A second preliminary hearing of a fatal accident inquiry into the death of a Loch Alsh fish farm worker is set to take place at Inverness Sheriff Court later this month.
Dornie resident, Clive Hendry (pictured), who was 58 at the time. drowned after he was crushed while transferring from a workboat to a barge at Mowi Scotland’s Ardintoul fish farm on February 18, 2020.
On Friday, the first initial hearing concerning Mr Hendry’s death was held at Inverness Sheriff Court.
A spokesperson for the Scottish Court and Tribunal Service told Radio Skye that a further preliminary hearing is set for 27th November at which substantive dates for the inquiry will be confirmed.
It followed on from the the prosecution and conviction of Mowi Scotland Limited for a breach of health and safety legislation in May 2023.
Clive’s partner of 28 years, Catriona Lockhart said she hoped that the tragedy would lead to changes which would make the fish farm industry a safe place to work.
A spokesperson for the Scottish Court and Tribunal Service told Radio Skye that a further preliminary hearing is set for 27th November at which substantive dates for the inquiry will be confirmed.
The committee of a Skye charity have paid tribute to its late chairman as unique and generous to anyone in need
Alasdair Nicolson established the Skye branch of Cancer Research UK alongside his wife Helen in 1986. The couple’s efforts helped to raise more than £1 million for cancer research
He died on October 24th after a long illness aged 81 and his funeral took place in Portree Monday.
The charity’s fundraising efforts have included regular events such as its annual sale of work auction in Staffin, which generated more than £24,000 in one day in 2019, to the recent edition – the North Skye tractor run from Uig to Staffin.
Alasdair and Helen Nicolson were both award The British Empire Medal in 2016 for their tireless work in the community
Praising Alasdair as their much-loved chairman, the committee said that Alasdair was generous towards anyone he knew was in need and added that he was unique, and will not be forgotten.
Scotland’s Finance secretary has failed to clarify whether next year’s freeze on council tax rates will have an impact on local authority jobs or services.
Addressing the matter at Holyrood this afternoon, Labour MSP Mark Griffin first asked the cabinet secretary for finance, Shona Robison what the estimated cost of the freeze would be and if the government could guarantee that this freeze wont lead to any redundancies, reduction of services, or increases in any other council charges
Responding to the question, the finance secretary did not provide any assurances.
The first minster has said that the freeze will benefit every council tax payer in Scotland at a time when rising prices are putting significant strain on household finances.
Council Leaders contend that the freeze on council tax is a serious breach of the verity house agreement between local government and the Scottish Goverment which was signed in June this year.
Councillor Derek Louden is the chair of the Highland Council’s Resources Committee: “Council tax freezes have a long term negative impact on local authority budgets and effectively widen the budget gap in the coming years.
The Highland Council is faces a budget gap of £60 to £70 million in the next financial year and up to £100 million over the next three years.
Radio Skye’s flagship charity drive Cram The Van begun today in what is its 10th year of supporting families across Skye and Lochalsh.
The Radio Skye YouthSPACE team delivered the famous red toy bins to shops from Kyle to Uig for the community to drop in brand-new toys that can be given to local families at Christmas time.
Over its ten years Cram the Van have donated thousands of new toys and gifts so this year the team at Radio Skye are hoping that people who can donate will, to help those who are in need.
This year’s 24 Hour Live Broadcast which kicked off the fundraising has already raised just over £1,500 with just over another £2500 still to find to make sure there is enough money to but gift vouchers and extra toys and toiletry gift packs.
Station Manager Suzy Lee said: “Christmas is a special time of year, its heart-breaking to think there are families who are not able to afford to buy presents for their children.
We know through our partnership with Skye and Lochalsh Citizens Advice Bureau that is has been yet another difficult year with people finding it hard to make ends meet. In the last three years we’ve seen our numbers triple, so we are just so pleased to be able to do our bit and encourage the community to take part.
She goes on to say ‘We are always overwhelmed by the support in the community, so many wonderful presents have been donated across the years, it’s a real honour to be part of the team delivering Cram the Van in its tenth year, we receive such lovely feed back from our partners.
Morag Hannah, Bureau Manger of Skye and Lochalsh Citizens Advice Bureau said: “Christmas is a magical time but its also a really expensive time, especially now, many children may have to go without this Christmas so if you’ve ever considered giving a gift to a child who might not have otherwise received one, now is the time.
In a broadcast for 24 Hour Live MSP Kate Forbes said ‘I’m absolutely behind Cram the Van Christmas Toy Appeal, in a year when families are struggling with the cost of living crisis, this is an opportunity to gift brand new toys to children. It’s a great appeal, but this year in particular, it might be more important than ever.”
They will have big red toy bins at the following locations around Skye and Lochalsh where you can drop them off:
Rankins, Uig
Portree Co-op (Woodpark Road)
Broadford Co-op
Kyle Co-op
Staffin Stores
Kyle Post Office
MacIntyre’s Toy Shop, Portree
RBS, Portree
Cozy Corner Café, Balmacara
Lochcarron Food Centre
Radio Skye Studio, Portree
The red bins will be out in shops for four weeks from Wednesday 1st November until Monday 6th December. These donations will be distributed to local families by our partners in good time for Christmas.
Click here for more information on the Radio Skye Cram the Van campaign.
Befriending Service Volunteers Needed
The Skye and Lochalsh Council of Voluntary Organisations are appealing for befriending volunteers on Skye
Volunteers are being sought to to visit to visit patients in Broadford Hospital who have limited social connections. Those volunteering would be able to commit to two visits a month for six months.
Befrienders are also needed to join a bank of volunteers to visit a person at home after hospital for a block of six weeks, making a minimum of three visits during that time.
Volunteers will not become involved in personal care and domestic tasks such as shopping or cleaning.
Interested parties contact Samantha-Jo McArthur at befrienders@slcvo.org.uk
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Fatal Accident Inquiry welcomed by partner of Loch Alsh fish farm worker
The partner of a man who was crushed and drowned while working at a Loch Alsh fish farm has said she is relieved that a Fatal Accident Inquiry will be carried out.
Dornie resident, Clive Hendry (pictured), who was 58 at the time. drowned after he was crushed while transferring from a workboat to a barge at Mowi Scotland’s Ardintoul fish farm on February 18, 2020.
On Thursday 17th August, the Crown Counsel formally instructed a Fatal Accident Inquiry (FAI) should be carried out to examine the full circumstances surrounding the death of Mr Hendry.
The decision follows on from the the prosecution and conviction of Mowi Scotland Limited for a breach of health and safety legislation in May 2023.
Clive’s partner of 28 years, Catriona Lockhart, (pictured) told Radio Skye she was relieved to finally hear that a FAI would be held as she still doesn’t know the facts of how Clive died more than three years and a half years on from his death.
Ms Lockhart said she hoped that the tragedy would lead to changes which would make the fish farm industry a safe place to work.
Responding to the decision, a spokesperson for Mowi Scotland told Radio Skye: “We continue to be devasted by the loss of our colleague and friend Clive.
“Since the incident, we have implemented the recommendations of investigative agencies and we will fully support the FAI process.”
Skye events to gauge views on 200-metre high wind turbine plans
The first of four public engagements concerning a proposal to site 47 wind turbines up to 200 metres high on Skye is taking place at Minginish Community Hall this morning.
The event began at 9am and will run to 1pm. A second public drop in will take place this afternoon at Struan Primary School from 4pm to 8pm.
The public drop-ins are being held by Muirhall Energy Limited, who have submitted a planning application to Scottish Ministers for the Glen Ullinish 2 Wind Farm near Struan.
Further events will be held at the Skye Gathering Hall in Portree on Wednesday (23rd August) from 4pm to 8pm, and at Dunvegan Village Hall from 11am to 3pm on Thursday (24th August.)
If approved, the wind farm would comprise 47 wind turbines with maximum tip heights of 200 metres with an indicative output capacity in the region of 310.2 Megawatts (MW), and replace the existing Glen Ullinish Wind Farm.
Muirhall said the events will allow their team to answer any question people may have about the proposal.
During the consultation period a full copy of the application documentation will be available for viewing at Portree Community Library and a further copy available at Struan Primary School – access can be requested through Struan Community Council,
A full copy of the application documentation can also be accessed through the Muirhall website.
Muirhall have emphasised that comments made to the project team at the drop-ins will not be representations to the Scottish Ministers.
Skye Camanachd receives £500 youth funding boost
Skye Camanachd has been chosen to receive £500 as part of a youth development fund which will benefit 10 shinty clubs across Scotland.
The island club was announced as one of the successful applicants of the MOWI Youth Development Fund, aimed at fostering the growth of shinty at the grassroots level.
A spokesperson for the Camanachd Association congratulated all the successful clubs and said the body remains committed to empowering youth development initiatives across Scotland.
The association added that it endeavours to ensure that shinty continues to thrive and inspire generations to come.
Highland Council apologises for bottle bank issues
The Highland Council has an issued an apology for problems with its glass bottle banks service across the region.
A local authority spokesperson said that its glass collection contractor was experiencing issues with glass bank emptying due to vehicle breakdowns.
The spokesperson said the council along with its contractor are working hard to empty the banks, but requested, that in the meantime, people should avoid leaving glass by the banks if they are full and retain it until the banks have capacity.
In an update on Tuesday morning, the Sleat Community Council said that bottle banks across the south of Skye such as in Broadford and Sleat had not been emptied for weeks.
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