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 Amanda Anderson, who has a new catering business in south Harris Please introduce yourself… I moved from Edinburgh to Harris 3 years ago. I am a classically trained ‘french’ chef and have worked as a chef for the last 15 years. I have worked in several res-taurants on island. I also had a stall as a street food vendor at Hebcelt which

The new-look cash machine and (inset) the machine before repairs took place The cashpoint in Tarbert is operational again, following the completion of refurbishment works to its secure housing. NCR Atleos, which operates the machine in the car park by the Essence of Harris shop, has confirmed that it has been tested, re-cashed and returned to service. Dè tha dol? first reported that the ATM was out of service in October, when residents expressed concern that a lack of out-of-

The start of the 2025 half marathon The countdown to the Isle of Harris Running Festival is underway with this year’s event set continue its focus on inclusivity. A fun run and 5k challenge will take place on Saturday July 4th, along with the flagship Harris Half Marathon, one of Scotland’s most scenic road races. More than fifty people have registered to take part since booking opened in November. “If you book your place now, there’s plenty of time to train,” said Race Direc

A round-up of events in Harris this month Please note the Burns Supper at the Bays Centre will not be going ahead.

From the North Harris Trust The Monan Wind Company programme to replace their three obsolete two-bladed turbines with new threebladed versions went awry on the evening of December 12, when a fire broke out in the turbine hub during the commissioning process for Turbine 2. Fortunately, the two technicians in the turbine hub at the time managed to make a safe emergency evacuation. However, the fire burned for a number of hours and resulted in the total loss of the machine. A 24

What's on where and when this month?

In a variation on our usual ’Tea Break’ feature, we join a local for a hot beverage break and find out how he spends his time - and time off. This week, we welcome Dougie, one of Santa’s helpers. Please introduce yourself... I’m Dougie Dan, one of Santa’s rep-resentatives on the Western Isles. My job is to keep an eye on all the little boys and girls and report back to the boss. I also help out with important pre-Christmas duties such as (ahem) acquiring creels and advising C

Renovation work on Leverburgh Village Hall is moving a step closer, with full funding for development plans now secure. The closing date for contractors to submit tenders to complete the work is this week (Friday) and a planning application has been lodged with the council. The regeneration is set to include replacing the roof, installing a new heating system and updating the internal layout of the building to make it more energy efficient. Scalpay In Scalpay, work on the Com

Photo C. Morrison Christmas celebrations are in full swing across Harris, now that the community festive lights have been switched on in both Leverburgh and Tarbert. In Tarbert, residents gathered on Monday, December 1 to sing carols around the village Christmas tree at its new location outside the Deli. The rain held off just long enough for the big switch-on, when the light show was activated remotely by nine-year-old Lydia - with a little help from Mickey Mouse and a minio

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