In our fortnightly feature, we join a local for a tea break and find out how they spend their time - and their time off. This week, we welcome Anna MacRae, Manager of the West Harris Trust venue Talla na Mara Please introduce yourself... I grew up in Scalpay and like many young islanders left home to study and work. This took me to various towns and cities across Scotland, but I’m happy to have recently returned to the family home in Scalpay. What’s your story so far? Primary

Plans are underway to bring an artistic new look to the inside of the waiting room at Leverburgh Ferry terminal as part of a project that will see parallel improvements to the Berneray waiting room, on the other side of the Sound of Harris crossing, and other small waiting rooms around the islands. The Outer Hebrides Heritage Forum (Comann Dual-chas Innse Gall) have received funding from Museums Galleries Scotland to re-decorate the buildings with a heritage theme in mind, ma

From Volunteer Centre Western Isles Following the appeal for donations in December, the office at the Old Primary School was filled with generous contributions. These donations have supported the new foodbank and aided those in need in our islands. Thank you to everyone that donated. In the first couple of months, it has become clear that the foodbank is very much needed in Harris, with it being topped up at least once a week. To keep the foodbank in the bus waiting area in T

In our fortnightly feature, we join a local for a tea break and find out how they spend their time - and their time off. This week, we welcome Tania MacLeod - community volunteer, entrepreneur and super Granny! A sunny day at the polytunnel Please introduce yourself... I’m Tania. I work at the Sir E Scott school canteen and clean the Tarbert Community Hall. I’m on the Board of Harris Voluntary Service and I do Tarbert in Bloom. My business is Isle of Harris Soap Company – and

Residents and staff at Harris House Care Home have thanked all those who contributed to their Valentine’s Day celebrations earlier this month, which saw cards and gifts being sent to Tarbert from as far away as California - and even a visit from a local TV crew. The team have shared the following message of thanks. Posting cards in the special Valentine's box (Photo: Harris House) “Thank you to everyone that took the time to send cards and gifts to the residents of Harris Hou

The new playpark for Leverburgh is a step closer to opening its gates, after a busy few weeks of fundraising. The parents behind the appeal say they have been blown away by the generosity of the response. “We'd like to say a huge thank you to all who have donated. We are so close to our target and realising our goal of a safe and inclusive playpark in south Harris.” A total of £24,135 has been received, leaving just £5,865 left to raise of the £30,000 target needed for the fu

In our fortnightly feature, we join a local for a tea break and find out how they spend their time - and their time off. This week, we welcome Nigel Bruce , Race Director for the Harris Running Festival Please introduce yourself... I first came to Harris in April 1996, as Project Manager for the Scalpay Fixed Link, and first ran the Harris Half Marathon in 1997. After the project was complete, I returned to mainland Scotland to continue in construction but maintained my cont

People from the Outer Hebrides have a particularly high risk of a developing a genetic disease that causes a dangerous build-up of iron in the body, a University of Edinburgh study suggests. The study mapped the genetic risk for haemochromatosis and found that while people with ancestry from north-west Ireland have the highest risk, Outer Hebrideans have the second highest, at one in 62. The results have led to calls for targeted genetic screening for the condition, to help i

A Facebook post requesting a little extra romance for the residents of Harris House, has gained support from international readers, a well-known author and a celebrated landscape artist. With their help, the Valentine’s Day post bag at the Tarbert care home is already bulging. Post begins to arrive Last week, a staff member posted a request for Valentines cards and messages to be sent to residents. It read: “At Harris House there is a wee valentines themed afternoon imminent.