The calendar for the rest of December will be available next week

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 Kate Langley, a double bass player (in her free time) whose day job is all about helping others get into work. Please introduce yourself... I've recently taken up a dual post as the DYW (Developing the Young Workforce) Co-ordinator for Harris and an Employability Training Officer. What’s your story so far? My family moved to Harris in

A giant red squirrel has taken up residence in the picnic area next to Tarbert Post Office - and while the iconic Scottish species may not be a frequent visitor to Harris in its live form, it is hoped that this sculpture of one will be a fixture of the landscape for many years to come. The heart-shaped work of art was installed in its new home by Tarbert in Bloom, who received it as a dona-tion from Norpower. It was initially part of the Highland Hospice Art Trail and now sta

The talents of young musicians from Sir E Scott school were recognised in the Western Isles Young Musician of the Year competition, which saw students from Harris compete across instrumental and singing categories at the event in Stornoway on November 14th and 15th. Junior finalists from Harris The Young Singer of the Year competition was held at the Nicolson Institute on the Friday evening, with instrumental competitions at Primary, Junior (S1-3) and Senior (S4 up) level tak

Enjoying the Ice (J Martin) This Christmas season will be the final outing for the current Scaladale ice rink, which is due to be retired at the end of the winter. The plastic rink is set up in the outdoor centre’s barn at Ardvourlie, at the end of each Autumn. It is the only one in the Western Isles and has been a popular festive attraction with families, schools and youth groups from across Lewis and Harris for over a decade. However, after several years of use, the rink an

Stacking the shelves A community food bank has opened in Tarbert to provide essentials for those in need. Based in the bus waiting area on Pier Road (next to Essence of Harris) it will be stocked with a variety of long-life food produce and toiletries. Those who wish to use it can help themselves during opening hours. The project launched on Monday (Nov 24) with help from local children, who brought contributions of food along. Members of the public are invited to donate tinn

In our regular feature, we join a local for a tea break and find out how they spend their time. This week we welcome Leverburgh's Kenny 'Clachan' MacLeod Please introduce yourself... I'm the manager for the Harris community shop and I live in Leverburgh. I've been on many committees over the years but I currently serve as Chairperson of Leverburgh village hall, Chairperson of Leverhulme school parent council, Chairperson of the grazing committee and I'm also on the South Har

What’s your job? I’m the interim area manager for the North Hebrides, from the tip of Skye, to North Uist, the Sound of Harris, Lewis and Ullapool. I try to be a conduit between Calmac and the communities, to make sure community voices are heard and that we communicate with stakeholder groups. Day-to-day my job is about making sure our area teams are working together. My role is to manage the portside service - I don’t have control over decisions about whether a vessel sails.

Leverburgh Village Hall Two of Harris’ most important hubs have welcomed an injection of fund ing that will enable them to carry out critical renovations to put them in good shape for the future. Leverburgh Village Hall and Scalpay Community Heritage Centre are among the beneficiaries of the Scottish Government’s Islands Programme. Leverburgh Hall will receive £474,071 for its regeneration project and Scalpay CC receives £647,280. Both halls are over 20 years old and in urgen

Harris crofters are among many small farmers left frustrated at not receiving funding through the Government’s Future Farming Investment Scheme, a grant scheme intended to help improve the environmental efficiency of agricultural businesses. While guidance for the £21 million scheme stated that small and island based agricultural businesses would be prioritised, less than 1 per cent (0.65) of the funding pot was allocat ed to the Western Isles, with just four beneficiaries in

In our regular 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 MP Torcuil Crichton, who popped in to the office after a visit to the Bays of Harris Reading the best newspaper on Harris! Please introduce yourself... I’m the Labour MP for the Na h Eileanan an Iar constituency. I’ve only been doing this job for 15 months, but I’ve been around politics in the islands since the 1980s. This role is a huge p

The Sir E Scott School choirs enjoyed a busy week at the Royal National Mòd in Fort William, which saw members competing in choral, solo singing, poetry and instrumental competitions. Three pupils won gold medals. Cailean MacLeod was first in Solo Singing Boys P4. Seumas Alasdair MacLeod won first and the prestigious Silver Kilt Pin in the 13-15 Solo traditional singing (boys) category, and Rosie Morrison won first prize for her clarsach performance in the Intermediate 1 (Gra

A survey of residents’ views about their local library and sports centre aims to set the scene for the future of critical local leisure services. Comhairle nan Eilean Siar is inviting members of the public to take part in the community consultation. It wants to hear the views of local people on how libraries and leisure facilities can support health, wellbeing, learning and community life across the islands. Council Leader Paul Steele said: “Libraries and leisure facilities p

The cash machine in the Tourist Information car park in Tarbert (opposite Hotel Hebrides) is out of action for now, but locals are being reassured that the situation is temporary. News that the machine had been ‘de-cashed’ earlier this month caused concern that Tarbert might be about to lose another financial service, following the recent closure of the Bank of Scotland branch and the loss of the community banker. Responding to queries, Councillor Paul Finnegan has raised the

The gym at Leverburgh Community Hub has opened and its first members are making use of the new exercise facilities which include...

Tarbert shopkeeper John ‘Brownie’ Morrison’s exceptional contribution to community life has been recognised with the presentation of a...

In our regular 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...

Silent auction link An online auction raising money for the Sir E Scott school choirs’ trip to the Royal National Mòd in Fort William is...

Since starting out in 2023, the Tarbert in Bloom team have been working to give the village a facelift that has left it cleaner, brighter...

Fañch Bihan-Gallic Bha Seanchas na Fèinne air leth cliùiteach sna ginealaichean a dh’fhalbh, agus tha cuimhne fhathast aig cuid air...