About 8 years ago, I got involved with the Scottish Islands Network, which sought to bring all the Scottish islands together - the Hebrides from Islay to Lewis, as well as Orkney and Shetland. The aim was to pool knowledge and resources to combat the challenges faced by all islands, irrespective of their location. A funding crisis brought this laudable initiative to its knees, as only Argyll & Bute council were providing finance, with Comhairle nan Eilean Siar issuing rebuff after rebuff, and Orkney and Shetland equally disinterested.
SIN was reborn as the Scottish Islands Federation in 2006, and although they appear to be static I have been reassured they are not. So, I have been asked to relay a request for people in ALL Scottish Islands, not just Lewis, to get in touch. SIF is looking for new members, individuals as well as community groups. There is an application form on the website.
sounds like a very laudable idea, Arnish. hopefully more interest (and hard cash!)will be generated this time.
ReplyDeleteIt looks rather dull and a bit pointless to me.
ReplyDeleteThe SIF as it is now may look that, Kingdomcat ;-), but I'll go so far as to say that you did not see the old Scottish Islands Network in action. That was by no means dull, it was extremely lively. It is thanks to the inertia of local authorities like mine and formerly yours that things have sunk this far.
ReplyDelete