Following is a short overview of Islay news published in the Ileach Newspaper and from various other sources.
Islay Hogmanay: Like in other parts of Scotland, Islay had its own traditional hogmanay celebrations and Teresa Morris from Islay Wildscapes was in Port Charlotte to witness the New Year celebrations with a huge fire on the beach while some Dutch visitors sung Dutch songs both in Portnahaven and Persabus.
Port (Askaig) Problems: Caledonian MacBrayne spokesperson Dr. Hugh Dan Maclellan told the Herald the company is: “seriously concerned” by delays at the Port Askaig projects, which are frustrating efforts to improve ferry services to Islay. The project is overdue and most of all more than 100% over budget.
Neil McEachern of Ballymeanach, Portnahaven (1927-2007): Neil McEachern who passed away on Sunday 9th December at the age of eighty was one of the great Rhinns and Islay men of his generation. He was extremely popular, well known and highly respected throughout the island and beyond. The huge congregation at the funeral service in Portnahaven Parish Church on Friday 14th December was testimony to the high regard in which he was held by his family, friends and the whole community.
Loganair Cheap Flights: Loganair has added some additional flights ahead of the usual summer season which would generally start in April. The extra flights between Glasgow and Islay will operate on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays therefore providing three return flights on these days. Flights are available to book now on Ba.com/ads. Fares from £22 including taxes, are available.
Bowmore Distillery: If you like a Bowmore dram, and who doesn't, you can join a competition at the bowmore.co.uk website: "On the 5th of november 1964 the bowmore spirit was filled into five oloroso sherry casks and left to quietly mature in the deep, dark bowmore vaults. After forty two years, the casks have produced only 827 bottles of this extremely rare malt whisky. The result is quite simply stunning, almost ebony in colour, with incredible aromas of exotic fruits, ginger and cinnamon. We now offer you the chance to win one of these exclusive bottles worth £2000."
New Baptist minister: The island’s Baptist congregations were in celebratory mood on December 1 when the Rev George Campbell was inducted to the pastorship of the Baptist churches at Port Ellen and Bowmore. The Rev George, previously the part time Church of Scotland minister on the neighbouring isle of Jura, was inducted into his new charge by the Rev Andrew Rollinson, the Ministry Advisor of the Baptist Union of Scotland.
The Whisky Dream: A BBC TV documentary about Bruichladdich Distillery will transmit on BBC1 Scotland on Tuesday, January 15th at 10pm. It looks at the purchase of the Bruichladdich distillery in 2000 and the success story it’s been, together with the creation of the Port Charlotte spirit and future plans for the Port Charlotte distillery. Independent TV/radio production company Demus Productions followed the distillery team from September 2006 until November 2007. During this time, they found out what makes the company tick, filmed the making of both Bruichladdich and new Port Charlotte spirits, as well as revealing how the December 2000 purchase of the rusting, dormant distillery came good, thanks to the hard graft of Duncan MacGillivray and his team.
Other Islay Blogs: Read what other blogs write about Islay in Armins news roundup nr 17.
Anger about new Islay Ferry: The Holyrood government was last night accused of not doing enough to "encourage" a Scottish firm to bid for a contract to build a new west coast ferry. Opposition Labour MSP George Foulkes said it was a "disgrace" that the vessel, which will be operated by Caledonian MacBrayne and link Islay to the mainland, is being built by Gdansk Stocznia Remontowa SA in Poland for £24.5million. Report by northscotland.co.uk
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