LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

Hello!
It has been a busy few months for the West Word committee, and with the support of you, our dear readers, the future of our much loved newspaper is on much firmer footing. Whilst we are very much looking forward to our new Editor, Nic Goddard, taking the reins for the May edition, this month's edition is a rather more amateur effort.
With a new Editor and some new faces on the committee, we have an opportunity to capitalise on West Word's success at the Media Awards and build a sustainable future. Remember this is your community newspaper and we want to hear your views on what that future should look like. If you have any thoughts or ideas about the newspaper, or are interested in submitting content, please don't hesitate to get in touch at the Editor's email address below.
In the meantime, it has been a pleasure to put together this month's edition and we hope you enjoy it.
editor@westword.org.uk

ISLE OF CANNA

It's all been about calves this month. A few girls have appeared which is good news and some particularly nice looking calves have joined the herd. The farm team are very happy despite most of the calves being born in less than ideal weather. The cows weren't very cooperative either; choosing to give the team a bunch of surprises instead of a bunch of warnings.
Evergreen Rabbit Control were here on island for a week at the start of the month to carry out the annual rabbit control program. The team managed to get around 1000 rabbits which made a significant dent in the problem. All rabbits culled go on to be used in other industries and so none are wasted. Thanks to the team for all their hard work and professionalism. The farm team is gearing up for lambing. The new lambing shed has been kitted out and will provide much needed extra space for expectant ewes and lambs. Bales of straw have been arriving, pens assembled and sheep gathered.

The weather this month has been diabolical. Squally showers and blustery winds mean you have to pick the right time to go outside to move from building to building. We can see the weather fronts marching across the sea from the West so we do have some warning but still, most of us have gotten a thorough soaking at some point. The rain brings the mud…so much mud. Daffodils have been bashed. We had our annual visit from Wind & Sun who look after our renewables system. Steve and Martin were here for three days looking at any issues and making plans for our upcoming upgrades to various parts of the grid.
We have welcomed two new residents to the island. Freddie and Kana Brice have arrived to take over Cafe Canna. The cafe has been a hive of activity as they get it ready for the season ahead. The Cafe plans to be open from 1st April. Welcome Freddie and Kana!
Margaret Willington

ISLE OF EIGG

As the summer season is now upon us, Eigg has been super busy getting ready. The pier area has been tidied up, the children play area at the back of the centre is now completed, and it's a joy to see the island children enjoying themselves in what must be the play area with the best view in Scotland, if not the UK! On the causeway side, a vast area of brown earth outside the Pier centre is just about to be seeded to produce a welcome area of green lawn! The new walking map is awaiting its mounting plinth to be finished, and brand new wooden signage looking very smart will help visitors orient themselves!
The Grianan housing scheme is also completed, and the 2 new tenants are about to move in! Meanwhile, at Kildonnan, renovations are almost finished at Miller's cottage, whilst at Laig, the roof is about to be stripped of its old slates!
Another milestone was also achieved with Solas Eige SCIO acquiring title to St Columba's church on 27 February, leading to frantic activity to get the access work - vehicular track, water and drainage - delivered by end of March! Quite a logistic nightmare, but work is well underway and due to be completed within a few weeks! A glass of bubbly was raised to celebrate this momentous achievement by a bunch of dedicated volunteers at Galmisdale Bay café on Friday 13 March!

Eigg Primary children had prepared a great wee display which elicited a lot of attention: they recorded Catherine MacKinnon's memories from the Manse as her father had been the last resident missionary and chose a great selection of a wedding pictures spanning about 80 years! Thanks to our Eigg genealogist, we now also know that a total of 33 weddings have been celebrated in this iconic building, whose future Solas Eige is now working on making secure with an impressive programme of repairs scheduled for late 2026 / early 2027.
In the meantime, the month of March saw the conclusion for 2026 of the great food 4 all project which brought the community together for some fabulous Monday meals, when scrumptious nutritious lunches were provided in a great variety of styles, Chinese, French, Mexican, Mediterranean: something to make you look forward to the cold season! Thanks go to all the chefs that put lots of love and efforts into the project!
A great night was had by all on the 28 February for Eigg's first ever virtual racing night which brought all the necessary funds to replace our defibrillators' batteries. The showing of "Everyone on Kenmure street" was another special night, which brought to all viewers the harsh reality of the migrant plight and the solidarity provided by ordinary people. Food for thought in these difficult times!! But now it's time to celebrate the lengthening days: Happy Easter, happy Spring everyone!
Camille Dressler

ISLE OF MUCK

Hello Muck Calling.... well thank goodness its raining for a change, I can't last think when it did!!...oh that would be yesterday, no maybe it was the 30 days before.
The School held a very well turned out world book day and they all looked fabulous and going by the photos you would have thought it was held in a different country with all that sunshine.

The Crofts Lambing has almost come to an end with only a handful left to drop whilst the Farms program is just underway....what a welcome to life, cold and wet like the rest of us.
We are trying to get visitor ready which has its own challenges with cancelled sailings soaring costs and yes the rain which makes it hard to do any outside chores, that coupled with tourists already facing tough choices, will they take a chance on the Small Isles with the uncertainty of not only getting here but trying to get back off. Be rest assured though we have met that challenge thus far and already had our first day trippers who were very cheerful and happy to have made the journey.
We had a very good uptake on the Mothers' Day afternoon tea and so nice to see Mums getting pampered and enjoying the day and with Easter coming in hot so soon after it will be the turn of the Children with the traditional Egg hunt and sugar loaded zoomies...
Fingers crossed we have had a site visit from the councils roads division to inspect our crumbling track and hopefully a swift response...we had to count them all off and back on to ensure one wasn't left trapped in our crater like potholes.
Well folks that's all this time round and hopefully have a bit more upbeat news next time...
Bruce Boyd

Lifeboat Log & News from Mallaig RNLI station

The Mallaig lifeboat was requested to launch by HM Coastguard at 10.36pm on 2nd March, when it was reported that a casualty at Inverie required medical assistance. Members of the Scottish Ambulance Service were transported ashore to attend to the patient, and they decided the casualty needed further attention in hospital. Everyone was then transported back to Mallaig harbour. The Ambulance crew and patient headed onward to Fort William whilst the lifeboat crew refuelled the boat, readying it for service again by 11.59pm.
Congratulations are in order to volunteer crew member Ross McKay (pictured) who passed out as Coxswain this month. It's a fantastic achievement and comes after a tremendous amount of hard work, dedication, and training. This milestone marks not only personal success, but also strengthens the station's operational resilience-helping ensure the lifeboat can remain on service more consistently and continue to support those in need.

From sea level to summit, our head fundraiser Simon Bradshaw is swapping the lifeboat station at Mallaig for the mountains, in the Three Peaks Challenge! Over 3 days, 16th to 18th April 2026, Simon and his two sons, Charlie and Ben, will attempt to climb the 3 peaks: Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) to raise funds for the RNLI.
You can show your support by donating to their Just Giving page. Search for 'Mallaig Lifeboat' or enter this link: https://www.justgiving.com/team/mallaiglifeboat

The RNLI Mallaig fundraising team are looking for a new volunteer - we need a Collection Box Coordinator to help organise, gather and keep accurate records of donation boxes in the local area. The role would be ideal for someone with a bit of spare time, who is keen to support the work of the lifeboat in the local community. Reach out to us at mallaigfundraising@rnli.org.uk or pop into the station.

News from Mallaig Harbour

I am writing this after the official start of British Summer Time, although with the weather over the last week or two, it's feeling like we are back to winter. Fish landings for February of this year were down on last year, and it would have been a worse picture had the Razor Clam trial not been ongoing, with four vessels landing through Mallaig.
Looking back on last March's news, the Harbour Authority had hosted the first meeting to establish a Ferry Users' Group. This group has had its work cut out for it this month, with several challenges arising. After securing charter vessels to operate the route until the MV Coruisk was due back on 8th April, a combination of technical issues and weather meant that these charter vessels were unable to start service as planned. CalMac seem to be facing a perfect storm in terms of vessel breakdown, which, on top of planned maintenance, has resulted in eight large vessels being out of action in the run up to Easter, and CalMac issuing a statement that '"almost every island served by a major vessel" is facing disruption.
In more positive news, the works are still progressing well on the overnight ferry berth. The concrete anchor blocks are all completed, and the rock infill has started. The next stage is the concrete 'deck'. This will be done in stages so that access is always maintained for ferry operations, and is likely to take around four weeks.
We have also contracted with ArtDec, to tidy up the inside of the prawn market. After many years of wondering what the best way forward with the prawn market was, we have decided to give it a bit of a facelift. This started last year with the installation of the shower, and the Men's Shed have then been undertaking smaller bits of work for us, including painting some of the doors, and replacing panelling to the store doors at the rear. Artdec are now painting the inside of the market itself, including the roof beams. This will ensure that the building remains food safe. We have plans to replace the main roof, and to clad the exterior of the building, which hopefully will take place over the coming year.

North West Marine have been and have checked and tightened the anchor chains at the Marina, ready for the season. We are ready to open for the season, and have recruited two new staff, Gavin Pearce, who has been working at Doune on Knoydart, and Millie Downie. They have big shoes to fill, replacing Gena, who has been with us for the last five seasons, but who has had to take a step back this year. We will all miss Gena, as will the Marina patrons, but we are looking forward to working with Millie and Gavin.
I had an interview with the consultants leading the Fort William Integrated Transport Plan, and would encourage everyone locally to have a look at the proposals, and to complete the survey, which is open until 13th April. You can access it from the Hi-Trans website - https://hitrans.org.uk/projects/fort-william-integrated-transport-plan/
We also received information this month from Transport Scotland on the Ferry Users Surveys that they are promoting. We have shared this on our Facebook page, and you can access it following this link bit.ly/3Ps0rWm. It closes on 17th May, so there is a bit more time to get your thoughts together for this one!
Finally, this month, our new website has gone live. We have combined the main harbour website and the marina website into one, and have given it a bit of a refresh, with the help of Kirsty Montgomery from Kirsty M design. Although the website is now live, we will be adding content over the next few months, so there may still be information missing.
This website is a bit more interactive than our previous one, allowing people to report near misses in the Harbour, and to see real time updates of weather etc. It will also be a bit easier to navigate, and for us to keep updated!
Jacqueline McDonell ~ 01687 462154

On and Off the Rails

With so many predictions and anticipations swirling in my brain that I cannot trust to print this month I am duty bound to commit what I know to be true to paper. For the first time, my handwriting will be dictated into a computer and appear as printed copy. If you are reading this then it has worked!

125th Anniversary of the Mallaig Railway
As I write, we are 48 hours away from celebrating the 125th anniversary of the first official passenger train departing from Mallaig (on 1st April 1901). Behind the scenes of the planned opening of a year of programmes, it is worth remembering that the railway came to fruition to provide a port, hotel and to allow the transport in and out of Mallaig of people and fish. On 1st April we are opening the celebration in the Mallaig Heritage Centre with guests. A commemorative plaque will be unveiled by Lady Judith McAlpine (pictured left), who is Honorary President of the Friends of the West Highland Line, along with John Cameron CBE who is the Vice President. The commissioned plaque will be on display for the unveiling and will eventually adorn the wall of Mallaig station booking office. ScotRail are transporting the guests to Mallaig on a regular Class 156 train; there will be full report next month.

The recent storms, along with hail, rain and sleet, have so far prevented any floral planting at the station, but we will have banners, bunting, flags, etc. Full credit to the many yet unnamed backers who have made at the celebration day possible. The Heritage Centre is a joy to behold and, when the event is over, the 125th anniversary exhibition will run all year. Do try to visit - you will sense the pride that we feel as we pay tribute to the past. Throughout the rest of this year there will be other events spearheaded by Glenfinnan Station Museum.
Lady McAlpine's late husband the Honourable Sir William McAlpine came to Mallaig to commemorate the railway's centenary in 2001. Schoolchildren waved flags and Sir William gave the children commemorative coins. I even wore a proper frock! Does anyone still have their coin? If so, would you please consider loaning it (fully accredited) to add to the heritage centre exhibition?
The plaque from 2001 is proudly on show in the waiting room at Mallaig railway station. You can also admire the new paintwork. A team of painters worked through the nights this week repainting doors, ceilings, etc. Each coat of paint took a whole day (with heating on) before being able to apply the next coat, making it spick and span for the anniversary. Another plaque, situated by the platform entrance doors, has a very colourful accurate map of attractions in Mallaig.
During the coming year it is hoped that grant funding may be available to restore the clock tower timepiece to working order. A digital time display on the electronic departure boards on the station's platform just does not cut it for me!

Prior to the 125th century guests arriving on ScotRail lunchtime train on 1st April into Mallaig, we are expecting to receive the visit of the weedkiller train - hauled by a GB Railfreight locomotive with a trailing load of 715 tonnes. This provides fully automated distribution of weedkiller onto the newly laid ballast, tracks and rails. Every year I asked the driver to override the distribution cut off that is used entering Mallaig, in order to destroy the weeds that get distributed along my very long hedge inside the garden. The hedge is as "tough as old boots" and would thrive better than the choking bindweed that persists in spreading. The weedkiller train will then go back to Fort William, where it will wait for a slot to return to England the next day suppressing weeds as it traverses the line, having visited Oban before its journey to us.
We then await the arrival into Mallaig (3rd April) of a "test and protect" Network Rail train due to arrive into Mallaig at 08:50, departing at 08:54, eventually ending its journey at Slateford depot in Edinburgh at 18:58.
Later in April we are due to welcome into Mallaig the Royal Scotsman train. Still to be confirmed, as part of the Railway Touring Company's annual Great Britain tour, it could be Wednesday 22nd April. A request for a piper is on hold for that date in Mallaig.
On Saturday 28th March, in bitterly cold weather, we welcomed the "Blue Pullman" touring train into Mallaig from Rugby, greeted by a piper. The guests braved the weather and contentedly shopped to their hearts' content.

ScotRail - Scotland's Railway - celebrates top service awards
Scotland's railway was a big winner at the prestigious Modern Railways magazine "Whistle awards". At the ceremony in London on 6th March, ScotRail picked up two honours: outstanding team and fewest regional cancellations. Network Rail Scotland routes were judged best for minimising delay minutes north of the border.
ScotRail's service delivery team won "outstanding team" for an astonishing 88% reduction in the number of train services failing to meet punctuality targets due to a driver not being available. This was achieved through driver recruitment, innovative planning of staff rosters, and an enhanced training programme which saw 151 new drivers successfully qualify this year.
ScotRail came out as best in the avoiding regional cancellations category, with only 2.17% of more than 700,000 services ScotRail operates across the country every year being cancelled. Network Rail Scotland are also to be congratulated for its Scotland route having the lowest number of delays per 1,000 miles of train travel in the UK.
A Highland steam railway is cashing in on "The Traitors" TV fame. The Strathspey Steam Railway is offering "Travel like a Traitor" trips. Did you know that you can travel in the same train carriage as seen in every series of "The Traitors"?
You can travel between Aviemore and Broomhill normally adult return tickets start at £26. It is a 10 mile route via Boat of Garten. The line is part of the former Forres to Perth Junction railway, later called the Highland Railway. Last year the Strathspey Steam Railway carried 65,000 passengers with ticket sales up 16%. Congratulations to them.
And finally, the Friends of the West Highland Line's AGM is being held at the Commodore Inn, West Clyde Street, Helensburgh, at 11:30 AM on Friday 10th April. The speaker is Ken Moulson, Producer of the TV film "Distant Signals", about the introduction of Radio Electronic Token Block (RETB) signalling, which was pioneered on West Highland Line. To book lunch contact frasermcdonald04@yahoo.co.uk
See you on the train!
Sonia Cameron

Birdwatch March 2026 by Stephen MacDonald

A mixed bag weatherwise, with a lot of rain, some colder spells with hill snow and a brief warmer spell that was very Spring-like, before turning more unsettled and colder.
The first of our summer visitors appeared during the month, with at least seven Sand Martins at Rhubana, Morar on the 19th and a further six seen at Loch nan Eala, Arisaig on the 21st. A Chiffchaff heard calling near Loch Ailort on the 20th was the first report from this area. On the 22nd, two Wheatear were seen near Millburn, Rhu.
Two Lesser Black-backed Gulls on the Morar Estuary on the 21st were the first reported back. On the 22nd, Manx Shearwaters were seen from West Bay, Mallaig. A noticeable increase in the number of Skylarks, Meadow Pipits and Pied Wagtails as birds returned to breeding grounds locally, although many of the Meadow Pipits could be Icelandic breeders passing through.
Whooper Swans were on the move during the 2nd half of the month, with 20 north over Arisaig on the 19th and 116 in four groups on the 23rd. Several more Shelduck seen around Loch nan Ceall and a pair were seen at the Morar Estuary on the 21st.
Several pairs of Redshank back on territory near Back of Keppoch, but Lapwings slow to return with just a couple of pairs back at usual breeding spots so far.
Golden Plover were seen at Traigh on several occasions and Bar-tailed Godwits and Greenshank were reported from the Morar Estuary.
A Nuthatch was heard in Arisaig on several occasions during the month. Barn Owls were reported from Mallaig and Morar on multiple occasions.
Two Siskins (pictured right) ringed on the 14th June 2025 in a Morar garden were re-trapped in March at two different locations. One was caught on the 24th March near Kingswood, Staffordshire, 534km SSE and the other on the 27th March at Kilmartin, Argyll and Bute, 97km SSE. A third Siskin ringed just two days later on the 16th June was re-trapped on the 15th March at Thetford Lodge Farm, Suffolk, 652kn SE.