NEWS 2012

KEMP'S RIDLEY TURTLE



The body of young Kemp's Ridley Turtle was found at Baugh on Friday 9 December after being driven ashore by the storm on the previous day.
This is Britain's 36th record of this rarest of marine turtles.

The Kemp’s ridley turtle is the world’s most endangered sea turtle, and
with a worldwide female nesting population roughly estimated at just 1,000 individuals, its survival truly hangs in the balance. Their perilous situation
is attributed primarily to the over-harvesting of their eggs during the last century. And though their nesting grounds are protected and many commercial fishing fleets now use turtle excluder devices in their nets, these turtles have not been able to rebound.

They prefer shallow waters, where they dive to the bottom to feed on
crabs, which are their favorite food, and other shellfish. They also eat jellyfish, and occasionally munch on seaweed and sargassum. They may live to be 50 years old.

Highly migratory animals, they often travel hundreds of miles to reach their nesting beach, usually the same beach they hatched from.

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ARCHIVE NEWS FROM 2011

MULL THEATRE - 5th October

“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.

click here for details





WAVE CLASSIC 2011 - 8th-14th October

The Tiree Wave Classic is the most prestigious and longest standing windsurfing event on the British calender, this year celebrating its 25th Anniversary and looking back over the event's history.

From the 8th -14th of October the event will play host to Britain's best riders in Pro, Amateur, Masters and Women's fleets with a fantastic prize fund guaranteeing the top Pro £1000 and as well as many other top prizes for the other fleets! It is set to be an unmissable, adrenaline fuelled week of competition and entertainment set against the breathtaking backdrop of Tiree's spectacular scenery. Who will pull the Scottish Broadsword from the sand?

The event will be funded by Event Scotand in association with Argyll & Bute Council so a big thank you for their continued support along with event hosts Pura Vida Boardriders. The event would also not be possible without the organisation and help from the British Wavesailing Association.

For more information visit the website - www.tireewaveclassic.co.uk

AN IODHLANN SUMMER EXHIBITION

An Iodhlann has a new mini-exhibition this summer. In addition to the highly acclaimed permanent exhibition about the history and culture of the island - this new section is about Tiree's Schools. An Iodhlann is open throughout the summer each weekday between 11am and 5pm.
You're sure of a warm welcome with friendly help and advice from one of the knowledgeable volunteers. www.aniodhlann.org.uk



WINDFALL FUND

Tiree Renewable Energy (TREL) has announced that another
£40,000 will be transferred to the Windfall Fund for distribution within the community later this year. This will bring the total to £50,000 for this first year - well ahead of the predicted £5,000. The turbine has obviously been working hard - and TREL have been 'blown away'
with Tilley's perfprmance so far.



TIREE SHOW

It's that time of year again! The show field has been under preparation for the island's annual show. In the spring groundwork was caried out to extend the show area - so this year there will be a much larger main ring and a new pony ring. Mark Wylie and his Quack Commandos are the main attraction - their first performance is at 12noon. Other main ring attractions include a sheep shearing contest, tossing the sheaf adn the Young Farmers tug o' war. In the evening you'll be able to dance to Sileas Sinclair and his Band - tickets are £10 and will only
be available at the show.

TIREE REGATTA 2011

This Centenary Regatta will be held on Saturday 30 July in Scarinish Harbour at 2pm. It is a century since the first public record of the Tiree Regatta - and this important landmark will be celebrated in style this year. As in past years, the Lug Race will be the main sailing race, in conjunction with a dinghy race for all classes. There will also be the traditional fishing boat race with attendant missiles and 'bombs'. This year there will be two new events - a jet ski race and stand-up paddle boarding. Ashore there will be the usual range of events including a raft race.

TIREE FEIS PROGRAMME FOR 2011



Feis Thiriodh have confirmed the tutors and programme for this year.
Tutors for this year are: Niall Oliver (fiddle) – Niall is a Gaelic-medium primary teacher now working in Islay but well-known to us from his time in Cornaig school. Gordon Connell (accordion) – Gordon, a retired teacher from Cornaig School, has taught the box to generations of Tiree children. Several of his pupils have gone on to become professional musicians. Eilidh MacFadyen (accordion) – Eilidh, also a talented piper, comes from Caolas, and is going in the autumn to Sabhal Mòr Ostaig in Skye. Sophie Isaacson (guitar) – Sophie
(ex-Trail West) comes from Tiree and works as the island’s youth worker. Iona Brown (Gaelic singing) – Iona also comes from Tiree and is studying Celtic at Glasgow University. John Campbell (pipes and chanter) - is from Cornaigbeg and now lives in Glasgow. For a number of years he was a piper in the army and now plays with Trail West. Katherine MacLeod (flute and whistle) - graduated from the RSAMD in Glasgow last year in flute, whistle and singing, and is in demand as a teacher, musician and increasingly as a song writer. Alan MacKechnie (shinty) - is from Dalmally and is a Team Manager
with the Hydro in Oban. He plays for Glenorchy.

For more details click here to visit the Tiree Feish website.

DATES CONFIRMED FOR WAVE CLASSIC

Dates for the 2011 Tiree Wave Classic have been confirmed as 8th - 15th October by event organiser Tanya Brooks-Dowsett of Creative Events Solutions. This years 25th Anniversary Tiree Wave Classic will be hosted by pura vida boardriders. Further details to follow shortly.

SCOTTISH POWER RENEWABLES DRAFT SCOPING DOCUMENT

Scottish Power Renewables have released their draft scoping document. This document outlines the scope impacts that they believe will result from the proposed wind farm development. SPR have invited comments from Tiree Trust and various statutory consultees. Members of the public are also welcome to submit responses to the document.

The scoping document helps define the extent and nature of the studies that the developer has to undertake for the various planning consents. The document is available from SPR's dedicated Argyll Array web site www.argyllarray.com

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ARCHIVE NEWS FROM 2010

DIGITAL SWITCH-OVER

The national process, region by region, of rolling out the change to digital television comes to Tiree on 13 October - when BBC2 switches to digital. The second stage will occur on 27 October when the other channels will also be switched to digital.

CLANSMAN RETURNS

The Clansman will return to service on Saturday 31 July - after a break of six weeks - and the normal summer timetable will operate. It suffered major mechanical failure on Thursday 17 June and the 'Hebridean Isles' has been used on the route since then. Hopefully, this will mark an end to problem which has caused the disrupted services to Tiree, Coll, Barra, Mull and Islay.

DATES CONFIRMED FOR WAVE CLASSIC

Dates for the 2010 Tiree Wave Classic have been confirmed as
9th - 15th October by Gordon Richie of Dialogue Marketing. As yet
no further details are available.

WATER, WATER EVERYWHERE.... July 2010

SCOTTISH WATER MAINTAINS TIREE SUPPLY DURING DRY SPELL

Scottish Water is taking action on the Argyll island of Tiree to ensure drinking water supplies are maintained to local residents and visitors following months of extremely dry weather.

The prolonged conditions have resulted in groundwater levels lower than normal for this time of year in the six boreholes that supply the island.

Scottish Water is monitoring the borehole levels daily and is raising awareness of the situation among residents and visitors by writing to the island's 400 households, giving advice on how to use water wisely. Businesses will be also kept informed to ensure Tiree's important visitor economy is sustained during the extremely dry weather.

Residents will receive a Save-a-Flush bag, a special device which when placed in a toilet cistern can greatly reduce the amount of water needed in the bathroom.

John Rae, Scottish Water General Manager, said: "Our priority is to ensure customers continue to receive clear, fresh drinking water at all times. The extremely low rainfall and Tiree's particularly dry and sunny microclimate mean behind the scenes we are taking action to manage supplies so our customers are not affected. This has been the driest first six months of the year since 1941."

Mr Rae added: "We constantly monitor leakage on the island and are doing a thorough sweep of the network to see if any further savings can be made."

HOW TO USE WATER WISELY

There are many small changes customers can make in their daily routine that make a real difference - simple things like taking a shower instead of a bath or installing a water butt in the garden to collect rainwater for plants. Scottish Water's website provides lots of tips on water efficiency: www.scottishwater.co.uk/savewater.

FERRY TROUBLE - June 2010

The Clansman, which usually operates on the Tiree route, has had to be withdrawn for repairs. It suffered major mechanical failure on Thursday 17 June and is likely to be in dry-dock for several weeks. Its replacement, the 'Hebridean Isles' is an older and smaller vessel and the crossing will take a little longer. The 'Isle of Mull' will be making an additional crossing on Saturday evening.

TIREE FEIS 2010 | 11-16 July

Fèis Thiriodh 2010 will be our 20th anniversary and we hope to make it a special year. We are currently working on the programme and tutors for this year’s and will post details when we get them. As part of our anniversary celebrations, BBC Scotland's L.A.B. will be on Tiree from Monday 12 to Thursday 15 July, giving everyone, young and old alike, the chance to develop their digital media skills.
www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/learning/lab/

The first Fèis Thiriodh was held in 1990 as a group of islanders, following in the footsteps of the Barra Fèis, sought to find a way to
re-invigorate the old ways of Tiree. Every July we promote this
week-long festival of traditional culture with classes for young and old, and evenings filled with dances, cèilidhs, lectures and walks.

To find out more visit the Fèis Thiriodh website.

WAVERLEY VISITS TIREE | 31 May

The Waverley, the last sea-going Paddle Steamer in the world, will
be visiting Tiree on Monday 31 May. There will an opportunity to experience an hour cruise up Gunna Sound on this unique steamer.
The Waverley is expected to arrive at Tiree at 2.15pm and the cruise should last one hour. www.waverleyexcursions.co.uk/

TIREE MUSIC FESTIVAL 2010 | 24 & 25 July

Some of the biggest names from Scotland and Ireland’s traditional music scene including Sandi Thom, Skerryvore and Crooked Reel are set to rock residents on the western isles at the first ever Tiree Music Festival on Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 July.
www.tireemusicfestival.co.uk

FLIGHTS TO TIREE

Hebridean Air Services as now operating flights to Tiree and Coll
from Oban. The same schedule is offered as the previous timetable although new flights will be added soon. For details and timetable
visit their website www.hebrideanair.com/

NEW POLICE OFFICER ARRIVES

Tiree's resident population increased by two recently with the arrival of Stephen Tanner and his partner Lorna MacArthur. Stephen is Tiree's new resident police officer and comes from Erskin. The couple are no
strangers to the island, having been here numerous times in the past on holiday and to visit Lorna's family.