ileach newspaper

Hybrid vehicles help reduce council carbon tyreprint!

2012-01-25T16:15:00.001Z

Argyll and Bute Council is further improving its green credentials and reducing its carbon footprint by investing in four hybrid vehicles.

The vehicles, three 17 seater minibuses and a transit van, are replacing older diesel vehicles and were bought as part of the effort to tackle climate change. This is an important first step in reducing transport emissions and it is predicted that fuel savings and carbon release will be reduced by between 15 – 25 percent.

The council invested in hybrid technology because it is an ideal solution for the geography of Argyll and Bute. This is because hybrid vehicles don’t have the same range restrictions as all-electric vehicles.

The minibuses are based in Dunoon, and as well as taking children in the area to and from school during the week will be available for community group use at weekends.

Council Leader Dick Walsh said, “I am delighted that the council, as part of the Community Planning Partnership is taking a leading role in reducing road transport carbon emissions. This is a great opportunity for the council to introduce and evaluate low carbon vehicles in a wide range of working environments. The feedback from the drivers will help us respond to the Scottish Government on their use and suitability.”

Argyll and Bute Council budget proposals to be published

2012-01-24T15:20:00.001Z

Argyll and Bute’s 2012/13 draft budget papers will be published later this week.

The proposals have been drawn up following a lengthy period of public consultation, during which the council sought to engage the maximum possible number of individuals and groups.

The aim of the consultation was to alert people to the budget process and to the need for the council to make significant savings, and give residents the opportunity to make suggestions as to what they think the council’s spending priorities should be.

The consultation ran from October 13 to December 6 2011, and residents were encouraged to participate in events and activities across the region, as well as online. Among them were:

Publication of budget information on the council’s website, with a brief survey. The budget consultation web pages recorded more than 1,200 unique hits during the consultation period.
Inclusion of the same survey questions in the Autumn 2011 Citizens’ Panel survey
An online budget simulator, which allowed respondents to devise budget scenarios and leave comments. The simulator provided an interactive way for the public to view some of the consequences of budget decisions and highlighted the difficulties faced by the council in presenting a balanced budget
Use of a ‘budget@argyll-bute.gov.uk’ email address for submission of comments and questions
A programme of 10 meetings across the region involving budget consultation sessions
Provision of postcards and comment boxes in public areas of 63 council-run facilities
Webchats with the council leader and the senior management team
Emails to 54 community councils
The council commissioned Argyll Voluntary Action (AVA) to carry out a consultation on the budget with ‘hard to reach’ groups.
Information sent to all local press, generating articles in all of the main local papers
Sending out three tweets every day of the six-week consultation period, aimed at the council’s 1,500+ Twitter followers

Council leader, Councillor Dick Walsh, said: “This was one of the most comprehensive consultations we have ever undertaken. Our aim was to engage with the widest possible cross section of the Argyll and Bute community, and we took on board people’s suggestions as to how we might reach the maximum number of residents.

“The consultation set out the overall context for our budget, and showed how funds are currently divided between service areas.

“We also clearly set out the financial challenges we face as a result of the reduction in overall public sector finance, and asked our residents for their views and responses to various questions.”

From the beginning of the consultation exercise, comments received were passed to the Budget Working Group, Heads of Service and the Strategic Management Team on a weekly basis.

Councillor Walsh said: “The responses we received covered a huge range of issues – some high level and strategic, and others focusing on local or, in some cases, personal matters.

“However, a common thread throughout was a widespread recognition among respondents that cuts to council services are inevitable.

“Our job is to ensure that – wherever possible – we safeguard and invest in the areas which people have told us they most want to protect, while at the same time identifying the necessary savings to ensure we can balance our budget.

“I believe the draft proposals published later this week will provide a solid basis on which to achieve that. We have listened to what people have said to us, and will continue to consider how best to take account of their views.

“I would like to thank all those who took the time to feed into in the very challenging task of drawing up the draft 2012/2013 budget. The feedback on the consultation from those who took part was positive, and we will continue to look for ways in which we can further engage our residents and communities on the best way forward for Argyll and Bute Council in the future.”

The budget papers will be published on Thursday (January 26 2012).

New Council arrangements for handling initial planning enquiries

2012-01-24T14:08:00.001Z

A new ‘golden number’ is being introduced to make it easier for members of the public with planning enquiries to contact Argyll and Bute Council.

The number – 01546 605518 – will go live tomorrow (Tuesday, January 24) and will replace planning services’ previous reception numbers in the various council areas.

Anyone dialling one of the old numbers will hear a message telling them about the new golden number before being automatically transferred to it.

Chair of the planning, protective services and licensing committee, Councillor Daniel Kelly, said it was all part of making the council more customer-friendly.

“We wanted to ensure that the system for handling initial customer enquiries regarding planning made the best use of our significant investment in the Customer Service Centre and Customer Service Points,” he added.

“From tomorrow, customers will be able to dial this one single number and have all their queries dealt with from there.

“This will not affect people’s ability to contact planning officers directly, which they will still be able to do in the same way as before. It will simply make it easier and quicker for those with a general enquiry to reach someone who can answer it for them.

“At the same time, of course, it will also make the council more efficient by reducing the duplication of reception functions and minimising the various numbers which customers currently call to find help.”

The new number – which has 20 lines available at any one time - will handle all initial customer contacts for planning services, including building standards and planning policy.

The customer services advisors who will answer the calls will:

Answer any planning and general building enquiries where possible
Pass calls to planning services officers where requested, or pass on messages by email
Take payments for any planning related fees
Advise customers of the progress of a particular planning application
Deal with requests for copy documents, planning policy documents and/or CDs
Deal with requests for planning application forms
Where a customer is seeking an appointment ,advisors will pass on details of their requirements to the relevant officer to arrange a call back

The customer service points in each of Argyll and Bute’s main towns will still be able to take face to face enquiries relating to planning, along with the full range of council and payment services they already offer.

Posters advertising the new golden number have already been put up in the customer service points and in planning office receptions.

BBC ALBA – WEEKLY PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS Saturday 28 January – Friday 3 February 2012

2012-01-18T16:23:00.001Z

Title: SPL Motherwell v St. Johnstone

The latest full-match coverage from the SPL as Motherwell host St Johnstone at Fir Park.

Transmitted: Saturday 28 January
Time: 5.30 – 7.30pm

Title: Paddy Keenan agus Fred Morrison aig Celtic Connections

Two piping legends: Ireland's Paddy Keenan and Scotland's Fred Morrison, in concert at Celtic Connections with a host of musician friends from Scotland, Ireland and Galicia.

Transmitted: Saturday 28 January
Time: 9.00 – 10.00pm

Title: Trusadh: ME An Sgiths Nimheil/The Toxic Tiredness

In the second episode of a two part special, Trusadh takes a deeper look into the world of ME (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis), a debilitating disease which affects more than 250,000 people in the UK. Scientific opinion is split as to the origins and nature of the illness, and the best way to approach treatment. The episode focuses on the controversial work of a David Mickel, a Scottish doctor who believes he has found the 'cure' to ME - a talking therapy which addresses an imbalance in the emotional centre of the brain. He has no scientific proof, but claims an astonishing success rate. We follow two patients as they undergo his therapy, and hear a very different perspective on the illness from neurologist, Prof. Peter Behan, who carried out groundbreaking studies on ME at the Southern General Hospital in Glasgow.

The stakes are high for the ME sufferers, Allison MacColl from Ness in Lewis, and Kim Ayres from Castle Douglas in Dumfriesshire. Both have suffered from ME for many years, and have had their lives turned upside down. Both were resigned to life with an illness which some doctors even now do not believe in. The ME Association, the charity which represents sufferers in the UK, is highly sceptical. Can Allison and Kim dare to hope?

Transmitted: Monday 30 January
Time: 9.00 – 10.00pm

Title: Eòrpa

Roddy Munro looks back through the Eorpa archive at stories that the team has covered on human rights issues.

Transmitted: Wednesday 1 February
Time: 8.30 – 9.00pm

Title: Gleusta

Gleusta is a fast, exciting studio game show in which two teams of youngsters go head to head in a battle of brains, wit and agility.

With the support of a special celebrity guest, the teams meet on the studio set of Gleusta and battle over five rounds of competition.

This week's programme features teams from Laxdale Primary School and Broadford Primary School, with special guests Kerry Ann MacLeod and Moira MacDonald. Gleusta is presented by Liz Pyper and Steven MacIver, directed by Michael Hines and produced for Sealladh by Morag Stewart.

Transmitted: Thursday 2 February
Time: 5.30 – 6.00pm

Title: Glasgow City FC

This week Anne Morrison joins Rachel at her graduation in Aberdeen and having made it to the last 32 of the Champions League, the girls face Iceland Champions Valur Reykjavik in Glasgow.

Transmitted: Thursday 2 February
Time: 8.30 – 9.00pm

Title: Partaig

The MacLeod clan are out and about the fortnightly Farmer's Market in the heart of Partick, trying foods from across Europe. With the FilmG award ceremony at Eden Court up in Inverness and the opening night of Aileen's pub where she has evening shifts brings a bit of glitz to some of the Partick residents this week.

Meanwhile, Donnie is with the lads down at Partick Bowling Club and Rev Murdo Angus is out and about visiting his Partick parishioners. Nan does a Gaelic class with a twist and Shona attends the GGs choir practice.

Transmitted: Thursday 2 February
Time: 10.00 – 10.30pm

Title: Alba 1984

Experience some of the stories hitting the headlines in 1984 through archive footage and the year's chart hits: the effects of the miners' strike are felt across the country, Robert Mugabe is honoured by Edinburgh University for his services to education in Africa and a steam train is introduced on the Fort William to Mallaig railway line in an attempt to attract more tourists to the Highlands. The year's chart hits include Prince's Purple Rain, Young at Heart from The Bluebells and Band Aid's Do They Know It's Christmas.

Transmitted: Friday 3 February
Time: 8.30 – 9.00pm

Council says "Huge effort from council workers to help power cut residents"

2012-01-11T14:09:00.000Z

Worker at Argyll and Bute Coucil are returning to business as usual after more than a week of special effort to help residents whose electricity supply was cut off by storms.

Council teams first swung into action on the January 3 Bank Holiday Tuesday when high winds brought down trees and power cables across the whole of Argyll.

Roads teams and social care team were first to respond. All care customers received their usual visits and extra checks were made on vulnerable residents who were left without power.

Meanwhile roads teams took to the highways and byways to remove fallen trees and debris which was washed ashore in the storms. Snow ploughs were used to clear seaweed, rocks, flotsam and jetsam from the A83 outside Campbeltown. And teams responded to more than 350 calls about fallen trees, removing almost all by nightfall on Tuesday, clearing the way for engineers for power company engineers to access damaged cables.

Building standards surveyors were also busy dealing with buildings throughout the area which sustained damage during the storms. As a result some roads in the area were temporarily closed to allow officers to instruct the removal of loose and dangerous chimney pots, guttering, flashings, slates and roof tiles. Some roads remain closed until buildings can be made safe.

At the same time the council’s emergency response teams across the entire region were mobilised, working with the police and power companies to make sure the council fulfilled its statutory duty to protect vulnerable people.

Receiving and distributing information about the storms across the whole of Argyll proved challenging, with telephone lines and power lines down. Mobile phone masts were also damaged during the storms and, where mobile reception was available, batteries soon ran out and could not be recharged.

By Wednesday 7 January almost all roads were cleared of fallen trees and debris and electricity supplies had returned to some areas. However hundreds of properties across Argyll remained without power.

Social care teams again provided care as usual but were now looking for people who were finding it harder to cope as the length of time without power increased.

Entire communities were without any form of power or communication, and while the council was using local radio, web updates and twitter to send out information there was no guarantee this information was being received, especially as not everyone had a battery operated radio or charged up smart-phone.

The Isle of Bute was particularly badly hit, with no power on the whole of the island.

A temporary refuge centre set up on Bute by the council, in accordance with the island’s local plan, was inundated with donations of food and blankets from local residents who wanted to help those with no power.

Residents in other remote areas rallied round, demonstrating their resilience and community spirit. The council urged its staff to check on elderly relatives or those in poor health to make sure they were OK.

By Thursday, despite the efforts of Scottish and Southern Energy, some residents were facing their third day with no electricity. Temporary catering units were set up in the worst hit areas, or areas accessible to the greatest number of people. Many hotels and pubs opened their doors to provide warmth and hot food to those with no power supply.

A map developed by council staff, based on postcodes of areas with no power, showed hundreds of incidents across almost the whole of Argyll.

Teams from Argyll and Bute Council assisted teams from the energy companies to identify vulnerable customers who were still without power. While the council was already providing assistance to its usual care customers some residents who had been able to cope for one or two days with no power became increasingly vulnerable as the situation continued.

And the energy companies were making efforts to contact customers on their special needs lists of customers who ordinarily don’t need extra help but who do need electricity to maintain their independence while treating medical conditions at home such as dialysis or nebuliser users.

On Friday council teams joined energy workers, telephoning those who were still without power. Where no contact could be made by phone visits were arranged from council teams or the police, to make sure everyone was safe and well.

Power was finally restored to all properties on Saturday afternoon.

Councillor Dick Walsh, leader of the council, has praised the council’s response. He explained:

“It may have appeared to some that the council wasn’t doing anything but I can assure you our emergency teams responded immediately. It was more difficult than usual to contact our communities as we had no electricity, phones or mobile signal but we have trained teams in all areas and these were able to respond without any direct external instruction.

“Our priority is to look after the most vulnerable people in our communities. While it was uncomfortable and inconvenient for many people we had to direct our resource towards helping those who couldn’t help themselves.

“Where possible we opened refuge centres and provided food and our teams made sure the road network was cleared quickly, allowing engineers access to the cables they needed to repair.

“The response from our communities has been fantastic. It was a good reminder of how everyone can be a good neighbour and check on people who live nearby during periods of bad weather.

“We are learning lessons from this storm but we can be sure weather related incidents will continue in Argyll. I’d urge everyone to look at the advice offered by the Scottish Government so they can help make sure they’re prepared for the next storm which comes our way.”

More information on getting ready for emergencies can be found at http://www.readyscotland.org/

AN AFFECTIONATE PORTRAIT OF A SCOTS FOOTBALLING LEGEND ON BBC ALBA

2011-12-19T15:25:00.001Z

KING KENNY - SGEULACHD DALGLISH
Wednesday 28th December at 8.55pm on BBC ALBA

In January 2011, Kenny Dalglish made headlines when he was reappointed manager of his beloved Liverpool FC for the second time, in a glittering forty year career.

In the year that he also celebrated his 60th birthday, BBC ALBA’s exclusive ‘King Kenny - Sgeulachd Dalglish’ tribute documentary looks back at the life and achievements of one of the most outstanding sportsmen Scotland has ever produced and also reveals his lesser known charity work in the Western Isles, which he undertakes with his wife Marina.

Having recovered from breast cancer, Marina Dalglish devotes her time to fundraising, much of it carried out with her husband. Their voluntary work has extended to the islands where, since 2004, they have had a regular commitment to the Bethesda Hospice in Stornoway. Kenny’s golf games and auctions have raised hundreds of thousands of pounds in recent years. The documentary witnesses the couple in Stornoway, and hears from locals and hospice staff how their special tie with the islands has evolved.

Carol Somerville, manager of Bethesda, speaks warmly of how the player has changed the hospice: “You only have to mention his name, and people light up. When there is a patient well enough, we might ask if they want to meet him - and they do. Even just having a photograph taken – memories are so important for the families and this is another little memory for them to have. But he doesn't think of himself as a ‘celebrity’. When you mention the word he turns round and says ‘who?’.”

2011 also brought fresh reminders of darker days for Kenny Dalglish, as the Hillsborough tragedy came into focus once more. An online petition of 140,000 signatures led to an emotional debate in the House of Commons in October, when Home Secretary Theresa May announced that all documents related to the disaster would be released, following a report by an independent panel. The programme recalls the events of April 1989, when Kenny Dalglish acted not only as manager for the Club but effectively caretaker for Merseyside's countless grieving, after 96 fans lost their lives in the stadium crush.

In a moving interview with the mother of one young victim, the depth of Dalglish's deep-seated bond with Merseyside becomes apparent. Margaret Aspinall lost her 18 year old son, James, in the tragedy.

Recalling the day he died, Mrs Aspinall pays tribute to Kenny Dalglish for the private, long-term support he offered the mourning: “He gave a great deal of comfort. Kenny didn't know it at the time. But I just know what the families think of him. And he's still there for us. We loved him before then, we needed him at that time - and we still love Kenny, now.”

At key moments, the documentary pulls back the curtain to recall Kenny Dalglish’s astounding record on the pitch, ever since he was first earmarked by Celtic FC as a young boy growing up on a Glasgow housing estate. Former team mates Graeme Souness and Danny McGrain pay personal tribute, with appealing archive including accolades from Bill Shankly, and Jock Stein.

“On the pitch, he was just the best I ever played with - he was the King" - Graeme Souness.

Produced by Sorbier Productions for BBC ALBA, ‘King Kenny - Sgeulachd Dalglish’ will be broadcast on Wednesday 28 December at 8.55pm.

BBC ALBA – WEEKLY PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS Saturday 31 December 2011 – Saturday 6 January 2012

2011-12-09T13:19:00.000Z

Title: Balaich Bhatarsaigh @ Na Barrowlands / The Vatersay Boys @ the Barrowlands

Scotland's number one party band, The Vatersay Boys, play their annual Glasgow Barrowland gig mixing their unique blend of ceilidh and traditional music. This one off concert special captures the madness and mayhem as the Vatersay Boy fans let their hair down and put on their dancing shoes.

Transmitted: Saturday 31 December 2011
Time: 9.30 – 10.30pm

Title: Iseabail / Ishbel MacAskill

Time stood still for a few minutes at the beginning of the year in March with the devastating news that the renowned Gaelic singer Ishbel MacAskill had tragically and suddenly died - leaving a void in the lives of so many.

The news shook the musical world, the Gaelic world and the Arts community here in Scotland and further afield to the core. They had lost one of their own.... a sister in singing. A woman who had a special gift - a voice like silk.

A special tribute to Ishbel - an incredible lady who had a zest for life and an infectious positive outlook.

A Mother, a Grandmother, a Singer, a Lewis woman and a point woman through and through...... Ishbel MacAskill.

Transmitted: Saturday 31 December 2011
Time: 10.30 – 11.30pm

Title: Ceilidh na Bliadhn’ Uire / Hogmanay Ceilidh

Hosts, John Carmichael and Kirsteen MacDonald are throwing open the doors of the Duisdale Hall in Sleat, Isle of Skye for a live Hogmanay cèilidh - Cèilidh na Bliadhn' Ùire 2011 to say farewell to 2011 and a big Gaelic fàilte (welcome) to 2012. Joining in the New Year party celebrations are a wealth of Gaelic singers: Donnie Munro, Julie Fowlis, Christine Primrose, Arthur Cormack with Norrie MacIver and Mànran, along with a host of Gàidhealach musicians joining in - Éamon Doorley, Ingrid Henderson and Ross Martin.

Fiona MacKenzie will be bringing you the craic from Am Pràban Bar at Hotel Eilean Iarmain, where The Angus Nicolson Trio will be raising the roof with their cèilidh sets. Also, several stars from the world of Gaelic broadcasting will appear with special messages and expect fireworks and fantastic first footers after the bells. Bring in the bells live from the Isle of Skye only on BBC ALBA.

Transmitted: Saturday 31 December 2011
Time: 11.30pm – 1.00am

Title: Te Bheag a’ Ghruffalo / The Gruffalo’s Child
The Gruffalo's child isn't too sure whether to believe her father's stories about the Big Bad Mouse who lives in the forest. One night, feeling very brave, she leaves the Gruffalo cave and goes in search of the fabled creature all on her own. However, there are many more of her father's old acquaintances to met on her journey through the deep, dark wood!

Transmitted: Sunday 1 January 2012
Time: 4.00 – 4.30pm

Title: Sgeulaiche
The McFinnigan family travel to Australia for a holiday. There's sun , there's sea and there's sand , but it's one wrong turn leads to a fantastic adventure.

Transmitted: Sunday 1 January 2012
Time: 4.30 – 4.35pm

Title: Pro 12 Live Rugby – Glasgow v Edinburgh

LIVE PRO12 Rugby: Glasgow host Edinburgh in the all-important 1872 Cup decider.

Transmitted: Sunday 1 January 2012
Time: 5.30 – 7.25pm

Title: Dolina

Born and brought up the youngest of seven children in the fishing community of Marvig on the east coast of Lewis, Dolina MacLennan became, within a few years of moving to Edinburgh in 1957, a mainstay of the Scottish folk revival of the 60's and 70's. Her Gaelic singing was a revelation and an inspiration to many while her writing for radio and her acting – perhaps particularly as the only Gael in 7:84's The Cheviot, the Stag and the Black Black Oil - contributed greatly to the developing culture of the Gàidhealtachd.

In this archive-rich celebration of her career, Doli converses with Domhnall Uilleam Stiubhart and reminisces with family, friends, and associates in locations as different from one another as Marvig and Edinburgh's Waverley Bar but all of them integral to her many-faceted career.

Transmitted: Sunday 1 January 2012
Time: 9.00 – 10.00pm

Title: Dha Gordon a-mhain / Just for Gordon

In December 2005 Scotland tragically lost one of its most innovative musicians and composers of the age of 41. It is surprising though that this world renowned Scottish musician was not someone that would be instantly recognised by the vast majority of the public in Scotland, yet his music is played the world over. Gordon Duncan, from Perthshire, was quite simply unique as a Piper of his generation. He was a multi instrumentalist and prolific composer.

Just for Gordon is a new documentary for BBC ALBA about his life and the tunes he wrote that have quickly become a mainstay of the Scottish traditional music repertoire.

His tunes had true significance, not just in their unique and original arrangement but also in their very inspiration often from entertaining occurrences in Gordon's life - Andy Renwick's Ferret, The Famous Barovan, The SleepingTune, Break Yer Bass Drone and Zito the Bubbleman - to name but a few.

His tunes can be heard at T in the Park, Celtic Connections, Celtic Colours in Canada, The Lorient festival in Brittany and the Fleadh Cheòil in Ireland. Gordon Duncan helped to put piping on the map for a whole new generation and for his pupils such as Ross Ainslie and Ali Hutton who are now themselves making their mark in the traditional music scene by following his style.

The programme features the musicians that knew and played with him and those who continue to play and be inspired by his music, especially his own pupils…. a celebration of the music and memory of Gordon Duncan.

Transmitted: Sunday 1 January 2012
Time: 10.00 – 11.00pm

Title: SPL Kilmarnock v St Mirren
The latest full-match coverage from the SPL as Kilmarnock host St Mirren at Rugby Park.

Transmitted: Monday 2 January 2012
Time: 5.30 – 7.30pm

Title: An Ribheid Chiuil

The pipes are one of the music world's most distinctive sounds and piping is one of its earliest musical forms. This exciting, new series - An Ribheid Chiùil / Reed Music - tells the amazing story of the instrument and its players, and is a fascinating introduction to the international, colourful and exciting world of the pipes. From diffusion, change and sophistication in the world of piping over history, to today's players who have taken piping into new popularity through pipe bands, solo performing and bands touring international festivals and circuits.

The first programme in the series looks at the earliest pipes, probably dating from as early as the 8th century which were made out of reed and commonplace in Iraq and Iran. Some of the world's foremost pipers also tell how they started playing the pipes, and we hear how the instrument became so strongly associated with Scotland. Presented by piper Anna Murray.

Transmitted: Monday 2 January 2012
Time: 8.30 - 9.00pm

Title: Farpaisean Chon-chaorach / Sheepdog Trials
The new series of sheepdog trials returns with coverage of the Comrie and District Sheepdog Trial in Perthshire.

Transmitted: Tuesday 3 January 2012
Time: 9.00 – 10.00pm

Title: Caman

In the final episode the Borthwicks play in the Camanachd Cup, Eddie, Lisa and the Rodger family look back over a great year, and the First Minister attends his first shinty match.

Transmitted: Thursday 5 January 2012
Time: 8.30 – 9.00pm

Title: Balaich Bhatarsaigh / Beware the Vatersay Boys

Beware The Vatersay Boys is a behind the scenes look at one of Scotland's most loved party bands. The boys give BBC ALBA exclusive access to their lives as they go about their day jobs as postman, bin man and fisherman and we join them as they head out on tour around Scotland. First it's a lively afternoon gig at their local pub in Castlebay, followed by an even more lively evening gig on the main stage in a tent at Barrafest. Life on the road with the Vatersay Boys is never dull as the onstage party continues off stage, and despite having up to four managers things don't always run to schedule!

We also see the band maintain their roots with a local ceilidh in the Vatersay village hall. Not just a live act, the band have an on-board resident engineer and recording studio on Vatersay, courtesy of Donnie's brother, former Simple Minds keyboard player, Mick MacNeill. The boys lay down a few tracks in their makeshift mini aircraft hangar. In early December the band pack up and head to Glasgow for the annual festive ceilidh at the Glasgow Barrowland. As the band motto suggests, life with the Vatersay Boys is full of unexpected twists and turns and the banter is hilarious.

Transmitted: Thursday 5 January 2012
Time: 9.00 – 10.00pm

Title: Alba: 1980

Experience some of the stories hitting the headlines in 1980 through archive footage and the year's chart hits: Scottish teachers strike for more money, Hercules the Bear goes missing and the Island of Eriskay is up for sale. The year's chart hits include Pink Floyd's Another Brick in the Wall, Blondie's Atomic and Cliff Richard's We Don't Talk Any More.

Transmitted: Friday 6 January 2012
Time: 8.30 – 9.00pm

Argyll and Bute education stars sought for national awards

2011-12-05T15:17:00.001Z

Local people across Argyll and Bute are being called on to help find the area’s brightest education stars.

Nominations are being invited for the Scottish Education Awards 2012, which celebrate hard work and innovation in Scottish classrooms.

The awards are open to all publicly funded schools, including secondary, primary, nursery and special schools. There are also categories to recognise and reward the dedication of teachers, head-teachers and support staff across Scotland.

Councillor Ellen Morton, Argyll and Bute’s spokesperson for education and lifelong learning, said: “There is wonderful work going on in education right across Argyll and Bute, and the exciting and innovative achievements of many of our schools and individual school staff are worthy of being highlighted and celebrated at a national level.

“We have had significant success at these awards in the past. In 2009 we won two of the main categories - with Oban High’s John Mackenzie picking up the Lifetime Achievement Award and Kilcreggan Primary the CBI Schools for All title – and had two other nominees shortlisted in the Teacher of the Year and Homecoming Scotland categories.

“Last year, Keills Primary on the isle of Islay went home with the Numeracy Across Learning award, and was also a finalist in the Health and Wellbeing category. We also had two other finalists - in the Learning Through Technology category and the Teacher of the Year. So in the past we have punched well above our weight, which is a fantastic reflection of the work going on in education across Argyll and Bute.

“However, those who have had their achievements celebrated in this way in the past have only found themselves in the spotlight because someone took the trouble to nominate them. So I would urge anyone who believes that a particular school or individual would be a worthy winner to fill in a nomination form and so give them a chance of well-deserved national recognition.”

The 2012 awards were launched by Dr Alasdair Allan, Minister for Learning and Skills, who said: “The Scottish Education Awards are a fantastic opportunity for us to celebrate the hard work, innovation and excellence of standards of schools, teachers, headteachers and school communities across the country.

“I would encourage people across the country to take some time to nominate and reward the local schools and education professionals that make learning a rich experience, nurturing and motivating our children and young people to increase their understanding and realise their ambitions.”

This year there are a number of new categories, including the Active Nation Award, Parents are Partners in Learning Award and Gaelic Language and Culture in LearningAward.

Dr Allan urged anyone who knows of a local school which shines within its community or an exemplary teacher who motivates and nurtures pupils to become confident learners to take the opportunity to recognise them for their efforts by nominating them for an award.

A panel of judges will select three finalists in every category, who will then attend an awards ceremony at Hilton Hotel, Glasgow on Tuesday June 12 2012.

Categories at this year’s Scottish Education Awards include:

Health & Wellbeing Award – schools and pre schools which are developing a holistic approach to health and wellbeing
Active Nation Award – schools and pre schools which have developed opportunities for pupils to be active
Literacy Across Learning Award – schools and pre schools which have developed effective approaches to delivering literacy skills across learning
Numeracy Across Learning - schools and pre schools which have developed effective approaches to delivering numeracy skills across learning
Enterprise and Employability Across Learning (Primary & Early Years) – recognising schools and pre schools which are focusing on the development of enterprise and employability skills
Enterprise and Employability Across Learning (Secondary) – recognising schools which are focusing on the development of enterprise and employability skills, including entrepreneurship, business and commerce
Aiming High Award – schools and pre schools which are providing opportunities and removing barriers for children who require more sustained support
Sustainable Schools Award – recognising schools and pre schools which have developed environmental awareness and sustainable development across all curriculum areas
Global Citizenship Award – celebrating how pupils are being encouraged to be responsible citizens at a local , national and international level
Learning Through Technology Award – schools and pre schools which are innovative in their use of technology to support learning and teaching
Educational Supporter of the Year – recognising those who support children, young people, staff and the wider community
Probationary Teacher of the Year – probationary teachers who are bringing learning to life for their pupils
Teacher of the Year – celebrating teachers who are engaging and inspiring children and young people to fulfil their potential
Head teacher of the Year – Head teachers who provide inspirational leadership and motivate staff to encourage staff, children and pupils to fulfil their potential
Lifetime Achievement – open to all qualified teachers and head teachers who are approaching the end of their career to recognise their leadership, commitment and achievements.
Parents as Partners in Learning Award – parents who are playing an important role in education in schools and nurseries
Gaelic Language and Culture in Learning Award - schools and pre-schools which are providing opportunities for children to develop awareness of Gaelic language and culture

For further information or to make a nomination visit

http:///www.scottisheducationawards.co.uk or monitor the progress of the awards by visiting http://www.engageforeducation.org/ or following @engagefored on twitter.

THE BEST OF THE TRAD AWARDS 2011 ON BBC ALBA

2011-12-05T14:38:00.001Z

NA TRADS - MONDAY 5 DECEMBER 2011 AT 10PM

The biggest night in Scottish traditional music returns to Perth Concert Hall for a second year running with another brilliant line-up in this year’s MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards.

The event, celebrating the best of Scottish Traditional and Gaelic music and song, will take place on Saturday 3 December with BBC ALBA broadcasting exclusive coverage in ‘Na Trads’ on Monday 5 December at 10pm.

Na Trads will be presented by Mary Ann Kennedy and Tony Kearney with the programme covering some of the prestigious awards being presented on the night, exclusive interviews with celebrities and winners throughout the evening, as well as featuring live performances from top musical talent.

Performances from acclaimed bands including Skerryvore, Peatbog Faeries, as well as the incredible Barbara Dickson Band, emerging talent in the shape of the Kristen Harvey Band and the National Youth Pipe Band of Scotland, to name but a few, will be featured on the programme.

Margaret Cameron, Channel Editor for BBC ALBA, said: “The Trad Awards is a fantastic event in recognising and celebrating the rich culture and traditional Gaelic and Scottish music and song that as a nation we are extremely proud of. The event is a must see for all those who appreciate and participate in the Scottish music scene and to help honour some of the finest performers around.

“We’re passionate about showcasing the best of Gaelic and Scottish culture on BBC ALBA and are delighted that we can allow those who can’t attend on the night to share in the awards by transmitting a special programme on our channel.”

Na Trads is being produced by Bees Nees Media for BBC ALBA and will be broadcast on Monday 5 December at 10pm and repeated on Friday 9 December at 9pm for anyone who misses Monday’s programme.

Research shows how disadvantaged people can beat barriers to benefit from nature

2011-12-05T14:36:00.001Z

Research carried out by six community groups across Scotland has highlighted the things that could help excluded and disadvantaged people overcome the barriers that stop them from enjoying the outdoors.

The findings, published this week, are the result of a two year project run by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) and the Scottish Community Development Centre to identify successful ways of helping people from a range of backgrounds and circumstances get closer to nature.

Among those taking part was a woodland project in Lochgilphead, Blarbuie Woodland Enterprise, which encourages visits from people with mental and physical health problems.

Each of the groups carried out their own ‘action research’ project – defined as research done by the people themselves rather than on them by a third party, with the aim of achieving change. A range of methods were used, including storytelling and campfire focus groups, as well as more traditional questionnaires and case studies.

Overall the groups invested 286 days of their own time and gathered the views of almost 400 people from Glasgow to Dundee.

The groups found that for many people it is important to have someone to go with on an outdoor visit. Having something to do while there can give meaning and purpose and it was clear that people took pride in making a difference to their local area. A wide range of activities, practical and cultural, could encourage more people to get involved. Information on where to go and transport can sometimes be an issue.

Elaine Macintosh, Scottish Natural Heritage project officer, said: “People of all backgrounds and circumstances should be able to enjoy nature but that isn’t always the case. We wanted to help change that by finding out more about the issues people face and how to help them enjoy nature more often.

“SNH and Scottish Community Development Centre (SCDC) have learnt a great deal from supporting the groups to carry out their own research, and the groups themselves have developed skills, knowledge and understanding that are directly relevant to their work. Not only has it allowed them to investigate issues that are important to them, it has also increased their confidence and given them evidence to apply for funding and lobby for change. It has been inspiring to see the commitment that people have to make changes for the better.”

A guide on the techniques used in the project, ‘Action Research in the Community’, has also been published by SCDC and Education Scotland.

Fiona Garven, the director of SCDC said: “We are passionate about action research as a method of working with local people to genuinely empower them to take control of their own issues and to take forward their aspirations.

“The research report is just one outcome - what we also know is that by going through a process of local inquiry, the individuals and groups involved build their knowledge of their own communities and the issues which concern them. They build their networks and their contacts, they find out who to influence, where to get funds and they develop plans on how to take forward local action.”

The groups taking part were:

Encouraging wider use of Blarbuie Woodland in Lochgilphead by people with a range of mental and physical health problems was the aim of the research carried out by Blarbuie Woodland Enterprise. “Our research has shown the importance of company in getting people to the wood – not just for support and transport, but also in building confidence,” said Hugh Fife from the group. “It has brought us into contact with new groups and has prompted us to work with the hospital service bus to promote this vital connection to the woodland.”

The GalGael Trust in Glasgow, which supports long-term unemployed adults with addiction, homelessness and mental health issues, looked at why people from deprived urban areas can find it so hard to get out and enjoy nature. They also gathered evidence on how deeply the disconnection from the natural world can affect physical and mental well-being. “Cultural heritage is often intertwined with natural heritage like a strand of DNA,” remarked Tam McGarvey of the trust. “Offering people a chance to get out in the landscape can go a long way to helping them retrieve a sense of connection and meaning.”

On the edge of Dundee, the Broughty Ferry Environmental Project, a community based initiative that helps local people develop and deliver environmental projects, from habitat creation to outdoor art, explored why their approach attracted and retained volunteers. “We found that our wide interpretation of environmental activity helps attract people of differing interests,” explained Ann Lolley from the project. “Many of the folk who come along then go on to interact with the environment in lots of ways.”

The Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH) Chrysalis Project, also in Dundee, considered what helps and hinders people with a mental health issue from getting out and enjoying nature. “Organisations promoting the outdoors to people with mental health issues need to get people out to experience nature, so they can appreciate the benefits and gain confidence from doing it,” said Kevin Bruce of SAMH.

The Clackmannanshire Disability Awareness Group looked at the same issue from the viewpoint of people with a disability. They are using their findings to lobby for increased wheelchair-friendly transport and better information on outdoor places for people with disabilities. As a result of their research, the group has already been invited to help develop access at Gartmorn Dam Country Park. “Our research has confirmed what the issues are, and given us the confidence we need to speak to people about our recommendations,” explained Enid Trevett from the group.

South west of Glasgow, Neilston Development Trust wanted to find out the views of the community on the current and future use of a former mill estate on the edge of the village. Once a jewel in the local landscape, the woodland and gardens are now overgrown. “The research uncovered a deep vein of interest about Cowden Hall estate that spans the generations,” commented the trust’s Laura Carswell. “We got lots of feedback on what improvements would make people more likely to visit - this will help us make it a valued place again for enjoying the outdoors.”
Commenting on the research projects, Elaine said: “Despite the differences between the groups, the projects all found that nature can help transform people’s lives and make valuable connections – both to other people and to their local place - resulting in stronger, more inclusive communities.

“They also reported many other benefits: improving fitness, health and well-being; building confidence; learning new skills; a sense of peace, perspective and identity; being part of something bigger; having fun and sharing experiences; finding creative inspiration and a place for spiritual reflection.”

BBC ALBA – WEEKLY PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS Saturday 17 December – Friday 23 December 2011 / Saturday 24 December – Saturday 31 Dec

2011-11-30T13:24:00.001Z

Title: SPL: Hearts v Dunfermline

The latest full-match coverage from the SPL as Heart of Midlothian host Dunfermline at Tynecastle Stadium, Edinburgh.

Transmitted: Saturday 17 December
Time: 5.30 – 7.30pm

Title: Piping Live

A taste of what can be seen during the annual Piping Live festival in Glasgow. From pipes and drums to ceilidh and folk bands, it's a lively, colourful and youthful gathering of national and international performers. Presented by Morag MacDonald.

Transmitted: Saturday 17 December
Time: 9.00 – 10.00pm

Title: Horo Gheallaidh / Celtic Music

World class musicians from the Celtic Connections festival drop in to give special, intimate performances at the Horo Gheallaidh ceilidh session's filmed in Glasgow and presented by Sarah Cruickshank. This week, we see performances from LYY from Sweden and Munto Valdo from Cameroon. Also performing are Uist singer Linda Macleod and the Rua Macmillan Trio . This is a unique opportunity to watch world-class artists up close, performing stripped down versions of their songs live on our sofa in a way you won't have seen them before.

Transmitted: Saturday 17 December
Time: 10.00 – 10.25pm

Title: Vets: Gach Creutar Beo

Amazing work with chimpanzees at Blair Drummond Safari Park when vet Colin Scott calls in the specialists from Edinburgh Zoo to help out and Iain MacLean in Wick tends to a working collie dog and finds more than he expected. The wonderful world of Scottish vets.

Transmitted: Monday 19 December
Time: 8.30 – 9.00pm

Title: Eorpa

Another edition of Eorpa, reporting on the most interesting stories from around Europe.

Transmitted: Wednesday 21 December
Time: 8.30pm

Title: Soillse: A’ leantainn Shackleton / Antarctica

An adventurer and wildlife photographer make the journey from the Falkland Isles via South Georgia to Antarctica and back up to South America - the same journey taken by the famous explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton.

They encounter the wildlife that lives there, and have a chance to gain a better understanding of the rich history that the whaling industry has in the region.

Transmitted: Wednesday 21 December
Time: 9.00 – 9.55pm

Title: Caman / Shinty Documentary

David MacPherson’s Inveraray hope to win the first silverware of the season. We learn more about the Rodger family and Eddie Tembo starts playing again following his injury. Lisa Norman finally has a day off and gets to play shinty.

Transmitted: Thursday 22 December
Time: 8.30 – 9.00pm

Title: Air An Rathad / On The Road

Fiona travels to Switzerland to visit Rinspeed Concept Cars, where they develop cars of the future. So what exactly will we be driving in 2020? You'll have to watch to find out!

Calum Iain is a happy man as he gets his hands on a Focus RS500 - it may look like an ordinary hatchback, but this version does 0-60 in 5.5 seconds! He leaves the statistics to twin brother Iain Calum and lets the accelerator hit the floor.

Murray is in Ness behind the wheel of his favourite vehicle - his tractor - as he takes part in an island rally. Ten hours later and he's arrived at Rodel, saddle sore but happy to have raised a few pounds for charity.

It's the last programme of the series and that means it's the last challenge for Wacky Races - who will win the Cup this year? Tune in to Air an Rathad for a thrilling finale!

Transmitted: Thursday 22 December
Time: 10.00 – 10.30pm

Title: SPL Dundee United v Hibernian

The latest full-match coverage from the SPL as Dundee United host Hibernian at Tannadice Park, Dundee.

Transmitted: Saturday 24 December
Time: 5.30 – 7.30pm

Title: Spors na Bliadhna 2011 / Sports Review

BBC ALBA takes a look back at some of the sporting highlights and stories that hit the headlines in 2011.

Transmitted: Saturday 24 December
Time: 7.30 – 8.30pm

Title: Nollaig A Steornabhagh / Christmas Service

Join us this Christmas Eve for a very special ecumenical service from Martin's Memorial Church, Stornoway. Rev James MacIver (Free Church), Rev Angus Morrison (Church of Scotland) and Father Roddy Johnston (Catholic Church) share readings and prayers with us.

Acclaimed soloists Mary Smith, Isobel Ann Martin and Donnie Murdo Macleod sing Christmas hymns, and the pupils of Laxdale Primary School, the Nicolson Institute, Back Gaelic Choir, and the Stornoway Congregation join together to sing an assortment of Christmas classics, as piper James Mackenzie welcomes in Christmas Day.

Transmitted: Saturday 24 December
Time: 11.00pm – 12.05am

Title: Leon Sa Gheamhradh / Leon in Wintertime

Wintertime has hit Balthasarville and along with it a horrible ogre has come to kidnap Princess Molly and eat her with his pea stew. It is up to Leon, a young bear who has run away from home and has ended up a the mercy of a mischievous storyteller, to save her.

Along with his new friends, a grumpy hedgehog and an accident prone elephant, the brave bear embarks on a quest to find the poor princess.

Transmitted: Sunday 25 December
Time: 5.05 – 5.35pm

Title: Mallachd an fhir-rabaide / Wallace & Gromit in The Curse of the Were Rabbit

The village is being overrun by rabbits and Wallace has a plan - all he has to do is alter their minds so that they will leave the vegetable allotments alone. However, his plan goes awry when his experiment fails, leaving himself a bit worse for 'were.'

The rabbit problem escalates when the villagers discover a monstrous 'were-rabbit' destroying everything in its sights. Everyone - including Lady T, who Wallace is quite fond of - wants the daring duo to solve the problem….but there is no sign of Wallace!

Will Gromit be able to solve the conundrum before the creature - who may be more familiar than they think - gets shot?

Transmitted: Sunday 25 December
Time: 5.35 – 7.00pm

Title: A’ Bhliadhna / News Review

A review of this year's news from a local, national and international perspective.

Transmitted: Sunday 25 December
Time: 7.00 – 7.55pm

Title: Is Mise Michelle McManus

Singer and presenter Michelle McManus travels to the Western Isles of Scotland on a journey of musical discovery.

Transmitted: Sunday 25 December
Time: 9.00 – 10.00pm

Title: Na Caimbeulaich

The Campbells of Greepe, a profile looking at the lives and music of two generations of the singing dynasty who have roots in Skye.

Transmitted: Sunday 25 December
Time: 10.00 – 11.00pm

Title: Celtic Connections

Join Ricky Ross as he samples the best country, soul, gospel, folk and world music from Celtic Connections 2011.Tom Jones headlines 60 minutes of highlights from this great Glasgow music festival.

Transmitted: Sunday 25 December
Time: 11.00pm – 12.00 midnight

Title: Pro 12 Live Rugby - Edinburgh v Glasgow

The first leg of the 1872 Cup as rivals Edinburgh and Glasgow face each other in the PRO12 rugby at Murrayfield Stadium.

Transmitted: Monday 26 December
Time: 5.30 – 7.25pm

Title: Mod 2011: Mod Highlights

Mary Ann Kennedy presents some of the winning performances from the main stage of the Mod 2011 in Stornoway.

Transmitted: Tuesday 27 December - Friday 30 December
Time: 6.30 – 8.00pm

Title: Turas Tony

Actor Tony Kearney from BBC's 'River City' swaps the comfort of a television studio for four varied and challenging professions. Episode 4, the Winter Special, sees Tony take a tumble as he joins the Cairngorm Mountain Rescue Team.

Transmitted: Monday 26 December
Time: 9.00 – 10.00pm

Title: King Kenny

The career of Kenny Dalglish at the end of a momentous year that saw him return to Liverpool FC as manager.

Transmitted: Wednesday 28 December
Time: 8.55 – 9.55pm

Title: SPL Hibernian v Inverness CT

The latest full-match coverage from the SPL as Hibernian host Inverness Caledonian Thistle at Easter Road, Edinburgh.

Transmitted: Wednesday 28 December
Time: 9.55 – 11.55pm

Title: Soillse - Eilean Takuu / There Once Was An Island

Takuu Island is in crisis. As ever more frequent storms and an enormous flood threatens to engulf paradise, who will decide to flee and leave their culture behind forever?

The recent flood destroyed homes and crops, and the government of the nearest mainland town of Bougainville has been unable to transport food or assistance with only one boat servicing the island. Who will stay, hoping only that God will save them?

Transmitted: Thursday 29 December
Time: 9.00 – 9.55pm

Title: Sweet Dreams – Sgeulachd Patsy Cline

The life story of country singing sensation Patsy Cline (1932 - 1963), through a theatre production featuring some of her best loved songs.

Transmitted: Friday 30 December
Time: 8.55 – 10.00pm

NFUS MEETS WITH MINISTER ON CROFTING FUTURE

2011-11-29T16:45:00.001Z

NFU Scotland’s Crofting and Highlands & Islands Committee has asked the Scottish Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Stewart Stevenson to ensure that Scotland’s crofts remain economically viable and continue to support crofting communities.

Mr Stevenson was attending the committee’s meeting in Invermoriston, near Fort Augustus today (Tuesday, 29 November).

NFU Scotland crofting members from Skye, Sutherland, Orkney, Mull, Inverness, Argyll and Caithness attended the meeting.

Chairman of the committee, Mrs Jo Durno said:

“This may have been the Minister’s first visit to our committee since he took on his new brief but it is clear that he appreciates the importance of a vibrant crofting sector in Scotland. Crofting not only underpins many local communities but it continues to have a vital function in Scottish agriculture at large

“Important aspects of crofting in the future have been laid out in 2010 Crofting Act, which is being introduced in phases. We welcome the Minister’s confirmation that the forthcoming consultation on elections to the crofting commission is about to reach the Scottish Parliament. This raises the welcome prospect of crofters taking the majority of positions on the commission in the future.

“Our committee members also took the opportunity to raise with the minister the major concerns they have over the issue of neglect and the need to have an effective means of dealing with it to ensure we have continuing crofting activity in these fragile areas.

“Another major point brought up at the meeting was the need to ensure we have the next generation of crofters ready to take the management of crofting lands. Key to this is the provision of agriculture and crofting training, and delivering that training locally to crofting communities themselves

“In terms of support for the crofting sector, we were reminded that all Governments are operating under significant budgetary constraints. However, while budgets are largely fixed there does appear to be room within those budgets and NFUS will be giving due consideration as to how we can make best use of financial resources to support our crofters.

“All in all, this was a very useful meeting and we look forward to a constructive dialogue with the Minister on all crofting issues.”

NHS Highland reassures patients and public about planned Industrial Action

2011-11-29T16:23:00.000Z

NHS Highland has confirmed today that plans are fully in place to cope with the 24 hour Industrial Action planned from 00.01 hr on Wednesday 30th November.

Elaine Mead, Chief Executive for NHS Highland said: “Our priority at all times is to ensure we run a safe service including running emergency services. We would like to remind and reassure patients and the wider public that we have robust plans in place to meet all emergency services and our core clinical services. Our Core services will run as normal and includes cancer treatments, renal dialysis, emergency mental health and maternity services.

“We respect the right of our colleagues to take industrial action. They also have a right to picket during industrial action. Our Trade Union representatives have been cooperating with Senior Managers to make sure that any picket lines are located safely and conducted in line with relevant guidance.

“I would like to stress that any patient who has been asked to still attend for a scheduled appointment on Wednesday 30th should make sure that they do come in and attend. Staff taking strike action will not be picketing patients nor seeking to disrupt essential emergency services. “

Ray Stewart, NHS Highland Joint Trade Union Chair said “People attending many hospital services should expect to see our members picketing but they should not worry about this at all. Our briefing to pickets has been clear and that is to treat all members of the public and staff with respect.”

As part of NHS Highland’s Business Continuity Plans across the Board area a limited service will be run in hospitals. This means that to maintain safe services most non urgent activity including most outpatient clinics, day surgery and elective surgery has had to be postponed.

Planning has already begun to ensure that any patient who has had to be cancelled will be re-booked in a timely manner as a matter of priority.

BBC ALBA – WEEKLY PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS Saturday 3 December – Friday 9 December 2011

2011-11-29T13:53:00.000Z

Title: Scottish Premier League - St Mirren v Inverness CT
The latest full-match coverage from the SPL as St Mirren host Inverness Caledonian Thistle at St Mirren Park, Paisley.

Transmitted: Saturday 3 December
Time: 5.30 – 7.30pm

Title: Belladrum 2011: Cridhe Tartan
Main stage highlights and unseen performances from Belladrum 2011: Texas, Deacon Blue, Teddy Thompson, Little Comets, Easy Star All-Stars, Rachel Sermanni and Frank Turner. Hosted by Fiona MacKenzie.

Transmitted: Saturday 3 December
Time: 8.55 – 9.55pm

Title: Pro 12 Live Rugby - Dragons V Glasgow
LIVE rugby from the RaboDirect Pro 12 league as Sean Lineen’s Glasgow Warriors side travel to face Newport Gwent Dragons at Rodney Parade, Newport.
Transmitted: Sunday 4 December
Time: 4.25 – 6.20pm

Title: Trusadh - Slighe Dhan Fhàsaich/Into The Wild
With the current worldwide population shift towards an urbanised existence, the benefits of getting back in touch with the natural landscape, and the lure of these wild remote places has never been greater. For many, living there has become a regular way of life, far from the comforts of modern living.

Amongst those we meet are a young family who spend each summer on the isolated island of Mingulay; an aspiring wildlife photographer and travel writer in remote Knoydart; a city based guidebook writer whose aim is to get people out to the wild places; two Skye sisters who have set up a wilderness boot camp; and some of the Stornoway Kayak Club as they explore the rugged Lewis coastline, and camp out on one of its many offshore islands.

In following these characters who have embraced these wild lands we'll look at whether there's a true wilderness left in an age where humans have altered so much of our landscape.

Transmitted: Monday 5 December
Time: 9.00 – 10.00pm

Title: Na Trads
The biggest night in Scottish traditional music returns to Perth Concert Hall for a second year with another brilliant line-up – the Trad Awards 2011.

Transmitted: Monday 5 December
Time: 10.00 – 11.30pm

Title: Soillse - Horseman of Everest

Gurmen, a sherpa widely respected for his high-altitude expertise, lives at 4,000 meters in the Himalayan valleys of Nepal. Every day he faces the dangers of the mountain and its treacherous climate. With dreams of a better future, he has a bold idea: to buy a trained horse and rent it to tourists.

Transmitted: Wednesday 7 December
Time: 9.00 – 9.55pm

FESTIVE FEAST ON BBC ALBA

2011-11-29T13:49:00.001Z

BBC ALBA has today (Thursday, 17 November) unveiled a festive feast of programmes coming up over the Christmas and New Year period with family favourites and entertainment for all ages featuring compelling documentaries, live sport, traditional music and children’s programmes.

Documentary highlights include exclusive programmes on much loved celebrities such as Kenny Dalglish, Patsy Cline and Michelle MacManus, whilst sporting fans can enjoy live action from the RaboDirect PRO12 plus ‘as-live SPL fixtures throughout the festive period.

A special Christmas Eve service, broadcast at 11pm, will come from Martin’s Memorial Church in Stornoway and will feature music from Back Gaelic Choir, Ishbel Ann Martin, Donnie Murdo MacLeod and Mary Smith as well as young musicians from the Nicolson Institute all under the creative guidance of Calum Martin as Musical Director.

See in the New Year in style with BBC ALBA’s live Hogmanay Cèilidh starting at 11.30pm. John Carmichael and Kirsteen MacDonald will be hosting events at the Duisdale Hall on the Isle of Skye with hot new Gaelic group Mànran, Julie Fowlis and Eamon Doorly, Christine Primrose and Arthur Cormack, plus a host of other top performers. Fiona MacKenzie will complete the team from Am Praban Bar at Eilean Iarmain in Skye where she will be joined by the Angus Nicolson Trio.

Margaret Mary Murray, Head of Service for BBC ALBA, said: “We are looking forward to bringing viewers a fantastic mix of festive programming for all the family. BBC ALBA is now available on Freeview and Cable and we are delighted that, for the first time, our festive schedule can be enjoyed across the country at a time when audiences look out for entertaining television. Our Hogmanay Ceilidh will also broadcast live on Radio nan Gàidheal and will be available worldwide via the BBC iPlayer, extending our programming at this special time of the year to audiences across the UK and overseas.”

Highlights from this year’s festive season on BBC ALBA include:

Music
· Songs of the Pipers: Festive cèilidh from the National Piping Centre in Glasgow celebrating the connection between the Gaelic language and pipe music. Performances are from Mànran, Irish performers ‘The Armagh Pipers Club’ and Irish musician/composer Brian O’hEadhra, accompanied by Calum Stewart and Fiona MacKenzie (Christmas Eve, Sat 24 Dec, 9pm)
· Horo Gheallaidh / Celtic Music Sessions: World-class musicians from Celtic Connections festival featuring Rachel Sermanni and The Tannahill Weavers (Christmas Eve, Sat 24 Dec, 10pm)
· Celtic Connections - Tom Jones: Sixty minutes of top flight music from Celtic Connections including performances from Tom Jones, the Creole Choir from Cuba and lots more. (Christmas Day, Sun 25 Dec, 11pm)
· The Vatersay Boys – In Concert: The number one cèilidh band from the Highlands & Islands perform to a packed Glasgow Barrowland (New Year’s Eve, Sat 31 Dec, 9.30pm)
· Reed Music: The exciting, international world of one of the earliest musical forms, piping, bringing the amazing story of the instrument and its players to life (Mon, 2 Jan, 8.30pm)

Documentaries
· Michelle MacManus: Singer and presenter Michelle McManus travels to the Western Isles of Scotland on a journey of musical discovery (Christmas Day, Sun 25 Dec, 9pm)
· The Campbells: The Campbell family of Greepe Skye is one of the great singing dynasties of Gaelic music. This documentary explores their lives and features performances in venues including Dunvegan Hall and Glasgow’s Art Club during Celtic Connections 2011. (Christmas Day, Sun 25 Dec, 10pm)
· Turas Tony: Tony Kearney joins the Cairngorm Mountain Rescue Team for a testing Winter challenge (Boxing Day, Mon 26 Dec, 9pm)
· King Kenny: Reappointed manager of Liverpool FC this year as well as celebrating his 60th birthday, this tribute programme looks at the life and achievements of one of the most outstanding Scottish sportsmen (Wed 28 Dec, 9pm)
· Sweet Dreams - Patsy Cline: The life story of country singing sensation Patsy Cline (1932 - 1963) is told through a theatre production featuring some of her best loved songs (Fri 30 Dec, 9pm)
· Ishbel MacAskill - A special tribute to Ishbel MacAskill - an incredible lady who had a zest for life and an infectious positive outlook and who died suddenly in March. A Mother, A Grandmother, a Singer, a Lewis Woman and a Point woman through and through (New Year’s Eve, Sat 31 Dec, 10.30pm)

Sport
· RaboDirect PRO12 Rugby: live rugby action as Glasgow and Edinburgh battle it out over two matches for the 1872 Cup and vital competition points (Boxing Day, Mon 26 Dec, 5.30pm and New Year’s Day, Sun 1 Jan, 5.30pm)
· SPL ‘as-live’ coverage: continues throughout the festive period (Dundee Utd v Hibs, Christmas Eve, Sat 24 Dec, 5.30pm / Inverness CT v Hibs, Wed 28 Dec, 10pm)
· Sports Review of the Year: A round-up of BBC ALBA’s sporting highlights of the year including the World Island Games and Edinburgh and Glasgow’s campaign in European club rugby (Christmas Eve, Sat 24 Dec, 7.30pm)

Children’s programming
· Leon in Winter Times: Join Leon and Molly for a wintertime adventure with wicked storytellers, a kidnapped princess and a band of loyal friends who come to the rescue. A Christmas tale for all the family (Christmas Day, Sun 25 Dec, 5.05pm)
· Wallace & Gromit – Curse of the Were Rabbit: A mind altering experiment involving rabbits goes awry, leaving Wallace feeling a bit worse for ‘were.’ With the impending vegetable fair and a monstrous rabbit on the loose, it is up to Gromit to put things right (Christmas Day, Sun 25 Dec,5.35pm)
· Sgeulaiche: New animation series featuring original, spontaneous and funny stories written by children, for children (Fri, 6 Jan, 5.55pm)

BBC ALBA – WEEKLY PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS Saturday 10 December – Friday 16 December 2011

2011-11-28T15:58:00.000Z

Title: Scottish Premier League - St Johnstone v Motherwell
The latest full-match coverage from the SPL as St Johnstone host Motherwell at McDiarmid Park, Perth.
Transmitted: Saturday 10 December
Time: 5.30 – 7.30pm

Title: Piping Live! 2011
A taste of what can be seen during the annual Piping Live festival in Glasgow. From pipes and drums to ceilidh and folk bands, it's a lively, colourful and youthful gathering of national and international performers.
Transmitted: Saturday 10 December
Time: 9.00 – 10.00pm

Title: Vets: Gach Creutair Beò
We follow a busy day in the life of vet David Buckland as he makes his weekly visit to Barra, and he tries to fit everything in before the ferry leaves for Uist that evening. At Ardene House near Aberdeen, vet Graham Hunter examines a lame horse that needs delicate and complex surgery. The wonderful world of Scottish vets.
Transmitted: Monday 12 December
Time: 8.30 – 9.00pm

Title: Truckers: Draibhearan
Life behind the wheel for heavy goods vehicle drivers in the Highlands.

Transmitted: Tuesday 13 December
Time: 9.00 – 10.00pm

Title: Soillse - Danadas san Artaig/Broad Peak Base Jumping
The Arctic is one of the last wildernesses on earth and we follow six base jumpers as they travel there seeking the ultimate thrill of being the first to jump from the Arctic mountains.
Transmitted: Wednesday 14 December
Time: 9.00 – 9.55pm

Title: Grinn: Makeover
Lewis woman Greta Powell receives a makeover from the Grinn team. Presented by Donna MacLeod, Lynda MacMillan and John Comerford. Last in the series.

Transmitted: Friday 16 December 2011
Time: 8.30 – 9.00pm

Title: Triùir: Triplets
The Campbell sisters are the best known triplets in the Hebrides. But behind the incredible story of their dramatic birth and meeting the Queen, lies a tale of loss and separation, hardship and poverty, amid much laughter and tears.

Growing up on the island of Uist, their unique lives have been the subject of great scrutiny, starting with their well-documented birth, through their school days, work life, marriage and children. Now, on the eve of retirement, having experienced poverty, separation, family tragedy and loss, the return of youngest sister Theresa to the island gives them the chance to finally get what they have always longed for - the opportunity to be together.

Transmitted: Friday 16 December 2011
Time: 9.00 – 10.00pm

NHS Highland response to anticipated Industrial Action

2011-11-28T15:03:00.001Z

In response to the anticipated Industrial Action on Wednesday 30th November, NHS Highland is already in the process of implementing our Business Continuity Plans across the Board area and have already taken the decision to plan to run a limited service in our hospitals.

Our priority and responsibility is at all times to ensure we run a safe service.

We will be maintaining all emergency services and core clinical services as identified in our Board Business Continuity Plan, which includes cancer treatments, renal dialysis, and emergency mental health and maternity services.

Anyone who is currently receiving a course of daily or weekly treatment will also not be affected.

However, to maintain safe services we will have to cancel most non urgent activity including most outpatient clinics, day surgery and elective surgery.

Elaine Mead, Chief Executive for NHS Highland said: “We have begun to identify exactly what will run and have started to contact patients directly to inform them if their appointment is cancelled on the 30th November. We are no longer booking non urgent appointments for that day, however if your appointment is urgent you will be seen.

“We are working closely with our staff to clarify all these arrangements. We are also working with our partner agencies, NHS24 and the Scottish Ambulance Service, to clarify what services they will be running.

“While we respect the right of colleagues to take industrial action we would like to reassure patients and the wider public that we have robust business continuity plans and there will be no disruption to emergency services and safe care.”

Planning has already begun to ensure that any patient who has had to be cancelled will be re-booked as a matter of priority.

If patients have any queries or concerns at this stage please contact NHS Highland using the contact telephone number on their appointment letter.

National changes to impact local blue badge disabled parking scheme

2011-11-28T15:00:00.000Z

The blue badge disabled parking programme is to undergo significant changes following the introduction of a new Scottish Government scheme.

Transport Scotland is co-ordinating the introduction in Scotland of a new national Blue Badge Improvement Service (BBIS), under which all councils in England, Scotland and Wales will have to source new fraud-proof badges via the BBIS and use a new single BBIS data sharing system.

The changes, which take effect from January 1 2012, will significantly increase the administrative burden for the council as well as the cost per badge.

The council’s Executive today agreed to raise the fee for new Blue Badges (and replacements) awarded after January 1 2012 to the maximum permissible amount (currently £20) to reflect the additional workload and cost of badge production.

Councillor Andrew Nisbet, Argyll and Bute’s spokesperson for social affairs, said the increase was an unavoidable result of the national initiative which is a response to widespread abuse of the current blue badge scheme.

“Our current fee will not even come close to covering the amount which the council will be invoiced for each new badge. Nor does it cover the significant cost of the implementation and ongoing administration of the new scheme,” he said.

“I very much regret having to bring in these increases. However, the increase will only take Argyll and Bute into line with the majority of other Scottish councils – some 60% of which already levy or plan to levy a £20 fee before the inception of this new scheme.

“It should be remembered that a Blue Badge lasts for three years, so the £20 fee is the equivalent of an annual charge of £6.67 in return for year-round free parking.”

News of the Government’s blue badge reform programme in February came just weeks after Argyll and Bute Council had completed a major overhaul of its own blue badge administration, making it easier for customers to apply through new postal and online channels.

Councillor Nisbet said: “We were really ahead of the game in this area. So for us the main change will be the improvement in anti-fraud capabilities.

“Nevertheless, implementing the new scheme by January 1 2012 is a legislative requirement, and one which we are well-placed to meet, given the fact that we re-engineered and streamlined our own processes so recently.

“We will be contacting our customers over the next few weeks through all available channels to alert them to the changes, talk them through the implications and help them with any queries they may have.”

At present, blue badge award and production is undertaken wholly by the council, using national statutory parameters for eligibility and badge design.

In 2010/11, 1,736 customers in Argyll and Bute were issued with either new or replacement blue badges. Each badge lasts for three years, and some 4,500 individuals in the region carry such a badge at any one time.

NFUS SEEKS LEGAL OPINION ON SHEEP EID RULES

2011-11-28T14:30:00.000Z

NFU Scotland is to seek a legal opinion on implementation of European rules and regulations that require the electronic tagging of sheep and recording their movements.

In response to requests from the membership, NFUS has prepared a brief for its lawyers regarding the difficulties many sheep farmers are having complying with Regulation 21/2004 which established a new system for the identification and registration of sheep. The rules came into force at the start of 2010.

NFU Scotland Chief Executive Scott Walker said:

“In response to the ongoing difficulties our members are experiencing when attempting to comply with the new rules around electronic tagging of sheep and movement reporting, we have instructed our solicitors to consider if we can challenge the rules and any financial penalties that may be imposed.

“Legal opinions, by their nature, are rarely definitive but we will study any legal feedback we receive very closely. There may be no case to pursue or there may be matters that we can take up in court – either here or in Europe. If we decide there is a case then given the likely time and considerable cost involved, such a decision would require very careful consideration and ratification by NFUS board of directors.

“The Union has taken up legal challenges in the past. These have been costly exercises but given the problems EID has caused, we can reassure our members that if there is a case that can be pursued through the courts then we do have a level of contingency funds in place if we do go down that route.

“We have made Scottish Government aware of the work we are undertaking as ultimately this is about establishing a workable, pragmatic traceability system for Scotland’s sheep.

“Our long term goal remains securing wholesale changes into the requirements that sheep keepers have to meet. That requires re-opening and reviewing the regulation. That remains our main focus and we have been in discussions with the European Commission on that throughout the current implementation phase for 21/2004.

“In the meantime, NFUS continues to facilitate meetings around the country between its members and Scottish Government officials regarding compliance with the existing set of rules. Members with queries or concerns are also being encouraged to contact their local Scottish Government Rural Payments and Inspections Directorate (SGRPID) office.”

BBC ALBA – WEEKLY PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS Saturday 26 November – Friday 2 December 2011

2011-11-16T10:38:00.000Z

Title: Scottish Premier League - Motherwell v Dundee Utd
The latest full-match coverage from the SPL as Motherwell host Dundee United at Fir Park.
Transmitted: Saturday 26 November
Time: 5.25 – 7.25pm

Title: Vets: Gach Creutair Beo
The lionesses give the male lion at Blair Drummond Safari Park a hard time, and vet Colin Scott gets called in to check things out.

At Ardene House near Aberdeen, specialist vet Richard Coe visits to look at some pet dogs, and Iain MacLean in Wick has a sickly three-day-old calf to tend to. The wonderful world of Scottish vets.
Transmitted: Monday 28 November
Time: 8.30 – 9.00pm

Title: Angus Sinclair – Double Jeopardy?
The story of convicted serial killer & rapist Angus Sinclair - could he be responsible for many more of Scotland's unsolved murders?
Transmitted: Wednesday 30 November
Time: 9.00 – 9.55pm

Title: Caman/ Shinty Documentary
With exclusive access, narrator Calum Macaulay goes behind-the-scenes of the shinty community and introduces its dedicated characters and engaging personalities in a new six-part entertainment series, Caman.
Transmitted: Thursday 1 December
Time: 8.30 – 9.00pm

Title: Madame Ecosse
'Stop the World - Scotland wants to get on!' said Winnie Ewing after winning Hamilton in 1967 for the SNP. So how did this Grande Dame of Scottish politics try to stop the world?

Transmitted: Friday 2 December
Time: 9.00 – 10.00pm

Have you had a visit from a home improvement company? Make sure you check your credit agreement

2011-11-15T13:57:00.000Z

Argyll and Bute Council’s trading standards team is warning the public to be on their guard when it comes to signing credit agreements for home improvements.

Trading standards has received several complaints from consumers regarding particular home improvement company salespeople. These salespeople visit your home to quote for potential work and then encourage householders to sign up to credit agreements that they do not fully understand.

One local consumer, a 78 year old lady, was given a ten year credit agreement with an APR of 27.2%. The original cash price for the work was £5000; but under the agreement she would end up paying the company £13,172.80 in total. She had no idea that what was she was signing for was in fact a credit agreement.

Another gentleman was told by the sales rep that if he signed up to a credit agreement he would be given six months of interest free payments. At that time the gentleman had the money to pay off the balance in full, but was advised that he would benefit from a discount if he signed the Credit Agreement. After six months passed, the gentleman called up to pay off the balance for the work done and found that interest had in fact been charged during the supposedly interest free period.

Chair of the Planning, Protective Services and Licensing Committee Councillor Daniel Kelly said, “When a consumer signs a contract in their home they are entitled to a cancellation period of seven days. This starts as soon as they are given the cancellation notice. It is an offence for a company or trader to enter into a contract under these conditions if they do not provide the consumer with such a cancellation notice. If a consumer cancels the contract within the notice period this automatically cancels any Credit Agreements attached to it. However if you cancel the credit agreement after the cancellation period, they will be liable for the cost of the work done. If you are not sure what you are signing then don’t sign.”

Anyone who need more advice on credit agreements should contact Consumer Direct on 0845 404 0506 or Trading Standards on 01546 604 404.

BBC ALBA – WEEKLY PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS Saturday 19 November – Friday 25 November 2011

2011-11-11T15:22:00.000Z

Title: Scottish Premier League - Dundee United v Hearts

The latest full-match coverage from the SPL as Dundee United host Hearts at Tannadice Park.

Transmitted: Saturday 19 November
Time: 5.30 – 7.30pm

Title: Trusadh - Sgaothan Sgadain/Silver Darlings

Herring has been fished around Scotland for hundreds of years. Where once there was heavy work there is now automation.

Hundreds of boats are reduced to only 28 in the Scottish pelagic fleet - fishing for mackerel and herring - but each of these modern supersize vessels is capable of catching as much fish in three days as the boats of previous decades could catch in a year. The Isle of Scalpay was sustained on the wealth gleamed from fishing. It was so wealthy that it gained the epithet "Treasure Island." But these days are long gone and the island has slipped into a steady decline. Through sustained overfishing the North sea and west of Scotland fishing grounds were closed between 1977 and 1983 to protect dangerously low stocks.

When they re-opened it was a very different industry. Fraserburgh, Peterhead and Shetland and particularly the island of Whalsey, were ready for this change though. Today the majority of the pelagic fleet is based in these three ports. In 2011, Whalsay has perhaps inherited the moniker once bestowed on Scalpay.

Transmitted: Monday 21 November
Time: 9.00 – 10.00pm

Title: Turas Tony - Trawlerman
Actor Tony Kearney from BBC's 'River City' swaps the comfort of a television studio for four varied and challenging professions.

Episode three sees Tony travel back to his family home of Barra and take to the high seas as he joins the crew of a trawlerboat.

Transmitted: Monday 21 November
Time: 10.00 – 10.45pm

Title: Soillse - Jamie Climbing against all the odds
On January 26th, 1999, the rescue team of Chamonix in the French Alps could only save one of the two Scottish mountaineers stuck at the edge of a glacier in the Mont Blanc: after six days of a frozen ordeal, one was frozen to death, the other suffered very severe frost bites.

The medical team of the Chamonix hospital sees no other solution but to amputate Jamie Andrew of both hands and feet. Equipped with feet prosthesis, he learns to walk again, to run, to use his arm stumps like hands, with only one idea in mind: climb back on the Mont Blanc in memory of his friend and to defeat destiny.

Transmitted: Wednesday 23 November
Time: 9.00 – 9.50pm

Title: Na Geamannan/World Island Games
The Island Games get underway on the Isle of Wight - how will the Western Isles fare?

Transmitted: Thursday 24 November
Time: 8.30 – 9.00pm

Title: Eadar Duil is Dochas
Through the eyes of a few passionate football fans we get an insight into their unique world. Featuring loyal followers of Ross County, Rangers, Celtic, Ness, Southend and Scotland.

Transmitted: Thursday 24 November
Time: 9.00 – 10.00pm

Title: Pro 12 Live Rugby - Glasgow V Ulster
LIVE rugby action as Glasgow Warriors face Ulster in the RaboDirect Pro 12 competition at Firhill Stadium, Glasgow.

Transmitted: Friday 25 November
Time: 7.30 – 9.25pm

BBC ALBA – WEEKLY PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS Saturday 12 November – Friday 18 November 2011

2011-11-01T15:14:00.000Z

Title: As An Eilean

A Gaelic film based on two books by Iain Crichton Smith.

Transmitted: Saturday 12th November
Time: 5.55pm - 7.30pm

Title: Air an Oir / Runrig

Air an Oir is a documentary looking at the roots of Runrig’s musical influences.

Transmitted: Saturday 12th November
Time: 8.55pm – 9.50pm

Title: Gach Creutair Beo / Vets

Wick based vet Iain Maclean does routine TB testing on cows but has to have a quick change of plan when he arrives at the second farm to find some cows have suddenly become unwell. Later, Iain has a house call to see a cat, with a quick stop en route to check out a sheep with day old twins, then a 3am call out to another sheep having difficulty, where the news is not so good.

Vet Jane Harley at Highland Wildlife Park has the tricky job of trimming the largest reindeer’s hooves, but he needs to be sedated before she can get near him. This gives keeper Jonathan the opportunity to have his first attempt with a darting rifle under the close supervision of experienced hand, Morag.

At Ardene House near Aberdeen, vet Graham Hunter removes a tumour from a horse during a delicate operation. Getting the horse anaesthetized and into the theatre is no mean feat, and requires a hoist and pulley to lift him in.

Transmitted: Monday 14th November
Time: 8.30pm – 9pm

Title: Trusadh – Kenneth Mckellar

Anne Lorne Gillies leads this celebration of arguably Scotland's greatest tenor - Kenneth McKellar who died last year. McKellar's career which spanned 50 years saw him rise to be a household name in Scotland and beyond, but behind the public persona was a quiet man who regularly spurned personal honours and accolades.

Although McKellar never sung in Gaelic, through singing he had an affinity with the language and was always meticulous about
ensuring any Gaelic words in his songs were pronounced perfectly, reflecting his love and affection for his native country and
all that it was.

Humour was also a big part of McKellar's life and a script he wrote was used in a Monty Python sketch, indeed he became the
only person outside the Monty Python team to have a sketch performed by them. He wrote many popular comedy songs like 'The
Midges' and formed a comedy duo with Johnny Beattie.

The definitive interpreter of the songs of Robert Burns, McKellar also composed 'Royal Mile', the song which opened the 1986
Edinburgh Commonwealth Games. And when his voice began to falter with age, he bowed out gracefully from his singing career
to become an acclaimed arranger.

Transmitted: Monday 14th November
Time: 9pm – 10pm

Title: Eorpa / European Current Affairs

Another edition of Eorpa, reporting on the most interesting stories from around Europe.

Transmitted: Wednesday 16th November
Time: 8.30pm – 9pm

Title: Soillse – Aria a Afraga / Cape of Good Voices

In South Africa singing is as popular now as football, a fact rooted in their strong choral traditions. Once a year the The Cape Town Opera House's best up-and-coming singers take to the road in a mini bus to travel the length and breadth of South Africa. The young opera stars aim to generate interest amongst schoolchildren with their songs and at the same time keep an eye out for new vocal talent.

Transmitted: Wednesday 16th November
Time: 9pm – 9.55pm

Title: Beartas nan Daoine

A series looking at collections of Gaelic song, story and their heritage.

Transmitted: Wednesday 16th November
Time: 10.30pm – 10.55pm

Title: Na Geamannan / World Island Games

The games are drawing close and the Western Isles competitors are making final preparations.

Transmitted: Thursday 17th November
Time: 8.30pm – 9pm

Title: Air An Rathad / On The Road

'Air an Rathad' - it's all about cars! How do you get started in motorsport? Calum Iain joins the competitors at Fintray Hill Climb to find out. Murray's gone back to the day job looking after the sheep on the croft, and he's putting the Isuzu Rodeo pickup through its paces
- but is it tough enough for the task?

Fiona is a guest of Grampian Fire Brigade as she joins them on a blues and twos exercise through the busy streets of Aberdeen.
She gets some tips on how to manoeuvre through heavy traffic and finds out what you should do as a driver when you hear that
siren and see the blue lights flashing. And the team are back on the track for another round of Wacky Races - what daft stunt have they been given this week?

Transmitted: Thursday 17th November
Time: 10pm – 10.30pm

Title: Grinn / Makeover

This week student Sian Baldwin from Perthshire gets a re-style from fashion, beauty and style experts Donna Macleod, Lynda MacMillan and John Comerford.

Transmitted: Friday 18th November
Time: 8.30pm – 9pm

Become the next Argyll and Bute Sports Coach!

2011-10-31T15:46:00.001Z

Have you a passion for sport that you want to pass on? Are you already involved with a sports group and want to move to a coaching role? Or maybe you want to move to a new career in sport? Then you need to know that Argyll and Bute Council has now launched the registration for their fifth annual sports coaching event.

The event will be held this year in Oban on the weekend of 4 and 5 February and will offer 56 courses from athletics to mountain skills. New courses which are being offered for 2012 include triathlon, Nordic walking, watersports, swimming master classes for coaches, gymnastics, archery, gym instructor and double goal coach. These new courses are designed to reflect the support for current local sports provision as well as introducing new opportunities for sport to grow in Argyll and Bute.

The sports coaching event has grown every year, starting from 250 in the first year to 401 in 2011. And we hope that we will have over 500 new sports coaches for 2012! The 2012 event also launches the new sports coaching awards in partnership with sportscotland. These awards recognise quality coaching in a number of categories: young coach; participation coach; performance coach; young person’s coach; performance development coach and disability coach.

Spokesperson for third sector and communities Councillor Rory Colville said, “The sports coaching event is now in its fifth year and has been an amazing success. The event gives future sports coaches the chance to get accreditation but it is so much more. It is about inspirational people who want to lead others to fulfil their dreams. I am delighted that the council is again running the sports coaching event and I would encourage anyone who has a desire to get into coaching to get involved.”

The cost of courses varies and the council’s partnership with spotscotland and Argyll College offer opportunities for everyone through subsidised courses.

You can find out more about the sports coaching event online at www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/coachingchampions

Highlands & Islands parents urged to give evidence to Commission on Rural Education.

2011-10-31T14:33:00.001Z

Jamie McGrigor, Highlands & Islands Conservative MSP, has urged parents and communities in the Highlands & Islands to make their views known on the future of rural primary schools to the Scottish Government’s Commission on Rural Education. Jamie made the call when speaking in the Scottish Parliament this morning in a debate on attainment in schools where he focused his remarks on rural schools. Jamie also praised the pupils of Clachan Primary School in Argyll, a small rural primary school, for recently being named Best Green School in Scotland 2011.
Speaking in the debate, Jamie said:
“ I was pleased to receive recently the call for evidence from the Commission on Rural Education which I sent on to the many dozens of parents in Argyll & Bute who had contacted me over the past year as the Council there proposed various rural schools closure programmes that outraged so many people. I would urge all those in my region of the Highlands & Islands, and indeed elsewhere across Scotland, who value rural primary schools and who have opinions on how we can retain and protect them to make their views known to the Commission before the close of the call for evidence on the 12th January next year. This is a very important opportunity for rural communities to have their say about a key part of their infrastructure.
“ If we accept the evidence that the impact of primary school attainment plays a much greater role in students’ potential 16+ than their secondary school education then I am very clear that there are many excellent examples of the work that goes on in rural primary schools that can be replicated elsewhere in the schools system.”
Referring to Clachan Primary School in Argyll Jamie said:
“ I would want to commend the pupils of Clachan Primary school in Argyll, a small rural primary that was threatened with closure recently, on their success in being named the joint winner of the prestigious Best Green School in Scotland award 2011- this shows that best practice can exist in the smallest school as well as those larger ones.”

Colmcille a’ cur fàilte air tairgsean ùra airson pròiseactan choimhearsnachd

2011-10-31T14:10:00.001Z

Tha Colmcille, prògram com-pàirteachais a bhios ag adhartachadh an dualchais chànanach is chultarach co-roinnte eadar Èirinn is Alba, air cuairt ùr maoineachaidh fhosgladh gus taic a chur ri iomairtean coimhearsnachd ùra, foghlam, na h-ealain, foillseachadh agus pròiseactan òigridh air feadh na h-Alba.

Colmcille welcomes new bids for community projects

Colmcille, a partnership programme which promotes the shared linguistic and cultural heritage of Ireland and Scotland, has opened a new round of funding to support new community initiatives, education, arts, publishing, and youth projects throughout Scotland.

For further information, please contact:
Steven MacIver, Communications and Corporate Affairs Officer at Bòrd na Gàidhlig.
E-Mail: steven@gaidhlig.org.uk Mobile: 07557 481 08

UNION ISSUES FURTHER GUIDANCE ON SHEEP EID COMPLIANCE

2011-10-31T14:07:00.001Z

NFU Scotland is reminding all sheep producers of some simple steps that they can take to ensure compliance with the rules and regulations around sheep movements and identification, including electronic ear tags.

Scottish Government issued guidance to all registered sheep keepers a few weeks ago and since then, NFUS has met with the Scottish Government’s compliance and policy teams to look at standards, particularly with regards to electronic tagging.

These meetings have been mapping out more workable approaches to compliance and laying the foundation of a more risk based approach. NFUS and the Scottish Government are intending to hold public meetings on sheep ID starting next month.

NFU Scotland President, Nigel Miller said:

“The Scottish system based around the use of critical control points (CCPs) such as markets and abattoirs and a central ScotEID database is still evolving. Clearly the system has thrown up problems but all sides are looking to ensure workable standards at farm level.

“From a compliance perspective, most member concerns still revolve around the read rates of stock passing through CCPs. Scottish sheep farmers need to remember that compliance problems are only a risk when sheep which have been double tagged with their individual EID go ON to a new farm.

“It is clear that electronic tagging requirements are still causing confusion. I would suggest that wherever possible, those selling lambs should use the single slaughter derogation flock tag rather than double tagging lambs with their individual electronic ID. The single electronic slaughter tag covers slaughter lambs, store lambs and many ewe lambs. If new owners retain ewe lambs for breeding then they can be upgraded to their individual electronic tag at a year old.

“The use of the single slaughter derogation tag is significant as single tagged lambs can be moved on a batch basis – rather than recording every single ID – and thus eases compliance for both the breeder and the feeder. Buying single tag store lambs through a CCP will lift feeders and finishers out of read rate compliance issues provided the lambs have been marketed through Scottish CCPs.

“If farmers are unsure of their risk status then help is at hand. They can check their flock data on the ScotEID website or phone ScotEID for information. A support service is available to help producers update data if required and can be of value should a flock undergo an official inspection. In many ways, ScotEID is able to provide a safety net if electronic recording fails.

“Sheepkeepers also need to remember that read rates on electronic tags are not the main compliance risk when it comes to an inspection and basic record keeping is crucial. The new flock register and leaflets mailed to producers over the summer provide a reminder of the key points when it comes to properly recording movements, deaths, running totals, individual sheep ids, transport certificates, tagging and retagging.”

BBC ALBA – WEEKLY PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS Saturday 5 November – Friday 11 November 2011

2011-10-31T13:59:00.001Z

Title: SPL Kilmarnock v Inverness CT

The latest full-match coverage from the SPL as Kilmarnock host Inverness Caledonian Thistle at Rugby Park.

Transmitted: Saturday 5 November
Time: 5.30 – 7.30pm

Title: Horo Gheallaidh / Celtic Music Sessions

World class musicians from the Celtic Connections festival drop in to give special, intimate performances at the Horo Gheallaidh ceilidh session's filmed in Glasgow and presented by Sarah Cruickshank.

This week, Duncan Chisholm and Phil Cunningham, Karen Matheson, Orkney's Saltfishforty and the fantastic sound of Ross Ainslie's new collaboration, India Alba. This is a unique opportunity to watch world-class artists up close, performing stripped down versions of their songs live on our sofa in a way you won't have seen them before.

Transmitted: Saturday 5 November
Time: 10.00 – 10.30pm

Title: Gach Creutair Beo / Vets

Out on the farm with vet Iain Maclean in Wick as he treats a dairy cow with a twisted stomach, and back in the surgery with him as he castrates and treats a feral cat.

At Highland Wildlife Park, the family of Scottish Wildcats has recently had three kittens. Vet Jane Harley dares to get up close to these fearsome animals to give them essential injections, but first they must be caught. The wild and wonderful world of Scottish vets.

Transmitted: Monday 7 November
Time: 8.30 – 9.00pm

Title: Trusadh - Camanachd Leodhais/Lewis Camanachd

The beginning of the season 2011 and a new team is grabbing the attention of shinty fans. For the first time, the Camanachd Association have allowed a team from Lewis to compete in the national league. This year is a trial period and Lewis are up against it to prove that they are worthy of securing a permanent place playing at this level.

In Trusadh: Lewis Camanachd - Black and Blue, we follow manager Paul Duke and the team through the highs and lows of the season and meet some of the other characters associated with the team along the way. How will the new boys fare against the league's established teams? How will they cope with the travel across the country? Will they manage to put out a team each week? And will they ultimately do enough to silence the critics and secure their position in the league - and truly establish shinty's place in Lewis in the future?!

Transmitted: Monday 7 November
Time: 9.00 – 10.00pm

Title: Eorpa / European Current Affairs

Another edition of Eorpa, reporting on the most interesting stories from around Europe.

Transmitted: Wednesday 9 November
Time: 8.30 – 9.00pm

Title: Na Geamannan / World Island Games

Bad news for the men's football team while Norrie goes knocking on doors to raise money for the golf team.

Transmitted: Thursday 10 November
Time: 8.30 – 9.00pm

Title: Air an Rathad / On the Road

How do you get started in motorsport? Calum Iain joins the competitors at Fintray Hill Climb to find out.

Murray's gone back to the day job looking after the sheep on the croft, and he's putting the Isuzu Rodeo pickup through its paces - but is it tough enough for the task?

Fiona is a guest of Grampian Fire Brigade as she joins them on a blues and twos exercise through the busy streets of Aberdeen. She gets some tips on how to manoeuvre through heavy traffic and finds out what you should do as a driver when you hear that siren and see the blue lights flashing.

And the team are back on the track for another round of Wacky Races - what daft stunt have they been given this week?

Transmitted: Thursday 10 November
Time: 10.00 – 10.30pm

Title: Grinn / Makeover

In the third episode, Fay Thomson from Skye receives a makeover from the Grinn team. Presented by Donna MacLeod, Lynda MacMillan and John Comerford.

Transmitted: Friday 11 November
Time: 8.30 – 9.00pm

Title: Monte Cassino

To commemorate Armistice Day, we learn of the Allied invasion of southern Italy in September 1943 that led to one of the most controversial campaigns of World War II.

To prevent invaders from reaching Rome, the Germans constructed a chain of fortifications across Italy. Integral to this was the mountain-top monastery of Monte Cassino. Monte Cassino and its surroundings would be the site of thousands of Allied and Germans casualties in four battles in 1944.

The monastery at Monte Cassino was bombed by the Allies in the mistaken belief that German troops were occupying it. After this bombing, which destroyed much of the monastery, elite German paratroopers occupied the rubble and it took several months and several thousand lives to dislodge them.

In this programme, Brigadier John MacFarlane explores the impact the battles had on the monastery at Monte Cassino as he follows in the footsteps of the thousands of Scottish soldiers who fought there.

Transmitted: Friday 11 November
Time: 9.00 – 9.45pm

Search Over for Science Park Contractor says HIE

2011-10-31T13:37:00.001Z

Ambitious plans to create a multi-million pound marine science park in Argyll have taken a step forward following a European-wide procurement process.

Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has appointed the infrastructure, support services and construction group, Robertson to deliver phase one of the European Marine Science Park at Dunstaffnage, near Oban.

Frank Reid, Regional Managing Director for Robertson said “Robertson are delighted to have been awarded the contract to build this prestigious Science Park building, and we look forward to working in partnership with HIE over the next year.”

The development will include 20,000 sq ft of laboratory and office space in a high-specification sustainable building in a stunning location, aimed at supporting Scotland’s growing Life Science sector and supporting up to around 125 jobs.

Situated adjacent to the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS), it is anticipated that the Science Park will be particularly attractive to start-up businesses, spin-outs and SMEs interested in the combination of an outstanding marine environment and world-class scientific expertise on hand. First-class business support will be available to tenants from HIE and Scottish Development International (SDI).

Douglas Cowan, Area Manager for Highlands and Islands Enterprise, said “HIE is delighted that work is set to begin on the site. Argyll and the Islands already has a strong reputation in the Life Sciences sector, with businesses such as GlycoMar Ltd and Aquapharm Biodiscovery Ltd, occupying laboratory space at Dunstaffnage and achieving international recognition for cutting edge research and development work."

“The Scottish Association for Marine Science at Dunstaffnage is one of the UK’s leading marine research institutes with around 140 staff, and is a founding partner of the University of the Highlands and Islands. Existing and new businesses located in the Science Park will benefit from the proximity of world leading research and facilities on their doorstep, together with tailored business support from both HIE and SDI.”

“Argyll’s marine resource is a fantastic asset, and is particularly well placed to exploit once in a generation opportunities in marine life science activity and in renewable energy. The construction of the Science Park is designed to act as a catalyst for these growing sectoral opportunities.”

In August 2010, the HIE Board approved an investment of £7.5m to create the first phase of the Science Park on the site next to SAMS at Dunstaffnage. HIE will contribute £4.5m of its own grant-in-aid budget from the Scottish Government, and has attracted the remaining £3m towards this first phase from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

Argyll and Bute Council "is ready for winter"

2011-10-31T13:14:00.000Z

Argyll and Bute Council is well prepared for winter with thousands of tonnes of salt already in stock and the roads team doing a dry run to make sure all equipment and treatment routes are tested before any bad weather.

There are 17,700 tonnes of salt already – this in an increase of 70 percent from before. The council has a fleet of 33 vehicles capable of gritting and ploughing roads. We will get delivery of another 8 in December bringing the total number of snowploughs to 41. Each lorry is capable of carrying between 2 and 11 tonnes of salt. All equipment has been serviced and tested by the roads team and they are ready to go.

Gritter driver William Holmes said “we are first on the road when there’s been heavy snowfall and although there can be some beautiful views there are still some very real dangers. Despite the snow and icy conditions many people drive too fast. Remember even if the gritter has been, it will take a couple of cars to go over the grit to really make it effective so my advice would be to slow down.”

There are more than 300 grit bins and thousands of salt heaps across Argyll and Bute so you can spread salt on local pavements and roads. Salt will be available for you at roads depot gates and will be restricted to one 20 kg bag per person.

Spokesperson for transport and infrastructure, Councillor Duncan MacIntyre said, “This year’s plan to deal with winter is very impressive. The council is ready for whatever the weather holds in store. There will be leaflets distributed across the area with information on priority routes, how to be prepared in the car and some tips for winter driving.

“This year there will be also more information available online at http://www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/transport-and-streets/winter-road-maintenance .You can see the treatment routes and how they are prioritised. You can also see regular weather forecasts so you can plan ahead. If the weather is severe you have to ask yourself if the journey is really necessary.”

GOVERNMENT IGNORES GROCERIES ADJUDICATOR RECOMMENDATIONS SAYS NFUS

2011-10-20T13:49:00.000+01:00

NFU Scotland has branded the UK Government’s response to the Business, Innovation, and Skills Committee report on the Draft Groceries Code Adjudicator Bill, as published over the weekend, as extremely disappointing.

Whilst some of the Select Committee’s smaller recommendations for change to the draft Bill have been accepted, the Union’s primary concern has not been adequately addressed. That is, that the bill does not go far enough to tackle the climate of fear that exists among suppliers and processors feeding into the retail sector.

NFU Scotland still believes that without guaranteed anonymity suppliers will not risk bringing instances of abuses of power to the attention of an adjudicator.

Chief Executive of NFU Scotland, Scott Walker, said:

“It is extremely disappointing that the UK Government have rejected some important recommendations for positive change to the draft Bill.

“While the bill remains hugely important, and is a step forward in terms of ensuring greater transparency within the food sector, the opportunity that is there to ensure this bill makes a real difference to the working lives of retail suppliers is in danger of being missed.

“The climate of fear that has existed for many years within the food sector is well documented, and understandably many suppliers are loath to complain when so much of their output may be directed at a single buyer. With this in mind, the one recommendation we just can not understand being rejected is the option for third parties to make complaint on behalf of a supplier. Without this additional layer of anonymity the likelihood of any complaints being made remains miniscule.

“Even at this late hour, we would urge the Government to think again, and look at taking on board the recommendation that information provided by third party sources should be enough to trigger an investigation. Without this being permissible, we see very little being done to encourage suppliers and processors to make a complaint when they feel they are being subjected to abuses of power.”

BBC ALBA – WEEKLY PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS Saturday 29 October – Friday 4 November 2011

2011-10-20T13:35:00.001+01:00

Title: SPL: Hearts v Kilmarnock

‘As-live’ coverage from the Scottish Premier League as Hearts host Kilmarnock at Tynecastle Stadium, Edinburgh.

Transmitted: Saturday 29 October
Time: 5.30 – 7.30pm

Title: Blas Music Festival 2011
Kirsteen MacDonald with more music and song from Blas 2011 including performances from Karen Matheson and Kathleen MacInnes.

Transmitted: Saturday 29 October
Time: 8.55 – 10.00pm

Title: Horo Gheallaidh / Celtic Music

World class musicians from the Celtic Connections festival drop in to give special, intimate performances at the Horo Gheallaidh ceilidh session's filmed in Glasgow and presented by Sarah Cruickshank. This week, Rachel Sermanni, Ireland's Glackin Brothers, Linda Macleod from Uist and Jamie McMenemy with Soig Siberil are among the guests. This is a unique opportunity to watch world-class artists up close, performing stripped down versions of their songs live on our sofa in a way you won't have seen them before.

Transmitted: Saturday 29 October
Time: 10.00 – 10.30pm

Title: Gach Creutar Beo / Highland Vets

A new series following the wild and wonderful world of Scottish vets.

We’re out on the farm with vet Iain Maclean in Wick as he's called out to a cow who has lost a lot of blood during calving, then he heads back to the surgery to tend to some cats. Following this, our next stop is Blair Drummond Safari Park, where the cats are a whole lot bigger and a whole lot wilder, as park vet Colin Scott gives his attention to the lions.

Transmitted: Monday 31 October
Time: 8.30 – 9.00pm

Title: Ceol Country

Anne Morrison presents highlights from the Kelso Country and Western Music Festival. Among the artists showcased at the festival are Henry Smith and Country Dreams and Chris Raddings.

In addition to the music, Anne takes part in a Western quick draw competition and samples the pre-gig nerves with a band as they introduce new material into their set.

Transmitted: Tuesday 1 November
Time: 9.00 – 10.00pm

Title: Eorpa

Another edition of Eorpa, reporting on the most interesting stories from around Europe.

Transmitted: Wednesday 2 November
Time: 8.30 – 9.00pm

Title: Na Geamannan / World Island Games

Shona hopes for a good showing at the Benbecula half-marathon but Donald MacInnes has a bad day at the clay pigeon shoot.

Transmitted: Thursday 3 November
Time: 8.30 – 9.00pm

Title: Air An Rathad / On The Road

'Air an Rathad'- it's all about cars! Presenters Fiona Mackenzie, Murray Macleod and Calum Iain Mackenzie are back with a new series of Scotland's very own car show. All the thrills and spills you expect from 'On the Road', with guest appearances from stunt driver Paul Swift, 'rollover' Roy Maclennan, and rally drivers David Bogie and Donnie Campbell. And let's not forget the weird and wonderful Wacky Races! There's more fun on the track as our presenters battle it out for the coveted Wacky Races Cup. Sit down and buckle up for the new series of Air an Rathad.

Transmitted: Thursday 3 November
Time: 10.00 – 10.30pm

Title: Grinn / Makeover

This week, hotelier John MacRitchie gets a re-style from experts Donna Macleod, Lynda MacMillan and John Comerford.

Transmitted: Friday 4 November
Time: 8.30 – 9.00pm

Title: Am Boireannach a Dh’ith Bo

As an artist, Heather Dewar has travelled the world for inspiration. But as a cook, her inspiration is her native Islay and its produce. A thrifty Gael, she loves food - but hates waste. But with rising food prices, there's never been a better time to re-embrace Heather's good old-fashioned thrifty kitchen skills. With this in mind, Heather's on a quest to find an animal to cook and eat, using the cuts of meat that people would normally cast aside.

Transmitted: Friday 4 November
Time: 9.00 – 10.00pm

BBC ALBA ANNOUNCES LATEST VIEWING FIGURES

2011-10-20T12:30:00.001+01:00

BBC ALBA, the Gaelic television channel, has today (Thursday 20 October) announced its most recent viewing figures.

The figures have been compiled over a four month period since the channel was made available on Freeview and Virgin Media’s Cable at the start of June this year.

During this period (June to September 2011), BBC ALBA has attracted a significant number of new viewers averaging a total claimed weekly reach of 12.9% of adults aged 16 and over, equating to 530,000 viewers.

The claimed fifteen minute plus reach for the channel over the same four month period was 10.6% which equates to 430,000 viewers per week.

In addition, the average time viewers spent watching BBC ALBA per week was 1 hour 40 minutes.

Prior to the channel being made available on Freeview, the total weekly reach for the channel was 220,000 viewers with the weekly fifteen minute plus reach being 179,000 viewers.

This figure is for those tuning into the channel in Scotland only and does not take account of anyone in the rest of the UK who may be viewing programmes on BBC ALBA. It also does not include the under-16 age group who may watch the schedule of children’s programming on offer.

Furthermore, a watch-again facility provides 10 hours of BBC ALBA content on the BBC iPlayer each week. Latest figures available, covering the period January to September 2011, found that there was an average of 29,000 requests per week for BBC ALBA content on iPlayer.

Channel executives have attributed the increase in viewing figures to the distinctive and high quality range of programmes offered, as well as the increased accessibility for viewers.

NEW INTERACTIVE WEBSITE LAUNCHED FOR GAELIC LEARNERS

2011-10-19T14:18:00.001+01:00

A new interactive website was launched today (Wednesday, 19 October) that provides a one-stop-shop for anyone interested in learning Gaelic.

LearnGaelic.net was launched at an event held at the Royal National Mòd in Stornoway and is the result of a unique collaboration between Bòrd na Gàidhlig, MG ALBA, the BBC, the Board of Celtic Studies Scotland and Sabhal Mòr Ostaig. LearnGaelic.net has also received financial support from the Scottish Government.

The core aim of the website is to present enhanced Gaelic learning resources in a single online portal where, through time, learners of all ages and abilities can source the help they require when learning the language.

The website is split up into three broad areas of content for adult learners focusing on beginners, intermediate and advanced, with a further three sections for young learners at stages under five, primary and secondary school, with detailed guidance for parents, carers and teachers.

The website draws together newly commissioned content including a brand new online dictionary and thesaurus, a searchable Gaelic terminology database and guidance on Gaelic grammar, all of which are essential tools for learners and users of Gaelic. Additional language tools are also available such as spellcheckers and web browsers.

A range of existing resources that offer quality Gaelic learning materials have also been incorporated into the website including more than 400 video clips from the popular television series Speaking our Language. Information about the Gaelic language and culture is also available through links with new resources recently launched by the Open University.

Dr Alasdair Allan MSP, Minister for Learning and Skills (with responsibility for Gaelic & Scots) was in attendance to endorse the new website, and said: “The Scottish Government is committed to a vibrant and sustainable future for Gaelic in Scotland, and with recent research showing high levels of interest in where and how people can learn the language, initiatives like LearnGaelic.net must be welcomed. As a Gaelic learner myself, I warmly welcome these new resources.

“The site should have something for everyone – beginners, youngsters and teachers – and I expect it to become an important resource in Gaelic education.”

Sean Batty, STV weather presenter and current Gaelic learner, said: “I am so glad that this website has been set up, it really is great to finally see all the Gaelic resources pulled together into one contained site. It took me weeks to find a course to learn Gaelic in my local area as there was no one place to look and check.

“Learners like myself will find this new site absolutely fantastic as there are so many learning resources to hand which are very well organised into categories. For a learner it's vital that materials are easy to find and are well laid out, otherwise someone can lose interest very quickly and stop the learning process.

“My hope is to speak enough Gaelic by 2013 so that I can be involved in some way when the Mòd comes to Paisley. I know that this user friendly site will really help me learn more outside my evening classes and I hope that it will encourage more people to start on the journey of learning our language.”

A dedicated freephone helpline will also be made available from Friday 21 October which will allow users to gain expert advice, directed to appropriate resources pertinent to their individual needs, as well as being assessed on their level of fluency.

In addition, for those also keen to learn Gaelic on a face-to-face basis, full details are available on where you can find Gaelic classes and courses in your area.

Positive food standards inspection

2011-10-19T13:06:00.001+01:00

Independent inspectors who looked into the work of Argyll and Bute Council’s food standards team have been positive about what they found.

The Food Standards Agency (Scotland) visited the council for three days last month to carry out a rigorous audit on the environmental health service’s levels of compliance with the relevant food safety legislation.

The resulting report confirms that the team is performing well, with competent and professional staff championing food safety issues across Argyll and Bute.

It also identified several areas requiring further attention, which the council has already drawn up an action plan to address.

The auditors targeted Argyll and Bute, Highland and Aberdeenshire councils for inspections, as these are the three main local authorities regulating food manufacturing and processing in Scotland. Argyll and Bute was selected because it regulates:

One of Europe’s main shellfish sectors
The main scallop sector in Scotland
One of the main salmon smoker sectors in Scotland

The inspectors looked at the council’s food safety enforcement performance, joined enforcement staff on visits to selected premises and assessed the appropriateness of systems, processes and enforcement levels undertaken by the team.

Councillor Daniel Kelly, chair of the planning, protective services and licensing committee, said he was very pleased with the overall report.

“We take our responsibilities in the area of food safety extremely seriously, and it is very satisfying that the inspectors have had so many positive things to say about how we’re doing,” he added.

“The audit recognises the exemplary work being undertaken by Argyll and Bute Council’s environmental health service to protect food safety and - more widely - the general public, and I am delighted that it identified three major areas of best practice, including our very comprehensive inspection procedures.

“The report also highlights several areas in which we could improve our work, and an action plan is already being implemented to address these.

“Overall, it is reassuring that the inspectors concluded that our team is committed to keeping food safety at the top of the agenda for the protection of Argyll and Bute’s residents and visitors.”

The full report will be available for viewing on the Food Standards Agency’s website at www.food.gov.uk once it is formally published in November 2011.

Independent inspectors who looked into the work of Argyll and Bute Council’s food standards team have been positive about what they found.

The Food Standards Agency (Scotland) visited the council for three days last month to carry out a rigorous audit on the environmental health service’s levels of compliance with the relevant food safety legislation.

The resulting report confirms that the team is performing well, with competent and professional staff championing food safety issues across Argyll and Bute.

It also identified several areas requiring further attention, which the council has already drawn up an action plan to address.

The auditors targeted Argyll and Bute, Highland and Aberdeenshire councils for inspections, as these are the three main local authorities regulating food manufacturing and processing in Scotland. Argyll and Bute was selected because it regulates:

One of Europe’s main shellfish sectors
The main scallop sector in Scotland
One of the main salmon smoker sectors in Scotland

The inspectors looked at the council’s food safety enforcement performance, joined enforcement staff on visits to selected premises and assessed the appropriateness of systems, processes and enforcement levels undertaken by the team.

Councillor Daniel Kelly, chair of the planning, protective services and licensing committee, said he was very pleased with the overall report.

“We take our responsibilities in the area of food safety extremely seriously, and it is very satisfying that the inspectors have had so many positive things to say about how we’re doing,” he added.

“The audit recognises the exemplary work being undertaken by Argyll and Bute Council’s environmental health service to protect food safety and - more widely - the general public, and I am delighted that it identified three major areas of best practice, including our very comprehensive inspection procedures.

“The report also highlights several areas in which we could improve our work, and an action plan is already being implemented to address these.

“Overall, it is reassuring that the inspectors concluded that our team is committed to keeping food safety at the top of the agenda for the protection of Argyll and Bute’s residents and visitors.”

The full report will be available for viewing on the Food Standards Agency’s website at www.food.gov.uk once it is formally published in November 2011.

MOVING DOCUMENTARY ON BBC ALBA EXPLORES MANY OF THE STIGMAS OF BIPOLAR

2011-10-18T15:04:00.001+01:00

BBC ALBA Monday 24 October, 9pm

The mental health condition, Bipolar has become increasingly known in recent years with many celebrities and public figures talking openly about the illness.

In a moving documentary as part of BBC ALBA’s Trusadh series, Suas is sìos nam Inntinn : Bipolar & Me, Rhoda Meek (29) who has strong family links to the Island of Tiree but now lives in the Glasgow area, takes viewers on a personal journey providing an insight into living with the illness as well as exploring the many stigmas that those with mental health problems experience.

Hearing from others who have experienced mental health problems, Rhoda learns how they have managed to cope with difficulties. Amongst those that she speaks to is her father, Professor Donald Meek, as well as the psychologist Dr Rachel MacLeod.

Rhoda Meek has suffered from depression since she was a teenager. At 19 she was a presenter on the children’s programme, Dè a-nis? Bubbly and with a ‘give anything a go’ attitude, you would never have known that beneath the surface, she was battling with depression through these years.

Two years ago, Rhoda found herself having intense mood swings, going from being in a great mood to becoming extremely irritable, it was then she was diagnosed with Bipolar II disorder.

According to the Mental Health Foundation, mental health issues affect 1 in 4 people, however, despite this high prevalence, Rhoda is all too aware of the fear that often surrounds the illness.

The programme will look at how difficult it is for people to accept that they, or a family member, are experiencing mental health problems, and how hard it is to acknowledge and to speak out.

Produced by MacTV for BBC ALBA ‘Trusadh: Suas is sìos nam Inntinn : Bipolar & Me’ will be broadcast on Monday 24 October at 9pm.

BBC ALBA TO BROADCAST ANNUAL SCOTLAND V IRELAND SHINTY-HURLING MATCH

2011-10-18T14:53:00.001+01:00

The annual clash between Scotland and Ireland’s native sports, when Scotland's national shinty team takes on Ireland's national hurling team, will be broadcast on BBC ALBA.

Ireland will welcome Scotland at Athy, Co. Kildare in the first test of this year's shinty/hurling international series taking place on Saturday 22 October. Full match coverage will be provided by BBC ALBA on Sunday 23 October at 4pm.

The return leg will be played on Saturday 29 October when Scotland will host their Irish counterparts at Bight Park in Inverness.

Captain Norman Campbell is hoping that he can lead the national team to success this year after last year’s title went to Ireland who won 7-21 to 5-23 on aggregate.

The programme will also have a special feature with Scotland manager Drew McNeill, highlights from last year’s Internationals as well as a feature looking ahead to the new six-part shinty entertainment series ‘Caman’ to feature on BBC ALBA later in the year.

Coverage of this hurling-shinty international series will be provided by mneTV for BBC ALBA.

David MacBrayne Group Publishes 2010/11 Annual Report

2011-10-17T15:13:00.001+01:00

The David MacBrayne Group, which comprises the principal operators of the Clyde and Hebrides ferry services and the Northern Isles ferry services, today (Thursday, October 13, 2011) published its Annual Report for 2010/2011.

The Annual Report includes the company’s main subsidiaries, CalMac Ferries Ltd and NorthLink Ferries Ltd, and its other subsidiaries including Cowal Ferries Ltd, which operated the Gourock/ Dunoon service until the end of June 2011, when another subsidiary, Argyll Ferries Ltd, took over.

For the first time, as required by the Scottish Government, the consolidated financial statements have been moved from UK GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) to International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS.)

David MacBrayne Group Chairman Peter Timms said: “2010/2011 was a good year with several highlights including the completion of MV Finlaggan, our first new vessel in 4 years, winning the Gourock-Dunoon tender, and both operating companies receiving prestigious awards.

“CalMac was named ‘Public Transport Operator of the Year’ for both 2010 and 2011, and named ‘Best Ferry Company’ for both 2010 and 2011 in the prestigious Guardian and Observer Travel Awards. The latter is particularly pleasing as it is voted for by customers who have had such a positive and memorable experience that they wished us to be recognised in this way.”

NorthLink was awarded a ‘healthy living’ award as part of a Scottish Government initiative to encourage healthier eating.”

Mr Timms reported positive increases in freight figures on both CalMac and NorthLink routes, although there were mixed results for the group in terms of passengers and cars.

He said:”The increase in freight metre carryings; up 5% on the Clyde and Hebrides routes and up 4% on the Northern Isles routes was very encouraging, especially in the current economic climate, and demonstrates how much freight traffic has become the backbone of our lifeline services. On CalMac services, passenger and car carryings decreased by 1% and 3% respectively compared with the previous year, while on NorthLink services passenger carryings were up 1% while car carryings were down by 3% compared with the previous year.”

In his foreword to the report, which was laid before the Scottish Parliament today, Mr Timms reported that both of the main operating companies, CalMac Ferries Ltd. and NorthLink Ferries Ltd., performed satisfactorily in terms of the operational and functional targets set within their respective contracts with the Scottish Government.

In addition, both CFL and NFL both achieved levels at or close to 100% for punctuality and reliability, after weather and other causes of disruptions were taken into account.

He said revenue from fares and other sources at £82.6m and operating costs at £176.7m were largely in line with expectations. The group recorded an operating profit for 2010/11 of £3.2m although a technical adjustment resulting from the adoption of IFRS, which takes into account the market value of the fuel hedge at each Balance Sheet date , results in a loss before tax of £0.9m. This technical adjustment has an equal but opposite effect on the previous year’s profit before tax.

Mr Timms said:”Increased fuel and vessel chartering costs was the main reason for an increase in grants received from the Scottish Government which rose to £97.3m, an increase of 2.7% compared with the previous year.”

He also highlighted that David MacBrayne has improved efficiency, effectiveness and economy in the exercise of its functions, which resulted in £3.2m contractual “clawback” payments being made to Scottish Government under the terms of the Public Service Contracts for Ferry Services.

The Annual Report of the David MacBrayne Group is available on the internet at www.david-macbrayne.co.uk/reports.

Over 30 wave and tidal sites now leased around UK

2011-10-17T14:51:00.000+01:00

The Crown Estate today, 12 October 2011, announced eight new offshore site
agreements for wave and tidal energy projects, taking the total number of UK
projects to over 30. The new sites are from the second application window
for projects in connection with the Scottish Government’s Saltire Prize (in
Scottish waters) and demonstration projects, which opened in April 2011.

The projects are in a variety of locations around the UK coast, with the
majority off Scotland and including sites off Wales and Northern Ireland.
They range from small technology test schemes for short term installation to
commercial projects with up to 30 MW potential generating capacity.

Scottish Government Energy Minister Fergus Ewing said: “Scotland has the
potential to lead the world in wave and tidal energy, with a quarter of
Europe's tidal stream and a tenth of its wave energy potential. These new
projects around the north and west of Scotland bring the total number of
planned developments in Scotland to 25, including 1.6GW in the Pentland
Firth and Orkney waters strategic area. Today’s announcement further
reinforces the growing momentum and appetite for investment in marine
renewables and demonstrates the breadth of activity taking place around
Scotland’s coast.”

Carwyn Jones, First Minister of Wales, said: “The recently completed Marine
Renewable Energy Strategic Framework (MRESF) offers a unique data set to
assist developers in Wales and we are working with key partners, like The
Crown Estate, to take the industry forward. As one of the most advanced UK
tidal projects, already the subject of an environmental impact assessment
and in the consents process, Marine Current Turbines’ Skerries project near
Anglesey is an outstanding example of the future potential for marine energy
development off the Welsh coast.”

Arlene Foster, Minister for Enterprise Trade and Investment at the Northern
Ireland Executive, said: “Building on Northern Ireland’s proud heritage of
research and development in wave and tidal energy (for example the work of
Queen’s University Belfast which underpins Wavegen’s OWC technology), we are
delighted to see Swedish company Minesto plan to test its technology in
Strangford Lough. In collaboration with The Crown Estate, we will soon be
announcing opportunities for commercial scale offshore wind and tidal
development.”

Rob Hastings, Director of the Marine Estate, The Crown Estate, said: “Our
announcement today is a further indication of how UK companies are taking
strides forwards towards commercial deployment of wave and tidal energy,
particularly in Scotland. In the last six months we have continued to see
strong interest in wave and tidal leases. The Crown Estate’s growing wave
and tidal team looks forward to working with the companies to overcome
development barriers and see the projects come to fruition.”

This is the first time some of these developments have been proposed
publicly, reflecting the early stage they are at in the development process.
A key part of the development phase is consultation and community
engagement, and all developers will now begin or continue discussing their
plans with stakeholders local to each site. In most cases, the rights
awarded are ‘agreements for lease’ – exclusivity agreements for areas of
seabed. Using these agreements the project developers will survey the sites
and design projects in preparation to install generation devices in future.
Before construction begins and prior to The Crown Estate issuing leases for
any of the sites, the developers will need to obtain statutory consents from
relevant government regulators, such as Marine Scotland or the Marine
Management Organisation. This normally requires completion of an
Environmental Impact Assessment, and the statutory consenting process itself
includes further consultation with stakeholders to ensure developments
proceed only after the views of interested parties have been taken into
account.

The third application window for Saltire Prize and demonstration projects,
which could result in more leases being awarded as soon as March 2012, will
open on 24 October 2011. For further details, see The Crown Estate website.

Today’s announcement refers to the following sites and companies:

Wave
· Bernera - Pelamis Wave Power Limited
· Moray Firth - AWS Ocean Energy Limited

Tidal stream
· West Islay - Marine Energy Limited
· Mull of Kintyre - Nautricity Limited
· Bluemull Sound - Nova Innovation Limited
· Sanda Sound - Oceanflow Development Limited
· Wales, Skerries - Marine Current Turbines Limited
· Northern Ireland, Strangford Lough - Minesto UK Limited

Contact:

· Andrew Doe on 020 7851 5340 or andrew.doe@thecrownestate.co.uk

Argyll and Bute Council’s spending over £1,000 is published

2011-10-17T14:37:00.001+01:00

Argyll and Bute Council is taking part in a Scottish Government initiative to publish information on spending over £1,000.

The council already provides the Scottish Procurement Information Hub with information on what it spends and this is enhanced by company information from commercial databases.

The information from 2010 - 11 financial year is now available here http://www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/spotlight-spend

You can find details of all payments to suppliers and contractors totalling £1,000 or more.

Leader of Argyll and Bute Council, Councillor Dick Walsh said, “Argyll and Bute Council is committed to being financially transparent wherever possible. By making this information on our spending over £1,000 available online, people will have a much better idea of where their money goes. I’d encourage anyone with questions to e-mail spotlightonspend@argyll-bute.gov.uk and we will get back to you.”

The entries marked as “redacted” are those where the name of the supplier is an individual person. The name but not the amount is concealed to comply with Data Protection legislation.

The information on expenditure is categorised on the website by commodity or service provided. This information comes from the supplier databases, such as the Thomsons Local Directory. It relates to the stated business of the company, which may be different to the nature of the business carried out for Argyll and Bute Council.

Information on all contracts let by the council is being added to the Scottish Procurement Information Hub and this will be published next to the expenditure information.

Have your say on the council’s budget

2011-10-17T13:49:00.000+01:00

Argyll and Bute Council’s budget consultation will run from Monday 10 October to Friday 25 November and we want to hear about the council services that are important to you.

Although the Council will not set the budget until February, by launching this consultation now your councillors have the opportunity to hear from as many people across our area as possible. This helps the decision making process which will shape how council services are delivered in the future.

Last year the consultation had a real impact on influencing where the council spent its money. You told us that you wanted more money spent on roads, education and social care which we did. In roads we agreed to invest £15m over the next three years, and we protected education and adult care with the lowest reductions in budget of 5.5% and 5.9% over three years. We also agreed to protect front line services by reducing budgets for non essential functions such as travel, subsistence, venue hire and advertising and by increasing fees and charges.

You will be able to take part in the consultation online by going to our website at www.argyll-bute.gov.uk, by attending one of our community planning events or by filling in one of the postcards which will be locally available and putting it in the suggestion box.

Speaking on the consultation Argyll and Bute Council Leader Dick Walsh said, “Your council manages its finances well. However, we know we are going to receive less funding this year and in future years from the Scottish Government. This combined with additional demand pressures from new legislation and from changes in our population mean that we have to look long and hard at the services we offer. I am proud of the high standard of service offered by your council but we know that we won’t be able to provide all the services we did previously. We also know that there will be changes to the way other services are delivered. Last year was the first year we ran a budget consultation and the feedback from communities helped us in the way we structured this year’s budget. This year the Council will again have to take very difficult decisions regarding the way we deliver our services. I would encourage as many people as possible to get involved. It’s only by telling us what services are important to you that we can realise our potential together and take the decisions that will have the least impact on people’s lives.”

Referendum on Separation for Scotland

2011-10-17T12:38:00.001+01:00

The Scottish Affairs Committee is today launching two new inquiries relating to a potential referendum on Separation for Scotland.

The first inquiry will focus on the processes and mechanics by which such a referendum would be organised and conducted. The Committee would particularly welcome submissions on the following questions:

1. Which jurisdiction should conduct such a referendum and what is the legal and/or moral basis for such a determination?
2. How should such a referendum be initiated e.g. should it be via provision in the Scotland Bill?
3. What should be the process for determining the timing of a referendum?
4. How should the eligibility criteria for voting in such a referendum be determined?
5. What is the role of the UK Government, the Scottish Government/Executive and the Electoral Commission in the process?
6. What lessons can be learned for the process of conducting a referendum from the experience of other referenda in the UK, including the March 2011 referendum for the devolution of further law making powers to the Welsh Assembly Government?

The Committee welcomes initial written evidence from interested parties on any, or all, aspects of this inquiry by 18 November 2011. Should you wish to submit written evidence after this date, please contact Committee staff.

The second inquiry will seek to identify those issues which will need to be resolved before a referendum is held in order to allow voters to make an informed choice.

Rt Hon Michael Moore MP, Secretary of State for Scotland, has identified six areas where clarification is required:

1. Bank regulation
2. Pension payments
3. The national currency
4. Membership of international organisations
5. Scotland’s defences
6. Costs of Separation

At this stage the Committee would welcome suggestions as to:

a) What matters require to be clarified amongst these broad themes?
b) What additional issues need to be resolved or clarified in advance of a referendum?

The Committee takes the view that Separation would be a major step for Scotland, with an impact upon all our lives, and needs to be considered rationally as well as emotionally.

The Committee welcomes initial written evidence from interested parties on any, or all, aspects of the inquiry by 11 November 2011. Should you wish to submit written evidence after this date, please contact Committee staff.

Submissions should be in Word or rich text format and sent by e-mail to scotaffcom@parliament.uk. Do not send in pdf format. The body of the e-mail must include a contact name, telephone number and postal address. The e-mail should also make clear who the submission is from.
Submissions must address the terms of the inquiry and should not, as a rule, exceed 2,000 words. Paragraphs should be numbered for ease of reference, and the document should include an executive summary.

Information on the Committee’s future meetings is available on the What’s On section of the Scottish Affairs Committee homepage.

BBC ALBA – WEEKLY PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS Saturday 22 October – Friday 28 October 2011

2011-10-14T16:23:00.001+01:00

Title: SPL: St Mirren V Hibs

‘As-live’ coverage from the Scottish Premier League as St Mirren host Hibs at St Mirren Park, Paisley.

Transmitted: Saturday 22 October
Time: 5.30 – 7.30pm

Title: Blas Music Festival 2011
Kirsteen MacDonald presents highlights from Hallaig, a special concert from Inverness Cathedral celebrating the work of the poet Sorley Maclean.

Transmitted: Saturday 22 October
Time: 9.00 – 10.00pm

Title: Horo Gheallaidh / Celtic Music

World class musicians from the Celtic Connections festival drop in to give special, intimate performances at the Horo Gheallaidh ceilidh session's filmed in Glasgow and presented by Sarah Cruickshank. This week, Karen Matheson with Irish singer Mairead Ni Mhaonaigh, Basque accordionist Kepa Junkera, Scots singer Scott Garner and some great tunes from Dàimh. This is a unique opportunity to watch world-class artists up close, performing stripped down versions of their songs live on our sofa in a way you won't have seen them before.

Transmitted: Saturday 22 October
Time: 10.00 – 10.25pm

Title: Hurling / Shinty Ireland V Scotland

‘As-live’ coverage of the Hurling / Shinty international between Ireland and Scotland from Athy, Co. Kildare.

Transmitted: Sunday 23 October
Time: 4.00 – 5.30pm

Title: Trusadh – Suas is Sios Nam Inntinn / Bipolar and Me

Rhoda Meek has suffered from depression since she was a teenager. At 19, she was a presenter on the children's programme
Dè a-nis? Bubbly and with a 'give anything a go' attitude, you would never have known that beneath the surface, something was troubling her. But it was, as she battled with depression through these years.

Two years ago, Rhoda found herself having intense mood swings - going from being in a great mood to becoming extremely irritable - and was diagnosed with bipolar 2.

Suas is sìos nam Inntinn (Bipolar & Me) is Rhoda's personal journey as she explores the many different aspects of mental health.

Mental health problems affect 1 in 4 of Scots. However, despite this high prevalence, Rhoda is all too aware of the fear that often surrounds the illness. How difficult it is for people to accept that they, or a family member are experiencing mental health problems, and how hard it is to speak out? Amongst those that she speaks to, her father, Prof. Donald Meek, and the psychologist, Dr Rachel MacLeod.

Trusadh: Suas is sìos nam Inntinn (Bipolar & Me) - Rhoda's own moving story, and her personal journey, as she hears from others who have experienced mental health problems, and tries to learn from how they have managed to cope with things.

Transmitted: Monday 24 October
Time: 9.00 – 10.00pm

Title: Turas Tony

Actor Tony Kearney from BBC's 'River City' swaps the comfort of a television studio for four varied and challenging professions.

Episode two sees Tony train as a chef in a top Glasgow restaurant. Can he handle the heat as he attempts to serve up a sumptuous meal for the toughest of critics - 10 of his River City colleagues?

Transmitted: Monday 24 October
Time: 10.00 – 10.30pm

Title: Ceol Country

Anne Morrison presents highlights from the Kelso Country and Western Music Festival. Among the artists showcased at the festival are Raising Cain, Jim Clarke and the Haley Sisters. In addition to the music Anne spends a day with singer Chris Raddings, finding out more about his work as a music therapist.

Transmitted: Tuesday 25 October
Time: 9.00 – 10.00pm

Title: Eorpa

Another edition of Eorpa, reporting on the most interesting stories from around Europe.

Transmitted: Wednesday 26 October
Time: 8.30 – 9.00pm

Title: Na Geamannan / World Island Games

New series following Western Isles sportsmen and women as they prepare for this year's International Island Games on the Isle of Wight.

Transmitted: Thursday 27 October
Time: 8.30 – 9.00pm

Title: Somhairle

An exploration of the life and work of Gaelic poet Sorley MacLean whose poetry is celebrated today both nationally and internationally.

Transmitted: Thursday 27 October
Time: 9.00 – 10.00pm

Title: Siuthad Siubhal / Go! Explore! – Edinburgh

Our intrepid presenters tackle a variety of activities on offer in the Edinburgh/Lothians region - so don't be a couch potato! Go! Explore! The series is presented by Emma MacInnes and Derek ''Pluto'' Murray.

Transmitted: Thursday 27 October
Time: 10.00 – 10.30pm

Title: Pro 12 Live Rugby Edinburgh V Leinster

LIVE rugby action from the Pro12 league as Edinburgh host Leinster at Murrayfield.

Transmitted: Friday 28 October
Time: 7.30 – 9.25pm

Title: Grinn / Makeover

Makeover show Grinn returns for a new series. In episode one Donna, Lynda and hair stylist John Comerford transform Carol
McGlone from South Uist.

Transmitted: Friday 28 October
Time: 10.00 – 10.30pm

Digitilisation of Scotland’s Heritage vital to economic future of the Highlands & Islands

2011-10-14T15:21:00.000+01:00

Jamie McGrigor, Highlands & Islands Conservative MSP, took part in today’s Scottish Government debate in the Scottish Parliament on the digital future of Scotland’s heritage. Jamie argued that digitilisation of Scotland’s heritage was vital to the future of the economy of the Highlands & Islands.
Speaking today, and following a meeting earlier in the afternoon at Parliament where Jamie held with Malcolm MacGregor of MacGregor (Jamie’s own Clan Chief), The head of the Standing Council of Scottish Clan Chiefs, where he discussed the importance of family history tourism, he said:
“I associate myself with the many positive comments about the Scottish Ten project and I am delighted that two of the three Scottish UNESCO World Heritage Sites that have already been recorded by laser scanning- Neolithic Orkney and St Kilda- are in my region of the Highlands & Islands. I expect I am one of the few MSPs to have actually set foot on St Kilda which I did in the 1980s. I will never forget arriving at the islands on a June morning and the sky going black with the literally millions of seabirds who rose to greet us- it is a sight I shall never forget.
“ Genealogical tourism is already of real economic importance and there is huge potential for growth given the size of the Scottish Diaspora and the ever growing interest in family history. In the run up to today’s debate I received email correspondence from findagraveinscotland.com Nothing to do with Inspector Rebus but an organisation which aims to have one central online facility for all of Scotland’s burial and cremation records- this type of initiative is to be encouraged. People like to find their ancestors, they like to find their roots, especially if their roots are in Scotland.
“ I also commend the work of the team at the National Records of Scotland- under the outstanding leadership of my friend George Mackenzie- for their ScotlandsPeople website which is a world-class resource.”

"Dream homes become reality" - says Russell

2011-10-14T15:18:00.000+01:00

FAMILY HOMES in the west coast’s most rural locations are no longer a pipe dream as the Scottish Government invests millions into Argyll for housing.

Locations where social housing is virtually unheard of such as Ulva on the Isle of Mull, Gigha, Ormsary and Dalmally took a share of the SNP government’s Housing Innovation fund. Lochgilphead, Hellensburgh and Dunbeg also took a share of the cash to invest in larger scale developments.

The five projects will deliver 137 homes at a cost to the Scottish Government’s Housing Innovation and Investment Fund of £5,123,234.

Argyll and Bute MSP Michael Russell said: ‘‘When we held a housing summit in Argyll and Bute only a few weeks ago it was pressed home to the housing minister Keith Brown that investment was necessary in innovative projects in Argyll and Bute to make things work in the future.

‘It is heartening to see that my colleagues are listening. These projects are innovative and impressive – they will bring substantial change to these areas.

‘Each of these projects has been taken on its own merits. The vision and innovation of rural and island communities is tremendous. With projects such as these we will begin to see a difference in the numbers of people and families who can stay in their own communities.’

Argyll and Bute Council’s deputy planning committee chairman Councillor Roddy McCuish, added: ‘I am especially delighted that housing associations and local groups have been awarded this cash.

‘Eight houses in Dalmally is equivalent to 20 in Oban. It is fantastic news and with this sort of opportunity I can imagine it is only the beginning. This is the way forward for housing in Argyll and Bute.

‘It is especially heartening to see the Scottish Government did its own review of the proposals as I understand some of the projects funded did not receive the full backing of the counci

Argyll and Bute looks at joint headships for schools

2011-10-14T15:17:00.001+01:00

Argyll and Bute Council is to explore the establishment of joint headships of primary schools in the wake of a highly successful pilot project.

The move follows an in-depth evaluation of the pilot at Carradale and Drumlemble primaries, which have been sharing a head teacher since May 2010.

Today, the council agreed to looking into establishing similar arrangements in the future in other locations, provided various criteria are met.

The decision was welcomed by Argyll and Bute’s spokesperson for education and lifelong learning Councillor Ellen Morton, who said it could prove a major factor in helping to ensure that the area’s schools remain sustainable.

“In the Carradale and Drumlemble case, both sets of parents and parent councils were consulted on the proposal before it actually happened and the pilot went ahead with their approval.

“The resulting evaluation - along with the direct feedback we received from the parents, staff and pupils in both schools – was overwhelmingly positive and the arrangement will now become a permanent one.

“The obvious benefits of a joint headship are clear to everyone who has been involved in this pilot, and I am delighted that this is an option which we will now be able to consider, in appropriate circumstances, in the future.”

At present, a significant number of head teachers in Argyll and Bute’s smaller, more rural schools have a class teaching commitment, which can be as much as three and a half days each week.

The remaining time is used for managing the day to day running of the school and its ongoing development.

Councillor Morton said: “Even in a school with a relatively low pupil roll, managing the school and teaching a class can be extremely demanding as it is sometimes difficult to maintain an appropriate balance between the two roles.

“Matters of high importance cannot always be left until later and, as a result, teaching time can be disrupted when a head teacher has to deal with such issues.

“In addition, access to a head teacher’s time for meetings with parents, visitors and other staff can be limited by that teaching commitment, putting additional pressure on a head teacher to fit management duties into a limited period each week.”

The council believes that joint headships of two geographically close schools could have major benefits in such a situation.

These benefits would not necessarily include significant cost savings, as additional class teachers may be taken on – perhaps in promoted posts – to pick up the teaching requirements in both schools previously covered by the head teacher.

The feedback from those involved in Carradale and Drumlemble primaries has been extremely positive with teachers, parents and carers and the head teacher herself all indicating their satisfaction with the arrangement.

Among the most obvious benefits were having a full time class teacher who does not have to leave the class to deal with managerial issues, having access to the head teacher at any time of day and the opportunity for staff from each school to meet with their counterparts from the other school on an organised basis to share experiences and ideas and plan common activities for the benefit of both schools.

“The feedback from this pilot has been so overwhelmingly positive that it has encouraged us to consider that this might be a suitable arrangement in other locations,” Councillor Morton said.

“Any opportunity for a similar arrangement which arises in the future will be considered on its own merit, and will be assessed against a comprehensive list of criteria. We will of course involve parent councils at an early stage in any proposed joint headship.

“We want to ensure that we do all we can to keep our rural schools vibrant and sustainable, and this could well prove a significant way of enabling that to happen in particular circumstances.”

The council agreed today that the criteria for considering future joint headships in Argyll and Bute should be:

Suitable head teacher vacancies becoming available in schools
A maximum of two schools for a joint headship arrangement
Location of partner schools (member of an existing cluster) and within a reasonable drive time
The consideration of schools’ similarities and differences based on each school’s self-evaluation information, council evaluations and HMIE reports
Travel implications for a joint headship (costs, travel times etc)
The ability and experience of applicants to match the criteria set out in the Scottish Qualification for Headship
Consultation with both parent councils
Financial sustainability

PRÒGRAMAN BHO MHÒD NAN EILEAN SIAR AIR BBC ALBA

2011-10-14T15:11:00.001+01:00

Bidh BBC ALBA a’ toirt prògraman thugaibh gach feasgar bhon chòigeamh Mòd Nàiseanta Rìoghail a chaidh a chumail anns Na h-Eileanan Siar.

Tha Mòd a’ Chomuinn Ghàidhealaich na phrìomh fhèis ann an coimhearsnachd na Gàidhlig, a’ brosnachadh agus a’ neartachadh cànan, cultar, eachdraidh agus dualchas nan Gàidheal.

Bidh an seinneadair ainmeil Màiri Anna NicUalraig a’ libhrigeadh còig prògraman air BBC ALBA anns am faicear taghadh de na prìomh thachartasan a bhios ann gach latha bho Dhiluain 17 gu Dihaoine 21 Dàmhair.

Eadar na bhios ri chluinntinn air Radio nan Gàidheal agus na bhios ri fhaicinn air prògraman BBC ALBA agus air www.bbcalba.co.uk gheibh an luchd-amhairc is an luchd-èisteachd, ge bith càite am bi iad, fìor dheagh bhlas den fhèis chudromaich seo agus airson a’ chiad uair a-riamh, bidh BBC ALBA a' toirt thugaibh farpais Bonn Òr an t-Seann Nòis air oidhche Dhiardaoin.

Bidh na prògraman a leanas cuideachd air BBC ALBA:

· Diluain 17mh, 8.30f-10f: Màiri Anna NicUalraig le seinneadairean a bha soirbheachail air a' chiad latha de Mhòd na Cloinne ann an Steòrnabhagh.
· Dimàirt 18mh, 8.30f-10f: Tha Màiri Anna NicUalraig a’ cur fàilte oirbh gu cuirm le farpaisich a ghlèidh duaisean air an dàrna latha de Mhòd Nàiseanta Rìoghail nan Eilean Siar.
· Diciadain 19mh, 9.00f-10f: Tha Mòd nan Eilean Siar leathach-slighe agus tha Màiri Anna NicUalraig aig cèilidh ann an Steòrnabhagh a’ toirt thugaibh blas bho iomall a' Mhòid.
· Diardaoin 20mh, 8.30f-10f: Tha Màiri Anna NicUalraig a' toirt thugaibh farpais Bonn Òr an t-Seann Nòis.
· Dihaoine 21mh, 8.30f-10f: Tha Mòd Nàiseanta Rìoghail nan Eilean Siar a’ tighinn gu crìch agus tha Màiri Anna NicUalraig a’ toirt thugaibh cuirm crìochnachaidh a’ Mhòid à Steòrnabhagh.

Air madainn Dihaoine bidh Mòrag Dhòmhnallach air Radio nan Gàidheal le aon de phrìomh thachartasan craolaidh a’ Mhòid, Cèilidh Mire ri Mòr bho Thaigh-òsta a’ Chabar Fèidh, a’ tòiseachadh aig 10m.

Bidh gu leòr ann cuideachd do luchd-amhairc nas òige leis gu bheil sgioba Aileag (Dihaoine 21mh @ 5.30f) agus sgioba Dè a-nis? (Diciadain 19mh @ 6.00f) a’ tadhal air Steòrnabhagh.

McGrigor's key note speech at Crofting Law Conference

2011-09-23T09:17:00.001+01:00

Jamie McGrigor, Highlands & Islands Conservative MSP, this morning delivered the key note speech at a major Crofting Law conference held in Edinburgh’s Signet Library and organised by The Society of Writers to Her Majesty's Signet. Jamie was asked to deliver the address in his capacity as Convenor of the Scottish Parliament’s Cross Party Group on Crofting. The conference was chaired by Lord McGhie, Chairman of the Scottish Land Court and President of the Lands Tribunal for Scotland and attracted lawyers and legal experts specialising in crofting law from across Scotland.
Jamie set out the role of the Cross Party Group, talked about the Crofting (Scotland) Act 2010 and about the future of the crofting sector in Scotland.

Addressing the conference Jamie said:

“ The Scottish Government and all the parties represented in the Scottish Parliament are committed to Scotland’s crofting sector as a key rural primary industry that is often the bedrock of our rural communities, particularly in many fragile remote and island areas. There is a lot of genuine political good will towards our crofters and we politicians want to see a dynamic and sustainable industry that attracts new entrants and is innovative and diverse, while at the same time retaining and passing on the best of traditional techniques and excellence and helping to preserve often unique environments. And I mean excellence not only in animal husbandry but also in industries such as weaving.

“ During the passage of the 2010 Act, I used to make the point- and it was shared by Ministers- that regulation alone will not ensure crofting's survival. Government assistance for the crofting sector through agricultural and agri-environmental support schemes is already substantial and will continue to be crucial for most crofters and their ability to carry on in crofting. The forthcoming reforms to these support schemes must contain real opportunities for the crofting counties- for example in the development of new schemes which could be targeted at vulnerable areas or areas of natural handicap.

“Food security, the importance of local food and a growing consumer desire- which is likely to increase- to see a reduction in food miles can be real positives for crofting, as they can be for Scotland’s entire agricultural industry. Again government can offer support in this area by helping with promotion and marketing and by highlighting some of the world class food that crofters produce which can be enjoyed by local residents and by tourists to the Highlands & Islands alike. I think even more can be done to promote some of the niche market products created by crofters such as meat from traditional and native breeds. A couple of years ago we saw the launch of the Scottish Crofting Produce Mark- a trademark which can be seen on a whole host of products from beef and lamb to honey and croft-made tweed products- and this scheme is to be commended.”

SNH publishes new reports on the effect of beavers on woodland and fish

2011-09-20T15:55:00.001+01:00

Two new reports on the Scottish Beaver Trial in Argyll, published by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), show that beavers are changing some of the woodland structure but so far having little effect on fish in streams.

Beavers were reintroduced to Knapdale forest near Lochgilphead in May 2009 as part of a five year scientific trial run by the Scottish Wildlife Trust and the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, hosted by Forestry Commission Scotland. After an absence of more than 400 years, the effects of beavers on the environment are being closely monitored by SNH in partnership with a number of other independent organisations. The reports will help inform future decisions on whether the European beaver should be permanently reintroduced to Scotland.

The woodland monitoring has been carried out by The James Hutton Institute, who surveyed land around the edges of the lochs where the beavers live. Nearly a year and a half after their release, about 10% of trees in the survey area were showing signs of beaver activity. Most of these had been felled, with many trees also showing signs of gnawing. As well as feeding on bark, twigs, shoots and leaves, beavers use felled trees and branches for building their lodges and dams and store them underwater for food in the winter. Beaver activity is concentrated in particular areas – the majority of trees affected (72%) were within 10 metres of lochs and streams, with the most intensive felling within 350 metres of beaver lodges.

The average size of trees gnawed or felled was 5cm across, but beavers often felled much bigger trees. Most were less than 20cm in diameter but a few were up to 30cm.

Results to date show that beavers are showing a strong preference for willow and rowan, and that they avoid alder. One striking observation was that beavers will travel a distance from the water’s edge to find willow. Other trees at Knapdale are used in proportion to their availability. Birch is one most often used by beavers but this is because it is the most commonly found tree in the survey area.

However, most trees will not die when they’re felled by the beavers. Of the trees affected, new growth had already been found on 44% of stumps and partially-felled trees. Trees which have been felled later on in the summer may not start to regrow until the following spring.

As well as their effect on trees around the lochs, an area of woodland has been flooded by a beaver dam at Dubh Loch. While the willow and alder may survive, other species may die but remain standing as dead wood for some time. Ultimately this particular area may change to very wet willow woodland or even wetland.

The second report, produced by the Argyll Fisheries Trust, showed that so far beavers are having little observable effect on freshwater fish in streams in the trial area. This is because beavers aren’t using streams as much as might have been expected - most beaver activity is taking place on the lochs. However this may change as the beaver numbers increase. The streams will continue to be monitored and the fish and fish habitat in some of the lochs will also be studied.

The fish species found in the survey include brown trout, European eel, stickleback and flounder. Minnow were also found. They are probably not native to this region of Scotland but are likely to have been brought in by anglers, using them as bait.

Martin Gaywood, who leads the independent scientific monitoring of the trial for SNH said: “These annual reports are vital to the beaver trial, because they’ll show us how beavers influence the environment in and around these lochs. Beavers have complex effects on other wildlife, and measuring these changes is essential. This trial will give the Scottish Government the information it needs to decide whether beavers should be reintroduced on a wide-scale in Scotland.”

BBC ALBA – WEEKLY PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS Saturday 1 October – Friday 7 October 2011

2011-09-20T15:46:00.001+01:00

Title: SPL Kilmarnock v St. Johnstone

The latest full-match coverage from the SPL as Kilmarnock host St Johnstone at Rugby Park.

Transmitted: Saturday 1 October
Time: 5.30 – 7.30pm

Title: Rockness 2011 Highlights

Main stage highlights and unseen performances from Saturday night at Rockness 2011: Example, Annie Mac, Magnetic Man with acoustic sets from Bombay Bicycle Club & Frightened Rabbit. Hosted by Andrew Robertson.

Transmitted: Saturday 1 October
Time: 9.00 -10.00pm

Title: Air an Toir – In search of….

Aiir an Toir follows the lives of individual Gaels whose global journeys found them in extraordinary situations.

Angus Macaskill from the Isle of Skye was just 22 years of age when he answered an advertisement for an extraordinary motor expedition across the continent of Africa. Seumas MacDonald follows his remarkable journey.

Transmitted: Tuesday 4 October
Time: 8.30 – 9.00pm

Title: Ceol Country / Country Music

Anne Morrison brings you some of the musical highlights from the Northern Nashville Caithness Country Music Festival. Among the artists showcased at the festival are The Jacks, Sharon Nixon and Ron Williams. In addition to the music, Anne spends time in Texas with veteran performer Tony Booth.

Transmitted: Tuesday 4 October
Time: 9.00 – 10.00pm

Title: Eorpa

Another edition of Eorpa, reporting on the most interesting stories from around Europe.

Transmitted: Wednesday 5 October
Time: 8.30 - 9.00pm

Title: Siuthad Siubhal / Go Explore!

Our intrepid presenters tackle a variety of activities on offer in the Highlands region - so don't be a couch potato! Go! Explore! The series is presented by Emma MacInnes and Derek ''Pluto'' Murray.

Transmitted: Thursday 6 October
Time: 10.00 – 10.30pm

Title: Midwives: Mnathan-Gluine

Mum Samantha anxiously waits to go to theatre for her elective caesarean but a delay means she has even longer to wait.

First time mum Tracy will also have her breech baby delivered by caesarean section - unless Dr Reid can manipulate baby into the correct position for the natural birth Tracy so desperately wants.

Meanwhile, midwife Kareen Laird tests first time mum Janet Campbell for gestational diabetes, while Consultant Obstetrician Dr Russell Lees explains the implications of diabetes on pregnancy.

We also hear why Cameron will have an interesting story to tell about the time of his birth when he is older and heartburn is making Catherine Anne's life a misery - can her Gaelic tutor Mattie, who just happens to be a retired midwife, offer her any advice?

Transmitted: Friday 7 October
Time: 8.30 – 9.00

Title: A-U: Na Thadhail Thu?

As part of the BBCs Year of Gaelic Song, Tìr nan Òran (Heartland Song) brings you five of the most popular songs from Argyll, including performances from Anne Lorne Gillies and Griogair Labhruidh. The series is narrated by popular Gaelic singer Kirsteen MacDonald.

Transmitted: Friday 7 October
Time: 9.00 – 10.00pm

BBC ALBA – WEEKLY PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS Saturday 24 September – Friday 30 September 2011

2011-09-20T13:19:00.000+01:00

Title: SPL Hibernian v Dundee United
The latest full-match coverage from the SPL as Hibs host Dundee United at Easter Road.

Transmitted: Saturday 24 September
Time: 5.30 – 7.30pm

Title: Alleluia!/Spiritual Music & Verse
Psalm 23 sung by the Glasgow Islay Choir, the hymn Be Thou My Vision by Kathleen Graham and Suzie Roberts tells how her faith sustained her through her personal battle with cancer. The programme is presented by Iain MacKinnon.

Transmitted: Sunday 25 September
Time: 7.30 – 8.00pm

Title: Trusadh - Turas a' Phapa (The Pope's Visit)
Last year saw the visit of Pope Benedict XVI to Scotland - a visit that was not without its controversies after the recent scandals which rocked the position of the Catholic church globally.

This was the first time that the figurehead of the Catholic church had officially visited the country, and he's only the second Pope in history to visit, following Pope John Paul II's pastoral visit in 1982.

In 1982 John Archie MacMillan was a Catholic priest working in his island parish in Eriskay.

However, he left the priesthood 5 years later, disillusioned with the bureaucracy of the Church, and is now married with a family and working as a social worker. In a compelling personal journey he follows the build up to the visit, and attends the open air mass at Bellahouston Park, as he hears many different, fascinating views, and reflects on his own faith and the changing face of all Christianity in Scotland.

Transmitted: Monday 26 September
Time: 9.00 – 10.00pm

Title: Ceòl Country

Anne Morrison brings you some of the musical highlights from the Northern Nashville Caithness Country Music Festival. Among the artists showcased at the festival are South Mountain, Gene Watson and Dominic Kirwan.

In addition to the live music Anne travels to Texas for an exclusive acoustic performance from Landon Dodd, one of the rising stars in the Texas dancehall scene.

Transmitted: Tuesday 27 September
Time: 9.00 – 10.00pm

Title: Soillse - Samucha, The Last Shepherd
Samucha lives in the mountains of Tusheti, a tiny region in Georgia on the border with Chechnya. He's a fabulous horse rider, a shepherd, a musician, singer, and storyteller. This year, like every springtime, Samucha migrates with his flock of 2,000 sheep to reach the high plains of the Caucasus, located at an altitude of 4000 meters. But he feels tired and old. After this season, it will finally be time for him to retire. He will spend the summer on the plateau accompanied by his two sons, David and Kwiria, to whom he will hand over his herd.

Transmitted: Wednesday 28 September
Time: 9.00 – 9.50pm

Title: Siuthad Siubhal/Go! Explore! - Dundee/Fife
Our intrepid presenters tackle a variety of activities on offer in the Dundee/Fife area so don't be a couch potato! Go! Explore! The series is presented by Emma MacInnes and Derek ''Pluto'' Murray.

Transmitted: Thursday 29 September
Time: 10.00 – 10.30pm

Title: Midwives: Mnathan-Gluine
In the second programme in the series, labour suite sister Caron Cruickshank gives us an idea of the wide geographical area served by Raigmore hospital's Maternity Unit.

Mum to be Nicola's community midwife has taken a routine blood sample but the results give her cause for concern. Nicola is sent to Raigmore for further investigation and the decision is taken to induce her labour. Midwife Ishbel MacDonald is with Nicola in labour suite but not everything goes to plan.

Meanwhile, Margaret Jack is in hospital having her second baby - her speedy delivery gives experienced midwife Mary Taylor some anxious moments and first time mum Sarah Louise Farmer goes into labour at home in Lochinver. She is rushed to Raigmore by helicopter -will she make it in time?

We also meet Catherine Anne Mackinnon, who is having her 20 week scan. Technological advances mean she can see her developing baby in amazing detail.

Transmitted: Friday 30 September
Time: 8.30 – 9.00pm

Title: A gu U: Na Thadhail Thu?
A new series with Shona Henderson taking an island journey through the Gaelic alphabet.

In the first programme Shona travels by ferry, explores the topic of island food, and asks what sort of people live in the Scottish islands.

Transmitted: Friday 30 September
Time: 9.00 – 10.00pm

BBC ALBA UNVEILS PREMIER PACKAGE OF AUTUMN PROGRAMMES

2011-09-08T13:25:00.000+01:00

BBC ALBA unveiled its schedule of new programmes for its autumn season today (Thursday 8 September) at a launch event held in Eden Court Theatre, Inverness.

Three years on, the channel has continued to provide an excellent range of high quality home produced programmes appealing to audiences across Scotland with productions from many genres including observational documentaries, news and current affairs, entertainment and lifestyle, religion, children’s programming, music and sport.

Leading figures from the channel partnership and programme producers were present alongside a host of new stars who will grace our screens this autumn on BBC ALBA. In attendance were contributors to the new Midwives series filmed at Raigmore Hospital, alongside some furry friends to showcase a new series following the varied lives of vets in the Highlands & Islands and throughout Scotland.

BBC ALBA is proud to be making a positive contribution to Scottish broadcasting and supporting the county’s creative and media sectors, working with 16 independent production companies and both Scottish broadcasters, STV and the BBC on programme content. Earlier this year the channel also achieved a major milestone when the BBC Trust approved its carriage on Freeview thus enabling every household in Scotland to access the wide variety of programmes available on BBC ALBA.

Some highlights from BBC ALBA’s new autumn schedule include:

· Midwives/Mnathan-glùine: a moving observational documentary series charting new beginnings and changed lives at the Highland maternity unit in Raigmore Hospital. With special access to staff and the mums-to-be, this series offers insights into the highs and lows of life in a busy maternity unit.

· Vets/Gach Creutair Beò: this new series takes viewers on a journey from the Western Isles to Aberdeen and from Wick to the safari parks of Blair Drummond near Stirling and the Highland Wildlife Park, following a number of vets at work, tending to a wide range of animals from cattle during calving season, operating on horses, examining elephants and taking blood samples from chimpanzees.

· Turas Tony - actor Tony Kearney swaps the comfort of a television studio to try his hand at four varied and challenging professions. Has Tony got what it takes to be a Hotel Manager in Tiree during the busy Tiree Wave Classic surfing competition, a chef at one of Glasgow’s top restaurants, a Trawlerman in the North Atlantic Sea and a member of the Cairngorm Mountain Rescue Team?

· Children’s – Teenage Breab is back in the company of six talented Gaelic speakers from across Scotland as they spend two action packed weeks together; popular children’s favourite De a-nis? continues, as well as a new bespoke animation series Sgeulaiche, featuring stories written by children, for children.

· Music – Live music festivals and events recorded across Scotland are at the core of BBC ALBA’s music offering with traditional, Celtic, country and the best of indie music all featured; new programmes include Blas 2011, The Royal National Mod 2011, Ceòl Country – country music and Horo Gheallaidh – Celtic sessions and Piping Live.

· Sport – coverage continues with one ‘as-live’ SPL game every Saturday; live coverage of select Glasgow and Edinburgh RaboDirect PRO12 rugby matches; the annual International shinty/hurling test between Ireland and Scotland, as well as coverage of the 2011 World Island Games.

Margaret Mary Murray, Head of Service for BBC ALBA, said: “We are delighted to be launching such a strong and varied new autumn season of programmes ranging from emotional documentaries to light-hearted entertainment and lifestyle strands to professional sport and live musical performances. Audiences across Scotland have been drawn to BBC ALBA’s schedule of programmes supplied by some of the finest independent and broadcast production companies in the country.”

Alasdair Morrison, Chairman of MG ALBA said: “Achieving greater viewer access for all in Scotland was a tremendous achievement for the channel this year and we have been delighted at the response from the UK-wide public for our distinct home-grown productions and unique Scottish content. We very much look forward to the new autumn season as the channel goes from strength to strength offering a premier package for our loyal viewers as well as those who have embraced the channel since its launch on Freeview.”

BBC ALBA is delivered through the partnership set up between the BBC and MG ALBA, the Gaelic Media Service, a unique broadcasting partnership providing a successful public service.

BBC ALBA – WEEKLY PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS Saturday 17 September – Friday 23 September 2011

2011-09-06T16:41:00.001+01:00

Title: Scottish Premier League - Hearts v St Mirren
The latest full-match coverage from the SPL as Hearts host St Mirren at Tynecastle Stadium.

Transmitted: Saturday 17 September
Time: 5.30 – 7.30pm

Title: Trusadh - Ralaidh Chaluim/Calum's Rally
Every year from the middle of February, through to October, the peace of Scotland's tranquil forests is shattered by the roar of powerful rally cars as they tear through the forest tracks. Rally driving - a fast and dangerous sport, but also an exciting and addictive one, which is followed by many. Calum George Buchanan, from the Western Isles, lives and breathes it - it's in his blood. In a career spanning 16 years he's reached the very top of the sport in his chosen class.

We follow him through the season, as he travels the length and breadth of the country to prove his mettle once again. Having won his class last year the stakes are high! As well as overcoming the challenge of living and working in Lewis, with his car based in Ayrshire, there are also plenty of thrills and spills along the way!

Transmitted: Monday 19 September
Time: 9.00 – 10.00pm

Title: Turas Tony
Actor Tony Kearney from BBC's 'River City' swaps the comfort of a television studio for four varied and challenging professions. Tony take up the reins as the manager of a hotel on the Island of Tiree. Can Tony handle the staff, the locals and the tourists as he does everything from pulling pints to cleaning toilets? The first part of a new factual entertainment series.

Transmitted: Monday 19 September
Time: 10.00 -10.30pm

Title: Ceol Country/Country Music
Anne Morrison presents highlights from the Northern Nashville Caithness Country Music Festival. Among the artists showcased are local band Slange Ava and international acts Gene Watson, Highway 101 and Gail Davies. In addition to the music, Anne travels to Texas to find out more about the traditional country music scene that exists there, as well as joining record producer Justin Trevino in the studio.

Transmitted: Tuesday 20 September
Time: 9.00 – 10.00pm

Title: Eorpa/European Current Affairs
Eorpa returns with a new series examining the most interesting stories from across Europe.

Transmitted: Wednesday 21 September
Time: 8.30 – 9.00pm

Title: Club TV

Exclusive interviews, match action, and behind the scenes at Celtic and Rangers F.C.

Transmitted: Thursday 22 September
Time: 9.00 – 10.00pm

Title: Siuthad Siubhail / Go! Explore!
Our intrepid presenters tackle a variety of activities on offer in the Glasgow area so don't be a couch potato!

The series is presented by Emma MacInnes and Derek ''Pluto'' Murray.

Transmitted: Thursday 22 September
Time: 10.00 – 10.30pm

Title: Midwives: Mnathan-Gluine
New series with midwives and the families they look after at Raigmore Hospital, Inverness.

Zoe is in labour with her first child but her partner Gerard admits to the midwives looking after them that he is more scared than
she is!

Fiona Bowie has just started her midwifery training - she explains her choice of career and gives us her first impressions of the labour suite.

Catherine Anne and John Mackinnon attend a scan appointment and are delighted with what they see but are concerned about the birth given their previous experience.

On Ward 9 , Ishbel MacDonald helps introduce Molly to her baby sister and more mums and babies for Etta Mackay to look after on her night shift in Ward 10 - can she persuade baby Amelie to take her feed?
Transmitted: Friday 23 September
Time: 8.30 – 9.00pm

Title: Leasan sa Bhas
A bizarre story of addiction, lust and murder, on Scarp in the late 19th century. Fact, or island folklore?

Transmitted: Friday 23 September
Time: 9.00 – 10.00pm

BBC ALBA TO UNVEIL A PREMIER PACKAGE OF NEW PROGRAMMES AT AUTUMN LAUNCH

2011-09-05T15:29:00.001+01:00

BBC ALBA’s autumn programme launch will be celebrated on Thursday 8th September with an exciting schedule of new programmes being unveiled.

Leading figures from the channel and series producers will be present alongside a host of new stars who will grace our screens this year on BBC ALBA, including characters from the new Maternity series filmed at Raigmore Hospital, charting the highs and lows of life in the busy maternity ward.

Also in attendance will be some of our furry friends who feature in the new Vets series following the varied lives of vest in the Highlands & Islands from Wick to the Western Isles and from Aberdeen to the tourist friendly safari parks of Blair Drummond near Stirling and the Highland Wildlife Park.

The team of presenters from the channel’s flagship news programme An Là, broadcast at 8pm each weekday evening from the BBC Broadcasting House in Inverness, will be present including anchors Angela MacLean from Lewis and Iain MacLean from Harris with weather girl Kirsteen MacDonald from Inverness.

A suite of new programmes will be announced on the day as the channel continues to provide a range of high quality, distinctive, Scottish programming covering the full spectrum of genres.

You are invited to send a reporter/photographer/camera crew to the press event and media are requested to assemble in the reception of Eden Court.

BBC ALBA is a partnership service between MG ALBA, the Gaelic Media Service and BBC Scotland.

BBC Alba: Programme Highlights Saturday 10 September – Friday 16 September 2011

2011-09-05T15:21:00.000+01:00

Title: Pro 12 Live Rugby – Ospreys v Edinburgh

Live rugby action from the Celtic League as Ospreys host Michael Bradley’s Edinburgh at the Liberty Stadium, Swansea.

Last season’s fixtures between the sides ended in a share of the spoils, with one win apiece, and Edinburgh will be hoping for a repeat of their last encounter in March which saw them run out 23-16 winners at Murrayfield.

Transmitted: Saturday 10 September
Time: 6.25 – 8.20pm

Title: Cuirm @ Celtic – Art Club Comp

Julie Fowlis and Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh present a roundup of some of the acts who appeared onstage at Glasgow’s Art Club during Celtic Connections 2011.

Transmitted: Saturday 10 September
Time: 9.00 – 10.00pm

Title: SPL Hibernian v Aberdeen

‘As-live’ coverage from the Scottish Premier League as Colin Calderwood’s Hibernian face Craig Brown’s Aberdeen side at Easter Road, Edinburgh.

Transmitted: Sunday 11 September
Time: 5.30 – 7.30pm

Title: Breab / Teenage Reality Show

Breab is back with six new teenagers from across Scotland faced with tackling an array of interesting and varied challenges.

In this programme, the teenagers are given two stalls at Glasgow's Farmers Market to raise as much money as they can for charity. The catch? They must stock the stalls themselves.

We join the teenagers as they get their bakers whites on and quickly learn the art of baking, with one of the lecturers from the City of Glasgow College keeping a close eye on proceedings.

Transmitted: Wednesday 14 September
Time: 6.05 – 7.00pm

Title: Soillse – Saoghal na Surma / Black Samurai

In ‘Black Samurai’, we're thrust into the lives of the Surma people, one of the fiercest tribes of south-western Ethiopia, where war ravages the land.

Recently, because of a terrible famine, the Surma land has been infiltrated by hundreds of their lifelong enemies, the Bumis. They are aggressively seeking new territory, leaving the Surma no choice but physically defend their land. In this film, we follow Wole Kiwo and his group of Surma warriors, as they watch over confines of their territory to prevent attacks from the Bumis.

War is about to break out, and the Surma King decides to call for a Donga. The Donga is a dual with long sticks during which blood must be shed. It helps the clan and supply a contingent of new fighters for the upcoming battles.

Transmitted: Wednesday 14 September
Time: 9.00 – 9.50pm

Title: Fuil a Chiùil

Exploring the musical links within families and across generations. In 2001, three families are already making a name for themselves in traditional music circles - the MacKenzie sisters, Ruaraidh, Marianne and Rory Campbell and the young Henderson clan.

They discuss their musical influences and the impact of their families on their developing talent and the programme captures a snapshot of their musical journey up until that point and their ambitions going forward.

Transmitted: Friday 16 September
Time: 9.00 – 10.00pm

SIX TEENAGERS FEATURE IN NEW REALITY SERIES ON BBC ALBA

2011-09-05T15:00:00.001+01:00

The reality series which follows talented young Gaels on a journey of discovery returns to our screens on BBC ALBA.

‘BREAB’ (‘Kick’) which was shortlisted in the Young People category of this year’s Celtic Media Festival, is back for a fourth series and will provide an exciting insight into the lives of six young Gaels as they gather to face an array of challenging tasks.

The series features six, fresh young Gaelic speaking teenagers from all over Scotland as they spend two action packed weeks together in both town and country locations.

In the latest series, the teens skid into action with go-karting; get hot in the kitchen with a cookery challenge and face physical obstacles when they ‘go country’ facing outdoor pursuits and the prospect of sleeping under the stars for a night.

Can the six also handle the heat when they are faced with the challenge of being fire-fighters for the day, and we get to see the drama-queens amongst the group shine during the acting challenge on the River City set.

In their final challenge the six ‘Breabsters’ head to Perthshire to face a 40ft bungee drop, and with the cameras rolling, will they all make the leap?

The chosen six teenagers, from auditions that took place throughout Scotland, are:

· Katie aged 17 from Skye - Katie just loves to talk! When she isn't talking, she is yawning. She is a laid back, chilled out girl who loves photography, walking, hanging out with her friends and going to music festivals. She loves all types of music but her musical hero is Bruce Springsteen. She describes herself as “full of fun, always laughing and willing to give anything a try”.

· Annemarie aged 16 from Barra - Annemarie is a chilled out happy go lucky islander. Her great passion is dancing and when she isn't dancing, she loves to get out running on Barra. She thinks there is nowhere better in the world than her island. She loves hanging out with her friends on the beach and enjoys a good gossip over a cup of tea. She describes herself as “bossy, sporty, confident and happy but my dad made me admit to also being lazy”.

· Catriona aged 17 from Inverness - Catriona is an accomplished step dancer and loves dancing and singing with her friends. She is fun loving and is always playing pranks on her friends. She plays an active part in a local radio station and one day would love to work in the media. She describes herself as “bossy at home, fun, crazy but also nice”.

· Carwyn aged 16 from Aberdeen - Carwyn, at 6' 5" is the tallest of all the ‘Breabsters’. Playing Rugby league for Scotland and skateboarding with friends makes him happiest! He also loves being out and about in his hometown of Aberdeen and relishes heading down to the recording studio to jam with his mates in his band in which he plays the bass guitar. He describes himself as “funny, interesting and sporty”.

· Gordon aged 16 from Lewis - Gordon is the sporty ‘Breabster’, playing football in his hometown of Stornoway for the local U16s and U18s team, describing himself as a fast but not very accurate striker. He also takes part in the local athletics team where he trains weekly. When he isn't busy at sport, he loves chilling out in Bernera where he grew up. He heads out with his fishing rod though he admits he isn't always so good at catching anything. He says there is no better place than the island of Lewis and would describe himself as “sporty, loves a good laugh and can get very competitive at sport”.

· Daniel aged 15 from Mallaig - Daniel at 15 is the youngest of the ‘Breabsters’ - but certainly not the quietest! He loves hanging out in the beautiful countryside around Mallaig with his friends and he cooks up a storm where he works in the kitchen of a local restaurant. He isn't sure what he wants to do when he leaves school, but would love to make lots of money! He describes himself as “pretty laid back and loves getting the craic with his mates”.

Speaking Gaelic is the one thing they all have in common and the level of fluency is mixed but Breab represents real teens growing up in rural and urban Scotland with Gaelic being taught in school or spoken in the home. Katie, Catriona, Gordon, Carwyn, Annemarie and Daniel are a real inspiration to young learners and native speakers alike.

Can they kick it, will there be tears and will they get on? Find out as ‘BREAB’ starts broadcasting weekly, over six weeks, on BBC ALBA starting Wednesday 31st August at 6.05pm.

BREAB has been produced by BBC Gàidhlig for BBC ALBA.

WALKER TAKES UP TOP POST AT NFU SCOTLAND

2011-09-05T14:56:00.001+01:00

Scott Walker has this week taken up his new position as Chief Executive of NFU Scotland.

Scott has been part of the NFU Scotland staff body for 17 years, working at Head Office and in the regions in a number of positions including Commodity Director, Regional Policy Team Manager and most recently as Policy Director.

Speaking about his new role, Scott Walker said:

“My primary focus is ensuring that NFU Scotland remains relevant to members. Farms are changing and we have to change with them. We don’t need a radical overhaul, but we do need to make sure we provide the right services and are prioritising the right issues for the benefit of our members.

“The big picture policy work, such as CAP reform, will continue to form the backbone of NFUS. We have been working hard to ensure that the views of the individual farming sectors are heard within Scottish Government and further afield on this issue, and that will remain a priority in the run up to the 2014 reform. Ultimately NFU Scotland is a lobbying organisation and we haven’t forgotten that. We have built strong political relationships which we won’t be taking for granted.

“Our members’ interests are wider than ever before. The Union is here to support farm-based businesses and as such it is important that we are equipped to tackle new issues alongside our long-standing priorities. Ambitious renewable targets are now upon us, members have issues with planning applications, and more farmers are looking into diversification projects such as agri-tourism. In addition we are concentrating on selling the benefits of Scottish agriculture to processors and retailers in order to secure better returns for our members.

“I’m confident we’re in a good position to tackle all these challenges. NFUS has great strength in our group secretary network and a hugely talented staff body, and it is through them that I intend to build on the personal service we offer to members over the coming months and years. I will also be looking to enhance the current working relationships we have with other organisations to see how we can help our members together.

“I am fortunate to be taking over a hugely successful organisation that has been left in good health by James Withers, who did a fantastic job for NFUS. It is my intention to build on that legacy going forward and I look forward to this new chapter and new challenge.”

BBC ALBA – WEEKLY PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS Saturday 3 September – Friday 9 September 2011

2011-08-26T15:01:00.000+01:00

Title: Cuirm Ciuil dha Gordon / The Gordon Duncan Experience

The Gordon Duncan Experience concert is the fourth concert held in Perth in the memory of Gordon Duncan, a piper, folk musician and composer, who is widely regarded as one of the most skilled and innovative traditional music performers and composers of modern times.

The 2010 concert features performances from Seamus Begley & Tim Edey, Willie MacCallum, Old Blind Dogs, Galician piper Xose Manuel Budino, The Pitlochry & Blair Atholl Pipe Band and the Gordy Duncan Jr Band.

While steeped in the art of traditional highland piping, his approach to his music was always imaginative, fresh and at times radical, to the extent that his influence can be heard within an entire generation of younger musicians across Scotland and well beyond. Gordon died in December 2005, aged 41.

The annual concert is organized by the Gordon Duncan Trust, which was set up for the promotion of piping and other forms of traditional music amongst young people in Scotland, and this concert features performances by over 30 young musicians who have benefited from the work in the trust by being part of the Gordon Duncan Experience orchestra.

Transmitted: Saturday 3 September
Time: 8.55 – 10.00pm

Title: Cuirm @ Celtic: Taigh Ciuil - Dual

Dual, the top Scottish and Irish musicians in concert during Celtic Connections 2011. With Julie Fowlis, Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh, Eamon Doorley and Tony Byrne.

Transmitted: Saturday 3 September
Time: 10.00 – 10.30pm

Title: Trusadh – Canada An Turas / The Journey

Take the journey of a lifetime from the mystical Hebridean shores of the Isle of Lewis, over the Atlantic to the historical heart of
Canada - Prince Edward Island. In this action-packed hour we find out what happens when a group of Gaelic exchange students
head out to meet their Canadian counterparts, as they each experience student life, leisure & family as a Canadian.

To kick the exchange off the Canadians spend a week on Lewis tracing their lineage and brushing up on their Gaelic.

Despite being separated by the mighty Atlantic, these two groups of students might have a lot in common. What will the natives
of Prince Edward Island make of the Heather Isle?

Tweed waulking, bridge jumping, exploring new delicacies, every step of the way through the eyes of the children.

Transmitted: Monday 5 September
Time: 9.00 – 10.00pm

Title: Breab

Breab is back with six new teenagers from across Scotland and plenty of challenges to throw at them.

The teenagers face a series of physical challenges on a camping trip in the great outdoors. Teamwork is needed to succeed but will it be the boys or girls who come out on top?

Transmitted: Wednesday 7 September
Time: 6.05 – 7.05pm

Title: Fergie

A profile of Fergie MacDonald, one of Scotland's most enigmatic and enduring musicians. In this revealing and candid documentary, filmed around the Highlands and Islands, Fergie revisits many friends and locations where he has played his distinctive brand of ceilidh music for over forty years.

Transmitted: Friday 9 September
Time: 9.00 – 10.00pm

Scottish Govt Press Release on Salmon Farming Industry

2011-08-24T14:59:00.000+01:00

SCOTTISH SALMON EXPORTS ON THE RISE

Government and industry team up to encourage further investment in salmon sector

Scottish farmed salmon continues to show record export growth, according to the latest figures released as the Environment Minister attends the key event in the international trade calendar.

Environment Minister Stewart Stevenson will be joined at Aqua Nor in Norway by representatives of Scottish Development International (SDI), the Scottish Government, Highlands & Islands Enterprise (HIE) and Scottish Salmon Producers' Organisation (SSPO).

Exports of fresh Scottish salmon have continued to rise and are up 37 per cent, comparing the start of 2011 (January to May) with the same period last year. The Scottish delegation at Aqua Nor aims to encourage investment in Scotland’s industry and support sustainable growth.

During his three-day visit, Mr Stevenson will meet with senior executives from some of the major salmon farming companies, as well as Lisbeth Berg-Hansen, Norwegian Fisheries Minister, and Pablo Galilea, Chilean Vice Minister for Fisheries. Norway, Chile and Scotland are the world’s top three producers of farmed salmon.

Mr Stevenson said:

"Scottish salmon is a high quality, delicious product that is becoming increasingly popular around the world – as illustrated by the latest booming export figures. Last year salmon accounted for 36 per cent of the value of Scottish food exports, while the industry also provides much needed employment opportunities in our fragile rural communities.

"It's important that we continue to promote this key product and encourage further investment in the industry, as well as working with others internationally on ways to continue improving the environmental sustainability of aquaculture. These are areas I will be discussing with my Norwegian and Chilean counterparts, while also sharing successes Scotland has had in the development of our industry."

SDI chief executive Anne MacColl said:

"The quality of Scottish salmon is globally renowned and earlier this year it was voted the best farmed salmon in the world in an independent poll of international seafood buyers. The fact that farmed salmon is now Scotland’s largest food export underlines the contribution it makes to our economy, so we are looking to support this industry in any way we can.

"We are working with our industry and government colleagues to increase investment for the benefit of our economy, and are looking forward to a series of successful meetings in Trondheim."

Scott Landsburgh, Chief Executive of SSPO, said:

"We welcome this joined-up approach to attracting further investment as the sector is enjoying an upward trend, confidence is high and demand continues to increase.

"The salmon farming sector has made around £150 million in capital investment during the last five years – the vast majority of this has been in the Highlands and Islands. Salmon farming is capital intensive and this initiative will help to inform future investment strategies in remote, rural economies in Scotland."

Iain Sutherland, senior manager for aquaculture at HIE, said:

"Scottish salmon, exported from some of our most remote and rural locations in the Highlands and Islands, is celebrated across the world. As our largest food export its success can be attributed to the quality, taste and the hard work and experience of the generations of men and women in the businesses.

"From Shetland in the north to Bute in the west, HIE is working with ambitious businesses every day to support growth in the international arena."

Background

While meeting the Norwegian Fisheries Minister (on Monday evening), Mr Stevenson expressed his condolences to the Norwegian people, for the atrocities committed in Norway last month. Mr Stevenson is the first Scottish Minister to visit Norway since this took place.

Mr Stevenson will hold one-to-one meetings with salmon companies operating in Scotland, as well as touring the Aqua Nor exhibition to meet Scotland-based exhibitors. Aqua Nor, held in Trondheim, is an important international event for the aquaculture industry, showcasing the latest products, services, and research and development projects.

Key facts about Scottish salmon farming:
· Exports of fresh Scottish farmed salmon have risen to 34,840 tonnes (Jan – May 2011), an increase of 37 per cent when compared with the same period for the previous year;
· Scotland is the largest producer of farmed Atlantic salmon in the EU and the third largest globally, behind Norway and Chile;
· It is expected to be confirmed soon that Scottish salmon production increased to over 150,000 tonnes in 2010, which would be a third successive annual increase;
· In 2010 salmon farming provided 1,813 direct jobs in Scotland, an increase of around 15 per cent on the previous year (while many more jobs are supported indirectly).

BBC ALBA – WEEKLY PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS Saturday 27 August – Friday 2 September 2011

2011-08-23T15:13:00.001+01:00

Title: SPL St Johnstone v Dundee United

The latest full-match coverage from the SPL as St Johnstone host Dundee United at McDiarmid Park.

Transmitted: Saturday 27 August
Time: 5.30 – 7.30pm

Title: Cuirm @ Celtic: Na Caimbeulaich

Julie Fowlis and Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh present The Campbells of Greepe, one of the singing dynasties of Gaelic music, from Celtic Connections 2011.

Transmitted: Saturday 27 August
Time: 9.55 – 10.25pm

Title: Breab

Breab is back with six teenagers from all over Scotland who have signed up to two weeks of Breab challenges!

In this first programme, the islanders are pitted against the mainlanders as they take part in a go-kart race and fight it out in Combat City – a new version of paintballing. But how will our six get on together and how will they cope under pressure? This is Breab!

Transmitted: Wednesday 31 August
Time: 6.05 – 7.05pm

Title: Soillse – Spors is Grinneas / Footballers and Beauty Queens

Taking place in the middle of the world's largest rainforest, the Peladão is a unique event that involves thousands of footballers and hundreds of beauty queens.

Football and women are the twin obsessions of Brazilian culture and the Peladão shows how the two come together. The football tournament doubles up as another competition: each team chooses its beauty queen. And the Miss Football contest can have a direct influence on the matches.

Transmitted: Wednesday 31 August
Time: 9.00 – 9.55pm

Title: Togail Sgeoil

An appreciation of the work of Dr John MacInnes, Gaeldom's foremost folklorist. Formerly based in the School of Scottish Studies in Edinburgh, he has collected the oral literature and tradition of Gaelic speakers throughout Scotland.

Transmitted: Thursday 1 September
Time: 9.00 – 10.00pm

Title: Pro 12 Live Rugby - Ulster V Glasgow

Action with Ulster and Glasgow Warriors in the RaboDirect Pro 12 competition.

Transmitted: Friday 2 September
Time: 7.00 – 8.55pm

ARGYLL FERRIES GEARS UP FOR FIRST COWAL GAMES

2011-08-10T13:17:00.001+01:00

Newly-formed ferry operator Argyll Ferries Ltd, (AFL) which recently won the tender to provide passenger services between Gourock and Dunoon, has announced its plans to assist people travelling to the Cowal Gathering later this month.

The Cowal Gathering (August 25 – 27) is traditionally one of the busiest weekends of the summer on the Upper Clyde and Argyll Ferries is to supplement its current two vessel passenger service with CalMac’s MV Saturn on Saturday, August 27, when the gathering reaches its climax with the Pipe band Championship and Highland Games.

The timetable will operate as published on Thursday and Friday and up until 0820hrs on Saturday morning, (see http://www.argyllferries.co.uk/timetables-and-fares.htm) after which time three vessels, the MV Argyll Flyer, MV Ali Cat and MV Saturn will provide a regular passenger service for the rest of the day, with the last sailing of the day departing Dunoon for Gourock at 2310 hrs. In order to accommodate the extra sailings during the day, the late night Saturday sailings at 2340 and 0100 from Gourock and 0010 and 0125 from Dunoon are cancelled.

AFL Contract Manager, Alasdair Henderson, said: “This is the first Cowal Gathering since Argyll Ferries was created and we are pulling out all the stops to help people travel quickly and comfortably between Gourock and Dunoon. The increased frequency of ferries offers improved connectivity with rail services from Glasgow into Gourock Station and we will guide travellers on arrival and sell tickets on the pier to provide the best possible passenger experience at a very busy time.

“Through tickets to Dunoon are also obtainable on rail services from Glasgow Central station to Gourock, and purchasing them this way will help reduce queuing times. Once in Dunoon, buses will be available to take people directly to the stadium from the Pier.“

He added:”We want our customers to enjoy their trip across the Clyde as part of a great day out, and remind everyone that, in line with local byelaws, drinking alcohol in public is forbidden in Gourock and Dunoon, and also on board. This will be strictly enforced via CCTV systems which will be used to monitor passenger safety and revenue control.”

MACKENZIE WELCOMES BT PLANS TO UPGRADE BROADBAND IN RURAL AREAS

2011-08-09T17:28:00.000+01:00

Highlands and Islands SNP MSP Mike MacKenzie has welcomed the recent
announcement from BT that it is to upgrade the copper network that
presently connects 2.5 million internet subscribers in rural homes
across the UK. This is a move that should result in substantial
improvements in broadband performance that is set to deliver speedier
services to those affected at as much as twice existing speeds for many
users.

Mike MacKenzie said: "Broadband speeds have been improving dramatically for most urban based
users in recent years but those who live in rural areas have often found
that the response times that they operate with are considerably slower
than the norm and this means that both for business and recreational use
they are operating at a distinct disadvantage. One of the principle
stated benefits of efficient IT operation is that the "playing field"
across the country is level and any move that will help to remove the
disadvantages presently encountered by rural users across the Highlands
and Islands, where broadband speed is notoriously patchy, is to be
warmly welcomed.

The copper upgrade to the network will result in significant improvement
in operating speeds for many more users but in those areas where it has
not yet proved economic to upgrade their infrastructure because of
population sparcity or rurality subscribers will find that they are
falling even further behind the new levels available elsewhere. In such
areas BT is working with mobile phone companies, software operators and
satellite service providers to develop other means of mobile technology
to deliver improved broadband speeds

BT hope to complete this exercise early in 2013 and it will be
interesting to see what effect that this has on broadband communications
within the Highlands and Islands."

SEARCH IS ON FOR SCOTTISH FILMS AND VIDEOS OF LAST FEW DECADES

2011-08-09T17:22:00.000+01:00

The Scottish Screen Archive is looking for films and videos shot anywhere in Scotland over the last 40 years that may be gathering dust in attics and forgotten cupboards.

The Scottish Screen Archive (SSA), which is part of the National Library of Scotland, wants to collect the films and videos now as there is a danger they could be lost forever.

They will be added to the national collection of film held by the SSA which provides a wonderful and unique record of Scotland in the 20th century.

Since the 1980s, most individuals, organisations or community groups used video to capture ordinary life, local events, changes to their neighbourhood or to promote local interests. However as video is becoming increasingly obsolete, tapes are being thrown away and these unique visual records from the last few decades could be lost forever. The SSA is appealing to the public for help in saving these films to ensure the most complete record of life in Scotland from the 1970s up to the present day is preserved.

In particular it is looking for film / video / digital media material, fiction or non-fiction from:

Video workshops / community groups / action groups
Cine / Video Clubs
Promotional films for local industries / charities / tourism
Sport and leisure
Footage depicting significant changes in local communities
Special local community events. eg. Gala Days ; Millennium Celebrations

Kay Foubister, SSA Curator who is working on this project said: “The advent of cheaper video cameras in the 1980s and 1990s made it much easier for people to record local events. However, video has been replaced by newer technology and there is a real danger that these tapes will just be forgotten about and discarded. We want to prevent that happening.”

The SSA is looking for films from 1970 onwards and anyone who can help is asked to contact Kay by completing an online submission form at www.gla.ac.uk/cams or by emailing ssaacquisitions@nls.uk . Alternatively, they can telephone on 0845 366 4608.

The SSA is also interested in films that were made by children in the same period. It is working with a team at the University of Glasgow who are researching aspects of childhood and the development of children making their own movies. This team in interested in hearing from anyone who
Made their own movies as a child
Were part of a group that ran video workshops for children
Participated as a child in movie making during the 1970s – 2000

Further information can be found on the project website www.gla.ac.uk/cams or by writing to the research team, Dr Karen Lury and Dr Ryan Shand.

More than 1000 films or film clips depicting community life in Scotland throughout the 20th century can be viewed on the SSA’s website at www.nls.uk/ssa. The website has just been recognised by List magazine as one of the top 30 webites in Scotland.

BBC ALBA – WEEKLY PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS Saturday 13 August – Friday 19 August 2011

2011-08-09T17:16:00.000+01:00

Title: SPL - Hearts v Aberdeen
The latest full-match coverage from the SPL as Heart of Midlothian host Aberdeen at Tynecastle Stadium.

Transmitted: Saturday 13 August
Time: 5.30 – 7.30pm

Title: Paddy Keenan & Fred Morrison aig Celtic Connections

Two piping legends: Ireland's Paddy Keenan and Scotland's Fred Morrison, in concert at Celtic Connections with a host of musician friends from Scotland, Ireland and Galicia.

Transmitted: Saturday 13 August
Time: 9.00 – 10.00pm

Title: Cuirm @ Celtic: Colin Farrell
More music and chat from Celtic Connections with acclaimed fiddle player Colin Farrell as guest.

Transmitted: Saturday 13 August
Time: 10.00 – 11.00pm

Title: Dannsa
The latest Dannsa instalment, following six different dance groups from around Scotland through the highs and lows of rehearsal, competition and performance. The groups are highly diverse in location, style, aspiration, age and accomplishment, including The Space at Dundee College, the teenage girls of the Fusion dance class in Aberdeen, the Ballet West school in Taynuilt, Oban, the Golden class at their Dance Base studio in Edinburgh, the street-dancing crew Heavy Smokers in Livingston and the Maryhill Integration Network from Glasgow.

In this programme, Anne Morrison and Kevin Walker watch on as renowned Scottish contemporary choreographer Andy Howitt oversees rehearsals for the end of series performance special at the Tramway Theatre in Glasgow.

Dannsa...........six groups, six different dance styles, one live dance show!

Transmitted: Monday 15 August
Time: 10.00 – 10.30pm

Title: An t-Slighe a bu Mhiosa / The Worst Journey in The World

During World War II an important supply chain of military and other aid travelled to Russia by Arctic Ship Convoy. These voyages saved Russia from collapse and prevented Germany from winning the war. Some of the last few remaining veterans of these journeys gathered to pay tribute to their fallen comrades and make a final pilgrimage along the original route from Britain to Murmansk in Russia.

Transmitted: Wednesday 17 August
Time: 9.00 – 9.50pm

Title: iTRAD

Schools, colleges and festivals all over Scotland are at the centre of a traditional music revival. Arising out of these institutions are talented singers and musicians who go onto successful careers in the music industry.

In this final programme of the iTrad series we meet two bands - Fuaim Ghlaschu and Caledonian Canals - who are among the youngsters who are now at the forefront of this musical revitalisation. Now they gather in Ullapool to put on a special show case for this series reflecting on the rise in interest in traditional Scottish music.

Transmitted: Friday 19 August
Time: 8.30 – 9.00pm

Summer placement students "prepare to face their dragons"

2011-08-09T17:14:00.001+01:00

Sixteen ambitious students, bringing fresh ideas for business development to companies across the Highlands and Islands, are gathering to prepare their own dragons den style pitches at a residential training course this week.

The students, who come from across the UK and abroad to work for eight weeks with local businesses, are part of the TalentScotland Summer Placement Programme managed by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).

The projects carried out provide new thinking for the host businesses across a wide range of disciplines including scientific research, marketing projects and design.

As well as gaining experience through the paid placements, the students receive tailored training from Robert Gordon University’s Aberdeen Business School. This is taking place this week at Fairburn Activity Centre near Muir of Ord.

The training helps them with presentation and business pitching skills in preparation for a competitive event at the end of August where they pitch their project findings to a panel of business experts.

The students attending this week’s training course work in businesses and social enterprises in Shetland, Stornoway, Fort William, Inverness, Tain, Oban, Torridon, Wick, Thurso, Lossiemouth, Islay and Dingwall. (Details of businesses and students at end of release)

James Porcas, who is working with Highland Biosciences at the Dochfour Business Park, in Inverness, is studying for a MSCi Natural Sciences at University College London.

He said: “"My placement has been a great opportunity to learn new lab skills. Highland Biosciences is a small ambitious company and I feel like my research is making a difference."

Up to 70 students in Scotland will benefit from this course in 2011 and 2012. The Scottish Funding Council (SFC) and Skills Development Scotland (SDS) has made the development and delivery of the tailored section of the course possible.

Ruth Sime, Acting Head of Business Support Programmes at HIE said: “The TalentScotland Summer Placement Programme provides benefits for both students and employers. The relevant work experience gained by the students sets them apart from others when applying for jobs, particularly when graduate opportunities are limited. The employers are able to take on committed project staff at a subsidised rate during the holiday period. Some employers are able to offer a permanent job to their placement students when they have graduated and this helps to retain skilled young people in the region.”

New drive to cut child passenger casualties in Argyll and Bute

2011-08-09T17:12:00.001+01:00

Argyll and Bute Council’s road safety unit is launching a new campaign to raise awareness among parents, grandparents and carers about the dangers of incorrectly-fitted or inappropriate child car seats.

As part of this, three ‘car seat clinics’ have been arranged to which members of the public are invited to drop in to have their child seats checked by the experts.

In tackling this vital road safety issue, the council is supporting the national Scottish Good Egg In-Car Child Safety campaign, which has significantly reduced casualty rates among child passengers across Scotland over the last 10 years.

Director of Road Safety Scotland, Michael McDonnell said: “We have seen the number of children killed or seriously injured in cars fall by 72% over the past ten years which marks a welcome contribution to the UK Government target of a 50% reduction. This is a tremendous success story which I believe could not have been achieved without the Good Egg campaign.”

Campaign literature including posters, information leaflets and Good Egg guides will be widely distributed throughout Argyll and Bute in the coming weeks, backed up by a series of 'car seat clinic' events where people can have their child car seats checked for safety by experts and hear more about in-car child safety from the Good Egg team.

Taking place between 11am and 2pm, the dates and venues are:

Helensburgh – Sinclair Street Car Park – Monday, 22nd August
Oban – Tesco Car Park – Tuesday, 23rd August
Dunoon – Safeway Car Park – Wednesday, 24th August

Councillor Duncan MacIntyre, Argyll and Bute’s spokesperson for transport and infrastructure, said: "Although well-intentioned parents install a child car seat to keep their child safe, there is a significant danger of serious injury if the seat is not fitted properly or if they have chosen the wrong type of seat for the height, weight and age of the child.

“I am delighted that the road safety unit is organizing these clinics throughout the area as part of this campaign, and strongly advise all parents to take advantage of this free opportunity to let the experts make sure children of all ages are being carried safely using the correct restraint. It will give them peace of mind and it could save their child’s life.”

For more information, please contact road safety officer June Graham on 01546 604182.

BBC ALBA – Saturday 20 August – Friday 26 August 2011

2011-08-09T16:16:00.000+01:00

Title: Scottish Premier League – Dundee United v Dunfermline

The latest full-match coverage from the SPL as Jim McIntyre’s Dunfermline side travel to face Dundee United at Tannadice Park. This game marks the first league clash between Dundee United and Dunfermline since the 2006/2007 season.

Transmitted: Saturday 20 August
Time: 5.30 – 7.30pm

Title: Cuirm@Celtic: Taigh Ciuil - Atlantic Seaway

Coverage of the Celtic Connections 2011 festival continues in Cuirm@Celtic with coverage of The Atlantic Seaway which features staff and students from Strathclyde University, the RSAMD and Boston’s Berklee College, tracing the transatlantic evolution of Scottish music, in a collaboration supported by Glasgow UNESCO City of Music. They are joined by acclaimed piper Finlay MacDonald, one of the new generations of brilliant young pipers.

Transmitted: Saturday 20 August
Time: 9.55pm – 10.25pm

Title: Trusadh – Ag Iomradh Sa Tarraing / Coastal Rowing

This Trusadh documentary will take a look at the resurgence in coastal rowing throughout Scotland, and we follow one of the latest groups to get involved in Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis on their journey to join the ranks.

The arrival of the outboard engine brought a new way of life to coastal towns throughout Scotland. No longer were traditional wooden boats necessary and as their use declined so too did rowing. That is until a couple of years ago when the Scottish Coastal Rowing Project began, with the arrival of a new kit boat called the St Ayles Skiff. Over 40 different community groups have come together across Scotland to build their own skiff and then take part in one of the many regattas that have sprung up in their wake.

Transmitted: Monday 22 August
Time: 9.00 – 10.00pm

Title: Leabhar an Aigh
This is the story of the man behind the indispensible Dwelly's Gaelic Dictionary.

Dwelly's Gaelic Dictionary is one of the most important works of Scottish scholarship, an indispensable reference guide for a century of Gaels since its first publication in 1901. This programme examines the amazing achievement of Edward Dwelly, who originally undertook the compilation for his own private use.

Transmitted: Thursday 25 August
Time: 9.00 – 10.00pm

Title: 'S ann an Ile / Islay
'S ann an Ile explores the community of Islay through the prism of Gaelic. An unusual wedding takes place, and Islay's population soars as the lively Malt and Music Festival begins.

Transmitted: Friday 26 August
Time: 8.30pm – 9pm

Title: Dannsa/Dance Series

Over the course of this vibrant and highly energetic television series, viewers have followed six different dance groups from around Scotland through the highs and lows of rehearsal, competition and performance.

The last programme in the series will see the six divers dance groups perform together at the Tramway Theatre in an entertaining grand finale showcasing their work for a national television audience under the guidance of renowned Scottish choreographer Andy Howitt. The production took place to the accompaniment of a specially commissioned new piece of work by Quee MacArthur of Shooglenifty and the show will also feature special guest stars, The Red Hot Chilli Pipers.

The groups are highly diverse in location, style, aspiration, age and accomplishment, including BALLET WEST, the international dance school situated in Argyll, THE HEAVY SMOKERS, an independent breakdancing crew from Livingston, GOLDEN, an over 60's group run by DanceBase, the national centre for dance in Edinburgh, THE MARYHILL INTEGRATION NETWORK, a company of asylum seekers and refugees based in Glasgow, the aspiring hopefuls from THE SPACE at the School of Contemporary Dance in Dundee and FUSION from City Moves in Aberdeen, a teenage dance group.

Transmitted: Friday 26 August
Time: 9pm – 10.30pm

Councillor Donald Macdonald

2011-08-08T15:55:00.001+01:00

Argyll and Bute Councillor Donald John Macdonald has died suddenly whilst on holiday in North Uist.

Council leader Councillor Dick Walsh expressed his shock and sadness at the news, and paid tribute to Councillor Macdonald’s contribution to the council over the last four years.

“This is devastating news. Donald was a conscientious and popular councillor who will be very sorely missed by all who came into contact with him,” Councillor Walsh said.

“His loss will be particular keenly felt in the Oban area, which he was so proud to serve and to which he devoted so much of his time and energy. He contributed greatly on a wide range of issues, both local and regional, and always with the best interests of his constituents in mind.

“I had a high regard for Donald, who was always a gentleman in his approach to council business and in dealing with his colleagues, whatever their political persuasion.

“I know I speak for everyone at Argyll and Bute Council when I say how sad we are to hear of his death. Our thoughts are of course with his family and friends, in particular his wife Dorothy and children Donald and Kirsty, who I will be contacting to express our condolences.”

Councillor Macdonald worked for many years for British Gas as a distribution engineering manager before taking early retirement in 2001.

He joined Argyll and Bute Council in 2007, representing the SNP for the Oban North and Lorn ward.

Public bodies in joint bid to boost Gaelic

2011-08-08T15:53:00.001+01:00

Staff in offices, nature reserves and forest districts from Shetland to Dumfries and from Aberdeen to Tiree, will now be able to learn Gaelic by using an online Gaelic toolkit.

A group of Scottish public sector organisations are launching an innovative programme for their staff to learn Gaelic today, as part of a government commitment to support the language. Both Alasdair Allan, the Scottish Minister for Gaelic, and Dinny McGinley, the Irish Minister of State with special responsibility for Gaeltacht affairs, will be present at the launch.

The initiative, by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS) and Crofters Commission, received funding from Bòrd na Gàidhlig’s Gaelic Language Act Implementation Fund.

Each toolkit, developed by the Skye-based company Cànan, includes a series of generic introductory lessons, as well as personalised glossaries of useful phrases, and terminology specific to each organisation.

They also include interactive maps showing office locations, forest districts and crofting counties, as well as a variety of puzzles and animations for easier learning. And more than 1,000 audio files allow the learner to hear, as well as see, the phrases.

Minister for Gaelic Alasdair Allan said:

“I am very pleased to see bodies which are key to Scotland’s rural infrastructure working alongside Bòrd na Gàidhlig to widen opportunities to learn the language and about how it relates to the day-to-day work of the organisations.

“We are determined to secure a sustainable future for Gaelic, and the involvement of public bodies with a strong presence in rural Scotland, particularly the North East, is key to moving forward.”

Dinny McGinley, the Irish Minister of State with special responsibility for Gaeltacht affairs, said:

“This is an exciting and innovative programme that demonstrates the positive benefits that can accrue from public sector companies working together on a shared vision. I commend all who were involved in developing this project and I have no doubt that there are valuable lessons we can learn from it in Ireland as we pursue the common goal of promoting increased awareness and usage of our native Irish language.”

Andrew Thin, SNH chairman, said:

“I’m sure the toolkit will prove invaluable to many of SNH’s staff. It’s another building block to make sure Gaelic not only survives but thrives in Scotland. This is so important for our culture and history – as well as practical for those working in the Highlands and Western Isles.”

John Angus Mackay, Bòrd na Gàidhlig chief executive, said:

“This is a truly innovative initiative and Bòrd na Gàidhlig congratulates the partner organisations on planning and implementing it. Its objectives, scope and scale are commendable. As well as the benefits the individual themselves will see both culturally and linguistically, each organisation is also investing in cultural diversity which better reflects today’s business environments, as well as raising the profile of our own national language.”

Simon Hodge, Forest Enterprise Scotland chief executive, said:

"Gaelic is an integral part of Scotland's heritage and national identity. We want to continue promoting the language externally but also internally to our own staff. The new online toolkit is a great interactive resource for staff which will help them build up a better knowledge of the language."

Argyll and Bute pubs fail the test

2011-08-08T15:49:00.000+01:00

A high proportion of licensed premises across Argyll and Bute are failing to comply with relevant legislation.

A programme of visits by the council’s licensing standards team has revealed a startling level of non-compliance with the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005.

The situation is made even more serious by the fact that all premises were written to advising that a visit would be taking place. The letter detailed the areas which would be looked at during the inspection and provided advice and guidance on the Act’s requirements – including draft statutory notices which they could display if they were not already doing so.

In the event, just 12 of the 92 premises visited were fully compliant with the legislation, leaving 80 needing remedial action.

Councillor Daniel Kelly, chair of Argyll and Bute’s Licensing Board, said he was shocked by the failures, and would have no hesitation in urging the Board to review the licenses of any premises which failed to take all reasonable steps to adhere to the law.

“It is extremely disappointing that despite the efforts of our licensing team in supporting licensed premises across the area, it appears that many of them are failing to comply with the basic legislation,” he said.

“The feedback I am getting is that most of this non-compliance is not wilful, but rather the result of ignorance of the requirements. This is not an acceptable excuse. Not only have all these licensees had ample opportunity to familiarise themselves with the Act, but also all have received information and support from our officers in how best to comply with it.

“It is shocking that 87% of those businesses inspected – who all knew well in advance that the inspection would be taking place – are failing in their duties as licensed premises.”

The criteria under which the premises were tested included the display of various statutory notices, staff training/knowledge, security and children and young persons’ policies.

Councillor Kelly said: “Licensing standards officers will now embark on an enforcement strategy – informing all licensees of the findings and providing advice and instruction regarding the areas identified as requiring further attention.

“The premises which failed these initial inspections will then be revisited to ensure that they have rectified the situation, and we will also be visiting other licensed outlets which have yet to be inspected.

“As part of this strategy, licensees should be in no doubt that compliance notices will be issued if necessary, and that they could well find themselves up before the Licensing Board if they continue to flout the law.”

Residents urged to have their say in social work plans

2011-08-08T15:46:00.001+01:00

Local people across Argyll and Bute are being urged to give their opinions on the delivery of social work services over the next five years.

The council is about to launch a two-month public consultation on its draft plans for the future delivery of services to some of the area’s most vulnerable residents.

However, the authority is keen to ensure that the plans reflect the needs of social work clients and their carers before progressing to the next stage.

During August and September, the draft Commissioning Strategy and Plans will be distributed to all interested parties for their comments.

These include clients and their carers, staff, parents and families of children for whom services are provided, external service providers, elected members and other council departments and partner agencies such as NHS Highland, Argyll and Bute Community Health Partnership, Strathclyde Police, the Community Planning Partnership and the Alcohol and Drug Partnership.

At the same time, meetings will be held across the area to ensure that everyone has the chance to have their say over the proposals. There will also be an opportunity to post feedback online on the council’s website.

Only once all the comments returned have been collated and considered will the final strategy and plan be drafted later in the year.

The particular issues which the documents aim to address are:

Identifying the demand for social work services both now and in the future
Identifying and agreeing with clients and carers how these services will meet their needs
Planning and designing services to meet clients’ needs in partnership with clients and their carers
Putting these services in place either through the council providing them or by buying them from other organisations

Councillor Andrew Nisbet, Argyll and Bute’s spokesperson for social affairs, said: “The draft documents have been developed in order to ensure that care services become increasingly flexible.

“The challenges we face of increasing demand, shrinking budgets and the need to provide more personalised services, mean that we have to find better ways of providing services in the future. What we are striving for is to be able to provide a better quality of life for the people who use these services, as flexibly and efficiently as possible.”

One example of the changes proposed is for outside organisations to provide care at home services for older people, rather than the council.

The council is also to consider tendering services for those with a learning disability. In addition, the proposed closure and smaller scale replacement of the Argyll and Bute psychiatric hospital in Lochgilphead means the council and its community health partnership partners will have to make the changes necessary to accommodate clients in the community.

The council also plans to support people in controlling their own social care budgets if they wish, to ensure that the care services they buy meet their own personal requirements and priorities.

Councillor Nisbet said: “I would urge all those with an interest in this critical area to give us their comments during the consultation period.

“The plans will not be finalised until the consultation period is over and the feedback received has been assessed and reported to the council.

“We will make whatever changes we can to reflect the needs of clients and their carers, within the constraints of best value. In the current challenging financial climate, it is obviously vital that we ensure that we spend our money in the most effective way possible, and on those who need it most.”

The draft documents will be posted on the council’s website at www.argyll-bute.gov.uk from Monday, August 15. The consultation will end on Friday, October 14.

The timetable of public meetings will be available on the website from August 15.

PLANNING A PRIORITY AS NFUS WELCOMES AGRI-ENERGY STRATEGY

2011-08-08T15:32:00.001+01:00

NFU Scotland has welcomed the Scottish Government’s announcement that it will develop an Agri-Renewables Strategy, with planning and grid connections identified as key challenges for farmers and land managers.

The Scottish Government’s announcement comes just two weeks after NFUS wrote to Cabinet Secretary, John Swinney calling for an independent expert group on renewables, highlighting the troubles NFUS members are facing with planning applications for renewable projects and connection to the national grid.

NFUS is prepared to help wherever necessary in providing information and support to all those involved in drafting the Agri-Renewables Strategy, believing firmly that agriculture has a crucial role to play in helping the Scottish Government achieve its very ambitious targets for carbon reduction, climate change and renewable energy provision.

NFU Scotland’s President, Nigel Miller said:

“The Scottish Government’s announcement that it will draw up an Agri-Renewables Strategy, with the assistance of industry representatives, is welcome and could be valuable for all farmers wanting to make the most of the opportunities for producing green energy on their land.

“The Scottish Government’s manifesto commitment to develop this strategy and, in particular, to simplify the planning process, were spot on. Scottish farmers and crofters have already contributed a great deal in terms of cutting carbon emissions and installing the means of producing renewable energy on their land, however, inconsistencies and constraints in the planning system mean that many farmers are struggling to get energy projects off the ground.

“The ambitious target to be able to produce 100% of our electricity demand equivalent from renewable sources by 2020 could be attainable, but we need a clear steer from the Scottish Government in setting out nationwide planning guidance and priorities for those applying for and approving renewable projects.

“NFU Scotland has built up a long list of examples from among its membership of where the system is and is not working and will offer to work closely with the Scottish Government and other industry representatives in order to help our farmers and crofters contribute to Scotland’s renewable energy aims.

“We have already got the ball rolling in tackling the planning issue and, in addition to our contact with the Scottish Government, we are meeting Scotland’s chief planner next week with a view to addressing the obstacles and anomalies that exist within the planning system and between Scotland’s local authorities.”

Changes to bus services in Mid Argyll and Kintyre

2011-08-08T15:06:00.001+01:00

Changes to three bus services in Mid Argyll and Kintyre will come into force from Monday 15 August 2011. The 421 service from Inverliever to Tarbert, the 449 service from Campbeltown to Lochgilphead and the 422 service between Ardrishaig and Lochgilphead are all affected.

The 421 service will now run between Inverliever and Kilmaluaig, South of Ormsary. The experimental extension to Kilberry and Tarbert is being withdrawn. The timetable will go back to what it was before the extension was introduced. As a result the 447 service will now run between Tarbert and Kilberry (Coulaghailtro) on schooldays at school times and will operate to its previous timetable.

The extended route stopped at Port Ban Caravan Park and Kilberry which means there’ll now be no direct link between these places and Lochgilphead. This route has been changed because after an initial increase in the number of passengers they are now down twenty percent. Ending the extension and going back to previous timetables will save £17,080 a year.

The 449 ‘commuter coach’ from Campbeltown to Lochgilphead which ran Monday to Friday leaving at 0730 and returning at 1705 will stop. People will be able to use the Scottish Citylink coach which leaves Campbeltown at 0630 and 0830 and returns from Lochgilphead at 1629. On schooldays there is also a bus leaving Campbeltown at 0725 and returning from Lochgilphead at 1500. Scottish Citylink has agreed to introduce season ticket rates on the 926 service which offers regular travellers a saving on the normal fare. Removing the commuter service will mean a saving of £46,148.32.

The total annual saving being made from these changes will be £63, 228.52.

These services don’t operate on a commercial basis and need a high level of council support to keep them going. They were originally funded with a special ring-fenced grant provided by the Scottish Government but this doesn’t exist anymore.

Transport Spokesperson, Councillor Duncan MacIntyre said “I’m sorry these services have been reduced and changed. There were some difficult decisions to make on how to make savings on public transport in Argyll and Bute. I’d encourage people to look at the council’s website to make a note of the changes.”

After the School and Public Transport Review and savings agreed by the council in February 2011 the transport budgets were reduced from £726,035 to £275,000. The decision on which council supported bus services would no longer be funded was made by the council’s Executive in April.

Timetables at bus stop information panels on the council’s website,www.argyll-bute.gov.uk , will be updated as soon as possible. Up to date information is also available from Traveline on 0871 200 22 33 twenty four hours a day, seven days a week.

In a separate development West Coast Motors have told the council they will be reducing the frequency of the 422 service between Ardrishaig and Lochgilphead. It will now be hourly instead of half hourly.

Sgoil Shamhraidh Dhràma a’ sìor-neartachadh

2011-06-28T12:33:00.002+01:00

Tha 24 deugaire gan deisealachadh fhèin gus toiseach-tòiseachaidh a dhèanamh air làithean-saora an t-samhraidh le bhith a' dèanamh air Port Rìgh anns an Eilean Sgitheanach airson na Sgoil Samhraidh Dràma. Air a cur air dòigh le Fèisean nan Gàidheal tha an sgoil fosgailte do luchd-labhairt na Gàidhlig eadar 14 agus 18 bliadhna a dh’aois agus tha i ruith eadar Diluain 4 agus Dihaoine 15 den Iuchar.

A-nise na ceathramh bhliadhna, tha an sgoil air sìor fhàs nas motha le taic bho Iomairt na Gàidhealtachd agus nan Eilean agus Bòrd na Gàidhlig, agus tha comharran bronsachail ann gun cùm i a’ fàs san àm ri teachd leis an àireamh as àirde de thagraichean shoirbheachail a bh’ ann gu ruige seo.

Bidh na com-pàirtichean, a bhuineas do gach ceàrnaidh de dh’Alba, a' coimhead air adhart ri ceala-deug a bhios loma-làn spòrs anns am faighear bun-stèidh air leth ann an caochladh sgilean a bhios feumail do chleasaichean, luchd-sgrìobhaidh agus luchd-stiùiriche ùra airson an àrd-ùrlair agus air beulaibh a’ chamara.

Fo smachd Artair Donald mar stiùiriche-ealain na Sgoile, bidh e fhèin agus an sgioba ealanta de luchd-oide aige - Frank MacConnaill, Wilma NicUalraig, Daibhidh Walker, Ruairidh MacNeacail agus Catrìona Lexy Chaimbeul uile ag obair gu cruaidh gus tàlant nan com-pàirtichean a leasachadh le sùil gun tèid dealbh-cluich ùr a thaisbeanadh air oidhche mu dheireadh na Sgoile.

Gheibhear cothrom an tàlant aca a chur gu feum air fiolm cuideachd le taic bhon sgioba aig FilmG far an tèid sgilean deatamach agus uidheamachd a thabhann gus fiolm ghoirid a riochdachadh a fhreagras air a’ cho-fharpais aig FilmG airson 2011. Bidh dòchas ann gun soiribhich leotha sa cho-fharpais mar a rinn compàirtichean na Sgoile Samhraidh Dràma ann an 2010.

Thèid toradh an cuid obrach tron cheala-deug a thaisbeanadh don mhòr-shluagh air an oidhche mu dheireadh den Sgoil Shamhraidh aig Stiùidio Fàs, Sabhal Mòr Ostaig ann an Slèite air Diardaoin 14 Iuchar aig 7.30f.

Tha Fèisean nan Gàidheal air leth toilichte gu bheil MG ALBA gu bhith an sàs sa Sgoil Shamhraidh Dhràma airson a’ chiad uair, càirdeas a th’air a’ chothroim Stiùidio Fàs a chleachdadh mar àite thaisbeanaidh agus feum a dhèanamh à taic teicnigeach tron chuirm.

A bharrachd air dràma Ghàidhlig cluinnear pailteas de cheòl tradiseanta leis gun tèid an oidhche thaisbeanaidh a chumail ann an co-bhonn le compàirtichean bho Fhèis Alba a bhios a' gabhail àite air a’ Phloc aig an aon àm.

Cosgaidh tiogaidean airson an tachartais £6 agus £3. Gheibh clann còmhla ri inbheach a-steach an asgaidh. Airson fiosrachadh mu thiogaidean fònaibh gu 01478 613 555 no cuiribh post-dealain gu brath@feisean.org

Airson tuilleadh fiosrachaidh mun Sgoil Shamhraidh Ghàidhlig cuiribh fios gu Oifgear Dràma Fèisean nan Gàidheal Dougie Beck air 01463 225559 no air post-dealain dougie@feisean.org

‘S e iomairt Fèisean nan Gàidheal a th’ anns an Sgoil Shamhraidh Dhràma a tha a' faighinn taic bho Bhòrd na Gàidhlig, Iomairt na Gàidhealtachd ‘s nan Eilean, Alba Chruthachail, Comhairle na Gàidhealtachd agus Eden Court.

BBC ALBA – WEEKLY PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS Saturday 9 July – Friday 15 July 2011

2011-06-27T15:14:00.001+01:00

Title: Blas 2010 Music Festival
Highlights from Donnie Munro's performance at the Blas 2010 festival. The concert also features Iain MacFarlane, Ingrid Henderson and Ewan Robertson.

Transmitted: Saturday 9 July
Time: 9.00 – 10.00pm

Title: Cuirm @ Celtic: Taigh Ciuil - Paul McKenna
Julie Fowlis presents the Paul McKenna Band in concert from Glasgow's Fruitmarket during Celtic Connections.

Transmitted: Saturday 9 July
Time: 10.00 – 10.30pm

Title: Alleluia / Spiritual Music & Verse

A special compilation programme featuring a selection of hymns and psalms from across the series including Norrie MacIver and Sineag MacIntyre with Psalm 36, James Graham singing Och a Shlànaigheir Chaoimh and Calum Martin with Psalm 62.

Transmitted: Sunday 10 July
Time: 7.30 – 8.00pm

Title: Taghadh bho Na Trads

Music and chat from the Trad Award Winners – some of the finest traditional musicians in the country. Tonight’s show features Julie Fowlis and her band.

Transmitted: Monday 11 July
Time: 8.30 – 9.00pm

Title: Trusadh – Gunnaichean ann an Alba / Guns in Scotland

The gun has played a major role in rural Scottish life for generations. To this day, the history and cultural heritage of hunting and shooting for sport generates a vital income, especially during the busy Autumn / Winter season. Non traditional seasonal activities such as clay pigeon shooting are also on the increase.

We meet those who shoot for sport, find out about how the police implement and control the issuing of firearm certificates at a local level, and discover that the art of gun making is still very much a lucrative part of rural Scottish life today as we meet some of these craftsmen at work.

Debate continues to surround gun legislation in Scotland though, following the horrors of Dunblane and more recent atrocities, including Cumbria last year . These incidents have added to the stigma of all gun holders in society, irrespective of their reason, or right to have a gun.

Transmitted: Monday 11 July
Time: 9.00 – 10.00pm

Title: Dannsa

The latest Dannsa instalment, following six different dance groups from around Scotland through the highs and lows of rehearsal, competition and performance. The groups are highly diverse in location, style, aspiration, age and accomplishment, including The Space at Dundee College, the teenage girls of the Fusion dance class in Aberdeen, the Ballet West school in Taynuilt, Oban, the asylum seekers and refugees of the Maryhill Integration Network in Glasgow and the over sixties at Dance Base in Edinburgh.

In this programme, street-dancing crew Heavy Smokers welcome presenters Anne Morrison and Kevin Walker to Livingston.

All groups along with their teachers and choreographers face the challenge of putting a special dance piece together for a show which will see all six groups showcasing their talents on the same stage for one night only. Renowned Scottish contemporary choreographer Mr Andy Howitt will have the demanding task of incorporating all six groups for the end of series performance special at the Tramway Theatre in Glasgow.

Dannsa...........six groups, six different dance styles, one live dance show!

Transmitted: Monday 11 July
Time: 10.00 – 10.30pm

Title: A Rèir Na h-Aimsir – Uidhist a Tuath
More often than not the subject of the weather forecast is the first topic of conversation with people you have never met. We continue our weather adventure through the Western Isles in North Uist. On Clettraval we meet a man who paints the weather, it's all aboard for an evening sail with skipper Angus and in Clachan Sands we find out the best weather for thatching.

Transmitted: Tuesday 12 July
Time: 8.30 – 9.00pm

Title: An Aghaidh an t-Srutha / Celtic Radicals

The Celtic influence on the birth of the Labour Party.

Transmitted: Wednesday 13 July
Time: 10.30 – 10.55pm

McGrigor elected Convenor of Cross Party Group on Crofting.

2011-06-23T15:42:00.001+01:00

Jamie McGrigor, Highlands & Islands Conservative MSP, was last night elected as Convenor of the Scottish Parliament’s Cross Party Group on Crofting at its first meeting of the new session of Parliament. Jamie takes over from the former Lib-Dem MSP John Farquhar Munro who retired at the election.
Commenting today Jamie, who shadows the Environment and Europe & External briefs for the Scottish Conservatives, said:
“ It is an honour to have been elected as Convenor of the Crofting Cross Party Group which has been one of the Parliament’s most active groups in recent years with excellent attendances and some influential and high profile speakers.
“ The group is a great forum for crofters from across the Highlands & Islands and their Scottish Crofting Federation representatives to engage with MSPs from all the political parties and it can make effective collective representations to Ministers.
“ I would also want to pay tribute to my predecessor John Farquhar Munro who was a champion for our crofting communities in the last three sessions of the Scottish Parliament.”
ENDs…
In addition to this Cross Party Group Convenorship, Jamie is a Vice-Convenor of the CPGs on Gaelic and Renewable Energy and a member of numerous others.
Further details on the work of the Crofting CPG in the last session of Parliament can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/msp/crosspartygroups/groups/cpg-croft.htm
For any further information, please call Jamie’s office on 0131 348 5616

SURVIVAL OF THE VILLAGE SHOP ON BBC ALBA

2011-06-23T13:30:00.001+01:00

BBC ALBA Monday 27 June, 9pm

Village shops have been at the heart of communities for generations with almost every village having its own at one time. However, this has changed dramatically over the years and a BBC ALBA documentary ‘Trusadh: Buth a’ Bhaile/Village Shops’ will examine the reasons why, and explore the vital role that those which still survive, play in remote communities.

In the stunning, remote district of Uig in Lewis, the thriving shop is owned by the community themselves. We meet those who run it including local, Uig born and raised, Donald John Robertson, or Finn as he's better known, who delivers supplies to the scattered townships in the area in the shop van.

The Uig community co-operative shop, set 40 miles from Stornoway, injects money back into the community through salaries as well as providing an essential service in the provision of food, fuel and tourism facilities, including a commercial laundry service. The shop committee meets four times a year and have been advising other communities on how to set up community co-operatives.

Out on his daily delivery run Finn (Donald John Robertson) remarks: “The van was donated by someone in England, he gave it to the shop, which was very good of him. I’d say he was a secret millionaire.

“Some come into the shop but others phone in with their order, or email. Plenty of people can’t get to the shop but the van can get to their door. More often than not there’s a cup of tea waiting.”

In Laggan, in the Cairngorms National Park, the local village shop is very much a lifeline to the area, with the nearest town, Fort William, an hour’s drive away. Many people know the shop, Laggan Stores, as ‘McKechnies’ from the Monarch of the Glen Series. Locals say that ‘if you can’t buy it in Laggan Stores, you don’t need it.’ From fresh fish to wild bird food it’s all there.

Jo Cumming and Ian Hall are the current owners who took it over from the community eight years ago in a ‘mad moment’. They pride themselves on being open 8.30am to 8pm. Seven days a week.

Iain Seoras Rockliffe ‘Rocky’ goes there once a day for the ‘social side’ of things. Iain said: “There are some brilliant characters here. This [shop] is what keeps us going. This is what holds communities together. A small shop is like a way of life.”

For many such as the islanders of Eigg, getting supplies to the shop via ferry is one of their biggest challenges but on another Hebridean island, Eriskay, a causeway was built in 2002 which many thought would be the end of the local island shop. It's been anything but though, with a unique bus service making all the difference.

Bus user Mairi MacInnes said: “You see these old ladies. This is the day we do our shopping. It’s a social event! We all have a good chat.” Another bus user, Peigi MacInnes said: “You can get everything you need, from a needle to an anchor. You can get everything here.”

The programme also visits the award winning 'Mither Tongue' in Keith, Aberdeenshire which is not a typical village shop, selling gifts and cards for every occasion, all celebrating the Scots dialect, demonstrating how communities can be defined in many ways.

Produced by MacTV for BBC ALBA ‘Trusadh: Buth a’ Bhaile/Village Shops’ will be broadcast on Monday 27 June at 9pm.

BBC ALBA Programme Highlights

2011-06-23T13:28:00.001+01:00

Saturday 2 July – Friday 8 July 2011

Title: Cuirm @ Celtic – Na Seudan Og

Julie Fowlis and Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh present Mairi MacInnes and na Seudan Og, recorded during Celtic Connections at the Glasgow Art Club.

Transmitted: Saturday 2 July
Time: 9.00 – 10.00pm

Title: Piping Live – Treacherous Orchestra

The Treacherous Orchestra kicking up a storm onstage at Glasgow’s Fruitmarket. From Piping Live 2010. Presented by Julie Fowlis.

Transmitted: Saturday 2 July
Time: 10.00 – 10.30pm

Title: Taghadh bho na Trads

Traditional music and chat featuring Trad Award winners Martin O’Neill and Iain Morrison.

Transmitted: Monday 4 July
Time: 8.30 – 9.00pm

Title: Trusadh: A’ Gheallach / The Moon
Celebrating the International Year of Astronomy and 40 years since the first moon landing. A look at the moon's effect on our planet and how space exploration has developed our understanding of it.

Transmitted: Monday 4 July
Time: 9.00 – 10.00pm

Title: Dannsa

The latest Dannsa instalment, following six different dance groups from around Scotland through the highs and lows of rehearsal, competition and performance. The groups are highly diverse in location, style, aspiration, age and accomplishment, including the Heavy Smokers, a street-dancing crew from Livingston, the teenage girls of the Fusion dance class in Aberdeen, the Ballet West school in Taynuilt, Oban, the asylum seekers and refugees of the Maryhill Integration Network in Glasgow, the over sixties at Dance Base in Edinburgh.

In this programme, Anne Morrison and Kevin Walker travel to meet aspiring hopefuls at The Space at Dundee College, home of the Scottish School of Contemporary Dance.

All groups along with their teachers and choreographers face the challenge of putting a special dance piece together for a show which will see all six groups showcasing their talents on the same stage for one night only. Renowned Scottish contemporary choreographer Mr Andy Howitt will have the demanding task of incorporating all six groups for the end of series performance special at the Tramway Theatre in Glasgow.

Dannsa...........six groups, six different dance styles, one live dance show!

Transmitted: Monday 4 July
Time: 10.00 – 10.30pm

Title: Suil air 1979
A look back at some of the events of 1979 through archive film, music and people's personal memories. Included in tonight's programme: Margaret Thatcher's arrival in Downing Street, Radio nan Eilean opening and The Dukes of Hazzard premiering on
BBC 1.

Transmitted: Tuesday 5 July
Time: 9.00 – 10.00pm

Title: Soillse: Saoghal na Bainnse / Wedding Business

Getting married in a foreign country is the new trend. In the last few years, Japanese and Americans increasingly got married abroad, in Hawaii for its sun and beaches, or in Paris for its romantic aspects. Others choose Cyprus where they can get married within 24 hours. We look at the wedding industry and the boom it has provided for travel and wedding agencies.

Transmitted: Wednesday 6 July
Time: 9.00 – 9.45pm

Title: Anns na Paipearean 1980

Derek Mackay takes a nostalgic look back at some of the stories featured in the Highland press in the year 1980.

Transmitted: Friday 8 July
Time: 8.30 – 9.00pm

Olympic Torch

2011-06-23T13:26:00.000+01:00

Argyll and Bute Council encourages residents to nominate inspirational people to carry the Olympic Flame
With less than one year to go until the Olympic Flame travels through Scotland as part of the UK wide Olympic Torch Relay Argyll and Bute is calling on people from across the local authority area to nominate inspirational members of their community to carry the Olympic Flame.

The London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) recently confirmed that the Olympic Flame will be carried across the UK by 8,000 inspirational Torchbearers during the Relay, with 90% of the places being made available to the public through programmes run by LOCOG and the Three Presenting Partners – Coca-Cola, Lloyds TSB and Samsung.

The LOCOG ‘Moment to Shine’ campaign, which runs until 29 June 2011, invites people from across Argyll and Bute to put forward inspirational members of the public who have gone beyond their personal best for consideration as Torchbearers.

The nomination portal at www.london2012.com/olympictorchrelay asks nominators for up to 150 words on why their nominee should carry the Olympic Flame. Later this year, judging panels will be set up in each Nation and Region of the UK to select the Torchbearers for their area.

Rory Colville, spokesperson for third sector and communities at Argyll and Bute Council explained; ‘Giving the people of Argyll and Bute the chance to help shape the Olympic Torch Relay and play a key role in marking the start of the Olympic Games is an incredible opportunity. I know that there are many people here who deserve recognition for their contribution to life in Argyll and Bute. I urge people to think about who might deserve this opportunity and nominate them to be a Torchbearer. This is an opportunity to be part of a once in a lifetime event.’

Sir Craig Reedie, IOC Member and LOCOG Board Member said: ‘Carrying the Olympic Flame is an incredible honour and is an opportunity of for the people of Argyll and Bute to reward someone inspirational or who has made a difference to the local community by nominating them to be part of this historic event. ‘

Young people in particular from across the local authority area are encouraged to get involved, with half of the total number of Torchbearer places expected to go to people aged between 12 and 24 years of age.

The first Olympic Torch Relay route announcement in May 2011 revealed the locations of the Olympic Torch Relay’s evening celebrations in Scotland. A second, more detailed route announcement will be made later this year, providing information on the other cities, towns, villages and places of outstanding natural beauty, sports venues and community hubs the Olympic Flame will visit on each day of the Torch Relay in Scotland. It is LOCOG’s aim that 95% of the population will be within a one hour journey time of Relay and that Torchbearers will carry the Olympic Flame as close to home as possible.

The Olympic Flame will travel for approximately 12 hourseach day, concluding on 66 of the 70 days with an exciting early evening celebration event that will enable thousands of people each evening to enjoy a variety of entertainment and shows staged by LOCOG and the three Presenting Partners with the support of the host Local Authority.

Nominations through the LOCOG campaign are open until 11.59pm on 29 June 2011 at www.london2012.com/olympictorchrelay

MPs reject Government’s plans for future shape of the Coastguard Service

2011-06-23T13:14:00.000+01:00

The Government should withdraw its controversial proposals to modernise the Coastguard Service, says the influential cross-party Transport Committee. Serious concerns were raised that the safety of people at sea, on cliffs and beaches will be jeopardised if the proposals proceed in their current form. Ministers must issue revised proposals for further consultation.

Launching the report, Transport Committee Chair Louise Ellman said: “We accept there is a need for some modernisation, but the Government’s proposals for the future of the Coastguard Service are seriously flawed.

“We found little support for the current proposals and we have no confidence that, under these proposals, the Coastguard will in future be able to respond to emergencies at sea as well as they do now, let alone in a more effective way.”

“A drastic reduction in the number of rescue co-ordination centres will result in a loss of local knowledge amongst coastguard officers who are responsible for taking calls from people and vessels in distress. The Committee is not convinced by the Government’s claim that technology can, at present, replace such local knowledge.”

“Whilst there is a case for reducing the total number of rescue co-ordination centres, any future reorganisation of the Coastguard should be based on 24-hour centres, as they are now, and not on stations open only during daylight hours, as the Government proposes”.

The Committee also strongly condemns the Government’s cost-cutting decision to withdraw funding for the four Emergency Towing Vessels (ETVs) stationed around the UK coast—large tugs that intercept disabled ships to prevent environmental pollution disasters.

“We found no evidence that a suitable commercial alternative for these tugs exists. The Government’s decision to withdraw funding for the ETVs is unwise and short-sighted - quite literally, it is inviting disaster,” says Louise Ellman.

The Transport Committee also criticises proposals to completely remove government funding for the Maritime Incident Response group (MIRG), a national fire-fighting-at-sea capability. Ministers should instead adopt a slimmed-down MIRG which is more cost-effective than the present arrangement.

Lastly, the committee records its disappointment that Mike Penning MP, Minister for Shipping, instructed regular coastguards not to give oral evidence to the Committee on the basis that they were junior civil servants. “The minister should have shown more faith in the professionalism of the coastguards and stuck by his original commitment to the House [of Commons] to let them give evidence to the Committee,” adds Louise Ellman.

Notes for editors

Louise Ellman will present the Report on the floor of the House of Commons on Thursday 23 June. This can be viewed at: www.parliamentlive.tv

The structure of Her Majesty’s Coastguard is currently based on 18 Maritime Rescue Coordination Centres (MRCCs) around the UK, which are grouped into nine pairs: Aberdeen; Belfast; Brixham; Clyde; Falmouth; Forth; Holyhead; Humber; Liverpool; Milford Haven; Portland; Solent; Shetland; Stornoway; Swansea; Thames; Yarmouth.

Coastguard staff in the MRCCs provide a 24-hour service to mariners and coastal users by receiving incoming distress calls and tasking appropriate resources to their rescue. The rescue unit personnel are often volunteer coastguards.

Under current proposals the Maritime & Coastguard Agency - the Government agency responsible for maritime response - plans to close ten of these centres and to leave three that remain open on a 24-hour basis and five that will operate in “daylight” hours only. Under these arrangements two Maritime Operations Centres (MOCs) will be equipped to manage all incidents wherever they might occur. These would be located at Aberdeen and the Southampton/Portsmouth area. In addition, a 24-hour centre will operate at Dover looking over the Channel traffic separation scheme. The five sub-centres to operate during daylight hours will be located at Falmouth, Humber and Swansea, Belfast or Liverpool and Shetland or Stornoway.

The minister expects to make a final decision before the summer but has said he would not do so until the Committee published its findings.

As part of its inquiry, the Committee visited coastguard centres at Falmouth, Clyde and Stornoway on 18–19 May.

Emergency Towing Vessels (ETVs) were first introduced into service in 1994 on the recommendation of Lord Donaldson whose report into the prevention of pollution from merchant shipping followed the Braer and Sea Empress tanker disasters. Four such vessels are currently stationed in the Dover Straits, the south west approaches, the Minches and the Fair Isle Channel.

The Maritime Incident Response (MIRG) is a partnership between the MCA and the Fire and Rescue Service. It was formed in April 2006, to respond to incidents at sea for which fire-fighting, chemical hazard and/or rescue teams are required. It has attended seven incidents at sea since its inception. Following October’s Spending Review, it was decided that the arrangements for the MIRG should be reviewed. It is estimated that the ending the MIRG provision would save the Department £340,000 annually. The money for a future service will no longer be included in the agency’s budget allocation from September 2011.

"Tackling decline in stock numbers must be a priority" - McGrigor

2011-06-23T13:11:00.001+01:00

Jamie McGrigor, Highlands & Islands Conservative MSP, today urged the Scottish Government to make retaining and indeed boosting the numbers of sheep and cattle being farmed in the rural and island areas of Scotland a key priority.

Jamie made the call during a Scottish Parliamentary debate on rural and environmental affairs where he also sought assurances on the impact of the electronic identification of sheep on producers. In addition, he called for more detail on how the SNP government will implement the Pack Inquiry recommendations to reform the Common Agricultural Policy. Jamie also covered Common Fisheries Policy reform, aquaculture and angling.

Jamie, who is the Scottish Conservative Environment Spokesman, said:

“ Retaining and indeed boosting stock numbers in our remote, rural and island communities- with all the connected infrastructure that accompanies the keeping of livestock- is one of my priorities and must be one for the Scottish Government too, especially after the worrying declines of the last few years.”

BBC ALBA – WEEKLY PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS Saturday 25 June – Friday 1 July 2011

2011-06-15T13:40:00.001+01:00

Title: Piping Live

Julie Fowlis presents Fred Morrison and his band from Glasgow’s Fruitmarket on the last night of Piping Live festival 2010.

Transmitted: Saturday 25 June
Time: 9.55 – 10.30pm

Title: Cuirm @ Celtic – Green Fields of America

From Celtic Connections, a music and dance spectacular - Green Fields of America with The StepCrew.

Transmitted: Sunday 26 June
Time: 11pm – 12 midnight

Title: Trusadh: Buth a’ Bhaile / Village Shops

The village shop - it's been at the very heart of our communities for many years. At one time almost every rural village would have had its own shop. But how are things today?

In the stunning, remote area of Uig in Lewis, the local shop is owned by the community themselves. We'll meet those who run it including local character, Uig born and raised Donald John Robertson, or Fin as he's better known, who delivers orders throughout the area in the shop van.

In Laggan, in the Cairngorm National Park, the local village shop is very much a lifeline to the area, with the nearest town, Fort William, an hour away.

For the islanders of Eigg, getting supplies to the shop on the ferry is one of their biggest challenges. When the Eriskay causeway was built in 2002 many thought that it would be the end of the local island shop. It's been anything but though, with a unique bus service making all the difference.

And 'Mithir Tongue' in Aberdeenshire shows how community can be defined in many ways.

Transmitted: Monday 27 June
Time: 9.00 – 10.00pm

Title: Ulaidhean – St Andrew’s Museum

Derek MacKay and Kirsty MacDonald scour Scotland's museums in search of fascinating artefacts and the stories behind them. In this programme they explore the treasures of St Andrews Museum.

Transmitted: Wednesday 29 June
Time: 8.30 – 9.00pm

Title: A Song of Crotal and White An Diugh

Updating the impression of life on the Isle of Lewis given by the MacDonald Sisters, first broadcast in 1969.

Transmitted: Thursday 30 June
Time: 9.00 – 10.00pm

Title: Anns na Paipearan – 1955 / Headlines from 1955

Derek Mackay takes a nostalgic look back at some of the stories featured in the Highland press in the year 1955.

Transmitted: Friday 1 July
Time: 8.30 – 9.00pm

EUROPE MUST TAKE BALANCED APPROACH TO GREENING - says NFUS

2011-06-15T13:39:00.001+01:00

Scotland’s leading farming organisation has used a major UK arable event to call on Europe to take a proportionate and common-sense approach to the integration of ‘greening’ measures into the planned reforms of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).

Speaking from Cereals 2011, which takes place in Lincolnshire today (Wednesday 15 June) and tomorrow (Thursday 16 June), NFU Scotland’s Combinable Crops Committee Chairman, Andrew Moir said:

“It is clear from recent discussions and reports that there is a growing consensus between the European Commission and the European Parliament that ‘greening’ through agri-environmental measures will form part of the new CAP deal.

“While the introduction of a greening element to direct payments is now a common theme, it is vital that this is delivered on farm through simple measures that allow productivity and farm competitiveness to be maintained.

“Cereal farmers already have a sound understanding and deep respect for the role they must play in protecting biodiversity and maintaining the countryside. At the same time, their productivity is key in a volatile world where food security is an increasing priority.

“Strong upward trends in global food prices over the past two years, growing world populations and concern over the impacts of rising food prices should mean that, with European support, we try and make the best use of our productive arable land here in Scotland.

“Given the likely increased demands for food production in the future, it is imperative that greening does not return us to the dark days of set-aside. It would appear perverse to the wider world were Europe to give any consideration to a blunt tool such as set-aside and cut production at a time of rising world requirement.

“As an organisation, we are actively engaged in talks at a European level on greening of the CAP and are adamant that any discussions on how to make the CAP greener are practical and deliver true benefit. These could build on the good practice already found on many Scottish arable farms. Using technology to better target inputs, measures to protect water margins and the like are already common-place and would fit with the ‘greening’ ethos.”

REID WELCOMES RURAL SUPERFAST BROADBAND ANNOUNCEMENT

2011-06-15T13:28:00.001+01:00

Alan Reid MP welcomed the Government’s announcement of funding towards achieving its target of 100% coverage of broadband at speeds of 2Mbps and 90% coverage of superfast broadband in every Council area by 2015.

Mr Reid said,

“I welcome this announcement. Broadband is so important if we are to revive the economy of a rural area like Argyll & Bute. With superfast broadband, people will be able to run many types of business from remote locations.

“The Government is proving its commitment to rural parts of the country and fulfilling the pledge in the Coalition agreement to introduce superfast broadband in remote areas at the same time as in more populated areas.”

“The Scottish Government, Argyll & Bute Council and Highlands & Islands Enterprise must work together to make this target a reality.”

Sea eagle management scheme now open for business

2011-06-15T13:26:00.001+01:00

Crofting and farming communities have the chance to help sea eagles and their local communities by applying to join a sea eagle management scheme.

It encourages community groups, farmers, crofters and land managers to positively manage land and livestock to reduce the impact of foraging sea eagles whilst improving the birds’ nesting, roosting and feeding areas.

The scheme can also be used to boost the local economy by capitalising on the tourism potential generated by sea eagles.

It is being rolled out across the Inner and Outer Hebrides including Mull and Skye, parts of mainland Argyll and Lochaber, and Wester Ross. A partnership comprising Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), National Farmers Union Scotland (NFUS), RSPB Scotland and the Scottish Crofting Federation (SCF) helps manage the project.

And staff in local SNH offices are on hand to conduct one-to-one surgeries to explain how individuals and community groups can get involved.

Entrants to the scheme can participate for up to three years and the initiative will be open for applications until autumn 2013.

Ross Lilley, the sea eagle scheme manager, said: “We are delighted to be able to extend this new sea eagle management scheme across their entire breeding range. Our staff will be talking to land managers across the Highlands, Islands and Argyll about it in the coming days and weeks.

“This is a means of allowing land managers to adjust their operations, particularly livestock management, to accommodate the birds whilst the sea eagle breeding population becomes established. But more importantly by accessing start-up funds, communities could generate more benefit from the tourism impacts of having sea eagles in their area.

“Visitors are prepared to inject money into the local economy to view sea eagles and that kind of support could be a massive boost for many areas. We hope that many communities will benefit from the presence of these magnificent birds in their areas.”

REID CALLS ON GOVERNMENT TO SAVE THE CLYDE COASTGUARD STATION IN GREENOCK

2011-06-15T13:18:00.001+01:00

Speaking in a House of Commons debate on the Coastguard service, Alan Reid, MP for Argyll & Bute, called on the Government to keep the threatened Clyde coastguard station open.

Mr Reid told the House of Commons that it was vitally important to keep the coastguard station and its staff who have acquired detailed local knowledge of the seas around his Argyll & Bute constituency.

Extracts from his speech follow.

“My constituency has many islands and peninsulas, which means its coastline is longer than that of France and that the Clyde coastguard station has a longer coastline than any of the coastguard stations to look after. Islands, peninsulas and sea lochs create a wide variety of currents and sea conditions, which is one reason why local knowledge is very important.”
“I also want to stress the importance of local knowledge in differentiating between different places that have the same name. On the islands and the mainland of the west of Scotland, a large number of places are called Tarbert because Tarbert means a narrow neck of land in Gaelic. It would be easy for someone not familiar with that to send the rescue vessel to the wrong place. It is also important to be able to differentiate between, for example, East Loch Tarbert and West Loch Tarbert.”

“Once the Government have had an opportunity to consider the responses to the consultation, I hope that they will recognise the unique challenges posed by the area served by the Clyde coastguard station and that they will keep it open to retain the valuable local knowledge that exists. It is important to point out that, if staff are forced to relocate to Aberdeen, as appears to be the case from the Government’s proposals, that is well over 100 miles away and many staff will not be able to do so, either for family or financial reasons. Valuable local knowledge will therefore be lost.”

“I am aware that the lease for the Clyde station comes to an end in 2012. That appears to be a major consideration in the reasoning behind the Government’s decision to close the station.”

“Real estate considerations should not be paramount. Safety should be the prime consideration and the fact that the lease is up for renewal should not be a major factor.”

“I hope that the Government will recognise the importance of the Clyde coastguard station and realise that they do not want to lose its staff’s experience and expertise. I hope that they will reflect on the consultation and will agree to keep the Clyde coastguard station open.”

Consultation on school closures stopped

2011-06-14T16:03:00.001+01:00

Argyll and Bute Council has agreed to stop its consultation process on proposals to amalgamate 11 primary schools.

The decision was taken at the council meeting on June 14 where members agreed to stop the consultation process. The decision comes in light of advice, given by the cabinet secretary for education and lifelong learning, to the Scottish Parliament, on Thursday 9 June, that the current schools consultation legislation is “defective.”

The council did not agree to support the cabinet secretary’s request for a one-year moratorium on proposals to close rural schools. Instead councillors agreed the moratorium should be discussed with the Scottish Government by COSLA, on behalf of all councils. The council will also ask COSLA to investigate how the implementation of the legislation was carried out by the government and will ask it to consider the possibility of a judicial review.

Council leader Dick Walsh said:

“In light of the comments made by the education secretary to the Scottish Parliament, where he outlined his concerns with the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010, and described the Act as “defective” we feel it is right to stop our consultation process. It is not appropriate for the council to continue working under legislation which the education secretary himself believes to be flawed and not fit for purpose.

“We will work with COSLA to explore the wider implications of a moratorium and the impact it will have on education across Argyll and Bute.

“Our priority remains to provide all children in Argyll and Bute with a high standard of education. We welcome the news that the education secretary will examine the links between rural schools and the support and development of vibrant rural communities.

“We hope the education secretary will look at collaborative learning as part of his review and see how this can be applied successfully in very small, rural schools.

“Today’s decision to stop the current consultation process does not change the fact that in Argyll and Bute we have considerable surplus capacity in our primary schools. It does not change the fact that some of our schools have as few as three or four pupils, which makes it very difficult to successfully implement collaborative learning techniques such as Curriculum for Excellence. It does not change the fact that we have been advised for a number of years by audit and inspection bodies to review our school estate.

“We need to make sure our children and our teachers have access to education techniques which are recognised as best practice for today and tomorrow.”

The council also welcomed Mr Russell’s proposal to establish a commission to investigate the delivery of rural education and supports the view that Audit Scotland and HMIE should be part of the process.

Councillor Walsh continued:

“As Argyll and Bute Council has the most recent and most extensive experience of trying to work within the current legislation we feel representatives from the council should form part of the commission itself. Rural schools in dispersed communities make up a large proportion of Argyll and Bute’s education establishment. We have tried to work within the current legislation and have seen first hand the inconsistencies in its application. We are very keen to share this experience with the commission and help to refine the legislation.

“We specifically would like the scope of the commission to cover collaborative learning in small schools, a definitive model for defining school capacity and an absolute definition of educational benefit. It should also include guidelines to determine the sustainability of school buildings and equipment.

“Until we have these clear guidelines it is impossible for any new legislation to be applied fairly or consistently across all schools.”

The council agreed the decision to halt consultation would not apply to schools which have no pupils.

Hòro-gheallaidh le The Outside Track air an t-slighe gu Blas

2011-06-14T14:04:00.001+01:00

Airson a’ chiad turas, bidh còmhla-ciùil fa-leth a’ riochdachadh fèis Blas 2011 fad na Fèise a thòisicheas air feadh na Gàidhealtachd air 9 Sultain.

Tha an còmhlan The Outside Track a’ cluich measgachadh de cheòl is òrain Albannach, à Canada agus an Eireann agus ri dannsa cuideachd agus tha iad air cliù a chosnadh air feadh an t-saoghail airson an làthaireachd. ‘S e meas air ceòl traidiseanta agus sannd a bhith ag ùrachadh agus a’ toirt air adhart stuth air a bhonntachadh air an dualchas a tha ceangal buill a’ chòmhlain, a bhoinneas do dh’Alba, Èireann, Ceap Breatann (le taobh ri Uidhist a Tuath) agus Vancouver. Bheir iad am blas is dreach fhèin air an fhèis agus bidh hòro-gheallaidh dha-rìreabh nan cois.

Tha còignear anns a’ chòmhlan: Mairi Rankin à Mabou ann an Ceap Breatann (ach a bhoinneas do dh’Uidhist a Tuath tro a màthair Oighrig, a chaidh a Chanada a theagasg na Gàidhlig) agus a tha a’ cluich anns an t-sàr-bhuidhinn Beòlach air an fhidhill, a’ seinn agus ri dannsa; a bhana-sheinneadair Norah Rendell a chaidh a chur air adhart ann am farpais Seinneadair Traidiseanta na Bliadhna ann an Canada air duiseal, fìdeag agus a’ seinn; Ailie Robertson a bha anns a’ chuairt dheireannach de dh’Fharpais Traidiseanta a’ BhBC airson Òigridh air a’ chlàrsaich agus a’ dannsa; Fiona Black, a bhuinnig farpais Fame Academy a’ BhBC air a’ bhocsa; agus Cillian Ó Dalaigh bho Trazz leguitar, a’ seinn agus a’ dannsa.
‘S e sàr-chluicheadairean fa-leth a th’anns gach ball dhen chòmhlan agus tha iad le chèile air grunn dhuaisean eadar-nàiseanta a thogail air an t-slighe gu Blas 2011. Ach ‘s ann còmhla a tha an luach as motha an-lùib leithid de bhuidhinn agus gan dèanamh cho tarraingeach. Tha iad air a bhith a’ cuairteachadh an t-saoghail a-nis airson 5 bliadhna eadar Breatann, an Roinn Eòrpa, Canada agus na Stàitean, a’ nochdadh aig cuid de na Fèisean Ciùil as motha air an t-saoghal eadar Celtic Colours, Goderich, Mission, Memoire et Racines, Sidmouth, agus Whitby.

Mar chòmhlan ainmichte na Fèise, chan eil teagamh aig Stiùiriche Blas Donna NicRath nach toir iad togail àraid do thachartasan anns gach àite. Thuirt i: “Tha sinn air leth toilichte còmhla cho cliùteach ri Outside Track a thoirt chun na Fèise airson a bhith againn fad na h-ùine. Chan eil an leithid ann ‘s dòcha mar chluicheadairean fa-leth, agus ‘s e gnothach eile a bhios ann èisteachd riutha mar chòmhlan nuair a bhios iad air ghleus againn fad naoi latha san t-Sultain.”

Bidh The Outside Track a’ nochdadh aig an fhèis air feadh na Gàidhealtachd bho Ulapul gu Port-Rìgh, Inbhir Garaidh, Baile a’ Chaolais, Port MoCholmaig agus Poll Iùbh. Bidh an còmhlan cuideachd a’ tadhal air sgoiltean air feadh na Gàidhealtachd mar phàirt de Phrògram Foghlaim Blas, air a cho-òrdnachadh le Oifigeach Ceanglan nan Ealan aig Comhairle na Gàidhealtachd, agus trom bi timcheall air 5,000 duine cloinne a’ faighinn cothrom gach bliadhna.

Tha The Outside Track gu bhith a’ cluich aig sreath de thachartasan èibheiseach far a bheil prìomh luchd-ealain nan tarraing aig cridhe fèis Blas 2011 a tha a’ luaidh cultar nan eilean. Tha Blas a-nis stèidhichte anns an 7mh bliadhna agus mar phrìomh fhèis a’ taisbeanadh subhachas is cultar na Gàidhlig air a’ Ghàidhealtachd.

REID BACKS CAMPAIGN AGAINST UNFAIR CHANGES TO WOMEN’S STATE PENSION AGE

2011-06-14T13:36:00.001+01:00

Alan Reid is backing the campaign against Government plans which will see thousands of women waiting up to two years longer for their state pension.
In its current form the Pensions Bill brings forward equalisation of men’s and women’s State Pension Age to 2018, instead of 2020 as previously planned.
This means that 300,000 women born between December 1953 and October 1954 will have to work an additional 18 months or more. 33,000 will have to work an extra two years.
Alan Reid has supported a House of Commons motion to keep the equalisation date in 2020.
He told the House of Commons that the year of the equalisation of men’s and women’s state pension ages should stay at 2020.
Mr Reid told the House of Commons that women caught up by the change would have to work considerably longer before they could collect their pension, and are being given short notice to prepare for the extra work.
He concluded by asking the Government to go away and reflect on the matter before the Pensions Bill comes to the House of Commons.

FEED IN TARRIFF DECISION A BLOW TO RENEWABLE AIMS - says NFUS

2011-06-14T13:24:00.000+01:00

NFU Scotland is deeply disappointed that the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) is to proceed with low level increases in the tariffs available to those looking to generate energy from anaerobic digestion. Failure to significantly increase the rates now threatens to stifle the potential that the technology offers to Scotland.

While energy generation from solar sources is less important to Scotland, the DECC has also announced significant cuts in the feed-in tariff (FiTs) rates for energy from this source making development of solar power increasingly difficult in the future.

The new rates of FiTs proposed for energy generated by new anaerobic digestion and solar projects are unchanged from those originally proposed by DECC in its March consultation. That means that the DECC opted to ignore a huge response from industry to its consultation, urging a more positive approach to these technologies. The FiTs rates announced by the DECC will be effective for new plants from August onwards.

NFU Scotland President, Nigel Miller said:

“The news that energy tariffs available to anaerobic digestion projects in the future will only see limited increases is a blow and leaves such planned developments at a competitive disadvantage compared to other renewable sources.

“Anaerobic digestion (AD) has the potential to produce real value and generate energy from waste products in a reliable manner, and could make a huge contribution to Scotland and the UK’s renewable targets if given the chance. By failing to come forward with realistic tariff rates for energy from AD, the DECC runs the risk of sidelining this technology.

“The digestate produced from AD can also contribute as a valuable soil nutrient. The integral pasteurisation of the AD process ensures high levels of safety which makes the digestate a potential substitute for expensive oil based fertilisers.

“By limiting the increase in the tariffs available to future AD projects, the DECC has hit at the core of the Zero Waste Scotland approach and shown limited ambition in growing our green credentials. When there was a genuine prospect of a significant number of new AD plants being established, those looking at on-farm AD will now have to go back and do their sums to see if the significant investment is justified.

“While our climate may limit our solar energy options, we are aware of some in Scotland who were seriously looking at this. Again, the DECC decision to cut tarriff rates for energy from this source will be a significant blow.”

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT ON RURAL SCHOOLS MICHAEL RUSSELL MSP, CABINET SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND LIFELONG LEARNING

2011-06-14T13:21:00.001+01:00

CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY

I would like to thank the Parliament for the opportunity to make a
statement on my proposals to establish a Commission on the Delivery of
Rural Education and my request to local authorities for a moratorium on
rural school closures.

There are, in my experience, few issues which have united all sides of
this Parliament.

However, the Schools (Scotland) (Consultation) Bill, which the
Parliament agreed to unanimously in November 2009 did so.

Before this Parliament was established there were significant concerns
expressed from many quarters, over many years, about the procedures
local authorities had to follow in relation to school closures.

In particular, there was a feeling that schools were being closed
without proper and full consultation with the communities they served;
this resulted in much worry, anger and resentment for pupils, parents
and staff.

At the outset, Presiding Officer, let me make it clear that sometimes
schools have to close. Communities change, populations move, sometimes
buildings become unsuitable. But common decency as well as good
practice demands that a closure must command public confidence. The
process of decision making must be inclusive and transparent.

Ten years ago, in 2001, the Parliament's Education Committee looked into
the issue of school closures following consideration of a petition. One
of the outcomes was an invitation to COSLA to draw up new rules about
the school closures process. Unfortunately, this did not take place
and, as a consequence, little changed.

Schools continued to close, in ways which appeared to be based on little
joined up thinking regarding the impact closure would have on the wider
community and its economic and social future.

In 2007, in an attempt to address this, Murdo Fraser introduced his
private members Bill. While this was intended to relate to all school
closures, it nevertheless had a particular focus and concern about rural
schools and the importance of schools to the wider rural community.
This evolved into the "Safeguarding Our Rural Schools" consultation,
from which emerged our Bill.

The delivery of education in rural communities is about much more than
just a building. A school can, and often is, fundamental to the social
and economic make up of a village, township or area.

Therefore, at the core of any decisions about schools in rural
communities should lie a presumption against closure - a policy which
has existed in England for some time.

The legislation was intended to make the proposed closure of any school,
an open, transparent and fair one.

We sought to increase local participation, to create a genuine dialogue
between Councils and their communities and to foster a greater sense of
trust between local authorities and the people they serve - and this was
particularly important for rural areas.

So, we put in place a number of special provisions for such areas. In
the case of proposals to close a rural school, there are three factors
to which the council must have regard before moving to consult - these
are:

* Viable alternatives to closure must be considered;

* The likely effects of closure on the community as a
whole must be considered; and

* Any changed travelling arrangements for children must be
considered.

The result of this is to ensure that a decision to close a rural school
must be regarded as a decision of last resort.

In addition, prior to the Bill, the involvement of Ministers in a
closure decision had been mainly related to issues around occupancy and
distance.

The new Bill established a more formal role by means of a safeguard
whereby Ministers would be able to call in those decisions in which they
perceived serious flaws in the consultation or decision making process.
That call-in can also be triggered by community or parental request, but
such requests have to outline a flaw in process.

The key word here is process - the Bill was and is not about prejudging
or second guessing a local authority's decision but ensuring that the
process, as enshrined by statute, had been carried through properly and
correctly.

At the time of the Bill's passage in November 2009, most envisaged that
no more than a handful of cases would be called in. The Government had
confidence in a process the whole Chamber had endorsed.

However, it is clear to me now that for all our good work, there have
been widely differing interpretations of the Act by local authorities,
communities and central government. These differing interpretations are
hindering the clear policy intention of the Bill. Therefore they now
require some action.

For example, in the 12 months or so since the Act came into force (on 5
April 2010), Councils have proposed 35 school closures. This reflects,
to some extent, the financial pressures that Councils are currently
under.

However, the Bill made clear that the basis for closure decisions and
must be educational benefit. Closures driven by finance alone are not
permitted, yet councils still buttress their closure decisions with
financial rhetoric.

Of that 35, I have found it necessary to call in 17. So far, 4 have
been given unconditional consent to close, 4 have been allowed to close
subject to conditions and 4 have been refused - the remaining 5 are
still under consideration by me. There are also another 5 closure
proposals going through the process which will be presented for my
consideration shortly.

For all involved, this is proving to be an unsatisfactory process. We
all felt at the time that we were making an improvement to the law. But
that improvement has not led to the necessary changes on the ground, or
at least not everywhere.

Many more proposals for rural school closures are coming forward than
was envisaged.

The consultation process is not being followed in more cases than we
expected.

During the election, we made clear in our manifesto an intention to
strengthen the 2010 Act to ensure that consultation is genuine and based
on accurate information.

In addition, we also wanted to reinforce the existing presumption
against closure and find a revised means of supporting the delivery of
education in rural areas.

So, how should this be done?

Hopefully with thought, with care and with regard to all the relevant
issues - such as the impact on the community, parental wishes, the
welfare of children, joined up services and better education.

But Presiding Officer, this cannot be delivered against a backdrop of
conflict, confusion and discontent.

It is for all these reasons that last week I announced the setting up of
a Commission on the Delivery of Rural Education. It will be tasked
with, among other things:

* Reviewing the current legislation and its application;

* Making recommendations on how to reflect best practice
and fulfil our manifesto commitment;

* Examining the links between rural schools and the
preservation, support and development of rural communities;

* Looking at the funding issues surrounding rural schools
and the delivery of rural education; and

* Thinking new thoughts about the means of such delivery.

Most importantly, it will have licence to look ahead radically and
boldly. I will be expecting it to come forward with recommendations at
the start of next year.

I will announce the membership of the Commission and its full remit
shortly.

Clearly, input from a wide range of organisations and individuals will
be sought to help the Commission undertake its work. COSLA and ADES
will be essential participants.

To allow the Commission to undertake its work within a positive and
proper context I have also proposed a moratorium on rural school
closures. This will create the space necessary to allow a comprehensive
and fair assessment of the present school closures process and allow
clear thinking on how it can be improved.

This moratorium will run for a year. I believe it is in everyone's
interests to pause and take time to consider the best way forward.

Many councils have expressed concerns about how the present process of
proposed closures is working - so have parents, so have Members on all
sides of this Parliament. Therefore, I expect and hope for a positive
response from councils, from parents and from Members of this Parliament
to my proposals for a moratorium. I am pleased to say that a number of
councils have already indicated their support.

It is my aim that we work together across the various interests in order
to find a consensus and solve these problems which affect many parts of
Scotland. There is no future in simply digging-in to entrenched
positions.

Presiding Officer, I think we would all want to ensure that what
Parliament had in its mind when it agreed the Schools (Consultation)
(Scotland) Act 2010 can finally be applied in an effective and proper
way and that the need for educational benefit is the driving force and
the sole motivation behind each and every proposed school closure,
especially in vulnerable rural areas.

Presiding Officer, I believe that our rural communities are the fresh
air that energise much of Scottish society. I am very aware that the
closure of a rural school can unbalance and sometimes destroy a rural
community for ever.

This chamber has already agreed that action is needed to prevent that.
My new proposals re-enforce that agreement.

SNP call for common sense to prevail on School closure consultations

2011-06-14T13:19:00.000+01:00

A special council meeting has been called by The Administration of Argyll and Bute Council for the 14th June, following a request by The Cabinet Secretary for Education, Michael Russell MSP, for a Scotland wide, year long, moratorium on school closures in order to review legislation. The present Council Administration formed by Conservative, Liberal Democrats and members of the Alliance of Independent Councillors have been progressing a controversial programme of school closure consultations.

Opposition groups on the council met today to discuss a joint approach to the special council meeting. Leader of the Opposition, SNP Councillor Robert MacIntyre, said following the meeting -

‘We had a very constructive meeting today with our opposition colleagues, we are encouraged that the Administration has decided to consider the request by Mr Russell, it is clear that the Administration is not fully committed to these closure consultations in the new political reality following the election of a majority SNP Government.

‘The Opposition is united in its support for the views expressed by our communities on the education of their children. I am sure this commitment will be carried forward into the 2012 Council elections. For our part, the SNP in Argyll & Bute are ready to work constructively with any elected member who will support the sustainability of rural life in Argyll and Bute of which rural schools play a major role. I hope this gives some security to our communities; the only consultation they need to secure their schools will be at the ballot box next May.’

The SNP Group left the ruling Administration of the Council last year when they could no longer support the proposals sponsored by the Alliance of Independent Councillors, proposals which they described at a heated council meeting on the 25th November 2010 as “fundamentally flawed.” Surprisingly, two staunch critics of the proposals at that time , Liberal Democrat Councillors Robin Currie and Rory Colville ensured that closure consultations continued by changing their opinion and vote so securing an enhanced wage for themselves when the Lib Dems and Conservatives replaced the SNP in Administration.

One unexpected outcome from the closure programme has been the formation of ARSN – Argyll Rural Schools Network who have been hyper-active and vocal at every council meeting, exploiting energy and imagination to raise the standard for rural communities.

At a Special Council meeting organised by the SNP on the 4th January, well attended by ARSN both internally and in the winter cold outside, the original proposals for consultation on closure of 25 schools were overturned. However, unperturbed, the new Liberal Democrat Education Spokesperson, Ellen Morton devised a new reduced list of 12 schools which are now going through the consultation process.

John Semple, SNP liaison Councillor with ARSN said –

‘From the very start of these consultations I have consistently highlighted the vitality and potential that lies latent in our rural communities, it is very sad that the Liberal Democrats, who used to portray themselves as champions of rural life in Scotland, have abandoned that principled stand.

‘it is clear from the activity of ARSN that rural Argyll and Bute is alive and very much kicking. I would call, once more, on the leader of the council not just to abandon these consultations but to commit to engaging constructively with rural communities to plan a sustainable future for rural life.’

First local dog owner falls foul of new legislation

2011-06-14T13:14:00.002+01:00

Dog owners across Argyll and Bute are being urged to ensure they comply with new legislation which came into force earlier this year.

The Control of Dogs (Scotland) Act 2010 is designed to ensure that communities are protected from dogs which are out of control and to tackle irresponsible dog ownership.

Argyll and Bute Council’s Streetscene team recently issued its first dog control notice (DCN) to a Dunoon resident who had repeatedly failed to keep their animal under control.

Under the notice, the owner is required not only to keep the dog under control but also to have a microchip implanted in the animal within 14 days (if it does not already have one) as a means of identifying both the dog and its owner.

Officers also have the power to include other measures on the notice if appropriate, such as muzzling the dog whenever it is in a public place, keeping it on a lead, neutering a male dog and attending a training course in dog control.

Failure to comply with any aspect of the DCN could lead to a fine of up to £1,000, an order disqualifying the individual from owning a dog for a specific period of time and – if the court considers the dog is dangerous – an order for its destruction.

The focus of the new legislation is the ‘deed not the breed’ approach. Any dog has the potential to be the subject of a notice, whatever its size or breed.

Councillor Daniel Kelly, chair of the planning, protective services and licensing committee, said the issuing of such a notice would always be a last resort.

“This is something our officers will do only when all other avenues have been exhausted. But dog owners should be quite clear that we will not hesitate to use the powers we have been given if we deem it necessary,” he added.

“Irresponsible dog owners and their animals are often the scourge of their communities, and out of control dogs are not just a public nuisance but can create genuine fear and anxiety for local residents.

“The legislation is primarily aimed at the owners, rather than the dogs. If owners can be persuaded to change their behaviour before their dogs become dangerous, then the behaviour of the dogs will also improve.”

NATIONAL GAELIC FILM COMPETITION LAUNCHES 'GUESS THE THEME' FOR 2012

2011-06-14T13:14:00.001+01:00

FilmG, MG ALBA’s highly successful Gaelic online short film competition, in which locals scooped top awards at last year’s finals, is launching this year’s theme with a mini-competition.

Each year the FilmG competition creates a theme to inspire new ideas, and this year’s theme will be announced on 16th June. However, before that you can get involved in the ‘Guess the Theme’ competition and be in with a chance of winning a £200 prize. The image revealed here is one of three images created to reflect this year’s theme, and these images will be your clues in the competition.

To take part, and to see the remaining two images, send your email address to fios@filmg.co.uk, or find us at FilmG Alba, on Facebook. This year’s theme and the winner of the £200 prize will be revealed on Thursday 16th June.

About FilmG
FilmG inspires anyone over the age of 12 to make a three to five minute short film in Gaelic. Non-Gaelic speakers and learners of the language are particularly encouraged to get involved, with language help available through the FilmG support programme, TàlantG. Two main categories exist within the competition, one for Adults and one for 12-17 year olds, and with fantastic cash and industry experience prizes, the competition culminates in a grand awards ceremony which celebrates the talent behind the films.

Winners in last year’s FilmG included pupils from Millburn Academy in the city, who picked up the award for Best Script in the 12-17 category for their film ‘Caoracnaphobia’, while Kenneth MacLeod, who played the lead role in the film, took home a New Faces New Voices award for his performance.

Another winner of a New Faces New Voices award was Megan Dale of Dingwall Academy, for her animated performance as the cookery competition host in ‘Cogadh nan Còcairean’. Also winners on the night were Jenny Forbes of Farr, Strathnairn, who won both Best Student Film and Best Student Director, and her brother and co-star Alasdair Forbes, who took home the Best Performance Award, for the film ‘Obair Là’.

Two other awards went to Inverness-based filmmakers Cathey Reece and Kirree Seddon who won Best Factual Short for their film ‘Bho Blythswood le Gaol’ and Shawn Hastings, a newcomer to FilmG, who picked up the FilmG Theme award for his film ‘Làmh an Uachdar’.

FilmG also offers training for those keen to get involved, but who perhaps have no previous experience of making a film. This year’s training opportunities will kick off in September with a full weekend of film-making workshops based at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig in Skye; including script development, directing, camera basics, sound recording and editing, followed by a full programme of Adult and 12-17 workshops throughout Scotland. Full details of all training opportunities, along with an array of online resources are available on the FilmG website, at www.filmg.co.uk.

Global thirst for learning about Scotch whisky quenched

2011-06-14T13:11:00.001+01:00

A course designed to give an understanding of Scotch whisky is being launched online today (Wednesday 8 June, 2011) in a bid to satisfy increasing global demand from students.

Created by Moray College UHI, in partnership with Gordon & MacPhail, the World’s Leading Malt Whisky Specialist, the 20 hour online course can be studied anytime, anywhere with internet access. It aims to introduce students to the Scotch whisky industry and covers the history of whisky making, the production process and marketing. A section on whiskies from around the world, including Canada and Japan, is also covered to highlight the differences across the globe.

Delivered along with eight whisky miniatures and three sampling glasses the course also helps to develop skills in nosing and tasting so students can appreciate the general characteristics of different styles and types of whisky, including single and blended malts.

Moray College UHI originally joined forces with Gordon & MacPhail to develop a residential whisky course, which was then developed into an open learning course available as a CD- Rom. Following growing registration from students overseas, from Austria to Australia, it is now available as an interactive, online course - making it even more accessible.

Michael Urquhart, Joint Managing Director at Gordon & MacPhail, said:
“It is exciting to see more people from different cultures and walks of life developing an interest and enthusiasm for Scotch whisky. By going online, this unique course is helping even more people across the globe learn about its origins and the many different varieties available.

“The increasing international appeal in whisky is also reflected in the growing number of exports of our very own handcrafted single malt, Benromach, which has seen particular growth throughout Europe, North America, South Africa and Japan over the last year.”

Master distiller, Jim Cryle, is the tutor for the course and regarded as one of the greatest authorities in Scotch whisky. Retired as manager from The Glenlivet Distillery he brings to the course a broad expertise of whisky making including malting, distilling and quality control. Coupled with Gordon & MacPhail’s extensive knowledge and history of Scotch whisky spanning over 100 years and the experience of Moray College UHI, a partner in the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI), the course delivers an exclusive Scotch whisky learning experience.

Mike Devenney, Principal of Moray College UHI, said:
“The course has proven to be a huge success with people from a very broad range of 21 countries[1], including Estonia, South Africa and Hong Kong, enrolling for the CR-Rom over the last ten years.

“Converting it to an online format was the natural step in its progression. The technology means we can reach a greater audience and interact with students online via assessments and question and answer sessions. New computer animations clearly illustrate the skill and craft that whisky-making requires and students can introduce their own dimensions to the process to see the consequences of their actions on the final dram.”

Campbell Evans, Director of Government & Consumer Affairs at Scotch Whisky Association said:
"Whether before or after a trip to Scotland, or just because they already enjoy the drink, the use of technology will through this course take Scotch Whisky to living rooms and bars around the world. Better informed bar staff will be able to help their customers, and more knowledgeable consumers will be able to expand their appreciation and love of Scotch Whisky, whether they are in traditional Scotch Whisky export countries or new emerging markets.”

The course leads to a Moray College UHI/Gordon & MacPhail certificate and costs £195. It is open to anyone over 18 years old (age restrictions for the consumption of alcohol may differ in overseas markets) with an interest in Scotch whisky and may particularly appeal to those working in the whisky, hospitality, leisure and tourism or retail industries.

Further details can also be obtained from Moray College UHI Registry on T: 00 44 (0) 1343 576 309 or email: registry@moray.uhi.ac.uk

Browned trees battered by storms

2011-06-14T13:10:00.000+01:00

Experts from Forestry Commission Scotland are allaying public fears over
the "browning" of many trees on the west coast of Scotland.

Although the trees may look unhealthy, it is hoped that most will
recover over time.

Experts are citing the exceptionally strong winds and salt laden sea air
of 23 May as the cause for 'scorching' the trees and turning them brown.

Many broadleaved trees and larches have been affected and, to a lesser
extent, pine and other conifers. The main geographical area affected
appears to stretch from Dumfries and Galloway north to Fort Wiliam on
the western seaboard.

Hugh Clayden, Tree Health policy adviser for Forestry Commission
Scotland said:

"We've had a number of calls from worried members of the public who have
seen large areas of trees turning brown for apparently no reason. Their
first thought is that they are in bad health due to disease.

"We're very grateful for these calls but we are quite sure that what is
being reported here is usually a result of the recent very strong winds
coupled with salt-laden air on the coast. Basically the trees' delicate
new leaves and needles have been dried out as well as physically damaged
by the exceptional winds."

Browning and leaf wilt is also apparent inland but does not yet appear
to be anything like as severe. Other causes of extensive browning
include the severe winter frosts.

Mt Clayden added:

"We will be examining trees to see if the buds and twigs are still
alive. If they are, recovery should take place this year and next. If
not, some die-back of branches is likely to occur - although we would
still expect most trees to recover unless they suffer further extreme
events."

If for some reason trees continue to show signs of ill health in a month
or two then Forestry Commission Scotland would welcome reports from the
public.

COASTGUARD PETITION DELIVERED TO No10

2011-06-14T13:09:00.001+01:00

Highlands and Islands SNP MSP Mike MacKenzie has commended the efforts of campaigners from Shetland and Lewis who joined with SNP MPs in London today to deliver a 28,000 strong petition to Downing Street registering serious concerns about proposed cuts and closures to Coastguard services affecting Scotland.

Mike MacKenzie said,:

"One of the first Press Releases I issued after being elected to the Scottish Parliament last month was to indicate my support for the submission from CalMac about the concerns that they felt about the proposals to cut services and close down coastguard facilities north of the border. CalMac's stated concerns were that the priority driving these proposals appeared to be to make coastguard services cheaper to provide rather than any action that might provide improvements to safety at sea. They were also concerned that the MCA proposals appeared very shortly after the proposed removal of Emergency Towing Vehicles (ETVs) from the Minch area and yet failed even to mention this additional threat.

The petition protesting those cuts to the coastguard service was delivered to Downing Street today and the SNP Transport spokesman , the MP for Na Eileanan an Iar, Angus MacNeil warned that lives would be at risk if the government did not reconsider those damaging proposals and place maritime safety at the head of the Coastguard agenda.

Mr MacNeil said;

"With increased activity on Scotland's seas through oil and gas exploration, offshore renewables burgeoning along with fishing, tourist and ferry activity there are very real concerns about the effect of the present proposals which would leave Scotland's coastal waters, with 60% of the UK sea area with around 25% of the available cover. We could make much more effective choices for Scotland in Scotland rather than leave those decisions to London."

MG ALBA CELEBRATES LAUNCH OF BBC ALBA ON FREEVIEW

2011-06-13T15:27:00.001+01:00

Every household in Scotland can watch BBC ALBA today (Wednesday 8 June) as it launches on the Freeview platform from 5pm this evening.

BBC ALBA going live on Freeview channel 8 today, greatly increases accessibility for all viewers across Scotland.

The channel was also recently made available on Virgin Media’s Cable channel 188.

Alasdair Morrison, Chairman of MG ALBA, said: “MG ALBA along with our partners at the BBC have worked tirelessly towards this day and it is fantastic that the channel will be on Freeview as of today. We have been grateful for the support from the BBC Trust as well as that received from politicians in Holyrood and Westminster.

“We should be immensely proud of the creative talent that Scotland has to offer and are delighted that through BBC ALBA we are able to nurture new talent and encourage a raft of innovative ideas for Gaelic production. We look forward to bringing both Gaelic and non-Gaelic viewers an exciting package of programming that we are greatly proud of and are delighted that it can now be enjoyed by everyone throughout Scotland.”

Margo MacDonald MSP will tonight (Wednesday 8 June) host a parliamentary reception in support of BBC ALBA welcoming its launch on Freeview. Margo said: “This development should do more to persuade non-Gaelic- speaking Scots of the worth of the language and culture of the Gàidhealtachd than any previous attempt to promote understanding and appreciation of Gaelic’s rich heritage. Gaelic may be an old language but its contribution to contemporary culture will be greatly enhanced by its use of new technologies.”

Alasdair Allan MSP said: “This is a very important step forward for BBC ALBA and I am very pleased that the channel will now have access to Freeview. Many people have campaigned to make this happen for a long time and the Scottish Government has backed the plan from the start.
“BBC ALBA has made an important contribution to broadcasting in Scotland and has also strengthened the profile and use of Gaelic. The whole of Scotland should now have access to BBC ALBA’s programmes and this will help support a fresh generation of Gaelic speakers and enrich our cultural life.”

Celebrities and personalities associated with the channel including actor and film-maker Peter Mullan got behind the channel’s Freeview launch by endorsing the ‘Open Your Eyes’ to BBC ALBA campaign. Peter Mullan said: “The channel has been a great boost for the creative sector in Scotland and long may it continue.”

BBC ALBA has made a positive contribution to Scottish broadcasting and the country’s creative industries with around half of all programme hours produced in Scotland by independent producers being commissioned for BBC ALBA. The channel’s programmes are produced by a range of independent production companies as well as from the BBC and STV.

The channel also plays a key role in promoting the Gaelic language as well as supporting language learning through broadcasting programmes for learners and those interested in Gaelic language and culture. In addition, MG ALBA and the BBC, together with Bòrd na Gàidhlig and other partners, are developing new online resources for Gaelic learners, along with funding from the Scottish Government. The new learners’ website is due to launch in October this year.

Campbeltown Museum

2011-06-01T14:50:00.001+01:00

Councillors will be updated at the executive committee meeting ( Thu 2nd June) on work due to start on Campbeltown Museum this summer to improve what’s on offer. Already the council has given £20,000 which has been match funded by Museums Galleries Scotland. The £40,000 will be used for a new gallery heating system, new display lighting and new blackout blinds to reduce natural light.

The museum is the only one run by Argyll and Bute Council and it has been agreed it will still be curated by staff from Kilmartin House Museum and Auchindrain. This agreement has been in place since 2007 and is necessary to give the council the professional museum service it needs. The arrangement has attracted very positive attention at national level, where it isregardedas a model of innovative good practice.

The new look museum could soon include a number of the late Lady Linda McCartney’s photos. Staff are close to an agreement with the trust which controls her photographic works.

Spokesperson for Third Sector and Communities Councillor Rory Colville says ‘I’m delighted about this great partnership continuing delivering a much needed service for Campbeltown and Argyll and Bute.

‘It is fantastic the museum is getting this money to get things in order to maintain accreditation.’

BBC ALBA – WEEKLY PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS Saturday 11 June – Friday 17 June 2011

2011-06-01T13:58:00.000+01:00

Title: Rockness 2011 Music Festival

The Scottish summer festival season starts on BBC ALBA as the channel presents live coverage of the main stage and highlights from the weekend. The Chemical Brothers and Example are among the main stage acts on Saturday plus DJ Annie Mac. Hosted by Andrew Robertson and Emma MacInnes.

Transmitted: Saturday 11 June
Time: 9.00 – 11:00pm

Title: Rockness 2011 Music Festival
Rockness continues on BBC ALBA, with Paolo Nutini, Glasvegas and The Wombats all featuring on the main stage on Sunday. Hosted by Andrew Robertson and Emma MacInnes.

Transmitted: Sunday 12 June
Time: 10.00pm – 12:00 midnight

Title: Taghadh Bho na Trads / Highlights from The Trads
Julie Fowlis presents music and chat from the Trad Award Winners’ – some of the finest traditional musicians in the country. On tonight’s show - Malinky and Joe Aitken.

Transmitted: Monday 13 June
Time: 8.30 – 9.00pm

Title: Trusadh / Papers in The New World

The newspaper industry has seen many changes in recent years. In the past five years alone, sales of newspapers on a national level have fallen by 30%. The expansion of television to a multi-channel world offering 24/7 news, and the impact of the internet and new technology have all changed the way that we consume news.

How though have local newspapers been affected, and what lies ahead for the industry as a whole? Local Western Isles journalist, Murray MacLeod, finds out more.

We hear from other journalists, and visit the Skye based West Highland Free Press, who recently became the UK's first employee owned newspaper. Is this a model that would work for others? In Uist, local newspaper, Am Pàipear, has twice been named Community Newspaper of the Year for the Highlands and Islands recently. What is the secret of its success?

Transmitted: Monday 13 June
Time: 9.00 – 10.00pm

Title: Dannsa

Over the course of this vibrant and highly energetic television series, viewers will follow six different dance groups from around Scotland through the highs and lows of rehearsal, competition and performance and we meet some of the dancers to share their life challenges. The groups are highly diverse in location, style, aspiration, age and accomplishment, including the Heavy Smokers, a street-dancing crew from Livingston, the teenage girls of the Fusion dance class in Aberdeen, the Ballet West school in Taynuilt, Oban, the asylum seekers and refugees of the Maryhill Integration Network in Glasgow, the over sixties at Dance Base in Edinburgh, and the aspiring hopefuls from The Space at the School of Contemporary Dance in Dundee.

All groups along with their teachers and choreographers face the challenge of putting a special dance piece together for a show which will see all six groups showcasing their talents on the same stage for one night only. Renowned Scottish contemporary choreographer Mr Andy Howitt will have the demanding task of incorporating all six groups for the end of series performance special at the Tramway Theatre in Glasgow.

Dannsa...........six groups, six different dance styles, one live dance show!

Transmitted: Monday 13 June
Time: 10.00 – 10.30pm

Title: Soillse / Eye of the Crocodile

In Madagascar, the tiny village of Ambalavuntaka lives in fear of killer crocodiles. For eight years, a giant crocodile has been circling this tiny peninsula, isolated in the middle of the Pangalanes canal in the east of the country. In the last few years, five people have been eaten. As the canal is the only source of water, it's impossible to lead a normal life. Washing up, bathing or simply crossing the canal all these simple, everyday acts have become a bold and risky adventure.

Too poor to buy a gun, the villagers are unable to defend themselves. But even if they did have a rifle, they would still be helpless against this monster. Hunting a creature like this is as skill that only a few accomplished hunters possess.

Responding to the call of the curse on this tiny village lost in the distant bush, a renowned young Madagascan hunter and a French crocodile expert join forces to try to rid this village of their plight.

Transmitted: Wednesday 15 June
Time: 9.00 – 9.55pm

Title: The Corncrake and the Croft An-Diugh

A unique opportunity to watch a documentary from the BBC's The World About Us series from 1977 about crofting and the environment in North Uist. The programme also looks at how the people and places featured have changed since then.

Transmitted: Thursday 16 June
Time: 9.00 – 10.00pm

Title: Anns na Paipearan / News from 1985

Derek Mackay takes a nostalgic look back at some of the stories featured in the Highland press in the year 1985.

Transmitted: Friday 17 June
Time: 8.30 – 9.00pm