Goodbye Mr Mackenzie Dingwall Town Hall 12 Oct

[Natasha Mulhearn]

WESTWORD

COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER OF THE YEAR 2005 & 2008

Community paper for Mallaig, Morar, Arisaig, Lochailort, Glenfinnan

Glenuig, Knoydart and the Small Isles

Visit West Word on FacebookList of Issues onlineAugust 2014 IssueContents of the online version:Top stories

Monthly news from Knoydart, Muck, Rum, Eigg, Canna

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Not to be reproduced without permission.THE QUEEN'S BATON RELAY

Here are our local heroes who carried the Queen's Baton at various stages on Saturday 12th July 2014.

Below: Sam Harvie, Arisaig, carried the baton into Fort Augustus;

Morar's Catherine McDonell can-canned her way through Fort Augustus with Police officers!;

and handed the baton to Kenny MacKenzie, Mallaig, seen here with wife Pat and grandchildren. Above: Liam Dyer from Arisaig carried the baton through Spean Bridge;

and passed it to Mallaig's Maxine MacDonald;

retired surgeon David Sedgewick carried the baton on The Jacobite from Glenfinnan to Fort William.KNOYDART

It's been a busy few weeks! I can't think of a time when Knoydart has had so many events squeezed into one month. First off was Words from the Wild, our book festival. Remember I mentioned the marquee, waiting for all the authors to turn up? Well, it had to be taken down in the wee small hours, as the wind picked up quite a bit (poor Morag was busy watching it out of her window at 5am). It didn't really matter, as we managed to squeeze everything into the village hall. Some great discussions had, with Lesley Riddoch, Jim Crumley, Mandie Haggith, Ian McEwan, John and Nicola Fletcher, Fi Martynoga, Sophie Hardach, Knoydart's own Hilary Rhode, and regular visitor Kate Rawles all pitching in with readings, walks and demonstrations. The night was rounded off with some great music the Scott Wood band, although I tell you, some of these famous authors need to sort out their ceilidh-ing skills (unlike the locals who finished off with some athletic dancing: check out the village hall Facebook page!)

More music in the form of Barluath came next: spectacular piping! Then came the first of two Commonwealth Games-funded bands: Sotho Sounds, mountain shepherds from far-off Lesotho, who trained the children in making music from bottles before performing with recycled instruments to a packed hall (they made us all sit on the floor, on our "flat European bottoms"!). After them came the incredibly talented Luke Daniels, Lauren MacColl, Ewan MacPherson and Yaffa Quan Weinreich from the Royal Conservatoire. Again, a very busy night, partly due to passengers from the Lord of the Glens cruise ship wandering in every five minutes!

Our musical treats weren't over: after the Games we had the mighty Breabach, who were as tight, inspiring and exciting as their reputation suggests. Lots of people bounced up and down to a band who are undoubtedly heading towards Shooglenifty levels of stardom.

The Games themselves were a wee bit damp, but that didn't put plenty of folk off enjoying the usual nonsense, some of them taking time off to shelter in Grant's temporary auditorium which had a tombola, teddy stall, and Isla's Yes table. Tug o' war was as keenly contested as ever, I'm told, with Mallaig women and men emerging victorious (not sure where I was when that was going on). The egg and spoon race used some of my rock-hard guinea fowl eggs, and involved backwards running under the instruction of Ian Robertson. Lots of money raised over the day and evening; thank you to all the folk from Mallaig who made the effort to come over on a dreich day. There will be the usual donation to the Lifeboat.

Coming up on Saturday 30th August: K15 runs! Exciting stuff: you can still sign up to one of the runs by emailing runkn...@gmail.com - or why not just pop over for the craft fair which is happening at the same time? Book your place with the Western Isles or Seabridge to ensure you can get over.

The following day, Sunday 31st, we're having a street party to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the community buy-out - another excuse to come over. Why not make a weekend of it?

Finally, some pub opening times! Please note that the Old Forge is still closed during lunch time for the month of August; it'll be opening at 3pm every day. JP tells me that if people want food at 3pm, he will be happy to serve them then. You need to book for dinner; closing hours remain the same.

Tommy McManmonISLE OF MUCK

July has been a busy month on Muck - it always is. Only this year we have Marine Harvest working at an ever increasing pace to get the houses finished by the end of August and the cages ready for the smoults on the 19th. As the scaffolding comes down and the larch cladding goes up what is revealed are three well designed traditional houses with astragals on the windows and dormers on the upper floors. Well done Marine Harvest! Out at sea next the most sheltered part of the island coast are five cages and moorings for more. To my totally inexperienced eye there is still a lot to do before the fish go in and on the pier there is a hive of activity not seen since it was built. Mark and Gareth from the island now completed their training are in there too!

On the farm silage was up to date by the middle of the month and lambs are now weaned in preparation n for the journey to Dingwall. Prices are not expected to be as good as the last three years but there is the prospect of cheaper winter feed costs as the world is having a bumper harvest.

With Camas events we have had the Ceilidh Trail which was very successful (though unfortunately I missed it) and we had a very pleasant couple who did things that you might see at the circus. In and around the Hall Emma Walters was busy keeping our children occupied and fit!

August 2nd was the day of the Small Isles Sports and as with the wedding in May the weather did not cooperate and rain set in though luckily it was not heavy till the field events were over. It was held in Laga Bholla the field nearest Port Mor and the hall and was massively attended. One estimate put the numbers at 280 and included parties from Canna and Soay. The Craft Shop did a magnificent job of catering for everyone many of whom had to leave on Sheerwater and Loch Nevis. In the evening Marine Harvest brought in a mobile Bar-B-Que which served delicious salmon steaks to assist our own efforts on the fire in the by now heavy rain. In the Hall the Small Halls Band- young musicians from the Scottish Borders took the stage for the early art of the evening followed by Gabe McVarish from Eigg.

The last big event of the year is the book launch in the Hall on the 13th. Sheerwater is almost full with supporters from all over Scotland. There will be music and refreshments for this unique event on the island. That is all this month.

Lawrence MacEwenISLE OF RUM

A busy month here on Rum with some high visitor numbers finally coming off the Calmac and the Sheerwater along with the annual invasion of Malts Cruise visitors. The various TeaShoppers (Vikki, Debs, Em, Steve, Nicola and Jed) have been doing really well in provider top class nosh to visitors and islanders alike with some great feedback about soups, quiches and cakes. Wednesday Market Day has been doing well too with a fine array of Rum art, craft and produce on the table - we have some very talented folk here on the island and it's lovely to see the fruits of their labours on display in the village hall each week selling well.

July saw us celebrating a few islanders birthdays - Chainsaw Dave, Sean, Debs, Vikki and twins Lesley & Ross - plenty of candle blowing, birthday cake and singing down at Jinty's shop. We waved a farewell to Martyn who leaves Rum after 6 years working on the Kilmory Deer Project to start a new life on Mainland Land with his partner Siobhan. Martyn was not a frequent visitor to the village living on the other side of the island to most of us but will be missed nonetheless. Congratulations to Sean Morris who will be taking his place as full time deer project researcher.

We have had a summer of long term visitors too - we have termed them 'Integrated Randoms' and several of this year's visitors are hoping to make a longer term future for themselves on the island. Hopefully we'll be in a position to offer opportunities for people to do just that in the near future with plenty of exciting possibilities for new houses and employment opportunities being talked about. Our new Bunkhouse is very near to completion with dates for Grand Openings being discussed and hopefully a manager in post very soon.

Our community Ranger Trudi has had a fantastic first season in her new post, creating lots of new exciting Ranger events and having an ever growing list of cetaceans spotted on the weekly Sheerwater boat trips. Last week was a close encounter with a large minke whale and a big pod of dolphins. Everyone is hoping for a spotting of the orca which seems to be hanging around the Small Isles seas. SNH had some really good Shearwater events too with a nighttime walk up to the colony on Hallival and a couple of evening boat trips to see the shearwaters gathering on the sea ready to start coming in to feed their young. Both boat trips were lucky enough to also spot an eagle hanging around a colony of kittiwakes on the cliffs of Rum.

A large group of Rumachs visited Muck for the Small Isles games this weekend just passed and had a great time. Muck showed fantastic hospitality and did a fine job of laying on a selection of games from the truly competitive to the downright ridiculous! Lovely food, two ceilidh bands and sunshine on the following morning as we packed up our tents and sampled the fine fayre on offer at the Muck Tearoom before heading back home to Rum made for an excellent weekend. Thanks for the hospitality and congratulations on your win (again!) Muck. Next year we will regain our tug of war title for sure!

Nic Goddard

Cllr Allan Henderson, chair of isle of Rum community trust opens the new playpark on Rum.

The playpark has been possible thanks to a grant funding application by Ali Morris

and a team of volunteers on island.

The play park has already proved very popular with island children and visitors to Rum.ISLE OF EIGG

This year, July saw the return of three important events in the island's musical calendar, Feis Eige on the second week-end of the month and the biannual indie festival, in its new incarnation of Howlin' Fling, on the third weekend and finally on the very last Saturday, Blaze, the Classic rock cover band featuring Eigg's one and only original 60's rocker himself, Mick Brett! The return of Feis Eige with a new committee following the departure of our last Feis worker to the mainland, has seen her come back as button accordion tutor to introduce several youngsters to the intricacies of an instrument which was once played so extensively on the island. Many thanks for this, Grace. Tasha made a brilliant job of organising the event, especially as most of the work was done as she was also organising her wedding back in the spring! Children and adults had a great time, with a fantastic (deemed psychedelic even) collection of masks depicting inhabitants of the faery world at the Friday's participants' showcase, and a brilliant ceilidh ending the event fronted by Gabe with his customary gusto, which featured a host of new and returning tutors, with amongst them Jenny Hill on the double bass, and Angus Binnie on the pipes who also doubled up as DJ in the wee hours. Look out for Blair Douglas's feis song performed by the all the Feis Eige participants on You tube or on the Feis Eige website.

Howlin' Fling which brought about well over 200 visitors from far and wide to the island, showcased many of the names now associated with Johnny Lynch's Eigg-based new label, Lost Map. It was a really eclectic selection which saw the return of many well kent artists to the island, such as Seamus Foggerty, Rozi Plain and Kid Canaveral, and performances by a host of interesting performers, from Golden Teachers, with their mad array of rhythms and fabulous dancing duo to the poetic and quirky Bristol based Japanese Ichin. Massacre Cave did not make it to Eigg this year, but we still had a great metal guitar and hair performance from the Cormack brothers assisted by Brendan Greene on the drums as Johnny's own backing group for Pictish Trail, now joined by Tuff Love's bass player, a very charismatic addition in her own right! As for the Londoners in the crowd, they were truly gobsmacked by Metta's performance, Damian's band's first on Eigg, fresh from Heb Celt (it went down a storm and provided a great crowd warmer for all the dancing that followed on) and truly electrified by Gaelic Soul Brothers, Gabe and Griogair - say no more. Even the persistent rain on Saturday night failed to deter the revellers who all had a great time not only with the music, but with their discovery of the island and its culinary delights, brought to them by Hebridean Larder this year as well as Eiggy Bread.

We are already looking forward to the next fling, hopefully in two years time. Sincere congratulations to Sarah and Johnny to pull it off so well, considering that they are also in the throes of building their house at the moment!

Blaze which have now been on the go for 17 years, and still going strong bringing all the classic rock anthems to an enthusiastic west coast audience, made their debut on Nevis Radio this year. Expect even bigger crowds in Corpach next year! It was also Mick And Jacky's great pride to see their grand-daughter Kathleen perform on stage at the interval as part of a duo called Joy Acoustic, in homage to - you've guessed - Joy Division. The girls' brilliant voices which already earned acclaim Highland-wide were truly a joy to hear and hopefully the rapturous applause from their Eigg audience will encourage them to even greater heights!

What else can be said about July, apart from this blur of musical activity? Sun, sea and swim in an almost Caribbean setting, azure sky and sea and temperatures to match: the Eiggach went on holiday in their own islands and made the most of the wonderful weather, with a new sporting enthusiasm: sunset volleyball on Laig beach... Oh and a surprise visit from Canadian West Word columnist Marlene Cheng, looking for her ancestral roots at Laig on one of these perfect days. Lovely to meet you Marlene!

Camille Dressler ISLE OF CANNA

We are pleased to say that a new teacher has been appointed for Canna Primary and she will be starting for the new school term. We said goodbye to supply teacher Rona Grindley at the end of last month and she and the children put on a lovely open day for the island where we were all very impressed with the schoolwork and the Victorian Themed dress worn by the pupils and teacher. We also had a visit from Rum Primary to visit the school and feed pet lambs and calves.

CafeCanna run by Chris and Anna Deplano has been very busy with local and foreign visitors, boosting the population by employing Elaine from Lincolnshire and giving local girl Caroline a summer job. Everyone is loving the fish and chips!! The number of yachts visiting Canna must be at an all time high. Since May there has been a minimum of ten per night and quite often over 20 which has been great for the community moorings.

On the 26th we gathered together as a community to help Julie Ann Guthrie celebrate her Holy Communion with Fr Joe from Morar.It was a lovely day and it was nice to see our small church filled to celebrate mass.

Finished shearing on the 15th July although there are a few escapees running around the hill!! Visitors have commented on the vast numbers of wild flowers and the lack of rabbits. Craig Martin our resident rabbit trapper has been working very hard to keep numbers down as well as putting in drop boxes and erecting rabbit netting.

Canna Community Trust has been awarded funding to complete a feasibility study for a community hall and we are looking forward to moving forward with this project.

Geraldine MacKinnonARISAIG HIGHLAND GAMES

Clan Donald Gathers at Arisaig Highland Games: 30th July 2014Some three years ago, Arisaig Highland Games began planning to hold a Clan Donald Gathering, hosted by Ranald Macdonald, Captain and 24th Chief of Clanranald, as part of the 2014 Year of Homecoming. 2014 is also the tenth anniversary of the Arisaig Highland Games and Clanranald Gathering.

Such a gathering has not been known in the Highlands for perhaps hundreds of years and certainly not in "na Garbh Criochan" or "the Rough Bounds".

Numerous members of the Clan Donald diaspora of this part of na Garbh Criochan, made the pilgrimage from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, America, Europe, and Samoa to be with us for the occasion. After a week of historical tours and much genealogical discussion, everybody assembled for the Arisaig Highland Games.

The day started with a ceremonial march from the lawn at Traigh House (built ca. 1784 by Simon MacDonald of the Morar MacDonalds) to the Games field. The march was lead by Malcolm MacDonald, Clan Donald Australia, Tiseach to the Finlaggan Council, and Thomas Miers, pursuivant to Clan Donald, accompanied by Ranald Macdonald of Clanranald and his family.

The weather for the march was not kind to us. The rain came down in torrents but didn't manage to dampen the spirits of the marchers. They confirmed their Highland bloodline by coping cheerfully with the rain and the hellish attentions of "the Great Highland Midge" which preceded it. The kilt was a distinct drawback!

The opening ceremony on the games field was carried out with style and tradition by Thomas Miers and Clanranald, followed by a Gidhlig song by Margaret Ford ne MacLellan. Allan MacKenzie from Canada, husband of Celia Ritchie from Morar, played a major part in the organisation of the pipe music for the march and opening ceremony and indeed, composed a pipe tune for the occasion. Allan is descended from the Morar MacDonalds and his people emigrated from Gaoithe Dail, Arisaig to Cape Breton.

The weather cleared up and the Games proceeded with a large crowd in attendance. Highland dancing, athletics, heavy events and much genealogical socialising between Highland and far-flung cousins were the order of the day. Popular opinion was that, we had a good Games, which were much enhanced by the attendance of our diasporian cousins.

May we extend our thanks to Mr and Mrs David Shaw Stewart for the use of their lawn and their continuing support for the Arisaig Highland Games.

The organisers are indebted to everyone who gave up their own time to set-up and steward the Games.

In next month's West Word, we will write about the many and varied nationalities present at the Games and the significance of this particular gathering.

A&E MacDonaldPhotos courtesy of Arthur Campbell.

Decker Forrest is presented with a clean sweep of piping trophies by Keith Falconer of Adelphi (Sponsors of the Games)

The Dancing Trophy winners. (L-R: Kelsey MacBeth, Hannah Bloomfield, Molly Smith, Emma MacKenzie).

Wallace Dempster won the Cameron-Head Cup for Junior Piping, which was presented by Lt. Col. Ruairidh Allen, Clanranald's Lieutenant from North Carolina

David Hart was presented with the overall Heavy Champion Trophy by Andrew Simpson, Road to the Isles Marketing Group, Sponsors of the Open Heavy competition.

Ross Douglas with his Track & Field trophies.

No account of the Arisaig Games would be complete without a photo of Tommy MacEachen!

Tommy will be 79 next month and has been competing in the Heavy events of the Games since 1953!

Charles Kennedy MP with the Lochaber Ceilidh Trail who played at the GamesTHE 300TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FIRST SEMINARY IN BRITAIN -

EILEAN BAN, LOCH MORAR ON WEDNESDAY, 6TH AUGUST 2014A seminary for the Catholic Church is a place where men (seminarians) live together with both priests and laypeople in a community of faith. During this period the seminarians try to discern God's will for them, and in a spirit of prayer and contemplation examine whether Jesus is calling them to be priests. The seminarians during these formative years, with the help of God and the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, is transformed on his ordination day, by the laying on of hands by his bishop, into an "Other Christ."

Over the ages this formation took different formats but basically, I suppose it was always the same. The celebration of the 300th Anniversary of the first seminary in Britain for us is of the utmost importance. During this celebration in Morar we wanted to commemorate in a joyful atmosphere the Holy Mass and the Priesthood, and the importance to pray for Vocations. Our intention was to celebrate locally a commemoration that is of Diocesan and national importance.

Photos courtesy of Anthony MacMillanThe celebration of this important historical feast was packed with various activities such as:

1. The walk from St. Patrick's Church towards St. Cumin's in Morar -- this reminds us of the times when parishioners had to walk long distances to attend Church.

2. The attending of Mass on Loch Morar from boats is a reminder of times passed when those coming to the church had to come by boats because there were few roads.

3.The Children's Pageant led by a Piper, Allan Henderson, was a remembrance of the young seminarians who lived on the island of Eilean Ban in Loch Morar between 1714 - 1716 and 1732 - 1738. Our altar servers led this Pageant. The boy dressed in red represented Bishop Hugh MacDonald who opened the little seminary on Eilean Ban, Morar. The boys dressed in black represented young seminaries of that time accompanied by their master, George Innes and seminarian Hugh MacDonald, son of Alexander MacDonald, tacksman of Meoble.

4. The opportunity for silent adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in Morar Church & the celebration of the Sacrament of Confession outside the church.

5. The main event was the outdoor Mass, where a stage was set up with seating facilities.

6.The planting of trees on the church grounds to mark the occasion.

7.The reception at Mallaig & Morar Community Centre.

The tree planting was helped by local children.Unfortunately, these activities, due to the rain and the midges had to be tailored down; and as our Diocesan Administrator, Mgr James MacNeil, former parish priest of Morar rightly put it "the important part of this celebration is the Holy Mass." The Mass was celebrated inside the Church.

There were around 300 lay faithful who had come from near and far. The Church was packed. Our former Bishop of the Diocese of Argyll and the Isles, Joseph Toal, who is now Bishop of Motherwell, was the main celebrant. During Mass he used the silver chalice that was used at the seminary. This chalice belonged to Fr. Vincent Morrison who served as priest in the Morar area from 1658.

Fr Joe holds the silver chalice that was used at the seminary.

It belonged to Fr. Vincent Morrison who served as priest in the Morar area from 1658. The Bishop of Aberdeen, Hugh Gilbert, and 16 priests were present. We were honoured by the presence of Canon Angus John MacQueen, from Northbay, Barra. Canon MacQueen was in Morar Mission from 1954 - 1959, and he announced the Gospel in Gaelic. Mgr MacNeil preached during Mass and the diocesan choir under the direction of Fr. Michael Hutson uplifted our hearts to heavenly prayers. The celebration took about 2 hours. It was such a spiritual experience!

Those who attended the Mass included leaders of the different Christian denominations in the area, and our civic representatives.

After the Communion Prayer, Mgr MacNeil read a message sent By His Holiness Pope Francis through Archbishop Antonio Mennini, Apostolic Nuncio.

After Mass. four trees were planted to mark the occasion. . . the children who helped planting these trees will surely remember with joy this celebration.

A history of the seminary has been written by Father Michael J MacDonald, from Ardkenneth and Bornish, who wrote: "The real significance of the little seminary at Eilean Ban is that it was the first seminary to be established anywhere in Great Britain." Eilean Ban was chosen because it enjoyed the protection of the local chief, MacDonald of Morar.

Our parishioners after mass presented us with a buffet at the Mallaig and Morar Community hall. A distinguished guest wrote to me saying: "The reception at Mallaig was delightful and the food was absolutely delicious. All praise to those who provided such a superb spread."

I would like to thank all those who helped in one way or another to mark this celebration in such a dignified and holy way.

Fr. Joe Calleja

Church House

Morar

Mr James (Pimmy) McLean receiving his 10 year service medal in the RNLI

from local RNLI coxswain Michael Ian Currie.

Photo Moe MathiesonNEWS FROM MALLAIG HARBOUR - August 2014Promenade & Slipway

After advertising in the European Journal and receiving expressions of interest from contractors, the Tender Documents for both the Mallaig Shoreside Promenade and the Lovat Slipway projects were issued on Wednesday 23rd July by Harbour Engineers Wallace Stone.

The successful tenderer is expected to be revealed near the end of September with the works due for completion by December 2014.

Both projects - described in last month's West Word - have attracted European Funding via the Highland EFF Axis 4 Programme courtesy of the Fisheries Liaison Action Group.Outer Breakwater Repairs

This giant crane currently occupying a (large) spot of ground close by the Ice Factory has been attracting lots of comments since it's rather sudden appearance last month.Due to the height constraints on the A830 the crane arrived in Mallaig on five separate articulated lorries and was then assembled like a giant meccano set.

The crane will be utilised mid-August when contractors Noel Regan & Sons arrive on site to carry out extensive repairs to the rock armour that is protecting the Outer Breakwater Wall.

Damage to the rock armour occurred on 5th December 2013 when storm force winds battered the Outer Breakwater causing over 300,000 of damage to the rock armour.Lochmor

You may wonder why a photo of the Gullfoss in Iceland should adorn the Mallaig Harbour page but if you look closely you might just discern the lines of the CalMac ferry Lochmor - a ferry that operated on the Mallaig - Small Isles route from 1979 - 2001.When retired by Cal-Mac, the Lochmor was sold to a Campbeltown based firm then went onto the Brixham/Torquay area where she was renamed the Torquay Belle. She then went on to sail under the name Jurassic Scene and then the Poole Scene(Blue Funnel).

So she's now based in Akraness, Iceland - arriving there on 3rd June, and named the Gullfoss.

Robert MacMillan

Port Manager/Secretary

01687 462154 in...@mallaigharbourauthority.comLIFEBOAT LOG

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