Excerpts from issue 51/14 20 April 2024
Crisis Point
The Mactaggart Leisure Centre finds itself in danger of closure due to a lack of directors on the board of parent company, Islay & Jura Community Enterprises.
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In this week's issue:
Mactaggart Leisure Centre's future in doubt, All change at Argyll & Bute Council, Approval of Local Development Plan, Paddleboarders in trouble off Jura, Continued delays at The Rest, Beware of cows, Fèis closer than you'd think, Museum's new chairman, Diageo's Islay distilleries prosper, Upgrade plans for Port Askaig pier, A Different Ending, MachairWind drop-in events, Rhinns Hall activities, Double council tax on second homes, Ardbeg All Islay Fund, Cancer, Coffee & Cake meeting, Brought to book, Sharon McHarrie on lambing, Dietmar Finger's Glasgow Art Exhibition.
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Islay RNLI warns of paddleboarding dangers
On Tuesday 9 April, following a 999 call that a paddleboarder was drifting out to sea off the coast of Jura in strong offshore winds, Islay's lifeboat was launched to assist with the rescue. In the meantime, it was confirmed that two paddleboarders had drifted but were able to get ashore on the small island of Eilean Bhride off Corran Sands beach.,br />
A Coastguard Search and Rescue helicopter was quickly in attendance and the local team on shore were able to direct it to the casualties' location. Both were airlifted to safety while the Islay lifeboat was able to recover one of the boards still drifting out to sea.
Islay RNLI coxswain David MacLellan said, "The crew wish to thank all those involved in the rescue, and we are glad that in this case all ended well.
"This incident serves as a reminder to those enjoying the water this season, to check local sea conditions, weather and tide times before taking to the sea. No one expects to end up in trouble. Remember conditions can change quickly here on the west coast."
If you're planning on paddleboarding, or enjoying in other water sports, here's some handy tips to follow:
Always check the weather forecast and tide times. Don't get caught out by the conditions. Avoid offshore winds because they will tire you quickly when trying to return to shore.
Always wear your leash and hold onto your board if you get into trouble. It will help you float.
Always carry a means of calling for help. You must be able to reach it easily in an emergency. If it can't be reached, it's no help. Consider taking a mobile phone in a waterproof pouch or have a personal locator beacon (PLB).
Always wear a personal flotation device. Make sure you are also wearing suitable clothing for the forecast conditions.
Tell someone else where you're going and when you'll be back. They can raise the alarm with the coastguard by calling 999 or 112 if you are overdue.
Always try to paddle with someone else. They can raise the alarm in an emergency by calling 999 or 112 and asking for the Coastguard.
Photo: RNLI/Jura Coastguard/Gemma MacLean.
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Beware of the cows
At this time of year, to state the glaringly obvious, cows are calving, and their motherly instincts can make them particularly belligerent if they feel under threat.
It is therefore advised that residents and visitors alike should pay particular attention if intending to go for a walk in areas with cattle nearby.
If walking with dogs, please ensure that they are kept on a lead, but if there are cattle close-by, might we suggest that you choose an alternative route altogether.
There have been recent reports of individuals at risk of injury from angered cows intent on protecting their young.
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Diageo's Islay attractions prosper
Lagavulin and Caol Ila distilleries welcomed more than 80,000 guests in 2023, as whisky tourism continues to support the island's tourism economy.
Caol Ila attracted 27,400 visitors, while Lagavulin drew in 57,000.
These numbers, announced during Scottish Tourism Month, follow a significant investment by Diageo of £185m in Scotch whisky tourism.
Cara Baillie, Diageo's regional brand home manager, said, "Scotch whisky is well-established as Scotland's leading export. We see every bottle as an invitation to visit Scotland and experience its amazing culture, heritage and environment at first hand.
"Scotch whisky tourism creates opportunities all across Scotland, from our capital city to the communities of the Highlands and Islands where many of our distilleries are located.
"We are incredibly pleased to have increased visitor footfall and are proud to play our part in increasing tourism opportunities across the regions in which we operate."
Marc Crothall, CEO of Scottish Tourism Alliance (STA), said, "These figures highlight further evidence that Scotch whisky is making a fantastic contribution to both driving visitor demand and growing Scotland's visitor economy across the length and breadth of the country."
All Diageo's distilleries hold the Green Tourism Gold Award - the highest sustainability accolade for a visitor attraction.
According to the most recent Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) figures for the industry, more than two million people visited Scotch whisky visitor centres in 2022.
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