£3,700 buys a large dolphin statue for Lochmaddy Bay

The organisation is based in Lochmaddy and was initially set up by Dr John MacLeod to educate children about their local coastline. It is a volunteer led group to help promote, organise, engage and support local events and groups throughout the community including the popular Bi-annual Rathlin Island, the Ireland to St Kilda Yacht Race.

An application was made to Western Isles Lottery for the cost of the commission and the total £3,700 was awarded. The funding was raised solely by supporters of the Lottery throughout the Uist and Benbecula Islands.

A large concrete plinth is currently located alongside CalMac’s Office in Lochmaddy Bay and was deemed the perfect location for the siting of the polished steel dolphin which will now welcome visitors to the port.

A local competition was held to design a logo for Comman Na Mara and was won by a local schoolgirl, Millie Shepherd.

The logo depicts a dolphin leaping out of the sea and will adorn the plinth alongside those of the Western Isles Lottery and Caledonian MacBrayne. Hebridean Graphics have been commissioned to manufacture the logos.

Colin Rankin, Chairman of Comman Na Mara said: “This is a fantastic gesture from Western Isles Lottery and very much appreciated. The sculpture will become a talking point in the Western Isles and further afield and I’m sure it will help to further establish Comman Na Mara as an educational platform for children.

"Comman Na Mara would like to thank Western Isles Lottery and Sheena Stewart in helping us to achieve this”.

Janet Paterson of the Western Isles Lottery said: “This is an innovative project which we are absolutely delighted to be funding and one which will provide a quality, artistic landmark and tourist attraction at Lochmaddy Bay for many years to come.

UCVO in Uist readily partnered with the Lottery Team at the outset of the successful Lottery project and who manage the funding in the area on behalf of Western Isles Lottery.

"We are forever grateful to UCVO Manager Sheena Stewart for continuing to work with all agencies and groups in the area to provide funds to fantastic causes and congratulate Comman Na Mara on their initiative.

“Some £40,510 has now been raised for projects in the Uist/Benbecula Islands in addition to tens of thousands of cash prizes having been distributed to local supporters.

The Western Isles Lifestyle Lottery was born out of the recognition that, like many other places in Britain, there was a cash injection required to upgrade and improve, not only the presentation of the Islands for the increasing tourist trade, but also the year round lifestyle for, approximately, 28,000 Island residents.

Significant planning for improving the Islands has been carried out by our Local Authority - Comhairle nan Eilean Siar Regeneration Masterplan - designed to improve the economy of the Islands on a long term basis.

To join the lottery and help your local community, visit the official website at: www.westernisleslottery.co.uk