Latest news with #InnerHebrides
BBC News
4 days ago
- Science
- BBC News
Significant decline among seals on Scotland's west coast
Scotland's west coast harbour seal numbers have dropped significantly for the first time in population fell by 20% between 2018 and 2023, in a region long considered the last stronghold for the marine mammal in the experts said the findings - carried out by the University of St Andrews - should serve as "a real wake-up call".Harbour seals have experienced long-term decline across much of the UK since the early 2000s with the exception of the west coast of Scotland, where numbers held steady in the likes of the Inner Hebrides and the western Highlands. The research was carried out by the university's Sea Mammal Research Unit (SMRU), which has monitored seal populations since the 1980s through aerial surveys, photo-ID, and tagging Debbie Russell, lead seal ecologist and deputy director of the SMRU, said the figures marked a "concerning turning point" regarding the species survival in UK added: "This is a real wake-up call. For years, we've viewed the west coast as a refuge for harbour seals, a place where they seemed to be doing okay. "To now see declines in this region suggests that the pressures affecting these animals are becoming more widespread or severe." The west coast of Scotland holds around 65% of the UK's entire harbour seal is ongoing regarding reasons for the population decline, with possibilities including disease outbreak, environmental changes and reduced availability of seals and their more elusive cousins - grey seals - are both native to Scotland, but greys are bigger and more powerful has lead to some suggestions that the larger mammals are forcing harbour seals from their traditional areas and onto public beaches, where they are at Carol Sparling, the director of SMRU, said there needed to be a quick response to the university's findings and called for targeted conservation measures.
Irish Times
6 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Times
TV View: Football is outshining hurling - it's just a shame so much of the thrilling fare isn't on telly
Anyone who hadn't checked their telly listings on Saturday evening and assumed RTÉ2 would be bringing us live coverage of Derry v Dublin might have concluded that the stadium in Newry was looking a bit worse for wear. What they were viewing, though, were the 1,300-year-old remains of a temple in the Inner Hebrides, which looked a bit like Casement Park in its current condition. No live football, then, just Ben Fogle visiting Scotland's Sacred Islands. Need it be said, the divvying up of the weekend's fixtures – GAA+ looking after Saturday's games – didn't go down tremendously well, especially at a time when we expect to be able to see every sporting contest of note. For God's sake, even soccerball's Club World Cup, which is of no note at all, is being televised. But sure look, the GAA is entitled to make a few bob with its streaming thingy, although it's all decidedly rough on folk who would get a better broadband signal inside the ruins of a 1,300-year-old Inner Hebrides temple than on their home patch. READ MORE Another reason why it's a bad thing that chunks of this year's championship are being hidden from view? Consider this: 'Football is trumping hurling at the moment.' So said Tomás Ó Sé, a touch provocatively, come Sunday when Joanne Cantwell asked him to sum up the quality of the fare thus far. If Dónal Óg Cusack challenges him to a duel at dawn, we'll just have to hope it's televised and not snapped up by GAA+. Sunday's telly games – Monaghan v Down and Donegal v Mayo – strengthened Tomás's boast. This was especially the case for the latter contest, which produced such a thrilling finish that a Donegal cousin reckons his heart isn't the better for it. Seeing as Monaghan and Down were already assured of advancing to the knock-out phase of the championship , viewers might well have been howling 'WHY IS THIS ON TELLY?' at their screens. But the prize for the winners was a fortnight off, rather than an all-or-nothing game in a week. So that was no small thing. It made for thoroughly entertaining viewing. 'Tennis match-esque,' as co-commentator Enda McGinley put it. Five days after having to commentate on Luxembourg and Ireland's 0-0 draw , little wonder Des Curran sounded enthused. Sport, now and then, doesn't suck the life out of you. Donegal v Mayo? A do-or-die affair. And Mayo died on their feet after that second-half effort , although, to a man, they fell to their knees when Ciarán Moore scored that point with the last kick of the game. 'A draw suits both teams,' Éamonn Fitzmaurice had noted earlier – the slight suggestion being that this could be the 2025 championship's equivalent of Ireland v the Netherlands from Italia '90. Moore put paid to that conspiracy theory with his winner. Mayo's summer over. 'What a win, what a game, what a battle,' said Éamonn. 'Glad to get over the line, hey,' said Donegal goalkeeper Shaun Patton. 'Heartbreak for Mayo,' said Cora Staunton, who sounded heartbroken herself. 'It was unreal,' said Tomás. 'Football is annihilating hurling at the moment,' he didn't say, but he was definitely thinking it. Leinster's Dan Sheehan, James Ryan, Max Deegan and Tommy O'Brien celebrate with the URC trophy at Croke Park. Photograph: Ben Brady/Inpho Speaking of annihilations. Only 21 minutes into the URC final and Leinster were already 19-0 up on the Bulls . Because of the weather, Stephen Ferris reckoned that was as good as a '40-0' lead. Premier Sports host Ross Harries was largely responsible for the deluge. 'It looks to be clearing,' he said upon welcoming us to Croke Park. Ten minutes later, Harries, Simon 'Zeebs' Zebo, John Barclay and Ian Madigan were close enough to needing a submarine at the side of the pitch. It was 32-7 in the end, Leinster captain Jack Conan saluting his comrades when he spoke to TG4's Marcus Horan after. 'Credit to the lads for putting their heads where you wouldn't put a shovel,' he said. 'I'm glad we showed up and performed and were able to silence a few critics.' Speaking of whom. Well, one of them. 'I'm over the moon,' said Simon, through gritted teeth, with his fingers crossed behind his back while he chewed his gum. At which point he was jumped on by euphoric Leinster mascot Leo the Lion. Simon may have threatened to deck Leo. Ross offered his commiserations to the Bulls. 'Three finals, three defeats, that's tough.' 'Zeebs said off camera that they're turning into the new Leinster,' said John. Tough old evening for Zeebs.
The Independent
13-06-2025
- The Independent
Visitors welcomed back to Gaelic scholars' newly restored home
Canna House, located in Scotland 's Inner Hebrides, has reopened to visitors after nine years of restoration work costing £3.6 million. The National Trust for Scotland completed repairs to the former home of Gaelic scholars John Lorne Campbell and Margaret Fay Shaw, preserving an archive of Gaelic music, folklore, and culture. Repairs included reinforcing the building's roof and windows to withstand Hebridean weather. John Lorne Campbell gifted Canna to the National Trust for Scotland in 1981, including the couple's vast library, archives, and sound recordings, featuring Gaelic folk songs, tales, and linguistic material. The house has reopened for pre-booked guided tours, aiming to recreate the atmosphere of Canna House in its prime. Idyllic home on remote Scottish island open to visitors again after 9 years
The Independent
13-06-2025
- General
- The Independent
Gaelic scholars' island home reopens after major restoration
The former island home of two dedicated Gaelic scholars is welcoming visitors again following a nine-year repair and restoration programme. The National Trust for Scotland is celebrating the reopening of Canna House in the Inner Hebrides, which was home to John Lorne Campbell and Margaret Fay Shaw, who built up a major collection of Gaelic music, folklore and culture. The conservation charity says it has aimed to create an atmosphere which will give visitors a sense that 'someone has just left the room', with a warm, lived-in feel throughout the house. Gaelic song and language fill the air as audio devices are triggered when visitors move through rooms which showcase how the house would have looked in the mid-20th century, not long after the Second World War. Extensive repairs have been made to the building, roof and windows of the house to withstand the Hebridean weather and protect its contents, which include an internationally-significant archive collection of Gaelic music, folklore and culture. Philip Long, chief executive at the National Trust for Scotland, said: 'All of us who have a love for Canna and an appreciation of the important stories this house holds will be delighted to see the incredible condition Canna House is now in. 'Caring for these places is not an easy task, but it is an important one and our charity is privileged to play a part alongside the creative residents, skilled contractors and many others who make projects like this possible. 'I hope everyone, whether they live here, visit often or, after reading this, come for the first time, enjoy the nature, beauty and heritage of this special place.' Mr Campbell bought the Isle of Canna and neighbouring Sanday in 1938, embracing the role of laird and farmer. Alongside his wife, an accomplished photographer and folklorist, they created an extensive archive of Gaelic songs, stories and linguistic material. Mr Campbell and Ms Fay Shaw lived in Canna House until their respective deaths in 1996 and 2004. In 1981, Campbell gifted Canna to the National Trust for Scotland (supported with an endowment from the National Heritage Memorial Fund), along with the couple's vast library, archives and sound recordings. This includes some 1,500 Gaelic folk songs and 350 folk tales, the first recordings of members of the Mi'kmaq nation and more than 5,000 photographic negatives and 25 reels of film spanning 50 years of Gaelic culture on the islands of Canna, Barra, the Uists and Mingulay. Highlights of the collection are a Dictaphone recording machine, which Mr Campbell used to capture Gaelic speakers in the Western Isles and Cape Breton; his wife's favourite Graflex camera and the Book of Pooni, dedicated to their favourite cat. The house recently reopened for pre-booked guided tours and the team is now looking forward to welcoming more visitors. Operations manager Angus Murray said: 'We've worked hard to create an atmosphere that reflects Canna House in its prime — a home full of music stories, and Gaelic, just as John and Margaret would have had it. 'As a team, we are excited to share this experience with a new generation of visitors to Canna.' The project to fully repair and refurbish Canna House cost £3.6 million. Costs were met by the support of the National Trust for Scotland Foundation USA, a number of reserved funds held by the National Trust for Scotland intended for conservation projects of this nature, with the balance covered through funds generated by the charity's supporters, fundraising activities and commercial profits. Geraldine MacKinnon, speaking on behalf of the Isle of Canna Community Development Trust, said: 'The Isle of Canna Community Development Trust is pleased that Canna House has now reopened, enabling the public to access Canna House through guided tours and share the wealth of Gaelic culture it holds, along with the local historical and environmental heritage of Canna.'
The Independent
12-06-2025
- General
- The Independent
Idyllic home on remote Scottish island open to visitors again after 9 years
A tranquil island home has reopened to visitors after shutting its doors for nine years as essential restoration work was carried out. Canna House, located in Scotland's Inner Hebrides, is now open for people to visit. The National Trust for Scotland has completed extensive repairs to the former home of Gaelic scholars John Lorne Campbell and Margaret Fay Shaw. The conservation work aimed to preserve the house and its contents, including an internationally significant archive of Gaelic music, folklore, and culture. The repairs included the building's roof and windows, which were reinforced to withstand the Hebridean weather. Visitors can experience the atmosphere of the mid-20th century, with Gaelic song and language filling the air through audio devices. The house is designed to evoke a sense that "someone has just left the room", offering a warm, lived-in feel. Philip Long, chief executive at the National Trust for Scotland, said: 'All of us who have a love for Canna and an appreciation of the important stories this house holds will be delighted to see the incredible condition Canna House is now in. 'Caring for these places is not an easy task, but it is an important one and our charity is privileged to play a part alongside the creative residents, skilled contractors and many others who make projects like this possible. 'I hope everyone, whether they live here, visit often or, after reading this, come for the first time, enjoy the nature, beauty and heritage of this special place.' Mr Campbell bought the Isle of Canna and neighbouring Sanday in 1938, embracing the role of laird and farmer. Alongside his wife, an accomplished photographer and folklorist, they created an extensive archive of Gaelic songs, stories and linguistic material. Mr Campbell and Ms Fay Shaw lived in Canna House until their respective deaths in 1996 and 2004. In 1981, Campbell gifted Canna to the National Trust for Scotland (supported with an endowment from the National Heritage Memorial Fund), along with the couple's vast library, archives and sound recordings. This includes some 1,500 Gaelic folk songs and 350 folk tales, the first recordings of members of the Mi'kmaq nation and more than 5,000 photographic negatives and 25 reels of film spanning 50 years of Gaelic culture on the islands of Canna, Barra, the Uists and Mingulay. Highlights of the collection are a Dictaphone recording machine, which Mr Campbell used to capture Gaelic speakers in the Western Isles and Cape Breton; his wife's favourite Graflex camera and the Book of Pooni, dedicated to their favourite cat. The house recently reopened for pre-booked guided tours and the team is now looking forward to welcoming more visitors. Operations manager Angus Murray said: 'We've worked hard to create an atmosphere that reflects Canna House in its prime — a home full of music stories, and Gaelic, just as John and Margaret would have had it. 'As a team, we are excited to share this experience with a new generation of visitors to Canna.' The project to fully repair and refurbish Canna House cost £3.6 million. Costs were met by the support of the National Trust for Scotland Foundation USA, a number of reserved funds held by the National Trust for Scotland intended for conservation projects of this nature, with the balance covered through funds generated by the charity's supporters, fundraising activities and commercial profits. Geraldine MacKinnon, speaking on behalf of the Isle of Canna Community Development Trust, said: 'The Isle of Canna Community Development Trust is pleased that Canna House has now reopened, enabling the public to access Canna House through guided tours and share the wealth of Gaelic culture it holds, along with the local historical and environmental heritage of Canna.'
