Isle of Tiree Diary

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-23T12:50:00.001Z

To all my friends, both near and far, in this country and all over the world, have yourself a Merry Little Christmas. God bless us, every one.

Isles fuel price cut from March

2011-11-26T01:55:00.001Z

A motor fuel duty discount for remote island communities will start from March 2012, the UK government has confirmed.
< http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-15888714 >

Video case study: Tiree wind turbine

2011-11-25T10:33:00.000Z

Old Injuries, New Challenges

2011-11-04T16:34:00.000Z

It's been a frustrating year, exercise-wise. Back in March - at least I think it was March - I did something to my left thigh. It's as vague as that. Not a constant pain, you understand. Just that every now and again when, for instance, I push in the car's clutch or force my foot into a boot there's this sharp pain in the upper-outer region of my left thigh that pulls me up.

Oddly enough it doesn't hurt when I run on a treadmill, or even go for a long walk. I've been wary about road-running. I don't think I could take the repeated impact on a hard surface, over and over again.

I also had to major disappointments this year. I entered the Crinan 8 miler and came last (terrible shin splints being the culprit on that occassion) and nearly passed out with exhaustion during the Mull Cyclosportive. (The latter was a particular disappointment as I spent as much time pushing the bike up hills as I did cycling.)

The newly-lauched Team Tiree have seen nothing of me for a couple of months now. I just couldn't face training with my injury.

Of course, I should have gone to the Doctor. I haven't and when I eventually do give in and go he'll probably give me hell.

The thigh has been feeling a little better these past couple of weeks, though. The pain can still suddenly surprise me but I've been doing a bit more stretching and gentle exercise and I'm hopeful about 2012 being a better year.

I've also lost a bit of weight. I've been carefully monitoring what calories go into my body in the form of food and what calories I lose in the form of exercise. The result is that since mid-September I've lost 11lbs.

There are a few big events coming up for me in the next year or so - or so I hope. At the moment I can only talk about one of them - the TGO Challenge. This involves walking clear across Scotland, from the West cost to the East.

The event takes place in May and involves hill walking, Munro-bagging, navigating from point to point and, I'm sure, meeting a lot of wonderful new friends. Trouble is, you have to apply for a place and I won't know if the organisers think I'm up to it for another couple of weeks. Keep your fingers crossed for me!

As for 2013, you'll have to wait a while longer to hear about that.

In between, Jo and I are planning a visit to the USA to celebrate 30 years of marriage and to drop in on a few friends. At the moment we can't decide whether to drive across the entire continent or merely hang about one particular area. Needless to say we're really looking forward to it.

So - time for me to stop whining and zip up my man suit. Life is short but it should be long enough.

Tiree Array: From last week's Oban Times

2011-10-31T18:58:00.001Z

Public urged to take part in Tiree consultation

ON OCTOBER 21ST,2011

Members of the public are being encouraged to make their voices heard as part of the Tiree Onshore Scenario Mapping study,which is considering the potential onshore implications of the proposed offshore wind farm off Tiree.

The community consultation process has already seen two drop-in events on the island.

The project steering group is now keen to hear from anyone who was not able to attend the second of those,where an interim assessment of the potential scenarios was presented,but who would nevertheless like their views taken into account.

Councillor Neil Mackay,Argyll and Bute's spokesperson for enterprise,energy,culture and tourism said:"It is very important that people understand that they can still have their say on these interim assessment findings,whether or not they were at the last drop in session.

"The exhibition boards presented at that event,along with the response forms,are available online and I would encourage people to have a look at them and submit any comments they may have."

The documents can be found atwww.argyll-bute.gov.uk/planning-and-environment/tiree-shore-scenario-mapping orwww.tireetrust.org.uk/. All written responses should be submitted by Friday,November 4 2011.

The study is being managed by a steering group chaired by Argyll and Bute Council,which also includes the Scottish Government,Highlands and Islands Enterprise,Tiree Community Development Trust,The Crown Estate,Scottish Power Renewables, Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited,Scottish Natural Heritage and the NHS.

From today's Press and Journal: Windfarm Deals Awarded

2011-10-28T17:02:00.001+01:00

Iain does us proud at the Mod

2011-10-20T20:23:00.001+01:00

Tiree Success at the Royal National Mod

2011-10-18T07:57:00.000+01:00

Many congratulations to Iain Smith and Eilidh MacFadyen of Tiree High School on their 1st and 2nd places in the category below for accordion at this years Royal National Mod in Stornoway.

Comp No:	C178
Comp Title:	Accordion Open U19
Description:	Smith Mearns Trophy
Comp Date:	Saturday, October 15 2011

1st:	Iain Smith - Àrd-sgoil Thiriodh The Smith Mearns Trophy Gold Badge
2nd:	Eilidh NicPhaidein - Àrd-sgoil Thiriodh Silver Badge
3rd:	Pàdruig J P Moireasdan - Sgoil Lionacleit Bronze Badge

Profit Reconquers Wave Classic

2011-10-16T19:33:00.001+01:00

From 'Surfer Today':

Ben Proffitt has defended his title after winning the 2011 Tiree Wave Classic, held on the Hebridean Isle of Tiree, in Scotland. The thrilling final day of action capped a memorable week of windsurfing for the 25th anniversary of the prestigious event.

Proffit, 33, had to beat three-time winner John Skye twice to secure the consecutive title. "It feels good, it feels really good," said Ben, who's from Shropshire.

"I was a bit gutted when I lost the lead on Monday but to come back in the triple - and to win it – feels better than if I'd have been leading all the way," he said.

"To win back to back is special. I didn't really think about until I was talking to a couple of people from the camera crew, and I wasn't really expecting it because it was a really strong field this year, but I'm really happy about it," said Ben.

Proffit is on top of the standings for the British Wavesailing Association (BWA) Wave Tour title, with one contest – in Cornwall – to come.

"Obviously Tiree is the one event you really want to win," said Ben. "But the best to win is the overall title. Now I'd be quite happy if we had no wind in Cornwall! Or if there's wind and I win there too, that'd be even better!".

Aleksy Gayda, the 17-year-old from Canvey Island, won the Amateur contest, Mark Lloyd took the Masters while Debbie Kennedy won the Ladies division.

Results of the 2011 Tiree Wave Classic:

Pro:

1st Ben Proffitt
2nd John Skye
3rd Phil Horrocks

Amateurs:

1st Aleksy Gayda
2nd Lewis Merrony
3rd Scotty McDowell

Masters:

1st Mark Lloyd
2nd Davey Edmiston
3rd Keith Shorrocks

Ladies:

1st Debbie Kennedy
2nd Sophia Joy Gilje
3rd Kariina Perhonen

Youth:

1st Tom Bennett-Lloyd
2nd Torin Prescott
3rd David Taylor

More amateurs join Tiree Classic

2011-10-09T15:28:00.001+01:00

A record-breaking number of amateur windsurfers take part in the 25th Tiree Wave Classic competition. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-15213887

Tiree hosts 25th windsurf classic

2011-10-08T19:40:00.001+01:00

The prestigious Tiree Wave Classic windsurfing contest celebrates its 25th anniversary this weekend.
< http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-15213887 >

STEVE JOBS

2011-10-06T09:37:00.003+01:00

It's sad to wake up to the news of the death of this great visionary. All of us who have some kind of a web presence - even those of us who almost exclusively use Microsoft products - owe him a great debt.

This is a link to an extended audio special only just released from This Week In Tech. If you have problems getting it to work try going HERE.

Jo In Ullapool

2011-10-05T19:14:00.000+01:00

Here's a great picture of my mate Joe Kavanagh giving it 'laldy' at the recent Mull Cyclosportive.

GREAT NEWS FOR THE TIREE LUNCH CLUB

2011-10-03T09:18:00.002+01:00

The Tiree Lunch Club, formerly known as the Tiree Resource Centre, has received substantial funding from the Big Lottery Fund to finance a mini-bus and Outreach Worker. The read more from the online edition of An Tirisdeach, CLICK HERE.

MULL THEATRE VISIT NEXT WEEK

2011-09-29T09:51:00.002+01:00

“Singing Far into the Night”
AN TALLA Wednesday 5th October at 7.30pm

A new play by Hamish MacDonald. Starting at a time of civil unrest – and the Mutiny at Invergordon – in 1931, and spanning three decades, this is the story of three ordinary people caught up in world-changing events. A profound and moving play about love, honour, courage and loss…based on real lives and real events in Scotland and Russia.
Suitable for youngsters aged 12 and over.
Tickets £9 and £7 on door.

Wave Classic 2011

2011-09-28T09:41:00.002+01:00

The website for the 2011 staging of the Tiree Wave Classic is up and running. 2011 will mark the 25th anniversary of the event. For more, click here.

Hartwood Hospital 2011

2011-09-27T08:25:00.000+01:00

I found this sad and fascinating wee film yesterday on YouTube. I started training to become a psychiatric nurse at Law and Hartwood Hospitals (in Lanarkshire) in the early 1980s. It was a vast institution. I think there were something like 1300 beds when I started working there. Times have changed and they've changed for the better.

I didn't have a long career in psychiatric nurse as such, leaving the field in the late 1980s to pursue a career in social work.

So, this is Hartwood Hospital as it looks today. Odd to think of myself as walking up and down these corridors, working in these wards, when all you can see now is desolation and ruin.

Grampaw's Finished

2011-09-26T11:04:00.001+01:00

I wish I could take some credit for this. Jo did it over about two days. It seems a shame to take it to bits so I'm trying to figure a way to stick it to a board or something. It would look great hanging up in the Man Shed!

Grampaw Broon Update

2011-09-25T11:51:00.001+01:00

This is all Jo's work. I just stare at the pieces. So far my contribution is two pieces.

Granpaw Broon's Gairdenin Shed

2011-09-24T13:23:00.000+01:00

Saturday afternoon entertainment in the Scott household. It's come to this.

Joe In Ullapool

2011-09-24T09:33:00.001+01:00

How nice it is to wake up and go out for a walk with Hector without being clad in waterproofs from head to toe. In fact, the sun is actually SHINING - okay, it's still a bit breezy but hey, you can't have everything.

I hope the weather in Ullapool is similarly favourable up in Ullapool where my good friend, Joe Kavanagh, is riding in the Ullapool Cyclosportive today.

Joe really is an inspiration. He's something like five years older than me but by grit and determination and a real commitment to training he's become a splendid long distance cyclist.

I was with Joe when we both took part in the Mull cyclosportive. I was undertrained and not really psychologically prepared for that one and Joe finished the 45 mile course something like an hour in front of me.

Today's extravaganza sees Joe (in his Team Tiree kit, no doubt) tackling a difficult 63 (I think) mile course which I could only dream about tackling at this point in time.

I've been away from the rest of the lads in the team due to a thigh/hip injury. I'm not sure if it's muscular or a stress injury. Every time I resolve to go see the Doctor I find some excuse and don't attend. What an idiot.
The good news is that I'm losing a bit of weight during my lay-off. I discovered a great motivational website at www.loseit.com.

You input your weight and your goal and get a recommended daily calorie intake. But what's really clever about the site is that you also get to input calories you've used through exercise. So, if you do a little treadmill run the calories you've used up are deducted from the calories you've taken in in the form of food.

It sounds like a simple idea and of course nothing can substitute for will-power. But here's a fact: in the first week of using this site to monitor my calorie input/output I lost 6lbs!

I'm hoping that by the time I get back into serious training with Team Tiree the weight I've lost will have an impact on my performance.

The fact that I'm 56 in December has no bearing on training or aspiration to be physically fit. You have to be sensible of course but the idea of sedentary life-style fills me with dread.

Just look at what Joe's doing!

So, best of luck Joe! I'm rooting for you and looking forward to popping down next week to get a bit of a debrief and learn how you got on.

Hector and Connie

2011-09-23T10:21:00.001+01:00

Once More Into The Breach

2011-09-23T10:09:00.001+01:00

Greetings from a wild, wet and windy Isle of Tiree. For those of you who have enjoyed coming here in the past I apologise: the only excuse I can offer is that I was just a wee bit fed up writing blogs, articles, websites, etc. As they say, a change is as good as a rest and I decided a rest from being online so much would be a relief.

Back in 1999, when I started my first website about Tiree, there was very little in the way of information about Tiree on the web. Those were different times. Type 'Isle of Tiree' into Google and you might find yourself overwhelmed by the amount of information that is only a click away.

An indication of just how far we've come is the fact that I'm typing this on my iPhone using a Bluetooth-connected keyboard. I didn't even dream of such things back in 1999.

This blog was never intended to be a news portal. As the name suggests, it's just a place for personal reflections and anything else that comes to mind that I feel like sharing.

Like a lot of other people I've been sucked into the social networking scene. If you were wondering where I was you only had to look me up on the Facebook to know that rumours of my demise had been greatly exaggerated.

Winter is approaching and that seems like a suitable time to hook back up with the blog.

Starting tomorrow there will be regular updates and features.

Sent from my iPhone

ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY ... WELL, ALMOST

2011-04-07T08:39:00.001+01:00

Today, April 6, 2011, is/was Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada's 125th Birthday (see links below), and the connection with Tiree is that the first mayor of Vancouver, Malcolm Alexander MacLean, was born on Tiree in 1842. He was mayor from 1886-1887.

Malcolm Alexander MacLean * 1886-87 b. Aug. 14, 1842, Tiree, Scotland; arr. Vancouver 1885; d. Apr. 4, 1895, Vancouver. Though the man who was to be first mayor of Vancouver had only recently moved from Winnipeg and had to be persuaded to run, he grew into his role and established the office of mayor with a combination of pioneer spirit and distinction. MacLean, a realtor, was practically unknown to voters in Vancouver's first election, but he presented himself well, had travelled widely and was not Richard H. Alexander, MacLean's only opponent. Alexander was the unpopular manager of the Hastings Sawmill, the biggest employer in Granville. The city's first election was as honest as could be expected for the time, which is to say, not very. There was chicanery on both sides. MacLean won by 17 votes and "people were so elated that they took him in a buggy and hauled him all over what there was of the little town." Less than a month later the Great Fire of June 13, 1886 destroyed most of Vancouver. Mayor MacLean lost all his possessions, but plunged into organizing relief efforts and distributing rations sent from New Westminster. It became obvious he was willing and able to guide the citizens through the crisis. After the initial shock of the fire, MacLean called council together in a tent at the northeast corner of Carrall and Water Streets, and resumed the direction of civic affairs "without five cents in the bank, without an assessment roll and without even a chair to sit upon." Challenges to his mayoralty were dropped and he went on to win the next election fair and square. Just one year after the Great Fire, MacLean greeted the first train and the first steamship into Vancouver on behalf of its proud citizens.

Special thanks to Scott Cameron, Guelph, Ontario, for the information.

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HEADING FOR A HIT

2011-04-01T17:39:00.001+01:00

We now know that the car is going to be very expensive to repair. Something called a flywheel has to be replaced as well as the clutch. The flywheel (I think that's what it's called, anyway) is a very expensive part on it's own, so Craig at the garage tells me. Between the parts and the labour we're facing an enormous bill. And I'm not exaggerating. But what can I do? I just can't abandon the damn thing. Oh, the joys of motoring. So, there's nothing for it but to take the hit and keep smiling.

We've now been without a car for well over a week and it's starting to become a bit of a drag not having one about. My cover doesn't include the supply of a car while mine is in the garage, unfortunately, and I can't afford to hire one, especially when I don't know how long I will need it. It's true what they say, it never rains but it pours.

Which brings me on to the weather. I hate days like this, where the sky is overcast all day, the wind won't stop blowing and the rain seems to have been falling for ever. It affects the mood, there's no doubt about it. Hector can't understand why we're not out and about, keeping to our daily routine of a minimum three miles a day. He looks at me sadly and that also makes me feel guilty. You can't win!

Maybe a wee run will help. A wee 'something' would definitely help I'd only start to feel guilty about the calories. But I'm not ruling it out either. Roll on tomorrow when the weather is forecast to improve greatly.

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MOTIVATION

2011-03-31T11:49:00.000+01:00

You only ever grow as a human being if you're outside your comfort zone. Percy Cerutty

11:15 am ... The wind is blowing, the rain is pouring down and somehow I've got to get out to the shed to do today's workout, probably another hour on the treadmill. I've lost another pound as of this morning's weigh-in so some thing's working. But as everyone knows, it's difficult to judge weight loss when you're exercising. The more you do, the more muscle you put on (in my case, in my legs) and the more muscle you put on, the more weight you put on. Much better, perhaps, to get into the habit of measuring my BMI (body mass index) as a more accurate indicator of fat loss.

Still no car. I know, I'm sounding like a broken record. Hector misses his runs on the beach so I walked him over to Balephetrish and let him have a wee tear about. To my surprise we ended up walking a total of 4.8 miles, and that was on top of the 4.7 I'd run on the treadmill in the morning. So all in all, that was a good day's work out.

Something I really regret is not getting the shed properly waterproofed from the inside. It would have cost me and extra £400 and at the time I thought it was an unnecessary expense. As it turns out, though, when the wind and rain blow out of the north or the north east the rain gets blown under the door and the floor gets flooded. At times like that it is, perhaps, unwise to turn on the electric treadmill and do a workout. Today I should be okay, however, as the wind seems to be coming from the south.

Time to get on with it.

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1500 CALORIES BITE THE DUST

2011-03-30T15:59:00.001+01:00

A 4.7 mile run plus a 4.8 walk with Hector. Life's good.
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SOCIAL EXERCISE

2011-03-29T09:08:00.001+01:00

I missed my German class last night simply because I had no way of getting to the Business Centre. I'd like to say I made up for it by working on my own here at home but I didn't. Instead I watched another two episodes of Sons of Anarchy.

The day wasn't a complete waste though. In the afternoon I'd gone for a bike ride with Fifi. When we were seriously into training Fifi and I used to meet up at 6:30 in the morning and go run a few miles. Maybe we'll get back to that. It was a great way to start the day and we got seriously fit into the bargain. As it was we cycled something like 7.5 miles at a leisurely pace and talked the entire session.

The really good thing about training with someone is that it definitely relieves the boredom and takes your mind off what your doing. That's why I got so much from Circuit Training and Boot Camp last week. It transforms the training session into a social gathering.

This morning when I took Hector for his walk it was pleasant to listen to all the different birds calling. Lapwings, seagulls, terns, they were all out this morning, calling away. I stopped for a while and watched a couple of lapwings chasing a predator away from their nesting grounds.

Don't really know what the day ahead holds. I've got more recording to do plus I need to get out and run (in spite of the blister on my left heel).

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Parc éolien de Tiree? Non merci!

2011-03-28T08:35:00.002+01:00

I'm no scientist. For every convincing argument for the proposed Tiree Wind Farm Array there's an equally convincing argument against. The one thing I do know is that the scientists and men of learning I respect are all coming out against Wind Farms as a pointless and very expensive fad. It seems that if you covered the entire country with Wind Farms there still wouldn't be enough power generated to provide all our power needs. As for the benefit to the environment the building and taking down of these wind farms may actually cause more damage than they are meant to prevent.

And here's the controversial bit. Notwithstanding the terrible situation in Japan the only clean, efficient and economical way to provide our needs is by nuclear power. (I'm talking here about the country as a whole, of course. I'm not proposing a nuclear power plant on our wee island.) We've had nuclear power in the UK for nigh-on 60 years. That's right, 60 years. The technology has been developed, refined and heavily invested in. It works and it works well.

I'm not in either camp. I don't want it near Tiree and I don't want it far away from Tiree. I don't want it at all. I also don't want these things deforming our countryside either.

Like I say, I'm not an expert on this matter so don't send me comments or expect me to take part in the debate. When I sat down to write my diary this morning this was in my head, that's all.

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SATURDAY INTO SUNDAY

2011-03-27T09:48:00.001+01:00

The car is in the garage, meaning I had to cycle to Boot Camp on Saturday morning. There.'s nothing wrong with this. It meant I got an extra special work out. The round trip was about 7.5 miles.

I ran 2.4 miles on the road in the company of Jackie Jones. We covered 2.4 miles in just over 28 minutes and we were both pleased with this. This is the fastest I've run on the road in ages. My thigh injury has been keeping me back. Hopefully, this run signifies the turnaround.

After the run we did about twenty minutes of circuit training in An Talla itself.

Thing is, when I got home I really felt like I didn't want to do anything for the rest of the day. It was a very sunny day and all I wanted to do was laze about the sun or amble along the road with Hector.

Meantime, Catriona took Jo across to the Co-op at Scarinish to get in some supplies. Tomorrow I'll borrow Andy's car and get some more shopping in.

I'm still not missing the car as such but I'm starting to get a little anxious about the bill. The car's been getting worked on since Thursday or Friday and there's no word yet of when it will be ready. I am full of foreboding.

John in Glasgow has sent me up the latest backing track for a song we're working on and I need to turn my attention to laying down some vocals. We'll be playing together at a gig in Glasgow early in May. This will be the first time we've shared a stage in 31 years and we're looking forward to it a lot. The songs we wrote back in the day have become a little famous in an underground kind of way. It'll be nice to try out new material on the audience. We're playing a support role so no real pressure.--
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ONE DOG AND HIS MAN

2011-03-25T09:10:00.002Z

Just as his helicopter is about to crash in the film A Life Acquatic, Bill Murray's character says, with great understatement, 'This is going to hurt.'

There was no word from the garage yesterday regarding my sick car. I have a feeling, though, that this is going to hurt too. I'll phone in a wee while and get a progress report.

In the meantime I've been pottering about, doing this and that.

Yesterday I took Hector for his first real run on the road. I have one of those spring loaded leads that lengthen or shorten depending on how far or near the dog is. It came in useful, especially when Hector had to stop for a sniff and a pee.

People passing in their cars only had eyes for Hector. They hardly looked at me - but hey, who can blame them?

Last night it was off to circuit training at An Talla. It's good to have Will back and to see young Maurice there with his Mum and Dad. Maurice - Will and Becky's baby - just lay there and watched as we worked ourselves into a lather working through the exercises Will set for us. He was perfectly content and the object of a lot of attention.

The rest of the evening was spent at home catching up with my Sons of Anarchy DVD's and watching James Cracknell almost kill himself running the Marathon des Sables. Fair play to him, he finished 12th, the highest British finisher ever.

This morning I'm sitting outside with Hector and Guinness (next door's doggie). It's still a bit overcast but the forecast is good. Not much of a breeze either. I tried to be a good boy and hang out the washing while Jo got ready for work. All she did was come out and take over from me. This, by the way, is the lady who says 'you do nothing around here'.

Ye cannae win!

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SCOTCH MIST

2011-03-24T06:49:00.001Z

I awoke really early this morning. I couldn't get back to sleep so got out of bed at 6:15 am. What a foggy morning it is! I was about to take Hector for a run as there will be no traffic at this time in the morning. I'm having second thoughts. Visibility is very bad. It's always a possibility that someone will be driving at this ungodly time of the morning. I'd hate to start the day with tyre tracks up my back.

Yesterday should have been a bad day. My car broke down as I was taking Jenny to work. I think the clutch has gone. I called the AA and they, in turn, called out MacLennan's garage to come and tow the car away for repairs. If that had happened a couple of months ago I would have been very upset. I'm in a good frame of mind these days. You have to view these things in perspective. There's no point in getting all worked up about it. The car's broken and that's that.

After we left the car at the roadside and our friend Pat Campbell (who lives nearby) had very kindly taken Jenny to work in Scarinish, Hector and I began the walk back to Cornaigmore. On the way a flight of 30-plus swans flew right over our heads. That was a beautiful sight. I don't think I've ever seen so many swans in the air at one time. They were flying in a v-shape and heading for the loch.

There's something liberating about not having a car around. Of course, it's an inconvenience as Joanne and Jenny will have to get the school bus to work. I'm glad to see the back of it for a day or two. I can hardly afford to run it at the moment anyway. The price of diesel is going through the roof here on the island. A couple of days of the road means a couple of days when I won't be using fuel.

Tonight circuit training gets back underway at An Talla. Coach Will has returned from holiday pumped up and ready to put us through our paces. I'll blag a ride and get there somehow.

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SEASON 2011

2011-03-23T11:09:00.001Z

Okay! So let's get this blog up and running again. (If this was a US drama we'd call this 'Season 2011.)

When I started my first Tiree news site - Isle of Tiree Online News - back in 1999 there was no web presence with which Tiree folk at home and abroad (descendants of emigrants for example) could look to the internet and see what was going on. Eventually, Isle of Tiree Online News grew in popularity where it received over 3000 hits a month. The URL was sold quite a number of years ago after the site ran its course and I decided to move on to other things.

Since then, and until relatively recently, I've blogged on and off and tried to disseminate information and news about Tiree. But everyone and everything has caught up. Tiree is now served very well on the 'net by An Tisideach Online, not to mention all the Tirisdeeach you can find on Facebook, Twitter and a whole host of other social networking outlets.

So my Isle of Tiree Diary will become ... well, a personal blog from now on. What's happening in my life, what I'm thinking about, the challenges I set myself and so on.

I remain available to anyone who wants to email me requesting information about Tiree.

I will now set myself the task of writing something here everyday.

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Loganair to introduce Sunday flights to Barra and Tiree

2011-02-16T19:42:00.000Z

Loganair is introducing the first regular Sunday flights to Barra and Tiree this summer.

The airline, which operates its scheduled services under a franchise agreement with Flybe, Europe's largest regional carrier, will add the new services between July 3 and August 28. Tickets are now available for booking from the Flybe website.

FACEBOOK

2011-02-04T13:23:00.000Z

These days you are much more likely to catch with me at Facebook. If you want to keep up with me or get in touch join me at www.facebook.com/gdwscott

Tiree Fitness: Winter Wonderland

2010-12-23T14:57:00.001Z

From Will Wright:

Love it or hate it; the snow on Tiree looks stunning. Here's a couple of
pictures taken en route around the 3 peaks the other day. Happy Christmas
everyone! Balephuil Bay. Filed under News Created by will on Dec 23rd 2010.
<http://www.tireefitness.co.uk/news/winter-wonderland/

National recognition for Tiree Renewable Energy Limited

2010-12-18T19:34:00.001Z

On 2^nd December 2010, Tiree Renewable Energy Limited was declared winners of the Scottish Green Energy Awards 2010 ' Best Community Project Award'. These are the premier Scottish energy industry awards and this year they were hosted by personality Fred MacAulay at a glitzy night in Edinburgh's International Conference Centre. READ MORE

AUDIO LINK: PROPOSED TIREE WIND FARM ARRAY DISCUSSED ON RADIO SCOTLAND

2010-11-16T19:08:00.001Z

Here is a link to a debate on Radio Scotland this morning concerning the very controversial proposal to build a wind farm array near the coast of Tiree. Several islanders feature, making their points of view. CLICK HERE

CAMPAIGNERS SAY 'NO' TO TIREE WIND FARM ARRAY

2010-11-13T08:47:00.000Z

This press release was sent to us by Robert Trythall of Cornaigmore, Tiree. I do not necessarily agree with the views expressed here. Do you agree or disagree? Please feel free to send me your comments.

   Campaigners on the tiny Hebridean island of Tiree have vowed to fight the development of a gigantic windfarm just five kilometres from its pristine shores. They believe that the island, which is only thirteen miles long, is under serious threat. This is because not only is the physical fabric of Tiree and its wealth of wildlife in jeopardy, but also the unique nature of its way of life. Tiree is famous for its crime free community, its culture and heritage, its peace and tranquillity and the breathtaking seascapes which attract visitors from all over the world. The weather experts will also tell you that it is well known as one of the sunniest spots in the whole of Britain.

It is the UK's premier venue for wind and kite surfing and has already held a World Cup event. International sportsmen and women come every year for the Tiree Wave Classic, which is beamed around the world.

Scottish Power Renewables, wholly owned by the Spanish energy giant Iberdrola, is planning to develop a massive windfarm three times the size of Tiree and as close as 5 km to its shores. The windfarm planned by this energy mogul will contain between 200 and 500 turbines, some of them up to 180 metres high. These come very close in height to that of the famous 'Gherkin' building in the city of London. Make no mistake, this is a huge development, a monster windfarm which will cast a great shadow over the island, the most westerly of Scotland's Inner Hebrides.

The plan is to create one of the biggest windfarms in Europe just off Tiree's shores. The visual impact of these gigantic turbines and the physical destruction brought about by the onshore installations to service them will be enormous.

Huge ten megawatt turbines will tower over the island's Bein Hynish which, at 141 metres is the highest point on Tiree. Besides the looming turbines there could be industrial-sized buildings, the permanent loss of familiar landscapes and massive light pollution out to the west which will destroy forever the crystal clear night sky and the glorious Hebridean sunsets which so many people do not have the chance to appreciate anywhere else.

No other proposed Array in Scotland, or anywhere else in Europe for that matter, will have such a detrimental impact on its proximate community. The sheer size of the development will engulf its tiny neighbour Tiree and will change the island forever.

Current group spokesman Robert Trythall said, "This is a real David and Goliath situation, but we have to take a stand against possible irreversible damage to the island and its community." Unlike larger land areas, the island is too small to absorb the social and environmental impact that this proposed development will make. The magnitude of the planned windfarm is completely out of proportion to the size of the island.

If future plans to blight the rest of the Western Isles with these giant windfarms are put in place, Tiree may even end up as a 'hub' for the supply and maintenance of other Arrays. Instead of a crofting haven which welcomes windsurfers and tourists it will effectively become nothing more than a much industrialised, wrecked and soul-less piece of real estate in the middle of a giant power station. This will happen simply because it was conveniently situated at a time when subsidies and profits lured a Spanish multi-national and its subservient Scottish holding, Scottish Power Renewables.

The 800 residents of Tiree have been given no chance to visualise all this for themselves, for despite repeated requests, Scottish Power Renewables has refused so far to offer any montages showing the visual impact people can expect.

For many months now there have been discussions amongst all stakeholders about the implications of this for Tiree and its people. Out of these discussions a No Tiree Array group has emerged and a 'whisper of discontent is fast becoming a roar of defiance'. This is not an anti-renewables or anti-green energy campaign. Everyone supports these aims, but not at the expense of small communities who, despite the Scottish Government's much vaunted rhetoric about democracy in decision-making, have little or no say whatsoever in their own future.

The decision to place this Array on the Skerryvore Reef and inshore on Tiree is based purely on a thirst for commercial gain and political power, with scant regard for the environmental, socio-economic and cultural impacts on such a small island. Such disregard sets a very dangerous precedent for other Scottish coastal communities, whose identity and way of life could also be seriously threatened if such windfarms are allowed to go ahead. Many of the glorious seascapes of the Western Isles could be ruined beyond repair.

The objectives and strategy of the NO TIREE ARRAY group include a determination to persuade SPR to site the Array much further away from the island. In most people's judgement, off shore means out of sight out of mind and this was certainly the UK government's intention in the 1990's when it began to build its offshore legislation.

At that time the Department of Trade and Industry stated that this was achievable 24 km and beyond from the coastline.

Since then, Scottish National Heritage has insisted that such is the nature of the Scottish seascape the Scottish equivalent ought to be at least 35 km away from land. Indeed Scottish Power Renewables themselves and maritime renewable energy companies in general have acknowledged that research and development is now in process to place huge windfarms in deep water, far away from communities and the coastal environment.

The NO TIREE ARRAY group wants to persuade SPR to adopt in full its own research and development goals and delay the planning process for the Tiree Array in order to place it and any other proposed Array development completely off shore, which means at least 35 km from the proximate community.

The group will also require that all associated construction, support, maintenance, operational infrastructure and personnel associated with any Tiree Array development to be placed at least 35 km from the shores of the island. Campaigners want to ensure that these operations do not, at any stage, interface with or impact upon Tiree's unique community, culture or natural environment in any detrimental way.

The group will lobby all organisations and individuals who directly or indirectly, support the Tiree Array. These will include, but will not be limited to, the Crown Estate, the Scottish Government, Argyll and Bute Council, Marine Scotland and Scottish Power Renewables.

It will try to persuade developers and strategists of any 'proposed or existing strategic energy legislation' to create such legislation that operates from the community level upwards.

It will also consider legal action when and if appropriate.

As the issues are expanded it will communicate them to supporters and interested parties. This will ensure all are mutually and consistently well-informed to secure the primary objective, and that is to STOP the destruction of Tiree's community, culture and natural beauty. Unless a brake is put upon windfarm development in Scotland, both offshore, inshore and onshore, Scotland's priceless heritage of wonderful land and seascapes will be lost forever.

All those who care about Tiree and Scotland are welcome to support the NO TIREE ARRAY group. The island is part of Scotland's heritage and should be seen as something to treasure, not destroy.

WE DO NOT INHERIT THE LAND FROM OUR ANCESTORS; WE BORROW IT FROM OUR CHILDREN.

If you need any more information on the campaign to save the community, culture, heritage and environment of the Isle of Tiree, call Robert Trythall on 01879 220646, or e-mail him atrobtrythall@gmail.com

CAMPAIGNERS SAY 'NO' TO TIREE WINDFARM ARRAY

2010-11-12T13:58:00.003Z

This press release was sent to us by Robert Trythall of Cornaigmore, Tiree. Do you agree or disagree? Please feel free to send me your comments.

   Campaigners on the tiny Hebridean island of Tiree have vowed to fight the development of a gigantic windfarm just five kilometres from its pristine shores. They believe that the island, which is only thirteen miles long, is under serious threat. This is because not only is the physical fabric of Tiree and its wealth of wildlife in jeopardy, but also the unique nature of its way of life. Tiree is famous for its crime free community, its culture and heritage, its peace and tranquillity and the breathtaking seascapes which attract visitors from all over the world. The weather experts will also tell you that it is well known as one of the sunniest spots in the whole of Britain.

At that time the Department of Trade and Industry stated that this was achievable 24 km and beyond from the coastline.

It will try to persuade developers and strategists of any 'proposed or existing strategic energy legislation' to create such legislation that operates from the community level upwards.

It will also consider legal action when and if appropriate.

All those who care about Tiree and Scotland are welcome to support the NO TIREE ARRAY group. The island is part of Scotland's heritage and should be seen as something to treasure, not destroy.

WE DO NOT INHERIT THE LAND FROM OUR ANCESTORS; WE BORROW IT FROM OUR CHILDREN.

HANDS UP FOR TRAD: VOTE NOW FOR TIREE!

2010-11-07T07:32:00.003Z

Tiree and Oban are up for a lot of awards, can you please vote on the Trad Music Awards website, for Oban High School Pipe Band (Scottish Pipe Band of the Year), Gordon Connell (Music Tutor of the Year), Skerryvore (Live Act of the Year), Skipinnish Ceilidh House (Venue of the Year) and Trail West (Scottish Dance Band of the Year)! Vote now in the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2010. Go to http://www.handsupfortrad.co.uk/ and do your bit for Tiree!
On page of the form you enter your name and email address. They click on the 'next' buttons at the bottom of each page to vote in the different categories.
Use your vote!

FAREWELL TO AVIGNON

2010-10-04T06:48:00.001+01:00

Today we begin the long, hard slog north to meet up with our ferry at Calais. Here’s some photographs from our weekend in Avignon, featuring the Palais du Papes and the Pont d’Avignon.

GREETINGS FROM SAN TROPEZ!

2010-09-29T16:18:00.001+01:00

I heard from a friend on Facebook that the weather is awful back home so I'd better not rub it in too much ... Oh, what the hell, here in St. Tropez the weather is in the mid-twenties, we are camping today at the campsite managed by our friend Andy, sitting outside in the late afternoon sunlight drinking from our 3 litres bottle of red that cost something like 7 euro ... all is well and God is in his Heaven.

Yesterday, we left our hotel and ventured up the other side of Lake Como in Italy in search of the chapel of the Madonna del Ghisallo. I provide a link here in case you are a cycling fan. The significant thing about this little chapel is that the Madonna is the patron of cyclists. The chapel contains many mementos of the great cyclists past and present and, touchingly, many remembrances of competitive cyclists who died while competing in the sport.

Unfortunately, I took many a wrong turn trying to get to the Madonna and managed to pee Jo off a little bit. But it was just something I have always wanted to do ever since I became aware of this particular little church.

If the chapel wasn't enough, though, right next door was the Museum of Cycling! Bikes from the dawn of cycling, recent Tour de France machines, winner's jersey's, loads of mementos and the history of bike racing, all in one building. Needless to say, I bought the t-shirt!

More from me tomorrow.

GREETINGS FROM LAKE COMO

2010-09-27T19:37:00.001+01:00

Hello Everyone!

Another couple of wonderful days although blighted in part by bad weather. When we left Konstanz we soon got lost on our way south. If only we had decided to go through the Swiss border check point only a few hundred yards from our hotel. But we had to try to be clever and try to head south through Austria.

Eventually we ended up in the town of Imst, nestled in the Austrian Tirol. What lovely views of the mountains from our campsite! The next day we took a drive to Innsburck and wandered about the town for the afternoon.

Today has been a day of extreme weather changes. We headed south through St. Moritz (zero degrees celcius) until Imst (19.5 degress celcius).

Tonight we went for an evening meal out on the terrace of the restaurant area of town. It was great to sit out in the evening air, in September, and enjoy a meal with a good red wine.

No pictures today simply because I haven't had a chance to check them out.

GREETINGS FROM KONSTANZ, SOUTHERN GERMANY

2010-09-24T20:20:00.001+01:00

We were on the road early this morning and drove south east, in the general direction of Austria, trying our best to hug the southern shore of the Bodensee.

The town of Konstanz is a large, cosmopolitan town which, interestingly, has the border with Switzerland running through it. We went out for a walk tonight and visited Switzerland for ten minutes before we got fed up and returned to Germany.

For those of you who were fed up with my comments yesterday about all the beautiful sunshine we were having you will be pleased to know that it rained this afternoon when we were out exploring the town. And boy, did it rain! We hadn’t been expecting the rain and certainly weren’t dressed for it. We got soaked! Tonight when we went out for a further look around we were sure to put on our waterproof jackets and take our umbrellas with us!

On the plus side, though, I have to point out that the weather outside is currently in the region of 16 degrees C – at 9pm!

Onward, tomorrow, to Austria!

GREETINGS FROM FRANCE! GREETINGS FROM GERMANY!

2010-09-23T16:21:00.001+01:00

Hello everyone and greetings from the German town of Appenweirer on the fringes of the Black Forest. We are having a wonderful time so far on our drive around central Europe. In fact, we can’t quite believe how much we are enjoying ourselves – or how good the weather is. Since Monday the average temperature has been about 26 degrees Celsius with loads and loads of lovely sunshine!

We came off the ferry at Calais in France on Monday at about 11am local time and charged along the autoroute headed for Reims. There we met up with our good friends, the recently married James and Magali Christie at their flat, a short distance from the magnificent Reims Cathedral.

What a wonderful time we had with this lovely couple over the next two days. We visited the cathedral, we did a tour of the town, we visited Magali’s parents (whom we first met at the wedding), we ate well and we shared a few beers.

The town of Reims is historic but there’s just too much to go in to at the moment. Reims suffered terribly in both World Wars and there is much evidence of this still in the town – for instance the lower walls of the cathedral, pock-marked with machine gun and shell-hits.

The hospitality shown to us both by Magali and James and Magili’s parents was very touching and we will never forget it.

On Wednesday morning we said farewell to Reims and headed east, for Southern Germany and based ourselves at the Hotel Adler in Appenweirer.

Today we went exploring the Black Forest area. How beautiful! Again, there’s just too much to say in a quick blog post but hopefully I will get some photographs and more wordstogether for posting soon and keep you all up to date.

And tomorrow? Who knows! More of Southern Germany I expect before we head down to Austria.

We are having a blast!

TIREE ONLINE

2010-09-06T07:43:00.001+01:00

Although I'm not posting much to my blog these days you can still keep up with me if you are on Facebook, the social networking site. You can find me at www.facebook.com/gdwscott In the meantime, why don't you check out all the exciting developments over at www.tireeonline.com

Here's founder Paul Veverka to tell you more:

"Tiree Online is a brand new Tiree website launched on 13th August 2010. As well as providing daily news of what's happening on Tiree, the site has a large discussion forum open to a global audience. Over 30 people freely registered to the site in it's first week alone, with many islanders and an international collection of visitors taking part in topical Tiree discussion. However, it's not just a news site! Tiree Online uniquely provides every member their own custom made free blog/diary! It also features around 300 Tiree videos and many hundreds of photos! Members can discuss or start new conversation and can instantly text chat in real time to each other if they wish. Its a social site with a fun aspect to membership. All members collect virtual points for participating, which gradually and automatically unlocks new hidden areas of the site. The more you log in, read and post, the more points you get! If you're passionate and proud of Tiree, then please register. It's free and takes 30 seconds. Thanks"

VIDEO LINK: New BBC film about Tiree

2010-08-26T09:46:00.001+01:00

Just released, this short film from BBC labs was made by and features islanders. It was made during this year's Feis. Although I say it myself, I think this is a great wee film. Thanks to the BBC for all their help, patience and advice.

To view the video CLICK HERE To access the Tiree video, click the Tiree link in the middle, near the top (among the bucket and spades!)

OH NO ... WE FORGOT TO ORDER THE POPPADOMS!

2010-08-09T06:57:00.000+01:00

IT has to be said that the hand-shelled scallop pakora was a little cool when it finally arrived at the table...

But curry lovers Iain and Sophie Isaacson weren't complaining.

For their spicy treat is probably the only Indian takeaway in Britain delivered by bike, then ferry, after a 50-mile journey over land and sea. READ THE FULL STORY

TIREE ON GOOGLE STREETVIEW

2010-08-01T11:53:00.000+01:00

A couple of people have been in touch recently to say that Tiree on Google Streetview is incredibly detailed. I checked it out last night. Here's the view of my house, with the jeep at the back and our washing fluttering in the wind. We reckon they must have been past here about 6 months ago going by the clues we picked out.

REPAIRS TO CLANSMAN COMPLETE

2010-07-30T11:43:00.000+01:00

REPAIRS to the MV Clansman are now complete and she has arrived in Oban today (Friday).

She will now pick up the 1415 sailing to Castlebay. (part of the amended schedule)

The amended schedule for services between Oban and Mull, Colonsay, Islay, Coll, Tiree, Barra and Uist will continue to operate until 0600hrs tomorrow (Saturday 31 July.)

Thereafter services will return to the normal timetabled schedule.

VIDEO: THE DEFENDERS LIVE AT THE TIREE MUSIC FESTIVAL

2010-07-27T08:38:00.000+01:00

Fèis Thiriodh 2010 - 11-16 July

2010-07-09T08:12:00.001+01:00

Fèis Thiriodh 2010 will be the 20th anniversary of this wonderful festival and the organisers hope to make it a special year. This year's programme is available locally. READ MORE

Water company springs into action after Tiree’s dry spell

2010-07-08T07:58:00.001+01:00

Scottish Water has sprung into action on Tiree, where the longest dry spell in almost a century has left water levels low in the six boreholes that supply the island.

The company is monitoring groundwater levels daily to ensure drinking water supplies are maintained to local residents and visitors following months of dry weather. Read more

WHAT WILL ARGYLL ARRAY DO TO TIREE?

2010-06-30T08:30:00.001+01:00

Here's an essential update on the proposed wind turbine farm off the coast of Tiree, courtesy of An Tirisdeach's online version:

... The meeting heard how plans to site between 300 and 500 giant wind turbines (some up to three times the height of Skerryvore) between the land and the lighthouse would require major structural alterations to the Island including a building the size of a football pitch to house the equipment to convert the electricity when it comes ashore and up to 4,000 square meters of office buildings. In answer to a question from a resident, Ralph Thornton admitted that there was no way the islanders could stop the wind farm from going ahead if consent is given by the Scottish Energy Minister ... READ MORE

TIREE RESIDENTS ANGERED BY WIND FARM PLANS

2010-06-19T09:49:00.001+01:00

At a public meeting in the island hall – An Talla – ScottishPower's project leader, Ralph Thornton, delivered the flat reality. Islanders can protest and object all they like but nothing – bar the discovery of the presence of some wildly unique and protected species on the site of the offshore installation – can stop the development. Nothing. READ MORE AT FOR ARGYLL

TIREE 1OK 2011 DATE

2010-06-16T07:04:00.001+01:00

The date for next years Tiree 10k is going to have to shift to the bank holiday at the start of May as the hall is booked up already for the end of May. Tiree 10k 2011 is therefore on Saturday 30th April 2011!!! Rest assured it will be a great weekend so put it in your diary and we'll hopefully see you all again in April next year.

To keep up to date with Will Wright's gym and training programmes go to www.tireefitness.co.uk

TIREE TEENAGERS BUILD BRIDGE OVER MUDDY WATERS

2010-06-14T10:09:00.000+01:00

To help the RSPB, Ruaridh Munn and Ewan Brown from Tiree High School have been using some newfound skills to help keep the livestock out of the mud at an RSPB Scotland reserve. READ MORE AT 'FOR ARGYLL'

SKERRYVORE IN HOLLAND

2010-06-12T07:58:00.000+01:00

Tiree's 'Skerryvore' filmed a couple of nights back in Amstelveen, Holland.

TIREE MUSIC FESTIVAL

2010-06-11T09:57:00.000+01:00

Everything you need to know about the first ever Tiree Music Festival can be found by clicking on the above image. Tickets are going fast so if you want to be here for this historic event (which is, incidentally, attracting some of the top traditional performers out there) you best be quick!http://www.tireemusicfestival.co.uk/

Tiree vet becomes deputy lord lieutenant.

2010-06-10T16:39:00.001+01:00

Tiree and Coll vet Patrick Boyd from Cornaigmore is the new deupty lord lieutenant for Argyll and Bute, suceeding Major Nicholas Maclean-Bristol of Coll who has held the position for the last 14 years.

This story is covered in this week's edition of The Oban Times.

Sutherland Cycling Trip Outtake

2010-06-10T09:54:00.001+01:00

Spending a few hours cycling in the wilderness gives me the breathing space to consider one of life's deep questions.

A GREAT MAN IS NEVER APPRECIATED AT HOME

2010-06-09T10:49:00.001+01:00

There are several instruments I am not allowed to play in the house. The 'moothie' (mouth organ, harmonica, blues harp) is one of them. Jo and Jen say 'absolutely not'. Now Hector has joined the conspiracy, as you will see and hear in this video.

PUBLIC MEETING FRIDAY 14TH MAY 6:30PM AT 'AN TALLA'

2010-05-14T09:14:00.000+01:00

Proposed education cuts for Tiree will have a huge impact on the future of our children and our community. Tiree needs to act now or we will lose families and jobs. Do nothing and Tiree High School will disappear along with this community. This is extremely serious for everyone. Please attend the meeting and decide the way forward. HAVE YOUR SAY!

URGENT ANNOUNCEMENT: PLEASE READ

2010-05-14T08:25:00.000+01:00

URGENT! PUBLIC MEETING AT 'AN TALLA' AT 6.30PM ON FRIDAY TO DISCUSS OUR RESPONSE TO PROPOSED STAFF CUTS AT TIREE PRIMARY/SECONDARY SCHOOL! All concerned Tiree residents, please come along!

VIDEO BLOG: CARBISDALE CASTLE YOUTH HOSTEL MAY 2010

2010-05-11T10:03:00.001+01:00

While on my recent cycling trip to Sutherland I stayed almost entirely in Hostels. Nothing could have prepared me for Carbisdale Castle. This place is incredible. I paid £18 a night to stay in this palace. Enjoy the video tour.

VIDEO: Somewhere in Sutherland

2010-05-10T09:37:00.001+01:00

There always comes a point on a solo long distance journey when you realise, "I am having a great time." Here's my 'moment', recorded on the morning of Wednesday 5th May, en route to Culrain and Carbisdale Castle.

REMINDER

2010-05-04T12:55:00.001+01:00

Greetings from Ullapool! Just a reminder that you can follow 'Gordon's Magical Mystery Tour of Disaster and Pain (thanks, David Lapsley) at www.facebook.com/gdwscott

TOUR OF THE NORTH: FOLLOW MY JOURNEY ON FACEBOOK

2010-04-30T10:28:00.000+01:00

This is just a short post to say that the staff holiday is over and normal service will resume here at the Blog in a week or so.

This weekend I'm heading off to the mainland with the intention of doing a cycling trip in the far north of our beloved country. My itinerary will be:

Monday 3rd Inverness to Ullapool

Tuesday 4th Ullapool to Scourie

Wednesday 5th Scourie to Tongue

Thursday 6th Tongue to Bonar Bridge

Friday 7th Bonar Bridge to Inverness

It's a journey of about 250 miles over 5 days and should be easily achievable. There is a catch, though. Although I do a bit of running I've not actually done much work on my bike since last year! So, if a knee pops or a muscle goes 'twang' I may be back sooner than I thought.

I'm staying in Hostels for the most part because it's cheaper but more importantly you meet a lot of fellow travellers from all over the world and the craic is usually quite good.

I'll be sending text and picture updates on Facebook so if you want to keep track of what I'm doing you can follow me at www.facebook.com/gdwscott If you're registered with Facebook you can send me replies and words of encouragement if you feel so minded. In fact, I'd really like that.

VIDEO: TILLEY THE TIREE TURBINE OPENING CEREMONY 24TH APRIL 20120

2010-04-26T12:17:00.000+01:00

ISLAND AIR SERVICE RESUMES

2010-04-02T06:54:00.000+01:00

Air services between Oban and the islands of Tiree, Coll and Colonsay will resume on Tuesday with a new operator following the demise of Inverness-based Highland Airways last week. READ MORE.

Music From The Shed #5 - The Subterraneans.

2010-03-29T08:21:00.001+01:00

Recorded at The Shed, Cornaigmore, Isle of Tiree during March 2010. Inspired by a stoned conversation with friends, oh, perhaps 32 or 33 years ago, when we were playing music and talking about life and death. Although the song actually deals with a young girl who is scared by the thoughts of death AND life I think it finishes off on bitter-sweet but slightly more positive note.

The song has a late-70s/early 80s feel to it, which is what I actually intended.

On YouTube the sound quality won't be all that great. I'm hoping to have this and several other songs on sale in iTunes high quality within the next couple of months.

TILLEY THE TIREE TURBINE IS TURNING!

2010-03-28T10:19:00.001+01:00

News just in this morning is that the Tiree Wind Turbine - Tilley - has been energised, is turning and generating power - and money - for the Isle of Tiree. After more than four years of hard work by the TREL board the turbine was switched on late afternoon Saturday. The official opening will be held on Saturday 24th April at 2pm. That evening a ceilidh dance will be held at An Talla to celebrate the opening.

HIGHLAND AIRWAYS GOES OUT OF BUSINESS

2010-03-28T09:50:00.001+01:00

CLICK HERE.

Readers not living on Tiree should be assured that this story does not apply to the daily flights to and from the island by Loganair.

Sport Relief

2010-03-25T07:58:00.001Z

Sunday 21st was Sport Relief Mile day. I was really surprised at the number of people who turned out to walk or run 1, 3 or 6 miles to raise money for good causes. In addition to my entry fee I managed to raise an extra £20 when I spotaneously offered to stand in front of the fire engine hose and get a right good soaking. I wasn't bothered - I'd just run three miles!

Thanks Will Wright for the photographs.

TIREE HIGH SCHOOL 'CLOSURE' RUMOUR: A STATEMENT BY COUNCILLOR MARY-JEAN DEVON

2010-03-20T07:15:00.001Z

"Further to the article in this week's Oban Times with regard to 'Tiree named on school closure draft', I am writing to allay the fears of the people of Tiree.

"Due to the difficult time every council in Scotland is facing various efficiency options. As far as Argyll and Bute Council is concerned no decisions, discussions, meetings or consultations have taken place regarding Tiree High School. As your elected member I can categorically assure you of this.

"The infrastructure of Oban High School and its Hostel could not accommodate the pupils of Tiree High School as you will have read recently in the press. The Oban Hostel has just undergone a major refurbishment which allows them to accommodate 104 pupils. They are nearly at capacity presently as is the roll of the High School.

"Please be assured if any discussions let alone decisions had been taken regarding Tiree High School I would have been in contact with the people of Tiree as they are the first to be consulted.

"Please do not hesitate to contact me regarding this matter or any other issues you have."

Councillor Mary-Jean Devon 01688 302792/07912 949073

SANBLAGGED

2010-03-08T10:06:00.000Z

Good grief, now The Sun has got a hold of the great grain robbery. Glad to see they're treating it with their usual journalistic integrity. CLICK HERE

IS IT NECESSARY FOR JETS TO FLY SO LOW OVER TIREE?

2010-03-05T07:39:00.002Z

PLEASE NOTE THIS MEETING HAS BEEN CANCELLED.

Only the other day, as I watched a jet go over our house, this very question popped into my head. Then, by coincidence, I saw a notice up on the notice board at MacLeod's shop announcing a forthcoming meeting on this very subject.

The Tiree S.W.R.I. have arranged for someone from the R.A.F. - a Squadron Leader, I think the notice said - to visit Tiree, give (I presume) a justification for the low flying and to answer questions at a public meeting.

The meeting will be held in the small hall of An Talla on Friday 26th March, beginning at 7:30 pm.

FLYING WITH JULIE ANGELL

2010-03-04T09:05:00.000Z

"Julie Angell is a pilot with a pretty unique job. She flies an 8 seater 'Islander' plane on Highland Airways' route from Oban to the small islands of Coll and Tiree in the Inner Hebrides. I was hired to photograph her activities on Monday for a day in the life feature they are doing on her in the Highland Airways inflight mag Aurora." READ MORE AND VIEW PHOTOGRAPHS AND VIDEO BY COLIN J. CAMPBELL

TIREE 1OK 2010: ENTRY FORM NOW AVAILABLE

2010-02-26T07:58:00.002Z

CLICK HERE to go the Will Wright's Tiree Fitness website for brief details of this year's run and a downloadable entry form. This year's race will follow a different route, details of which will appear on the site in due course. Have a browse through this great Tiree site while you're there.

FROM AN TIRISDEACH.COM: HAPPY 90th CHRISSIE

2010-02-24T09:14:00.001Z

Here's a really nice article from the latest edition of An Tirisdeach celebrating the 90th birthday of one of the nicest people you could wish to meet. CLICK HERE

BADLY ADDRESSED CHRISTMAS CARD - U.S. TAKE ON THE STORY

2010-02-23T08:08:00.000Z

We all remember the story of Angela Sutherland's badly addressed Christmas card. Well, what do you know? The story has surfaced on the other side of the pond! Thanks to Janis Cuevas for sending this in.

CHANNEL 4'S 'THREE HUNGRY BOYS' ON TIREE

2010-02-22T08:38:00.001Z

For more on this story CLICK HERE. Be sure also to click on the small thumbnail links below the written introduction.

BACK FROM GLEN NEVIS #2

2010-02-18T07:58:00.002Z

Jimmy Marshall centre with Dave MacLeods left and Andy Turner right

I was in Fort William to attend an event celebrating the climber Jimmy Marshall. Back in February 1960, Marshall, along with Robin Smith, made six first ascents on Ben Nevis in the space of one week. Their achievement electrified and transformed Scottish climbing.

Marshall - who, by coincidence, was sitting almost immediately behind me in the audience - was given a life time achievement award for his climbing and contribution to the sport.

To coincide with the anniversary two climbers retraced the steps of Marshall and Smith, filmed the climbs, and presented highlights on the night. You can read more about what they did HERE.

It was a thoroughly enjoyable night and a great event. If only the weather could have been a bit better and I had been able to go for a bit of a hike in the hills! Ach well, no matter.

The next day, Monday, I returned to Oban via a sight-seeing drive along the banks of Loch Leven and Glencoe. Well, to be honest, there weren't a lot of sights to see, just more mountains shrouded in mist. For what it's worth, here are a couple of photographs.

Loch Leven

The Ice Factor, Kinlochleven. Climbers hone their ice-climbing skills on the facility's ice-wall.

Scary mountains.

A dead boot on the road, massacred at Glencoe. Not just a Tiree phenomenon, then!

BACK FROM GLEN NEVIS #1

2010-02-17T08:28:00.002Z

Never mind about being 'back', I'm just glad I got there in the first place! The crew of the Lord of the Isles somehow got me and my car squeezed on the ferry on Saturday evening, among all the cattle trucks and trailers. I got to Oban sometime after 10 o'clock and immediately drove up to Fort William where I'd booked a bed at the Glen Nevis Youth Hostel.

The night porter was expecting me and I was registered without any delay. In the dormitory I'd been allocated there were another ten guys. All sleeping. That's Youth Hostelling for you: whatever age, people tend to be there for a specific reason. It could be climbing, hiking or sight seeing but they tend not to be the raucous boozy type.

It was a wee bit awkward getting into bed. The lights were out in the dorm so I had to get undressed and clamber into my top bunk in almost complete darkness. I was absolutely exhausted but it took ages for me to fall sleep.

The next morning, after I had breakfast, I went outside and had a little wander about the vicinity of the hostel. It was a very overcast morning and the tops of many mountains were obscured. Nevertheless, I felt very lad to be here, listening to gentle run of the river and the bird song as I had a bit of a wander.

I was sorry to have missed last night's lecture at the Nevis Centre and I really didn't have anything planned until Sunday night's film show and award presentation to Jimmy Marshall. I had a bit of a drive up the Glen but there wasn't really much to see in the gloaming so I headed in to the town and had a bit of a wander in the morning drizzle.

In the afternoon I paid a visit to the Lochaber Leisure Centre and made use of a treadmill to keep up some training while away from Tiree. I was really impressed with the facilities and recommend it to anyone visiting Fort William.

Next time I'll tell you about Sunday evening and the Jimmy Marshall event. In the meantime here are some more pictures from that cloudy Sunday.

TIREE MAN KILLED IN ROAD ACCIDENT

2010-02-13T10:38:00.001Z

From The Press and Journal. CLICK HERE

OH NO!

2010-02-13T10:34:00.000Z

I didn't realise the ferry was coming in an hour earlier, due to the cattle sale. I've missed my sailing! I'm hoping to get on the boat tonight, the special sailing taking the beasts off the island. Keep your fingers crossed for me! Unfortunately, whatever happens, I will miss tonight's lecture in Fort William. What a bummer!

TIREE IN THE NEWS #3: AN TIRISDEACH REPRINTS STATEMENT BY FACTOR

2010-02-13T08:18:00.001Z

Please CLICK HERE to read the original statement by Andrew Montgomery, Argyll Estates Factor, on the subject of illegal sand extraction on the island.

OFF TO THE FORT/TWO TRADITIONAL BLACK HOUSES FOR SALE

2010-02-13T06:13:00.001Z

Today begins my three-day pass and so I am heading up to the Fort William Mountain Festival. I always enjoy a visit to Lochaber but the added attraction of taking in a couple of lectures and films should be make for a perfect if solitary weekend.

Here's a cell-phone photograph taken on Thursday night. It shows me trying out some of my winter gear in anticipation of heading to the Festival.

On a different theme altogether, The Press and Journal has a story about two traditional 'black houses' which are for sale on the island. CLICK HERE

VIDEO: The Smith Brothers Complete First Series

2010-02-12T07:50:00.001Z

I cannot think how to properly introduce this video. I stumbled across it the other day while looking at a Trail West performance. It features Iain and Bernie Smith messing about with a video camera when they were very much younger. All I can tell you is I laughed and laughed the first time I watched this. Maybe it's a Tiree thing, maybe you need to know the boys. Whatever, I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

TIREE IN THE NEWS: #2

2010-02-11T14:39:00.001Z

Here's another article published today, this time from The Daily Express: Oi! Get Off My Sand!

TIREE IN THE NEWS

2010-02-11T07:21:00.002Z

The Isle of Tiree appears in several national newspapers today, the subject being 'the unlawful removal of tonnes of sand' from island beaches. You can read two of the reports by following these links:

The Scotsman: The Great Grain Robbery

The Times: Builders strip the beaches of Tiree

TIREE WELCOMES NEW CONSTABLE

2010-02-10T11:11:00.000Z

Tiree’s resident population increased by two recently with the arrival of Stephen Tanner and his partner, Lorna MacArthur.

Stephen has been appointed Tiree’s resident police officer, a position which has been unfilled since the departure of Kevin at the end of last year. READ MORE

DEAD THINGS ON THE BEACH

2010-02-09T16:06:00.001Z

Dead Fish

Dead Seal

Dead Shoe

2010-02-08T08:19:00.004Z

Machinery enthusiasts will get a chance to learn about Harry Ferguson and the history of the Fergie tractor in a new TV documentary.

The show, which will be broadcast tonight (8 February) on BBC ALBA at 9pm, is titled The Wee Grey Fergie.
An accomplished pilot, engineer and salesman,Harry Ferguson revolutionised farming in the early 20th century by inventing a hydraulic system still found in tractors today. He's now so revered in his native Northern Ireland that his face now graces their £20 notes.
The show explores Ferguson's achievements through farmers and enthusiasts of the TE20 model.
Dòmhnall Meek, from Tiree, recalls how his Dad got a Ferguson TE20 in 1946 and everyone wanted to be photographed with it. "It was very special. It was an iron horse, friendly and loyal."

VIDEO: ARTIST FRANCES WALKER

2010-02-02T08:11:00.000Z

A fascinating film featuring Frances Walker talking about her time living and working on Tiree and her involvement with An Turas.

VIDEO: SKERRYVORE PERFORM ON STV'S 'THE HOUR'

2010-02-01T13:40:00.002Z

Skerryvore (which includes Tiree's Gillespie brothers) recently performed one of their songs from their forthcoming third album on STV's The Hour. Watch the video HERE

MONDAY - AGAIN?

2010-02-01T08:32:00.000Z

Gordon Scott's 'daily blog' isn't living up to it's name. The blame for this I lay squarely at the feet of all the news feeds I'd set up to pull in news about Tiree appearing on the internet. The Google service, in particular, seems to have gone a bit loco. So, once again, you have to put up with some personal ramblings.

My training continues to go well. Once again seven days have gone by without imbibing alcohol and I've noticed a little weight loss as a result. That's two weeks. Sadly, in the same time period, I've discovered the wonderful taste of Cadbury's Twister bars, the result of which is that I haven't made as much progress in the fat-shedding process as I should have.

I've had contact from a couple of mates who want to join me in going up a Munro or two in the summer. As seems to be the case with most of my friends these days, these friends happen to be younger than I am. With this in mind, then, I will get a few of the 3000 summits under my belt before I allow myself to be humiliated by these young whipper-snappers.

Last night I was back at Yoga for the first time in weeks. Yoga, when practised by a master, looks so graceful and effortless. Sometimes, I must admit, I struggle - mostly, I feel, because of my 'cushioning'. Again, this is something I'm working on.

The meditation aspect of our Yoga class is particularly rewarding. It's amazing what inner peace can be achieved simply by focussing on the 'now' and breathing properly, from the abdomen. The heart slows, inducing a sense of calm and well-being. Sometimes even time itself seems to stand still. I always come out of this part of the session feeling a bit 'blissed out'.

I've been carrying on with my recording sessions. This week I am working on Hamish Henderson's song The Freedom Come All Ye. I'm still finding my way with the new recording gear and that's why it's taking me so long to produce anything.

And on the subject of recording in the Man-Shed, the recent wild weather has revealed many, many leaks and draughts. To be fair, it's a large garden shed. The person who built it never foresaw a mad man being in it in the dead of night trying to record music. Still, I really want to get the leaks taken care of before any lasting damage is done.

Ben Cruachan

2010-01-26T07:50:00.002Z

The weather has been relatively calm since last Thursday's Force 11 storm and this has meant getting out for miles and miles of walks with Hector and doing a bit of running (by way of 'getting back into it').

On the diet side of things, there's good news and bad news. The good news is that I've cut out all alcohol in the past week. That's right, not even a beer and I must say I feel all the fitter for it.

The bad news is that I've been eating a lot of old rubbish. I mean, I hardly ever eat chocolate but for some reason this past week I've been snacking on Crunchie's and Picnic's like there's no tomorrow. I'm sure that'll pass.

All this, of course, is in aid of my getting fit for tackling what I hope will be a hefty number of Munro's in 2010. My plan at the moment is to start off with one or two close to hand.

So I thought I'd aim at taking on the Cruachan horseshoe walk which starts at the Pass of Bander.

Today's video is an excerpt from Muriel Gray's excellent 'Munro Show' which went out sometime in the 1990s (I can't remember when exactly).

Here, Muriel takes a walk up Ben Cruachan. When I come to do tackle this mountain I'll be taking the route to the east of the reservoir rather than the route west taken by Muriel.

CORNCRAKE NUMBERS DIP FOR THE SECOND YEAR RUNNING

2010-01-22T08:04:00.001Z

Scotland's rare Corncrake population has suffered a modest but significant decline for the second consecutive year. Although far from returning to its plight in the 1980s, when the species was at risk of national extinction, recent declines do raise some concerns about the future of this important bird found in farmland meadows and crofts.

READ MORE FROM THE RSPB