Local journalist Iain Maciver has revealed that power company GDF / Suez has cancelled the construction of the 39-turbine windfarm in the Eishken district of Lewis. The reasons appear to be that the procrastination over the building of the high voltage sub-sea electricity cable (interconnector) was one of the main reasons. The economic case for said cable has always been flimsy, and is now no longer viable. What renewable energy schemes are left in the island, including the 26-turbine windfarm to the northeast in Pairc, are insufficient to make the case for the cable.
Since 2005, I have been very vocal in my opposition to any large-scale windfarms in Lewis, particularly on the now defunct Arnish Lighthouse blog. The 180-turbine North Lewis windfarm was scuttled in 2008, after it was found to be in breach of an EU habitat directive that is in place for the central moorlands of the island. Any plans for a resurrection on a smaller scale are now at least in doubt.
There is a silver lining for those to whom this news constitutes a cloud. A cancellation clause means that £2 million pounds of community benefit will be transferred to community groups, who were due to receive £1m annually, had the windfarm materialised.
Monday 29 June 2015
Tuesday 23 June 2015
Sunday 21 June
Summer solstice. The sun will be with us for 18 hours and 15 minutes today, but hidden by clouds. Although there is a trend towards less cold weather, it is taking its time.
We are currently on warning for a possible seamen's strike on the Calmac ferry network. This serves all the islands and peninsulae in the west of Scotland, from Lewis in the north to Islay in the south, from Ullapool in the east to Barra in the west. On Wednesday and Thursday 24th and 25th, sailors will work to rule; on Friday 26th June, there could be an all-out strike. The reason is job security in the face of a tendering process, that could see the west coast ferry services going to private operator Serco. This jeopardises jobs and the ferry services as a whole.
We are currently on warning for a possible seamen's strike on the Calmac ferry network. This serves all the islands and peninsulae in the west of Scotland, from Lewis in the north to Islay in the south, from Ullapool in the east to Barra in the west. On Wednesday and Thursday 24th and 25th, sailors will work to rule; on Friday 26th June, there could be an all-out strike. The reason is job security in the face of a tendering process, that could see the west coast ferry services going to private operator Serco. This jeopardises jobs and the ferry services as a whole.
Saturday 20 June
Cruiseliner Corinthian
A dark sky that came to nothing.Still cold and changeable. Only the cruiseliners tell us it's summer.
Thursday 18 June
Did I say the weather was dull, dark, overcast and cold? Well, this is the Outer Hebrides, and summer can be late if it comes at all.
Antares
Fishing vessel Scotia
MV Abis Bremen
Monday 15 June 2015
Sunday 14 June
This afternoon, I was unexpectedly invited to join a journey by car to Barvas, Shader, Arnol, Bragar and Shawbost. The wind made it feel very, very cold in the exposed Barvas Cemetery, and there was a little rain at Bragar and Shawbost. Nonetheless, it was unusual to get out of town on a Sunday - I don't have a car, and there is no public bus service on the Sabbath.
Barvas Moor
Clan battle memorial, Barvas machair
Barvas Loch
Barvas, Loch Street
Burnt-out house, Ballantrushal
Shader
Barvas Cemetery
At Barvas Cemetery
Arnol Blackhouse
Arnol Blackhouse
North Shawbost
Barvas Moor Clan battle memorial, Barvas machair Barvas Loch Barvas, Loch Street Burnt-out house, Ballantrushal Shader Barvas Cemetery At Barvas Cemetery Arnol Blackhouse Arnol Blackhouse North Shawbost Saturday 13 June
MV Isle of Lewis
Pole Star working on harbour buoy
MV Loch Seaforth (L) and MV Isle of Lewis
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