Mr Browne was escorted around the island by Comhairle nan Eilean representatives Angus Campbell and Donald Manford, who are in the midst of a row over the issue of local income tax.

While Mr Manford made no moves to get the Minister involved in the local politics, Mr Campbell stated a clear intention to ensure that whether council tax policies change or not, Scotland and the Western Isles will be entitled to the same level of subsidy from Westminster as is currently in place.

Mr Browne weighed in on issues of fuel prices, stating his disapproval of the Isles' petition for a Fuel Price Regulator, which would involve a portion of subsidy on fuel at the pumps in rural areas when oil prices escalate.

"I voted against a fuel price regulator – I think that lots of people are hurting because of the increased cost of fuel and energy," said Mr Brown. "The government is doing what it can at an international stage.
"There are all sorts of ways of raising revenue, and it's not for me to make up duty or taxation policy on the hoof," he added. "We need to deal with issues relating to fuel in a much more holistic fashion."

Mr Browne also commented on the region's potential for renewable energy, answering questions on whether or not the Isles should have an interconnector by sea which goes straight to England, rather than waiting for time-consuming decisions on the Beauly to Denny section of the planned above-ground power line.

Also high on the agenda in Barra was the campaign run by Northbay residents against the Comhairle's Connected Communities broadband scheme.

For all this and more information on the Minister's visit, see next week's Stornoway Gazette – in shops August 21.