Winter weather batters Scotland as major ferry disruption hits the west coast
Schools were closed, ferries cancelled and homes suffered power cuts as storms battered the west.
Western Isles
Scottish island secures crucial milestone for new housing development
The Western Isles is set for a mini housing boom, with over 200 new properties expected to be developed over the course of the next year.
National tour of Gaelic pantomime kicks off
It's behind you...the first date on a national tour of a Gaelic pantomime has taken place at Acharacle Primary School, with 39 more Gaelic medium schools to see the comedy before a city show later this month.
Weather warning for icy conditions as Scotland faces first big freeze of December
A yellow weather warning for icy conditions has been issued today as forecasters predict temperatures to plunge in many parts of Scotland.
Advice to Western Isles residents to keep heating fuels secure this winter
Police in the Western Isles are urging local residents to keep heating fuels secure to prevent thefts this winter.
Public consultations to be held on neurological conditions
Health workers in the Western Isles are to hold a series of public consultations to find out what life is like for patients living with a Neurological condition.
Fin whale at the centre of a conservation row
A giant whale spotted around Scotland’s west coast is at the centre of a conservation row.
Cost of maintaining Scotland’s ferry fleet now £20m a year
The repair bill to the ageing government-owned ferry fleet in Scotland has more than doubled in a decade to almost £20 million a year, a report issued yesterday revealed.
Trees planted for memorial to sailors lost 100 years ago
A touching and lasting tribute was paid in the Western Isles yesterday to the souls lost in one of the worst maritime disasters in United Kingdom waters during the 20th century.
Campaigners to make ‘final’ bid to open swimming pools on Sundays in the Western Isles
A “final” bid is to be made by families to swim on Sundays on the Sabbatarian stronghold of the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides.
Barra plans public memorial to Eilidh MacLeod and other Manchester terror victims
The family of Barra’s Manchester Bomb victim has set up a charitable trust in memory of the teenager.
Stornoway police vehicles fitted with stickers to mark the centenary of the Iolaire disaster
Stornoway police vehicles have been fitted with specially designed car stickers to commemorate the 100th of the Iolaire disaster.
Islands minister Paul Wheelhouse stranded in the Hebrides after attending a summit about inadequate ferry service
The Minister for Energy, Connectivity and the Islands got stuck in the Hebrides last night after attending a ferry summit.
Call to address reliability and capacity concerns of ferry services to the Western Isles
A call for action to address the reliability and capacity of ferry services to the Western Isles have been made by the Islands’ tourism industry organisation, with its chief warning that if action is not taken problems experienced in 2018 could be repeated next year.
100 portraits created to bring to life those lost in the Iolaire disaster
An artist from the Western Isles is painting portraits of 100 sailors lost in the Iolaire disaster as the community marks its centenary anniversary.
Western Isles taxi driver accused of sexually assaulting two women
A former Western Isles councillor who works as a taxi driver has gone on trial accused of inappropriately touching a passenger.
HebCelt brings major economic boost to the islands
The major economic impact of the Hebridean Celtic Festival in Stornoway has been underlined by a new report which shows it brought £2.1 million to the local economy.
CalMac named ferry operator of the year
In a season blighted by breakdowns and delays to services, CalMac has been named "Ferry Operator of the Year 2018" at the National Transport Awards.
Building upgrades needed as north health boards fall behind rest of Scotland
The extent to which the north and north-east’s hospitals are falling behind the rest of Scotland has been laid bare in a new report.
Event held as Western Isles health professionals aim to prolong independent living
Over 100 people attended a learning together event aimed at exploring ways in which to better help patients in the Western Isles to live healthy, active and independent lives for as long as possible.
The tragic sunken Louisa fishing boat is back at sea
The fishing boat Louisa which sank in the Western Isles resulting in the deaths of three fishermen is back at sea.
Gay pride row as Western Isles Council refuses to fly LGBT flag
A row has broken out over the Outer Hebrides first gay pride march after the isles’ council refused to fly an LGBT flag in support.
Saving Barra bank is a ‘victory for common sense’
Barra's only bank has been saved in what has been called "a victory for common sense".
New exhibition highlights poignant story of Iolaire disaster
It was the worst maritime tragedy to befall those in the Western Isles, claiming the lives of more than 200 men.
Eastenders actor saved by Hebridean specialists while filming for TV programme
When you’re filming, the show must go on - and two island businesses helped a celebrity father-and-son team do just that.
Western Isles church leader slams pride parade
A church leader has attacked the first gay pride parade being held in the Western Isles as “sad and shameful”.
Verus Petroleum in £300m North Sea acquisition
Oil firm Verus Petroleum has agreed to buy stakes in a number of North Sea fields from a Japanese corporation for £300 million.
Landslide cuts off village as north prepares for more weather chaos
A huge landslide cut off an island community after days of heavy rain, with the north on alert for more weather-related chaos as it prepared for the onset of Storm Ali.
Drivers in the Western Isles urged to be careful when passing horses
Police in the Western Isles are urging drivers to be aware of vulnerable road users, particularly horses.
Prizewinners at Cannes and an Oscar contender are among the line-up for the Hebrides International Film Festival
Winners of top prizes at Cannes and a contender for next year’s Oscars sit alongside short films from Lewis and many others in this year’s Hebrides International Film Festival.
Politicians react as final proposals to redraw Scottish political map lodged
A north-east MP whose constituency could be removed by massive new proposed boundary changes has said he does not detect a “huge appetite” for a shake-up.
Stornoway Airport staff complete 90-mile challenge in less than 10 hours
Facing “horrendous midgies” and overcoming leg cramps, staff from Stornoway Airport completed a 90-mile “lighthouse2lighthouse” challenge in less than 10 hours.