I flew into a very windswept Benbecula for the first stop on this year’s programme. I felt very honoured after stepping off the plane at the airport to be welcomed by a piper. The first time I have received such a welcome, anywhere.
Presiding Officer Alex Fergusson is pictured with piper Alana MacInnes at Benbecula Airport
Headed to Sgoil Lionacleit, the biggest building on the island, which is home to a school for 300 pupils. This fantastic facility also houses a number of other community projects including the library, museum, swimming pool, theatre and even a dental clinic.
I was seriously chuffed to receive another splendid three-piper welcome to Sgoil Lionacleit, which is the current home for the Scottish Parliament’s unique travelling exhibition ‘Moving Stories’. I officially launched the exhibition to an invited audience of more than 70 people from across North Uist. And further afield.
Presiding Officer Alex Fegusson addresses guests at Sgoil Lionalceit during the launch of the Moving Stories Exhibition
I was delighted John MacLeod, who features in the exhibition, made it along. John spoke of his tremendous pride at being able to make a real difference to the promotion of the Gaelic by using the Parliament’s Public Petitions Committee to call for the language to be better promoted across Scotland. His experience is a perfect example of how engaging with the Parliament can make a real difference – the key message of my summer programmes.
Presiding Officer Alex Fergusson is shown a Grimsay boat by Duncan MacDonald
I got a real feel for the type of work carried out on Uist when I met Duncan MacDonald, who is a student on the only boat-building course of its kind in Scotland – to build Grimsay boats. He told me how the course is reviving traditional skills which have served the islanders for centuries and are vital for the sustainability of the local fishing industry here. I am now very much looking forward to learning more about the course when I meet staff from the Grimsay Boatshed Trust tomorrow.
I struck up a real rapport with Alexander MacDonald, Convener of Comhairlenan Eilean Siar, who keeps Blackfaced sheep on his croft. As a former President of the Blackfaced sheep Breeder’s Association we had a lot in common. I enjoyed asking him where he got his ‘tups’ (rams) from. From Lanark apparently!
Despite the blustery and bracing weather I am already eagerly looking forward to learning more about this fascinating area of Scotland on the second day of my four-day visit to this area tomorow.
