New editor takes the helm

As its new editor it is my intention to uphold these traditions to the best of my ability. I want to ensure your paper retains its impartiality in reporting island life, as it has done since 1917.

A local weekly newspaper is central to any community and Na h-Eileanan an lar’s residents have been faithful readers of the title for many years - it is my earnest hope that this will continue for many more.

There is little doubt, and it’s a fact that cannot be ignored, but people are finding different ways of obtaining local news and the Gazette is not immune to the creeping move towards digital, be that the internet, or through social media channels.

However, I believe there will always be a need for the printed paper, and that there will always be readers who want to consume their news via this method.

I have no intention of making any drastic changes to your paper. I want to settle in first, and only then, consider if there are areas of island life not covered, that could be in the future.

Should you wish to contribute an idea for something or a topic of interest you’d like to see us cover, or send in a photograph of your organisation, perhaps your charity has done something newsworthy, or you simply have news we should be reporting, contact me directly on telephone: 0789 1934 621 or via email at: [email protected], alternatively on the central email of: [email protected].

Finally, I’d like to pay tribute to my colleague and former editor, Melinda Gillen who very ably held the reins of this paper for more than a decade. I wish you well in your new journalistic challenge ahead.

Deagh dhùrachd dhuibh uile.