If you’re looking for a hot drink to complement your ice cold gin at North Uist Distillery, Hazel Smith has your answer in her converted horse box trailer.
Trail Coffee officially opened their hatch last month at their resident spot outside the distillery in Nunton so we paid a visit to try the coffee and hear how it started and how it’s going.
Hazel had been working in the visitor centre at the distillery and had heard customers asking for coffee on multiple occasions. When her contract at the distillery came to an end she saw the perfect opportunity to fulfill both those requests and her desire to be able to work for herself.
She scoured the internet for a suitable trailer for the job and, after finding just the right one, made the trip down to Swindon to collect it.
Trail is serving up beans roasted by award-winning Edinburgh based company Cairngorm Coffee Roasters. They took home the award of Roast Hero at the recent Glasgow Coffee Festival, an award judged through a blind taste test by their peers. Hazel attended the festival and described the buzz about the place and the fascinating process of professional coffee tasting, including the concept of “cupping spoons”, with an enthusiasm that made me feel very confident in the quality of my flat white.
Trail has already gained several local fans who visit regularly and Hazel would like to focus as much on local trade year-round as on the summer tourist trade.
“I do plan to be open through the Winter, either a couple of days a week or in the mornings, for the locals who like to come.” she told us.
The special thing about a coffee shop in a trailer is the ability to be where your customers are and Trail is likely to be near you some time this Summer when Hazel visits the agricultural shows and Highland Games.
Keep an eye on Trail Coffee’s activities on Instagram @trailcoffeeuist.
South Uist has been given a raw deal once again, says Isles MP
By Siân Swinton
Businesses in Uist are, once again, calling for compensation to help them cope with loss of business relating to ferry disruption.
The South Uist Business Impact Group (SUBIG) has organised a meeting for later this month to bring together local businesses and decision makers to lay out the importance of a reliable ferry service in keeping these businesses afloat.
In the invitation to the meeting SUBIG said: “The island has had its original timetabled service provided for barely more than half of the past year, the remainder cancelled or replaced with a lower level, often last minute, contingency service.
“South Uist is currently sharing a ferry with capacity for just 45 passengers, instead of 900, running to a port 85 miles away from its timetabled port of Mallaig, and taking up to 8 hours to cross instead of 3.5 hours.”
Isles MP Torcuil Crichton called it a “raw deal” for South Uist, where disruption is expected to continue for the remainder of this month and into May.
He also renewed a call for a freeze on the increase in ferry fares which is due this month. He said: “The cost of living is having an impact everywhere but if this fare rise goes ahead in April hauliers say it will inevitably add to the cost of freight and the cost of food in the islands.
“Ministers should have stuck to the advice from CalMac. The cost of sending small volumes of goods to Uist simply means that if the rise goes ahead people will pay more in local shops.”
At the meeting, SUBIG is keen to discuss issues such as the provision of a ferry service for this month and next that will allow more than 45 passengers to travel at a time, a guarantee of a new pier and ferry for Lochboisdale and for a compensation package to be agreed to give local businesses a safety net.
Speaking on behalf of SUBIG, John Daniel Peteranna said: “A financial commitment to build South Uist’s new ferry pier at Gassay (Lochboisdale) and the purchase of a new ferry would invigorate the island’s population and provide hope for the future.
“South Uist’s community and businesses want to and will thrive, and only ask for a fair opportunity to do so. The contiguous islands of Uist put it in the top 10% of UK islands by land mass and have huge potential for economic growth, to produce sustainable energy, and to contribute to hi-tech skills-based jobs, including the planned spaceport.”
Torcuil added: “Three things need to happen now. There needs to be a proper compensation scheme for island businesses, not just a rates rebate, that doesn’t touch the side of the losses, and that has to be for this year and coming seasons, measurable compensation for measurable loss until the situation is resolved.”
By Siân Swinton
More work needs to be done to ensure that a proposed visitor levy on overnight stays in the Western Isles and beyond does not negatively impact islanders, according to critics of the “tourist tax”.
Increased burden on business owners
The main concern around the levy is the possible negative impact that higher costs for accommodation and increasing difficulty in administrative work would have on tourism to the area and whether it could result in local small businesses struggling or having to close altogether.
The secondary concern that many believe has not been adequately addressed in the consultation phase is the increased costs for patients and the NHS when islanders travel to access healthcare.
In an open letter to various local organisations, community councils and politicians at local authority and government level, a North Uist business owner has made clear the lack of consultation on the levy and the worrying impact it could have on the rights of islanders.
Kathryn Johnson, who runs Uist Forest Retreat along with Angus Johnson, laid out her varying concerns in the letter including the difficulty VAT registered accommodation providers would face in conjunction with the levy. She said: “At 5%, those staying in VAT registered businesses will pay 6%. The UK government has been clear that Scottish Ministers ‘do not have the legal competence’ to determine how a visitor levy is treated for VAT purposes. This means that once a 5% levy is added to the room rate, inclusive of a 20% VAT charge, the levy itself is then subject to a further 20% VAT. No where in Europe does a tax on a tax exist.
“If you take a room rate of £100, inclusive of 20% VAT. A 5% Levy of £5 is added to the bill. The Levy itself is now subject, again, to VAT. In this case £1. Taking the original room rate from £100 to £106 per night.”
Who should collect the tax?
Worries were raised about the levy adding to business’ VAT bills last Summer when the Comhairle met in South Uist and discussed the issue during a meeting of the Sustainable Development Committee. Members raised suggestions that the levy could be collected at ‘point of entry’ rather than by the accommodation provider. This would mean paying at the point at which visitors reach the island, whether by boat or plane, rather than at their hotel or B&B.
Some island accommodation business owners have already struggled with the extra cost and administrative work created by the new short-term let regulations and multiple cancellations caused by ferry disruption and are now concerned that the levy would be a further burden of cost and work.
In a consultation survey currently being undertaken on behalf of the Comhairle, Urban Foresight asks the question: “If an option, would you support a ‘point of entry’ levy that would allow all visitors to contribute to the islands (including overnight, cruise ship and motorhome visitors)?”
Impact on patient travel
The consultation also states that “there is a compulsory exemption for those in receipt of specified disability benefits, payments or allowances.” but asks if respondents believe anyone else should be exempt from the charge. Suggestions include local residents, children and young people, homeless people and those seeking medical treatment.
Patient travel for islanders has been an ongoing concern for many years, but the last few years in particular have seen worries around adequate access to healthcare for islanders and those living in other rural locations skyrocket.
Many islanders have to travel away from home to access treatment such as chemotherapy, CT and MRI scans, operations and maternity care. Patients who travel from Uist to Stornoway or Inverness would be subject to the levy as the Highland Council local authority has also proposed a 5% visitor levy. Edinburgh City Council was the first local authority to approve the introduction of a ‘tourist tax’ and Glasgow City Council has begun a consultation on introducing their own 5% levy.
Islanders’ access to healthcare has already been called a ‘breach of human rights’ in recent months. In November, the Scottish Human Rights Commission published a report on access to health, housing and food across the Highlands and Islands and said: “Critical issues include an apparent failure to meet the most basic international obligations related to the right to health, the right to housing and the right to food.
“In certain areas, sustained cuts to critical health services have been made with significant impact on the local population. There is concern over the lack of available health services in certain areas including sexual and reproductive health services, meaning people have to travel great distances to access health services.”
Many people travelling for health reasons have to rely on help from NHS Patient Travel to pay for their travel and accommodation. The funding for overnight accommodation through the scheme is capped at £60 per night which already very rarely covers the actual cost of accommodation across the Highlands and Islands.
Increasing the cost of accessing healthcare, the most vulnerable are placed at risk.
Open letter to deputy first minister
Conservative MSP for the Highlands and Islands region Tim Eagle has encouraged people concerned about the effects of the proposed levy to sign an open letter to deputy first minister, Kate Forbes, asking for ScotGov to “give due consideration to abandoning the levy altogether or delaying its implementation in local authority areas where it is not appropriate given price sensitivities in rural and island economies dependent on tourism.”
The letter also says that “Neither the Highland Council, or any other council to date, has undertaken an indpendent Economic Impact Assessment modelling the effect this levy might have on accommodation businesses in their area.”
If the Visitor Levy were to go ahead, the Comhairle estimates that it would come into force by the end of 2026.
The current consultation process will inform the implementation of the levy including whether there will be any further exemptions required, what support businesses would need to adequately collect the tax and what the money would be spent on.
According to the Comhairle, “net proceeds from the Visitor Levy must be spent on developing, supporting and sustaining facilities and services for visitors in the area.”
Public engagement sessions were held in Balivanich Hall and Stornoway Town Hall in March, though many Uist based accommodation providers told us they had been unaware of these sessions until after they were held.
The consultation survey is available on the Comhairle website, but is not immediately obviously found. Searching for “Outer Hebrides Visitor Levy” on the website and navigating to the Engagement Sessions page will show a link to the survey which can be responded to before 11 April.
Local Post Offices share concerns
Siân Swinton
Post Offices are still experiencing complications with their accounting software, say local Postmasters, and they’re not getting paid enough to put up with it.
The issues with the Post Office Horizon accounting software have been a hot topic recently, especially with the airing of the ITV series Mr Bates Vs The Post Office in January.
Sadly, the scandal had a local effect in Uist, devastating the lives of Bill and Anne Quarm, who ran a Bed & Breakfast and a shop with a Post Office counter in North Uist.
The Quarms’ story has been one of Scotland’s highest profile Horizon cases, but at least four other Post Offices in Uist have also been affected, thankfully with less tragic consequences. Some are even still experiencing issues with the Horizon software, Am Pàipear has heard.
Bill Hogg and Donna Hogg of the Carnan and Balivanich Post Offices told us:
“Unexplained discrepancies as shown in the TV drama have happened and continue to happen in Post Offices and we, like so many, have had personal experiences in our Post Offices. The public are unaware that Horizon still doesn’t work properly even to this day.”
Another local Postmaster spoke of small discrepancies in their system:
”With hindsight and new information these unexplained discrepancies make sense.”
Some Postmasters will be unable to prove these discrepancies as they paid the shortfall from their own pockets.
“I’d thought I must have messed up but was positive I hadn’t, so I paid it. My paperwork won’t show it as I put money in when balancing to correct what was showing on screen.”
Since the broadcasting of the ITV drama, approximately 100 more people have come forward to say they were affected by the software errors.
Another concern for local businesses operating Post Office counters is the low rate of pay, which has led some to question whether the risk of unreliable accounting software is worth it.
Donna Hogg says the money made from the counters “doesn’t even cover the electric to run the Horizon computer, never mind cover staff wages or for us to live off.”
The counters make between £1.25 and £1.97 per hour, according to Donna’s last tally.
“We always knew having a Post Office would not make us millionaires and we took it on as it is a vital service to our communities and we’re proud to provide this service even when it’s financially not viable.”
The Horizon scandal has shocked the nation and, here in Uist, the severity of its impact has been keenly felt. Anne Quarm has recently spoken of her own experiences following the overturning of her husband Bill’s conviction.
The Post Office accused Bill of embezzling tens of thousands of pounds and, under threat of imprisonment, he pleaded guilty to the charge. Bill was convicted and ordered to undertake 150 hours of unpaid work in 2010, and passed away only two years later.
Bill tragically died before his name could be cleared. The distress caused by the accusation and the subsequent loss of their business and family home impacted his health significantly, believes Anne.
The accounting software responsible for the scandal had issues that were known by the Post Office and by Fujitsu, the company that created it.
In the time between 1999 and 2015 more than 900 Postmasters were prosecuted for theft and fraud when the software showed shortfalls in their accounting. These shortfalls were actually errors within the system rather than deliberate false accounting.
The Horizon IT Inquiry in London was ongoing as Am Pàipear went to print.
‘Challenging but interesting’ times ahead for tourism
The challenges and opportunities facing Uist’s tourism sector were explored in a day-long conference hosted by Outer Hebrides Tourism at the start of November.
All sectors were represented at the well-attended event in Cnoc Soilleir, with a national view provided by Scottish Tourism Alliance and Visit Scotland and plenty of local insight contributed by Outer Hebrides Tourism (OHT) and the local business operating here in Uist.
OHT CEO Sarah Maclean spoke of the Outer Hebrides as a globally recognised destination, highlighting the value of strong marketing. Ms Maclean referenced the success of OHT’s Made in the Hebrides promotion and its Eat, Drink, Hebrides initiative, which had fuelled visitor interest, and this year had earned the organisation a Scottish Food and Drink Excellence Award.
Presentations from Uist Unearthed, Stòras Uibhist and Ceòlas highlighted the work being done to promote Uist’s language, landscape and cultural history.
Lindsay Robertson, of Loch Skipport based Long Island Retreats, showcased the growth in agri-tourism, highlighting how marketable ‘Uist’ branded experiences and produce can be.
Agritourism in Scotland is currently worth around £60m, with the farm retail sector contributing an additional £110m to the economy. The Scottish Agri Tourism strategy seeks to grow that income to £250m by 2030 and the hope is that Uist can play a key role in this burgeoning sector.
If it was clear that tourism opportunity knocks for Uist, it was clearer still that numerous challenges lay ahead.
Ms MacLean said that, while visitor numbers had seen increases in 2021 and 2022, figures for this current season evidenced that occupancy rates were down on previous years.
Chief among the challenges was the devastation wreaked by the loss of the Lochboisdale ferry, which had left a good number of tourism operators out of pocket, and some out of business.
The new Visitor Levy (Scotland) Bill was set out as both challenge and opportunity.
Proposed in May this year, the Bill will grant local authorities the right to introduce an additional charge when a visitor pays for overnight accommodation.
Both the Scottish Tourism Alliance and Outer Hebrides Tourism had given the Bill their support, highlighting that money raised by the sector could provide much needed support for local tourism infrastructure. The Comhairle supports the introduction of the Visitor Levy but has yet to confirm if and how it will be applied in the Western Isles.
The Levy is expected to add a 4% surcharge to booked accommodation and will be charged and administered by local providers.
The Scottish Parliament held a public consultation on proposals, reporting that the majority of those responding were against the Bill, saying the proposals were ‘viewed by many respondents as an unwanted policy being forced on a struggling sector.’
Amanda Leveson Gower echoed the Parliament’s findings, saying that the administrative burden would sit with already stretched local businesses and act as a disincentive for visitors:
“It’s difficult enough for guests as it is. Getting here is a risk and if guests are stranded on Skye they can end up paying £300 or more in emergency accommodation costs. When ferries are cancelled, and as a consequence, stays are cancelled at short notice, it will be accommodation providers who are faced with reimbursing the levy charges. Frankly, I am hugely disappointed that OHT and the Scottish Tourism Alliance are supporting the Bill.”
Further legislative burden is facing the sector as a result of the Short Term Lets licence, which requires all providers of tourism accommodation to register their business with their Local Authority. In September, the Comhairle reported that it had granted 236 licences, and was still processing 180 applications, with a further 65 pending.
The highlight of the day was the the inaugural Our Tourism Community Awards.
The new annual Awards recognise, congratulate and celebrate businesses that deliver amazing experiences for visitors in the Outer Hebrides, champion innovation in the face of challenging times and showcase best practice.
Anne MacLellan from Hougharry, North Uist won two top accolades; the Best Accommodation Business Award for Balranald Campsite and the Best Food and Drink Experience Award for the Dunes Cabin. The award for Best See and Do Experience was awarded to Vatersay-based Mingulay Boat Trips, with Best Green Sustainable Business Award going to Castlebay Marina.
Anne MacLellan was thrilled with the Awards, telling Am Pàipear: “We’re absolutely delighted… The campsite business was established in 2012 initially with only myself working there. The campsite and the dunes cabin have now grown to employ 11 members of staff during the season. These prestigious awards recognise the great job done by my amazing team who make the visitor experience a special one. We’re grateful to all our customers, friends and family who voted for us and support us throughout the year. Ceud Mile Taing.”
Summing up the event, OHT Development Manager Mairi Thomson said: “It was a fantastic day, with a full house of tourism and hospitality businesses, community organisations and stakeholders, a brilliant line-up of inspiring and interesting speakers, mouthwatering seafood by Lochmaddy Bay Prawns and a wee tipple of Downpour from North Uist Distillery to celebrate the winners of our inaugural awards.”
NEW LOGANAIR CONTRACT FUELS PRICE HIKE FOR UIST TRAVELLERS
Loganair has introduced a Barra-only residents fare under a new four year contract to operate essential air services between Barra and Glasgow.
The change will affect those Uist residents and family visitors who previously made use of the much-reduced fares on the Barra route. While fares for Barra residents will be capped at £91, Uist travellers will see their fares rise by a minimum of £20 and in many circumstances, considerably more.
The Transport Scotland contract for the Barra – Glasgow service is subsidised under a Public Service Obligation which sets service level agreements and also allows for lower fares.
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (CnES) has long-called for the same level of subsidy to be awarded to the Benbecula – Stornoway flight, which also operates under a Public Service Obligation but is not supported in the same way.
In July, CnES was forced to cut the Stornoway service to two days a week saying it did not have the funds to cover the £629k costs of the service. The Comhairle warned that the change would negatively affect NHS patients, who it said made up 90% of the route’s ticket sales.
Na h-Eileanan an Iar MP, Angus MacNeil says he has written to Loganair and the Scottish Government regarding the increased airfares:
“This has been rushed in without the necessary safeguards in place. Non-island residents will pay more and therefore could be charged up to £160 one way. This raises questions about wider family and friends visiting the island.
“There will be a chaotic period until they sort it out. I think there should be a hiatus in the pricing changing structure. Stability for islanders and visitors, particularly as we are at the beginning of winter, it is not the most difficult time to sort this out. Current prices should be maintained until the chaos is ironed out by both parties.”
Last month Loganair confirmed that the company was no longer for sale. A statement from current sole owners Stephen and Peter Bond said: “The suspension of the sale process allows the Company to complete the re-fleet programme and address the specific issues impacting the world-wide supply chain availability and costs. There has never been a time-bound reason for the sale of Loganair, and we remain committed to the Company until both the right time and custodian to acquire the Company is chosen”.
In October, Loganair was named Airline of the Year for 2023 by the European Regional Airline Association (ERA). The company, which employs more than 850 people across its network, was honoured in recognition of its “impressive performance” in returning to profitability following the pandemic whilst at the same time improving terms for its staff. Judges also highlighted its progressive ‘Green Skies’ environmental impact mitigation programme.
Sealladh na Beinne Moire AGM
New directors welcomed as Stòras sets out its stall
Siân Swinton
Sealladh na Beinne Moire held their AGM in Griminish on 14th September where the new members of the board of directors were introduced. Iain Stephen Morrison and Ronald MacKenzie join the re-elected directors Catriona Walker, Donnie Steele and Donald John Cameron, while Mary Schmoller and Norman MacAskill remain in place.
CEO Darren Taylor began the meeting with a rundown of the previous year’s activities covering topics such as deer management, crofting and local business development, before moving onto questions from the floor. A lively debate ensued, with plans for the new Lochboisdale pier (see right) and for seaweed harvesting (see p7) discussed at length.
The operational review of the previous year showed great success for South Uist Renewable Energy alongside profits from Askernish Golf Course and from fishing on the estate.
Lochboisdale Harbour and Grogarry Lodge both showed losses but Stòras pointed to the considerable investments made in a bid to encourage business growth. Stòras said it hoped that the money spent on the Lodge would allow them to increase room rates from the £80 to a more profitable £150 per night.
Deer numbers have been a hot debate this year so promises of action to bring the herd numbers down and the cull numbers up were welcomed.
The estate said it hoped the recent increase in cull numbers might allow the herd to reach the preferred size of 400 earlier than the initial target date of 2028. Mr Taylor reiterated the estate’s commitment to shoot any marauding beasts west of the road and to have venison on sale locally and made available through the food bank.
Darren Taylor congratulated Askernish Golf Course on their placing on the Golf World magazines Top 100 courses: “Askernish Golf Course brings in more to the wider economy of the estate than anything else Stòras does and it’s not always appreciated enough.”
Stòras said they had worked on many projects focused on returning community assets to use. These include the waiting room at Ludag, the shed at Loch Carnan and the industrial site at Orasaigh, all of which have been grant funded and will soon be seeking interested parties.
The Lochboisdale Strategic Visioning plan was also discussed with a rundown of the work already achieved, such as painting the buildings, building the Marloch memorial and installing EV charging points. Stòras said the Smart Clachan project was still underway and awaiting planning approval.
The board was asked about the potential for the energy generated by the estate to be sold to the community at a reduced rate, with a request to have more energy produced locally. The board was also asked why so much of the income from renewables was held as reserves, rather than spent on community projects. The board referenced the unreliability of the interconnecter on which the renewables project relies, saying that reserves had to be maintained to ensure against lost earnings should that connection fail.
The idea of the estate owning its own flock of sheep was also raised and Mr Taylor said that the possibility had been discussed.
The board was also asked about the potential to have director meetings live streamed to the membership, as previously agreed. Board chair Mary Schmoller said it would be inappropriate to do as sensitive matters were discussed.
Finally, the board was asked why the road end was blocked at Loch Skipport. Mary Schmoller told the members that the road was dangerous and blocks had been placed to deter vehicles. Pressed on the issue, the Chair confirmed no formal review of the risks had been undertaken. A member in the hall claimed the blocks belonged to him and had been taken without permission.
At a meeting of the board the following day Mary Schmoller was re-elected as chair of SnBM.
Uist ASCO Stòras deal
Local seaweed harvesters call for competition
Negotiations are underway to determine rights to commercial seaweed harvesting within the Stòras Uibhist estate.
The issue was raised at the recent SnBM AGM, when local harvester Brendan Johnston called for greater scrutiny over any deal agreed between the South Uist estate and Uist ASCO.
In a passionate plea to the board, Mr Johnston asked for reassurance that Stòras would not not allow Uist ASCO exclusive rights to commercial harvesting within the estate.
Mr Johnston is working with a number fellow harvesters to establish an independent commercial harvesting operation and told Am Pàipear that his business plans were at risk if an exclusive deal was agreed with ASCO.
“Seaweed is possibly the islands’ largest sustainable resource and we currently harvest nowhere near the maximum sustainable volume.
“There is room on the islands for more than one seaweed business and competition is required. Local startups like ours will be scuppered if Stòras Uibhist doesn’t get a handle on what the seaweed is worth.
“Uist ASCO are great for providing so much work for so many, but if they hold exclusive rights over the weed in the south, as they do under the 30 year deal they currently have in the north, they will dictate price and dominate our resources for many years to come and that will certainly be to our detriment.”
Asked for clarification on this issue, Stòras CEO Darren Taylor told Am Pàipear:
“The board has been in discussions with Uist ASCO and these discussions are on-going. Uist ASCO is an important local business and the board is keen to support their plans for investment and job creation. At the same time, it is important we respect the rights of seaweed cutters and do not prevent other individuals or businesses from taking advantage of the seaweed.
“We have spoken both to Uist ASCO and to a number of local entrepreneurs who are keen to establish their own company. Having heard the case on both sides, I believe we can agree a compromise that will allow both parties to flourish. Seaweed is a valuable asset and we are keen to make sure we manage it for the benefit of all our members and the whole community. We believe there is enough seaweed available within the estate to allow Uist ASCO the tonnage they need to progress their business growth plans, and to ensure that adequate tonnage remains to allow new business to establish and grow their plans too.
“Whatever happens, Stòras is keen to stress that the rights of crofters to harvest seaweed for use on their crofts will not be affected.”
Mr Johnston is one of a number of harvesters who have approached Am Pàipear to share concerns about pay, saying Uist ASCO undervalues the role of hand harvesters: “By paying us half the value of what the same company is paying in Ireland, effectively, the traditional harvesters are paying for our own replacement. The Stornoway seaweed firm currently run six mechanical harvesters and have no traditional guys left.”
Jean-Pierre Brien, Uist ASCO Ltd’s Director Projects Europe said: “Uist ASCO has increased rates pay to harvesters in Uist by over 50% in the past five years and we also offer assistance with training and equipment. Harvesters can earn good money in their own time and work at their own pace. It is in our best interests to support the harvesters as best possible and we are proud of how we do this on an individual bases.
“Uist ASCO has made substantial investments and now provides employment to over 50 islanders. We know that the combination of relying on the work of hand harvesters, augmented by a mechanical harvester to fill in the gaps, will allow us to continue such investments. We are passionate about sustaining the traditions of hand harvesting in Uist, yet must also sustain our business with a stable intake of seaweed to the factory, which historically we haven’t seen.”
Across most of Scotland, commercial seaweed harvesting is carried out under license from the Crown Estate and with agreement from Nature Scot. In privately owned sections of Scotland’s foreshore, and here on our estates, no license is required nor is any consultation required with Nature Scot.
In North Uist, Uist ASCO has a long-standing sole- harvester arrangement with the estate.
Originally a North Uist owned and operated company, Uist ASCO was bought by Acadian Seaplants Limited (ASL) Nova Scotia in 2017. ASL is a global, bio-tech company and the largest independent manufacturer of marine plant products of its type in the world.
Bank of Scotland claims 50% drop in business
The Bank of Scotland has confirmed it will be closing its Lochmaddy branch on February 26th, 2024.
In a statement issued to confirm its plans, Bank of Scotland said: “With more customers choosing to use digital ways to bank and manage their money, visits at this branch have fallen. As a result, we’ve made the difficult decision to close it.”
The bank says the decision follows ‘an in-depth’ review of operations that shows business at the branch has halved over the last four years.
The bank says the branch, which now only opens from 10am to 2.30 pm on a Tuesday and a Thursday, has seen a 64% drop in personal transactions since 2018. The number of people using the cash machine at the branch has fallen by more than 50% in the same time period. Bank of Scotland say the branch currently has only eight regular customers.
In support if its decision, the bank says Lochmaddy customers are already banking in other ways, citing that 71% of customers using Lochmaddy branch have also used other Bank of Scotland branches, Internet Banking or Telephone Banking and 33% have also used the Post Office.
Although the decision to close has already been taken, Bank of Scotland says it will now carry out a ‘Stage 2 Branch Review’, engaging the community to further understand the impact of closure.
Commenting on the announcement, MSP Alasdair Allan said:
“I am very concerned by the proposed closures of the Bank of Scotland’s branches in Tarbert and Lochmaddy. While many customers are now able to make use of digital and phone banking, there are many services which can only be carried out in-branch, and there can be technical issues with digital banking as well as lengthy and frustrating waits to speak with customer support teams over the phone.
“After a taxpayer-funded bailout of £30 billion following 2008’s financial crash, surely the Bank of Scotland can do better than this for its customers, particularly a number of elderly or vulnerable users, for whom making the switch to online or over the phone banking could be extremely difficult.”
Cladach Chnoc a Lin resident Catherine Laing told Am Pàipear of her growing resignation at the loss of yet another service: “There was a time when I remembered each new service improvement with a sense of wellbeing. Services are being pared back time and again until we are left to survive on just the crumbs.
“Lochmaddy is a thriving place, with a port office, a busy shop, two hotels and an arts centre. With new houses bringing more people to the village, surely the decision merits a rethink.
“The service provision in Uist is appalling. We used to have daily flights; we used to have drains cleared every year to avoid flooding in winter. The verges are left untended and we cannot walk safely along our single track roads. So a bank closing its door is just another loss among many.”
Fears have also been raised that a pattern is repeating: “It’s the same situation we had with the post offices; first they start with reduced service hours, so customers find it harder to access the service and the powers that be then have the evidence they need to support a branch closure.”
Bank of Scotland listed two viable alternative branches for customers to consider; the first being Balivanich and the second being Portree, which is described as being 47.09 miles away, with the helpful advice that ‘Public transport to Portree requires a short walk to Lochmaddy Ferry Terminal, then a ferry to Uig Skye Ferry Terminal, along with a bus journey and short walk to the branch. Journey times are variable.’ Am Pàipear suggests readers may want to check that the Portree branch is open, the ferries are actually running and the weather is calm before heading out.
Western Isles MP Angus MacNeil has called for a change of heart:
“I have recently been contacted by constituents in North Uist who are concerned that the Lochmaddy branch is going to close. Customers living in Berneray, who do not have private transport, will have to make a 60-mile return trip by bus to access the bank in Benbecula.
“The Bank of Scotland has listed the Portree branch along with the Benbecula and Stornoway branches, as an alternative for customers. It is crass to suggest that customers should take a ferry to access a bank.
“I urge the Bank of Scotland to reconsider the decision to close the branches in Lochmaddy and Tarbert to ensure that my constituents continue to have access to the full range of banking services without the requirement to make lengthy travel journeys.”
Donald Cameron, Conservative MSP for Highlands and Islands, has also called for the branch to remain open.
The new kid on the block
Siân Swinton
South Uist Distillers is the new venture from the same mind behind Uist Sea Tours, David Steele.
On his boat, Karleen Belle, on a recent trip to Mingulay, David spoke about the opportunity to branch out and make something new which would, hopefully, create jobs on the island and provide an income outside of the season for being on the water. Thus South Uist Distillers was born.
With gin already being made on Uist and whisky well on the way, David sought out something that hadn’t been done yet – rum.
He spoke about how he had been advised to “soft launch” the product and create anticipation, but instead exploded onto social media with a full website and all products available immediately. The effect was a boom in sales and high levels of interest. The initial announcement posts on social media received a huge outpouring of local support and a few days later people were already sharing their favourite ways to drink the rum, whether neat or with a wide range of mixers.
There are currently three varieties available – a dark rum, a spiced rosehip rum and a scotch bonnet rum. All of these can be bought through the website and, excitingly, can be tried in all pubs across Uist with one pub selling out after just a few days! David recommends trying the scotch bonnet rum with some ginger beer or the spiced rosehip with apple juice.
It’s clear to see the care that has gone into creating the product and the company, both through the packaging and marketing design and by the way David talks about it.
“There’s a story on the bottle,” he said, indicating the aged, weather beaten-map that features on the label. “See if you can work it out!”
David took his pirate inspired thoughts to his designer and the result is a beautiful label and branding that really leans into their tagline: “Adventurous spirits”.
The rum is currently made in small batches on the mainland, with David overseeing every stage of development of the product and all aspects of the company, but it’s hoped that production will soon be brought on to the island and create a small number of jobs for locals once a location can be secured.
“It won’t be a big fancy building, but it will be enough!” he said.
South Uist Distillers have, so far, sent their product all over Scotland and England and have been approached to begin exporting. Unafraid of a bit of graft, David is keen to learn all he can about the industry to make sure he brings as much knowledge and heart to it as he does to Uist Sea Tours. He spoke about the importance of being hands on and learning by doing when you take on something new:
“I’m new to the industry so I just want to make sure I get everything right!” he said. Anyone who knows David and Uist Sea Tours can definitely be safe in the knowledge he’s putting in his all to create something special for South Uist.
It’s just the beginning for this new venture and there are sure to be some wonderful things to come from South Uist Distillers. To keep up with all of their news you can subscribe to their newsletter via their website.