Islanders on Muck say their lives have been “revolutionised” since the arrival of 24-hour power just six months ago.
Until March, the 38 residents lived with electricity rationed to just 10 hours a day and are thought to be the people in Scotland to get round-the-clock power.
For more than 40 years they had access to electricity only from 7.30-11am and from 5-11.30pm each day but, thanks to the installation of a new system of wind turbines and solar panels, they now have power day and night.
Resident Jenny MacEwen, 68, who runs the island’s tea room and craft shop, sang the praises of the new power scheme.
She said: “It’s wonderful. In the craft shop and tea room, it’s just been a revolution. There’s no more waiting about to get the fridge up to the right temperature.”
Her daughter, Mary MacEwan, who runs the Port Mor Hotel, said the islanders had rapidly become used to the end of power rationing.
She said: “We’ve maybe got too used to it. We had a power cut a few weeks ago and we were all a bit in shock. You adapt very quickly.
“It’s been wonderful. There’s been very few glitches and its still going strong. It’s fantastic, especially now we’re headed to winter. It’s going to make a huge difference with the shorter daylight.
“Very few times since the scheme started have we had to use the diesel generators and that means we don’t have to go to the mainland so often for diesel. The unit price is now cheaper and all the money generated by the scheme goes to the future of the islands.”
She said she thought 24-hour power would help attract people keen to move the island.
The new power scheme comprises six 5KW turbines and 30KW (peak) photo-voltaic cells. The turbines sit on the hill above the village of Port Mor.
The project was funded by a £978,840 Lottery grant and set up by the Isle of Muck Community Enterprise Company with help from SSE.
Every adult on Muck is a member of the company, formed in 1992 for community development.