Scottish Islands Network Newsletter

Brought to you by  www.scottishislands.org.uk

September 2004

The Scottish Islands Network aims to promote, publicise and advance the interests of all Scottish islands.

EUROPEAN SMALL ISLANDS NETWORK CONFERENCE UPDATE

This year it was the turn of the Scottish Islands Network to host the 4th annual European Small Islands Network Conference and from the 1st to the 4th September, delegates from Estonia, Denmark, France, Sweden, Finland, Ireland and Scotland met on the Isle of Eigg. The European Small Islands Network (ESIN) was established in 2001 and currently represents over 1,130 islands with permanent populations ranging between 1 and 5,000 comprising a total population of almost 99,500 people.

Delegates had a very productive few days on the island and their work included drawing up statutes for the formation of a European Small Islands Federation and discussing ESIN's 1.1 million Euro inter-island exchange project, which is being funded by the EC Interreg IIIC Programme. This initiative will involve inter-island exchange visits and the compilation of 18 case studies on key themes relevant to the sustainable development of Europe's small islands. The project will culminate in a major conference on small islands, taking place here in Scotland in 2006.

The clear message from the conference is that the islands of Europe should speak with one voice. This message was delivered in a speech by Jean Didier Hache from the CPMR Islands Commission, which represents the island authorities of Europe (including the Western Isles, Orkney and Shetland). An invitation for more formal cooperation and information exchange between the Islands Commission and ESIN has been widely welcomed as a positive move forward as it will bring together island representatives regardless of their administrative status. In his address to the conference Jean Didier Hache spoke about the Island Commission's success in securing a clear reference to islands in the new EU Treaty. He also explained that the Commission has been lobbying for a specific reference to areas with 'territorial constraints' (i.e. islands, mountainous and sparsely populated areas) to be made in the Treaty article relating to State Aids, but this campaign has been unsuccessful to date. However, all is not lost as there is still time to lobby national governments on the proposed State Aids Guidelines, to be discussed between now and 2007.

Lewis Macdonald MSP (Deputy Minister for Enterprise & Lifelong Learning and Minister with Responsibility for European Structural Funds) also addressed the conference and spoke of the various European funding programmes which have benefited the Highlands and Islands over recent years. His visit to the Isle of Eigg was timely as the island's new pier had officially been opened earlier the same week - providing a prime example of one of the major island infrastructure projects that have been supported by the Highlands and Islands Special Transitional Programme. The Minister also informed delegates that while the Scottish Executive will seek to influence the UK Government's stance on the future of the Structural Funds and work to secure a good deal and a fair effective and affordable approach post 2006, the priority must be that the Funds go to the new member states.

Also addressing the conference was John Hutchison, the Acting Chairman of the Isle of Eigg Heritage Trust and Highland Council's Lochaber Area Manager. Mr. Hutchison spoke about the many successful developments that have taken place on Eigg since the island was bought by the community in 1997 and he also advocated the appointment of a Scottish Minister with a portfolio for the islands and called for the formalisation of the Scottish Islands Network so that it could work more effectively with the government on island issues.

As some of you will already be aware this last point is something we are keen to pursue and we are currently consulting readers of this newsletter on their views about how best to proceed with the formalisation and future development of the Scottish Islands Network. To share your views on this, log on to the website - www.scottishislands.org.uk - and submit one of our contact forms, or you can contact us by phone or in writing at the address at the foot of the page.

During the conference, delegates were also given the opportunity to tour the island and find out about the exciting developments that have been overseen by the Isle of Eigg Heritage Trust since the community buy-out in 1997. These developments have included housing renovations and new housing allocations, croft re-organisation and the development of hydro-electric schemes. There were also optional visit to the Lodge (the island's Big House which is set to become an ecological training centre for sustainable living), the islands crofts and hydro-electric schemes and to the Shore Cottage basket-weaving and woodturning workshop and organic gardens.

Unfortunately the Scottish weather conspired against us during the week and we had to cancel a planned visit to the Isle of Muck. Cancelled ferries also meant that several people were unable to join us from the mainland for the conference Open Day. A practical demonstration of the realities of island life!

So all in all a productive, if hectic, few days were had at the conference. Next year's event will be hosted by the French Ponant Isles Association. For more information about this year's event, please contact me.

Thanks to Highland Council and the WHELK Leader+ Programme for supporting the event and also to all the people on Eigg who did so much to make us all feel very welcome during our time on the island. There are too many of you to mention, but you know who you are - THANK YOU!

Finally, here is a poem that Eigg's resident poet, Aidan McKeoin, kindly composed for the event:

S.I.N. (Small Island Network)

Navigating through bureaucratic fog

a coming together of minds & souls

ideas & aspirations - through common ground

comes a common bond.

Once more as in the past

Europe reaches our shores

though this time as friends, not foes.

Island life has but one common denominator

community

sustainable, permanent & viable.

Like Europe, S.I.N. no longer has barriers

through our shared knowledge

we can progress, not alone as we've done

in the past

but together, as we should in the future.

Ceud mile failte gach daoine

RANT OF THE MONTH REBUTTAL

Last month's newsletter featured a piece which referred to a letter sent by Arran Community Council to North Ayrshire Council, accusing the council of discriminating against island interests on recycling issues. In response to the article, I have received the following letter from Councillor Sam Taylor - Chair of North Ayrshire Council's Property Services Committee:

I write in response to your lead article in the August issue of the Scottish Islands Network Newsletter.

This is to set the record straight on the article which was riddled with misinformation. Had the writer of the article contacted North Ayrshire Council then he/she would have been furnished with the proper facts. The facts are:

• North Ayrshire Council enjoys a close working relationship with Arran Recycling Community Organisation (ARCO).
  
• The Council's support to ARCO includes the provision of equipment, transport, funding and recycling credits to ARCO for recycling glass, paper and cardboard.
  
• The strength of the working relationship between the Council and ARCO was key to their securing a £53,000 grant earlier this month to support recycling on Arran. This money came from Transforming Waste Scotland and the demonstration of an effective working relationship was an essential component of the bid assessment process. These funds will be used on Arran to keep the shredder project running, employ a full time worker and help the community organisation develop in other directions.
  
• This achievement followed a successful European funding bid earlier this year which has enabled ARCO to employ a full-time Development Worker on Arran for the next three years. North Ayrshire Council provided public sector match funding for ARCO's bid to WHELK (the West Highland European Leader Kist). The nature of the close partnership between the community organisation and the local Council was critical to the success of the application. WHELK hope that, as the project develops, this demonstration of 'best practice' can be shared with similar island communities throughout the West of Scotland. Does all this sound like a Council guilty of 'discrimination'? North Ayrshire Council is fully committed to recycling. We are proud of our record and we are doing all we can to continue to develop and improve it. Incidentally, I noted a heading in the newsletter 'It's not all bad news'. Unfortunately, the distortion in the article shows a determination to make it just that!

I would like to acknowledge the Council's anger and disappointment at the contents of the aforementioned article and apologise for the offence caused by any unbalanced reporting of the situation.

NEWS

Development Plan Unveiled for Isle of Rum

A development blueprint for the Isle of Rum has been unveiled - identifying potential for about 20 additional houses on the island. The development plan identifies opportunities for educational and research facilities, business opportunities and sport and leisure prospects and urges planned growth in tourism and expansion of the existing renewable energy supply on the island which is a National Nature Reserve. It has also highlighted the island's potential for becoming an international exemplar for integrating ecological and economical sustainability and becoming a world-class location for serious green tourism and environmental research and education.

The blueprint has been approved by the owners of the island, Scottish Natural Heritage, and the Rum Community Association. The Community Association is currently awaiting the outcome of a planning application to develop a retail project which will include a shop, licensed tearoom, post office and toilets. It is hoped that the new developments planned for the island will enable the population (currently about 30) to grow and thrive in partnership with wildlife conservation - an area of conflict in the past.

Calls for Highlands & Islands Decentralisation Unit

Eleanor Scott, Green MSP for the Highlands and Islands, has recommended in Parliament that the Scottish Executive needs a specialist unit to handle its policy for decentralisation of its departments, and that unit should be based in Highlands and Islands. The MSP has also voiced her support for the idea that all departments or non-departmental public bodies that have not relocated within the next 5 years should prepare a report on the viability of relocation or decentralisation and had urged the Executive to seek more opportunities for distributed working.

Public Inquiry Necessary to Decide Raasay Pier Plans

There will be a public inquiry to decide on proposed plans for improved pier facilities and a new ferry terminal on the Isle of Raasay following an objection from Scottish Natural Heritage. A new site at Churchton Bay on the island has been earmarked for the new development as this will cost less than upgrading the current pier, but SNH are objecting to the plans because of the impact they will have on the landscape.

Island Fuel Poverty

The latest statistics for fuel poverty from the Scottish House Condition Survey show that some of the highest levels of deprivation are in the islands. The statistics reveal that 34% of households in the Western Isles are classed as suffering fuel poverty (whereby they are unable to heat their homes at a reasonable cost of less than 10% of household income). This compares with a national average of 13%. The rate of fuel poverty in Shetland is 25% and in Orkney, 31%. The statistics have prompted calls for more control over the access and distribution of the islands own renewable energy resources and for greater investment in higher standards of energy efficiency in new and existing homes. 89% of houses in Orkney have an energy efficiency rating which is poor to moderate.

A full copy of the Fuel Poverty Survey is available from the House Conditions Survey Team at Communities Scotland. Telephone 0131 313 0044 or email by clicking here. The report is also available to download at www.shcs.gov.uk.

Scottish Water Announce More Island Investments

Scottish Water plan to spend approximately £85 million over the next couple of years, upgrading and renewing waste water infrastructures throughout Argyll & Bute. Much of the investment will be on the islands – including £7 million to upgrade and renew the waste water infrastructure of five communities on Islay, more than £7 million on major waste water infrastructure and drinking water supply improvements on Mull and £3 million on a new wastewater system for Ardbeg and Port Bannatyne on the Isle of Bute. More than £1 million is also being spent on Tiree to bring a better quality drinking water supply to customers on the island and £18 million is being invested in improvements throughout Skye & Lochalsh which will bring direct benefits to 18 communities.

Tiree Development Partnership Update

The Tiree Development Partnership (TDP) website has now been updated with new information and documents - including minutes from the quarterly TDP Steering Group meetings. Visit the website at www.tireedp.org.uk. You can also sign up for regular email updates from the TDP by contacting Development Manager Mark Jennison on 01879 220007 or email here. A wide range of work is currently being undertaken by the Partnership, and its partners, to investigate how the aspirations of the local community may be realistically addressed. This work includes a Housing Needs Analysis; Renewable Energy Feasibility Study; the development of a Crofting and Agriculture Strategy in partnership with Tiree Rural Development Ltd.; the creation of a Community Broadband Service and the preparation of a draft Tourism and Marketing Strategy in partnership with Marketing Tiree for presentation to and acceptance by the community. All this work is aimed at supporting the completion of a first draft of the Tiree Community Development Plan by the end of the year, again for presentation to and acceptance by the community. To ensure the contents of this Plan and the findings of the various studies are supported and owned by Tiree's community, there will be a Community Conference on the 13th November 2004 to which everyone on the island will be invited.

Hidden Forest Found in Orkney

A PhD research student has uncovered a submerged forest underneath the sand at Otterswick Bay on the island of Sanday. Student Alistair Rennie was researching rising sea levels in the area when he discovered some poems, letters and legends which suggested there had been previous sightings of a forest beneath the sand. An old map marking the sight of the forest was also uncovered and a JCB was then used to dig holes in the bay, which eventually revealed the remains of willow trees. Carbon dating has revealed that the trees were 6500 years old and Mr. Rennie has been able to conclude that sea levels have risen around the island by three metres since the trees were alive in 4496 BC. He presented his findings at the Orkney Science Festival earlier this month. Keep up to date with news from Orkney at The Orcadian online - www.orcadian.co.uk.

Bile na Gaidhlig

Chaidh Bile na Gaidhlig (Alba) a thoirt a-staigh dhan Pharlamaid

an-diugh:

Tha am Bile agus eadar-theangachadh Gaidhlig den bhile ri fhaighinn air larach-lin na Parlamaid aig:

www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/bills/billsInProgress/gaelicLanguage.htm

Post-dealain: here / Fon: 0131 348 5253.

Gaelic Language Bill

The Gaelic Language (Scotland) Bill has now been introduced to Parliament.

The Bill and a Gaelic translation of the Bill are available on the Scottish Parliament website at:

www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/bills/billsInProgress/gaelicLanguage.htm

Email: legislation.team / Tel: 0131 348 5253

Water Charges

A consultation is currently underway as part of the Strategic Review of Water Charges, which will set limits on what Scottish Water can charge its customers in the period 2006-2010. It is expected that there will be an increase in charges generally, but the overall aim of the Strategic Review is to keep these to a minimum without compromising the quality of service provision made by Scottish Water. The Scottish Executive's consultation paper on the matter outlines the potential impacts that the changes to the charges could have. For more information you can access the consultation document at www.scotland.gov.uk/consultations/environment/pfws-00.asp or you can contact the consultation team on 0131 244 5099 or email by clicking here.

The Scottish Islands Network was recently contacted by a resident of the Isle of Cumbrae who was very concerned at the dramatic increases in water rates affecting several businesses on the island.

The Network would like to submit a response to the Scottish Executive Water Charges consultation stressing the special needs of our island communities and businesses and we need to hear your views and experiences to help inform this response, so please get in touch to let us know your views.

Western Isles Road Upgrade

The last remaining stretches of single track road on the Western Isles Spinal Route are to be upgraded now that £10 million of funding has been secured for the development. The Scottish Executive is providing £3.3 million towards the work which will improve the stretch of road between the ferry ports at Stornoway and Tarbert on Lewis and Harris and between Lochmaddy and Clachan on North Uist. Comhairle nan Eilean Siar has also committed £3.3million and the remaining funding is from the European Strutural Funds delivered through the Highlands and Islands Special Transitional Programme. The improvements will reduce journey times and create better links to ferries and airports in the islands – playing a major role in growing the economy, increasing tourism and creating more jobs in the Western Isles. Over the last 25 years, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar has received around £27 million from the European Regional Development Fund towards improvements on the Western Isles transport infrastructure.

Official Opening of Small Isles Piers

The new piers on Eigg, Muck and Rum were officially opened by Transport Minister Nicol Stephen earlier this month. The new piers were completed at a cost of £16.5 million and allow the new £8 million Caledonian MacBrayne ferry, MV Lochnevis, to carry passengers - and for the first time, vehicles - to the islands. Previously, small flit boats had to be used to transfer passengers and some goods between the ferry and the islands - a practice deemed dangerous under new health and safety laws. The harbour improvements were funded by the Scottish Executive, the European Structural Funds, Highland Council and Scottish Natural Heritage. Monthly news updates from the Small Isles appear in West Word community newspaper, online at www.road-to-the isles.org.uk/westword.

Potential Threat to Orkney and Shetland Air Services

The tender of the air ambulance service to the Northern and Western Isles could potentially threaten inter-island commercial flights in Orkney and Shetland. Loganair have had the air ambulance contract for the islands for the last 37 years, but the Scottish Ambulance Service has announced that they have a new preferred bidder for the contract - Gama Aviation. They have also confirmed that they would prefer to introduce helicopters in place of fixed wing aircraft to ensure a greater standard of service. There are fears that if Loganair does not regain the contract for the emergency service its commercial flights may no longer be viable.

Possible Changes to Ferry Tender Document

Transport Minister Nicol Stephen's announcement that a new Lochboisdale to Mallaig ferry service could be included in the tender document for Caledonian MacBrayne's ferry routes has prompted calls for improvements to the Tiree, Coll and Colonsay service to also be included in the document.

A new link between South Uist and Mallaig has strong support in the Western Isles as it would mean a 3-hour journey instead of the current sailing to Oban which can take as long as 9 hours.

Argyll & Bute Council are concerned that the Scottish Executive has promised to consider the proposed route so late in the tendering process, and are arguing that the case for improving the service to Tiree, Coll and Colonsay - where residents only have access to the mainland 3 days a week in the winter - outstrips the need to improve the Lochboisdale run, as South Uist residents already have daily access to sailings to the mainland all year round.

Rural Petrol Station Scheme Expands

The Rural Petrol Stations Grant Scheme (RPSGS), which supports the availability of fuel in rural areas has been expanded. Now, all rural petrol stations will be able to apply for funding from the scheme, which was previously only available to petrol stations which were at least eight miles from the next nearest petrol station, sold less than 1 million litres of fuel per annum and were at least 30 minutes drive from the edge of an urban area with a population of more than 30,000 (this restriction on the minimum distance to an urban area is being maintained to retain the scheme's rural focus). The RPSGS, which is administered by Highlands and Islands Enterprise, provides up to 50% of the costs of essential capital expenditure on fuel supply infrastructure - costs such as replacing tanks and pumps, meeting environmental controls and protecting the station from groundwater. Grants are also available to support the installation of equipment which supplies more environmentally-friendly LPG fuel. To date the scheme has provided a total of £2.7 million to 61 petrol stations - including stations on Eday in Orkney, Colonsay and Lewis. For more information about the scheme, contact your Local Enterprise Company.

Researchers Study Unst Flora

A team of researchers from Orkney College's Agronomy Institute have spent the last 18 months studying the 600 different species of flora which grow on the Shetland island of Unst as part of a £10,000 project commissioned by Shetland Enterprise. The team is looking for new plants for use in medicines, cosmetics and foods. Eight plants have already been identified as having the potential to be turned into a valuable commodity. It is hoped that the research will lead to new opportunities for economic development on the island which has been crippled by the downgrading of its RAF base and the departure of the oil industry.

Shetland Enterprise are now inviting businesses and growers to come forward to explore the economic possibilities they believe these plants offer. The Agronomy Institute is now hoping to secure additional funding for further research from interested commercial companies.

Daily news from Shetland is online at www.shetland-news.co.uk.

Marine Pilot Scheme Sites Selected

The Sound of Mull and Shetland have been identified as two of four key pilot sites for a Scottish Executive project to develop sustainable management of the marine environment and look at spatial planning issues. The Scottish Sustainable Marine Environment Initiative aims to bring alternative management approaches and deliver sustainable development in Scotland's coastal and marine environment.

For more information about the Initiative, visit www.scottish-marine-sustainability.co.uk or contact John Tait at the Scottish Executive's Wildlife & Habitat's Unit on 0131 244 0318 / email by clicking here.

Lewis Windfarm Approved

Comahirle nan Eilean Siar has approved plans for a 6-turbine Windfarm on the outskirts of Stornoway - subject to developers Farm Energy Ltd. meeting certain requirements which include the provision of a sufficient financial contribution to a Western Isles community fund. This will be the first Windfarm in Scotland to go ahead on a designated Special Protection Area. Public consultation on the massive 240 turbine Windfarm planned for Barvas Moor on Lewis is ongoing - with Comhairle nan Eilean Siar seeking the views of community councils on the proposals.

Campaign Launched to Retain Rural Payphones

Highland Council is to lead a campaign to persuade British Telecom to retain public payphones throughout the region. BT has announced plans to remove 257 of the 692 payphones in the Highlands because of the increased use of mobile phones. However opponents of the plans are concerned as many areas of the Highlands and Islands still have poor or non-existent mobile phone receptions. Highland Council has drawn up an action plan which proposes that there be a maximum separation of no more than five miles between public payphones on the rural network, except in exceptional circumstances where there are large areas of uninhabited countryside. A consultation about the proposals is ongoing until 22nd October. You can submit your views in writing to BT Payphones, PP06A21, Delta Point, Wellesy Road, Croydon, CR9 2YZ or to the Director of Planning, Highland Council, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness, IV3 5NX.

Western Isles Marketing Project Continues

The Western Isles Community Planning Partnership has agreed to a series of recommendations from consultants contracted to examine the Western Isles marketing strategy. The consultants have recommended that the islands be referred to as the Outer Hebrides and have also advised that the area promotes itself to those who are already familiar with the region's language, culture and environment. A steering group is now continuing to investigate how the area can increase investment, visitors and the sales of products and services by holding meetings throughout the islands to discuss the proposals with the local business community. For more information, contact Ken Kennedy, Development Manager at Comhairle nan Eilean Siar on 01851 709421 or email by clicking here.

MSP Calls for Investment in More Rural Slaughterhouses

Eleanor Scott, Green MSP for the Highlands and Islands, has lodged a motion in the Scottish Parliament urging colleagues to note that the closures of abattoirs throughout the country over the last 20 years has had a detrimental impact on animal welfare and the rural economy. The number of abattoirs in Scotland has fallen from 79 to 44 during the last 20 years as new hygiene regulations have been introduced which have often been too costly to implement in small rural abattoirs. The motion also urges the Scottish Executive to

invest in and support the establishment of, new, modern slaughterhouses throughout rural Scotland which would bring benefits to rural livelihoods, animal welfare and local food production. It is argued that such investment would make economic sense - adding value to meat products and creating employment - and it is also good for people's sense of local identity and connection to the land.

Western Isles Arts Survey

A team of consultants have been contracted by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar to undertake a Social and Economic Impact Study of the Arts in the Western Isles. The findings of the research, due for publication in November, will be used to inform the council's culture strategy and influence its future arts policy.

This month has also seen the very first Western Isles Arts Forum event take place in Lochmaddy, North Uist - providing a networking opportunity for those involved in the arts throughout the islands.

Well Done Andy!

A brave man entered the sea off Lismore last month and completed the remarkable feat of swimming the 42kms around the island to raise funds for the Anthony Nolan Trust and the children of Lismore.

Andy Jamieson, who is one of the Port Appin to Lismore ferrymen, took 11 hours to completely circumnavigate the island - despite poor weather and the choppy conditions.

Next year, Andy intends to swim around the Island of Mull; and in 2006, he will swim from Cape Wrath to Land’s End - a feat never before tried. To support Andy's fundraising efforts, contact him on 01631730686 or get in touch with Jane Muirhead at Common Purpose - telephone 01786 466 460 or email by clicking here.

NOTICEBOARD

Partners Sought for Leader+ Project

Scottish partner organisations are being sought for a traditional European music project. The general objective of the project - which is being led by partners from France and Spain - is to bring together musicians of all ages from different regions of Europe to work on a common composition which will promote better knowledge of European folk music and can be adapted and taught in schools throughout Europe. Specialists from each participating country will meet to discuss folk traditions and the historical and sociological relationships between their countries. The project will culminate in a festival of music at which participants will gather to play the composition. If you are interested in finding about more about the project and how to get involved, contact Lorna Elliot at the WHELK Leader+ Programme on 01631 567905 or email by clicking here.

Comunn Feis Bharraigh Calls for Support

Comunn Feis Bharraigh is seeking support for its 25th anniversary celebrations next summer. The organisation supports the Feis movement on the Isle of Barra - striving to keep alive Gaelic culture through music, dance and the arts. If you can help support Feis Bharraigh financially, contact them at Office 1, Castelbay Community Hall, Isle of Barra or telephone 01871 810 088 / email by clicking here.

New Improved Scottish Parliament Website

The Scottish Parliament has launched its new improved website. It will continue to be a valuable resource but now has a brand new look, increased user-friendliness and exciting new features. There is now also more information available in Gaelic and more Gaelic pages. Visit the new look website at www.scottish.parliament.uk.

Civic Participation Centre Opens its Doors

The Scottish Civic Forum has opened its new Civic Participation Centre to coincide with the opening of the new Scottish Parliament building. The new centre is aimed at encouraging people to get engaged with the work of the parliament and policy development and is the first of a number of civic participation centres to be developed in the different regions of Scotland. People can call into the centre and receive advice and staff support or use it as a meeting place to prepare before giving evidence to a parliament committee or meet with an MSP or Scottish Executive Ministers or officials. The centre is located at The Tun, 16 Jackson's Entry, Holyrood Road, Edinburgh. For more information contact the Scottish Civic Forum on 0131 557 6767 or email by clicking here.

Sponsor a Plank for Comann Eachdraidh Lismore!

Comann Eachdraidh Lismore - the Lismore Historical Society - has launched a new campaign to help raise funds for its new Gaelic Heritage Museum. The new museum will establish a permanent home for the Society's unique collection which depicts the island and its people, language and culture. You can help Comann Eachdraidh Lismore by sponsoring a wooden plank (from sustainable forests) which will be used for the outside wall of the new museum. Sponsorship costs £10 per plank. For more information, contact the Society on 01631 760 286. You can send cheques payable to 'Lismore Historical Society' to Mrs M Macdonald, 3 Newfield Terrace, Isle of Lismore, PA34 5UJ. A new Comann Eachdraidh Lismore website is currently under construction and will soon be online at www.celm.org.uk.

International Poetry Competition Extends Deadline

The Feile Filiochta International Poetry Competition deadline has been extended to Tuesday 30th November. Europe's largest poetry competition is now in its 16th year. Last year, the competition attracted almost 5,000 entries and this year prize money of 15,400 Euros is available. A special appeal is being made for Gaelic entries as they have been falling over the last few years. Consequently, the Scottish Gaelic language section of the competition is in jeopardy. For more information about the competition and how to enter; visit www.dlrcoco.ie/library, or contact Natalie Boyce or Marian Keyes on 00353 2781788.

Voluntary Arts Scotland Events

Voluntary Arts Scotland is part of the Voluntary Arts Network (VAN) - the development agency for the voluntary arts. VAN seeks to bring together voluntary arts and crafts to represent their importance to policy makers, funders and politicians; to improve the environment for everyone participating in the arts and crafts from small local groups to national bodies; and to provide information, advice and training.

Voluntary Arts Scotland are currently hosting Planning Seminars throughout Scotland to assist voluntary arts organisations with their future development and obtaining resources and funding. Seminars are arranged for Lerwick on Saturday 6 November, The Uists on Thursday 20 January and the Isle of Lewis on Saturday 22 January.

For more information about these events and Voluntary Arts Scotland contact Network Officer Fiona Campbell on 0131 313 2555 or email by clicking here. You can also find out more at www.vascotland.org.uk.

Jura Photographic Exhibition and CD-ROM Launch

The Isle of Jura is to be the focus of an ambitious landscape photographic and digital imagery exhibition series beginning the 1st of October 2004. The exhibition is the culmination of a 3 year campaign by Dr. Gary McKay who captured some 46,000 images of the island - a selection of which are going on display in the Feolin Study Centre, located at the Feolin Ferry House on Jura from 1st-28th October. Along with Dr. McKay's digital images will be satellite imagery from the NASA Space Shuttle Imaging RADAR program and LANDSAT 7 satellite along with never before seen SONAR imagery of the waters surrounding the island. On the 29th October the exhibition will move to Ionad Chaluim Chille Ile - the Columba Centre on Islay. Also on Jura, the Knockcrome & Ardfarnal Common Grazing Committee have produced a CD-ROM of the farming area and its history. Entitled '5000 Years and More', the CD is a virtual atlas containing cultural, historical, environmental, geographical and scientific information about the area with maps, photographs, movies and music. Those behind the CD are hopeful that it will attract ancestors from the township to come and visit Jura. The project was supported by Scottish Natural Heritage and the Leader+ Programme. The CDs cost £12 each and can be ordered directly from the Grazing Committee. Send a cheque made payable to Knockrome & Ardfarnal Common Grazing Committee to Inver Lodge, Isle of Jura, PA60 7XX.

Autumn Events at An Tobar

Artist Ursula Ziegler will be spending a month as artist in residence at An Tobar Arts Centre next month following her 4-week project 'Invigilating the Land' which took place at the Ross of Mull and was funded by An Tobar and local charity Highland Renewal and involved an exploration of the landscape and its change under the varying weather and light conditions. Ursula will be available to talk about her work at the centre from Friday 5th - Sunday 7th November.

Other events taking place at An Tobar next month include an exhibition by Margaret Gosley (fibre art and poetry), and a variety of musical evening shows - ranging from piping to Baltic music.

For further information contact An Tobar on 01688 302211 or email by clicking here. Further information is also available at www.antobar.co.uk.

Mull Theatre Tour Dates

Mull Theatre will be touring with their production of Jekyll and Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson throughout October. The production, adapted by Robert Paterson and Alasdair McCrone will be in Port Ellen on Islay on the 18th October (Box Office - 01496 860 216), Easdale Hall on the 20th

(Tel: 01852 300 113) and on Mull in Bunessan on the 26th and in Tobermory on the 27th. Box Office for both Mull dates is 01688 302 828.

UnLtd Ideas Bank

The Unltd Ideas Bank (www.unltdideasbank.org.uk) is a web project which aims to provide a specific space for creative people throughout the UK to post up ideas and discuss innovative social projects that they are involved in. The project is a collaboration between UnLtd (the Foundation for Social Entrepreneurs in the UK) and the Global Ideas Bank

(www.globalideasbank.org) - a not-for-profit website established in 1995 to promote and disseminate good creative ideas from all over the world to improve society.

AWARDS & GRANTS

CAfE Networking Travel Bursaries

Are you involved with a community or voluntary group that is looking to establish its own community-based energy project? If yes and you think your group could benefit from visiting other groups who have established similar projects to get first-hand information about their experiences, you can apply for a bursary from CAfE - the Community Action for Energy Network - to help with your travel costs. Networking travel bursaries of up to £200 are available. You can find out about the different projects that might help you develop your own project ideas on the CAfE website - www.est.co.uk/cafe or you can contact the CAfE team on 08701 261444 for more information about how to become a member and apply for the bursaries.

Western Isles Arts Capital Fund Launched

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar have launched their new Arts Capital Fund, which can be used for capital investment in equipment, the development or improvement of buildings for the benefit of the arts and for artists's work in public places. Grants of up to £5,000 are available to cover up to 50% of total project costs. For more information contact Comhairle nan Eilean Siar's Arts Development Officer Meg Rodger on 01870 602 425 / email here.

DISCLAIMER

Please note that the views expressed in this newsletter are for general information and they are not necessarily the views of the Scottish Islands Network.

The Scottish Islands Network

3 Douglas Row

Portree

Isle of Skye

IV51 9DD

Tel: 01478 611285

Fax: 01478 612519

Mob: 07919 010 065

E-mail: by clicking here

Web: www.scottishislands.org.uk