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Cuddy Point, Scalpay, where the company already have a significant presence. (Image: David Wake/Creative Commons)

Lack of information over salmon farm accommodation plan
A planning application from Bakkafrost on Scalpay is raising major questions about the direction of fish farming policy in the islands, with more information sought before decisions are taken.

Megan with the keys to her new workshop premises

From butcher and baker to candlestick maker…
Sandwick Bay Candles founder Megan Macdonald is poised for the next step of business expansion after buying the former Blackhouse Bakery store in Plasterfield.

One of her daughters, Catriona, is a leading scientist in the field of stem cell research

From island adversity to a champion of indigenous people
Next month, an 89 year-old Lewis woman will be honoured by Canada for her work with the country’s indigenous people over the past half century.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA : The home is operated by the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland

Staff crisis hitting care home performance
The problems the care sector faces in recruiting staff have been brought into sharp focus with publication of a report by the Care Inspectorate following an unannounced inspection of Leverburgh Care Home in Harris.

Sarah Maclean: A port of entry charge would be more suitable for the islands

Tourist levy for the isles “some years away”
A visitor levy in the Western Isles is several years away if it happens at all and is unlikely to take the form currently being discussed as it would “set councillors against the vast majority of accommodation providers”.

The 20,000 acre crofting estate is on the market for £6.75 million, which makes any community buyout extremely challenging, given the limitations of current legislation.

Skye land sale demonstrates why land reform is moving further away

Several commitments were made to improve the Lochboisdale ferry service. (Photo: © Hugh Venables cc-by-sa/2.0)

Crisis summit leads to “cautious optimism”

St Dalfour is bringing an indulgent twist to the chic patisserie

Ad Feature Spread a little ooh la la with this Parisian twist on Easter treats

The new vessels which will serve Lochmaddy and Tarbert are not expected in service till next year

Fears over new ferry “under-utilisation”

Gamma Horizon has over 20 years of expertise in the industry

Ad Feature Leading VoIP system in UK launches new communications platforms

With staff members from the islands, you can even order your drinks in Gaelic

The Park Bar – creating a lifetime of memories

The US market may not be as important to Harris Tweed as it once was, but it is still significant (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

Trump tariffs set to hit islands economy

Archie Chisholm, Thomas Wilson's friend and business partner, was known for his photography depicting island life in the late 19th century.

The quiet champion of crofting who stood up to the landlords

Donald Maclean of Barratlantic: The local industry was strongly opposed

Government “quite happy to see all fishing stopped”
Fishing businesses in the Western Isles fear they will have to fight the same battle all over again as the Scottish Government prepares to consult on new regulations targeting fishing grounds around the Outer Hebrides.
Katie Laing

35 per cent of Brits will power wash this Easter weekend

Ad Feature Over half of Brits will use the Easter weekend to tackle DIY projects

Olympic Champion Joe Fraser launches gymnastics club in Lichfield, UK

Ad Feature Olympic champion Joe Fraser launches UK gymnastics club

Abby McNicol was one of the four lucky winners who won the SPAR Frozen Fortune £10k prize

Ad Feature These four lucky shoppers scooped £10,000 from their local SPAR

caption - who's who

Finn and Justin trainer team

Charlie Peter Scott was sentenced at Stornoway Sheriff Court last week

Man jailed for two attacks on women

Albert Allan said it was "an important milestone for our operations at Arnish".

Arnish boost for offshore renewables work

The family were placed in a ridiculous position. (Picture courtesy of the Galbraith faimly)

Family’s ferry nightmare

Fusion brings a bold, hybrid approach to photography

Ad Feature Wedding photography is changing - and this snapper is leading the way

The fully online programme will be priced at just £2,750

Ad Feature Top UK school to launch careers programme for aspiring creatives

The summit will be hosted at the St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort on May 5 and 6, 2025

Ad Feature The inaugural GETS summit to take place in Abu Dhabi this year

SME's are being made to reconsider their future

Ad Feature Spring Statement leaves UK SME’s more financially vulnerable

Don takes a moment for reflection at the Iolaire monument.

Love affair that began when an Uigeach swam ashore in San Francisco
The stories of island emigration reverberate through the years. A century after the “Metagama” and the “Marloch”, the two ships which took hundreds of islanders to a new life on the other side of the Atlantic, the ties that bond still run deep, found in countless family connections and relations on the other side of the Atlantic.
Murray MacLeod

Flannan Isles lighthouse where in 1900 three keepers disappeared in mysterious circumstances.

Work to protect mysterious Isles from damaging predators

The return of the MV Hebrides from drydock has been delayed

"Unbelievable” – South Uist’s latest ferry shambles

Salmon Scotland says that in the islands a total of 420 people are employed in the industry

Salmon farming worth £187m to local economy

The proposals, if followed through from consultation to implementation, would devastate inshore fishing, according to the industry.

New fears that HPMAs are being “re-branded”

IOLLA, was founded in 2015

Ad Feature Leading UK eyewear brand celebrates 10 years - with product expansion

More than 1.5 million NHS employees guard our health frontlines every day

Ad Feature NHS staff can save HUNDREDS with these Mother's Day discounts

Duncan and Ishbel with rival Back FC fan, Coinneach "Mor" MacIomhar

Walking for cancer – in rival football colours

The winners celebrated

Ad Feature Celebrities come together to support charity film awards

Northland Power hope to develop a major site near the north Lewis coastline, but to what benefit to local electricity consumers?

Renewables firms rally against zonal pricing

Edinburgh ranked as the most sustainable UK city

Ad Feature The UK’s most ‘eco-friendly’ cities revealed

The Glen Sannox on its maiden voyage. Picture: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

Pressure grows for major ferry reform

Despite the dreadful weather, the book launch at the town hall was well attended.

How Lewis pioneers helped to build Canada
“I’ve always liked research”, says Angus Macdonald. “Exams have never floated my boat. It’s always been research”.
Brian Wilson

MANUP? has announced the extension of its support for groundbreaking research into male suicide

Ad Feature Suicide is the lead killer of UK men under 50 - research reveals why

A DFDS lorry completely blocking Kenneth Street while delivering to the Co-op

Call for Kenneth Street Co-op solution

Food bank co-ordinator Sandra Macleod (centre) with some of the trustees, volunteers and Charlie Nicolson (left)

Food bank appeals for new board members

The proposed windfarm will cover a large area of common grazing moorland to the west of Stornoway

Windfarm windfall for crofting villages

For every gift sent, a donation is made to a local or national charity

Ad Feature This UK company is taking ‘gift giving’ to a new level

Businesses are facing an increasing number of excuses from clients who fail to pay on time

Ad Feature The most common excuses for unpaid invoices, according to research

The new unit is easily transportable and the plan is to visit various locations across the islands.

Saltbox Sauna expands with a second unit

Iain Crichton Smith presides over the opening of the original An Lanntair. (Photograph: Sam Maynard)

An Lanntair – 40 years as a beacon for the island arts scene

John Daniel Peteranna

Swinney told of despair over CalMac’s crippled fleet...

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - FEBRUARY 25: Kate Forbes, Deputy First Minister speaks with the media prior to the final Scottish Budget Debate at the Scottish Parliament on February 25, 2025 in Edinburgh, Scotland. In a preliminary vote earlier this month, MSP's backed the Scottish government's Budget 74 to 30, with 21 abstentions. This is the SNP's first budget since they stopped working with the Green Party in government. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) : The Scottish Government - with Gaelic speaker Kate Forbes as Deputy First Minister - has been warned that the Bill risks being seen as a "cynical ploy".

Last-ditch appeal from the Gaelic grassroots

The impending closure of the Blar Buidhe care home will exacerbate the situation

Bed-blocking crisis “worst in Scotland”

Expert voices continue to warn about investors

Ad Feature Why are the world’s leading investors moving their holdings into cash?
Why are some of the world's leading investors, like Warren Buffett and investment platform TPP, moving their holdings into cash?
Martin Winter

A second period of consultation is to be engaged in later this year.

Spiorad na Mara “risks outweigh the benefits”

Across all age groups, trustworthiness remains the top priority

Ad Feature Half of Brits say trustworthiness is key in how they consume media

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 04: Lulu performs on stage accompanied by The Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra during The Sound of 007 in concert at The Royal Albert Hall on October 04, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Jeff Spicer/Getty Images for EON Productions & Prime Video) : .

Lulu to headline HebCelt

The company recently held round-the-table talks with local organisations.

Major subsea contract for Arnish

RuMac's performance on Britain's Got Talent went viral, after winning over the audience and the sceptical judges

Wee Studio’s “accordion riot” a hit on Britain’s Got Talent

Ukrainian refugees living in Lewis were invited to last Saturday's event.

From the horrors of war to an island peace

The public funding appeal has been successful, as have bids to funders

Hopes for new Screen Machine as fundraising hits £850,000

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - MARCH 04: A road user tries to avoid potholes on March 4, 2011 in Glasgow, Scotland. Councils across the UK are struggling to repair roads following damage caused by the coldest December since records began. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) : Even crucial services, like roads maintenance, face significant cuts.

Dark days ahead for council budgets

The island is located just a short distance from the Uig coastline

Island retreat up for grabs at £350,000

The annual event is dubbed ‘the Oscars of the charity world’

Ad Feature Lisa Snowdon to host 8th Annual Smiley Charity Film Awards

The competition aims to fuel a passion among industry professionals

Ad Feature Department of Education and McLaren launch competition