Awoke to stormy skies over Stornoway. But the rain failed to take the shine off the fascinating stops on this, the third day of my summer working programme.
Being shown around the MG Alba Studio by Uisdean MacLeod
I started the day with a tour of studios at MG Alba – a very modern facility with top-of-the-range broadcasting equipment. MG Alba is clearly going places – it has plans to broadcast over 420 hours of new programmes this year.
As a rugby fan I was pleased to learn MG Alba will now be showing league rugby matches aswell as its on-going coverage of the Scottish Premier League.
The staff there are clearly passionate about promoting and protecting the Gaelic language.
From there we followed a very barren back road to the home of Norman Mackenzie, one of just 30 traditional single width weavers on the island.
Trying out the Hattersley Loom
Despite warning him of my inability to even sew, I was lucky enough to be permitted to have a go on his 60-year-old Hattersley Loom.
Norman was a fascinating and charming man. He told of how he learnt his craft simply by watching one of his uncles produce reams of Harris Tweed.
As a part-time weaver he produces several metres of the tweed from his quaint home (which was complete with a sweet-smelling peat fire).
Strict criteria means the fabric has to be produced by Norman at his home and that
Being shown the workings of the Hattersley Loom
the tweed is dyed, spun and finished on Lewis in order to be classed as Harris Tweed.
The tweed, which is enjoying a resurgence in popularity, is beautiful. And to see the painstaking time and effort needed to produce it was quite magical. Much of Norman’s work ends up overseas, with Germany and Japan two of the biggest importers of the fabric. He took great pride in telling me that Harris Tweed, which celebrates its centenary this year, is the longest constantly used trademark in UK history. Quite a remarkable feat considering the length of time it takes to produce.
My next stop was to nearby Carloway Mill where I saw rows of pure new wool being wrapped round skittle-like bobbins for use by the island’s weavers.
The General Manager there, Ann MacCallum showed me round the primitive-looking plant and explained how the wool is dyed and prepared for use. I saw staff lovingly hand finish rems of the fabric.
The Stone circle at Callanish
It was like being back in my home area of Galloway as the rain started to lash down as I headed towards the Standing Stones of Callanish – one of the most remote and ancient monuments in Europe. And they were fascinating.
After donning the waterproofs I met up with Western Isles MSP Alasdair Allan to make the short trek up to the stunning stones which loom over the sea lochs.
They were magnificent. And I can only imagine they’d be even more spectacular on a sunny day.
Back at the nearby visitor centre staff showed me plans to extend the facility which has enjoyed a huge rise on popularity thanks to improved local ferry services – with visitor numbers up a staggering 62 per cent on this time last year.
My final stop was a humbling experience. I was invited to present Diamond Certificate awards to 17 volunteers who have given at least ten year’s service to the League of Friends based at Stornoway’s Western Isles Hospital.
As I was preparing to meet them I worked out that their tireless work, when tallied together, equated to 170 years of volunteering. But that was nothing when I learned many of them had been offering their services for up to 30 years… wow. I was struck by their modesty and unassuming manner as they told how they felt privileged and honoured to have been able to help so many people at their time of need.
The League has done so many things to improve patient’s lives – from running a laundry service and tea bar to building a garden and providing patio furniture.
Volunteers also run a hospital radio service and I was priviliged to be asked to do a rare radio
Being interviewed by Donald Martin
interview for the radio channel – Radio Ranol.
Chairman Donald Martin, who I first met at a Gaelic school debate in Holyrood, asked me about everything from my thoughts on the area (I love it) to my favourite hobbies, to which I admitted I did, on occasion, partake in Scottish Country Dancing.
He ended by asking me if I expected to be knighted for my work as Presiding Officer – and I was quick to point out that the honour given to my more famous footballing namesake (one less ‘s’ though) was sufficient.
Hoping for a little less rain tomorrow….. for my eagerly awaited visit to meet volunteers at Stornoway Coastguard.
