na h-institiudan, £0.541 millean bho Bhòrd na Gàidhlig agus £0.4 millean bho Iomairt na Gàidhealtachd’s nan Eilean.
Thèid am maoin tasgaidh a chleachdadh gus sàr luchd-rannsachaidh fhastadh, naoi sgoilearachdan ollamhachd a stèidheachadh thar nan institiudan com-pàirteachaidh, le co-dhiù ceithir dhiubh an co-bhoinn ri buidhnean aig a bheil ùidh sa Ghàidhlig, agus co-labhairt bliadhnail air a chumail gus lorgaidhean nan rannsachaidhean a thaisbeanadh.
Bidh e na phrìomh dhleastanas aig Soillse fios a chumail ri Riaghaltas na h-Alba mu na prìomhachasan eaconomach is sòisealta airson na Gàidhlig. Bidh na ceithir institiudan ag obair an com-pàirt le prìomh bhuidhnean, leithid Bhòrd na Gàidhlig, gus am fiosrachadh a chaidh a chruinneachadh bhon rannsachadh a cho-roinn airson fios a chumail ri oidhirpean nàiseanta is ionadail gus tionndadh a thoirt air crìonadh na Gàidhlig agus gus cleachdadh na Gàidhlig a bhrosnachadh ann an ceàrnaidheanan far nach eilear ga bruidhinn gu dualchasach.
Thuirt Mark Batho, Àrd-oifigear an SFC: “Tha eachdraidh bheairteach is ioma-dhathach aig Alba agus chluich a’ Ghàidhlig pàirt chudromach san eachdraidh sin. Tha sinne dhan bheachd gu bheil e cudromach gum bi cànan is cultar na Gàidhlig air a bhrosnachadh gus a bhith a’ cinneachadh is a’ leasachadh agus tha mi toilichte gun urrainn dhuinne agus na com-pàirtichean eile rannsachadh a mhaoineachadh gus am pàirt sònraichte seo de dhearbh-aithne na h-Alba a chumail beò.”
Thuirt Mìcheal Ruiseal, Rùnaire a’ Chaibineit airson Foghlam is Ionnsachadh Fad-beatha: “Tha mi cinnteach gun cluich an com-pàirteachas seo pàirt chudromach ann a bhith a’ dealbhadh mar a bhios sinn a’ gluasad air adhart le ar n-obair ann a bhith ag adhartachadh na Gàidhlig thar nam bliadhnaichean a tha romhainn. “Feumadh sinn ginealach ùr de luchd-labhairt Gàidhlig a chruthachadh gus meur bheairteach de bheatha chultarail na h-Alba agus coimhearsnachd cànain sònraichte ann an Alba a dhìon. “Seach gu bheil com-pàirtichean Soillse sgaoilte air feadh gach ceàrnaidh den dùthaich, chithear gu bheil oidhirpean ga dèanamh air feadh Alba gus stad a chur air an crìonadh ann an àireamh luchd-labhairt na Gàidhlig.”
MATHER HIGHLIGHTS ENERGY SAVING BUSINESS LOANS
Jim Mather Argyll & Bute MSP, urges Small and Medium sized Enterprises (SME), private sector landlords, not-for-profit organisations and charities to apply for an Energy Review to check if they are eligible for interest free loans from £1,000 to £100,00 to help their businesses to install renewable energy technologies or measures to reduce energy consumption. The Energy Savings Trust, funded by the SNP Scottish Government , aims to support companies taking action to reduce their energy bills.
Jim Mather said:
"It is often low cost actions that are all that are required for an organisation to save money, improve its competitive position and help the environment. Successful businesses are those making efficient use of energy and resources thus driving their costs down.
I therefore wholeheartedly encourage businesses and charities in Argyll and Bute to take advantage of this Government funded Energy Savings Trust which provides funds to help cut energy usage and get the most out of energy used."
Jim Mather said:
"It is often low cost actions that are all that are required for an organisation to save money, improve its competitive position and help the environment. Successful businesses are those making efficient use of energy and resources thus driving their costs down.
I therefore wholeheartedly encourage businesses and charities in Argyll and Bute to take advantage of this Government funded Energy Savings Trust which provides funds to help cut energy usage and get the most out of energy used."
MATHER WELCOMES CROFTERS' INTEREST RATE REDUCTION
Jim Mather Argyll & Bute MSP, has welcomed the Scottish Government
announcement that hundreds of crofters will have their interest
payments on house loans halved. The option of moving from a fixed
interest rate, as high as seven per cent, to a new variable rate of
three point five per cent will ease the financial burden on as many as
1,700 crofters.
Jim Mather said:
"I join with my colleague, Environment Minister, Roseanna Cunningham,
MSP, in emphasising that this Government is doing all in its power to
take action to stimulate growth and ease the burden faced by business
and ensure our economy is well-positioned for recovery.
Reducing interest rates; hundreds of crofters will have their interest
payments on house loans halved, while the current economic situation
is difficult for all, geographical remoteness can increase overheads,
making this assistance especially welcome.
Together with other measures such as encouraging the Scottish
Environment Protection Agency to waive fees charged to business,
farming, fishing, forestry and food industries has helped sustain the
rural economy and our rural communities resulting in the cautious
optimism which is beginning to emerge throughout Scotland."
announcement that hundreds of crofters will have their interest
payments on house loans halved. The option of moving from a fixed
interest rate, as high as seven per cent, to a new variable rate of
three point five per cent will ease the financial burden on as many as
1,700 crofters.
Jim Mather said:
"I join with my colleague, Environment Minister, Roseanna Cunningham,
MSP, in emphasising that this Government is doing all in its power to
take action to stimulate growth and ease the burden faced by business
and ensure our economy is well-positioned for recovery.
Reducing interest rates; hundreds of crofters will have their interest
payments on house loans halved, while the current economic situation
is difficult for all, geographical remoteness can increase overheads,
making this assistance especially welcome.
Together with other measures such as encouraging the Scottish
Environment Protection Agency to waive fees charged to business,
farming, fishing, forestry and food industries has helped sustain the
rural economy and our rural communities resulting in the cautious
optimism which is beginning to emerge throughout Scotland."
Bòrd na Gàidhlig a’ cur fàilte air taic an Riaghaltais dhan Ghàidhlig
Na cleachd ro 1800, Monday, December 7, 2009
Tha Bòrd na Gàidhlig, a’ phrìomh bhuidheann poblach le uallach airson leasachadh na Gàidhlig, air fàilte a chur air an taic a nochdas Rùnaire a’ Chaibineit airson Foghlam Micheil Ruiseal dhan chànan a nochd.
A’ bruidheann aig Òraid Bhliadhnail an t-Sabhail anns an Eilean Sgitheanach (Diluain, Dùbhlachd 7), canaidh Mghr Ruiseal “nach urrainear a dhol as àicheadh na Gàidhlig mar phàirt de ar dualchas” agus gu bheil e “ceart gun rachadh a’ Ghàidhlig fhaicinn agus a chluinntinn.”
Thuirt Cathraiche a’ Bhùird Art MacCarmaig gu bheil an òraid gu bhith “farsainn, le beachdan fìor chumhachdach agus làidir na theachdaireachd gu buidhnean Gàidhlig agus Coimhearsnachd farsainn na h-Alba gluasad air cùisean.” Chuir Mghr MacCarmaig fàilte cuideachd air beachd gum bu chòir a bhith ag amas nas cinntiche air ionnsachadh na Gàidhlig. Thuirt e: “Tha sinn a’ cur fàilte air an impidh a tha a’ sìor nochdadh bhon Riaghaltas an Alba mu choinneimh an taic dhan Ghàidhlig, a’ stèidheachadh slighe romhainn a bhios beothail, tèarainte agus maireannach. ’S e ceum gu math cudromach a tha seo ann a bhith a’ dèanamh cinnteach gun tèid uile-rùn Phlana Nàiseanta na Gàidhlig a thoirt gu ìre, mar dhòigh cuideachd air a bhith a’ deisealachadh airson an ath Phlana. Tha am Ministir a’ gEalltainn gun tèid barrachd a dhèanamh airson a bhith a’ cleachdadh na Gàidhlig agus tha e ag iarraidh air ùghdarrasan ionadail agus Coimhearsnachd na Gàidhlig co-obrachadh ach am buinnig iad le chèile rùintean a tha reusanta a thaobh follaiseachd agus modhan pragtigeach airson a bhith a’ cleachdadh na Gàidhlig. Tha mi cuideachd a’ gabhail ris na tha e ag ràdh mu bhith èifeachdach agus sùbailte nar dòighean obrach agus tha sin air a bhith na dhùbhlan nach gabh seachnadh.”
Dh’innis an Cathraiche cuideachd gu bheil e am beachd a’ Bhùird Plana Gnìomh a thoirt dhan Mhinistir le uallach airson na Gàidhlig a’ mìneachadh na ceumanan pragtigeach a thathas ag iarraidh a ghabhail airson amasan a’ Phlana Nàiseanta a thoirt gu ìre ann an dòigh nas luaithe na bhathas a’ sùileachadh. Thuirt e “Chan eil am Plana seo idir a’ cur às dhan Phlana Nàiseanta. S ann a tha e a’ cur impidh air, agus gar gluasad aig astar, taobh staigh gach stòras a tha ri fhaotainn an dràsta. Bidh sinn an dùil barrachd de ar stòras a chleachdadh tron luchd-ionnsachaidh. Tha sinn air a bhith an coluadar le na buidhnean a tha an dràsta a’ lìbhrigeadh leasachadh na Gàidhlig agus bidh sin a’ leantainn aig coinneamh de na buidhnean anns an t-Sabhal Mhòr a-màireach. Bidh am Bòrd fhèin a’ deasbad a’ Phlana Gnìomh air an 15mh dhen mhìos seo agus tha mi an dòchas gum bi e an làmhan a’ Mhinistir ron Nollaig. Bheireadh sin dhuinn cothrom gluasad le sìnteig dhan Bhliadhn Ùir, agus bu chòir gum biodh an loidhn’ ùr a tha sinn a’ toirt air structar a’ Bhùird deiseil agus an luchd-obrach ùr againn uile air am fastadh. Bidh sinn ag obair gu dlùth leis an Riaghaltas a dhèanamh cinnteach gum bi Plana Gnìomh againn a bhios adhartach agus beachdail le amasan agus ceann-uidhe gu math soilleir.”
Tha Bòrd na Gàidhlig, a’ phrìomh bhuidheann poblach le uallach airson leasachadh na Gàidhlig, air fàilte a chur air an taic a nochdas Rùnaire a’ Chaibineit airson Foghlam Micheil Ruiseal dhan chànan a nochd.
A’ bruidheann aig Òraid Bhliadhnail an t-Sabhail anns an Eilean Sgitheanach (Diluain, Dùbhlachd 7), canaidh Mghr Ruiseal “nach urrainear a dhol as àicheadh na Gàidhlig mar phàirt de ar dualchas” agus gu bheil e “ceart gun rachadh a’ Ghàidhlig fhaicinn agus a chluinntinn.”
Thuirt Cathraiche a’ Bhùird Art MacCarmaig gu bheil an òraid gu bhith “farsainn, le beachdan fìor chumhachdach agus làidir na theachdaireachd gu buidhnean Gàidhlig agus Coimhearsnachd farsainn na h-Alba gluasad air cùisean.” Chuir Mghr MacCarmaig fàilte cuideachd air beachd gum bu chòir a bhith ag amas nas cinntiche air ionnsachadh na Gàidhlig. Thuirt e: “Tha sinn a’ cur fàilte air an impidh a tha a’ sìor nochdadh bhon Riaghaltas an Alba mu choinneimh an taic dhan Ghàidhlig, a’ stèidheachadh slighe romhainn a bhios beothail, tèarainte agus maireannach. ’S e ceum gu math cudromach a tha seo ann a bhith a’ dèanamh cinnteach gun tèid uile-rùn Phlana Nàiseanta na Gàidhlig a thoirt gu ìre, mar dhòigh cuideachd air a bhith a’ deisealachadh airson an ath Phlana. Tha am Ministir a’ gEalltainn gun tèid barrachd a dhèanamh airson a bhith a’ cleachdadh na Gàidhlig agus tha e ag iarraidh air ùghdarrasan ionadail agus Coimhearsnachd na Gàidhlig co-obrachadh ach am buinnig iad le chèile rùintean a tha reusanta a thaobh follaiseachd agus modhan pragtigeach airson a bhith a’ cleachdadh na Gàidhlig. Tha mi cuideachd a’ gabhail ris na tha e ag ràdh mu bhith èifeachdach agus sùbailte nar dòighean obrach agus tha sin air a bhith na dhùbhlan nach gabh seachnadh.”
Dh’innis an Cathraiche cuideachd gu bheil e am beachd a’ Bhùird Plana Gnìomh a thoirt dhan Mhinistir le uallach airson na Gàidhlig a’ mìneachadh na ceumanan pragtigeach a thathas ag iarraidh a ghabhail airson amasan a’ Phlana Nàiseanta a thoirt gu ìre ann an dòigh nas luaithe na bhathas a’ sùileachadh. Thuirt e “Chan eil am Plana seo idir a’ cur às dhan Phlana Nàiseanta. S ann a tha e a’ cur impidh air, agus gar gluasad aig astar, taobh staigh gach stòras a tha ri fhaotainn an dràsta. Bidh sinn an dùil barrachd de ar stòras a chleachdadh tron luchd-ionnsachaidh. Tha sinn air a bhith an coluadar le na buidhnean a tha an dràsta a’ lìbhrigeadh leasachadh na Gàidhlig agus bidh sin a’ leantainn aig coinneamh de na buidhnean anns an t-Sabhal Mhòr a-màireach. Bidh am Bòrd fhèin a’ deasbad a’ Phlana Gnìomh air an 15mh dhen mhìos seo agus tha mi an dòchas gum bi e an làmhan a’ Mhinistir ron Nollaig. Bheireadh sin dhuinn cothrom gluasad le sìnteig dhan Bhliadhn Ùir, agus bu chòir gum biodh an loidhn’ ùr a tha sinn a’ toirt air structar a’ Bhùird deiseil agus an luchd-obrach ùr againn uile air am fastadh. Bidh sinn ag obair gu dlùth leis an Riaghaltas a dhèanamh cinnteach gum bi Plana Gnìomh againn a bhios adhartach agus beachdail le amasan agus ceann-uidhe gu math soilleir.”
ARGYLL AND BUTE SCOOPS MAJOR ROADS MAINTENANCE AWARD
ARGYLL AND BUTE SCOOPS MAJOR ROADS MAINTENANCE AWARD
Argyll and Bute Council has been named ‘Most Improved Performer’ at a prestigious UK awards ceremony.
The authority won the title in the Highways and Winter Maintenance category at the Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE) awards in Blackpool.
Argyll and Bute was nominated for the Best Performer title in the same category, but was delighted to come away with the Most Improved Performer gong.
The news was welcomed by Councillor Duncan MacIntyre, the authority’s spokesperson for Transportation and Infrastructure.
“These are national awards which recognise outstanding performance in local government front line services,” he said.
“Our success is a real credit to the council staff who work so hard to maintain and improve our roads network, who are so often the unsung heroes.
“These awards measured improvement in areas such as cost, quality and customer satisfaction, and for an independent body to score us so highly is extremely rewarding.
“Winning this award won’t change the way we operate. We will continue to do what we do best – look at innovative and exciting solutions to maintaining and improving our roads network within the available funding.”
The awards were presented by Strictly Come Dancing star Flavia Cacace.
Mark Bramah, APSE assistant chief executive, said: “The public sector faces an austere future, so getting best value for the public pound means constantly getting the best performance from our front line public services.
“What these awards show is that in front line local council services there is a genuine commitment to providing high quality at the best price. The awards are strictly about performance and we have judged these councils to be amongst the very best in front line service delivery”.
Argyll and Bute Council has been named ‘Most Improved Performer’ at a prestigious UK awards ceremony.
The authority won the title in the Highways and Winter Maintenance category at the Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE) awards in Blackpool.
Argyll and Bute was nominated for the Best Performer title in the same category, but was delighted to come away with the Most Improved Performer gong.
The news was welcomed by Councillor Duncan MacIntyre, the authority’s spokesperson for Transportation and Infrastructure.
“These are national awards which recognise outstanding performance in local government front line services,” he said.
“Our success is a real credit to the council staff who work so hard to maintain and improve our roads network, who are so often the unsung heroes.
“These awards measured improvement in areas such as cost, quality and customer satisfaction, and for an independent body to score us so highly is extremely rewarding.
“Winning this award won’t change the way we operate. We will continue to do what we do best – look at innovative and exciting solutions to maintaining and improving our roads network within the available funding.”
The awards were presented by Strictly Come Dancing star Flavia Cacace.
Mark Bramah, APSE assistant chief executive, said: “The public sector faces an austere future, so getting best value for the public pound means constantly getting the best performance from our front line public services.
“What these awards show is that in front line local council services there is a genuine commitment to providing high quality at the best price. The awards are strictly about performance and we have judged these councils to be amongst the very best in front line service delivery”.
HIE a' dearbhadh luach na Gàidhlig agus a' cur barrachd taic rithe
Thug Iomairt na Gàidhealtachd 's nan Eilean (HIE) iomradh an-diugh air taic-airgid ùr airson na Gàidhlig; agus fianais ùr a' nochdadh air na buannchdan mòra eaconomach an lùib nam Fèisean an Alba. Tha an taic-airgid ùr a' ciallachadh gu bheil HIE a-nis a' cur roimhpe £990,000 a chuir ri obair-leasachaidh tron a' Ghàidhlig.
Tha geàrr-chunntas aithisg ùir 'Buaidh Eaconomach nam Fèisean', a chaidh a dh'iarraidh le HIE, ag innse gu bheil na Fèisean fhèin a' cur còrr is £1m ri eaconomaidh na h-Albainn agus iad a' cumail 49 cosnaidhean lan-thìde sa Ghàidhealtachd is na h-Eileanan. Tha an aithisg cuideachd a' cur an aire gu bheil iad a' toirt buaidh dha-rìribh air na 'sgìrean dùbhlanach', agus coimhearsnachdan nan sgìrean a' faighinn còrr is cairteal na millean nota agus 14 cosnaidhean às.
Tha an taic-airgid ùr seo a' gabhail a-steach cùmhnant £300,000 le Comunn na Gàidhlig agus iad gu bhi a' lìbhrigeadh sheirbheisean as leth HIE a-chum gus piseach mòra a thoirt air buaidh na Gàidhlig agus an dualchais Ghàidhealaich air leasachadh air a' Ghàidhealtachd is na h-Eileanan agus gu sònraichte na sgìrean dùbhlanach.
Tha seirbheisean a' chùmhnaint seo stèidhichte air Ro-innleachd Eaconomach na h-Albainn cho math ri Plana Gàidhlig HIE, agus e a' cur prìomhachas air targaidean a leithid ro-innleachd ùr airson a' mhargaidh obrach na Gàdhlig agus iomairtean ùra a chuireas a' Ghàidhlig gu feum ann am prìomh roinnean eaconomaidh na Gàidhealtachd.
"Tha sinn gu mòr airson is gun tig fàs air cleachdadh na Gàidhlig ach cuideachd piseach mòr air àite na Gàidhlig is i air a chuir gu feum le coimhearsnachdan agus companaidhean. Tha Plana Gàidhlig HIE a' coimhead ri buannachdan aig ghnìomhachasan, gu h-àraidh an fheadhainn ud a tha an sàs anns na gnothachasan cruthachail, a' toirt seachad sheirbheisean agus feadhainn anns an roinn turasachd. Tha HIE airson is gum faic gniomhachasan a tha stèidhichte air a' Ghàidhealtachd na buannachdan an lùib a' chànain agus an dualchais shònraichte Ghàidhealaich againn." thuirt John Watt, neach-stiùiridh neartachadh choimhearsnachdan aig HIE.
Thuirt Calum Iain MacLeòid, stiùiriche leasachaidh ChnaG: "Le bhi a' cur a' chùmhnaint seo an gnìomh tharais air a' bhliadhna a tha romhainn, tha Comunn na Gàidhlig a' coimhead ri grunn iomairtean a-chum ath-bheòthachadh na Gàidhlig le taic do ghnìomhachasan agus leasachadh choimhearsnachdan air feadh na Ghàidhealtachd is nan Eilean.
Tha taic HIE ris a' Ghàidhlig cudromach dha-rìribh agus tha sinn air ar doigh glan gu bheil iad air a' chùmhnant seo a thabhainn dhuinne. Tha CnaG cuideachd toilichte gun deach Plana Ghàidhlig HIE fhoillseachadh agus tha seo a' sùileachadh suidheachadh seasmhach airson a' chànain san àm ri teachd."
A bharrachd air taic do ChnaG, the HIE a' cur £50,000 ri Pròiseact nan Ealan (PnE), agus a' bhuidhean gu bhi a' cur an gnìomh a' mhodail obrach 'iomairt sòisealta'. Tha grunn phròiseactan a' faighinn cuideachadh bho PnE, leithid Opra Hiort, taisbeanaidhean an Leabhair Mhòir cho math ris a' phròiseact ùr air a bheil 'Mo Chuid Aodaich', a thog còrr is £12,000 airson na buidhne cùraim Crossroads.
Tha HIE a' cur airgead-tasgaidh £100,000 thar trì bliadhna gu Comunn Luchd Ionnsachaidh (Clì Gàidhlig) - agus iad airson barrachd sheirbheisean ionnsachaidh ri luchd-ionnsachaidh agus buidhnean poblach is prìobhaideach mar Iomairt Sòisealta.
Bha Michael Russell a' toirt seachad òraid aig ollamhnaich bliadhnail Sabhal Mòr Ostaig an raoir nuair a chuir e air bhog 'Soillse'. 'S e com-pàirt tha seo còmhla ri OGE Mìle Bliadhna agus Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, còmhla ri na h-Olthaighean Obar-Eathainn, Dun Eidinn agus Glaschu agus Scottish Funding Council. Bidh luchd-obrach le eòlas mòr agus oileanaich PhD air am fastadh bho ionadan cheangailte. Cuidichidh an rannsachadh seo le leasachadh na Gàidhlig agus poileasaidhean agus tha HIE a' cur a-steach £400,000 a chum a' chnap-thairgse £5.29 millean.
Tha geàrr-chunntas aithisg ùir 'Buaidh Eaconomach nam Fèisean', a chaidh a dh'iarraidh le HIE, ag innse gu bheil na Fèisean fhèin a' cur còrr is £1m ri eaconomaidh na h-Albainn agus iad a' cumail 49 cosnaidhean lan-thìde sa Ghàidhealtachd is na h-Eileanan. Tha an aithisg cuideachd a' cur an aire gu bheil iad a' toirt buaidh dha-rìribh air na 'sgìrean dùbhlanach', agus coimhearsnachdan nan sgìrean a' faighinn còrr is cairteal na millean nota agus 14 cosnaidhean às.
Tha an taic-airgid ùr seo a' gabhail a-steach cùmhnant £300,000 le Comunn na Gàidhlig agus iad gu bhi a' lìbhrigeadh sheirbheisean as leth HIE a-chum gus piseach mòra a thoirt air buaidh na Gàidhlig agus an dualchais Ghàidhealaich air leasachadh air a' Ghàidhealtachd is na h-Eileanan agus gu sònraichte na sgìrean dùbhlanach.
Tha seirbheisean a' chùmhnaint seo stèidhichte air Ro-innleachd Eaconomach na h-Albainn cho math ri Plana Gàidhlig HIE, agus e a' cur prìomhachas air targaidean a leithid ro-innleachd ùr airson a' mhargaidh obrach na Gàdhlig agus iomairtean ùra a chuireas a' Ghàidhlig gu feum ann am prìomh roinnean eaconomaidh na Gàidhealtachd.
"Tha sinn gu mòr airson is gun tig fàs air cleachdadh na Gàidhlig ach cuideachd piseach mòr air àite na Gàidhlig is i air a chuir gu feum le coimhearsnachdan agus companaidhean. Tha Plana Gàidhlig HIE a' coimhead ri buannachdan aig ghnìomhachasan, gu h-àraidh an fheadhainn ud a tha an sàs anns na gnothachasan cruthachail, a' toirt seachad sheirbheisean agus feadhainn anns an roinn turasachd. Tha HIE airson is gum faic gniomhachasan a tha stèidhichte air a' Ghàidhealtachd na buannachdan an lùib a' chànain agus an dualchais shònraichte Ghàidhealaich againn." thuirt John Watt, neach-stiùiridh neartachadh choimhearsnachdan aig HIE.
Thuirt Calum Iain MacLeòid, stiùiriche leasachaidh ChnaG: "Le bhi a' cur a' chùmhnaint seo an gnìomh tharais air a' bhliadhna a tha romhainn, tha Comunn na Gàidhlig a' coimhead ri grunn iomairtean a-chum ath-bheòthachadh na Gàidhlig le taic do ghnìomhachasan agus leasachadh choimhearsnachdan air feadh na Ghàidhealtachd is nan Eilean.
Tha taic HIE ris a' Ghàidhlig cudromach dha-rìribh agus tha sinn air ar doigh glan gu bheil iad air a' chùmhnant seo a thabhainn dhuinne. Tha CnaG cuideachd toilichte gun deach Plana Ghàidhlig HIE fhoillseachadh agus tha seo a' sùileachadh suidheachadh seasmhach airson a' chànain san àm ri teachd."
A bharrachd air taic do ChnaG, the HIE a' cur £50,000 ri Pròiseact nan Ealan (PnE), agus a' bhuidhean gu bhi a' cur an gnìomh a' mhodail obrach 'iomairt sòisealta'. Tha grunn phròiseactan a' faighinn cuideachadh bho PnE, leithid Opra Hiort, taisbeanaidhean an Leabhair Mhòir cho math ris a' phròiseact ùr air a bheil 'Mo Chuid Aodaich', a thog còrr is £12,000 airson na buidhne cùraim Crossroads.
Tha HIE a' cur airgead-tasgaidh £100,000 thar trì bliadhna gu Comunn Luchd Ionnsachaidh (Clì Gàidhlig) - agus iad airson barrachd sheirbheisean ionnsachaidh ri luchd-ionnsachaidh agus buidhnean poblach is prìobhaideach mar Iomairt Sòisealta.
Bha Michael Russell a' toirt seachad òraid aig ollamhnaich bliadhnail Sabhal Mòr Ostaig an raoir nuair a chuir e air bhog 'Soillse'. 'S e com-pàirt tha seo còmhla ri OGE Mìle Bliadhna agus Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, còmhla ri na h-Olthaighean Obar-Eathainn, Dun Eidinn agus Glaschu agus Scottish Funding Council. Bidh luchd-obrach le eòlas mòr agus oileanaich PhD air am fastadh bho ionadan cheangailte. Cuidichidh an rannsachadh seo le leasachadh na Gàidhlig agus poileasaidhean agus tha HIE a' cur a-steach £400,000 a chum a' chnap-thairgse £5.29 millean.
Bòrd na Gàidhlig agus Comhairle nan Ealain
a’ foillseachadh Duais Dhòmhnaill Meek
Son a chleachdadh bho seo a-mach
Tha an obair a rinneadh le far de shàr sgoilearan agus foghlamaichean saoghal na Gàidhlig ’ga chomharrachadh às-ùr le Bòrd na Gàidhlig agus Comhairle nan Ealain, tro dhuais ùr do sgrìobhadairean Gàidhlig.
Chaidh urram ùr – Sàr Ghàidheal – a bhuileachadh air an Àrd Ollamh Dòmhnall Meek a bhoinneas do Thiriodh, nas tràithe air a’ bhliadhna. A nis, bidh “Duais Dhòmhnaill Meek” a’ cumail taic ri innleachdan eile a tha a-measg dhòighean air litreachas na Gàidhlig a chumail suas agus a bhrosnachadh.
Thèid tuilleadh fiosrachaidh agus clàr-ama mun duais ùr, a bhios air a rianachd le Comhairle nan Leabhraichean as leth Bhòrd na Gàidhlig agus Comhairle nan Ealain a tha ’ga mhaoineachadh, fhoillseachadh anns na seachdainnean a tha romhainn.
Thèid a’ chiad Dhuais a thoirt seachad ann an 2010, a’ togail air obair a rinneadh an 2009. Bidh e ag amas air sgìobhadh cruthachail no mu dheidhinn sgrìobhadh Cruthachail.
Thuirt Art MacCarmaig, Cathraiche a’ Bhùird: “Bidh e air leth feumail leithid de dhuais seo a chur ri saoghal litreachais na Gàidhlig agus tha mi an dùil gum bi e na bhrosnachadh do sgrìobhadairean anns gach raon. Tha obair Dhòmhnaill Meek fhèin air aithneachadh fad is farsaing agus bha sinn glè thoilichte nuair a chomharraich e fhèin cho cudromach sa tha an raon seo de shaoghal na Gàidhlig agus a bha e deònach ainm a chur ris an duais.”
Thuirt an t-Ollamh Gavin Wallace, Ceannard Litreachais an SAC: “ ’S e duais air leth cudromach a tha seo a tha a’ comharrachadh an dlùth cheangal a bha eadar Dòmhnall agus Comhairle nan Leabhraichean, agus bidh e na chuideachadh mòr ann a bhith a’ cumail taic ri sgrìobhadh Gàidhlig anns na bliadhnaichean romhainn. Dh’fhaodadh e sgilean aithneachadh ann an sgrìobhadairean ùra, a bhith a’ comharrachadh gnìomhan a rinneadh le sgriobhaiche a th’air a bhith ag obair son greis, no neach measaidh, no gu dearbh na dhuais do sgoilear a tha ùr-nochdadh no mar chomharradh air gnìomhan sgoilearachd a tha aire air sin.”
Thèid tuilleadh fiosrachaidh mun duais is mar a bhios cùisean a’ fuasgladh air a’ bhliadhn ùr fhoillseachadh le Comhairle nan Lebhraichean anns na seachdainnean romhainn agus air leithid làraich- lìn a’ Bhùird agus an SAC.
Son a chleachdadh bho seo a-mach
Tha an obair a rinneadh le far de shàr sgoilearan agus foghlamaichean saoghal na Gàidhlig ’ga chomharrachadh às-ùr le Bòrd na Gàidhlig agus Comhairle nan Ealain, tro dhuais ùr do sgrìobhadairean Gàidhlig.
Chaidh urram ùr – Sàr Ghàidheal – a bhuileachadh air an Àrd Ollamh Dòmhnall Meek a bhoinneas do Thiriodh, nas tràithe air a’ bhliadhna. A nis, bidh “Duais Dhòmhnaill Meek” a’ cumail taic ri innleachdan eile a tha a-measg dhòighean air litreachas na Gàidhlig a chumail suas agus a bhrosnachadh.
Thèid tuilleadh fiosrachaidh agus clàr-ama mun duais ùr, a bhios air a rianachd le Comhairle nan Leabhraichean as leth Bhòrd na Gàidhlig agus Comhairle nan Ealain a tha ’ga mhaoineachadh, fhoillseachadh anns na seachdainnean a tha romhainn.
Thèid a’ chiad Dhuais a thoirt seachad ann an 2010, a’ togail air obair a rinneadh an 2009. Bidh e ag amas air sgìobhadh cruthachail no mu dheidhinn sgrìobhadh Cruthachail.
Thuirt Art MacCarmaig, Cathraiche a’ Bhùird: “Bidh e air leth feumail leithid de dhuais seo a chur ri saoghal litreachais na Gàidhlig agus tha mi an dùil gum bi e na bhrosnachadh do sgrìobhadairean anns gach raon. Tha obair Dhòmhnaill Meek fhèin air aithneachadh fad is farsaing agus bha sinn glè thoilichte nuair a chomharraich e fhèin cho cudromach sa tha an raon seo de shaoghal na Gàidhlig agus a bha e deònach ainm a chur ris an duais.”
Thuirt an t-Ollamh Gavin Wallace, Ceannard Litreachais an SAC: “ ’S e duais air leth cudromach a tha seo a tha a’ comharrachadh an dlùth cheangal a bha eadar Dòmhnall agus Comhairle nan Leabhraichean, agus bidh e na chuideachadh mòr ann a bhith a’ cumail taic ri sgrìobhadh Gàidhlig anns na bliadhnaichean romhainn. Dh’fhaodadh e sgilean aithneachadh ann an sgrìobhadairean ùra, a bhith a’ comharrachadh gnìomhan a rinneadh le sgriobhaiche a th’air a bhith ag obair son greis, no neach measaidh, no gu dearbh na dhuais do sgoilear a tha ùr-nochdadh no mar chomharradh air gnìomhan sgoilearachd a tha aire air sin.”
Thèid tuilleadh fiosrachaidh mun duais is mar a bhios cùisean a’ fuasgladh air a’ bhliadhn ùr fhoillseachadh le Comhairle nan Lebhraichean anns na seachdainnean romhainn agus air leithid làraich- lìn a’ Bhùird agus an SAC.
Friday, 4 December 2009
RELIEF FOR WEST COAST FISHERMEN
Jim Mather, MSP for Argyll & Bute, has welcomed the announcement that
dozens of Scottish prawn boats should soon be exempt from the Days at
Sea regime. Almost 70 West Coast fishing boats are set for a much-needed
boost after the European Commission accepted that they should be exempt
from these restrictions. Working closely with fishermen, the Scottish
Government has been fighting to have West Coast vessels that catch very
little or no cod exempted. If approved as anticipated at December
Council, this hoped for breakthrough means that 67 Scottish fishing
boats that fish for prawns in the Minch and the Clyde will no longer be
subjected to Days at Sea limits.
Jim Mather said.
"This is excellent news for West Coast prawn fishermen. Richard Lochhead
and his team have developed a tenacious but constructive approach to the
problems associated with EU fishing regulations and it is good to see
this success."
Fisheries Secretary Richard Lochhead said:
"This has been a long drawn out process and we are therefore delighted
that our determined efforts appear to have paid off. I am sure that
other EU Member States will now agree to the exemption of many of our
West Coast prawn boats. We will work with the vessels involved to make
sure that they continue to catch less than 1.5 per cent cod.
"Working with the industry and our scientists we produced a sensible
case to get Scottish boats out of the regime where they clearly do not
impact upon cod. Hopes have been raised and then dashed before but,
through our efforts, we now expect Scotland to benefit from an exemption
already granted to other member States like Spain and Sweden.
"Of course our fight for a fair deal for Scotland's fishermen does not
stop here. While our valuable prawn fleets are no longer facing the
prospect of new draconian technical measures in 2010, and changes to
fishing gear that would have impacted on both viability and safety have
been averted, there is still much to do.
"We will continue to work hard to cut our fishermen some much-needed
slack. We are determined to fight for measures that will ensure
sustainable whitefish fleets and protect our valuable Nephrops
fisheries. Any solutions must fit with our circumstances, not the
convenience of Brussels."
Scottish Fishermen's Federation chief executive Bertie Armstrong, said:
"This has been a long battle on a matter of very important principle -
vessels which don't catch cod should not be trapped inside regulation
which doesn't apply to them. The Scottish Government is to be
congratulated on its refusal to let this matter drop; persistent
detailed work over the course of the year in presenting the scientific
case has at last been acknowledged. The final regulation is to be signed
off in December and we must await the fine print, but I don't think the
Government could have tried harder once the problem was recognised."
Note for Editors
The Days at Sea regime exists as part of the EU's cod recovery plan,
which sets days at sea for fishing vessels that are involved in catching
cod in the waters around Scotland. There is also a provision in the EU
Regulation that allows for vessels or groups of vessels, which do not
impact on cod recovery and catch less than 1.5 per cent cod, to be
exempted completely from effort management i.e. Days at Sea limits.
Scotland made a submission earlier in the year to have 67 West of
Scotland prawn boats, that fish in the Minch and Eastern Firth of Clyde,
exempted under this part of the regulation. Scientific observation and
catch data had shown that these vessels caught significantly less than
1.5 per cent cod.
The Commission has today given the go ahead for a vote at December
Council to give the exemption of the Minch and Clyde prawn boats the
green light for formal exemption from days at sea. If successful the 67
Scottish prawn boats will be free from days at sea limits for as long as
scientific observers confirm that their catches continue to comprise
less than 1.5 per cent cod.
The EU cod recovery plan, agreed in 2008, includes targets to reduce
substantially cod mortality caused by fishing. To achieve this, the
European Commission proposed a 25 per cent reduction in days at sea for
Scottish fishing vessels. The Scottish Government was able to secure a
deal that allowed cuts in days at sea to be avoided if vessels adopted
new conservation measures. The Government has been working with the
industry to develop these, like the use of more selective fishing gears
that allow more fish to escape.
dozens of Scottish prawn boats should soon be exempt from the Days at
Sea regime. Almost 70 West Coast fishing boats are set for a much-needed
boost after the European Commission accepted that they should be exempt
from these restrictions. Working closely with fishermen, the Scottish
Government has been fighting to have West Coast vessels that catch very
little or no cod exempted. If approved as anticipated at December
Council, this hoped for breakthrough means that 67 Scottish fishing
boats that fish for prawns in the Minch and the Clyde will no longer be
subjected to Days at Sea limits.
Jim Mather said.
"This is excellent news for West Coast prawn fishermen. Richard Lochhead
and his team have developed a tenacious but constructive approach to the
problems associated with EU fishing regulations and it is good to see
this success."
Fisheries Secretary Richard Lochhead said:
"This has been a long drawn out process and we are therefore delighted
that our determined efforts appear to have paid off. I am sure that
other EU Member States will now agree to the exemption of many of our
West Coast prawn boats. We will work with the vessels involved to make
sure that they continue to catch less than 1.5 per cent cod.
"Working with the industry and our scientists we produced a sensible
case to get Scottish boats out of the regime where they clearly do not
impact upon cod. Hopes have been raised and then dashed before but,
through our efforts, we now expect Scotland to benefit from an exemption
already granted to other member States like Spain and Sweden.
"Of course our fight for a fair deal for Scotland's fishermen does not
stop here. While our valuable prawn fleets are no longer facing the
prospect of new draconian technical measures in 2010, and changes to
fishing gear that would have impacted on both viability and safety have
been averted, there is still much to do.
"We will continue to work hard to cut our fishermen some much-needed
slack. We are determined to fight for measures that will ensure
sustainable whitefish fleets and protect our valuable Nephrops
fisheries. Any solutions must fit with our circumstances, not the
convenience of Brussels."
Scottish Fishermen's Federation chief executive Bertie Armstrong, said:
"This has been a long battle on a matter of very important principle -
vessels which don't catch cod should not be trapped inside regulation
which doesn't apply to them. The Scottish Government is to be
congratulated on its refusal to let this matter drop; persistent
detailed work over the course of the year in presenting the scientific
case has at last been acknowledged. The final regulation is to be signed
off in December and we must await the fine print, but I don't think the
Government could have tried harder once the problem was recognised."
Note for Editors
The Days at Sea regime exists as part of the EU's cod recovery plan,
which sets days at sea for fishing vessels that are involved in catching
cod in the waters around Scotland. There is also a provision in the EU
Regulation that allows for vessels or groups of vessels, which do not
impact on cod recovery and catch less than 1.5 per cent cod, to be
exempted completely from effort management i.e. Days at Sea limits.
Scotland made a submission earlier in the year to have 67 West of
Scotland prawn boats, that fish in the Minch and Eastern Firth of Clyde,
exempted under this part of the regulation. Scientific observation and
catch data had shown that these vessels caught significantly less than
1.5 per cent cod.
The Commission has today given the go ahead for a vote at December
Council to give the exemption of the Minch and Clyde prawn boats the
green light for formal exemption from days at sea. If successful the 67
Scottish prawn boats will be free from days at sea limits for as long as
scientific observers confirm that their catches continue to comprise
less than 1.5 per cent cod.
The EU cod recovery plan, agreed in 2008, includes targets to reduce
substantially cod mortality caused by fishing. To achieve this, the
European Commission proposed a 25 per cent reduction in days at sea for
Scottish fishing vessels. The Scottish Government was able to secure a
deal that allowed cuts in days at sea to be avoided if vessels adopted
new conservation measures. The Government has been working with the
industry to develop these, like the use of more selective fishing gears
that allow more fish to escape.
SNH launches consultation on Gaelic Language Plan
Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) today launches a public consultation on its
draft Gaelic Language Plan. The Plan has been produced by SNH to guide how the
organisation will promote and develop the use of Gaelic in its functions and
communications with the public and key partners.
The Plan has been prepared within the framework of the Gaelic Language
(Scotland) Act 2005 and sets out guidance and opportunities for SNH staff on the
use of Gaelic. It also commits the organisation to increasing delivery of its
functions and information in Gaelic as well as English. The consultation will
run for eight weeks and SNH hopes to attract a wide response to the Plan from
the public across Scotland.
SNH Chairman Andrew Thin said:
“SNH’s Gaelic Plan reflects our responsibility to use the language of
Scotland’s landscape in our work to conserve and promote the benefits of the
natural heritage to people. In place names alone, Gaelic gives us a unique key
to understanding our interaction with nature and wildlife down through the
ages.”
“In the present day, Gaelic is in daily use in many communities across the
country and it is only right that public bodies such as SNH reflect those
communities in the language we use. We encourage people across Scotland to
respond to this consultation to ensure we deliver a Gaelic Plan that best
supports the use of the language and the work of SNH.”
Some key commitments contained in SNH’s Gaelic Language Plan are:
● To give Gaelic and English equal respect both in our operations and in
our communications activity. Increased use of Gaelic in this way will increase
the profile of both the language itself and of its value as an integral part of
Scottish culture.
● To increase use of Gaelic in our publications and interpretation
materials, thereby providing an added breadth of insight and understanding of
nature in Scotland, for both English and Gaelic speaking audiences.
● To adopt an appointments policy that recognises Gaelic as a desirable
job skill and proactively promote career opportunities externally.
● To redevelop the current Gaelic section of SNH’s website and expand
it to include more Gaelic publications, news releases, an events calendar and
corporate information.
● To provide Gaelic Awareness sessions for all SNH staff and provide
Gaelic language training for staff in priority Areas that have the majority of
users and Gaelic medium units and schools.
The launch of the Plan coincides with Gaelic Awareness initiatives held for SNH
staff in Edinburgh and Oban. These events are designed to raise staff awareness
of the language’s importance and its role in Scottish culture. The programme
of Gaelic Awareness days encourages staff to learn more about the historical
background to the language, its significance in the Scottish landscape and
SNH’s role in preserving the language.
SNH Operations Manager for Argyll & Stirling, Andrew Campbell said: “There is
real enthusiasm from our team here in Oban and throughout Argyll to understand
and learn more about the special identity of the west coast. In many places
Gaelic indicates not only the nature of the landscape but the iconic species to
be found there.
“For instance, one of our current tasks is consulting on behalf of the
Scottish Government in designating Special Protection Areas for golden eagles,
and it’s no surprise to come across ‘iolaire’, meaning eagle, amongst the
place names for corries in these hills and glens.”
The public have until the 29th of January to submit their views on the plan,
copies of which are available online at
http://www.snh.org.uk/gaelic/languagePlan.asp
Hard copies will be in all SNH offices and available on request to anyone
interested in receiving a copy. A consultation response form is also available
on the Gaelic website so that the public can submit their comments.
draft Gaelic Language Plan. The Plan has been produced by SNH to guide how the
organisation will promote and develop the use of Gaelic in its functions and
communications with the public and key partners.
The Plan has been prepared within the framework of the Gaelic Language
(Scotland) Act 2005 and sets out guidance and opportunities for SNH staff on the
use of Gaelic. It also commits the organisation to increasing delivery of its
functions and information in Gaelic as well as English. The consultation will
run for eight weeks and SNH hopes to attract a wide response to the Plan from
the public across Scotland.
SNH Chairman Andrew Thin said:
“SNH’s Gaelic Plan reflects our responsibility to use the language of
Scotland’s landscape in our work to conserve and promote the benefits of the
natural heritage to people. In place names alone, Gaelic gives us a unique key
to understanding our interaction with nature and wildlife down through the
ages.”
“In the present day, Gaelic is in daily use in many communities across the
country and it is only right that public bodies such as SNH reflect those
communities in the language we use. We encourage people across Scotland to
respond to this consultation to ensure we deliver a Gaelic Plan that best
supports the use of the language and the work of SNH.”
Some key commitments contained in SNH’s Gaelic Language Plan are:
● To give Gaelic and English equal respect both in our operations and in
our communications activity. Increased use of Gaelic in this way will increase
the profile of both the language itself and of its value as an integral part of
Scottish culture.
● To increase use of Gaelic in our publications and interpretation
materials, thereby providing an added breadth of insight and understanding of
nature in Scotland, for both English and Gaelic speaking audiences.
● To adopt an appointments policy that recognises Gaelic as a desirable
job skill and proactively promote career opportunities externally.
● To redevelop the current Gaelic section of SNH’s website and expand
it to include more Gaelic publications, news releases, an events calendar and
corporate information.
● To provide Gaelic Awareness sessions for all SNH staff and provide
Gaelic language training for staff in priority Areas that have the majority of
users and Gaelic medium units and schools.
The launch of the Plan coincides with Gaelic Awareness initiatives held for SNH
staff in Edinburgh and Oban. These events are designed to raise staff awareness
of the language’s importance and its role in Scottish culture. The programme
of Gaelic Awareness days encourages staff to learn more about the historical
background to the language, its significance in the Scottish landscape and
SNH’s role in preserving the language.
SNH Operations Manager for Argyll & Stirling, Andrew Campbell said: “There is
real enthusiasm from our team here in Oban and throughout Argyll to understand
and learn more about the special identity of the west coast. In many places
Gaelic indicates not only the nature of the landscape but the iconic species to
be found there.
“For instance, one of our current tasks is consulting on behalf of the
Scottish Government in designating Special Protection Areas for golden eagles,
and it’s no surprise to come across ‘iolaire’, meaning eagle, amongst the
place names for corries in these hills and glens.”
The public have until the 29th of January to submit their views on the plan,
copies of which are available online at
http://www.snh.org.uk/gaelic/languagePlan.asp
Hard copies will be in all SNH offices and available on request to anyone
interested in receiving a copy. A consultation response form is also available
on the Gaelic website so that the public can submit their comments.
BBC ALBA – CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS
Date: Saturday, 19 December 2009 – Friday, 8 January 2010
Title: Miosachan na Nollaig / Advent Calendar
Will Santa lose weight in time for Christmas?
Transmitted: Saturday 19th December 2009
Time: 16:54
Title: De a-nis?
Dè a-nis are recording with the music group Na Rionnagan from Glasgow Gaelic School.
Transmitted: Saturday 19th December 2009
Time: 18:00
Title: Adventure Sulasgeir An Diugh
Updating the story of the gannet hunters of Ness, first broadcast in 1962.
Transmitted: Monday 21st December 2009
Time: 21:00
Title: Sailidh Mailidh - Cleasan Sneachda
Sailidh Mailidh and Cathag have lots of fun playing in the snow.
Transmitted: Wednesday 23rd December 2009
Time: 17:17
Title: De a-nis?
Join the Dè a-nis? team and their special guests as they gear up for some festive fun.
Transmitted: Wednesday 23rd December 2009
Time: 17:40
Title: Siubhlachan / Time Traveller
A young girl inherits a watch from her Grandfather that allows her to travel backwards and forwards through time. She quickly discovers there are dark forces who want the watch for themselves... and will stop at nothing to get it!
Transmitted: Thursday 24th December
Time: 6.10pm
Title: Duan Nollaig
Fiona J Mackenzie sings a wonderful mix of traditional and contemporary Christmas songs in front of a live audience at St Andrew's in the Square in Glasgow. Old favourites 'Away in a Manger' and 'Silent Night' sit beautifully alongside new songs such as 'The Twelve Days of Christmas', uniquely translated into Gaelic.
Transmitted: Thursday 24th December
Time: 20:16
Title: `S Fheàirrde Duine Gàire
Seasaidh Lexy, the Great Dame of Gaelic entertainment, is back with another treasure trove of Gaelic comedy clips.
Transmitted: Thursday 24th December
Time: 21:00
Title: Spors na Bliadhna
Derek Moireach presents Spors na Bliadhna – a review of what's been happening in the world of sport in the past year.
Transmitted: Thursday 24th December
Time: 22:00
Title: Nollaig bhon Ghaidhealtachd / Christmas Service
Join us this Christmas Eve for a very special ecumenical service from Ness Bank Church, Inverness. With performances from Kathleen MacInnes, Maggie MacDonald, James Graham, Inverness Gaelic Choir, Inverness Gaelic School and the Caledonian Ceilidh Trailers.
Transmitted: Thursday 24th December
Time: 23:00
Title: Cocaire nan Cocairean / Cookery Competition
The two semi-finalists are presented with a particular ingredient each has to use.
Transmitted: Friday 25th December 2009
Time: 20:30
Title: Bothan air a' Phreiridh
Iain MacPherson takes his friend Ewen MacKay on a journey home over space and time to the Canadian prairies: to the emptiness and growth at the heart of family stories and separations for both of them.
Beginning in Sleat, they visit Benbecula before heading west: to the endless land of wheat and rodeos on the trail of Ewen's mother, Bealag who was born overseas and returned over here, and her father Seonaidh Paterson, the Gaelic Cowboy himself.
Transmitted: Friday 25th December 2009
Time: 21:00
Title: A' Bhliadhna
A review of this year's news from a local, national and international perspective.
Transmitted: Sunday 27th December 2009
Time: 18:30
Title: Alleluia!/Spiritual Music & Verse
A Christmas edition of the programme. Govan Choir sing Èisd san Iarmailt Òran Binn, Glasgow Gaelic Musical Association perform Psalm 89, Brigadier Iain MacFarlane gives an account of the role his personal beliefs have played in his life and Mary Smith reads from Carmina Gadelica. Presented by Iain MacKinnon.
Transmitted: Sunday 27th December 2009
Time: 19:30
Title: Lasair Dhe
A festive season delight, with Gaelic soloists, musicians and choirs participating in a celebration of religious and spiritual music. The programme, filmed in Iona and Inverness Cathedrals in 2001, includes six contemporary arrangements of Gaelic Psalms originally commissioned by the Highland Festival in 1999.
Transmitted: Sunday 27th December 2009
Time: 21:00
Title: A Song of Crotal & White An-diugh
Updating the impression of life on the Isle of Lewis given by the MacDonald Sisters, first broadcast in 1969.
Transmission: Monday 28th December 2009
Time: 21:00
Title: Taghadh bho na Trads
Kathleen MacInnes with more great music from the winners of Na Trads including Lau, Lauren MacColl and Christine Primrose.
Transmission: Monday 28th December 2009
Time: 22:00
Title: Ceòl Country le Darren MacIll-Eain
Glasgow’s Grand Ole Opry hosts an evening of country music with Darren MacLean.
Transmitted: Tuesday 29th December 2009
Time: 21:00
Title: Johnny Cash
Johnny Cash - a musical career that spanned six decades, one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century. This documentary explores the prominent themes of Cash's life including love of the land, freedom, justice, family, faith and redemption through exclusive interviews, photos and unreleased music and footage.
Transmitted: Thursday 31st December 2009
Time: 21:00
Title: Hebridean Celtic Music Festival - Suil air Ais
Sets from the Megantic Outlaw performance with Calum Martin and band, accompanied by daughter Isobel. Also, featuring one of the most exciting young Scottish bands emerging onto the Celtic music scene, Face the West.
Transmitted: Thursday 31st December 2009
Time: 22:15
Title: Bliadhna Mhath Ùr
BBC ALBA’s special live Hogmanay show will come from Oban, featuring an all star cast of musicians, singers and special guests. Presented by the inimitable duo of Morag MacDonald and Tony Kearney, the show features Argyllshire's own Karen Matheson and Donald Shaw, top folk band Daimh, two of the World’s top piper’s Angus MacColl and Stuart Liddell, this year’s Mod Gold Medallists, Darren MacLean and Sineag MacIntyre, and the one and only Anne Lorne Gillies. Bliadhna Mhath Ùr will also be broadcast simultaneously on BBC Radio na Gàidheal.
Transmitted: Thursday 31st December 2009
Time: 23:30
Title: Taghadh bho na Trads
Kathleen MacInnes with more great music from the winners of Na Trads including Lau, Lauren MacColl and Christine Primrose.
Transmitted: Friday 1st January 2010
Time:19:00
Title: Na h-Òganaich
After a gap of 35 years, legendary Gaelic group Na h-Òganaich are back in the recording studio, but can they recapture their old magic?
Transmitted: Friday 1st January 2010
Time: 21:00
Title: Hebridean Celtic Music Festival - Suil air Ais
Featuring one of Australia's most popular festival bands with their ecclectic mix of Australian Roots/ Folk, The Ploughboys. Also featured are the renowned Orcadian 8 piece and Scottish Trad Band of the year in 2008, The Chair.
Transmitted: Saturday 2nd January 2010
Time: 23:15
Title: Alleluia!/Spiritual Music & Verse
Kathleen Graham sings Psalm 72, Calum Alex MacMillan sings Criosda a-mhàin, Chrissie Mary MacNeil tells how her faith has helped her deal with life-threatening illness in the family and Mary Smith reads from Carmina Gadelica. Presented by Iain MacKinnon.
Transmitted: Sunday 3rd January 2010
Time: 19:30
Title: Caileagan an Airm
Four girls undergo a gruelling selection process to join the TA. Are they tough enough?
Transmitted: Monday 4th January 2010
Time: 21:40
Title: Disappearing Island An-diugh
Updating the profile of the Island of Barra, first broadcast in 1965.
Transmitted: Monday 4th January 2010
Time: 22:10
Title: Farpaisean Chon-Chaorach/Sheepdog Trials
Catriona MacPhee and Donald MacSween return with a new series on sheepdog Trials with the young dogs at the Campbeltown Nursery Trials.
Transmitted: Tuesday 5th January 2010
Time: 21:00
Title: Thuige Seo
In the first programme of a new series of Thuige Seo, Donald Morrison is in conversation with the writer and broadcaster Mary Anne Macdonald.
Transmitted: Thursday 7th January 2010
Time: 20:30
Title: Farpais Fhallain / Islands on a Diet
We eat too much and drink too much. We need to change our lifestyle and our eating habits. Join three teams from the Isle of Lewis as they embark on a 12 week regime of fitness and fun to see who can lose the most weight.
Transmitted: Friday 8th January 2010
Time: 21:00
Title: Miosachan na Nollaig / Advent Calendar
Will Santa lose weight in time for Christmas?
Transmitted: Saturday 19th December 2009
Time: 16:54
Title: De a-nis?
Dè a-nis are recording with the music group Na Rionnagan from Glasgow Gaelic School.
Transmitted: Saturday 19th December 2009
Time: 18:00
Title: Adventure Sulasgeir An Diugh
Updating the story of the gannet hunters of Ness, first broadcast in 1962.
Transmitted: Monday 21st December 2009
Time: 21:00
Title: Sailidh Mailidh - Cleasan Sneachda
Sailidh Mailidh and Cathag have lots of fun playing in the snow.
Transmitted: Wednesday 23rd December 2009
Time: 17:17
Title: De a-nis?
Join the Dè a-nis? team and their special guests as they gear up for some festive fun.
Transmitted: Wednesday 23rd December 2009
Time: 17:40
Title: Siubhlachan / Time Traveller
A young girl inherits a watch from her Grandfather that allows her to travel backwards and forwards through time. She quickly discovers there are dark forces who want the watch for themselves... and will stop at nothing to get it!
Transmitted: Thursday 24th December
Time: 6.10pm
Title: Duan Nollaig
Fiona J Mackenzie sings a wonderful mix of traditional and contemporary Christmas songs in front of a live audience at St Andrew's in the Square in Glasgow. Old favourites 'Away in a Manger' and 'Silent Night' sit beautifully alongside new songs such as 'The Twelve Days of Christmas', uniquely translated into Gaelic.
Transmitted: Thursday 24th December
Time: 20:16
Title: `S Fheàirrde Duine Gàire
Seasaidh Lexy, the Great Dame of Gaelic entertainment, is back with another treasure trove of Gaelic comedy clips.
Transmitted: Thursday 24th December
Time: 21:00
Title: Spors na Bliadhna
Derek Moireach presents Spors na Bliadhna – a review of what's been happening in the world of sport in the past year.
Transmitted: Thursday 24th December
Time: 22:00
Title: Nollaig bhon Ghaidhealtachd / Christmas Service
Join us this Christmas Eve for a very special ecumenical service from Ness Bank Church, Inverness. With performances from Kathleen MacInnes, Maggie MacDonald, James Graham, Inverness Gaelic Choir, Inverness Gaelic School and the Caledonian Ceilidh Trailers.
Transmitted: Thursday 24th December
Time: 23:00
Title: Cocaire nan Cocairean / Cookery Competition
The two semi-finalists are presented with a particular ingredient each has to use.
Transmitted: Friday 25th December 2009
Time: 20:30
Title: Bothan air a' Phreiridh
Iain MacPherson takes his friend Ewen MacKay on a journey home over space and time to the Canadian prairies: to the emptiness and growth at the heart of family stories and separations for both of them.
Beginning in Sleat, they visit Benbecula before heading west: to the endless land of wheat and rodeos on the trail of Ewen's mother, Bealag who was born overseas and returned over here, and her father Seonaidh Paterson, the Gaelic Cowboy himself.
Transmitted: Friday 25th December 2009
Time: 21:00
Title: A' Bhliadhna
A review of this year's news from a local, national and international perspective.
Transmitted: Sunday 27th December 2009
Time: 18:30
Title: Alleluia!/Spiritual Music & Verse
A Christmas edition of the programme. Govan Choir sing Èisd san Iarmailt Òran Binn, Glasgow Gaelic Musical Association perform Psalm 89, Brigadier Iain MacFarlane gives an account of the role his personal beliefs have played in his life and Mary Smith reads from Carmina Gadelica. Presented by Iain MacKinnon.
Transmitted: Sunday 27th December 2009
Time: 19:30
Title: Lasair Dhe
A festive season delight, with Gaelic soloists, musicians and choirs participating in a celebration of religious and spiritual music. The programme, filmed in Iona and Inverness Cathedrals in 2001, includes six contemporary arrangements of Gaelic Psalms originally commissioned by the Highland Festival in 1999.
Transmitted: Sunday 27th December 2009
Time: 21:00
Title: A Song of Crotal & White An-diugh
Updating the impression of life on the Isle of Lewis given by the MacDonald Sisters, first broadcast in 1969.
Transmission: Monday 28th December 2009
Time: 21:00
Title: Taghadh bho na Trads
Kathleen MacInnes with more great music from the winners of Na Trads including Lau, Lauren MacColl and Christine Primrose.
Transmission: Monday 28th December 2009
Time: 22:00
Title: Ceòl Country le Darren MacIll-Eain
Glasgow’s Grand Ole Opry hosts an evening of country music with Darren MacLean.
Transmitted: Tuesday 29th December 2009
Time: 21:00
Title: Johnny Cash
Johnny Cash - a musical career that spanned six decades, one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century. This documentary explores the prominent themes of Cash's life including love of the land, freedom, justice, family, faith and redemption through exclusive interviews, photos and unreleased music and footage.
Transmitted: Thursday 31st December 2009
Time: 21:00
Title: Hebridean Celtic Music Festival - Suil air Ais
Sets from the Megantic Outlaw performance with Calum Martin and band, accompanied by daughter Isobel. Also, featuring one of the most exciting young Scottish bands emerging onto the Celtic music scene, Face the West.
Transmitted: Thursday 31st December 2009
Time: 22:15
Title: Bliadhna Mhath Ùr
BBC ALBA’s special live Hogmanay show will come from Oban, featuring an all star cast of musicians, singers and special guests. Presented by the inimitable duo of Morag MacDonald and Tony Kearney, the show features Argyllshire's own Karen Matheson and Donald Shaw, top folk band Daimh, two of the World’s top piper’s Angus MacColl and Stuart Liddell, this year’s Mod Gold Medallists, Darren MacLean and Sineag MacIntyre, and the one and only Anne Lorne Gillies. Bliadhna Mhath Ùr will also be broadcast simultaneously on BBC Radio na Gàidheal.
Transmitted: Thursday 31st December 2009
Time: 23:30
Title: Taghadh bho na Trads
Kathleen MacInnes with more great music from the winners of Na Trads including Lau, Lauren MacColl and Christine Primrose.
Transmitted: Friday 1st January 2010
Time:19:00
Title: Na h-Òganaich
After a gap of 35 years, legendary Gaelic group Na h-Òganaich are back in the recording studio, but can they recapture their old magic?
Transmitted: Friday 1st January 2010
Time: 21:00
Title: Hebridean Celtic Music Festival - Suil air Ais
Featuring one of Australia's most popular festival bands with their ecclectic mix of Australian Roots/ Folk, The Ploughboys. Also featured are the renowned Orcadian 8 piece and Scottish Trad Band of the year in 2008, The Chair.
Transmitted: Saturday 2nd January 2010
Time: 23:15
Title: Alleluia!/Spiritual Music & Verse
Kathleen Graham sings Psalm 72, Calum Alex MacMillan sings Criosda a-mhàin, Chrissie Mary MacNeil tells how her faith has helped her deal with life-threatening illness in the family and Mary Smith reads from Carmina Gadelica. Presented by Iain MacKinnon.
Transmitted: Sunday 3rd January 2010
Time: 19:30
Title: Caileagan an Airm
Four girls undergo a gruelling selection process to join the TA. Are they tough enough?
Transmitted: Monday 4th January 2010
Time: 21:40
Title: Disappearing Island An-diugh
Updating the profile of the Island of Barra, first broadcast in 1965.
Transmitted: Monday 4th January 2010
Time: 22:10
Title: Farpaisean Chon-Chaorach/Sheepdog Trials
Catriona MacPhee and Donald MacSween return with a new series on sheepdog Trials with the young dogs at the Campbeltown Nursery Trials.
Transmitted: Tuesday 5th January 2010
Time: 21:00
Title: Thuige Seo
In the first programme of a new series of Thuige Seo, Donald Morrison is in conversation with the writer and broadcaster Mary Anne Macdonald.
Transmitted: Thursday 7th January 2010
Time: 20:30
Title: Farpais Fhallain / Islands on a Diet
We eat too much and drink too much. We need to change our lifestyle and our eating habits. Join three teams from the Isle of Lewis as they embark on a 12 week regime of fitness and fun to see who can lose the most weight.
Transmitted: Friday 8th January 2010
Time: 21:00
BBC ALBA – CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS
Date: Saturday, 19 December 2009 – Friday, 8 January 2010
Title: Miosachan na Nollaig / Advent Calendar
Will Santa lose weight in time for Christmas?
Transmitted: Saturday 19th December 2009
Time: 16:54
Title: De a-nis?
Dè a-nis are recording with the music group Na Rionnagan from Glasgow Gaelic School.
Transmitted: Saturday 19th December 2009
Time: 18:00
Title: Adventure Sulasgeir An Diugh
Updating the story of the gannet hunters of Ness, first broadcast in 1962.
Transmitted: Monday 21st December 2009
Time: 21:00
Title: Sailidh Mailidh - Cleasan Sneachda
Sailidh Mailidh and Cathag have lots of fun playing in the snow.
Transmitted: Wednesday 23rd December 2009
Time: 17:17
Title: De a-nis?
Join the Dè a-nis? team and their special guests as they gear up for some festive fun.
Transmitted: Wednesday 23rd December 2009
Time: 17:40
Title: Siubhlachan / Time Traveller
A young girl inherits a watch from her Grandfather that allows her to travel backwards and forwards through time. She quickly discovers there are dark forces who want the watch for themselves... and will stop at nothing to get it!
Transmitted: Thursday 24th December
Time: 6.10pm
Title: Duan Nollaig
Fiona J Mackenzie sings a wonderful mix of traditional and contemporary Christmas songs in front of a live audience at St Andrew's in the Square in Glasgow. Old favourites 'Away in a Manger' and 'Silent Night' sit beautifully alongside new songs such as 'The Twelve Days of Christmas', uniquely translated into Gaelic.
Transmitted: Thursday 24th December
Time: 20:16
Title: `S Fheàirrde Duine Gàire
Seasaidh Lexy, the Great Dame of Gaelic entertainment, is back with another treasure trove of Gaelic comedy clips.
Transmitted: Thursday 24th December
Time: 21:00
Title: Spors na Bliadhna
Derek Moireach presents Spors na Bliadhna – a review of what's been happening in the world of sport in the past year.
Transmitted: Thursday 24th December
Time: 22:00
Title: Nollaig bhon Ghaidhealtachd / Christmas Service
Join us this Christmas Eve for a very special ecumenical service from Ness Bank Church, Inverness. With performances from Kathleen MacInnes, Maggie MacDonald, James Graham, Inverness Gaelic Choir, Inverness Gaelic School and the Caledonian Ceilidh Trailers.
Transmitted: Thursday 24th December
Time: 23:00
Title: Cocaire nan Cocairean / Cookery Competition
The two semi-finalists are presented with a particular ingredient each has to use.
Transmitted: Friday 25th December 2009
Time: 20:30
Title: Bothan air a' Phreiridh
Iain MacPherson takes his friend Ewen MacKay on a journey home over space and time to the Canadian prairies: to the emptiness and growth at the heart of family stories and separations for both of them.
Beginning in Sleat, they visit Benbecula before heading west: to the endless land of wheat and rodeos on the trail of Ewen's mother, Bealag who was born overseas and returned over here, and her father Seonaidh Paterson, the Gaelic Cowboy himself.
Transmitted: Friday 25th December 2009
Time: 21:00
Title: A' Bhliadhna
A review of this year's news from a local, national and international perspective.
Transmitted: Sunday 27th December 2009
Time: 18:30
Title: Alleluia!/Spiritual Music & Verse
A Christmas edition of the programme. Govan Choir sing Èisd san Iarmailt Òran Binn, Glasgow Gaelic Musical Association perform Psalm 89, Brigadier Iain MacFarlane gives an account of the role his personal beliefs have played in his life and Mary Smith reads from Carmina Gadelica. Presented by Iain MacKinnon.
Transmitted: Sunday 27th December 2009
Time: 19:30
Title: Lasair Dhe
A festive season delight, with Gaelic soloists, musicians and choirs participating in a celebration of religious and spiritual music. The programme, filmed in Iona and Inverness Cathedrals in 2001, includes six contemporary arrangements of Gaelic Psalms originally commissioned by the Highland Festival in 1999.
Transmitted: Sunday 27th December 2009
Time: 21:00
Title: A Song of Crotal & White An-diugh
Updating the impression of life on the Isle of Lewis given by the MacDonald Sisters, first broadcast in 1969.
Transmission: Monday 28th December 2009
Time: 21:00
Title: Taghadh bho na Trads
Kathleen MacInnes with more great music from the winners of Na Trads including Lau, Lauren MacColl and Christine Primrose.
Transmission: Monday 28th December 2009
Time: 22:00
Title: Ceòl Country le Darren MacIll-Eain
Glasgow’s Grand Ole Opry hosts an evening of country music with Darren MacLean.
Transmitted: Tuesday 29th December 2009
Time: 21:00
Title: Johnny Cash
Johnny Cash - a musical career that spanned six decades, one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century. This documentary explores the prominent themes of Cash's life including love of the land, freedom, justice, family, faith and redemption through exclusive interviews, photos and unreleased music and footage.
Transmitted: Thursday 31st December 2009
Time: 21:00
Title: Hebridean Celtic Music Festival - Suil air Ais
Sets from the Megantic Outlaw performance with Calum Martin and band, accompanied by daughter Isobel. Also, featuring one of the most exciting young Scottish bands emerging onto the Celtic music scene, Face the West.
Transmitted: Thursday 31st December 2009
Time: 22:15
Title: Bliadhna Mhath Ùr
BBC ALBA’s special live Hogmanay show will come from Oban, featuring an all star cast of musicians, singers and special guests. Presented by the inimitable duo of Morag MacDonald and Tony Kearney, the show features Argyllshire's own Karen Matheson and Donald Shaw, top folk band Daimh, two of the World’s top piper’s Angus MacColl and Stuart Liddell, this year’s Mod Gold Medallists, Darren MacLean and Sineag MacIntyre, and the one and only Anne Lorne Gillies. Bliadhna Mhath Ùr will also be broadcast simultaneously on BBC Radio na Gàidheal.
Transmitted: Thursday 31st December 2009
Time: 23:30
Title: Taghadh bho na Trads
Kathleen MacInnes with more great music from the winners of Na Trads including Lau, Lauren MacColl and Christine Primrose.
Transmitted: Friday 1st January 2010
Time:19:00
Title: Na h-Òganaich
After a gap of 35 years, legendary Gaelic group Na h-Òganaich are back in the recording studio, but can they recapture their old magic?
Transmitted: Friday 1st January 2010
Time: 21:00
Title: Hebridean Celtic Music Festival - Suil air Ais
Featuring one of Australia's most popular festival bands with their ecclectic mix of Australian Roots/ Folk, The Ploughboys. Also featured are the renowned Orcadian 8 piece and Scottish Trad Band of the year in 2008, The Chair.
Transmitted: Saturday 2nd January 2010
Time: 23:15
Title: Alleluia!/Spiritual Music & Verse
Kathleen Graham sings Psalm 72, Calum Alex MacMillan sings Criosda a-mhàin, Chrissie Mary MacNeil tells how her faith has helped her deal with life-threatening illness in the family and Mary Smith reads from Carmina Gadelica. Presented by Iain MacKinnon.
Transmitted: Sunday 3rd January 2010
Time: 19:30
Title: Caileagan an Airm
Four girls undergo a gruelling selection process to join the TA. Are they tough enough?
Transmitted: Monday 4th January 2010
Time: 21:40
Title: Disappearing Island An-diugh
Updating the profile of the Island of Barra, first broadcast in 1965.
Transmitted: Monday 4th January 2010
Time: 22:10
Title: Farpaisean Chon-Chaorach/Sheepdog Trials
Catriona MacPhee and Donald MacSween return with a new series on sheepdog Trials with the young dogs at the Campbeltown Nursery Trials.
Transmitted: Tuesday 5th January 2010
Time: 21:00
Title: Thuige Seo
In the first programme of a new series of Thuige Seo, Donald Morrison is in conversation with the writer and broadcaster Mary Anne Macdonald.
Transmitted: Thursday 7th January 2010
Time: 20:30
Title: Farpais Fhallain / Islands on a Diet
We eat too much and drink too much. We need to change our lifestyle and our eating habits. Join three teams from the Isle of Lewis as they embark on a 12 week regime of fitness and fun to see who can lose the most weight.
Transmitted: Friday 8th January 2010
Time: 21:00
Title: Miosachan na Nollaig / Advent Calendar
Will Santa lose weight in time for Christmas?
Transmitted: Saturday 19th December 2009
Time: 16:54
Title: De a-nis?
Dè a-nis are recording with the music group Na Rionnagan from Glasgow Gaelic School.
Transmitted: Saturday 19th December 2009
Time: 18:00
Title: Adventure Sulasgeir An Diugh
Updating the story of the gannet hunters of Ness, first broadcast in 1962.
Transmitted: Monday 21st December 2009
Time: 21:00
Title: Sailidh Mailidh - Cleasan Sneachda
Sailidh Mailidh and Cathag have lots of fun playing in the snow.
Transmitted: Wednesday 23rd December 2009
Time: 17:17
Title: De a-nis?
Join the Dè a-nis? team and their special guests as they gear up for some festive fun.
Transmitted: Wednesday 23rd December 2009
Time: 17:40
Title: Siubhlachan / Time Traveller
A young girl inherits a watch from her Grandfather that allows her to travel backwards and forwards through time. She quickly discovers there are dark forces who want the watch for themselves... and will stop at nothing to get it!
Transmitted: Thursday 24th December
Time: 6.10pm
Title: Duan Nollaig
Fiona J Mackenzie sings a wonderful mix of traditional and contemporary Christmas songs in front of a live audience at St Andrew's in the Square in Glasgow. Old favourites 'Away in a Manger' and 'Silent Night' sit beautifully alongside new songs such as 'The Twelve Days of Christmas', uniquely translated into Gaelic.
Transmitted: Thursday 24th December
Time: 20:16
Title: `S Fheàirrde Duine Gàire
Seasaidh Lexy, the Great Dame of Gaelic entertainment, is back with another treasure trove of Gaelic comedy clips.
Transmitted: Thursday 24th December
Time: 21:00
Title: Spors na Bliadhna
Derek Moireach presents Spors na Bliadhna – a review of what's been happening in the world of sport in the past year.
Transmitted: Thursday 24th December
Time: 22:00
Title: Nollaig bhon Ghaidhealtachd / Christmas Service
Join us this Christmas Eve for a very special ecumenical service from Ness Bank Church, Inverness. With performances from Kathleen MacInnes, Maggie MacDonald, James Graham, Inverness Gaelic Choir, Inverness Gaelic School and the Caledonian Ceilidh Trailers.
Transmitted: Thursday 24th December
Time: 23:00
Title: Cocaire nan Cocairean / Cookery Competition
The two semi-finalists are presented with a particular ingredient each has to use.
Transmitted: Friday 25th December 2009
Time: 20:30
Title: Bothan air a' Phreiridh
Iain MacPherson takes his friend Ewen MacKay on a journey home over space and time to the Canadian prairies: to the emptiness and growth at the heart of family stories and separations for both of them.
Beginning in Sleat, they visit Benbecula before heading west: to the endless land of wheat and rodeos on the trail of Ewen's mother, Bealag who was born overseas and returned over here, and her father Seonaidh Paterson, the Gaelic Cowboy himself.
Transmitted: Friday 25th December 2009
Time: 21:00
Title: A' Bhliadhna
A review of this year's news from a local, national and international perspective.
Transmitted: Sunday 27th December 2009
Time: 18:30
Title: Alleluia!/Spiritual Music & Verse
A Christmas edition of the programme. Govan Choir sing Èisd san Iarmailt Òran Binn, Glasgow Gaelic Musical Association perform Psalm 89, Brigadier Iain MacFarlane gives an account of the role his personal beliefs have played in his life and Mary Smith reads from Carmina Gadelica. Presented by Iain MacKinnon.
Transmitted: Sunday 27th December 2009
Time: 19:30
Title: Lasair Dhe
A festive season delight, with Gaelic soloists, musicians and choirs participating in a celebration of religious and spiritual music. The programme, filmed in Iona and Inverness Cathedrals in 2001, includes six contemporary arrangements of Gaelic Psalms originally commissioned by the Highland Festival in 1999.
Transmitted: Sunday 27th December 2009
Time: 21:00
Title: A Song of Crotal & White An-diugh
Updating the impression of life on the Isle of Lewis given by the MacDonald Sisters, first broadcast in 1969.
Transmission: Monday 28th December 2009
Time: 21:00
Title: Taghadh bho na Trads
Kathleen MacInnes with more great music from the winners of Na Trads including Lau, Lauren MacColl and Christine Primrose.
Transmission: Monday 28th December 2009
Time: 22:00
Title: Ceòl Country le Darren MacIll-Eain
Glasgow’s Grand Ole Opry hosts an evening of country music with Darren MacLean.
Transmitted: Tuesday 29th December 2009
Time: 21:00
Title: Johnny Cash
Johnny Cash - a musical career that spanned six decades, one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century. This documentary explores the prominent themes of Cash's life including love of the land, freedom, justice, family, faith and redemption through exclusive interviews, photos and unreleased music and footage.
Transmitted: Thursday 31st December 2009
Time: 21:00
Title: Hebridean Celtic Music Festival - Suil air Ais
Sets from the Megantic Outlaw performance with Calum Martin and band, accompanied by daughter Isobel. Also, featuring one of the most exciting young Scottish bands emerging onto the Celtic music scene, Face the West.
Transmitted: Thursday 31st December 2009
Time: 22:15
Title: Bliadhna Mhath Ùr
BBC ALBA’s special live Hogmanay show will come from Oban, featuring an all star cast of musicians, singers and special guests. Presented by the inimitable duo of Morag MacDonald and Tony Kearney, the show features Argyllshire's own Karen Matheson and Donald Shaw, top folk band Daimh, two of the World’s top piper’s Angus MacColl and Stuart Liddell, this year’s Mod Gold Medallists, Darren MacLean and Sineag MacIntyre, and the one and only Anne Lorne Gillies. Bliadhna Mhath Ùr will also be broadcast simultaneously on BBC Radio na Gàidheal.
Transmitted: Thursday 31st December 2009
Time: 23:30
Title: Taghadh bho na Trads
Kathleen MacInnes with more great music from the winners of Na Trads including Lau, Lauren MacColl and Christine Primrose.
Transmitted: Friday 1st January 2010
Time:19:00
Title: Na h-Òganaich
After a gap of 35 years, legendary Gaelic group Na h-Òganaich are back in the recording studio, but can they recapture their old magic?
Transmitted: Friday 1st January 2010
Time: 21:00
Title: Hebridean Celtic Music Festival - Suil air Ais
Featuring one of Australia's most popular festival bands with their ecclectic mix of Australian Roots/ Folk, The Ploughboys. Also featured are the renowned Orcadian 8 piece and Scottish Trad Band of the year in 2008, The Chair.
Transmitted: Saturday 2nd January 2010
Time: 23:15
Title: Alleluia!/Spiritual Music & Verse
Kathleen Graham sings Psalm 72, Calum Alex MacMillan sings Criosda a-mhàin, Chrissie Mary MacNeil tells how her faith has helped her deal with life-threatening illness in the family and Mary Smith reads from Carmina Gadelica. Presented by Iain MacKinnon.
Transmitted: Sunday 3rd January 2010
Time: 19:30
Title: Caileagan an Airm
Four girls undergo a gruelling selection process to join the TA. Are they tough enough?
Transmitted: Monday 4th January 2010
Time: 21:40
Title: Disappearing Island An-diugh
Updating the profile of the Island of Barra, first broadcast in 1965.
Transmitted: Monday 4th January 2010
Time: 22:10
Title: Farpaisean Chon-Chaorach/Sheepdog Trials
Catriona MacPhee and Donald MacSween return with a new series on sheepdog Trials with the young dogs at the Campbeltown Nursery Trials.
Transmitted: Tuesday 5th January 2010
Time: 21:00
Title: Thuige Seo
In the first programme of a new series of Thuige Seo, Donald Morrison is in conversation with the writer and broadcaster Mary Anne Macdonald.
Transmitted: Thursday 7th January 2010
Time: 20:30
Title: Farpais Fhallain / Islands on a Diet
We eat too much and drink too much. We need to change our lifestyle and our eating habits. Join three teams from the Isle of Lewis as they embark on a 12 week regime of fitness and fun to see who can lose the most weight.
Transmitted: Friday 8th January 2010
Time: 21:00
Thursday, 3 December 2009
TOISEACH BHÒTAIDH AIR-LOIDHNE AIRSON AN FHILM GHOIRID GHÀIDHLIG AS FHEÀRR LEAT
Fhuair FilmG, co-fharpais-lìn fhilmichean goirid MG ALBA àireamh mhòr de dh’inntrigidhean am-bliadhna, ’s tha iad uile rim faicinn air-loidhne a-nis.
Eadar ’s gur e comadaidh no sgeul taibhse eagalach, sgeulan gnìomha, dànadais no beò-dhealbh, sgeul fìrinneach no faoin-sgeul a th’ ann – bidh rudeigin ann a chòrdas ri gach neach. Tha filmichean againn bho gach ceàrn de dh’Alba, à Canada, à Ameireaga agus eadhon à Eilean Mhanainn.
Am Màgan Dubh, stiùirichte le Raghnaid Sandilands
Chithear gach film air-loidhne aig www.filmg.co.uk far am faod an sluagh am fear as fheàrr leotha a thaghadh gu 15 Am Faoilleach 2010. Bheirear breith orra cuideachd, rè na Dùbhlachd, le ceannardan BBC ALBA agus àrd riochdairean gnìomhachas craolaidh na h-Alba, nam measg, Bill MacLeòid, stiùiriche BBC Scotland, Patsi NicCoinnich, riochdaire STV agus Carole Sheridan, Ceannard Tàlant Sgrìon na h-Alba. Nochdaidh na filmichean a thèid a thaghadh anns gach roinn air an làraich bho mheadhan an Fhaoillich.
An latha a fhuair Gàidhlig greim air an t-Saoghal, stiùirichte le Ealasaid Anna Nic a’Phìobaire
Bheirear seachad duais iomraiteach Roghainn an t-Sluaigh dhan fhilm as motha a thèid a thaghadh aig Cuirm FilmG nan Duaisean air 5mh An Gearran 2010 aig Cùirt an Aodainn, Inbhir Nis.
B’ e ‘Gaisgeach’ cuspair na bliadhna-sa, air an cuireadh ‘Hero’, ‘Warrior’ no ‘Champion’ ann am Beurla. Bheirear duaisean seachad am broinn trì ghnèithean film: Dràma/Comadaidh, Aithriseach agus Dibhearsan.
Sealgair, stiùirichte le Cailean Collier
Thuirt Dòmhnall Caimbeul, Àrd-Oifigear MG ALBA: “Airson na dàrna bliadhna an sreath a chèile tha ar co-fharpais FilmG air a bhith air leth tarraingeach do shean is òg às gach ceàrn, Gàidheil is Goill, ‘s iad dealasach a thaobh a bhith ag innse sgeulachdan air camara.
“Tha e na thogail mhòr uimhir a dhaoine ùra fhaighinn san fharpais cho math ri bhith a’ gleidheadh nan daoine a chuir a-steach an-uiridh. Nach iadsan a rinn an gnothach! Bha ar bùithtean obrach chumte ann an co-bhann ri HIE, Taigh Chearsabhagh, CNES, Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, Oilthigh Ghlaschu, Oilthigh Taobh Siar na h-Alba, le maoin bho Chomhairle na Gàidhealtachd agus Bòrd na Gàidhlig air leth soirbheachail. Bha e na thoileachadh mòr dhomh gun do chuir sgoilearan filmichean a-steach agus gun robh uimhir de thàlant cruthachail ri fhaicinn.”
Bidh an dàrna cuirm Dhuaisean FilmG a’ gabhail àite ann an Cùirt an Aodainn, Inbhir Nis, Dihaoine 5mh An Gearran 2010. ’S i oidhche spòrsail a bhios ann le seallaidhean gan toirt air na filmichean a bhuannaich, agus cluich beò.
Eadar ’s gur e comadaidh no sgeul taibhse eagalach, sgeulan gnìomha, dànadais no beò-dhealbh, sgeul fìrinneach no faoin-sgeul a th’ ann – bidh rudeigin ann a chòrdas ri gach neach. Tha filmichean againn bho gach ceàrn de dh’Alba, à Canada, à Ameireaga agus eadhon à Eilean Mhanainn.
Am Màgan Dubh, stiùirichte le Raghnaid Sandilands
Chithear gach film air-loidhne aig www.filmg.co.uk far am faod an sluagh am fear as fheàrr leotha a thaghadh gu 15 Am Faoilleach 2010. Bheirear breith orra cuideachd, rè na Dùbhlachd, le ceannardan BBC ALBA agus àrd riochdairean gnìomhachas craolaidh na h-Alba, nam measg, Bill MacLeòid, stiùiriche BBC Scotland, Patsi NicCoinnich, riochdaire STV agus Carole Sheridan, Ceannard Tàlant Sgrìon na h-Alba. Nochdaidh na filmichean a thèid a thaghadh anns gach roinn air an làraich bho mheadhan an Fhaoillich.
An latha a fhuair Gàidhlig greim air an t-Saoghal, stiùirichte le Ealasaid Anna Nic a’Phìobaire
Bheirear seachad duais iomraiteach Roghainn an t-Sluaigh dhan fhilm as motha a thèid a thaghadh aig Cuirm FilmG nan Duaisean air 5mh An Gearran 2010 aig Cùirt an Aodainn, Inbhir Nis.
B’ e ‘Gaisgeach’ cuspair na bliadhna-sa, air an cuireadh ‘Hero’, ‘Warrior’ no ‘Champion’ ann am Beurla. Bheirear duaisean seachad am broinn trì ghnèithean film: Dràma/Comadaidh, Aithriseach agus Dibhearsan.
Sealgair, stiùirichte le Cailean Collier
Thuirt Dòmhnall Caimbeul, Àrd-Oifigear MG ALBA: “Airson na dàrna bliadhna an sreath a chèile tha ar co-fharpais FilmG air a bhith air leth tarraingeach do shean is òg às gach ceàrn, Gàidheil is Goill, ‘s iad dealasach a thaobh a bhith ag innse sgeulachdan air camara.
“Tha e na thogail mhòr uimhir a dhaoine ùra fhaighinn san fharpais cho math ri bhith a’ gleidheadh nan daoine a chuir a-steach an-uiridh. Nach iadsan a rinn an gnothach! Bha ar bùithtean obrach chumte ann an co-bhann ri HIE, Taigh Chearsabhagh, CNES, Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, Oilthigh Ghlaschu, Oilthigh Taobh Siar na h-Alba, le maoin bho Chomhairle na Gàidhealtachd agus Bòrd na Gàidhlig air leth soirbheachail. Bha e na thoileachadh mòr dhomh gun do chuir sgoilearan filmichean a-steach agus gun robh uimhir de thàlant cruthachail ri fhaicinn.”
Bidh an dàrna cuirm Dhuaisean FilmG a’ gabhail àite ann an Cùirt an Aodainn, Inbhir Nis, Dihaoine 5mh An Gearran 2010. ’S i oidhche spòrsail a bhios ann le seallaidhean gan toirt air na filmichean a bhuannaich, agus cluich beò.
CLIMATE CHANGE DEBATE NEEDS COOL HEADS, NOT HOT AIR says NFUS
NFU Scotland is increasingly alarmed that a growing number of commentators are throwing themselves into the climate change debate in an attempt to pursue very personal anti-meat agendas.
Today (Thursday, 3 December) pop star and vegetarian lobbyist Sir Paul McCartney will be one of several speakers taking part in a hearing entitled 'Global Warming and Food Policy: Less Meat = Less Heat' in the European Parliament. Rather than stimulate informed discussion, NFU Scotland has concerns that the speakers involved are all well-known for their anti-meat, pro-vegetarian positions rather than having any genuine interest in tackling climate change in a reasoned, responsible manner.
NFU Scotland has written to Mr McCartney ahead of the hearing to outline the importance of the livestock sector to Scotland, the significant improvements already made in reducing emissions and the need for proportion when seeking solutions to climate change. Mr McCartney’s own ‘Meat-Free Monday’ campaign appears to be predicated on a general prejudice against meat consumption rather than an attempt to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Ahead of the EU Parliament hearing, NFU Scotland’s President, Jim McLaren said
“This meeting is an opportunity to highlight the role of agriculture, and the livestock sector in particular, in tackling climate change. It is a real disappointment that with a clearly one-sided panel there appears little likelihood of there being balanced, informed debate. The real issue, whether we are discussing meat production, fruit and vegetable production, or the production of any product, is surely the system of production and the sustainability of that system, rather than adopting a prejudice against the product itself?
“It is well-known that Sir Paul is against the consumption of meat, and it is a worry to us that he is using climate change as an excuse to pursue this agenda. That is why we have taken the time to write to him, highlighting that systems of meat production in Northern Europe, the UK and particularly in Scotland are highly sustainable, and environmentally beneficial.
“Our livestock in Scotland generally utilise land that would have no value to food production other than the extensive grazing of cattle and sheep. These extensive livestock production systems make essential contributions to the economy, the rural infrastructure and the environment with grazed farmland providing habitats for birdlife, plants and other animals.
“The integrated agricultural systems found in Scotland, with livestock at their heart, are the key to sustainable food production in the future. Scotland and the EU will play a key role in world food production in years to come, as climate change takes affect. Without livestock, these systems will collapse.
“Scottish farmers have a good story to tell but fully recognise that they also share in the global requirement to tackle climate change responsibly. Viewing emissions as a waste, and working to reduce that waste, can bring better efficiency to farming systems. Our track record in reducing emissions is better than many other sectors and we will be grasping this issue and taking it forward.
“With the world’s political leaders due to sit down to discuss climate change in Copenhagen next week – a landmark summit that could be the launch pad for further targets, restrictions and challenges for farmers throughout the world – more and more commentators like Sir Paul are coming out of the woodwork. We need politicians in Copenhagen to see past some of the personal agendas being pedalled when arriving at their decisions.
“This hearing in Brussels and recent tabloid stories heralding vegetarianism as the saviour of the planet are a sharp reminder that farmers, as food producers, must turn any attention on climate change to our advantage and promote the positives that the farming industry has to offer. These positives greatly outweigh the negatives.”
Today (Thursday, 3 December) pop star and vegetarian lobbyist Sir Paul McCartney will be one of several speakers taking part in a hearing entitled 'Global Warming and Food Policy: Less Meat = Less Heat' in the European Parliament. Rather than stimulate informed discussion, NFU Scotland has concerns that the speakers involved are all well-known for their anti-meat, pro-vegetarian positions rather than having any genuine interest in tackling climate change in a reasoned, responsible manner.
NFU Scotland has written to Mr McCartney ahead of the hearing to outline the importance of the livestock sector to Scotland, the significant improvements already made in reducing emissions and the need for proportion when seeking solutions to climate change. Mr McCartney’s own ‘Meat-Free Monday’ campaign appears to be predicated on a general prejudice against meat consumption rather than an attempt to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Ahead of the EU Parliament hearing, NFU Scotland’s President, Jim McLaren said
“This meeting is an opportunity to highlight the role of agriculture, and the livestock sector in particular, in tackling climate change. It is a real disappointment that with a clearly one-sided panel there appears little likelihood of there being balanced, informed debate. The real issue, whether we are discussing meat production, fruit and vegetable production, or the production of any product, is surely the system of production and the sustainability of that system, rather than adopting a prejudice against the product itself?
“It is well-known that Sir Paul is against the consumption of meat, and it is a worry to us that he is using climate change as an excuse to pursue this agenda. That is why we have taken the time to write to him, highlighting that systems of meat production in Northern Europe, the UK and particularly in Scotland are highly sustainable, and environmentally beneficial.
“Our livestock in Scotland generally utilise land that would have no value to food production other than the extensive grazing of cattle and sheep. These extensive livestock production systems make essential contributions to the economy, the rural infrastructure and the environment with grazed farmland providing habitats for birdlife, plants and other animals.
“The integrated agricultural systems found in Scotland, with livestock at their heart, are the key to sustainable food production in the future. Scotland and the EU will play a key role in world food production in years to come, as climate change takes affect. Without livestock, these systems will collapse.
“Scottish farmers have a good story to tell but fully recognise that they also share in the global requirement to tackle climate change responsibly. Viewing emissions as a waste, and working to reduce that waste, can bring better efficiency to farming systems. Our track record in reducing emissions is better than many other sectors and we will be grasping this issue and taking it forward.
“With the world’s political leaders due to sit down to discuss climate change in Copenhagen next week – a landmark summit that could be the launch pad for further targets, restrictions and challenges for farmers throughout the world – more and more commentators like Sir Paul are coming out of the woodwork. We need politicians in Copenhagen to see past some of the personal agendas being pedalled when arriving at their decisions.
“This hearing in Brussels and recent tabloid stories heralding vegetarianism as the saviour of the planet are a sharp reminder that farmers, as food producers, must turn any attention on climate change to our advantage and promote the positives that the farming industry has to offer. These positives greatly outweigh the negatives.”
NFUS PUSHES FOR PROPORTIONATE PENALTIES
NFU Scotland is alarmed that new penalty arrangements for those found to have breached rules relating to Single Farm Payments (SFP) are now significantly out of line with the seriousness of the error and is calling for the Scottish Government to re-introduce proportionality into penalty awards.
The Scottish Government has been in discussion with the European Commission about the level of penalties that should be applied following any breach identified during a farm inspection. For any breaches discovered during livestock inspections that took place in the past 12 months, Scottish farmers are only now being told what penalty will be imposed on their Single Farm Payment.
While there is no change in what constitutes a breach of the rules in 2009, compared to 2008, there is a change in how the level of penalty is calculated. This has resulted in an increase in the level of penalty imposed.
The reason given for the change is that European auditors were highly critical of the relatively low level of payment reductions being applied across the UK. According to the Scottish Government, the Commission’s view is that the level of penalty for non-compliance should be three percent. In Scotland, up until now, most cross compliance penalties have fallen into the one percent category.
The Union plans to continue its long-running discussion on penalty rates with the Scottish Government, will visit Europe on the issue in the near future and is investigating penalty systems being used in other UK and EU countries to ensure Scottish farmers are not being unfairly treated.
NFU Scotland President, Jim McLaren said:
"In the past few days, NFU Scotland has received many phone calls from members horrified at the level of penalties being imposed on their SFP following livestock inspections earlier in the year. Given the low number of errors found during the majority of those inspections, the penalties being deducted under the Scottish Government's new penalty regime appear grossly disproportionate.
"This issue has been rumbling about for almost a year. During that time, we have been pressing the Scottish Government to find a way to ensure that we retain a penalty system that is proportionate.
"Instead, we have a penalty system where a single error, regardless of a farm's size or the number of livestock in the business, can bring about a three percent deduction from its SFP. We have told the Scottish Government that we do not support the change in penalties and we are convinced that the number of animals on any unit must be taken into account.
"Given that this decision has apparently been driven by EU auditors, we will be taking up the issue up with the European Commission, pointing out the disproportionate nature of what has been imposed on Scottish farmers. In addition, we are currently investigating how penalties are imposed in other parts of the UK and Europe.
"In the meantime, I repeat the advice which I issued earlier this year. These higher penalty rates make it even more imperative that every Scottish farmer goes through their livestock records with a fine tooth comb and ensures that everything is correct and balanced with the records held by BCMS. It will be financially worthwhile to take a day out from normal farming activities to make sure records are in tiptop shape. This should be completed, and any errors rectified, before the business is informed of any inspection."
The Scottish Government has been in discussion with the European Commission about the level of penalties that should be applied following any breach identified during a farm inspection. For any breaches discovered during livestock inspections that took place in the past 12 months, Scottish farmers are only now being told what penalty will be imposed on their Single Farm Payment.
While there is no change in what constitutes a breach of the rules in 2009, compared to 2008, there is a change in how the level of penalty is calculated. This has resulted in an increase in the level of penalty imposed.
The reason given for the change is that European auditors were highly critical of the relatively low level of payment reductions being applied across the UK. According to the Scottish Government, the Commission’s view is that the level of penalty for non-compliance should be three percent. In Scotland, up until now, most cross compliance penalties have fallen into the one percent category.
The Union plans to continue its long-running discussion on penalty rates with the Scottish Government, will visit Europe on the issue in the near future and is investigating penalty systems being used in other UK and EU countries to ensure Scottish farmers are not being unfairly treated.
NFU Scotland President, Jim McLaren said:
"In the past few days, NFU Scotland has received many phone calls from members horrified at the level of penalties being imposed on their SFP following livestock inspections earlier in the year. Given the low number of errors found during the majority of those inspections, the penalties being deducted under the Scottish Government's new penalty regime appear grossly disproportionate.
"This issue has been rumbling about for almost a year. During that time, we have been pressing the Scottish Government to find a way to ensure that we retain a penalty system that is proportionate.
"Instead, we have a penalty system where a single error, regardless of a farm's size or the number of livestock in the business, can bring about a three percent deduction from its SFP. We have told the Scottish Government that we do not support the change in penalties and we are convinced that the number of animals on any unit must be taken into account.
"Given that this decision has apparently been driven by EU auditors, we will be taking up the issue up with the European Commission, pointing out the disproportionate nature of what has been imposed on Scottish farmers. In addition, we are currently investigating how penalties are imposed in other parts of the UK and Europe.
"In the meantime, I repeat the advice which I issued earlier this year. These higher penalty rates make it even more imperative that every Scottish farmer goes through their livestock records with a fine tooth comb and ensures that everything is correct and balanced with the records held by BCMS. It will be financially worthwhile to take a day out from normal farming activities to make sure records are in tiptop shape. This should be completed, and any errors rectified, before the business is informed of any inspection."
NFUS PUSHES FOR PROPORTIONATE PENALTIES
NFU Scotland is alarmed that new penalty arrangements for those found to have breached rules relating to Single Farm Payments (SFP) are now significantly out of line with the seriousness of the error and is calling for the Scottish Government to re-introduce proportionality into penalty awards.
The Scottish Government has been in discussion with the European Commission about the level of penalties that should be applied following any breach identified during a farm inspection. For any breaches discovered during livestock inspections that took place in the past 12 months, Scottish farmers are only now being told what penalty will be imposed on their Single Farm Payment.
While there is no change in what constitutes a breach of the rules in 2009, compared to 2008, there is a change in how the level of penalty is calculated. This has resulted in an increase in the level of penalty imposed.
The reason given for the change is that European auditors were highly critical of the relatively low level of payment reductions being applied across the UK. According to the Scottish Government, the Commission’s view is that the level of penalty for non-compliance should be three percent. In Scotland, up until now, most cross compliance penalties have fallen into the one percent category.
The Union plans to continue its long-running discussion on penalty rates with the Scottish Government, will visit Europe on the issue in the near future and is investigating penalty systems being used in other UK and EU countries to ensure Scottish farmers are not being unfairly treated.
NFU Scotland President, Jim McLaren said:
"In the past few days, NFU Scotland has received many phone calls from members horrified at the level of penalties being imposed on their SFP following livestock inspections earlier in the year. Given the low number of errors found during the majority of those inspections, the penalties being deducted under the Scottish Government's new penalty regime appear grossly disproportionate.
"This issue has been rumbling about for almost a year. During that time, we have been pressing the Scottish Government to find a way to ensure that we retain a penalty system that is proportionate.
"Instead, we have a penalty system where a single error, regardless of a farm's size or the number of livestock in the business, can bring about a three percent deduction from its SFP. We have told the Scottish Government that we do not support the change in penalties and we are convinced that the number of animals on any unit must be taken into account.
"Given that this decision has apparently been driven by EU auditors, we will be taking up the issue up with the European Commission, pointing out the disproportionate nature of what has been imposed on Scottish farmers. In addition, we are currently investigating how penalties are imposed in other parts of the UK and Europe.
"In the meantime, I repeat the advice which I issued earlier this year. These higher penalty rates make it even more imperative that every Scottish farmer goes through their livestock records with a fine tooth comb and ensures that everything is correct and balanced with the records held by BCMS. It will be financially worthwhile to take a day out from normal farming activities to make sure records are in tiptop shape. This should be completed, and any errors rectified, before the business is informed of any inspection."
The Scottish Government has been in discussion with the European Commission about the level of penalties that should be applied following any breach identified during a farm inspection. For any breaches discovered during livestock inspections that took place in the past 12 months, Scottish farmers are only now being told what penalty will be imposed on their Single Farm Payment.
While there is no change in what constitutes a breach of the rules in 2009, compared to 2008, there is a change in how the level of penalty is calculated. This has resulted in an increase in the level of penalty imposed.
The reason given for the change is that European auditors were highly critical of the relatively low level of payment reductions being applied across the UK. According to the Scottish Government, the Commission’s view is that the level of penalty for non-compliance should be three percent. In Scotland, up until now, most cross compliance penalties have fallen into the one percent category.
The Union plans to continue its long-running discussion on penalty rates with the Scottish Government, will visit Europe on the issue in the near future and is investigating penalty systems being used in other UK and EU countries to ensure Scottish farmers are not being unfairly treated.
NFU Scotland President, Jim McLaren said:
"In the past few days, NFU Scotland has received many phone calls from members horrified at the level of penalties being imposed on their SFP following livestock inspections earlier in the year. Given the low number of errors found during the majority of those inspections, the penalties being deducted under the Scottish Government's new penalty regime appear grossly disproportionate.
"This issue has been rumbling about for almost a year. During that time, we have been pressing the Scottish Government to find a way to ensure that we retain a penalty system that is proportionate.
"Instead, we have a penalty system where a single error, regardless of a farm's size or the number of livestock in the business, can bring about a three percent deduction from its SFP. We have told the Scottish Government that we do not support the change in penalties and we are convinced that the number of animals on any unit must be taken into account.
"Given that this decision has apparently been driven by EU auditors, we will be taking up the issue up with the European Commission, pointing out the disproportionate nature of what has been imposed on Scottish farmers. In addition, we are currently investigating how penalties are imposed in other parts of the UK and Europe.
"In the meantime, I repeat the advice which I issued earlier this year. These higher penalty rates make it even more imperative that every Scottish farmer goes through their livestock records with a fine tooth comb and ensures that everything is correct and balanced with the records held by BCMS. It will be financially worthwhile to take a day out from normal farming activities to make sure records are in tiptop shape. This should be completed, and any errors rectified, before the business is informed of any inspection."
COUNCIL URGES CAUTION OVER DIGITAL TV SWITCH
Residents of Argyll and Bute have been urged not to make the mistake of throwing away their analogue televisions unnecessarily.
The advice was issued after the Council was contacted by several residents, concerned that the switch-over to digital television would leave their old sets redundant.
In fact, the vast majority of televisions can be converted to digital easily and with minimal cost.
The authority has recently seen a significant increase in the amount of electrical items being taken to amenity sites for recycling – much of which is thought to be analogue TVs.
In 2008/09, 840 tonnes of electrical goods were recycled from Argyll and Bute. In the current year, that figure is estimated to rise by some 12% to about 940 tonnes.
Chair of Argyll and Bute’s Environment Policy and Performance Group, Councillor Donald Macdonald, said it was an issue over which there seemed to be some confusion.
“There are many people out there who believe that they have to replace their analogue TVs with new digital models in order to be able to receive digital transmissions,” he added.
“This is not true. With very rare exceptions, all TVs can be converted to digital with a digital box – even black and white models.
“So there is no need to buy a new TV unless you actually want one. That’s the message that we need to get out, as there seem to be people who are forking out quite unnecessarily for new television sets."
Most television sets can be converted using a digital set-top box, available from about £20.
The majority of these boxes connect to a TV using a SCART cable (which will give the best-quality connection). If your television was manufactured after 1996, it will have a SCART socket.
Anyone who does not have a SCART socket on the back of their TV, and has only a small round aerial socket instead, can still adapt it for digital.
All they need to ensure is that they ask for a digital box with a built in “RF modulator”. This will be able to be plugged into the TV’s aerial socket (although consumers should be aware that the signal will not be as good as it would have been through a SCART socket).
Unfortunately, either a SCART socket or an aerial socket must be present to permit conversion to receive digital television.
Any resident who does decide to get a new TV should make sure it carries the ‘digital tick’. The ‘digital tick’ means that it is designed to continue working after the switchover.
Please note:
Redundant electrical goods such as TVs are covered by the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations. These were introduced by the UK Government as a result of an EU Directive to ensure more electrical items are recycled.
The WEEE regulations place some responsibility on producers and sellers of electrical goods (including TVs) to take back old items for recycling.
The Government introduced this in the UK by giving electronic goods companies the choice of either paying into a central compliance scheme – whereby a compliance scheme company arranges with various individual councils to collect the items from a civic amenity site and then transport them onwards for recycling free of charge - or setting up their own such scheme.
This scheme is for householders only. Businesses are not able to recycle electrical equipment in this way.
Under the regulations, businesses must make their own arrangements with a suitable compliant WEEE recovery company.
Businesses should also ask the companies from which they are buying their new televisions whether or not they will take the old ones in return.
The advice was issued after the Council was contacted by several residents, concerned that the switch-over to digital television would leave their old sets redundant.
In fact, the vast majority of televisions can be converted to digital easily and with minimal cost.
The authority has recently seen a significant increase in the amount of electrical items being taken to amenity sites for recycling – much of which is thought to be analogue TVs.
In 2008/09, 840 tonnes of electrical goods were recycled from Argyll and Bute. In the current year, that figure is estimated to rise by some 12% to about 940 tonnes.
Chair of Argyll and Bute’s Environment Policy and Performance Group, Councillor Donald Macdonald, said it was an issue over which there seemed to be some confusion.
“There are many people out there who believe that they have to replace their analogue TVs with new digital models in order to be able to receive digital transmissions,” he added.
“This is not true. With very rare exceptions, all TVs can be converted to digital with a digital box – even black and white models.
“So there is no need to buy a new TV unless you actually want one. That’s the message that we need to get out, as there seem to be people who are forking out quite unnecessarily for new television sets."
Most television sets can be converted using a digital set-top box, available from about £20.
The majority of these boxes connect to a TV using a SCART cable (which will give the best-quality connection). If your television was manufactured after 1996, it will have a SCART socket.
Anyone who does not have a SCART socket on the back of their TV, and has only a small round aerial socket instead, can still adapt it for digital.
All they need to ensure is that they ask for a digital box with a built in “RF modulator”. This will be able to be plugged into the TV’s aerial socket (although consumers should be aware that the signal will not be as good as it would have been through a SCART socket).
Unfortunately, either a SCART socket or an aerial socket must be present to permit conversion to receive digital television.
Any resident who does decide to get a new TV should make sure it carries the ‘digital tick’. The ‘digital tick’ means that it is designed to continue working after the switchover.
Please note:
Redundant electrical goods such as TVs are covered by the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations. These were introduced by the UK Government as a result of an EU Directive to ensure more electrical items are recycled.
The WEEE regulations place some responsibility on producers and sellers of electrical goods (including TVs) to take back old items for recycling.
The Government introduced this in the UK by giving electronic goods companies the choice of either paying into a central compliance scheme – whereby a compliance scheme company arranges with various individual councils to collect the items from a civic amenity site and then transport them onwards for recycling free of charge - or setting up their own such scheme.
This scheme is for householders only. Businesses are not able to recycle electrical equipment in this way.
Under the regulations, businesses must make their own arrangements with a suitable compliant WEEE recovery company.
Businesses should also ask the companies from which they are buying their new televisions whether or not they will take the old ones in return.
Tuesday, 1 December 2009
FREEVIEW WOULD WIDEN PUBLIC ACCESS TO BBC ALBA
The proposal to switch BBC Alba broadcasts from its present
satellite providers to Freeview is welcomed by Argyll & Bute MSP Jim
Mather . Provision of the service is at present under review by the BBC
Trust.
Jim Mather said:
"Since its launch BBC Alba has built up an impressive
reputation for the production of high quality production. However, the
station is currently only available on Sky, on Freesat and, for those
who with the technology, on BBC iPlayer either live or for seven days
after the initial broadcast. The proposal to make this unique facility,
the first multi-genre channel to come entirely from Scotland, available
to a much wider audience by switching it to Freeview is presently under
review by the BBC Trust.
The move has generated a great deal of interest and
enthusiasm in the Highlands and beyond and Highland Council has already
indicated its support for such a move. There is a quid pro quo in that
switching this channel to Freeview, in Scotland only, would mean that
BBC radio programmes would eventually drop from Freeview between the
transmission times of 1700 and 2300 to provide the necessary channel
space.
BBC Alba is jointly funded by MG Alba and the BBC. While
the partnership runs this channel, Gaelic programming will continue on
BBC2, at least until the digital switchover takes place in 2010.
Those interested in indicating support for this action
may care to contact the Chairman of the BBC Trust, Mr Michael Lyons, by
letter, text or e-mail. Contact details are currently being advertised
on BBC TV channels.
JIM MATHER MSP
satellite providers to Freeview is welcomed by Argyll & Bute MSP Jim
Mather . Provision of the service is at present under review by the BBC
Trust.
Jim Mather said:
"Since its launch BBC Alba has built up an impressive
reputation for the production of high quality production. However, the
station is currently only available on Sky, on Freesat and, for those
who with the technology, on BBC iPlayer either live or for seven days
after the initial broadcast. The proposal to make this unique facility,
the first multi-genre channel to come entirely from Scotland, available
to a much wider audience by switching it to Freeview is presently under
review by the BBC Trust.
The move has generated a great deal of interest and
enthusiasm in the Highlands and beyond and Highland Council has already
indicated its support for such a move. There is a quid pro quo in that
switching this channel to Freeview, in Scotland only, would mean that
BBC radio programmes would eventually drop from Freeview between the
transmission times of 1700 and 2300 to provide the necessary channel
space.
BBC Alba is jointly funded by MG Alba and the BBC. While
the partnership runs this channel, Gaelic programming will continue on
BBC2, at least until the digital switchover takes place in 2010.
Those interested in indicating support for this action
may care to contact the Chairman of the BBC Trust, Mr Michael Lyons, by
letter, text or e-mail. Contact details are currently being advertised
on BBC TV channels.
JIM MATHER MSP
Cllr SCOULLAR OFFERS SUPPORT TO TIREE RESIDENTS
A bid by residents of the isle of Tiree to manage the number of camper vans and mobile homes, which visit the island, was supported today by a senior councillor.
Argyll and Bute Council’s spokesperson for Islands and European Affairs, Councillor Len Scoullar, was referring to the work of the Tiree Access Forum (TAF) – a community group set up to improve the experience for the island’s visitors as well as manage the problems during the tourist season.
Tiree has witnessed a 154% increase in the number of camper vans and mobile homes visiting the island in June and July 2009, compared to the same period the previous year.
Councillor Scoullar said: “I am delighted that so many people want to visit this wonderful island, but the sheer scale of the influx has been causing problems.
“There is only one small campsite on Tiree which was fully booked all summer, and the island simply does not have the capacity to cater for the additional demand of up to 50 camper vans a night.
“The result is that people have been parking wherever they can. Often, this means that they park on the machair, disturbing the wildlife and damaging the grass and wild flowers which are so much a part of Tiree’s beauty.”
The machair is also important for the crofters whose livestock graze these areas, which are managed as common grazing.
In addition to the lack of sites, there have also been problems with the inappropriate disposal of human waste by some visitors. The emptying of chemical toilets is a particular concern, as there is no suitable facility on Tiree and some chemicals used in these toilets are not compatible with the island’s septic tanks.
The TAF is seeking to establish better facilities on the island for camper vans and mobile homes, as well as limiting the number of vans visiting the island to the number of sites available.
The group is proposing to do this by asking crofters to provide up to three pitches each, where the mobile homes can park overnight for a modest fee. It is hoped that this might provide an additional 30 pitches in time for next summer, in addition to those already available at the campsite.
The islanders recently held a public vote, which strongly supported this approach. The proposal would also involve ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne, requiring the owners of camper vans and mobile homes to make a reservation for a Tiree pitch before they can purchase a ferry ticket. TAF is currently working on establishing a suitable booking system.
The Forum also hopes to establish a facility on the island for the emptying of chemical toilets, and will be asking visiting mobile homes to use one of the green alternatives tothe traditional chemicals, in order to make the waste compatible with the island’s septic tanks.
In addition, the Forum is working to establish car parks in the most appropriate locations with better visitor facilities, as well as improved pedestrian and cycle access to the beaches. To this end, it launched a voluntary parking permit scheme earlier this year for everyone accessing Tiree’s beaches.
Councillor Scoullar said: “TAF’s aim is to provide the best possible facilities for visitors while at the same time protecting its fragile natural environment.
“This is not about trying to discourage people from experiencing what this beautiful island has to offer. It’s about making sure that its increasing popularity as a tourist destination does not have a detrimental impact on its unique and fragile habitat.
“TAF is determined to work with the camping and caravanning community to ensure that everyone can enjoy Tiree in a manageable and sustainable way.”
Argyll and Bute Council’s spokesperson for Islands and European Affairs, Councillor Len Scoullar, was referring to the work of the Tiree Access Forum (TAF) – a community group set up to improve the experience for the island’s visitors as well as manage the problems during the tourist season.
Tiree has witnessed a 154% increase in the number of camper vans and mobile homes visiting the island in June and July 2009, compared to the same period the previous year.
Councillor Scoullar said: “I am delighted that so many people want to visit this wonderful island, but the sheer scale of the influx has been causing problems.
“There is only one small campsite on Tiree which was fully booked all summer, and the island simply does not have the capacity to cater for the additional demand of up to 50 camper vans a night.
“The result is that people have been parking wherever they can. Often, this means that they park on the machair, disturbing the wildlife and damaging the grass and wild flowers which are so much a part of Tiree’s beauty.”
The machair is also important for the crofters whose livestock graze these areas, which are managed as common grazing.
In addition to the lack of sites, there have also been problems with the inappropriate disposal of human waste by some visitors. The emptying of chemical toilets is a particular concern, as there is no suitable facility on Tiree and some chemicals used in these toilets are not compatible with the island’s septic tanks.
The TAF is seeking to establish better facilities on the island for camper vans and mobile homes, as well as limiting the number of vans visiting the island to the number of sites available.
The group is proposing to do this by asking crofters to provide up to three pitches each, where the mobile homes can park overnight for a modest fee. It is hoped that this might provide an additional 30 pitches in time for next summer, in addition to those already available at the campsite.
The islanders recently held a public vote, which strongly supported this approach. The proposal would also involve ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne, requiring the owners of camper vans and mobile homes to make a reservation for a Tiree pitch before they can purchase a ferry ticket. TAF is currently working on establishing a suitable booking system.
The Forum also hopes to establish a facility on the island for the emptying of chemical toilets, and will be asking visiting mobile homes to use one of the green alternatives tothe traditional chemicals, in order to make the waste compatible with the island’s septic tanks.
In addition, the Forum is working to establish car parks in the most appropriate locations with better visitor facilities, as well as improved pedestrian and cycle access to the beaches. To this end, it launched a voluntary parking permit scheme earlier this year for everyone accessing Tiree’s beaches.
Councillor Scoullar said: “TAF’s aim is to provide the best possible facilities for visitors while at the same time protecting its fragile natural environment.
“This is not about trying to discourage people from experiencing what this beautiful island has to offer. It’s about making sure that its increasing popularity as a tourist destination does not have a detrimental impact on its unique and fragile habitat.
“TAF is determined to work with the camping and caravanning community to ensure that everyone can enjoy Tiree in a manageable and sustainable way.”
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