LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

Happy New Year everyone! Hope you've all had a lovely festive break. I've enjoyed the frost and snow, and the beautiful sunsets we've had this month.
As you'll have guessed from this month's cover, I'm stepping down as West Word's Editor. I've been editing the paper for eight years now and it's been lovely to share everyone's news and views, photos and artwork, and hear so many tales from past and present, but it's time for me to hand over the reins to somebody new.
If you like the idea of being the next Editor then go for it - it's a fascinating job and a great opportunity to do something that's closely involved with the community. I'll be here to help you learn the ropes! Have a look on page 27 for more info about applying.
I'll still be editing next month's edition so I'm not saying goodbye yet! Thanks again to Simon for helping out with the printing this month.
Kirsty Bloom
editor@westword.org.uk

KNOYDART

Happy New Year from a cold and snowy Knoydart. December was busy and filled with festive activities. The school and nursery did a fantastic nativity called 'Hey Ewe' and it got everyone in the mood for Christmas. The Forest Trust held its annual pick your own Christmas tree day, where you pick and cut down your own tree with hand tools and the KFT supplies the mince pies and a lift for your tree! And the Old Forge put on a brilliant Community Christmas party with a big buffet and party games.
Knoydart saw its first panto in many years. Cinderella, a crazy, fun idea from Jenny Ruddle, written and directed by Jane Hollowood and brought together by the talented cast and crew of 16 got its one and only performance on Saturday 4th January. Who was in it I hear you ask? Cinderella - Samantha Farthing, The wicked stepmother/Cinderella's father - Cathy Williams, The Ugly Sisters - Lachie Robinson and Davie Newton, The King - Grant Holroyd, Prince Charming - Abbie Clarke, Dandini - Fiona Lennie, Buttons - Jenny Ruddle, The Fairy Godmother - Rah Symmes. The Narrator trying to keep it together - me, Isla Miller. We were expertly assisted by Trish Bee set and production, Steph Harris on stage management, Galen Brook on sound, Shay Hopkins - props and stage. Stagehands and playing Champion the Panto Horse were Sam Easson and Danny Gorman. Costumes were begged, borrowed or vinted by me again. Mark Harris filmed it all - Oh yes he did! And we even had programmes professionally put together by Vicky Phillips. There was a cameo appearance by JP Langford who had choc ices for everyone at the interval. And the Knoydart kids played the mice that turned into stags to pull Cinders' carriage! It was a fantastic audience and I think nearly the whole of Knoydart was in attendance - we couldn't believe it when we needed to put more chairs out when 60 had been put out, wondering if many would come along due to all the colds and sniffles everyone's been having.

Talking of Drama . . . David Mathews (also known as Drama Dave) was listed in the New Year honours list to receive an MBE for his services to the Samaritans and vulnerable people. In 2019 David, a Samaritan volunteer, set off on an epic 6000 mile charity walk to visit all 201 branches of the Samaritans that took over two years and covered all of the UK and Ireland. He did the walk to raise awareness of the charity and not only is it great that the award recognises David's efforts and determination but also that the Samaritans charity is gaining further attention.
Hogmanay saw many of us bring in the bells at The Old Forge. Just before Midnight log candles were lit outside and at the strike of 12, Sam Easson played the pipes and Mark set off fireworks. The next day approximately eight hardy souls took to Loch Nevis for Inverie's Loony Dook. A quick swim or dip in the near freezing Loch helped sort most people's heads on the 1st.
Cheers for now,
Isla Miller

ISLE OF CANNA

December was a quiet month in Canna. We had quite a few residents decamp to the mainland early on in the month and others were away enjoying holidays abroad. Those that remained made the most of the few daylight hours available to us but there was a definitive sense of hunkering down and a steadfastness against the seemingly relentless rain storms.
It was strangely mild considering the time of year but as always this can change on a sixpence with many conversations veering towards how warm it was in the morning to how cold it was in the afternoon. There was a shift in the wind, says I!
The dead stag had disappeared beneath the sands on Sanday Beach but boy, could you still smell it. The wind wafted the decaying scent around the beach while dogs frantically searched for the source.
As I walked my dog one evening along the road, my attention was drawn to the side of the road because there was a large rock there that wasn't there before. The "rock" started to move and it wasn't a rock at all! It was a seal pup! It had shed the last of its white fur and now had its beautiful, grey, mottled appearance but it was still very tiny. My dog was most interested and I had to drag him away. The seal pup certainly let us know to back off by rising up and hissing loudly at us, bearing its teeth! It looked tired and it had likely taken shelter from the coming storm. By morning it had gone.

For those of you making New Year resolutions to get fit, why not sign up to our Canna 10K Trail Run which takes place on Saturday 24th May 2025? Details and registration can be found on the Isle of Canna website www.theisleofcanna.com/canna10ktrailrun-2025
Happy New Year to all from the Isle of Canna!
Margaret Willington

ISLE OF RUM

Happy New Year!
The new year got off to a good start with a gathering in the village hall with live music and Dougie's famous smoke machine, no roller disco this time though! Some Hogmanay visitors brought germs with them and knocked half the island out with flu, thanks for that.
With the Loch Nevis broken and the ridiculous spell of bad weather over the Christmas period, the CalMac Mallaig team have done a sterling job to keep the service going and deliveries made. It's not all been great - there has been some problems for Rum shop getting supplies - but we're all getting by and have our fingers crossed for Loch Nevis's speedy return from dry dock. Hand balling the whole shop delivery in the lashing rain from a small boat to a van in December was reminiscent of the days before Loch Nevis, when this was a more regular occurrence. Thems were the days . . .
On Saturday 18th January, we will be holding an event to launch our Dark Sky Sanctuary Status. As only the second dark sky sanctuary in the UK, we feel especially proud and can't wait to show off our skies. There are discount codes for accommodation at Rum Bunkhouse and Bramble Bothy for the weekend and there will be stargazing, guided talks from an expert, sessions in the cosmos planetarium and good food. Everyone is welcome. There will be more events throughout the year, weather permitting.
Most excitingly, this year, 2025, marks fifteen years of community ownership for the Isle of Rùm Community Trust. We have made a pretty good job of it, given the size of our micro community. When I made a list of all our achievements, it was long, and I felt proud. A few highlights are . . . The construction of our community owned Rum Bunkhouse and cabins, four new affordably rented houses and the creation of five jobs, four of which are entirely self-funded. IRCT rent out and maintain thirteen affordably rented houses, we own and maintain the village water supply and the roads. Our budget for all the work we do comes from rental income and income generated from the bunkhouse, how IRCT just (I did say just) manage to keep on top of everything is a testament to the hard work put in over the years by staff and volunteer board members. It is hard work, like wading through mud sometimes, but it is also awesome, and we hope you will all join us in celebrating with us this year. There will be a ceilidh on Friday 9th May and other events throughout the summer. New things for 2025 are . . . Sylvia's little witchery, a gorgeous little crooked house selling all things herbal and witch- crafty; Askival Rum, under new management of Stuart and Jennifer; Rum's own seaside sauna, a soon to be constructed mobile sauna in a horsebox; possible a weekly column in the national press . . . find out who and where next month!
Lastly, our thoughts are with the Eigg Community and the family of John Chester after hearing of his passing.
Fliss Fraser

ISLE OF EIGG

Happy New Year from all of us on Eigg! December seems to have flown past, with some wildness, some stillness, a little stuckness - with the boat issues - and some brilliant community events.
Eigg Primary kids showed off their singing and dancing in this year's Christmas show: 'Lights, Camel Action, The Sequin'. So much hard work and creativity went into the sets, costumes, dances, and acting, with a special star performance from seven month old Sunny!
We also had a brilliant Solstice meal to celebrate the shortest day on the 21st December. Everyone brought a dish, Gabe and Damien played some music and the kids had an amazing time testing the strength of the new beanbags.
It was also a beautiful time to raise a glass to John Chester, known on Eigg as 'The Bird', who passed away this month at 75. John has lived on Eigg since 1986 and had made immeasurable contributions to the documentation and protection of wildlife on the island. His love of birds and moths in particular has inspired so many volunteers and residents over the years, and his knowledge has helped guide local projects to protect species and ecosystems. We will miss John dearly, and send thoughts and sympathies to all who knew him.
We ended this year as is the way on Eigg, with a Ceilidh in the hall. Brilliant tunes, and stellar musicians that played for hours helped us welcome the New Year.
Eilidh MacGilp

ISLE OF MUCK

Hello Muck Calling . . . well the jolly red fat man is now away on his annual hols and the 4th bottle skip is ordered as we say farewell to 2024: I would say it sailed off into the sunset but seriously that was never going to happen over the period and in the spirit of a positive start can I just say big thanks to CalMac for really rallying with the charters and the vehicle boat to get everyone who needed to travel here and back whilst Loch Nevis is away.
We had the usual load of festive shenanigans with the community Christmas party . . . lots of pot luck food, games and team quiz . . . oh, and a fashion show to make the tall men of Muck look fabulous darling - but none could upstage the Crimson Pirate himself, Santa with the usual tears and fears from the smallest residents! Ho Ho don't be afraid.
The following week was pretty much a blur, with a very well attended Bells party up at the Gallanach end of the island with multiple venues, some with a more zig zag trodden path than others, but no casualties other than domestic muddy clothes . . . no! no! from trips and falls. This was succeeded by the brutal super competitive 'Game' of hockey with very blurry rules and even blurrier pitch size with the no matter how many goals are scored it always ends with next one is the winner! ??
And so here we are now all back into the daily grind of resolutions and reflections . . . what will 2025 bring? Happy New Year, see you next month all.
Bruce Boyd

Mallaig Lifeboat Log

News from Mallaig Harbour

Happy New Year everyone! It feels like Déjà vu as I had written last year that after a relatively calm period at the start of December, the wind and rain returned for the end of the month, and the same has been true of this December. However, after Hogmanay, it's been a calmer start to January, and today, Monday 6th, the first sprats have been landed for 2025. Once again, the Caralisa is the only vessel fishing for sprats, and while there were regular landings throughout December, the size, and therefore quality, of the catch has been mixed.
In part due to the weather, and in part due to uncertainty over vessel movements, which then made it too late to organise, we didn't have fireworks from the Ronja vessels this New Year, which disappointed some of those who live in Mallaig, as it has become a bit of an annual tradition.
Our big news this month is that we are delighted to have appointed a new Deputy Harbour Master, John MacPhie, who will start with us on 20th January. We had changed the criteria this time round, which resulted in a really strong pool of local candidates to choose from, and a difficult decision for the interview panel. Many of you will know John, who has worked as an Engineer in and around the Harbour for all his adult life, and who was previously part-owner of Feorlig Marine, providing small workboats to the Aquaculture Industry; and we are looking forward to him joining the team. We are grateful to everyone who took the time to apply, and to Lorna Spencer and Captain Ron Bailey who came and supported us with the interview process.
CMAL hosted a public engagement event in Mallaig and Morar Community Centre on 10th December, to discuss the proposals for the new replacement vessel for the Lord of the Isles. The proposed new vessel (pictured) will be a diesel-electric hybrid with a battery energy storage system so that it can be charged from the energy grid. It will have a single ended monohull, which will have an optimised design to reduce power demand. The vessel's service speed will be 15.5knots, and the propulsion concept proposed will be designed to give improved manoeuvrability, station keeping and resilience. The vessel will be a similar size to the Lord of the Isles, and is designed to carry 300 passengers, 52 cars and 7 HGVs. It will have improved accessibility including two passenger lifts, increased walkway space, an accessible toilet and wheelchair spaces with adjustable height tables. At the moment, although the Scottish Government is supportive of the project, no funding has been allocated, so the timescale for the project has yet to be confirmed.
Just prior to Christmas, the Loch Nevis had an issue with one of her engines, requiring her to leave for dry dock. Thankfully the Loch Bhrusda was in Mallaig and was able to pick up the Mallaig/Armadale route, before being awarded a dispensation from the MCA to operate (a mainly freight service) on the Small Isles routes, supported by the MV Larven, MV Orca III and MV Julie Ann. However, since New Year, the Loch Bhrusda has now left for her annual overhaul, and the Loch Nevis has yet to return - the result of this is that there is no vehicle service between Mallaig and Armadale until at least Friday 10th January, and freight services to the Small Isles are also disrupted, with the Spanish John being called into service when available.
We have now had an asbestos survey undertaken on the old (Denholms) Ice Plant, which is the next stage in our project to demolish it. The report showed no asbestos present, which should make the demolition process more straightforward. Although we have had to pause the overnight ferry berth works, we do hope to get some of these 'smaller' projects undertaken before the end of the financial year, so that we can concentrate on the overnight berth next Autumn.
We had a formal consultation meeting with Harbour users on 5th December. These meetings are required to keep us compliant with the Port Marine Safety Code. While we would always encourage Harbour users to raise any safety concerns with us as soon as possible, we do intend to meet more formally twice a year. We hope that we invited a good representation of Harbour users along, but if anyone would like to be invited to future meetings, and wasn't invited to this one, then please get in touch and we can add you to the list.
Finally, as I mentioned last month, we have decided to formalise the process for allocating funds to community groups and projects. We have set aside a budget of £5,000 to be allocated to community projects in the coming financial year, and local community groups will be asked to complete a simple application form, to be submitted to the Harbour Authority four weeks before the meeting at which the request will be considered.

Deadline / Meeting Date
14th March 2025 / 11th April 2025
16th May 2025 / 13th June 2025
15th August 2025 / 12th September 2025
7th November 2025 / 5th December 2025
Funds will be available to groups based in the Mallaig Area, who operate on a not for profit basis, and are either constituted or incorporated, and who have a dedicated bank account for the organisation. The project being supported should have demonstrable community benefit for the Mallaig area. We can consider support to organisations who are open to a wider community area than purely Mallaig, as long as these organisations can demonstrate benefit to the community in Mallaig. All the information needed will be uploaded to our website, or you can email me at jacqueline@mallaigharbourauthority.com for more details.
Jacqueline McDonell 01687 462154

On and Off the Rails

Hello! It's me again.

Back and bigger than ever: Rail Sale 2025 offers up to half price discounts on over 2 million tickets
On the 10th January the press release jointly issued by the Department of Transport and Heidi Alexander MP and Secretary for State spewed out from my fax machine thus: More than 2 million train tickets will be sold at a discount price under a government scheme which begins this week.
Advance and off-peak tickets will be reduced by as much as half during the week-long sale starting on Tuesday 14th January for travel on routes across the UK by rail, for travel between Friday 17th January - Monday 31st March. The DFT has said that more than 600,000 tickets were sold in the sale last year, and it has asked rail firms to 'deliver an even bigger sale' this time.
If you need help with planning a journey, call at your nearest Railway Booking Office for more information, or look it up online. In Mallaig, Oliver Dean will help you plan a route. Two examples of savings on ScotRail are: Aberdeen to Edinburgh, on sale for £14.50 instead of £29; and Glasgow to Inverness, £14.10 instead of £28.10.
My opinion is that whilst it represents a potential saving for some customers, the sale itself comes less than two months before tickets of hundreds of routes are increasing by 4.6%. A sticking plaster offer will not result in regular ticket travelling by Rail. It is the investment in trains that helps you to enjoy your journey, with catering, good air conditioning/heating, working toilets, and good disabled facilities. Get that right and the fare-paying customers will return. Plus the 'sale' will not be for every journey that you want to take. Have fun planning a journey - and then see if it is available. Happy travelling.

How to have fun in Mallaig
On a rare moonlit night, with no ice, snow, gales, rail, sleet, hail etc., the stars were visible and the ScotRail evening Sprinter was on time as it neared Glenfinnan. An average night on the rail, I thought to myself. I was wrong! Waiting at Glenfinnan to cross pathing with it was a 'diesel growler' locomotive requesting the pathing to Mallaig. Throwing caution to the wind (except there wasn't any) on went the wellies and the puffa coat and woolly hat, and timing it right, I watched from the lineside at 8.15pm as not one, but two Class 37s throbbed into sight lighting up the line ahead of itself, topping and tailing five carriages of 'Test and Evaluation' equipment doing what Network Rail do well up here, 'keeping our railways safe'. The two locomotives were 37610 and 37420. The driver changed ends and drove out past me, heading for Fort William for the night - and the next day, as it turns out. Was I happy to bear witness to it? Yes of course I was!
The outside lights were soon switched off, the wellies kicked off and a pint of tea made.
It was pathed as a Great Britain Network Rail VSTP (Very Short Term Planning) train. After it overnighted in the Fort William goods yard depot I arranged the next day for a photo to be taken of the train for this edition of West Word.
It eventually departed Fort William, heading south, at 8.43pm on the Tuesday, 7th January. Welcome to the quarter century - what a way to report it!! After that, the weather closed in on us.

Test train at Fort William - Photo by Nick Jones

Glenfinnan viaduct update
Following the huge task of keeping the West Highland Line and our extension/branch line open has been Network Rails' priority since then, so work has not yet started on renewing the existing five kilometres of lineside fencing near the trackside of the railway line around Glenfinnan. I'm sure it will start soon to replace the 'life expired' fencing. Tree and vegetation management in the area will be carried out too. The project will enhance and secure the railway, but at the same time, open up opportunities for photographers and visitors who use the footpaths and watch the trains. Services will not be affected by the work. The total investment by Network Rail is £500,000.

WCRC to the call of duty, amongst others
Mention must be made of their help through the nights and days of the bad weather. Network Rail put out the call for one of West Coast Railway Company's Class 37 locomotives, with a snowplough fitted on the cab, to assist them in making sure that the West Highland Main Line from Fort William to Crianlarich was able to be open for ScotRail trains to operate. The WCRC driver was given Hotel accommodation in Fort William for days on end to start clearing the lines, often at 4am day after day in both directions. Of course full credit to the pool of drivers and guards from Mallaig and Fort William who frequently tried to operate to timetable times, whilst (quite rightly) speed restrictions were in place. On our Branch Line every train that could safely run did so. The speed restrictions were in place for safety's sake; e.g. if the normal speed was 60mph, it was 40mph. Mallaig crew carefully brought in the last train often well after midnight and one night it was 2.30am. 'Hats Off' to you all. Even then the Mallaig night cleaner turned out to clean the train for the next shift!
Network Rail road/rail vehicles helped, with crews sorting out jammed points, TPWS failures, faulty level crossing gates not working, lights failing etc. Some days - including Sundays - there are more workers out than passengers BUT it is what goes on behind the scenes that sometimes does not get credited. So thank you every one of you, including those who grit the platforms before the first train goes out and when the last one comes back in. Imagine having to keep to 20mph, watching the speedometer, when stags do jump in front of you, or there are sheep on the line. Stay safe, all of you.

Mick Lynch announced his retirement
Who is he? Only the head of the country's largest rail union, that's who. The 63 year old became General Secretary of the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) in 2021, and under his leadership the union staged a series of strikes over pay in 2022 and 2023, culminating in a deal with the now Labour government this summer. Feted by supporters for his straight talking style, he was attacked by critics for his £84,000 salary and for the disruption caused (and the cost to rail companies) by the union's industrial action.
Mr Lynch did not give a reason for standing down but said it had been 'a privilege to serve this union for over 30 years in all capacities' adding that 'it was time for a change'. The appointed person to fill his place will be announced in May 2025.

Caledonian Sleeper News
Currently there is no service on the Caledonian Sleeper between Edinburgh and Aberdeen due to engineering works. Service is expected to resume by 10th February 2025.
Since the Caledonian Sleeper was returned to public ownership in June 2023 there have been 881 complaints registered about the service across all of its Scottish routes into London. 32.4% of these related to upkeep and repair of the trains.

Dates for your diary
Friday 24th January 2025: The 'Winter West Highland Pullman' embarks on the three day, two nights journey from St Albans, arriving into Fort William at 8.30pm for the night. On Saturday 25th, the guests will travel to Mallaig and back, returning south the next day. The train returns to Mallaig on Saturday 22nd February on another three day tour - this one departing from Watford.

Major rail line due to close for 16 weeks
The railway between East Kilbride and Glasgow will be closed for four months from the end of January as part of a £140m project to electrify the line. New stations will also be built at East Kilbride and Hairmyres. The project, delivered by Network Rail and part of a Scottish government investment, aims to decarbonise rail services and enhance reliability for passengers. Work is expected to be fully complete by December 2025.
See you on the train,
Sonia Cameron

Birdwatch December 2024 by Stephen MacDonald

A mostly wet and mild month, with some very strong winds at times.
Bird wise, nothing out of the ordinary to report. There were Whooper Swans on Loch nan Eala until about the third week and three adults were seen on Loch Eilt until about the same time, with no reports since.
Wintering wildfowl could be seen in their usual haunts, with Common Scoter, Slavonian and Little Grebes reported from Loch nan Ceall. Red-breasted Mergansers were widely reported from around the coast and Loch Morar. At the latter location Goosanders and Goldeneye were present throughout. Small numbers of Eider Ducks were seen around Mallaig harbour and Loch Ailort. Canada and Greylag Geese were seen at Back of Keppoch and Traigh. A single Moorhen was seen on several occasions on Loch nan Eala.
Wintering waders such as Curlew, Redshank and Ringed Plover were seen at Traigh and Back of Keppoch. Up to four Greenshank were seen on the Morar Estuary and Purple Sandpipers and Turnstones were seen at West Bay, Mallaig. Woodcock were reported from Morar, Arisaig and Loch Ailort.
Still some small flocks of Fieldfares and Redwings reported from Traigh and Arisaig.
A male Yellowhammer was seen in a Morar garden on the 19th. Small numbers of Siskins were reported back using garden feeders in Morar and Arisaig from mid-month. Some large flocks of Siskins were seen around Arisaig and Loch Ailort feeding on Alder cones.
A Barn Owl was seen regularly in Arisaig village throughout the month.
A Goldfinch caught on the 17th November 2024 in a Morar garden had been ringed on the 22nd November 2020 in Edwinstowe, Nottinghamshire, 516km to the southeast.
A Starling caught in the same garden, on the 23rd November 2024, had been ringed as a juvenile in Fort Augustus on the 12th June 2024.