Latest news with #ComhairlenanEileanSiar
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Officials take drastic action to wipe out fast-spreading species threatening key region: 'Total removal is feasible'
An initiative to remove the invasive American mink from Scotland's Outer Hebrides is giving native birds a better chance to thrive, NatureScot reported. The newly funded effort, called Saving Nature Outer Hebrides, has secured £94,000 from the Scottish government's Nature Restoration Fund to create a plan for complete mink removal. This work builds on the successful Hebridean Mink Project, which has lowered mink numbers since it began in 2001. When American mink got loose from fur farms set up in the 1950s, they started appearing throughout the island chain. These nonnative hunters often kill more prey than they need, harming ground-nesting bird populations in a region internationally known for its wildlife. The area includes five Special Protection Areas covering about 150 square kilometers. Since trapping began, tern colonies throughout the area have grown beyond expectations. Various birds, including water birds, shore birds, and waterfowl, have increased in population, creating richer biodiversity and more opportunities for wildlife tourism. Fewer mink means young salmon and sea trout face less danger, keeping waterways healthier. Local farmers can raise chickens and ducks with less worry, and fish farms experience less damage to their stocks. "Thanks to the prolonged efforts of the Hebridean Mink Project, the mink population in the Outer Hebrides has been reduced to extremely low levels with significant positive consequences for ground nesting birds," said David Maclennan, NatureScot's head of operations for West Scotland. If you want to make a difference in your area and create habitat friendly to native birds and other animals, try installing native plants. Native vegetation provides food and shelter for local wildlife and requires less watering and maintenance than exotic species. By replacing even a portion of your yard with native wildflowers, grasses, or shrubs, you help create corridors that allow birds and pollinators to thrive in urban and suburban landscapes. Despite bringing mink numbers down dramatically — from being common to just seven animals caught in Lewis and Harris in 2016 — total elimination remains challenging. The new project unites NatureScot, the local government of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, and community land groups to finish the task. "We believe that while it will be challenging, total removal is feasible and in the long term offers both the most effective protection for our native wildlife and the most cost-effective solution to the problem," Maclennan added. Kevin Adams of Community Land Outer Hebrides expressed his organization's support: "We are delighted to be partnering on this vital programme. The protection of our unique landscape in the Outer Hebrides is one of the top priorities for our members." Should we be actively working to kill invasive species? Absolutely It depends on the species I don't know No — leave nature alone Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
The National
26-05-2025
- Business
- The National
The Scottish councils using Elon Musk's Starlink across 30+ sites in 2025
Elon Musk – the world's richest man – who has drawn criticism from a number of figures in Scotland over his political stances in recent years, uses his company SpaceX to operate a series of low-earth orbit satellites. The company has about 5000 satellites in space around the globe and the technology is being used by several councils in Scotland to connect rural sites and isolated areas to better internet service. In 2024, connections through Musk's Starlink reached 87,000 – mostly in rural areas – more than double the 42,000 connections in 2023. In Scotland, trains to Inverness, Thurso and Wick already have WiFi provided by Starlink, with SpaceX monitoring the trains' performance, safety systems, and live CCTV. READ MORE: Scottish island ferries hook up to Elon Musk's Starlink satellites If successful, the pilot – backed by the Scottish Government, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the Scottish Futures Trust – could be rolled out along other rural rail routes across Scotland. Starlink claims it outpaces its rivals when it comes to download speeds, upload speeds, and latency. So, we asked every council in Scotland if it used Starlink, why, for how long, and how much it costs. Here's what they said. Argyll and Bute Several schools and council sites across Argyll and Bute have installed Starlink, with the cost for hardware, installation, start-up costs, and ongoing service payments all provided by the council. A test installation at the GWITC site was completed on January 4, 2024, with deactivation on 31 January 2025. Starlink received £744 for hardware (including fixings), £280 for installation, £1024 in total start-up costs, and £150 per month ongoing costs, with £1785 total paid to date, Installed on February 6, 2025, Gigha Primary School (below) is connected via Starlink. The breakdown includes £801 for hardware, £1377 for installation, £2178 total start-up, and £150 monthly service cost, with £65 paid so far. Kilmory HQ received Starlink installation on 29 July 2024, aimed at testing performance and reliability for broader council use. Starlink received £849 for hardware, £1045 for installation, £1894 total start-up, and £150 monthly cost, with £1,000 paid to date. Easdale Primary is the second school with Starlink in Argyll and Bute. Costs included £654 for hardware, £925 for installation, £1579 total start-up, and £150 monthly charge, with £1055 paid to date. Comhairle nan Eilean Siar The Western Isles Council uses Starlink in one primary school and a museum store. The primary school started using the technology in May 2023, and the museum store received Starlink in February 2025. In both cases they were £460 initial purchase cost, with £75 per month thereafter. READ MORE: Anas Sarwar's top aide accused of 'disadvantaging' left-wing candidates All council were asked for any internal reports or assessments on the effectiveness of Starlink in council operations, and most held no information of this sort. However, a Comhairle nan Eilean Siar spokesperson said: 'Nothing official just verbal discussion that they are working fantastically'. Falkirk Falkirk Council has used Starlink the most out of any Scottish local authority, deploying it to 11 times since 2022. It is unclear which of the below are still live with no deactivation dates supplied by the council. The authority's bereavement services office installed the technology in December 2022, with the initial equipment purchase costing £495 with a monthly charge of £80. READ MORE: I'm an activist targeting Tesla – here's why I want to take down Elon Musk In the same month a care home also received Starlink costing £460 with a monthly charge of £80. Two sports and culture sites and a children's services location all also had Starlink installed for the same price and monthly charge. The council's headquarters also installed Starlink 'for business continuity,' costing £612.80 at a monthly charge of £80. In 2023 between January and July, a social work office, work and housing advice hub, 'travellers' site, files storage facility and a care home all had Starlink installed for £612.80 each, with each site costing a monthly charge of £80. Fife Fife Council does not use Starlink as of May 2025, but did previously test the technology after it was 'only suggested and looked at as a backup network solution to supplement the wired network where mobile coverage was poor'. A council spokesperson said: 'There are no further plans at this moment in time to pursue the Starlink option.' The cost associated with its use, including procurement and ongoing expenses, was £913.55. Highland Scotland's largest local authority has installed Starlink in five instances, with the latest project going live in February and another awaiting evaluation. At a children's home in the Loch Ness area, the council installed Starlink in November 2023 due to 'no landline broadband available in this area'. The installation cost £3000, with an ongoing monthly charge of £150. A corporate HQ mobile unit was set up in December 2023 to provide 'fast setup needed for emergencies or temporary events'. The council said mobile coverage may not be available in areas of emergency. An estimated £1000 was spent on the installation, with a monthly service fee of £96. Two primary schools in the Highlands are using Starlink, one in Tain and another in Lairg. A SpaceX Falcon 9 carries Starlink satellites (Image: Joe Skipper, REUTERS) The Lairg location had Starlink installed in November 2024, due to an 'emergency replacement for failed microwave link'. The council also cited 'no landline broadband services available yet in this area'. The primary school in Tain is for 'additional bandwidth needed for pupil use'. The council said the capital costs of a fixed line was 'unaffordable due to imminent relocation of [the] school'. Highland Council also revealed a mobile site office which is yet to be deployed has been installed with Starlin. The unit will be used for 'rapid deployment to works sites (e.g. road projects) where other services may be too slow to deploy or unavailable'. The costs for the unit so far amount to £300. A Highland Council spokesperson said: 'All the services on the attached spreadsheet have been ordered directly from Starlink. We are considering a managed service in future as the number of installations is likely to increase and managing the directly ordered services presents some challenges. 'In addition, BT are considering deploying Starlink as part of our managed WAN contract, though in this case it would be BT making the choice of technology, not the council.' Renfrewshire The Clyde Muirshiel Visitor Centre within Renfrewshire Council uses Starlink. The local authority began using the technology in March 2025 to provide 'primary internet access for council devices and a limited public access wireless network'. The council said Starlink was the only connection that met the connectivity requirements of the service and at a reasonable cost. Installation cost £1087.74, with recurring costs at £1578.65 per year. Scottish Borders The Scottish Borders council said it was 'unable to release this information into the public domain' under Section 35 (1) (a) which exempts information if its disclosure is likely to prejudice the prevention or detection of crime. A spokesperson from the council's IT department said: Considerations in favour of the releasing the information included consideration of public interest in transparency and accountability and disclosure of information about Scottish Borders Council procedures and commercial outsourcing contracts. READ MORE: World's first 'soft robots' developed by Scottish university 'However, release of this information would make Scottish Borders Council more vulnerable to crime; namely, a malicious attack on Scottish Borders Council computer systems. 'As such release of this information would be seen to prejudice the prevention or detection of crime, by making Scottish Borders Council computer systems more vulnerable to hacking, therefore facilitating the possibility of a criminal offence being carried out.' Shetland Islands Shetland Islands Council uses Starlink for 'site connectivity/disaster recovery' and on the MV Leirna. The council started using the technology for 'site connectivity/disaster recovery' in November 2022, and on the MV Leirna in May 2024. The council uses Starlink to test various scenarios in the event of primary connection issues, and this cost £2485 for the initial equipment purchase, and is £150 per month when in use. Th cost of the MV Lerina Starlink procurement and ongoing expenses to 'improve ferry connectivity,' according to the council, was £2668.60 for the initial equipment purchase, and is £808 per month. Stirling Stirling would 'neither confirm nor deny' whether the information on Starlink is held, citing security concerns. A spokesperson said: 'While The Council remain committed to transparency and supporting public access to information where appropriate, we must also carefully assess and mitigate the risks associated with disclosing certain details, particularly where such disclosures may pose a threat to the organisation's security and operations. 'Sharing information regarding the council's infrastructure presents a significant cybersecurity risk. This could inadvertently expose potential vulnerabilities within our infrastructure, thereby increasing the likelihood of targeted cyberattacks, including ransomware, unauthorised access, or data breaches." READ MORE: How Tesla sales fell in Europe after Elon Musk's salute They added: 'Moreover, disclosing information of this nature may compromise the confidentiality and integrity of our IT environment and reveal operational practices intended to remain secure as part of our wider organisational resilience strategy. From a governance standpoint, releasing this information could hinder the council's ability to protect both individual data and broader corporate systems. 'In this case, we consider that the public interest lies in withholding this information as disclosing this, presents a security risk to the organisation and therefore the members of the public who we provide services for.' Councils in Scotland which do not use Starlink technology (as of May 2025):
STV News
22-05-2025
- Business
- STV News
Plans to turn former Jehovah's Witness meeting hall into juice bar lodged
Plans to convert a former Jehovah's Witness meeting hall to a juice bar and cafe in Stornoway are among recent planning applications made to Comhairle nan Eilean Siar. The application would change the use of the former Jehovah's Witnesses meeting hall at 30 Church Street into a juice bar and cafe. The proposal would see the upper floor space of the former meeting hall being converted to designs by DBM Design and Engineering for the applicant, Joanna Morrison. Details of the proposals can be found on Comhairle nan Eilean Siar's online planning portal, with a deadline for comments on Monday June 2. Meanwhile plans for a new house to be built at 3a Horgabost, Isle of Harris, have been submitted to the Comhairle by local resident, Johnathon MacKay. The project proposed is a single storey, four-bedroomed family home with a domestic garage in the village, located to the east of the village, and documents submitted with the application state the proposed site is within croft land currently owned (tenant) by a relative of the applicant on the opposite side of the road from the original croft house, and situated approximately 70m off the village road. Designs for the house, by MacIver Consultancy Services, detail that the development is located in a National Scenic Area and state that 'the position of the site has been carefully chosen in order to be low-lying in the topography of the area to reduce its visual impact.' Details of the proposals can be found on Comhairle nan Eilean Siar's online planning portal. An application for planning permission in principle has been submitted to the Comhairle for the erection of a dwelling house at 17c Valtos, Uig, Isle of Lewis, on croft land at 16-17 Valtos, by Malcolm MacDonald of Valtos. Design drawings, by Total Design (Lighthill) Ltd, submitted with the application outline that the proposed house would have an 'indicative footprint' of 12ms x 8ms. An application to change the use of a storage shed and 'ancillary residential cabin' to form two units of holiday accommodation at Cuithir House, Grean, Isle of Barra, has been submitted to the Comhairle by Phillip Harvey of Barradise Ltd. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Scotsman
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Scotsman
Readers Letters: Addressing the historic injustices of land ownership in Scotland
As a councillor who represents Stornoway North in Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, I write to express my support for the principles underpinning the Land Reform Bill currently under consideration, while urging further ambition to address the historic injustices of land ownership in Scotland. The bill represents a vital opportunity to reshape our relationship with the land, ensuring it serves the common good and fosters thriving communities across our nation. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... For too long, Scotland's land has been concentrated in the hands of a few, a legacy of feudal structures that have denied communities their rightful stake in the resources that sustain them. The bill's aim to diversify ownership and empower local people is a step toward justice, but it must go further to dismantle the entrenched inequalities that persist. Land is not merely a commodity; it is the foundation of our collective existence, entrusted to us to steward for the benefit of all, not to be hoarded for private gain. I advocate for measures that prioritise community-led ownership models, ensuring that the fruits of the land—whether agricultural, environmental, or cultural—are shared equitably among those who live and work upon it. The bill must also strengthen accountability. Large estates, often held by absentee landlords, have too often neglected the needs of local people, prioritising profit over prosperity. Robust mechanisms are needed to ensure landowners act as responsible custodians, investing in the social and ecological health of their communities. This includes supporting sustainable practices that preserve the land for future generations, reflecting a moral duty to care for what we have been given. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad In the Outer Hebrides, we see the transformative potential of community ownership, where land is managed collectively to support housing, enterprise, and cultural heritage. The bill should expand such models nationwide, empowering communities to shape their own futures. This requires not only legislative support but also adequate funding and resources to level the playing field, particularly for rural and island communities facing unique challenges. I urge the Parliament to view this bill as a chance to build a Scotland where land serves as a shared inheritance, fostering unity and opportunity for all its people. Let us commit to a vision where every community has a voice in the land that defines it, and where the wealth of our natural heritage is harnessed for the collective good. Councillor Gordon Murray, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar Bigger Loch issues Having spent one of the sunniest and warmest week of the year at the Duck Bay Area of Loch Lomond I am surprised at the various parties who represent the interests of Loch Lomond complaining about the pollution, noise etc which will be allegedly coming from the proposed Flamingo Park. Despite the fact this particular Saturday is glorious I have been driven indoors by the horrendous noise and smell of spilled fuel and exhaust fumes from totally irresponsible jet skiers doing what best could be described as 'doughnuts' within about 50 metres from the Duck Bay Marina area. If these guys (yes all male) were in cars they would be given Asbo's by the police. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad So far this week I have seen canoeist and paddle boarders almost getting knocked of their boards and the canoe overturned by the near misses and two swans almost beheaded by these jet skiers going far to close to people and birds. As I write this, a Park Authority Patrol boat has arrived on site but after 15 minutes left so now the noise has once more returned, along with a strong smell of recreational drugs coming over the wall between where the jet skiers hang about and the Duck Bay Marina hotel I seriously suggest the Park Authorities et all get other local issues which have been increasing considerably over recent years in order before they start complaining about a venture which may or may not be detrimental to the area. For anyone wishing a quiet week at the side of Loch Lomond around the Duck Bay Marina area in the summertime forget it. The noise from the jet skies is horrendous and the strong smell of petrol fumes is nauseating. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad This antisocial behaviour would not be tolerated on the road if the guys were driving cars, yet all the appropriate authorities responsible for the running of Loch Lomond Park tolerate it. The same applies to local hotels who charge up £2,000 for a few days stay in a room with a loch view yet seem to use very little of their influence to stop these skiers camping quite literally at their back door. William Barrie Horsburgh, Stonehaven Low esteem The Scottish Government has approved the Loch Lomond mega resort scheme, in spite of massive local opposition, and this does not seem to be a 'one off', with many examples of Holyrood approving housing plans after local council rejection. This shows how little the SNP esteems local democracy, and is after many years of cuts to local government! William Ballantine, Bo'ness, West Lothian Teach the teacher The Labour's Children's Wellbeing and Schools bill being discussed at present will require new teachers to have earned 'Qualified Teacher Status' or be working to obtain it. It would seem obvious that a teacher had to be a teacher in fact, not just in name. Covid demonstrated that every parent could be a teacher to their own children until they actually tried to do it and found that on Friday afternoons some student's enthusiasm waned and in reality many waned by Monday afternoon. Appropriate Qualifications are needed not just advisable. I don't want my car serviced by someone is only a librarian, nor ask for reading advice from a mechanic. I want people who knows what they are doing after having studied and developed experience in their specially. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad In hindsight however, I have to admit that much of my own four year teaching degree was a waste of time and practical experience was the best way to develop my classroom skills. Dennis Fitzgerald, Melbourne, Australia Write to The Scotsman
STV News
01-05-2025
- Business
- STV News
Council to work with island distillery after 'regrettable' job cuts
A council has said it will work with a whisky distillery in the Outer Hebrides after it announced job cuts as part of a restructuring programme. The Isle of Harris Distillery announced on Tuesday that restructuring was needed to 'safeguard the future' of the business. Best known for being the maker of the Isle of Harris Gin, the distillery was established a decade ago with just ten employees. Now employing 50 people, the company will commence with a round of voluntary and potentially compulsory redundancies. Comhairle nan Eilean Siar has said it will engage with the distillery in an effort to raise any solutions to retain employees following the announcement. In a statement, the distillery's managing director Simon Erlanger said challenging headwinds in the spirits industry had led to 'incredibly difficult decisions'. He said: 'In a move to safeguard the future of our business, today we are introducing a restructuring programme which will see reduced production and workforce at the distillery. 'Much like our colleagues in the wider spirits industry, we are facing challenging headwinds which have led to some incredibly difficult decisions. 'Following a number of cost-cutting measures, voluntary redundancy is being offered to staff in the first instance, with compulsory to follow thereafter if we do not fulfil our cost reduction target. It is deeply regrettable we find ourselves in this situation and would like to take the opportunity to thank our entire team, particularly those affected by the changes, for their dedication and contribution to the business. 'To date, Isle of Harris Distillery represents a £20m+ investment in the island economy. We remain true to our founding purpose as a sustainable, multi-generational firm built to support the community for many years to come. The regrettable measures now being taken are necessary to help fulfil that long term vision.' The news comes after The Scottish Whisky Association warned that tariffs imposed by the US – its most important overseas market – would be a 'huge blow' to the spirits industry. Comhairle nan Eilean Siar described The Isle of Harris Distillery as a 'world-renowned brand' and said they will reach out to the UK and Scottish Governments in an effort to gain an understanding into any external factors affecting the restructuring. Cllr Paul Steele, leader of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar said: 'Our primary concern following this announcement is the wellbeing of the employees impacted by this decision and their families. 'It is incredibly disappointing that one of the islands most recognisable brands has made the clearly difficult decision to make staff redundant. The Comhairle will engage with the distillery to discuss this matter and support any solutions to retain employees and strengthen the business. 'It is important that we gain an understanding of external factors that may have contributed to this situation. The Comhairle will make representation to UK and Scottish Government on these factors where appropriate.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
