Iain Morrison

29Apr08

 

 
Iain Morrison is a singer/songwriter/piper from the Isle of Lewis. He has a soft, intimate singing style that has been likened to Leonard Cohen and Nick Drake. His debut album ‘Empty Beer Bottles & Peatfire Smoke’ was met with acclaim and established Iain as an emerging Scottish talent.
He now follows it up with new album [...]

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Julie Fowlis

29Apr08

 
Mark Radcliffe hailed her voice and songs as “enchanting, beguiling and as fascinating as songs by Kate Bush and Björk” and KT Tunstall described her voice as “formidable and amazingly rhythmic”. The elfin figure they are describing is Julie Fowlis, a talented singer and instrumentalist from North Uist.
She is the BBC Radio 2 Folk Singer [...]

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Suilven

24Apr08

 

 

The Suilven was sold to Caledonian-MacBrayne whilst under construction and entered service between Ullapool and Stornoway in 1974. She remained on this route for over 20 years, being withdrawn in July 1995. She was sold soon afterwards to Strait Shipping of Wellington, New Zealand, for service between Wellington and Nelson, retaining the name (a mountain near Ullapool). [...]

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Siadar Wave Power

24Apr08

 

Waves at Shawbost – Via Bluewave
 
The Siadar Wave Energy Project (SWEP) is an exciting proposal consisting of an “active breakwater” which would harness power from the Atlantic waves in Siadar Bay to generate up to 4 megawatts of electricity. It will be a near shore structure, about 350 metres from the shore.
The SWEP is based [...]

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Tags: Environment, Renewables

No Wind Factory

22Apr08

Arnish Moor, Lewis. Photograph: Murdo Macleod/Guardian
 
The Lewis Windpower scheme has finally been rejected. 
Ministers have concluded that the proposed 181 turbine Lewis Wind Farm would have a serious impact on the Lewis Peatlands Special Protection Area, which is designated under the EC Birds Directive and protected under the EC Habitats Directive.
I sincerely hope that more realistic schemes [...]

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Tags: Economy, Environment, News

Metagama

21Apr08

 
Today is the 85th anniversary of the departure of the SS Metagama from Stornoway on 21st April 1923 with 260 islanders bound for Canada, an event that has become entrenched in local history.
The  sailing of the Canadian Pacific owned Metagama achieved international prominence as it was the first such event broadcast on cinema news reels [...]

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Books At Bedtime

17Apr08

 
Books currently being read at bedtime…
Small-scale Sheep Keeping - Jeremy Hunt
Crofts And Crofting – Katherine Stewart
The Lewis Land Struggle “Na Gaisgich” – Joni Buchanan
Speak To Us Catriona: New Tales and Traditions Of The Lews – Donald S Murray
Cas-Cheum An Leodhas: Footfall In Lewis – Robert M Adam
Go Listen To The Crofters: The Napier Commission & Crofting [...]

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The Crofter

09Apr08

 
The Crofter has been published regularly since 1985.
They welcome articles from anyone with a relevant interest or opinion and their aim is to inform and broaden the debate on land issues, environment and rural development.
The Crofter is posted to all members of the Scottish Crofting Foundation on a quarterly basis and if you enjoy reading the [...]

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Lambing 101: A difficult birth

09Apr08

 
Part four of a general overview of the basics of the lambing experience. I’ll refine this in future as I get a better grip on the whole thing so please excuse any inaccuracies and don’t take any of this as gospel.
 
Most ewes will lamb unaided and about 95% of lambs are born in the normal [...]

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Agri-Gel

08Apr08

500ml Agri-Gel bottles. Tong Barn, April 2008.
 
When you absolutely, positively have to put your hand in there…use Agri-Gel!
A long lasting lubricating gel which will not dry or flake and has a mild chlorexidine antiseptic. Ideal for obstetric use, pregnancy diagnosis, ear tagging and other beautiful moments.

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