News Friday December 12th Return to normal hoped for Islanders are hoping for a return to normality today after yesterday saw further disruption – despite the weather conditions gradually improving. During the day power cuts and loss of broadband and mobile phone service hit schools, homes and businesses. The loss of power to the whole island chain at about 9am was due to a lightning strike to the main grid at Fort Augustus. Although power was restored within two hours, many schools suffered power fluctuations and by lunchtime eleven primary schools through the Western Isles had sent children home. Pupils at the Nicolson Institute were evacuated to the Sports Centre when the school’s fire alarm system was triggered by the power cut. About 80 households in the area between Hushinish and Bunavoneader, Isle of Harris continue to be without power, after lightning strikes at a number of different locations on Wednesday. Scottish Hyrdo said the connections could take 48 hours to restore, and Western Isles Emergency Planning Co-ordination Group asked Coastguard volunteers, Hebsar and Police Scotland to visit every property in the affected area, to check on the welfare of residents and see what was needed. SSE also said they would provide welfare units and generator power to the affected customers as soon as they could, once the necessary equipment had arrived in the Western isles yesterday evening. New Islands Minister visits The newly appointed Islands Minister Derek Mackay met with the Leader of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Cllr Angus Campbell yesterday, saying he was “keen to engage with” all the islands leaders as well as with the Our Islands Our Future campaign. Speaking after the meeting Mr Mackay said: In my new role I will focus on fulfilling our commitments to empower, support and to provide a voice for all of Scotlands 93 island communities. We will shortly re-launch the Islands Area Ministerial Working Group and consult on further measures that might be included in an Islands Act. This will include how the Smith Commission proposals for the full devolution of all Crown Estate assets in Scotland can bring benefits to the islands. Money for warmer homes The Western Isles has been allocated £1.53 million next year to make homes warmer and cheaper to heat. The money comes from the Scottish Governments Home Energy Efficiency Programme, to help fuel poor households with improvements such as solid wall, cavity and loft insulation. It’s part of the Scottish Governments £94 million energy efficiency budget next year. Announcing the fund, Housing Minister Margaret Burgess said: This allocation will help households in the most fuel poor areas stay warm and cut energy bills. With winter weather taking hold, Id encourage anyone to seek help on how to save money or to receive support for home insulation, boilers or central heating, by contacting Home Energy Scotland on 0808 808 2282 or visiting the website at homeenergyscotland.org. Isles FM at Na Trads Isles FM will be at the Scottish Traditional Music awards ceremony in Inverness tomorrow evening, waiting to find out whether we have won an award. The community radio station was nominated in the ‘Traditional Music in the Media’ category, with public votes and panellist opinions both counting towards the result. Isles FM was nominated because of the station’s commitment to regular support and airtime for traditional, local, Celtic and Gaelic music, as well as for our yearly coverage of the Hebridean Celtic Festival. Managing director David Morrison said: “For a station run by volunteers, it’s a huge pat on the back just to have been nominated, so our intention at the ceremony is to support island musicians and take anything else as a bonus!” Island performers nominated for awards include Mischa Macpherson and Linda Macleod, both from Lewis, who are nominated as Gaelic Singer of the Year and South Uist’s Julie Fowlis, who is nominated with her musicians for Scottish Folk Band of the Year. The awards ceremony will be televised live on BBC Alba from 9pm tomorrow night and among performers on the night will be Na h-Oganaich
Posted on: Fri, 12 Dec 2014 08:00:00 +0000
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