Tea Break: Anna MacRae

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 schooling and the first couple of years in secondary were in Scalpay before the bridge was built. What a wonderful place to grow up. I have such super memories of fishing with my dad at the Shiants, taking home the cow with my mum and just being outdoors a lot.

A couple of years in Sir E Scott were followed by two years in the Nicolson staying, like most young ones from Harris, in a hostel through the week. This was a good introduction to living away from home before I left to study in Aberdeen.

I loved all things sports in school and despite not living anywhere near a tennis court or running track I dreamt I would one day win Wimbledon or the Olympics. It’s good to dream big!

I studied Hospitality Management and subsequently worked for the NHS support services. I didn’t travel far to meet my husband Kiki who is from Leverburgh, which he calls the posh part of the island! Three children followed who are now grown up and we are bursting with joy to have two grandsons.

Returning home to help care for my elderly mother three years ago and negotiating working from home became difficult, so I took a work break before she passed away early last year. Three weeks later we welcomed our second grandchild. It was a bittersweet time.

What are the West Harris Trust’s aims?

To help build a sustainable future for our community through employment opportunities, to help attract young families to the area and to provide an area for social interaction. This year, one of our young staff members is doing a Business Admin Modern Apprenticeship through the Trust, which is what we want to see more of.

What are you looking forward to at Talla na Mara in 2026?

Mainly seeing the centre being used regularly by the community. We have had our cafe open a couple of regular days this winter and we are seeing lots of locals using it as a place to meet with friends and family. I would like to build on this.

We may not have haute cuisine, but we do have consistent good home cooking and a wonderful team of staff and volunteers who care about the people that come into our cafe. That’s what gives us good vibes and that’s worth more than any cafe innovation!

Apart from the cafe we have a well-stocked gift shop that’s very handy when you’ve forgotten someone’s birthday. The open art studios beside us are also a great place for gifts. We’re keen to see more events happening and people using the centre for family events like an anniversary, birthday or funeral receptions.

What do you enjoy about your job?

I love coming in to work and looking out at the view from Talla na Mara, it’s incredible no matter the weather. And I love being able to speak Gaelic at work, so many of our lovely team of staff and volunteers are local Gaelic speakers and we often converse in Gaelic as it’s our mother tongue and comes naturally to us.

The older I get, the more passionate I am about our heritage, our language and culture.

How can the community help?

Continue what many are doing already by looking after the area, care for the people of our community, the land, our culture, and use Talla na Mara as a place to meet. We rely on the goodwill of our volunteers and there is always a need for more, so do get in touch if you would like to become a volunteer with us.

What are your favourite places?

Coming down the Clisham approaching Ardhasaig always feels like we are nearly home, I love the view of the sea and mountains there. Then there is the vastness of the sky from the Scalpay Lighthouse. And if I have to choose a beach, my gem is Scarista. I’ve yet to see a beach with so many amazing shells!

How do you spend your free time?

My Christian faith is very important to me, so when I can, I help at my church with youth work, catering and other things. I play badminton with Harris Badminton Club and support Harris FC and Camanachd Leodhais - particularly when the players are called Domhnall MacRae! As I’ve previously mentioned, keeping up with our family, especially the little ones, is really important to me.

Tea break time: what would you like?

A flat white made by Angus from TnM, he’s an excellent barista, and I’ll grab the heel of the fruit loaf made by Annie our cook. Direach sgoinneil!

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