Vaccination campaign heroes! Without these people we wouldn't be as far ahead as we are.

Some of the key players (this past weekend in particular) providing a vital and much appreciated transport service for those attending clinics were our coastguard colleagues.

Coastguard personnel supported individuals to attend clinics in Uist over the weekend, and in Stornoway on Saturday, at a mass vaccination clinic.

Pictured is Donald ‘Cudaig’ Macleod, who (along with his colleague, Donald Macrae) spent the entire day on Saturday transporting people to the clinic in the Caba rfeidh Hotel in Stornoway and then took them home after their appointments.

An NHS spokesman said: “Feedback from those who used the service was amazing - and these guys really are our vaccination heroes for the weekend."

NHS Western Isles Chief Executive, Gordon Jamieson, said: “Our partner agency colleagues, including in particular HM Coastguard and Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, have been vital to delivering the vaccination programme.

"It’s an enormous team effort to plan and deliver a mass vaccination clinic, and we are hugely grateful for the ongoing input from all our partners, community groups and those providing essential premises.

To access testing , contact the Covid-19 Response Team b y emailing [email protected]

Alternatively you can call 01851 601151 – the phone line is staffed from Monday to Friday, 9am to 5.30pm with an answering machine available outwith these hours.

You can also complete the Covid-19 testing referral form, available from the NHSWI coronavirus website at www.coronavirus.wi.nhs.scot

Meanwhile, the First Minister has set out a timetable for the reopening of parts of society over the next two months.

Stay at Home regulations will be lifted on April 2 and replaced with guidance to Stay Local, with more services including hairdressers, garden centres and non-essential click and collect services able to open from April 5. The Scottish Government then hopes to lift all restrictions on journeys in mainland Scotland on April 26.