People

A Lewis-based group which supports children or adults with autism or other additional needs has received help from community wind farm charity Point and Sandwick Trust to enable it to maximise the use of its sensory toys and equipment.

This weekend, more than 120 Scottish landmarks will be glowing red in support of the Scottish Poppy Appeal – with more and more joining the national campaign each day. Buildings large and small – from globally iconic castles to locally loved churches and schools – will ‘Light Up Red’ for Poppyscotland in a wonderfully modern display of Remembrance.

The pioneering ‘Spòrs Gàidhlig’ project, delivering Gaelic-language outdoor activities, is set to continue following the announcement of further funding support from Bòrd na Gàidhlig.

Funding to help people into employment and gain qualifications has been secured by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar.

The Scottish Salmon Company (SSC) has supported Macaulay College in Lewis with a donation towards new woodwork equipment in a recent round of its community fund awards.

Western Isles MSP Alasdair Allan raised the issue of the replacement of St Brendan’s hospital and care home on the Isle of Barra with Health Secretary Jeane Freeman MSP during yesterday’s (Wednesday) session of the Scottish Parliament.

Anti-social behaviour at Lews Castle Grounds was highlighted this week, when complaints to police about a group of teenagers throwing fireworks at the Bridge Centre in Stornoway, were highlighted on social media.

The Comhairle has been allocated nearly £40k in additional funding by the Scottish Government for the support of ‘looked-after’ children in the islands.

Western Isles MP Angus Brendan MacNeil has asked the Scottish Government to intervene to protect croft properties and crofting tenure from being used by local authorities as part of the assessment of crofters’ liabilities for care charges.

The honorary president of Point and Sandwick Trust has pledged the community wind farm charity’s full support to the newly-formed community councils and existing residents associations in its area following its latest grant to a grassroots organisation.

A short-list of proposed names for Sgoil Lionacleit’s running track & pitch area has been released by the Comhairle, with the community being asked to vote for their choice of new title for the facility.

Stornoway is set to host the first two rounds of this year’s National Gaelic Schools Debate.

Just one year on from their first ever gig in a Lewis pub, Stornoway’s inimitable trio Peat & Diesel will launch their second album Light my Byre at Glasgow’s iconic Barrowland Ballroom this January.

Research has found that Eilean Dorcha Festival has delivered an incredible £2 million boost to the local economy since its inception in 2016.

The famous Red Arrows, the RAF’s aeronautical display team, swooped into Stonroway yesterday evening and treated keen-eyed Islanders with some impressive formation flying.

Catch up with all the action from this year’s Royal National Mod taking place in Glasgow in your Gazette this week.

The Scottish Government is ‘seeking assurances’ from NHS Western Isles (NHSWI) over its plans plans to centralise dental services in Uist in the Uist and Barra Hospital in Balivanich, with a mobile dentist service providing dental care for care homes and in other local community settings.