An otter, curled up on the carpet at CalMac's Port Askaig ticket office, after it wandered in and made itself at home last weekend.
Photo: Graeme Paterson
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In the current issue
Flooding and otters at Port Askaig, Housing consultation on Islay and Jura, Save our (schools) swimming campaign, Twenty years' service to Islay coastguard, Larysa Switlyk awaits decision on Islay shootings, Race for Life returns toIslay, Honey, hard wok and beekeeping, Bowmore's brilliant backpacks, No discreet e-vehicle chargers for Bowmore (yet)
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Excerpts from issue 47/07 18 January 2020
Sign up to 'Save our Swimming' (SOS) campaign
Following the announcement that Argyll and Bute council is looking to save over £9million and had placed the school swimming services on its list of potential savings; Gary Scott from the Mactaggart Leisure Centre, brings us an update on the campaign established to protect the funding, Gary writes:
Our campaign to save the annual funding from Argyll and Bute Council enabling schools' swimming to take place, has attracted over six hundred names on our petition list to date, with more expected from local shops and parent councils. The target is to reach one thousand by the middle of February, so we still have time!
Anyone who has not yet signed can do so at the leisure centre reception, the dentist surgery or Porter's Butchers, all in Bowmore, along with Bruichladdich Mini Market and Blue Letter Box in Port Ellen.
A big thank you to all the parent councils and everyone else who has helped gather the signatures and to everyone out there for showing your support.
We have many letters of support, soon be sent to all the councillors who will be voting at the full council meeting in late February/March at which the petition will be presented.
Don't let the council stop funding an activity which can save children's lives - sign the petition today!
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Race for Life is returning to Islay!
Race for Life takes place throughout the UK, giving people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities the chance to come together and show cancer who's boss. It's neither a race nor a run, so everyone wins the Race for Life (except cancer).
The Islay 5 kilometre will take place on Saturday 28 March, along the three distilleries path in Port Ellen. Although not an official 'Race for Life', the run is recognised by Cancer Research UK and they are providing support and advice, and most importantly, medals!
The distance of five kilometres is just over three miles, about the distance of the average dog walk or a trip around Braehead, making it the perfect distance for families and those who haven't exercised much recently. There are loads of training plans available too; you can try the NHS nine week plan at www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/couch-to-5k-week-by-week/
It should take about an hour to complete, but there is absolutely no pressure to finish within a certain time. Organiser, Kate Skinner, told the Ileach "Couch to 5k training plans start very gently and really do get you to a position where you can run the whole thing, if you want to."
There are two 'Jog Scotland' groups on Islay, if you would like some extra support and encouragement during your training. Jim Lutomski's group runs from Port Ellen on a Tuesday evening at 5:30 pm and you will find the Bumblers assembling at 9:15am on a Saturday morning at Bridgend woods car park. Kate added "Believe me, we are only too willing to do a spot of walking with new members!"
If you would like to become involved, help with organisation, run or walk the 5k, act as steward, first aider or enter a works team, please look out for the Islay 5k Facebook page, or contact Kate Skinner on 01496 860 296.
Entry and fundraising details will follow soon, so it's time to look for those trainers.
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Switlyk still awaits decision on Islay shootings
The American 'trophy hunter' who sparked outrage by posting pictures of her kills on Islay, is still waiting to hear if she will face criminal charges in court.
TV presenter Larysa Switlyk posed next to a series of animals she had killed on hunting trips. She and a 41-year-old man were reported to prosecutors for alleged firearms offences more than a year ago, after Police Scotland conducted an investigation.
The police probe was launched after several complaints from members of the public about 'wild goat trophy hunting' on Islay in September, 2018. The police sent their file on Miss Switlyk, 34, from Florida, to prosecutors in December, 2018.
The Crown Office said that "The report remains under consideration", and no decision on any court action has been taken. Miss Switlyk was reported under section 11a of the Firearms Act 1968, which refers to the authorised lending and possession of firearms for hunting.
According to the Act, anyone borrowing a rifle or shotgun from another person must be doing so for the purpose of hunting animals, shooting game or vermin, or shooting at artificial targets. They must also be accompanied by the lender or someone holding a relevant firearms certificate and comply with any conditions specified on it.
Miss Switlyk was condemned after posting pictures online of herself smiling next to a dead goat, a stag and a ram that she had killed during hunting trips in the Highlands and on Islay. However, it is legal to hunt the feral goats on Islay and in some other areas, as they are classed as an invasive species.
The images prompted Scottish Government minister Mike Russell to call for goat hunting on Islay to be banned. Mr Russell, MSP for the area, said: "To see people in camouflage with high-powered sniper rifles, rejoicing at the killing of a goat, let alone a ram, is simply unacceptable. The vast majority of people would just not regard this as something that should be happening in their country."
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the law would be reviewed, tweeting: "Totally understandable why the images from Islay of dead animals being held up as trophies are so upsetting and offensive to people."
Miss Switlyk, who presents a show entitled 'Larysa Unleashed', hit back, saying "the ignorant people out there sending me death threats" needed to educate themselves on hunting and conservation.
A Crown Office spokesman said, "The report remains under consideration."
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NEXT ISSUE ON SALE, Saturday 1 February 2020
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Islay Diary 2020
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- Saturday 18 January
- Old New year Ceilidh, Ardnahoe Distillery
- Tuesday 14 January
- Chit Chat Strollers, Swans Pool, PE
- Sunday 19 January
- Country Dancing. ICCI, Bowmore
- Tuesday 21 January
- Chit Chat Strollers, Ballygrant
- Illustrated talk, INHT, Port Charlotte
- Sunday 26 January
- Islay Motor Club AGM, Port Mòr
- Country Dancing. ICCI, Bowmore
- Prayer Service, Round Church
- Tuesday 28 January
- Chit Chat Strollers, Ardbeg
- Friday 31 January
- Fundraising Ceilidh, Ballygrant Hall
- Sunday 2 February
- Country Dancing. ICCI, Bowmore
- Beekeeping Course, INHT
- Sunday 9 February
- Country Dancing. ICCI, Bowmore
- Monday 10 February
- Finlaggan Trust AGM, Service Point
- Thursday 13 February
- Scottish Opera, Bowmore Hall
- Tuesday 25 February
- Gaelic Talk, INHT, Port Charlotte
- Saturday 28 March
- Race for Life, Port Ellen
- Sunday 2 August
- Ride of the Falling Rain
- Thursday 27 August
- Islay Book Festival
- Friday 28 August
- Islay Book Festival
- Saturday 29 August
- Islay Book Festival
- Sunday 30 August
- Islay Book Festival
